THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE FRAMFIELD MUDDLES

 

Chart of Thomas & Martha Muddle’s Family

 

Thomas and Martha’s eldest child was Thomas Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 22 April 1722. When he was 23 years old Thomas married Deborah Smith, who was about 34 years old, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 30 October 1745. They lived at Speldhurst where they had one child born in 1746.

The Poll Book for the election held at Maidstone on 1 & 2 May 1754 for two Members of Parliament to represent Kent, records that one of the voters was Robert Jeffery of Frant who held freehold property, consisting of a house and land, at Speldhurst that was occupied by Thomas Muddle.

Thomas died at Speldhurst on 3 May 1786, at the age of 64, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Speldhurst on 8 May 1786. Thomas’ will, dated the 19 April 1786 and granted probate at London by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 24 October 1786, described him as a yeoman of Speldhurst. The will left his property of about five acres at Lower Green in Speldhurst, then in the occupation of himself and Charles Moore, together with his share and interest in what was called ‘a Right to the Walks’ (now called the Pantiles) at Tunbridge Wells to his wife for her life, and then on her death to his daughter Mary for her life; neither were to in anyway dispose of these assets and on Mary’s death they were to go to Mary’s son Samuel Muddle. The will left all his personal estate to his wife for her use during her life, and on her death £100 was to be paid to his grandson Samuel Muddle, and any remainder was to go to his daughter Mary.[1]

Seven years after Thomas’ death Deborah died at Speldhurst, at the age of 82, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Speldhurst on 11 December 1793.

 

Thomas and Deborah’s only child was Mary Muddle who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 13 July 1746. In 1770 when she was 23 years old Mary had an illegitimate son fathered by Richard Wells. See the section headed ‘Mary Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of her life and details of her family.

 

Thomas and Martha’s second child was John Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 5 September 1725. When he was 34 years old John married Ann Hide at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 8 April 1760. They lived at Framfield where they had six children born between 1761 and 1776.

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 27 November 1782 it was recorded that, Samuel Waghorne surrendered to John Muddle husbandman of Framfield and his heirs, all that messuage or tenement, garden, orchard and one acre of new assart land near Blackboys in the ward of Langhurst in Framfield, late Thomas Waghorne’s before Pickham’s and formerly Vine’s, and also one small piece of land formerly taken from the waste or common called Langhurst Wood in Framfield, containing half an acre of new assart land, laying on the south of the aforesaid messuage. John Muddle was admitted to these properties on payment of a 3s fine to the Lord of the manor. This means that John had purchased these properties from Samuel Waghorne for an undisclosed sum. At the same court Samuel Waghorne conditionally surrenders to John Muddle, one barn and one parcel of new assart land of one acre and one rood at Blackboys in Framfield, late Thomas Waghorne’s and formerly Osborne’s, for £35 at 5% interest. This means that John gave Samuel Waghorne a mortgage of £35 at 5% interest on this property.

Seven years later at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 2 July 1789 it was recorded that on 24 June 1789 Thomas Starr and his wife Ann conditionally surrendered to John Muddle of Framfield, one messuage, barn, garden, orchard, and new assart lands of 14 acres called Buddis Buddisfield and Foxholes at Langhurst Wood in Framfield, and also one parcel of land late of the waste or common of Langhurst Wood laying before the aforesaid messuage containing one rood of new assart land, for £200 at 4.5% interest. This means that John gave Thomas and Ann Starr a mortgage of £200 at 4.5% interest on this property.

The following year at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 28 June 1790 it was recorded that John Muddle labourer of Framfield was granted admission to a piece of land being part of the waste of the manor at Blackboys Common in Framfield, containing one acre and one rood, abutting his own land on the south and east, for a yearly rent of 5d and payment of £5 5s 0d to the Lord of the Manor. It seems that John must have made money from his activities as a husbandman, being able to purchase property and give mortgages. But it is unclear why in later life he was always described as being only a labourer.

