THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE BUXTED MUDDLES

 

Chart of Richard & Mary/Catherine Muddle's Family

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s eldest child was William Richard Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 7 August 1852. In the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 20 Francis Street in Brighton, Sussex. A year or so later William moved with his parents back to Buxted and in the census of 2 April 1871 William, now aged 18, was living with his parents in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish.

When he was 25 years old William married 24-year-old Charity Evans at the Parish Church of St James the Less in Nutley, Sussex on 15 May 1877. Charity was the daughter of George and Sarah Ann Evans; she had been born at Chailey in Sussex and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1852. William and Charity had three children. Their first child was born less than 6 months after their marriage while they where living at Hadlow Down in Sussex and William was working as a gardener. Then in about 1878 they moved to Felbridge in Surrey, which is just to the north of East Grinstead in Sussex, where their next two children were born in 1880 and 1885.

In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Harts Hall Cottage, Imberhorne Lane, Felbridge, with their then two children and William was a gardener. Harts Hall Cottage was one of two servants' cottages that went with Harts Hall, which was owned by Charles Henry Gatty of Felbridge Place. Harts Hall was then in the tenancy of ship-owner William Ramsden Price for whom William would have been working as a gardener. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William and Charity were living at Harts Hall Cottage with their two youngest children (their eldest was an imbecile in an asylum), and William was continuing to work as a gardener. By 1890 William Ramsden Price had left Harts Hall, which in the 1891 census was occupied by a caretaker, so William would have now been working directly for the owner Charles Henry Gatty.

William and Charity's eldest child, who had been in an asylum, died in 1895, at the age of 17. In the census of 31 March 1901 William and Charity were still at Harts Hall Cottage, now with just their youngest child still at home, and William was a domestic gardener. In this census Harts Hall was recorded as being unoccupied so William was still working for the owner Charles Henry Gatty. In December 1903 Harts Hall passed to Alfred Leighton Sayer and Charles Lane Sayer on the death of Charles Henry Gatty, and it seems likely that it was at this time that William and Charity moved from Harts Hall Cottage because William lost his job on the change of ownership of Harts Hall.

In the census of 2 April 1911 William and Charity were living at The Pinewoods Lodge in Warren Lane at Oxshott in Surrey. William was a domestic gardener and would have been working for merchant James Thomas Sydenham who was the occupier of Pinewoods, a large 20 room private house. Later that year William died at the age of 59, his death being registered in Whitechapel registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1911. Eleven years later Charity died at 11 Victoria Grove in Folkestone, Kent, where her son Walter was also living, on 19 December 1922, at the age of 70, from cancer of the colon and liver.

 

William and Charity’s eldest child was George Muddlewho was born at Hadlow Down in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Mark in Hadlow Down on 25 November 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 George, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Harts Hall Cottage in Felbridge, Surrey. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 George, now aged 13, was in the Earlswood Asylum at Reigate in Surrey, and he was described as being an imbecile. The following year George was transferred to the Sussex County Lunatic Asylum at Haywards Heath (Wivelsfield Parish) where he was admitted on 24 June 1892 and after almost three years there died on 30 March 1895 at the age of 17 (not 16 as given on his death certificate) from epilepsy storma.[1]

 

 

William and Charity’s second child was Walter William Muddle who was born at Felbridge in Surrey, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Walter, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Harts Hall Cottage in Felbridge. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Walter, now aged 11, was going to school and continuing to live with his parents at Harts Hall Cottage. In the census of 31 March 1901 Walter, at the age of 21, was a live-in grocer's assistant to grocer John James Barrough in the High Street at Slaugham in Sussex. (For some reason Walter was called Moses in this census.)

In the census of 2 April 1911 Walter, at the age of 31, was working as the manager of a grocery stores and boarding with the family of greengrocer Robert James Stokes at 47 Bouverie Road West in Folkestone, Kent. It seems that soon after this census Walter set himself up with his own grocery business, trading as William Muddle, and Kelly's Directory of Kent for 1913, which would have been based on information collected in 1912, listed William Muddle as a grocer at 41 Bouverie Road West in Folkestone. Walter registered his business as a private limited company in 1914, the Report of the Comptroller of the Companies Department for the Year ending 31st December 1914 listed one of the private companies registered that year as William Muddle Limited.

William was a 39-year-old grocer living in Folkestone when he became a member of the Temple Lodge No 558 of the Freemasons in Folkestone. His initiation was on 15 July 1918, his passing on 20 August 1918 and his raising on 23 September 1918.[2]

The 1920 telephone book listed William Muddle Ltd, grocers and provisions merchants, of 26 Bouverie Road West in Folkestone. When his mother died in 1922 Walter was living with her at 11 Victoria Grove in Folkestone.

