THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE FRAMFIELD MUDDLES

 

Chart of Obed & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family

 

Obed and Elizabeth’s eldest child was William Muddle, known as Will, who was born at Cliffe in Lewes, Sussex on 10 June 1875, and was baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church at Cliffe on 5 September 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 5, was going to school and living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage in Blackboys in Framfield Parish, Sussex. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William, now aged 15, was working as a carpenter's apprentice and still living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 25, was working as a carpenter and living with his parents at the Hundred House in Framfield.

William was a carpenter when, at the age of 26, he married 27-year-old Agnes Hoey at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 5 December 1901. Agnes was the daughter of Edward and Anne Hoey; she had been born in Lewes and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1874. William and Agnes had two children, the first born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in 1902 and the second at Blackboys on the last day of 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at Pheasant Cottage in Blackboys with their two children and William was a carpenter working for a builder. They were living at South View in Maynard's Green, Sussex and William was still a carpenter when their daughter married in 1939.

Agnes died at the age of 75, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1950. Four years later William died at 3 Wallis Place, Eastbourne on 22 May 1954, at the age of 78, and he was buried in Langney Cemetery. His death notice was published in the 28 May 1954 edition of the Sussex Express & County Herald.

 

William and Agnes’ eldest child was Agnes Emma Muddle who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent on 3 September 1902, and baptised at the Independent Tabernacle in Lewes, Sussex on 26 October 1902. In the census of 2 April 1911 Agnes, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Pheasant Cottage in Blackboys, Sussex. Then on 10 May 1919 the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway appointed Agnes, at the age of 16, to be a Booking Clerk at Waldron Station in Sussex. Her wages were 10 shillings per week until she resigned nearly a year later on 23 April 1920.[1]

When she was 37 years old Agnes married 34-year-old Edward Philemon Haffenden at Christ Church in Horam, Sussex on 6 September 1939. William was then living at 351 Seaside in Eastbourne, Sussex, and Agnes was a ledger clerk living at South View in Maynard's Green, Sussex. Edward was the son of Philemon and Lily Haffenden, and he had been born at Eastbourne on 21 September 1904. Edward and Agnes didn't have any children.

Agnes died at the age of just on 79, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1981. Eleven years later Edward died at the age of 87, his death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during June 1992.

 

 

William and Agnes’ second child was William Edmund Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Sussex on 31 December 1903, and baptised at the Independent Tabernacle in Lewes, Sussex on 28 February 1904. In the census of 2 April 1911 William, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Pheasant Cottage in Blackboys.

When he was 30 years old William married 22-year-old Marjorie Mabel Barrow in Hailsham registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1934. Marjorie had been born on 25 April 1912. They were living at Cauldebec in Horam, Sussex, and William was a painter and decorator when their only child, a daughter, was born in 1938. They were still living at Cauldebec and William was still a painter a decorator when their daughter married in 1960.

William died at the age of 89, his death being registered in Hastings and Rother registration district in Sussex during April 1993. Five years later Marjorie died on 13 May 1998 at Greenaways Rest Home in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex at the age of 86, and she was cremated at Eastbourne Crematorium in Sussex on 26 May 1998.

 

Obed and Elizabeth’s second child was Frederick John Muddle who was born at Cliffe in Lewes, Sussex on 24 October 1876, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Cliffe on 17 December 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Frederick, at the age of 4, was going to school and living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage in Blackboys, Sussex. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Frederick, now aged 14, was working as a farm labourer and still living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frederick, at the age of 24, was living with his parents at the Hundred House in Framfield, Sussex, and he was now described as being a farmer's son working at home, so presumably there was some land that went with the Hundred House that Frederick farmed for his father. In the census of 2 April 1911 Frederick, at the age of 34, was a farmer living with his parents at the Hundred House. Frederick never married. He died at the East Sussex County Asylum in Hellingly, Sussex on 28 May 1926, at the age of 49, and he was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 2 June 1926.

 

 

Obed and Elizabeth’s third child was Obed Muddlewho was born at Cliffe in Lewes, Sussex, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Cliffe on 1 September 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Obed, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage in Blackboys, Sussex. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Obed, now aged 12, was going to school and still living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage. In the census of 31 March 1901 Obed, at the age of 22, was living with his parents at the Hundred House in Framfield, and he was now a carpenter.

