THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of John & Barbara Muddle's Family

 

John and Barbara’s eldest child was Anne Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 22 March 1869. In 1887 when she was about 18 years old Anne had an illegitimate son born in Clarence Town registration district, and then in 1890 she had an illegitimate daughter, followed by another illegitimate daughter in 1899, both of whom were born in Paterson registration district. Then in 1900 Anne had another illegitimate daughter born in West Maitland registration district and fathered by Thomas Buxton.

When she was 33 years old Anne married 46-year-old widower David Forrest at the Congregational Church, Carrington Street, West Maitland, New South Wales on 23 May 1902. David was a stonemason who had been born at Brechin in Scotland. David and Anne had one child born in West Maitland registration district in 1902 before it seems they probably separated. Then in 1905 Anne had another illegitimate son born in West Maitland registration district and fathered by William Ernest Dever. Then in 1912 Anne, who was now about 43, had yet another illegitimate son born in Stroud registration district, whose father is unknown. Though a clue to who this father may have been is that Anne was referred to as Anne Donaldson by her father when he made his will on 20 August 1912. Anne died under the name Forrest in Wallsend registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales, at the age of 75, and was buried in Sandgate Cemetery near Newcastle on 12 December 1944.

 

Anne’s first illegitimate child was Arthur Charles Muddle whose birth was registered in Clarence Town registration district in New South Wales during 1887. Arthur never married. He had been a labourer living at Tyagarah, which is on the coast about 300 miles north of Clarence Town near the boarder with Queensland, when he died at Mullumbimby in Murwillumbah registration district, which is about 4 miles north of Tyagarah, on 26 January 1922, at the age of about 34. Arthur died intestate and without anybody knowing anything of his family so administration of his estate, valued at under £84, was granted to Public Trustee Thomas William Garrett of Sydney by the Supreme Court of New South Wales Probate Jurisdiction on 18 April 1922.[2]

 

Anne’s second illegitimate child was Clara May Muddle whose birth was registered in Paterson registration district in New South Wales during 1890. When she was about 22 years old Clara married Edward Norman Rumbel, who was about 24, in Paterson registration district during 1912. Edward was the son of Charles and Martha Rumbel, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1888. Four of Edward’s siblings married four of the siblings of Clara’s mother. Edward and Clara had two children born in Dungog registration district in 1914 and 1915. Clara died in Wyong registration district in New South Wales on 11 February 1957, at the age of 66 (not 65 as given on her headstone), and she was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Fifteen years later Edward died in Dungog registration district on 28 June 1972, at the age of 84, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Edward and Clara’s eldest child was Mary M Rumbel whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district during 1914.

 

Edward and Clara’s second child was Esther Maud Rumbel whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district during 1915. Esther married in 1939.

 

Anne’s third illegitimate child was Effie Eliza Muddle, known as Eliza, whose birth was registered in Paterson registration district in New South Wales during 1899. Eliza was taken into the care of the state and was fostered to May Meyers in North Sydney when she went missing in 1913. The following notice was printed in the 'Missing Friends' section of the New South Wales Police Gazette of 26 March 1913:

Missing, since the 5th instant, from the residence of May Meyers, Military-road, Cremorne Junction, Neutral Bay, Eliza Muddle, 13½ years of age, about 4 feet 8 inches high, stout build, dark complexion and hair; dressed in heliotrope dress, rings running through material, cream straw hat, and black lace shoes; a State child.

 

Anne’s fourth illegitimate child was Meredina Muddle/Buxton whose birth was registered in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1900. Meredina was fathered by Thomas Buxton.

 

David and Anne’s only child (Anne’s fifth) was Annie C Forrest whose birth was registered in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1902.

 

Anne’s fifth illegitimate child (Anne’s sixth) was Ernest W Forrest/Dever whose birth was registered in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1905. Ernest was fathered by William Ernest Dever.

 

Anne’s sixth illegitimate child (Anne’s seventh) was Edward Forrest/Muddle whose birth was registered in Stroud registration district in New South Wales during 1912.

