THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE FRAMFIELD MUDDLES

 

Chart of Michael & Alice Muddle’s Family

 

Michael and Alice’s eldest child was John William Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish on 19 January 1869, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 28 February 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 2, was living with his parents on Blackboys Common in Framfield Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys and he was going to school, even though he was described as having had cataract eyes since birth. In the census of 5 April 1891 John, at the age of 22, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Gun Hill in Blackboys.

John never married, and after his father's death in 1896 he lived with his mother, sister Anne and brother Edward at Lankhurst Oak Cottage on the road between Blackboys and Framfield. In the census of 31 March 1901 John, at the age of 32, was living with his widowed mother at Blackboys, and he was working for his mother on her farm. The 1911 and 1915 editions of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed John Muddle as a farmer at Lankhurst Oak Farm in Blackboys. John was still living in Framfield Parish when he died in Worthing registration district, at the age 78, and was buried in grave 215 in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 7 March 1947.

 

Michael and Alice’s second child was Anne Caroline Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish on 26 February 1871, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 26 March 1871. In the census of 2 April 1871 Anne, at the age of 1 month, was living with her parents on Blackboys Common in Framfield Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Anne, now aged 10, was living with her parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys and she was going to school, even though she was described as having had cataract eyes since birth. In the census of 5 April 1891 Anne, at the age of 20, was living with her parents at Gun Hill in Blackboys. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Anne, at the age of 30, was living with her widowed mother at Blackboys.

Anne never married, and after her father’s death in 1896 she lived with her mother and two brothers, John and Edward, at Lankhurst Oak Cottage on the road between Blackboys and Framfield. Anne was still living at Lankhurst Oak Cottage when she died at the age 79, and was buried in grave 277 in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 8 May 1950.

 

Michael and Alice’s third child was Harriet Alice Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish on 2 November 1872, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 29 December 1872. In the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet, at the age 8, was living with her parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Harriet, now aged 18, was a live-in general servant to the family of pharmaceutical chemist Edmund Glaisyer at 2 Hanover Crescent in Brighton.

When she was 27 years old Harriet married 31-year-old Stephen White at St Peter’s Church in Brighton on 15 September 1900. Stephen was then a constable in the Borough Police Force living at 49 Lewes Street in Brighton, and Harriet was living at 116 Bonchurch Road in Brighton. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at 66 Richmond Street in Brighton, and Stephen was still a police constable.

 

Michael and Alice’s fourth child was George Michael Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish on 7 May 1875, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 27 June 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 George, at the age 5, was living with his parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 George, at the age of 15, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Gun Hill in Blackboys.

When he was 24 years old George married 32-year-old Mary Ann Curd, who was from Maresfield, at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 24 February 1900. Mary Ann was the daughter of David and Mary Anne Curd; she had been born at Woodlands Nursery in Maresfield on 12 October 1867 and baptised at St Bartholomew’s Church in Maresfield on 24 November 1867. George and Mary Ann had five children born between 1900 and 1910. They initially lived at Hadlow Down where their first child, a daughter, was born in mid 1900. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Lime Cottages in the Pound Green area of Buxted with their young daughter, and George was working as a bricklayer’s labourer. Their other four children were born at Buxted between 1903 and 1910, during which time George continued to work as a labourer. When their son Stanley married in 1932 they were still living at Lime Cottages and George was then a farm labourer.

George was still living at Buxted when he died at the age of 71, and was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Buxted on 28 October 1946. Mary Ann was living with her eldest daughter’s family at 4 Maypole Cottages in High Hurstwood when she died at the age of 86, and was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Buxted on 2 November 1953.

 

George and Mary Ann’s eldest child was Dorothy Mabel Muddle who was born at Hadlow Down, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Buxted on 3 June 1900. In the census of 31 March 1901 Dorothy, at the age of 11 months, was living with her parents at Lime Cottages in the Pound Green area of Buxted.

When she was 23 years old Dorothy married 27-year-old Nelson Woodgate at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 19 April 1924. Nelson was the son of William and Naomi Kate Woodgate, and he had been baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 4 July 1897. Nelson and Dorothy lived at High Hurstwood where they had two children born in 1924 and 1928, at which time Nelson was a carpenter. When their eldest child started school in 1929 they were living at Stone Cottage, then when their other child started school in 1933 they were living at 3 Cherry Gardens Cottages; and they finally moved to 4 Maypole Cottages in 1950. When his son married in 1951 Nelson was described as being a general builder’s foreman.