John died on 26 February 1810 at the age of 84, and he was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 2 March 1810. John had made his will five years earlier, on the 4 April 1805, when he described himself as a labourer of Framfield, and this will showed that John was able to write and signed his name John Muddel. This spelling of the surname was also used by his sons John and James when the will was granted probate by the Deanery of South Malling on 10 March 1810. The will made the following bequests: To his wife Ann all that copyhold messuage or tenement and all copyhold lands holden of the Manor of Framfield, and all my personal estate for her natural life. On Ann's death the messuage, tenement and land, together with one featherbed, bedstead and furniture belonging to it now in the middle chamber and any residue of his estate was to go to his son John, who was his eldest son and executor of his will. To his son James was to go all his wearing apparel and the sum of £160 on his wife's death. To his daughter Elizabeth the sum of £100, and after his wife's death the sum of £60 to be shared equally between Elizabeth's children. To his daughter Martha the sum of £163, four ewe sheep, one bible and all household furniture and linen after the death of his wife. To granddaughter Elizabeth Cornwall £20, to granddaughter Ann Cornwall £30, and to granddaughter Mary Cornwell £10, all to be paid after the death of his wife. The value of John's personal estate was given as under £600 at probate.[2]

At the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1810 the death of John Muddle was recorded and for a Heriot (Death Duty) to the Lord of the Manor a cow had been seized and valued at £6 6s, and the first proclamation of any claim on his properties was made. These properties consisting of all that messuage or tenement, garden, orchard and one acre of new assart land near Blackboys in the ward of Langhurst in Framfield, late Thomas Waghorne’s before Pickham’s and formerly Vine’s, and also one small piece of land formerly taken from the waste or common called Langhurst Wood in Framfield, containing half an acre of new assart land, laying on the south of the aforesaid messuage, also the piece of land late part of the waste of the manor at Blackboys Common in Framfield, containing one acre and one rood, abutting land late of John Muddle on the south and east. But it was only at the third proclamation at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 June 1812, that Ann Muddle the widow of the said John Muddle presented the probate of the will of the said John Muddle dated the 4 April 1805, where he disposed of his premises to his wife Ann Muddle for her life, and then to his son John Muddle. The Court granted Ann admission on the payment of a 5s 6d fine to the Lord of the Manor.

Then four years later at the Court of the Manor of Framfield held on 19 April 1816 it was recorded that Ann’s son John Muddle of Framfield was admitted to his late father’s premises subject to ‘the estate for life’ of Ann Muddle, widow, his mother, on payment of a 5s 6d fine to the Lord of the Manor. At the same court John Muddle and his wife Rosamond conditionally surrender the above premises to William Feldwick labourer of Framfield for £75 at 5% interest. So presumably the family needed to raise money by mortgaging their property, and a lender would probably prefer to give a mortgage to a 50-year-old man, rather than an 83-year-old widow. The following year Ann died at Framfield, at the age of 84, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 20 July 1817.

 

Their children were:

Ann 1761-1791  Elizabeth 1763-1841  John 1766-1837

Martha 1769-1851  James 1773-1843  Thomas 1776-1795

 

John and Ann’s eldest child was Ann Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 25 January 1761. When she was 21 years old Ann married William Cornwall at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 11 August 1782. They lived at Framfield where they had four children, all daughters, born between 1782 and 1789. Their third daughter died in 1788 when only seven months old. Eight months after the birth of their last child Ann died at the age 30, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 10 August 1791.

 

William and Ann’s eldest child was Elizabeth Cornwall who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 8 December 1782. Elizabeth’s grandfather John Muddle made a bequest of £20 to Elizabeth in his will. This bequest was to be paid when her grandmother Ann Muddle died in 1817.

 

William and Ann’s second child was Ann Cornwall who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 4 September 1785. Ann’s grandfather John Muddle made a bequest of £30 to Ann in his will. This bequest was to be paid when her grandmother Ann Muddle died in 1817.

 

William and Ann’s third child was Martha Cornwall who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 25 May 1788. Martha died when only seven months old, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 14 November 1788.

 

William and Ann’s fourth child was Mary Cornwall who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 20 December 1789. Mary’s grandfather John Muddle made a bequest of £10 to Ann in his will. This bequest was to be paid when her grandmother Ann Muddle died in 1817.

 

John and Ann’s second child was Elizabeth Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 14 August 1763. Elizabeth was living at Uckfield when, at the age of 22, she married 29-year-old Henry Fairbrother, who was from Wadhurst, at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst on 18 April 1786. Henry was the son of John & Mary Fairbrother, he had been born at Lamberhurst in Kent and baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary in Lamberhurst on 12 April 1757. Henry and Elizabeth had two children born at Wadhurst in 1787 and 1792, and at their baptisms Henry was recorded as being a weaver. When her father died in 1810 Elizabeth received a bequest of £100, and then when her mother died in 1817 Elizabeth's children shared a bequest of £60 that had been made in her father's will.