 

John and Barbara’s second child was Effie Eliza Muddle who was born at Chichester in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 12 October 1870. Effie never married. She died at Newcastle in New South Wales, at the age of 28, and was buried in Sandgate Cemetery near Newcastle on 5 May 1899.

 

John and Barbara’s third child was Edwin Muddle who was born at Chichester River in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 18 May 1872. When he was about 28 years old Edwin married Josephine Rumbel, who was about 19, in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1900. Josephine was the daughter of Charles and Martha Rumbel and she had been born at Dungog on 10 November 1881. Four of Josephine's siblings married three of Edwin's siblings and one of his nieces. Edwin and Josephine had six children, born in Dungog registration district between 1900 and 1917. Edwin had retired when he died at Stroud in New South Wales on 8 May 1946, at the age of 73, and was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery on 9 May 1946. Nineteen years later Josephine died in Maitland registration district on 11 November 1965, at the age of 84. She was buried in East Maitland General Cemetery where her grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Edwin and Josephine’s eldest child was Pearlie Josephine Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 2 August 1900. When she was about 26 years old Pearlie married Harold James Frost, who was about 26, in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1926. Harold was the son of Alfred and Mary Frost and he had been born in Stroud registration district in New South Wales on 21 November 1900. Harold and Pearlie had five children; the first born in 1923, three years before their marriage. Pearlie died on 18 June 1981, at the age of 80, and she was buried in East Maitland General Cemetery. Eight years later Harold died on 7 November 1989, at the age of 88, and he was buried with his wife in East Maitland General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

 

Edwin and Josephine’s second child was Hilda Grace Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 23 March 1902. When she was 30 years old Hilda married 41-year-old Jack Rodford Greenham in Gloucester registration district, which is about 30 miles north of Dungog, on 22 June 1932. Jack was the son of Thomas and Mary Greenham, and he had been born in Stroud registration district in New South Wales on 23 October 1890. Jack and Hilda had six children, but lost two of them to polio in 1950. Hilda died at Dungog on 13 July 1947, at the age of 45. Sixteen years later Jack died in Dungog registration district on 18 August 1963, at the age of 72.

 

Edwin and Josephine’s third child was Cecil Edward Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1904. When he was about 22 years old Cecil married Vera Maud Wand, who was about 23, in Gloucester registration district in New South Wales during 1926. Vera was the daughter of John and Margaret Wand and her birth had been registered in Copeland registration district in New South Wales during 1903. Cecil and Vera had eight children; the first of whom died while still a baby. Cecil died on 7 May 1983, at the age of 78, and he was buried in the Presbyterian Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Six years later Vera died on 2 September 1989, at the age of 85, and she was buried with her husband in the Presbyterian Section of Dungog General Cemetery. An inscribed headstone marks their grave.

 

 

Edwin and Josephine’s fourth child was Albert Edgar Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1907. When he was about 30 years old Albert married Lillian Mary Want, who was about 18, in Dungog registration district during 1937. Lillian was the daughter of James and Kathleen Want, and she had been born in about 1919. Albert and Lillian had seven children born at Dungog between 1940 and 1957, the last being stillborn. Albert was a farmer. Lillian died in Dungog registration district on 21 August 1969, at the age of 50, and she was buried in the Baptist section of Dungog General Cemetery. Ten years later Albert died at Albian Park in New South Wales, which is about 60 miles south of Sydney, on 6 June 1979, at the age of 71, and he was buried with his wife in the Baptist section of Dungog General Cemetery.

 

Edwin and Josephine’s fifth child was Glendon Charles Muddle who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 20 October 1909. When he was about 29 years old Glendon married Rita Ann Ingram in Dungog registration district on 1 March 1938. Rita was the daughter of Rueben and Elizabeth Ingram and she had been born in about 1920. Rita died on 14 September 1983, at the age of 63, and she was buried in the Baptist section of Dungog General Cemetery. Eight years later Glendon died on 22 June 1991, at the age of 81, and he was buried with his wife in the Baptist section of Dungog General Cemetery. Glendon and Rita had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Edwin and Josephine’s sixth child was Enid Eileen Mavis Muddle whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1917. When she was about 21 years old Enid married Raymond Cecil Dark in Dungog registration district during 1938. Enid had added her third name of Mavis by the time she married.

