THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of Luke & Eliza Muddle's Family

 

Luke and Eliza’s eldest child was John Thomas Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 8 December 1856, and baptised at Christ Church in Dungog on 8 February 1857. John never married. He was a butcher living at Barrington when he died on 28 February 1882, at the age of 25 (not 24 as given on his burial record), and was buried in Dungog General Cemetery the same day.

 

 

Luke and Eliza’s second child was George Gorange Muddle who was born at Bandon Grove to the north of Dungog in New South Wales on 6 June 1858 and baptised at Christ Church in Dungog on 25 July 1858. George never married. He died when about 25 years old, his death being registered in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1883.

 

Luke and Eliza’s third child was Luke Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1860. When he was about 25 years old Luke married Mary Jane Longbottom, who was about 18, at Chichester River in Dungog registration district on 3 August 1885. Mary was the daughter of William and Susannah Longbottom, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1867. Luke and Mary had four children born in Dungog registration district between 1886 and 1897. Luke died when he was about 47 years old, his death being registered in Dungog registration district during 1907. Twenty-nine years later Mary died when she was about 69 years old, her death being registered in Mayfield registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1936.

 

Luke and Mary’s eldest child was Luke William Muddle, known as William, whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1886. When he was 22 years old William married 20-year-old Viola Celia Jane Taylor at East Maitland Gaol Chapel in New South Wales on 27 November 1908. They were both then living in Dungog, William was a labourer and Viola was working as a domestic. Their only children were twins born at Dungog in early 1909, who both probably died soon after birth, as they both died at Dungog in early March 1909. As well as announcing the death of their twins in The Dungog Chronicle of 9 March 1909 William and Viola also recorded their thanks to Doctor Bowker and Nurse Neilson, who had looked after them. Three years later Viola died when about 24 years old, her death being registered in Stroud registration district, which is about 12 miles east of Dungog, during 1912. Thirty-two years later William died when he was about 58 years old, his death being registered in Mayfield registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1944.

 

William and Viola’s eldest child, one of twins, was Pretoria Doreen Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales in early 1909. Pretoria died at Dungog on 2 March 1909, probably soon after birth.

 

William and Viola’s second child, one of twins, was William Bowker Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales in early 1909. William died at Dungog on 5 March 1909, probably soon after birth. William's second name is the surname of the doctor who looked after him and his twin sister.

 

Luke and Mary’s second child was Florence M Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1888. Florence never married. She died when about 22 years old, her death being registered in Stroud registration district, which is about 12 miles east of Dungog, during 1910.

 

 

Luke and Mary’s third child was Ada M Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1892. In 1911 when she was about 19 years old Ada had an illegitimate daughter. Then when she was about 33 years old Ada married William James E Brotherwood, who was about 36, in Junee registration district, which is about 220 miles south-west of Sydney, during 1925. William was the son of William and Elizabeth Brotherwood; his birth had been registered in St Saviour Southwark registration district in London, England during the 1st quarter of 1889. William died at the age of 78, his death being registered in Wallsend registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1967.

 

Ada’s illegitimate child was Una Muddle whose birth was registered in Wickham registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1911. When she was about 21 years old Una married Cecil F C Bullen in Wickham registration district during 1932.

 

Luke and Mary’s fourth child was Annie Lillian L Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1897. When she was about 23 years old Annie married Albert Ernest MacGrath, who was about 24, in East Maitland registration district, which is about 25 miles south of Dungog, during 1920. Albert died at the age of 48, his death being registered in Wyong registration district, which is about 30 miles south of Newcastle in New South Wales, during 1944. Twenty years later Annie died when she was about 67 years old, her death being registered in Belmont registration district near Newcastle during 1964.

 

Luke and Eliza’s fourth child was Henry Stephen Muddle, known as Harry, who was born at Bandon Grove near Dungog in New South Wales on 16 May 1862, and baptised at Christ Church in Dungog on 10 June 1862. (Henry had added his second name of Stephen by 1888 when his first child was born.)

When he was about 26 years old Henry married Alice Maud V Galvin, who was about 18, in Stroud registration district during 1888. Alice was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Galvin, and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1870. Henry and Alice had eight children; the first six were born in Dungog registration district between 1888 and 1902; the seventh in Camperdown registration district in Sydney during 1906; and the eighth in Annandale registration district in Sydney during 1917.