They were still living at Wadhurst when Henry died at the age of 75, and was buried in St Peter & St Paul Churchyard at Wadhurst on 12 March 1833. Eight years later Elizabeth was living at Frant in Sussex when she died at the age of 77 (not 78 as given on her burial record), and was buried in St Peter & St Paul Churchyard at Wadhurst on 31 May 1841.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Frances Fairbrother who was born at Wadhurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst on 5 August 1787.

 

Henry and Elizabeth’s second child was Henry Fairbrother who was born at Wadhurst in Sussex on 11 March 1792, and baptised at St Peter & St Paul Church in Wadhurst on 29 April 1792.

 

John and Ann’s third child was John Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 16 March 1766. When he was 37 years old John was recorded in the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being an unmarried labourer of Framfield. That same year, while he was 37, he married 27-year-old widow Rosamond Gower, whose maiden name was Barton, at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 11 October 1803. Rosamond was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Barton; she had been baptised as Rose Barton at All Saints Church in Waldron on 3 March 1776, and she was the sister of William Barton who had married John's sister Martha in 1802. She had married John Gower at All Saints Church in Laughton on 25 December 1796. See the section headed ‘John and Rosamond Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

John and Ann’s fourth child was Martha Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 15 January 1769. When she was 33 years old Martha married 32-year-old William Barton at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 20 April 1802. William was the son of Thomas and Sarah Barton; he had been baptised at All Saints Church in Waldron on 27 May 1770, and he was the brother of Rosamund Gower née Barton who was to marry Martha's brother John in 1803. William and Martha lived at Framfield where they had four children born between 1803 and 1810. When her mother died in 1817 Martha received a bequest of £163 together with four ewe sheep, one bible and all household furniture and linen that had been left to her in her father's will.

In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Ship Reed Farm in Framfield; William was a farmer and they had a live-in male servant and a female servant. William died at Framfield at the age of 78, and he was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 6 August 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Martha was living with the family of her widowed son William in Pump Lane at Framfield. Then later that year Martha died at Framfield, at the age of 82 (not 83 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 24 October 1851.

 

William and Martha’s eldest child was William Barton who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 22 May 1803. When he was 27 years old William married Anne Guy at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 23 June 1830. Anne was the daughter of William and Anna Guy and she had been born in about 1812. William and Anne lived at Framfield where they had ten children born between 1830 and 1847. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Pump Lane at Framfield with their then six children; William was working as a farm labourer and they had Anne's mother, Anna Guy, living with them. Anne died at Framfield, at the age of 37, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 14 September 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 as William was a widower living at Pump Lane with eight of his children; he was now a farmer of 25 acres and he had his 82-year-old widowed mother, who was to die later that year, living with him.

 

William and Anne’s eldest child was Harriet Anne Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 16 January 1831. In the census of 6 June 1841 Harriet, at the age of 10, was living with her parents in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Anne’s second child was George Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 13 January 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Pump Lane at Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 18, was living with his widowed father at Pump Lane.

 

William and Anne’s third child was Ellen Barton who was born at Framfield on 10 November 1834, and baptised at St Marys Lane Wesleyan Chapel in Lewes on 29 May 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ellen, at the age of 6, was living with her parents in Pump Lane at Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Ellen, now aged 16, was living with her widowed father at Pump Lane.

 

William and Anne’s fourth child was Anne Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 6 November 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Anne, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Anne’s fifth child was William Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 July 1839. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Pump Lane at Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 11, was living with his widowed father at Pump Lane.

 

William and Anne’s sixth child was John Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 March 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 4 months, was living with his parents in Pump Lane at Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 John, now aged 10, was living with his widowed father at Pump Lane.

 

William and Anne’s seventh child was Henry Barton who was born at Framfield, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1842. He was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 5 March 1843. In the census of 30 March 1851 Henry, at the age of 8, was living with his widowed father in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Anne’s eighth child was Trayton Barton who was born at Framfield, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1844. In the census of 30 March 1851 Trayton, at the age of 6, was living with his widowed father in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Anne’s ninth child was Elizabeth Barton who was born at Framfield, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1846. In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, at the age of 5, was living with her widowed father in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Anne’s tenth child was Mary Barton who was born at Framfield, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Mary, at the age of 3, was living with her widowed father in Pump Lane at Framfield.