Obed was a carpenter when, at the age of 23, he married 22-year-old Rhoda Knight at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield, Sussex on 26 December 1901. Rhoda was the daughter of John and Mary Ann Knight; she had been born at Mayfield in Sussex and her birth registered during 3rd quarter of 1879. Obed and Rhoda had three children; the first two born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in 1902 and 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 Obed and Rhoda and their two children were living with Rhoda's widowed mother at Tanyard Farm in Mark Cross, Sussex, and Obed was now a builder and employer. Obed and Rhoda's third child was born at Mark Cross in late 1914.

The 1914 edition of Kelly's Directory of Tunbridge Wells, Southborough & Tonbridge listed Obed Muddle as a builder and undertaker at Mark Cross, and the 1915 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex listed Obed Muddle of Mark Cross as a builder. Sometime after this Obed ran the Post Office at Mark Cross. It seems that Obed also drew up the plans for some building work as his name is on the building control plans for an addition to Spring Barn Cottage at Kingston for the Rev John Goring, who Obed's father had worked for at Framfield, dated 4 May 1934, that were submitted to Lewes Borough Council.[2] On 9 October 1934 Obed, as a member of Rotherfield Parish Council, was one of those who signed a Grant of Exclusive Right of Burial at Rotherfield granted to Harriet Muddle. Harriet was not a relative of Obed as she was the widow of Thomas Muddle of the 'Buxted Muddles'.

Obed died at the age of 78, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 1st quarter of 1957. Two years later Rhoda died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Uckfield registration district during the 1st quarter of 1959.

 

Obed and Rhoda’s eldest child was Sidney Wilfred Muddle who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent on 30 December 1902, and baptised by the Lewes and Eastbourne Wesleyan Methodist Circuit on 22 February 1903. In the census of 2 April 1911 Sidney, at the age of 8, was going to school and living with his parents at Tanyard Farm in Mark Cross, Sussex, the home of his maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Knight.

When he was 27 years old Sidney married 26-year-old Ivy Nellie Dodman in Uckfield registration district in Sussex during the 2nd quarter of 1930. Ivy was the daughter of Frederick and Fanny Dodman, and she had been born at Sundridge in Kent on 16 August 1903. Sidney and Ivy were living at Ivy Cottages in Mark Cross and Sidney was a motor engineer when they had their two children, the first born in Uckfield registration district in 1932 and the second in Tunbridge registration district in 1937.

Sidney died on 9 July 1986 (from Rotherfield Church Book of Remembrance) in Hastings and Rother registration district at the age of 83. Seven years later Ivy died at the age of 90, her death being registered in Worthing registration district during November 1993.

 

Obed and Rhoda’s second child was Violet Elizabeth Muddle, known as Vi, who was born in Tunbridge registration district on 5 September 1906. In the census of 2 April 1911 Violet, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Tanyard Farm in Mark Cross, Sussex, the home of her maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Knight.

When she was 26 years old Violet married 28-year-old Herbert Raymond George Shorter, known as Bert,at St Dunstan's Church in Mayfield, Sussex on 12 July 1933. Bert was then a chauffeur and gardener living at Mayfield, and Vi was living with her parents at Mark Cross. Bert was the son of George and Ada Shorter, and he had been born at Lingfield in Surrey on 26 February 1905. Bert and Vi didn't have any children and they ran the Mark Cross Post Office after Vi's parents retired, until it closed down.

Bert died at the age of 71, his death being registered in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1976. Eighteen years later Vi died at the age of 87, her death being registered in Tunbridge Wells registration district in Kent during February 1994.

 

 

Obed and Rhoda’s third child was Reginald Robert Kitchener Muddle who was born at Mark Cross in Sussex on 10 November 1914, and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Mark Cross on 21 February 1915.

When he was 33 years old Reginald married Evelyn Mary Brown, who was about 37, in Uckfield Registration district in Sussex during the 1st quarter of 1948. Evelyn was the daughter of Ezra and Eliza Brown, and she had been born at Crowborough in Sussex in February or March 1911. Reginald and Evelyn didn't have any children. They were living at 26 Hornhurst Road in Rotherfield, Sussex when Evelyn died in Uckfield registration district, which includes Rotherfield, on 30 March 1961, at the age of 50. She was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 4 April 1961, and her ashes were buried at the crematorium on 2 May 1961.