Henry died in Petersham registration district in Sydney on 4 March 1923, at the age of 60, and he was buried with his son Gus in section H, row 30, grave 4360 of the Old Church of England section of Rookwood Cemetery. Twenty-five years later Alice died at the age of about 78, her death being registered in Dungog registration district during 1948.

 

Henry and Alice’s eldest child was Thomas Henry G Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 13 August 1888. When he was about 21 years old Thomas married Adelaide Sarah J Stewart, who was about 20, in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1909. Adelaide was the daughter of Francis and Adelaide Stewart, and her birth had been registered in Redfern registration district during 1889. Thomas and Adelaide had five children born in Sydney between 1910 and 1924. Thomas died in Liverpool registration district in Sydney on 10 September 1951, at the age of 63 (not 62 as given on his headstone, which also gives his birth incorrectly as 13 October 1889), and he was buried in section 15, row 23, grave 3481 of the Anglican section of Rookwood Cemetery. Seven years later Adelaide died in Auburn registration district in Sydney on 22 November 1958, at the age of 69, and she was buried in section 19, row 8, grave 1266 of the Anglican section of Rookwood Cemetery.

 

Thomas and Adelaide’s eldest child was Minnie A Muddle whose birth was registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1910. Minnie died when only about 2 years old, her death being registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1912.

 

Thomas and Adelaide’s second child was Henry Francis Muddle who was born in Camperdown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 28 February 1912. When he was about 24 years old Henry married Dorothea Marjorie Hird in Newtown registration district in Sydney (also recorded in Leeton registration district, which is about 280 miles west of Sydney), during 1936. They had one child who died young, in Annandale registration district in Sydney during 1939.

During the Second World War there are two overlapping records of Henry enlisting in the Australian Army. The first enlistment record, which gives Henry’s correct date of birth, has Henry, at the age of 29, living at Newtown in Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney on 23 April 1941. On this record he was Private NX2511 in the 32nd Training Battalion at Dubbo when he was discharged on 12 January 1943. The second enlistment record, which gives Henry’s date of birth as 28 February 1907, has Henry living at MacQuarie Fields near Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Forest Lodge in New South Wales on 2 July 1942. On this record he was Sapper N447351 in the RAE T/C when he was discharged on 23 September 1943.

In 1950 and 1955 Henry and Dorothea had stillborn daughters born in Newtown registration district in Sydney. Then in 1966 another of their daughters died in Liverpool registration district in Sydney during 1966.

 

Thomas and Adelaide’s third child was Beryl G Muddle whose birth was registered in Annandale registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1916. When she was only about 16 years old Beryl married Royden J W Robinson in Wallsend registration district in Newcastle, New South Wales during 1932.

 

Thomas and Adelaide’s fourth child was Stephen H Muddle. Stephen’s death was registered in Annandale registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1926.

 

Thomas and Adelaide’s fifth child was Reginald Muddle who was born in Camperdown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 7 February 1924. During the Second World War Reginald, at the age of 19, was living at Newtown in Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Melbourne in Victoria on 3 May 1943. He was Private NX161791 in the 10th Australian MOB LDY & FWD DECN Unit when he was discharged on 19 June 1946. When he was about 24 years old Reginald married Bessie Morris in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1948.

 

Henry and Alice’s second child was Eliza Hilda Emily Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 25 August 1890. Eliza died when only about 4 years old, her death being registered in Dungog registration district during 1894.

 

Henry and Alice’s third child was Myrtle Mary Maud Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 14 April 1894. When she was about 18 years old Myrtle married Frank Seagrave, who was about 19, in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1912. Frank was the son of Thomas Edward and Mary Seagrave, and his birth had been registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1893. Frank died when he was about 47 years old, his death being registered in Canterbury registration district in Sydney during 1940. Fifteen years later Myrtle died when she was about 61 years old, her death being registered in Five Dock registration district in Sydney during 1955

 

Henry and Alice’s fourth child was Henry Stephen Muddle, known as Stephen, whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1896. When he was about 26 years old Stephen married Doris Aileen Knudsen, who was about 21, in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1922. Doris was the daughter of Olaf and Florence Knudsen, and her birth had been registered in Camperdown registration district in Sydney during 1901. Stephen died when he was about 66 years old, his death being registered in Liverpool registration district in Sydney during 1962. Five years later Doris died when she was about 66 years old, her death being registered in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1967.