 

William and Martha’s second child was James Barton who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 24 March 1805. James was living at Framfield when, at the age of 19, he married 22-year-old Mary Miller, who was from Little Horsted, at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 30 March 1824. Neither of them could sign their names in the marriage register, just making their marks. Mary was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Miller, and she had been baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Little Horsted on 31 January 1802.

James and Mary lived at Framfield where they had seven children born between 1824 and 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield with four of their children and the illegitimate daughter of their eldest daughter, and James was a labourer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Weavers Pitts, Tarbledown, Framfield, with three of their children and two grandchildren, one being the illegitimate daughter of their eldest daughter, and James was a farm labourer.

 

James and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Ann Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 8 August 1824. In early 1841, when she was 16 years old, Mary Ann had an illegitimate daughter. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 16, and her daughter were living with her parents at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield.

 

Mary Ann’s illegitimate daughter was Ellen Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 March 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ellen, at the age of 5 months, and her mother were living with her maternal grandparents, James and Mary Barton, at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Ellen, now aged 10, was living with her maternal grandparents at Weavers Pitts, Tarbledown, Framfield

 

James and Mary’s second child was Ellen Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 May 1826.

 

James and Mary’s third child was George Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 18 December 1831. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield.

 

James and Mary’s fourth child was Martha Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 5 October 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 Martha, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Martha, now aged 16, was an unemployed general servant living with her parents at Weavers Pitts, Tarbledown, Framfield.

 

James and Mary’s fifth child was William Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 24 November 1836.

 

James and Mary’s sixth child was James Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 April 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 James, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Vine Cottage, Weavers, Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 James, now aged 12, was a farm labourer living with his parents at Weavers Pitts, Tarbledown, Framfield.

 

James and Mary’s seventh child was Elizabeth Barton who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 3 April 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at Weavers Pitts, Tarbledown, Framfield, and she was going to school.

 

William and Martha’s third child was George Barton who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 24 January 1808. When he was 21 years old George married 22-year-old Mary Martin at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 18 April 1829. Mary was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Martin, and she had been baptised at St Denys Church in Rotherfield on 13 October 1806. George and Mary lived in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish where they had seven children born between 1830 and 1848, two of whom died in infancy. George was a labourer when their second child was baptised in 1833, but had became a miller by the time their third child was baptised in 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Northbridge Street with their then three children; George was a miller and they had two young millers, William Dunk and George Goldsmith, living with them. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Northbridge Street with their four youngest surviving children, and George was still a miller. George died at Northbridge Street, at the age of 50, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Salehurst on 10 December 1858.

 

George and Mary’s eldest child was George Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex in about 1830. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 10, was living with his parents in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish. George died at Northbridge Street, at the age of 26, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Salehurst on 19 December 1856.

 

George and Mary’s second child was James Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 20 January 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 James, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 James, now aged 18, was working as an errand boy and living with his parents in Northbridge Street.

 

George and Mary’s third child was William Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 19 April 1835. William died at Northbridge Street in Salehurst when only 7 months old, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Salehurst on 9 September 1835.

 

George and Mary’s fourth child was Mary Anne Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 19 January 1840. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Anne, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Anne, now aged 11, was living with her parents in Northbridge Street, and she was going to school.

 

George and Mary’s fifth child was Ben Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Salehurst on 10 July 1842. Ben died at Northbridge Street in Salehurst when only 3 months old, and he was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Salehurst on 28 July 1842.

 

George and Mary’s sixth child was Ellen Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1844. In the census of 30 March 1851 Ellen, at the age of 7, was living with her parents in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish, and she was going to school.

 

George and Mary’s seventh child was Thomas Barton who was born at Salehurst in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Thomas, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Northbridge Street at Robertsbridge in Salehurst Parish.

 

William and Martha’s fourth child was Mary Barton who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 29 April 1810. When she was 22 years old Mary married George Berry at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 26 February 1833. They lived at Framfield where they had nine children born between 1833 and 1851. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Skome Hill in Framfield with their then four children, and George was working as a farm labourer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Sand Hill Farm with their now nine children; George was now a farmer of 90 acres who employed three labourers, and they had George’s widowed father, Thomas Berry, living with them. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Lower Sand Hill Farm with five of their children; George was farmer of 108 acres who employed three labourers and they had 14-year-old under carter Henry King living with them. All five of their children who were living at home, two sons and three daughters, were working with their parents on the farm. During the 1860s they moved to Washington in Sussex where in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at Lower Chanstone with five of their children; George was farmer of 200 acres employing four men and two boys, one of whom would have been 17-year-old farm servant William Blackman who was living with them. The five children, one son and four daughters, who were now all young adults, were not recorded as having any occupation but would have been helping their parents on the farm

 

George and Mary’s eldest child was George Berry who was born at Framfield in about 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Skome Hill in Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 17, was living with his parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 George was living at Uptons Mill in Framfield where he was the miller. Living with him were his sister Ann; his brother Eli, who was George's apprentice; and also George's 2nd cousin John Muddle, who was working for George as a miller's grinder.

