THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE FRAMFIELD MUDDLES

 

Chart of Thomas & Dinah Muddle’s Family

 

Thomas and Dinah’s eldest child was Mary Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and privately baptised by St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 9 August 1785. Mary died soon after her baptism, and she was buried in St Margaret of Antioch Churchyard at Isfield on 14 August 1785.

 

Thomas and Dinah’s second child was William Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 4 March 1787. When he was 20 years old William married 36-year-old Ann Roberts at St Mary the Virgin Church in Warbleton, Sussex on 30 March 1807. An illegitimate son of Ann Roberts had been baptised at the same church 19 days earlier, and his name, Thomas Muddel Roberts, suggests that he was fathered by William. Ann was the daughter of John and Anne Roberts and she had been baptised at the Parish Church of Chiddingly on 2 August 1770. After their marriage William and Ann had two more children born at Isfield in 1809 and 1812. Ann died at Isfield at 12am on 6 July 1837, at the age of 67 (not 70 as given on her death certificate and burial record), from cancer of the rectum, and she was buried in St Margaret of Antioch Churchyard at Isfield on the 9 July 1837.

In the census of 6 June 1841 William was a farm labourer living near the Boat House in Isfield with his widowed mother, Dinah Munday, and his eldest daughter, Mary Knight. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William was a live-in gardener for spinster Maria Anna Stone at the High Street in Mayfield. In the census of 7 April 1861 William and his bachelor brother John were inmates of Uckfield Union Workhouse and described as being labourers. William died in Uckfield Union Workhouse at the age of 75 (not 69 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in St Margaret of Antioch Churchyard at Isfield on the 20 August 1862.

 

William and Ann’s eldest child was Thomas Muddel Roberts who was born at Warbleton in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Warbleton on 11 March 1807 as the base born son of Ann Roberts.

 

William and Ann’s second child was Mary Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex in about 1809, but only baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 13 July 1817 at the age of 8. When she was about 21 years old Mary married James Knight at St Michael the Archangel Church in South Malling, Sussex on 25 April 1830. They had one child born in All Saints parish in Lewes in 1832, at which time James was a labourer. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary was living with her widowed father and her paternal grandmother, Dinah Granger, near the Boat House in Isfield.

 

James and Mary’s only child was Susannah Knight who was born in All Saints Parish at Lewes in Sussex, and baptised at St Anne’s Church in Lewes on 8 April 1832.

 

William and Ann’s third child was Dinah Muddle, also known as Diana, who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 19 March 1812. When she was 15 years old Dinah married John Welfare, who was about 23, at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 1 October 1827. They lived at Ringmer where they had six children born between 1832 and 1848. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Upper Norlinton Lane at Ringmer with their then three children, and John was working as a farm labourer. Dinah died at Ringmer at the age of 39 (not 40 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Ringmer on 28 March 1851. In the census of 30 March 1851 John was living at Clay Hill in Ringmer with his six children, and continuing to work as a farm labourer. John died at Ringmer at the age of 55, and he was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard at Ringmer on 6 November 1858.

 

John and Dinah’s eldest child was William Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 9 December 1832. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Upper Norlinton Lane at Ringmer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 William, now aged 18, was working as a farm labourer and living with his widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer.

 

John and Dinah’s second child was Rosina Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 23 October 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Rosina, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in Upper Norlinton Lane at Ringmer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Rosina, now aged 14, was living with her widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer; she was probably acting as the housekeeper for her father and siblings.

 

John and Dinah’s third child was Mary Ann Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 6 October 1839. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary Ann, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Upper Norlinton Lane at Ringmer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Ann, now aged 11, was living with her widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer, and she was going to school.

 

John and Dinah’s fourth child was Sarah Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 2 October 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Sarah, at the age of 8, was living with her widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Sarah, now aged 18, was a live-in house servant to ladies’ school proprietor Ellen Blunden in North Street, Lewes, Sussex.

 

John and Dinah’s fifth child was Alfred Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 3 August 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Alfred, at the age of 5, was living with his widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer, and he was going to school.

 

John and Dinah’s sixth child was Lucy Welfare who was born at Ringmer in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Ringmer on 30 April 1848. In the census of 30 March 1851 Lucy, at the age of 3, was living with her widowed father at Clay Hill in Ringmer.

 

Thomas and Dinah’s third child was Dinah Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 24 July 1791. When she was 20 years old Dinah married 34-year-old John Hillman at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe, Sussex on 22 October 1811. They were both then living at Barcombe. John was the son of John and Jane Hillman; he had been born at Barcombe and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 28 September 1777. John and Dinah had nine children born at Barcombe between 1812 and 1834. In 1834 when their last child was baptised they were living in the Spithurst area of Barcombe. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Barcombe with their three youngest children, and John was working as a farm labourer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton with six of their children; John was a farm labourer who was also receiving parochial relief, and Dinah was a charwoman. Dinah died at Brighton, at the age of 69, her death being registered during the 1st quarter of 1861.

 

John and Dinah’s eldest child was Mary Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 25 October 1812.

 

John and Dinah’s second child was James Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary's Church in Barcombe on 2 April 1815. When he was 20 years old James married 24-year-old Harriet Welfare at All Saints Church in Lindfield on 27 July 1835. Harriet was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Welfare; she had been born at Lindfield in Sussex and baptised at All Saints Church in Lindfield on 14 October 1810.

In the census of 6 June 1841 James and Harriet were living with Harriet's parents, Thomas and Ann Welfare, near the town pond in Lindfield, and also staying there was James' sister Ann. James and Harriet had three children; the first born at Lindfield in 1843 when James was working as a labourer and the other two born at Brighton in 1847 and 1851. When their second child was baptised in early 1847 they were living at Surrey Place in Brighton and James was working as a servant. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at 3 Camblen Terrace in Brighton with their then two children; James was working as a gardener, and they had Harriet's widowed mother visiting them.