When he was 59 years old Walter married 50-year-old divorcee Florence Elizabeth Kinsley, known as Florrie, at Elham Register Office in Kent on 23 November 1939. Walter was than a provision merchant living at 11 Victoria Grove in Folkestone, and Florence was living at The Norfolk Hotel in Folkestone. One of the witnesses to the marriage was Robert James Stokes with whom Walter had been boarding in 1911 and who had been a witness at the marriage of Walter's sister Annie in 1910. Florence was described on their marriage certificate as 'formerly the wife of Joseph Kinsley from whom she obtained a divorce', and it was also stated that her former name was Chapman, but her father’s name was given as Goodchild, so she had been married twice before. Florence was the daughter of Henry and Sarah Goodchild; she had been born at Notting Hill in London and her birth registered during the 2nd quarter of 1889. She had married Herbert Chapman at Hendon in 1908 and then Joseph Kinsley at Barnet in 1921. Walter and Florence didn't have any children, as Florence was too old.

William Muddle Ltd, grocers and provision merchants, were still listed as being at 26 Bouverie Road West in the telephone directory of 1939. Then in the directories of 1942 to 1944 they are listed as being at 40/42 Guildhall Street in Folkestone. From 1946 to 1951 they were listed as trading at both 26 Bouverie Road West and 40/42 Guildhall Street and then from 1952 as being only at the original premises of 23 Bouverie Road West.

Walter died at the age 74, his death being registered in Folkestone registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1954. From 1955 to 1967 the telephone directories list Mrs Florence E Muddle of 23 Bouverie Road West. Then thirteen years after Walter’s death Florence died at the age of 77, her death being registered in Folkestone registration district during the 1st quarter of 1967.

There are records of the Folkestone grocer’s business called William Muddle Ltd that consist of minutes, ledgers and cash books that date from 1914 to 1973, which, as Walter died in 1954, indicate that the business must have been operated under this name by other owners for almost twenty years after Walter’s death.[3] This company continued to be listed in the telephone directories as being at 26 Bouverie Road West until 1971. Another grocer’s company called W M Muddle Ltd of 49 Black Bull Road in Folkestone were listed in the telephone directories from 1969 to 1972 and is thought to have been an associated company.

 

William and Charity’s third child was Annie Emily Muddle who was born at Felbridge in Surrey on 11 August 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Annie, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Harts Hall Cottage in Felbridge. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Annie, now aged 15, was working as a school monitoress and still living with her parents at Harts Hall Cottage.

When she was 25 years old Annie married 25-year-old Benjamin Victor Stokes at the Parish Church of St Mary in Stoke D'Abernon near Oxshott, Surrey on 19 October 1910. Benjamin was then a fruiterer living at 47 Bouverie Road in Folkestone, Kent, and Annie was living with her parents at Oxshott in Surrey. Benjamin was the son of William and Mary Stokes; he had been born at Folkestone and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1885.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Benjamin and Annie were living at 36 Allendale Street in Folkestone and Benjamin was a fruiterer, shop keeper and an employer. They had three children born in Elham registration district, which included Folkestone, in 1911, 1917 and 1923. Benjamin died at the age of 44, his death being registered in Elham registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1929. Forty-seven years later Annie died when she was just on 91 years old, her death being registered in Shepway registration district, which included Folkestone, during the 3rd quarter of 1976.

 

Benjamin and Annie’s eldest child was Richard J Stokes whose birth was registered in Elham registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1911.

 

Benjamin and Annie’s second child was Winifred N Stokes whose birth was registered in Elham registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1917.

 

Benjamin and Annie’s sthird child was Gladys H Stokes whose birth was registered in Elham registration district in Kent during the 1st quarter of 1923.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s second child was Eliza Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 27 August 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 20 Francis Street in Brighton, Sussex. A year or so later Eliza moved with her parents back to Buxted. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Eliza, now aged 16, was a live-in general servant to the family of farmer James Bowmer at Hempstead House in Uckfield, Sussex.

When she was 21 years old Eliza married 21-year-old William Tucknott at St Peter's Church in Brighton on 10 October 1875. William was then a gardener living at Preston near Brighton, and Eliza was living at 16 Sudeley Street in Brighton. William was the son of William and Jane Tucknott; he had been born at Preston and his birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1854.

William and Eliza had two children, both sons, born at Preston in early 1876 and early 1877, the second of whom died when only a year old. When their second child was born in early 1877 they were living at 11 Station Road in Preston and William was working as a groom and gardener. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 William and Eliza were living at 13 North Lane in Preston with their surviving son, and Eliza's youngest brother, Thomas Muddle, was staying with them. William was still a domestic groom and gardener, and they had Stephen and Esther Akehurst lodging with them. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 5 South Road in Preston with their son; William was working as a gardener and they had Eliza's 21-year-old brother, Charles Muddle, boarding with them. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in The Stables at Robson House in Patcham near Brighton; William was still a gardener, and they had coachman William Couling as a boarder.

Sometime during the next few years they moved to the Uckfield area of Sussex where Eliza died at the age of 54, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1908. In the census of 2 April 1911 William was living alone at 2 Cedars Cottages in London Road, Uckfield and working as a jobbing gardener. In this census William stated that they'd had two children only one of whom was still living. Twenty-five years after Eliza's death William died at the age of 79, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1934.