 

George and Mary’s second child was Jonathan Berry who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 6 December 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 Jonathan, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Skome Hill in Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Jonathan, now aged 15, was living with his parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 Jonathan, at the age of 25, was living with his parents at Lower Sand Hill Farm in Framfield, and he was working with his parents on the family farm.

 

George and Mary’s third child was Ellen Berry who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 6 May 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ellen, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Skome Hill in Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Ellen, now aged 13, was living with her parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ellen, at the age of 23, was a live-in housemaid to the Watkins family at 26-27 Kings Road in Brighton.

When she was 24 years old Ellen married her 2nd cousin, 24-year-old John Muddle, at St Anne’s Church in Lewes on 2 August 1862. John was the son of John and Martha Muddle; he had been born at Mayfield on 18 December 1837, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 4 February 1838. See the section headed ‘John and Ellen Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

George and Mary’s fourth child was Ann Berry who was born at Framfield, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 7 March 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ann, at the age of 6 months, was living with her parents at Skome Hill in Framfield. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Ann, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 Ann, at the age of 20, was living with her brothers George and Eli at Uptons Mill in Framfield. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Ann, at the age of 30, was living with her parents at Lower Chanstone in Washington, Sussex, and helping her parents on their farm.

 

George and Mary’s fifth child was Mary Berry who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 6 August 1843. In the census of 30 March 1851 Mary, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Mary, now aged 18, was living with her parents at Lower Sand Hill Farm in Framfield, and she was working with her parents on the family farm. In the census of 2 April 1871 Mary, at the age of 28, was living with her parents at Lower Chanstone in Washington, Sussex, and helping her parents on their farm.

 

George and Mary’s sixth child was Eli Berry who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 3 August 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Eli, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Eli, now aged 16, was a live-in miller's appentice to his elder brother, George Berry, at Uptons Mill in Framfield.

 

George and Mary’s seventh child was Alice Berry who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Alice, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Alice, now aged 14, was living with her parents at Lower Sand Hill Farm in Framfield, and she was working with her parents on the family farm. In the census of 2 April 1871 Alice, at the age of 24, was living with her parents at Lower Chanstone in Washington, Sussex, and helping her parents on their farm. In 1877, when she was 31 years old, Alice had an illegitimate daughter who was born in Lewes.

In the census of 3 April 1881 Alice, at the age of 34, was a live-in housekeeper to the family of widower and farmer Jesse Gander at Bowdey Farm in Balcombe, Sussex. Later that year, when she was 35 years old, Alice married her employer, 44-year-old Jesse Gander, in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1881. Jesse was the son of John and Mary Gander; he had been born at Lower Beeding in Sussex and his birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1837. He had married Mary Ann Norris in Cuckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1862 and they had several children before Mary Ann died, her death being registered in Cuckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1875.

Jesse and Alice had three children; the first born at Balcombe in 1882, and the other two at Cuckfield in 1884 and 1887. Their first child was born at Balcombe during the 3rd quarter of 1882, but when this child was baptised on 26 October 1882 they were living at Cuckfield, so it must have been sometime between these two events that they moved from Bowdey Farm in Balcombe to presumably Paines Place in Cuckfield. Because in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Paines Place in Cuckfield with their three children and Jesse was a farmer. Also living with them were Jesse’s son Morris from his first marriage; Alice’s illegitimate daughter Ella; and 21-year-old cowman William Brown. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Brook Farm in Cowfold with their two youngest children and Alice’s daughter Ella. Jesse was still a farmer and they had Jesse’s 80-year-old uncle, David Gander, living with them. They were still living at Brook Farm when Alice’s daughter Ella married in 1902.