 

John and Barbara’s fourth child was Amelia Mary Muddle who was born at Caergwrle in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 17 April 1874. When she was about 18 years old Amelia married Michael Joseph Dever in Hamilton registration district near Newcastle during 1892. They had eight children born in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales between 1892 and 1917. Amelia died when she was about 57 years old, her death being registered in East Maitland registration district during 1931. Twenty-one years later Michael’s death was registered in Mayfield registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1952.

 

Michael and Amelia’s eldest child was Francis Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1892. Francis married in 1915 and had eight children born in Newcastle, New South Wales between 1915 and 1938. He died when he was about 59 years old, his death being registered in Mayfield registration district near Newcastle in New South Wales during 1951.

 

Michael and Amelia’s second child was James Joseph Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1894. James never married. He died when he was about 65 years old, his death being registered in Maitland registration district during 1959.

 

Michael and Amelia’s third child was Edward Cleveland Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1896. Edward married in 1926. He died when he was about 71 years old, his death being registered in East Maitland registration district during 1967.

 

Michael and Amelia’s fourth child was Amelia M Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1899.

 

Michael and Amelia’s fifth child was Winifred Margaret Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1902. Winifred married in 1921 and had two children. She died when she was about 66 years old, her death being registered in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1968.

 

Michael and Amelia’s sixth child was Kathleen M Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1911.

 

Michael and Amelia’s seventh child was John M Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1914. John died when he was about 14 years old, his death being registered in East Maitland registration district during 1928.

 

Michael and Amelia’s eighth child was Colleen Magdalene Dever whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1917. Colleen married in 1939.

 

John and Barbara’s fifth child was Jane Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 9 November 1875. When she was 23 years old Jane married Robert Williams in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 20 January 1899. They had two children born in East Maitland registration district in 1901 and 1904.

 

Robert and Jane’s eldest child was Doris M Williams whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1901. Doris married in 1923.

 

Robert and Jane’s second child was Reginald Williams whose birth was registered in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1904. Reginald married in 1929.

 

John and Barbara’s sixth child was William John Muddle who was born in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 27 March 1878. William never married. He died at Newcastle in New South Wales, at the age of 67, and was buried in Sandgate Cemetery near Newcastle on 1 April 1945.

 

John and Barbara’s seventh child was Isaac James Muddle who was born at Lewisbrook in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 12 March 1880.

When he was about 27 years old Isaac married Verlie Beatrice Slade in Newcastle registration district in New South Wales during 1907. (This marriage is also shown in indexes as being in Yass registration district, which is about 140 miles south-west of Sydney.) Verlie was the daughter of John and Selina Slade, and her birth had been registered in Raymond Terrace registration district in New South Wales during 1888. Isaac and Verlie had four children; the first was born during 1908 in Stockton registration district, which is on the northern side of the entrance to Newcastle harbour, and the other three were born between 1910 and 1913 in Stroud registration district, which is about 40 miles north of Newcastle. Isaac divorced Verlie in 1923, the co-respondent being Athol Wentworth Cordell.[3] In the 1928 New South Wales electoral roll Isaac was listed as living at 23 Brumby Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, and his occupation was labourer.

Isaac died in Petersham registration district in Sydney on 21 September 1957, at the age of 77; he was cremated at Woronora Crematorium in Southern Sydney and his ashes put in the Southern Porte Cochere Wall of Memories Panel B-0032. Six years later Verlie died in Ashfield registration district in Sydney on 13 May 1963, when she was about 75 years old, and she was buried in Woronora Cemetery in Southern Sydney.