Nelson died on 21 February 1976 at the age of 78, and he was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 26 February 1976. Dorothy died on 27 January 1988 at the age of 87, and she was buried with her husband in Holy Trinity Churchyard at High Hurstwood on 4 February 1988. An inscribed headstone marks their grave.

 

George and Mary Ann’s second child was Nelson Michael Muddle who was born at Buxted, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Buxted on 27 September 1903. When he was 34 years old Nelson married Florence May Jeffries in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1937. They had three children born in 1939, 1942 and 1948. They were living at Tulley’s Cottages in Hadlow Down when the first two were born, but had moved to 5 Wheelers Lane Cottages by the time their third child was born. Nelson was a carter when his first two children were born, but he was described as being disabled when his third child was baptised in early 1949. They were still living at 5 Wheelers Lane Cottages when Nelson died at the age of 49; he was buried in St Mark’s Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 9 March 1953. The following year Florence, at the age of 48, married 35-year-old bachelor James Henry Camshall at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 6 April 1954. Florence was then still living at 5 Wheelers Lane Cottages, and James was a labourer living at 1 Stone Cottages, Western Road, Jarvis Brook. James had been born on 31 July 1918. He died at the age of 70, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during June 1989.

 

George and Mary Ann’s third child was Stanley David Muddle who was born at Lime Cottages, Pound Green, Buxted on 9 November 1905, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Buxted on 24 December 1905. Stanley was a Methodist and attended Buxted Chapel. Before his marriage Stanley had a dairy business based at Hogg House Farm delivering milk in Buxted that had been produced by the farm’s herd of Guernsey cows. When he was 26 years old Stanley married 21-year-old Hilda Grace Booker at Crowborough Register Office on 30 July 1932. Stanley was then a dairyman living with his parents at Lime Cottages, Pound Green, Buxted, and Hilda was a domestic servant living with her parents at Chillies Oast House in High Hurstwood. Hilda was the daughter of Albert and Annie Booker; she had been born on 1 November 1910 and was a member of the 'Buxted Muddles'.

Stanley and Hilda first lived at South View in High Hurstwood for which Stanley had signed a rental agreement with the owner, Martha Hobden, on 30 June 1932. They had one child who was born in Brighton Hospital in 1934. They moved just up the road from South View to Conway Crest for a short time before moving to 4 Parkhurst Cottages in High Hurstwood where they were living when their daughter started school in 1939. Stanley was in the RAF during the Second World War, and then after the war he worked as a house painter in partnership with another man. In about 1951 the family moved from 4 Parkhurst Cottages to 21 St James Road in East Grinstead where Stanley was a milk roundsman for about 20 years. Then when Stanley retired they moved to 8 Innings Drive, Pevensey Bay, Sussex. Stanley died there on 4 October 1994, at the age of 88, from an abdominal anueurysm. After Stanley’s death Hilda moved to Sanderstead, South Croydon, Surrey to be near her daughter. Hilda died in Mayday Hospital in Croydon on 8 October 2001, at the age of 90, from heart failure.

 

 

George and Mary Ann’s fourth child was Percy Wallace Muddle who was born at Buxted on 31 October 1908, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Buxted on 6 December 1908. Percy died at Buxted when only 8 months old, and he was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Buxted on 8 July 1909.

 

George and Mary Ann’s fifth child was William Frederick Muddle who was born at Buxted on 7 October 1910, and privately baptised by the Lewes and Eastbourne Wesleyan Methodist Circuit on 30 November 1910. When he was 21 years old William married 18-year-old Violet May Durrant in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1931. They didn't have any children of their own, but they had an adopted daughter called Pamela who was a Durrant by birth and probably a relative of Violet. They were living at 11 Keld Avenue in Uckfield when Violet died in Uckfield registration district on 22 March 1973, at the age of 59. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 27 March 1973, and her ashes were buried at the crematorium.

William’s second marriage, at the age of 63, was to 70-year-old widow Maud Millicent Fowler in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1974. They were living at 25 Keld Avenue in Uckfield when Maud died in Uckfield registration district on 23 January 1984, at the age of 79. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 30 January 1984 after a service conducted by the priest of Holy Cross Church in Uckfield, and her ashes were buried at the crematorium with the ashes of W J Fowler. William died on 25 June 1995 at the age of 84, and he was buried in St Margaret's Churchyard at Buxted. His grave is marked by an inscribed headstone, which described him as being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

 

Michael and Alice’s fifth child was Edward James Muddle, known as Ted, who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 30 June 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Edward, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys, and he was described as having had cataract eyes since birth. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Edward, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Gun Hill in Blackboys and he was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Edward, at the age of 22, was living with his widowed mother at Blackboys, and he was working as a carter on a farm. Edward never married, and after his father’s death in 1896 he lived with his mother, brother John and sister Anne at Lankhurst Oak Cottage on the road between Blackboys and Framfield. Edward was still living at Lankhurst Oak Cottage when he died, at the age 77, and was buried in grave 346 in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 10 February 1956.