 

William and Eliza’s eldest child was Thomas Tucknott who was born at Preston near Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 13 North Lane in Preston and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas, now aged 15, was living with his parents at 5 South Road in Preston, and he was still going to school.

 

William and Eliza’s second child was William Richard Tucknott who was born at 11 Station Road in Preston near Brighton in Sussex on 22 January 1877. William died when he was only a year old and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Patcham near Brighton on 7 March 1878.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s third child was Henry Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 10 August 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Henry, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 20 Francis Street in Brighton, Sussex. A year or so later Henry moved with his parents back to Buxted where he died at the age of 12, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 10 May 1869.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s fourth child was Emily Muddle who was born at Batts Hill in Maresfield, Sussex on 8 November 1859, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted, Sussex on 13 November 1859. Emily's baptism record incorrectly gives her mother's name as Elizabeth. In the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at 20 Francis Street in Brighton, Sussex. A year or so later Emily moved with her parents to Buxted where she died when she was 7 years old, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 27 October 1867.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s fifth child was Alfred Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 1 November 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alfred, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish. Alfred died at Buxted, at the age of 15, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 28 October 1878.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s sixth child was John Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 13 October 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 13, was working as a farm labourer and living with his widower father in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green. In the census of 5 April 1891 John, at the age of 23, was working as a domestic gardener and living with widower James Jeffery and his daughter at Wickland Cottage in Little Horsted, Sussex.

When he was 33 years old John married 21-year-old Martha Harriett Fairbrother, known as Harriett, at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield, Sussex on 10 November 1900. John was then a gardener living at Uckfield in Sussex, and Harriett was living at Rotherfield. Harriett was the daughter of George and Alice Fairbrother; she had been born at Rotherfield and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1879.

In the census of 31 March 1901 John and Harriett were living in New Road at Ridgewood in Uckfield, Sussex, and John was working as a domestic gardener. They then moved to Preston near Brighton in Sussex where they had three children; the first two, who were sons, being born in 1903 and 1908. When their first child was born in 1903 they were living at 26 Scarboro Road in Preston and John was working as a van driver. Then when their second child was born in 1908 they were living at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston and John was working as a builder's carman. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston with their two sons and John was continuing to work as a builder's carman. Their third child, a daughter, was born at Preston in 1914. They then moved back to Ridgewood in Uckfield where they were living in Ridgewood Cottage when their eldest son was accidentally killed in late 1917, at the age of 14.

They were living at Hyders farm in Jarvis Brook in Rotherfield Parish when John died at the age of 63 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 5 February 1931. John had probably returned to being a domestic gardener as that was how he was described when his daughter married in 1939. Fourteen years after John's death Harriett was living at 1 Clapham Common near Worthing in Sussex when she died at the age of 66, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys at Rotherfield on 9 March 1945.

 

John and Harriett’s eldest child was William John Muddle who was born at 26 Scarboro Road in Preston near Brighton, Sussex on 14 November 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 7, was going to school and living with his parents at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston. William was 14 years old, working as an errand boy and living with his parents at Ridgewood Cottage, Ridgewood, Uckfield, Sussex when he died as a result of being knocked from his bicycle by a motor car. An inquest was held by the Western (Lewes) District Coroner on 3 December 1917, which recorded a verdict of accidental death.[4] His death was registered in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1917.

 

John and Harriett’s second child was Richard George Muddle, known as Dick, who was born at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston near Brighton, Sussex on 25 March 1908. In the census of 2 April 1911 Richard, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston.

When he was 32 years old Richard married 32-year-old widow Florrie Louise Haynes, whose maiden name was Page, in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1940. Florrie was the daughter of Thomas and Rosina Page and she had been born at Portsmouth in Hampshire on 23 August 1908. She didn't like her given names and instead used the name Joan. She had married Henry R Haynes at Greenwich in 1928 and had four children before Henry died at Westminster in 1937.

Richard and Florrie had two children born in 1941 and 1947. They were living at 106 Malling Street in Lewes when their first child was born in 1941, and then at 125 Malling Street when their second child was born in 1947. Richard was described as being a garage mechanic / motor engineer in 1941 and 1947.

Florrie died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Luton registration district in Bedfordshire during the 4th quarter of 1982. In 1986 Richard was living at Leighton Buzzard near Luton. Eight years after Florrie's death Richard died at the age of 82, his death being registered in Biggleswade registration district in Bedfordshire during October 1990.

 

 

John and Harriett’s third child was Gladys Violet Muddle, also known as Violet Gladys Muddle, who was born in Steyning registration district, which includes Preston, in Sussex on 7 October 1914. When she was 25 years old Violet married 26-year-old Reginald Boorer at Lewes Register Office in Sussex on 11 November 1939. Reginald was then Private 6396442 in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment who had been a nurseryman living at 5 Council Cottages in Patching near Worthing in Sussex, and Violet was living at 106 Malling Street in Lewes. Reginald was the son of Albert and Alice Boorer and he had been born in Sevenoaks registration district in Kent on 8 March 1913. Reginald and Violet had one child born in Lewes registration district during 1940. Reginald died when he was just on 70 years old, his death being registered in Worthing registration district during 1st quarter of 1983. Twelve years later Violet died at the age of 81, her death being registered in Worthing registration district during December 1995.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s seventh child was Charles Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 2 January 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 Charles, at the age of 1, was living with his parents in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, now aged 11, was living with his widower father in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, at the age of 21, was working as a painter and boarding with the family of his sister Eliza Tucknott at 5 South Road in Preston near Brighton, Sussex.