Four years later Reginald, at the age of 50, married 45-year-old spinster Muriel Elverd Cox at St Mark's Church in Mark Cross, Sussex on 30 October 1965. Reginald was then a carpenter living at Ivy Cottage in Mark Cross and Muriel was a teacher living at Leigh Wood in Mark Cross. Muriel was the daughter of Nelson and Florence Cox, and her birth had been registered in Chipping Sodbury registration district in Gloucestershire during the 2nd quarter of 1920.

Reginald and Muriel didn't have any children. They were living at Nailsea, Hosmers Field, Rotherfield when Reginald died in Maidstone registration district in Kent on 16 July 1983, at the age of 68. He was cremated at the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells on 25 July 1983, and his ashes were buried with those of his first wife in the rose garden at the crematorium on 8 August 1983. Muriel was one of the flower arrangers for the 2004 Mark Cross Flower Festival.

 

Obed and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Emma Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish, Sussex, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 26 September 1880. In the census of 3 April 1881 Emma, at the age of 8 months, was living with her parents at Tickerage Cottage in Blackboys. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Emma, now aged 10, was going to school and still living with her parents at Tickerage Cottage. In the census of 31 March 1901 Emma, at the age of 20, was living with her parents at the Hundred House in Framfield. Emma never married. She died at Framfield on 17 March 1907 at the age of 26, and she was buried in St Thomas à Becket Churchyard at Framfield on 22 March 1907. Her grave is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

 

Obed and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Albert James Muddle, known as Bert, who was born at Blackboys in Framfield Parish, Sussex on 24 April 1884, and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church in Framfield on 29 June 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Albert, at the age of 6, was going to school and living with his parents at Tickerage Cottage in Blackboys. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Albert, now aged 16, was working as a carpenter and living with his parents at the Hundred House in Framfield.

Albert was living at Framfield where he was working as a carpenter, when on 29 August 1906, at the age of 22, he enrolled in the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteer Corps. He was in company K and his regimental number was 4607. His Corps Muster Roll record described him as being 5ft 6½in tall with a 36¼in chest measurement. He took the Oath of Allegiance on 3 April 1908 when he was in company K with regimental number 235; the 1st Cinque Ports Rifle Volunteer Corps having been transferred to the New Territorial Force on 1 April 1908 as the 5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Albert was a 22-year-old carpenter when he married 18-year-old Mary Ann Hoadley at St Mark's Church in Hadlow Down, Sussex on 5 October 1906. Mary Ann was the daughter of Amos and Ann Hoadley, and she had been born at Buxted on 22 September 1887. Albert and Mary Ann had six children; the first two were born in Framfield Parish in 1907 and 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at 2 Pheasant Cottage, Blackboys in Framfield Parish with their two children and Albert was working on his own account as a carpenter. They then moved to Hadlow Down where their next two children were born in 1912 and 1915.

During the First World War Albert served as Private 45092 in the Royal Fusiliers and then as Private 63927 in the Labour Corps. For his war service Albert was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[3]

After the war Albert and Mary Ann were living at Nursery Cottage in Hadlow Down when their last two children were born 1923 and 1925. Then in 1928 when their son, Ernest, died, they were living at Cotpit in Five Ashes, Sussex. When their daughter Dorothy married in 1936 they were living at Cotpit and Albert was still working as a carpenter. They were still living at Cotpit when Albert died on 23 December 1955 at the age of 71 in Tonbridge registration district, probably in Tunbridge Wells Hospital; he was buried in St Mark's Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 28 December 1955. Three years later Mary Ann was still living at Cotpit when she died on 4 April 1959 at the age of 71 (not 72 as given on her death certificate and burial record) in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire; she was buried in St Mark's Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 10 April 1959.

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s eldest child was Frederick George Muddle who was born at Framfield in Sussex on 8 January 1907, and baptised at St Mark's Church in Hadlow Down, Sussex on 24 February 1907. In the census of 2 April 1911 Frederick, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 2 Pheasant Cottage in Blackboys in Framfield Parish.

When he was 23 years old Frederick was working as a handyman and living with his parents at Cotpit in Five Ashes when he married 31-year-old Dorothy Beatrice Hide at St Dunstan's Church in Mayfield, Sussex on 21 April 1930. Dorothy was the daughter of Charles and Minnie Hide, and she had been born at Barnes in Surrey on 1 March 1899. Frederick and Dorothy had one child born in Uckfield registration district later that year. They lived at Horam in Sussex where Frederick was a farm worker.