 

Michael and Alice’s sixth child was Charles Nelson Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 27 June 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, at the age of 10 months, was living with his parents at Spring Cottage in Blackboys. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, now aged 10, was living with his parents at Gun Hill in Blackboys, and he was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Charles, at the age of 20, was living with his widowed mother at Blackboys, and he was working as a general labourer. For several years during the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910) Charles drove the horse-drawn Royal Mail van between Cross-in-Hand and Uckfield. At this time Charles was living with his mother at Lankhurst Oak Cottage in Blackboys.

When he was 34 years old Charles married 29-year-old Minnie Hemsley at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 19 December 1914. They were both then living at High Hurstwood and Charles was working as a labourer. Minnie was the daughter of Henry Charles and Caroline Hemsley; she had been born at Framfield on 27 January 1885 and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 29 March 1885. Charles and Minnie had three children born between 1915 and 1924. They were living at Stonehouse Farm in High Hurstwood when their eldest child was born in 1915, and Charles was then working as a stockman.

During the First World War Charles served in France as Private 23400 in the Middlesex Regiment and also as Private 645636 in the Labour Corps. Soldiers who had been wounded and were no longer fit enough to serve in the trenches were often transferred to labour corps. While in the army Charles took up the sport of boxing. Charles was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[1]

Charles and Minnie were living at Burnt Oak Cottages in High Hurstwood when their eldest child started attending High Hurstwood School in 1921, and Charles was then working at Burnt Oak Farm. In March 1923 they moved to Bull Cottage in Hadlow Down. Charles worked for over 40 years as a forester on the Marques of Abergavenny's Eridge Estate, and he was a long serving member of the Hadlow Down Branch of the British Legion. He enjoyed walking and gardening.

They were still living at Bull Cottage in Hadlow Down when Charles died in Uckfield Cottage Hospital on 30 December 1967, at the age of 87. He was buried in St Mark's Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 4 January 1968. Three years later Minnie died on 12 January 1971 in the council's old folk's home, High View House in Uckfield, at the age of 85, and she was buried with her husband in St Mark's Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 19 January 1971. Their grave is marked by an inscribed open book headstone.

 

Charles and Minnie’s eldest child was Cyril Michael Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex on 17 December 1915, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 5 March 1916. Cyril went to High Hurstwood School, starting on 5 April 1921, at the age of 5, and leaving two years later on 2 March 1923 when his parents moved to Hadlow Down. During the Second World War Cyril was in the Royal Sussex Regiment, he served in India in transport (he took care of the mules) and after being demobbed he moved to Eastbourne where he worked as a gardener for Eastbourne Borough Council for the rest of his life.

When he was 31 years old Cyril married 32-year-old Kate Conaty, known as Kitty, at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Eastbourne during the 2nd quarter of 1947. Kate had been born on 25 July 1914; she had been in the WRAF during the Second World War and then after being demobbed she went into service at Mayfield. Cyril and Kate didn't have any children and after their marriage Kate worked as a waitress in hotels in Eastbourne. Kate died in Hellingly Hospital at the age of 58, her death being registered during the 1st quarter of 1973. She was cremated at Eastbourne Crematorium. Six years later Cyril died at his home in Winchcombe Road, Eastbourne on 28 October 1979, at the age of 63. He was cremated at Eastbourne Crematorium.

 

Charles and Minnie’s second child was Joyce Gladys Eileen Muddle who was born at High Hurstwood in Sussex, and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in High Hurstwood on 1 August 1920. When she was 19 years old Joyce married 24-year-old Frank Thomas Russell in Uckfield registration district during the 4th quarter of 1939. Frank had been born on 9 September 1915. Frank and Joyce had one child, a daughter, born in Bromley registration district in Kent during 1946. Frank died at the age of 86, his death being registered in Worthing registration district during July 2002.

 

Charles and Minnie’s third child was Dorothy Irene Muddle, known as Irene, who was born at Bull Cottage in Hadlow Down, Sussex in 1924. During the Second World War Irene enlisted in the WRAF on 3 November 1941 and was demobbed on 9 April 1946. She then moved to Brighton where she worked for Allen West Electrical Engineering for ten years making high tension fuses After this Irene moved to Eastbourne.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2006-2010

Last updated 24 February 2010