When he was 26 years old Charles married 22-year-old Sarah Ann Alice Clarke, known as Alice, at Steyning Register Office in Sussex on 18 April 1896. Charles was then a house painter living at 32 Robertson Road in Preston, and Alice was a domestic servant living at Preston Farm Cottage in Preston. Alice was the daughter of platelayer Stephen Clarke and his wife Alice, and she had been born at Petworth in Sussex on 16 December 1873.

Charles and Alice lived at Preston where they had six children born between 1896 and 1915, one of whom died in infancy in 1900. When their third child was born in 1899 they were living at 4 Port Hall Street in Preston, and the 1899 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Charles Muddle as living at 4 Port Hall Street. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 15 Kingsley Terrace in Preston with their then three surviving children, and Charles was continuing to work as a house painter. They were living at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston and Charles was still a house painter when their fifth child was born in 1902. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 5 Hempstead Road in Preston with their now four surviving children and Charles described himself as a house paperhanger. Charles continued to work as a house painter/paperhanger for the rest of his working life, as he was to be described as a house decorator on his widowed wife's death certificate.

Charles and Alice were living at 5 Hampstead Road in Preston when Charles died on 20 January 1940, at the age of 70. Probate of Charles’ will, which valued his effects at £9387 0s 10d, was granted on 20 April 1940 by Lewes Probate registry to his widow Alice; his son Charles; and his daughter Emily. Twenty-nine years later Alice was still living at 5 Hampstead Road when she died there on 25 October 1969, at the age of 95, from bronchopneumonia.

 

Charles and Alice’s eldest child was Charles Muddle who was born at Preston near Brighton in Sussex on 8 November 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 15 Kingsley Terrace in Preston. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Charles, now aged 14, was living with his parents at 5 Hampstead Road in Preston.

When he was 22 years old Charles married 26-year-old May Lucy E Roberts in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1919. May was the daughter of Edward and Alice Roberts; she had been born at Addlestone in Surrey and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1893. Charles and May had one child born in Brighton registration district during 1920. In 1940 Charles was described as being a house decorator when he acted as one of the executors of his father's will. May died at the age of 58, her death being registered in Cuckfield registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1951.

A year after May’s death Charles, at the age of 55, married 41-year-old spinster Mary Ruth Heathorn at the Parish Church of Holy Trinity in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex on 9 August 1952. Charles was then a house decorator living at Wywurry in Western Road at Hurstpierpoint, and Mary was a children's nurse living at 3 Victoria Terrace in Hurstpierpoint. Mary was the daughter of Frederick John and Amy Heathorn, and she had been born at Hurstpierpoint on 9 September 1910. Charles was living at 164 Western Road in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex when he registered his mother's death on 27 October 1969.

Charles died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Haywards Heath registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1983. Two years later Mary died at the age of 75, her death being registered in Crawley registration district in Sussex during October 1985.

 

Charles and May’s only child was Peggy Rose Muddle who was born in Brighton registration district in Sussex on 24 November 1920. When she was about 37 years old Peggy married 41-year-old Harold Ernest Bowles in Cuckfield registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1957. Harold had been born in Cuckfield registration district on 1 August 1916. Harold and Peggy didn't have any children. Peggy died at the age of 62, her death being registered in Haywards Heath registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1983. Fourteen years later Harold died when he was just on 81 years old, his death being registered in Haywards Heath registration district during August 1997.

 

Charles and Alice’s second child was Emily Muddle who was born at Preston near Brighton in Sussex on 11 October 1897. In the census of 31 March 1901 Emily, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 15 Kingsley Terrace in Preston. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Emily, now aged 13, was living with her parents at 5 Hampstead Road in Preston.

When she was 27 years old Emily married 25-year-old Victor Leslie Brockhurst in Steyning registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1925. Victor was the son of George and Clara Brockhurst and he had been born in Steyning registration district on 27 October 1899. Victor and Emily had one child born in Steyning registration district in 1928. In 1940 Emily acted as one of the executors of her father's will. Victor died in Brighton registration district during 2nd quarter of 1987, at the age of 87. Three years later Emily died in Brighton registration district during 4th quarter of 1990, at the age of 93.

 

Charles and Alice’s third child was William Richard Muddle who was born at 4 Port Hall Street in Preston near Brighton, Sussex on 28 June 1899. William died when he was only about 6 months old, his death being registered in Steyning registration district in Sussex, which includes Preston, during the 1st quarter of 1900.