 

Henry and Alice’s fifth child was Mollie Una Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1899. When she was about 21 years old Mollie married Theodore O Stone, who was about 21, in St Peters registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1920. Theodore was the son of Henry and Catherine Stone, and his birth had been registered in St Peters registration district in Sydney during 1899. Mollie died when she was about 55 years old, her death being registered in Marrickville registration district in Sydney during 1954.

 

Henry and Alice’s sixth child was George Parnell Muddle who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 10 March 1902. When he was about 20 years old George married Susan Alice McMillan, who was about 18, in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1922. Susan was the daughter of Matthew and Emily McMillan, and her birth had been registered in Burwood registration district in Sydney in 1904. George and Susan had eight children born at Leichhardt in Sydney between 1925 and 1943. George died at Leichhardt on 1 November 1951, at the age of 49, and he was buried in grave section 13, row 38, grave 3209 of the Anglican section of Rookwood Cemetery. Susan second marriage, at the age of about 48, was to John Thomas Black in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1952.

 

 

Henry and Alice’s seventh child was Augustus E Muddle, known as Gus, whose birth was registered in Camperdown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1906. Gus died in Petersham registration district in Sydney on 7 March 1921, at the age of 14 years and 8 months, from injuries accidentally received, and he was buried in section H, row 30, grave 4360 of the Old Church of England section of Rookwood Cemetery. This same grave was to receive his father two years later.

 

Henry and Alice’s eighth child was James Albert Muddle who was born in Annandale registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 8 January 1917. His birth was registered as Albert James Muddle, but he seems to have always been known as James Albert Muddle. James married Elvina Mary. During the Second World War James, at the age of 25, was living at Hurstville in Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Melville in Western Australia on 7 December 1942. He was Private NX140583 at Australian Training Centre J W when he was discharged on 28 April 1945. James and Elvina had at lest one child who died in Parramatta registration district in Sydney during 1953.

 

James and Elvina’s only known child was Patricia Dawn Muddle who died in Parramatta registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1953.

 

Luke and Eliza’s fifth child was William Edward Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 6 May 1866, and baptised at Houghton on 16 September 1866. When he was 22 years old William married 25-year-old Minnie Eliza Gertrude Day at Dungog in New South Wales by the rites of the Presbyterian Church on 11 July 1888. They were both then living at Dungog and William was working as a butcher. Minnie was the daughter of Army Captain Caleb Day and his wife Serena, and she had been born at Geelong in Victoria during 1863. Minnie already had an illegitimate daughter, also called Minnie Eliza Gertrude Day, who had been born at Newtown in Sydney in 1883.

William and Minnie had four children, born in Dungog registration district between 1889 and 1895. They then moved to Sydney, and in 1900 they were living at 6 Dixon Street in Newtown, Sydney when William deserted Minnie, as reported in the New South Wales Police Gazette of 5 September 1900 page 327:

Newtown. A warrant has been issued by the Newtown Bench for the arrest of William Muddle, charged with wife desertion. He is 34 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, medium build, fair hair and complexion, moustache only, a coachman or cab driver, usually wears a light tweed suit and hard black hat. Complainant: Minnie Muddle, 6 Dixon-street, Newtown.

It seem that Willliam was soon found by the police and brought to justice, as reported in the New South Wales Police Gazette of 24 October 1900 page 393:

William Muddle charged with wife desertion, has been arrested by Sergent Mathews and Constable Buzzacot, Sydney Police. Ordered to pay 10s. a week for twelve months.

When their daughter Esther married in 1912, they were living at 93 Cavindish Street, Stanmore, Sydney, and William was still working as a cab driver. Then when their son died in 1917 during the First World War they were living at Enmore in Sydney. Minnie managed (owned) a 'Mission for Seamen' in the Rocks area of Sydney.

William died in Marrickville registration district in Sydney on 22 January 1932, at the age of 65, and he was buried in section 10, row 34, grave 5570 of the Anglican Section of Rookwood Cemetery. Four years later Minnie died in Mater Misericordiae Hospital in North Sydney on 27 January 1936, at the age of 72 (not 65 as given on her death certificate an headstone), from exhaustion and carcinoma of the rectum. She was buried in section 12, row 20, grave 2682 of the Anglican Section of Rookwood Cemetery on 29 January 1936.