 

Isaac and Verlie’s eldest child was Rita Irene Muddle whose birth was registered in Stockton registration district in New South Wales during 1908. When she was about 30 years old Rita married Richard Jackson, who was about 27, in Marrickville registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1938. Richard had been born in Scotland on 19 January 1911. During the Second World War they were living at St Peters in Sydney when Richard, at the age of 30, enlisted in the Australian Army at Paddington in Sydney on 26 December 1941. He was Driver NX80150 in the 2/4th Armoured Regiment when he was discharged on 23 November 1945.

 

Isaac and Verlie’s second child was Beatrice Gwendoline Muddle whose birth was registered in Stroud registration district in New South Wales during 1910. Beatrice had changed the spelling of her surname to Muddell by the time, at the age of about 36, she married Ernest Albert Oxley, who was about 36, in Petersham registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1946. Ernest had been born at Hull in England on 18 May 1910. Then during the Second World War Ernest was living at Melville in Western Australia when, at the age of 31, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Perth in Western Australia on 10 March 1942. He was Leading Aircraftman 46719 in the Care and Maintenance Unit at Tocumwal in New South Wales when he was discharged on 13 March 1946.

 

Isaac and Verlie’s third child was Ellie D Muddle whose birth was registered in Stroud registration district in New South Wales during 1911. Ellie died when about a year old, her death being registered in Stroud registration district during 1912.

 

Isaac and Verlie’s fourth child was Wilfred Lancelot Muddle who was born in Stroud registration district in New South Wales on 5 February 1913. Wilfred had changed the spelling of his surname to Muddell by the time, at the age about 25, he married Violet Elizabeth May Davis in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1938. During the Second World War they were living at Dulwich Hill in Sydney when Wilfred, at the age of 29, enlisted in the Australian Army at Melville in Western Australia on 19 August 1942. He was Driver NX149007 in the 132nd Australian General Transport Company when he was discharged on 6 December 1945. Wilfred and Violet divorced and Violet then married Leslie Thomas Terence O'Keefe in Griffith, New South Wales, which is about 300 miles west of Sydney, in 1956. Wilfred died at Leichhardt in Sydney on 23 May 1985, at the age of 72.[4]

 

John and Barbara’s eighth child was Samuel Muddle who was born at Clarence River in Clarence Town registration district in New South Wales on 12 July 1883. When he was about 31 years old Samuel married Clara E Rumbel in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914. Clara was the daughter of Charles and Martha Rumbel and her birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1893. Four of Clara’s siblings married three of Samuel’s siblings and one of his nieces. Samuel and Clara had three children born in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales in 1915 and 1918; the first two were twins who both died the year they were born. Samuel died on 5 February 1959, at the age of 75, and he was buried in East Maitland General Cemetery. Twenty-five years later Clara died on 24 September 1984, at the age of 92, and she was buried with her husband in East Maitland General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Samuel and Clara’s eldest child, one of twins, was Samuel Muddle whose birth was registered in Maitland East registration district in New South Wales during 1915. Samuel died while still a baby, his death being registered in Maitland East registration district during 1915.

 

Samuel and Clara’s second child, one of twins, was Clara Muddle whose birth was registered in Maitland East registration district in New South Wales during 1915. Clara died while still a baby, her death being registered in Maitland East registration district during 1915.

 

Samuel and Clara’s third child was Edna Mavis Muddle whose birth was registered in Maitland East registration district in New South Wales during 1918. When she was about 22 years old Edna married Melville Charles Todd, who was about 26, in East Maitland registration district during 1940. Melville had been born at Rose Park in Southern Australia on 1 November 1913. During the Second World War they were living at Hamilton in New South Wales when Melville, at the age of 26, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Newcastle in New South Wales on 10 June 1940. He was Leading Aircraftman 21270 in the 5th Operational Training Unit when he was discharged on 27 November 1945.