 

Charles and Alice’s fourth child was Alice Muddle who was born at Preston near Brighton in Sussex on 26 October 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Alice, at the age of 5 months, was living with her parents at 15 Kingsley Terrace in Preston. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 Alice, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 5 Hampstead Road in Preston. Alice never married. She died at the age of 68, her death being registered in Worthing registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1969.

 

Charles and Alice’s fifth child was Albert Muddle who was born at 60 Kingsley Road in Preston near Brighton, Sussex on 12 April 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Albert, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 5 Hampstead Road in Preston. When he was 26 years old Albert married 20-year-old Freda Rose Sherman in Brighton registration district during the 1st quarter of 1929. Freda had been born on 21 November 1908. They had three children born in Brighton registration district in 1929, 1933 and 1938. The 1940 edition of Kelly’s Directory of Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Neighbourhood recorded Albert Muddle as living at 19 Scarborough Road, Preston, Brighton. Albert died at the age of 78, his death being registered in South-East Hampshire registration district during the 4th quarter of 1980. Nine years later Freda died at the age of 81, her death being registered in Stockport registration district in Cheshire during February 1990.

 

Charles and Alice’s sixth child was Edith Muddle who was born in Steyning registration district, which includes Preston, in Sussex on 25 June 1915. When she was 26 years old Edith married 30-year-old Sidney Charles Uridge in Brighton registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1941. Sidney was the son of Charles and Ruth Uridge, and he had been born in Steyning registration district on 27 February 1911. Sidney and Edith had one child born in Brighton registration district during 1946. They were living at 23 Summerdale Road in Hove, Sussex when Sidney’s mother made her will in 1961. When probate of this will was granted in 1966 Sidney was described as being a legal executive. Sidney died when he was 78 years old, his death being registered in Hove registration district during March 1989. Fourteen years later Edith died at the age of 87, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during February 2003.

 

Richard and Mary Ann’s eighth child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 16 October 1871, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 19 November 1871. Thomas would almost certainly have been born in the left-hand cottage of the terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish as the Muddle family were living there in both the 1871 and 1881 censuses. In the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas, at the age of 9, was staying with his married sister Eliza Tucknott and her family at 13 North Lane in Preston near Brighton in Sussex, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas, now aged 19, was living with his father and stepmother at the Hog House in Buxted.

When he was 20 years old Thomas married 20-year-old Harriet Stevens at St Andrew's Church in Hove, Sussex on 9 August 1891. Thomas was then a gardener living at 49 Goldstone Road in Hove, and Harriet was living at 13 Brunswick Road in Hove. Harriet was the daughter of Samuel and Lucy Stevens; she had been born at Buxted on 26 November 1870, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 8 January 1871. She was also the sister of the Lucy Stevens who married Thomas' 2nd cousin Albert Muddle, and the Ellen Stevens who married Alberts's relative James Muddle/Frost.

Thomas and Harriet had five children born between 1892 and 1908. They were living at 3 Robertson Road in Preston near Brighton and Thomas was still working as a gardener when their first child, a son, was born in 1892. They then moved to Buxted where they had another son in late 1893, at which time Thomas was recorded as being a labourer. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in the middle cottage of a terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish, known as No 48 Coopers Green Cottages, with their two sons, and Harriet's widowed mother, Lucy Stevens, was living with them. Thomas was then working as an estate groom, almost certainly on the Buxted Park Estate. Their third child was an adopted daughter, who had been born in 1903 and initially boarded with them before being adopted much later. Their fourth child, another daughter, was born on 14 December 1905 while they were living at Coopers Green, but died the following day when only 20 hours old. Their fifth child, a third daughter, was born at Coopers Green in 1908.

 

 

Thomas and Harriet seem to have also 'adopted' young Harriet Muddle who was the daughter of Harriet's sister Lucy, who had married Albert Muddle and died a year after her daughter Harriet had been born. Young Harriet was living with Ellen Frost, another of her mother's sisters, in the 1901 census. But when young Harriet married at Hove in 1910 she gave Thomas Muddle painter as her father and Thomas and his wife Harriet were the witnesses at the marriage.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Thomas and Harriet were living at 48 Coopers Green Cottages with their three surviving natural children and the daughter, Maud, who they were later to adopt, was living with them as a boarder. Thomas was working as a house painter; this would have been for Buxted Park Estate.

In the Buxted Park Estate papers there is a document that records that Thomas Muddle rented from the estate on a monthly tenancy at 3/- per week from 21 July 1912, No 48 Coopers Green Cottages, consisting of 3 bedrooms, kitchen, scullery and larder, no piped water, a well and drainage to wood, (this cottage, the centre one of a terrace of three, is now called Muddle Cottage, and was where the family were living in the 1901 census). When his son Albert married in 1914 Thomas was described as being a painter, and then as a decorator when his son William married in 1921.

Their grandson, Ron Muddle, remembers that each week during the winters while they were living at No 48 Coopers Green Cottages and Thomas was working for Lord Portman at Buxted Park a deer would be culled from the park herd. This Thomas took home and butchered, and it was then cooked with vegetables by Harriet in their copper. The resulting food was then served as a meal at No 48 Coopers Green Cottages for all the workers at Buxted Park.