 

William and Minnie’s eldest child was Serena A Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1889. Serena died soon after birth, her death being registered in Dungog registration district during 1889.

 

William and Minnie’s second child was Reginald William Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during July 1890. Reginald attended Newtown Public School in Sydney, New South Wales. When he was about 19 years old Reginald married Florence Annie Elizabeth Smith, who was about 20, in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1909. Florence was the daughter of James and Isabel Smith, and her birth had been registered in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1889. Reginald and Florence had one child, a son, born in 1910.

Reginald was a 24-year-old greengrocer living at 116 Simmons Street in Newtown, who had already served in the Home Artillery, when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army at Enmore in Sydney on 24 August 1914. He was Bombardier 189 in the 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade when he embarked on transport ship A8, HMAT Argyllshire, at Sydney on 18 October 1914 for Europe. In the 1916 New South Wales electoral roll Florence was listed as living at 49 Edgeware Road in Newtown, and Reginald was listed as being at 116 Simmons Street and to have the occupation of carter, presumably they were recording his address and occupation at the time he enlisted as he was then with the Australian Army in Europe. Reginald was Sergeant 189, in the 1st Australian Field Artillery Brigade when he died from his wounds on 4 October 1917 at the age of 27. Reginald was buried in plot 20, row H, grave 4, of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Viaanderen, Belgium. This cemetery was near a large clearing hospital, where Reginald presumably died. Florence was then living at 71 Marian Street, Enmore, Sydney. Reginald's name is on Memorial Panel 11 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Florence died at Concord in Sydney during 1963, at the age of about 74 (not 69 as given on her death certificate).

 

Reginald and Florence’s only child was George Reginald Muddle whose birth was registered in Camperdown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1910. When he was about 27 years old George married Vera Ellen Munro in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1937. Vera was the daughter of George and Eliza Munro, and her birth had been registered in Petersham registration district in 1906. George and Vera had two children born in 1938 and 1941. Vera had been living at Eastwood in Sydney when she died on 25 October 1992, at the age of about 86.[1] Five years later George had been living at Eastwood in Sydney when he died on 24 April 1997, at the age of 86.[2]

 

William and Minnie’s third child was Cecil Sydney George Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during March 1893. When he was about 24 years old Cecil married Lilian Maude Long in Sutherland registration district, which is about 12 miles south of central Sydney, during 1917. They had one child who had been born about three years before their marriage. Cecil died when about 51 years old, his death being registered in Rozelle registration district in Sydney during 1944. Lilian died at Canberra on 26 August 1963, at the age of 70, and she was buried in Canberra Church of England Cemetery.

 

Cecil and Lilian’s only child was Albert Reginald Muddle, known as Jack, who was born at Annandale in Sydney, New South Wales on 13 May 1914, about three years before his parent’s marriage. His birth was only registered when he was about 14 years old, in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1928. When he was about 26 years old Albert married Dorothy Irene Clutton in Waverley registration district in Sydney during 1940.

During the Second World War Jack was living at Randwick in Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney on 11 December 1940. He was Lieutenant NX66530 with 43rd Australian Landing Craft when he was discharged on 13 May 1946.

Jack and Dorothy lived in Canberra where they had three children. Jack died in Canberra in about 1994.

 

William and Minnie’s fourth child was Esther Myra Muddle, known as Myra, who was born at Dungog in New South Wales on 11 August 1895. When she was 16 years old Myra married 18-year-old Henry Herbert Andrews, known as Harry, at St Stephen’s Church, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales on 3 August 1912. Harry was then a linesman living at 54 South Street, Marrickville, Sydney, and Esther was doing domestic duties while living at 93 Cavendish Street, Stanmore, Sydney. Harry was the son of Robert and Alice Andrews, and he had been born in Sydney on 11 March 1894.

Harry and Myra had three children born between 1913 and 1920, and they were living at 8 Denby Street, Marrickville when their first child was born. During the First World War Harry enlisted at Sidney on 17 September 1914 and served abroad as a Sapper in the 1st Divisional Signal Company, he was discharged as medically unfit on 23 October 1917.