They were living at Horam when Frederick died of cancer in Gildredge Hospital in Eastbourne, Sussex on 24 March 1970, at the age of 63, and was buried in All Saints Churchyard in Waldron, Sussex on 31 March 1970. Fifteen years later Dorothy died at the age of 86, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during July 1985. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered over the South Downs.

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s second child was Albert John Muddle, known as Jack, who was born at Framfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Mark's Church in Hadlow Down, Sussex on 22 August 1909. In the census of 2 April 1911 Jack, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 2 Pheasant Cottage, Blackboys in Framfield Parish.

When he was 20 years old Jack married 21-year-old Annie Christina Kezia Keeley at St Bartholomew's Church in Cross-in-Hand, Sussex on 15 February 1930. They were both then living at Pine Villa in Cross-in-Hand, and Albert was working as a labourer. Annie was the daughter of John and Ada Keeley, and she had been born at Mayfield in Sussex on 5 May 1908. Albert and Annie had two children born in Hailsham registration district in Sussex in 1942 and 1946. They were living at Pine Villa in Cross-in-Hand when Jack died in Tunbridge registration district on 10 September 1949, at the age of 40, and was buried in All Saints Churchyard at Waldron, Sussex on 14 September 1949.

Nine years later Annie, at the age of 49, married 49-year-old widower Harry Robert Sands at Hailsham Register Office in Sussex on 29 March 1958. Harry was then a journeyman carpenter living at The Rocks in Waldron, Sussex and Annie was living at Pine Villa in Cross-in-Hand. Harry was the son of David and Ann Sands, and had been born at Newick in Sussex on 16 December 1908. In 1931 Harry had married Violet Day, they had one child born in 1936 and Violet died in 1956. There were no children from Harry and Annie's marriage as Annie was too old.

Harry died when he was just on 69 years old, his death being registered in Eastbourne registration district in Sussex during the 4th quarter of 1977. Twenty-six years later Annie died at the age of 95, her death being registered in Kent during February 2004.

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s third child was Ernest Charles Muddle, known as Charles, who was born at Hadlow Down in Sussex, and baptised at St Mark's Church in Hadlow Down on 22 September 1912. Charles was living at Cotpit in Five Ashes, Sussex when he died at the age of 16 and he was buried in St Mark's Churchyard at Hadlow Down on 7 November 1928.

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s fourth child was Dorothy Kate Muddle, known as Kitty, who was born at Hadlow Down in Sussex on 11 December 1914, and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 24 January 1915. When she was 21 years old Kitty married 24-year-old Leslie Ernest Alec Piper at St Bartholomew's Church in Cross-in-Hand, Sussex on 22 August 1936. Leslie was then a cinema operator living at The Store in Little London, and Kitty was living at Cotpit in Five Ashes. Leslie had been born in Uckfield registration district in Sussex on 13 August 1912. Leslie and Dorothy didn't have any children, and they lived at Little London near Heathfield in Sussex. Leslie died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district during June 1988. Four years later Dorothy died at the age of 77, her death being registered on the Isle of Wight during October 1992.

 

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s fifth child was Elizabeth Ann Muddle, known as Betty, who was born at Hadlow Down in Sussex on 10 June 1923, and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 29 July 1923. When she was 21 years old Betty married 20-year-old Peter William Elgar Purfield at St Dunstan's Church in Mayfield on 9 June 1945. Peter was then in the Royal Navy and was from Rowledge near Farnham in Surrey. Peter was the son of Oscar and Charlotte Purfield, and his birth had been registered in Alton registration district in Hampshire during the 3rd quarter of 1924. Peter and Betty had two children born in South Western Surrey registration district in 1949 and 1952.

 

Albert and Mary Ann’s sixth child was Winifred Thora Muddle, known as Winnie, who was born at Hadlow Down in Sussex on 24 August 1925, and baptised at St Mark’s Church in Hadlow Down on 17 November 1925. When she was 19 years old Winnie married 25-year-old George Carruthers at St Bartholomew's Church in Cross-in-Hand, Sussex on 18 August 1945. Winnie was then in the Land Army and living at Little London near Heathfield in Sussex, and George, who was the son of James Carruthers, was in the Canadian Army at Aldershot in Hampshire. George and Winnie lived in Canada, and they had two children. George died, and then Winnie died on 14 April 2000, at the age of 74.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2006-2016

Last updated 10 February 2016