In about 1925 Thomas and Harriet moved to 3 Windsor Road in Jarvis Brook near Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex. Their son Albert was already living in Windsor Road and he rented another house in the road for his parents. When their daughter Nellie married in 1932 they were living at 3 Windsor Road and Thomas was again described as being a painter. Thomas died in Tunbridge Wells Hospital at the age of 62, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 6 September 1934. Eleven years later Harriet was still living at 3 Windsor Road when she died at the age of 74, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 6 September 1945.

 

Thomas and Harriet’s eldest child was Albert Muddle, known as Bert, who was born at Preston near Brighton in Sussex on 19 December 1891, and baptised at St Andrew's Church in Hove, Sussex on 14 February 1892. In the census of 31 March 1901 Bert, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in the middle cottage of a terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish, Sussex, known as No 48 Coopers Green Cottages, and he was going to school. Bert left school at the age of 12 and started work plucking chicken. In the census of 2 April 1911 Bert, now aged 19, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at 48 Coopers Green Cottages. Later he cycled to Lewes each day to train as a motor mechanic at the Lewes branch of Martin's Garage. After his training he worked at the Crowborough branch of Martin's Garage and while there they hired him out as a chauffeur to the Ionides family at Fairwarp.

 

 

When he was 22 years old Bert married 25-year-old Leonora Violet Reeve, known as Vi, at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 3 January 1914. They were both then living at Coopers Green and Bert was working as a chauffeur. Vi was the daughter of George Reeve, and she had been born at Great Witchingham in Norfolk on 22 December 1888. Bert and Vi first lived at 11 Cemetery Lane in Crowborough where their only child was born in 1916 while Bert was still working as a chauffeur. Then the following year when he joined the Royal Navy Bert gave his occupation as motor fitter; he was still working for Martin's Garage at Crowborough Beacon as a motor mechanic and chauffeur.

 

 

Bert’s Royal Navy service number was F/26737. His service record describes him as 5ft 4in in height with a 36in chest, brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He joined on 14 March 1917, for the duration of hostilities, as Acting Air Mechanic 1st Class at HMS President II, which was the name for shore bases in the London area. He was stationed at Crystal Palace for two days, then on 16 March 1917 he moved to Cromwell Street and on 30 June 1917 he transferred to Vendome, which was a Royal Navy Air Service base in southern France, where he was made a full Air Mechanic 1st Class on 1 January 1918 and discharged from the navy on 31 March 1918. On discharge his character was described as very good and his ability as satisfactory. For his service during the war Albert was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[5]

 

 

After his discharge from the Royal Navy Bert returned to his work at Martin's Garage in Crowborough for about a year; he then left to start his own motor business called Jarvis Brook Engineering in converted stables at the pub near the railway station in Jarvis Brook. This company sold and maintained motor cars; it also owned a number of cars for hire, and also did general engineering work. At about the same time the family moved into a rented house in Windsor Road, Jarvis Brook. Then in about 1924 Bert built a new garage in Station Road, Jarvis Brook, close by his original premises at the pub. He also built an adjoining house, he called Lyng, which the family moved into.

 

 

Bert was also something of an entertainer, specializing in the singing of comic songs. He would organize concerts and other entertainments at Jarvis Brook and other local venues. Bert was also active in other local organizations; he was president of The Crowborough and District Chamber of Commerce in 1938.

 

 

They were living at Lyng in Station Road when Bert died in the Kent & Sussex Hospital at Pembury in Kent on 11 June 1941, at the age of 49, from a ruptured appendix. Probate of Bert's will, which valued his estate at £5052 9s 0d, was granted by Lewes Probate Registry on 29 September 1941 to chauffeur George Herbert Curd, who was Bert's friend and worked for the family that owned Hovis Flour, and motor engineer Ernest Edward Shorey, who was the manager of Bert business.

 

 

After Bert's death Vi continued to run Jarvis Brook Engineering, in which she had been active in the administration while Bert was alive, until the death of her manager Ernest Shorey when she was about 70. The company was then sold and in 1958 Vi moved from Lyng to Troys Acre on Crowborough Hill. Evelyn, Vi's daughter-in-law, lived with Vi at Lyng and then Troys Acre after her separation and then divorce from Vi's son. Vi and Evelyn were living at Troys Acre when they sailed cabin class on the Queen Mary of the Cunard Line from Southampton on 25 June 1959 bound for New York. On the passenger list Vi was described as retired and Evelyn as a secretary.[6] After two months in North America Vi and Evelyn sailed 1st class on the Homeric of the Home Lines from Montreal and arrived at Southampton on 6 September 1959.[7] Evelyn continued to live with Vi until her death in 1961.