When his eldest daughter married in 1936 and also when his son married in 1938 Harry was working as a carter. Then during the Second World War Harry was a storekeeper living at Marrickville when he enlisted at Paddington in Sydney on 18 November 1940 as Private N100522 in the 140th Australian General Transport Company; he was discharged as medically unfit on 5 March 1943. Harry had fair hair, grey eyes and tattoos on both forearms.

Myra died at 5 Lido Avenue, North Narrabeen, Sydney on 31 May 1955 from a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 59, and she was buried in section 12, row 20, grave 2683; next to her mother's grave in the Anglican Section of Rookwood Cemetery, on 2 June 1955. Then three months later Harry died in Sydney Hospital on 8 September 1955 at the age of 61, and he was buried with Myra in the Anglican Section of Rookwood Cemetery.

 

Harry and Myra’s eldest child was Minnie Alice Andrews, known as Nancy, who was born at 1 Herbert Street, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales on 4 February 1913.

When she was 23 years old Nancy married John Macquarie Delaney, known as Mac, at St Stephen’s Church, Newtown, Sydney on 2 April 1936. Mac was then a clerk living at 2 Dibble Avenue, Marrickville, Sydney, and Nancy was a weaver living at 41 Llewellyn Street, Marrickville, Sydney. Mac was the son of John and Lily Delaney, and he had been born at Dubbo, which is about 200 miles north-west of Sydney, on 28 November 1910. Mac and Nancy didn’t have any children.

During the Second World War Mac was still living at Marrickville when enlisted in the Australian Army at Mareeba in Queensland on 18 June 1943. And he was Private NX154219 in the 64th Australian Infantry Battalion when he was discharged on 9 January 1946.

Mac continued to work as a clerk, and they were living at 5 Lido Avenue, North Narrabeen, Sydney, when Mac died at Narrabeen Lakes Nursing Home, Narrabeen, Sydney, on 13 March 1988, at the age of 77. Mac was cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Ryde, on 16 March 1988. Nancy had been living at North Narrabeen when she died in Lady Davidson Hospital in Sydney on 12 December 2000 from cancer at the age of 87. Nancy was cremated at North Suburbs Crematorium.

 

 

Harry and Myra’s second child was Olga Doris Andrews who was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 16 April 1914. Olga married Charles Alan Hartley, known as Alan, in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1935, and they had one child. Alan died at Miranda in Sydney on 29 October 1986. Olga died at Miranda in Sydney on 31 July 1997, at the age of 83, and she was cremated at North Suburbs Crematorium.

 

Harry and Myra’s third child was Reginald Henry Andrews who was born at Tempe in Sydney, New South Wales on 20 October 1920. When he was 17 years old Reginald married 17-year-old Kathleen Isobel Allan at St Stephen’s Church, Newtown, Sydney on 7 February 1938. They were both then living at Marrickville in Sydney where Reginald was a furnace hand and Kathleen was a shoe machinist. Kathleen was the daughter of Joseph and Annie Allan, and she had been born at Beaconsfield in Tasmania on 23 April 1920. Reginald and Kathleen had one child born in Sydney during 1938. Kathleen died at Arncliffe in Sydney on 16 February 1975, at the age of 54, and she was buried in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney. Reginald’s second wife was Merle Trotter. Reginald died at Gorokan, which is 45 miles north of Sydney, on 22 September 1995, at the age of 74; he was cremated at Gosford and his ashes buried in Rookwood Cemetery.

 

Luke and Eliza’s sixth child was Samuel Septimus Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 10 October 1868. Samuel never married. He died when he was about 63 years old, in Hornsby Mental Hospital, which is about 12 miles north of central Sydney, during 1932.

 

Joseph and Eliza’s eldest child (Eliza’s seventh) was George Thomas W S Brooker whose birth was registered in Paterson registration district in New South Wales during 1876.

 

Joseph and Eliza’s second child (Eliza’s eighth) was Esther Eliza Brooker whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1878. Esther never married. She died on 22 March 1912, at the age of 33, and she was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery. An inscribed headstone marks her grave.

 

Joseph and Eliza’s third child (Eliza’s ninth) was Susannah Maud Brooker whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1879.

 

Joseph and Eliza’s fourth child (Eliza’s tenth) was Harriet Sophia Brooker whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1881.

 

Joseph and Eliza’s fifth child (Eliza’s eleventh) was Mary A M Brooker whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1883.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2009

Last updated 25 May 2009