 

John and Barbara’s ninth child was Alice Muddle who was born in Clarence Town registration district in New South Wales on 2 July 1886. When she was about 28 years old Alice married Walter Henry Redman, who was about 25, in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914. Walter was the son of George and Susan Redman, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1889. Walter and Alice had three children, all sons, born between 1915 and 1921, two of whom died in their teens. Walter died in Dungog registration district on 18 June 1949, when he was about 60 years old, and he was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery, where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone. Ten years later Alice died when she was about 73 years old (not 69 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Wyong registration district in New South Wales during 1959.

 

Walter and Alice’s eldest child was Reginald Redman whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1915. Reginald died in Hornsby registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 22 January 1934, at the age of 18, and he was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery, where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Walter and Alice’s eldest child was Wesley George Redman who was born in Dungog registration district in New South Wales on 26 December 1917. During the Second World War Wesley was 25 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Army at Dandenong in Victoria on 27 May 1943. He was Driver N161995 in the 140th Australian General Transport Company when he was discharged on 30 October 1945. Wesley married in 1947.

 

Walter and Alice’s third child was Leonard Lambert Redman who was born in about 1921. Leonard died in Dungog registration district on 30 January 1936, at the age of 14, and he was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery, where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

John and Barbara’s tenth child was Sarah Maud Muddle who was born in Clarence Town registration district in New South Wales on 4 April 1888. When she was about 25 years old Sarah married John A Sullivan in East Maitland registration district in New South Wales during 1913. Sarah died when she was about 51 years old, her death being registered in West Maitland registration district during 1939.

 

John and Barbara’s eleventh child was Ada Muddle who was born at Allynbrook in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 26 April 1890. When she was about 21 years old Ada married Charles Robert Rumbel, who was about 27, in Paterson registration district during 1911. Charles was the son of Charles and Martha Rumbel, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1884. Four of Charles’ siblings married three of Ada’s siblings and one of her nieces. Charles and Ada had seven children born in Dungog registration district between 1912 and 1925. Ada died in Dungog registration district on 21 August 1943, at the age of 53 (not 52 as given on her headstone), and she was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Six years later Charles died in Dungog registration district on 22 November 1949, at the age of 65, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Charles and Ada’s eldest child was Grace Barbara Rumbel whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1912. Grace married in 1937.

 

Charles and Ada’s second child was Mervyn Charles Rumbel whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1914. Mervyn married in 1939. He died on 29 August 1993, at the age of 78, and is commemorated on the columbarium at Christ Church Anglican Church in Dungog.

 

Charles and Ada’s third child was Iris Alberta Rumbel whose birth was registered in Dungog registration district in New South Wales during 1917. Iris married in 1942.

 

Charles and Ada’s fourth child was Lola Ida Rumbel who was born in about 1919. Lola married in 1945.

 

Charles and Ada’s fifth child was Robert Noel Rumbel who was born in about 1921. Robert married in 1944. He died in Dungog registration district on 27 April 1959, at the age of 37, and was buried in the Uniting Section of Dungog General Cemetery where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

Charles and Ada’s sixth child was Ivan John Rumbel who was born in about 1923. Ivan married. He died on 17 November 1993, at the age of 70. He is commemorated on the columbarium at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dungog.

 

Charles and Ada’s seventh child was Jean Martha Rumbel who was born in about 1925. Jean married in 1948.

 

John and Barbara’s twelfth child was Julia Susan Barbara Muddle who was born at Allyn River in Paterson registration district in New South Wales on 20 June 1892. When she was 20 years old Julia married Henry Augustus Rumbel, who was about 24, at Eccleston in Dungog registration district on 25 March 1913. Henry was the son of Charles and Martha Rumbel, and his birth had been registered in Dungog registration district during 1889. Four of Henry’s siblings married three of Julia’s siblings and one of her nieces. Henry and Julia had one child, a daughter, born in Paterson registration district during 1914. Julia died in Dungog registration district on 7 July 1964, at the age of 72, and he was buried in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Ten years later Henry died on 20 April 1974, at the age of 85, and he was buried with his wife in the Anglican Section of Dungog General Cemetery. Their grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2016

Last updated 4 June 2016