Alice died at the age of 68, her death being registered in Horsham registration district in Sussex, which includes Cowfold, during the 1st quarter of 1915. Seven years later Jesse died at the age of 84 (not 83 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Horsham registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1922.

 

Alice’s illegitimate daughter was Ella Shoosmith Berry who was born in the High Street at Lewes in Sussex on 28 September 1877. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ella, at the age of 3, was a nurse child (foster child) living with boot maker George Wise and his wife Sarah at 160 High Street in Lewes. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ella, now aged 13, was living with her mother and step-father, Jesse Gander, at Paines Place in Cuckfield, and described as being a nurse. In the census of 31 March 1901 Ella, at the age of 23, was still living with her mother and step-father but now at Brook Farm in Cowfold, Sussex. Ella had now taken her mother’s married name of Gander in place of Berry, and it was under this name that she married, at the age of 24, her 1st cousin, 32-year-old Charles Muddle, at St Peter’s Church in Cowfold on 25 September 1902. See the section on Charles Muddle on the page headed ‘John & Ellen Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family, and also for Charles’ ancestry.

 

Jesse and Alice’s eldest child (Alice’s second) was Sidney Gander who was born at Balcombe in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1882, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield, Sussex on 26 October 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Sidney, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Paines Place in Cuckfield, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Sidney, now aged 18, was a live-in grocer’s assistant to provision dealer’s manager Francis Johnson at 67 East Street in Brighton.

 

Jesse and Alice’s second child (Alice’s third) was Charles Lavender Gander who was born at Cuckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield on 30 October 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Paines Place in Cuckfield, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, now aged 16, was living with his parents at Brook Farm in Cowfold, and working with his father on the family farm.

 

Jesse and Alice’s third child (Alice’s fourth) was Vida Phyllis Barton Gander who was born at Cuckfield in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield on 28 January 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Vida, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Paines Place in Cuckfield. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Vida, now aged 14, was living with her parents at Brook Farm in Cowfold.

 

George and Mary’s eighth child was Rufus Berry who was born at Framfield in in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Rufus, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Sand Hill Farm in Framfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Rufus, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Lower Sand Hill Farm in Framfield, and he was working with his parents on the family farm. In the census of 2 April 1871 Rufus, at the age of 12, was living with his parents at Lower Chanstone in Washington, Sussex, and helping his parents on their farm.

 

George and Mary’s ninth child was Emily Berry who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at Lower Sand Hill Farm in Framfield, and she was working with her parents on the family farm. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, now aged 19, was living with her parents at Lower Chanstone in Washington, Sussex, and helping her parents on their farm.

 

John and Ann’s fifth child was James Muddle who was born in about 1773. No baptism has been found for James (there seems to be a gap in the Framfield baptism records for the second half of 1773), but he was named in his father’s will. James was about 22 years old and living in Uckfield when he married Mary Trigwell, who was about 20 years old, at St Mary the Virgin Church in Ringmer on 29 November 1795. It seems James must have had a little education as he signed the marriage register, though he spelt his name Jeams Muddel, Mary just made her mark. See the section headed ‘James and Mary Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

John and Ann’s sixth child was Thomas Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 3 November 1776. Thomas drowned at the age of 18, and he was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 21 August 1795. The inquest into Thomas’ death held by coroner William Wheeler at Little Horsted on 19 August 1795 found that Thomas had gone into a pond to wash himself and drowned.[3]

 

Thomas and Martha’s third child, probably one of twins, was James Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 19 December 1730. When he was 28 years old James married 22-year-old Mary Morris at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 26 February 1759. Mary was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Morris, and she had been baptised at St Margaret’s Church in Buxted on 9 May 1736. James and Mary lived at Uckfield where they had four children born between 1759 and 1770. James was described as a husbandman of Uckfield in a bastardy bond of 13 June 1780 when his eldest son was named as the father of Sarah Kenward’s unborn child.[4]

James died at Uckfield, at the age of 76, and he was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 21 June 1807. Nine years later Mary died in Buxted Workhouse, at the age of 80, and she was buried in Holy Cross Churchyard at Uckfield on 26 December 1816.