 

 

From 1968 to 1971 Vi lived at Bucksford Farm in Great Chart, Kent that was owned by her son. But as Vi was very actively involved with a number of organizations in Crowborough in 1972 she returned to Crowborough to live at Endway in Croham Road, and then in about 1980 moved to a new house next to Endway. In the mid-1980s Vi finally left Crowborough and went to live at 2 Riviera Court in the High Street at Sandgate near Folkestone in Kent, this was a flat in a block of flats at that was owned by her son. Vi remained very active and was even filmed by BBC TV at Lingfield Racecourse driving her car at the age of 100. Fifty years after Bert's death Vi died at the grand age of 102, her death being registered in Shepway registration district in Kent during November 1991.

 

 

Thomas and Harriet’s second child was William Richard Muddle, known as Bill, who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 27 November 1893, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 14 January 1894. (William's baptism record incorrectly records his father as being William instead of Thomas.) In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 7, was living with his parents in the middle cottage of a terrace of three cottages at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish, known as No 48 Coopers Green Cottages, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1911 William, now aged 17, was working as a domestic groom and living with his parents at 48 Coopers Green Cottages.

During the First World War William served first as Corporal 330 in the Royal Sussex Regiment and then as Corporal 63984 in the Lancashire Fusiliers. For his service during the First World War John was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[8]

When he was 28 years old William married 17-year-old Evelyn Booth at the Parish Church of All Saints in Crowborough, Sussex on 19 December 1921. They were both then living at Crowborough, and William was a tailor. Evelyn was the daughter of James and Martha Booth and she had been born at Glynde in Sussex on 5 January 1904. William and Evelyn's first child was born at Uckfield in Sussex in 1923, at which time William was a tailor and had a tailor's shop in Uckfield.

William and Evelyn separated and William was living with Blanche Elizabeth Bennett, who was the daughter of William and Alice Bennett and had been born at Selmeston in Sussex on the 13 November 1906, when they had an illegitimate daughter in 1926. This child was recorded as being born to non-domestic housekeeper Blanche Elizabeth Bennett at 24 Eade Road in Norwich, Norfolk, when its birth was registered by William as the occupier of 24 Eade Road. When this child married she gave her name as Bennett otherwise Muddle, and when her mother died her name was registered as Blanche Elizabeth Muddle, so presumably Blanche changed her name from Bennett to Muddle.

William worked for a large firm of London tailors at their branch in Norwich and then when they opened a branch at Great Yarmouth he became manager for them there. It seems that William must have returned to Evelyn as they had a second child born at Flat 1, 5 Albert Square, Great Yarmouth in 1934, and William was then a tailor's shop manager. Five years later William died at the age of 45, his death being registered in Yarmouth registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1939.

After William's death Blanche was housekeeper for a brother of William's sister-in-law, Vi Muddle, née Reeve, at his home in Norfolk. And Blanche Elizabeth Muddle was a retired housekeeper living at The Stone Cottage in Teigh, Oakham, Leicestershire, when she died a spinster in Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry on 26 February 1978, at the age of 71, from myeloma. She was buried in the Churchyard of Holy Trinity at Teigh (now in Leicestershire, was in Rutland) on 3 March 1978.

Forty-four years after William's death Evelyn died at the age of 79, her death being registered in North Surrey registration district during the 4th quarter of 1983.

 

 

Thomas and Harriet’s third child, who was adopted, was Maud Elizabeth Muddle who had been born at Eastbourne in Sussex on 12 March 1903 as Elizabeth Maud Burgess. In the census of 2 April 1911 Maud Burgess, at the age of 8, was a boarder with the Muddle family at 48 Coopers Green Cottages in Buxted Parish, Sussex.

Maud became a live-in housekeeper to the family of Fred West at Wembley in Middlesex and then after Fred's wife died Maud, at the age of 32, married 54-year-old widower Fred West at the Methodist Church in Park Lane, Harrow Road, Wembley on 21 September 1935. They were both then living at 38 East Lane in Wembley, and Fred was a higher clerical officer at the GPO. Fred was the son of John and Martha West; he had been born at Boylstone in Derbyshire and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1880. He married Nora O'Neill at West Ham in Essex in 1903 and Nora died in 1932.

Fred and Maud didn't have any children, but Fred had two children from his first marriage; a son Trevor, who was a lawyer in London and ended up living at Heathfield in Sussex, and a daughter Maureen who was mentally retarded. Fred and Maud lived at 6 Rosehill Gardens on Crowborough Hill Road at Jarvis Brook in Sussex and then later moved to a house in Eridge Road, Crowborough. Maud was a member of the Chapel at Crowborough. Fred worked for an organization in London that incinerated old banknotes.

Fred died at the age of 81, his death being registered in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 2nd quarter of 1962. Twenty-three years later Maud died at the age of 82, her death being registered in Tunbridge Wells registration district in Kent during July 1985.

 

 

Thomas and Harriet’s fourth child was Ellen Muddle who was born at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish, Sussex on 14 December 1905. The following day, 15 December 1905, Ellen died unbaptised when only 20 hours old and she was buried, without a service because she was unbaptised, in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 16 December 1905.

 

Thomas and Harriet’s fifth child was Nellie Bertha Muddle who was born at Coopers Green in Buxted Parish, Sussex on 21 February 1908. In the census of 2 April 1911 Nellie, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 48 Coopers Green Cottages. Nellie went to Buxted School.