 

James and Mary’s eldest child was James Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 10 June 1759. An indenture dated 12 May 1779 recorded that when James was 19 years old his father paid Richard Vine, a carpenter of Uckfield, £12 to take James as an apprentice for 3 years from 5 April 1779 and on this Richard Vine paid 6 shillings stamp duty on 20 May 1779.[5]

When he was 21 years old James was described as a carpenter of Uckfield in a bastardy bond of 13 June 1780, which was the result of being named by spinster Sarah Kenward as the father of her unborn child when she was examined by Justice of the Peace George Courthope on 12 June 1780. The bond for £100 bound James, with his father and Richard Vine, a carpenter of Uckfield, to reimburse the Churchwardens, William Michelborne and Thomas Winchester, and Overseers of the Poor, John Catt and Samuel Lidbetter, of Uckfield for any costs they may incur at any time in respect of the birth, maintenance, education and bringing up of this unborn child.[6] This child, a girl, was born a few weeks later and then the following year Sarah Kenward married James Ruddall at Uckfield in April 1781, so James Muddle probably didn't have to pay for the costs of this child for too long.

Then when he was about 28 years old James married Philadelphia Cox at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 13 May 1787. See the section headed ‘James and Philadelphia Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

James Muddle and Sarah Kenward’s illegitimate child was Mary Muddle Kenward who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 20 August 1780.

 

James and Mary’s second child was Thomas Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 19 July 1761. Thomas was living at Uckfield when, at the age of 23, he married 18-year-old Dinah Granger at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 28 October 1784. Dinah was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Granger, and she had been baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 19 October 1766. See the section headed ‘Thomas and Dinah Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

James and Mary’s third child was Elizabeth Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 15 April 1764. When she was 36 years old Elizabeth married John Reed at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 18 April 1800. In the census of 6 June 1841 Elizabeth, at the age of 77, was an agricultural labourer's widow living in Buxted High Street with a John Reed aged 68, a ropemaker, who is thought to be her stepson. Three years later this John Reed died at the age of 71 and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 13 January 1844. The following year Elizabeth was still living at Buxted when she died at the age of 81 (not 82 as given on her burial record) and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 12 September 1845.

 

James and Mary’s fourth child was Mary Muddle who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 4 February 1770. When she was 27 years old Mary married William Verrall at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 9 June 1797, by a licence issued at the Deanery of South Malling Court on 30 May 1797. The licence describes William as being a bachelor of Uckfield aged 28, and Mary as being a spinster of Uckfield aged 27. They had three children born in Uckfield between 1798 and 1804.

 

William and Mary’s eldest child was George Verrall who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 1 May 1798.

 

William and Mary’s second child was Lucy Verrall who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 25 June 1801.

 

William and Mary’s third child was Harriet Verrall who was baptised at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield on 22 January 1804.

 

Thomas and Martha’s fourth child, probably one of twins, was Martha Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 19 December 1730. Martha died when only a few days old, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 27 December 1730.

 

Thomas and Martha’s fifth child was Martha Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 10 April 1733. When she was 25 years old Martha married 25-year-old Edward Hilder at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 16 October 1758. Edward was the son of John and Elizabeth Hilder, and he had been baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst on 14 May 1733 Edward and Martha lived at Speldhurst where they had six children born between 1759 and 1775.

 

Edward and Martha’s eldest child was John Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 27 May 1759.

 

Edward and Martha’s second child was Edward Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 6 March 1763.

 

Edward and Martha’s third child was Elizabeth Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 3 May 1767.

 

Edward and Martha’s fourth child was James Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 9 September 1770.

 

Edward and Martha’s fifth child was Mary Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 3 January 1773. Mary died at Speldhurst, at the age of 19, and she was buried in St Mary the Virgin Churchyard at Speldhurst on 18 March 1792.

 

Edward and Martha’s sixth child was Emma Hilder who was baptised at St Mary the Virgin Church in Speldhurst, Kent on 25 December 1775.

 

Thomas and Martha’s sixth child was Mary Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 18 May 1735. When she was about 22 years old Mary married John Waters at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 10 April 1757. They lived at Withyham where they had two children born in 1758 and 1759.

 

John and Mary’s eldest child was Mary Waters who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 20 March 1758.

 

John and Mary’s second child was John Waters who was baptised at St Michael & All Angels Church in Withyham on 18 March 1759.

 

Thomas and Martha’s seventh child was Elizabeth Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 5 March 1738. Elizabeth died when only about a month old, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 5 April 1738.

 

Thomas and Martha’s eighth child was Elizabeth Muddle who was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 22 November 1739. When she was about 24 years old Elizabeth married Thomas Holder at St Michael and All Angels Church in Withyham on 16 October 1763.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2006-2014

Last updated 2 June 2014