When she was 24 years old Nellie married 24-year-old Eric James Soane at St Michael and All Angels Church in Jarvis Brook near Crowborough in Sussex on 7 September 1932. Eric was then a clerk living at 4 Valley View in Queens Road, Crowborough, and Nellie was living with her parents at 3 Windsor Road in Jarvis Brook. Eric was the son of gardener John Soane and his wife Edith, he had been born at Crowborough and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1908.

 

 

Eric and Nellie had one child, a son, born at 3 Windsor Road in 1935. They always lived at 3 Windsor Road, which they named St Brelades, where Nellie had been living with her parents, Thomas and Harriet, who continued to live with them until their deaths; Thomas in 1934 and Harriet in 1945. They also had Nellie's niece, Doris Evelyn Muddle, living with them at 3 Windsor Road, and even after Doris married in 1942 she and her husband, Ron Cole, lived with them for awhile. Eric and Nellie owned both 3 & 4 Windsor Road and rented out number 4.

Nellie was in the Women's Voluntary Service during the Second World War. Eric had been in the Territorial Army before the Second World War and then all through the war he was in the Royal Artillery, serving in North Africa, Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Eric had been a clerk for the Crowborough Gas & Electricity Company, first at Jarvis Brook and then at Crowborough. When this company became part of Seeboard Eric worked for them at their Crowborough office until that was closed and he transferred to Tunbridge Wells.

 

 

Nellie died at Troys Acre on Crowborough Hill Road in Jarvis Brook, which was the home of her sister-in-law Vi Muddle, at the age of 50, her death being registered during the 2nd quarter of 1958. She was cremated at Brighton Crematorium. Eric, at the age of 50, then married 53-year-old Ivy Winifred G Graves in Chatham registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1958, and they lived at 3 Windsor Road. Ivy had been born on 29 April 1905.

Eric suffered from heart problems and he was still working as a clerk for Seeboard at Tunbridge Wells when he had a stroke and then died of pneumonia at 3 Windsor Road on 27 November 1962, at the age of 54. He was cremated at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on the 30 November and his ashes buried there. Ivy inherited his property but returned to Kent to live. She never remarried and died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Worthing registration district in Sussex during May 1989.

 

Richard and Catherine’s eldest child (Richard’s ninth) was Mary Clara Muddle, known as Clara, who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 9 August 1883, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 11 November 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Clara, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at the Hog House in Buxted. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Clara, now aged 17, was living with her parents at Hog House Cottages in Buxted.

Clara never married, and after her father's death in 1903 she lived with her mother and sister Emma in the Alms Houses near the Hog House in Buxted In the census of 2 April 1911 Clara, at the age of 27, was living with her mother and sister Emma in one room at the Alms Houses. Clara's sister Emma died in 1914 and Clara continued to live with her mother at the Alms Houses until her mother's death in May 1928.

A few days after her mother's death Clara died at the age of 44, her death being registered in Tenterden registration district in Kent, where she was probably staying with her married sister Catherine whose husband was from Ebony in Tenterden registration district, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 22 May 1928, in the same grave that her mother had been buried in five days earlier.

 

 

Richard and Catherine’s second child (Richard’s tenth) was Catherine Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 9 September 1884, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 12 April 1885. In the census of 5 April 1891 Catherine, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at the Hog House in Buxted. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Catherine, now aged 16, was living with her parents at Hog House Cottages in Buxted. In the census of 2 April 1911 Catherine, at the age of 26, was a live-in parlour maid to spinster sisters Robina and Edith Farquhar at Florence in Groombridge, Sussex.

When she was 29 years old Catherine married 29-year-old James Stephen Collins at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 2 May 1914. James was then a labourer living at Ebony in Kent, and Catherine was living in Buxted. James was the son of Jesse and Eliza Collins; he had been born at Westfield near Battle in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Westfield on 1 March 1885.

James and Catherine had one child, a daughter, born in Tenterden registration district in Kent in 1915. It's thought that after Catherine's mother died in May 1928 Catherine's spinster sister Clara, who had been living with their mother in Buxted, came to stay with James and Catherine because she died in Tenterden registration district later that month.

 

James and Catherine’s only child was Vera E Collins whose birth was registered in Tenterden registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1915.

 

Richard and Catherine’s third child (Richard’s eleventh) was Emma Muddle who was born at Buxted in Sussex on 3 February 1889, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 18 August 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Emma, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at the Hog House in Buxted. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Emma, now aged 12, was living with her parents at Hog House Cottages in Buxted.

Emma never married, and after her father's death in 1903 she lived with her mother and sister Clara in the Alms Houses near the Hog House in Buxted. In the census of 2 April 1911 Emma, at the age of 22, was living with her mother and sister Clara in one room at the Alms Houses. Emma died at the age of 25 while living with her mother and sister Clara at the Alms Houses near the Hog House in Buxted, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen at Buxted on 29 June 1914.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2008-2015

Last updated 27 November 2015