In the census of 7 April 1861 they were back living in Lindfield, at 2 Alma Road, with their two youngest children; James was now a brewer's drayman, and they had James' brother John staying with them. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 James and Harriet were living at West Lodge, Summer Hill, Lindfield and James was working as a farm labourer. They had their daughter Mary Ann with her husband Edwin Constable and young son William Constable living with them. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 2 Wallace Cottages, West Common, Lindfield and James was a cowman and farm labourer. Now they had Harriet's widowed brother John Welfare and their grandsons William and George Constable living with them.

James died at Lindfield, at the age of 69, and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Lindfield on 3 February 1884. Eight years later Harriet died at Lindfield, at the age of 81 (not 82 as given on her death certificate and burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Lindfield on 14 January 1892.

 

James and Harriet’s eldest child was James Hillman who was born at Lindfield in Sussex, and baptised at All Saints Church in Lindfield on 28 May 1843. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 3 Camblen Terrace in Brighton, and he was going to school.

 

James and Harriet’s second child was Mary Ann Emily Hillman who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at St Nicholas’ Church in Brighton on 21 March 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Mary Ann, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 3 Camblen Terrace in Brighton. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Mary Ann, now aged 14, was living with her parents at 2 Alma Road in Lindfield, Sussex, and she was going to school.

 

James and Harriet’s third child was Alice Hillman who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Alice, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 2 Alma Road in Lindfield, Sussex, and she was going to school.

 

John and Dinah’s third child was John Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Peter’s Church in Chailey on 5 October 1817. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 33, was working as a butcher and living with his parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 43, was working as a drover and staying with the family of his brother James at 2 Alma Road in Lindfield, Sussex.

 

John and Dinah’s fourth child was Ann Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Peter’s Church in Chailey on 2 April 1820. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ann, at the age of 21, was staying with her brother James and his wife in the home of the wife’s parents, Thomas and Ann Welfare, near the town pond in Lindfield, Sussex. When she was 23 years old Ann married John Braysher in Lewes registration district in Sussex during the 3rd quarter of 1843. They had one child born at Lewes in 1846. John had died by the time of the census of 30 March 1851 as Ann was then a widow who, with her son, was living with her parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton.

 

John & Ann’s only child was John William Braysher who was born in St John sub Castro parish in Lewes, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1846. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 4, was living with his widowed mother in the home of his maternal grandparents, John and Dinah Hillman, at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 John, now aged 14, was living with the family of his mother’s sister Phebe Thomson at Rushlake Green in Warbleton, Sussex.

 

John and Dinah’s fifth child was William Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex and baptised at St Peter’s Church in Chailey on 6 October 1822. In the census of 30 March 1851 William, at the age of 28, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton.

 

John and Dinah’s sixth child was Dinah Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 24 July 1825. In the census of 6 June 1841 Dinah, at the age of 15, was a live-in domestic servant to George and Lucy Taylor at Burtenshaws in Barcombe. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Dinah, now aged 25, was a live-in housemaid to the family of Justice of the Peace Montague Scott at 19 Lansdowne Place in Hove, Sussex.

When she was about 27 years old Dinah married Benjamin Prosser in Poplar registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1852. They had six children born at Brighton between 1852 and 1866. In the census of 7 April 1861 Dinah and her then four children were living at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton, and living with them was Benjamin’s brother William Prosser and two women lodgers. Benjamin was away from home working as a waiter for lodging house keeper John Nicholas at Belridus Mansions in Brighton. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Benjamin, Dinah and their six children were living at 5 Windsor Street; Benjamin was a porter at a mansion and they had two young men as lodgers.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s eldest child was Benjamin Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1852. In the census of 7 April 1861 Benjamin, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Benjamin, now aged 18, was working as a jeweller’s apprentice and continuing to live with his parents at 5 Windsor Street.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s second child was Mary Ann Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary Ann, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Mary Ann, now aged 16, was working as an apprentice in the fancy wool business and continuing to live with her parents at 5 Windsor Street.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s third child was Elizabeth Dinah Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Elizabeth, now aged 13, was continuing to live with her parents at 5 Windsor Street, and she was going to school.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s fourth child was Emily Jane Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 Emily, at the age of 8 months, was living with her parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, now aged 10, was continuing to live with her parents at 5 Windsor Street, and she was going to school.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s fifth child was William Ernest Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1863. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton, and he was going to school.

 

Benjamin and Dinah’s sixth child was Ellen Ann Prosser who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 Ellen, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at 5 Windsor Street in Brighton, and she was going to school.

 

John and Dinah’s seventh child was Phebe Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 22 June 1828. In the census of 6 June 1841 Phebe, at the age of 13, was living with her parents in Barcombe. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Phebe, now aged 22, was working as a dressmaker and living with her parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton.

When she was 25 years old Phebe married William Thomson in Brighton registration district during the 4th quarter of 1853. They had four children; the first born at Brighton in 1854 and the second at Warbleton in Sussex in 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Rushlake Green in Warbleton with their then two children, and William was a master tailor. Their next two children were born at Heathfield in 1862 and 1864. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 42 Hampden Road in Brighton with their four children, and William was still a tailor.

 

William and Phebe’s eldest child was William Amos Thomson who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Rushlake Green in Warbleton, Sussex, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 William, now aged 14, was an apprentice, probably to his father, and he was living with his parents at 42 Hampden Road in Brighton.

 

William and Phebe’s second child was Dinah Jane Thomson who was born at Warbleton in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Dinah, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Rushlake Green in Warbleton, Sussex, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Dinah, now aged 13, was living with her parents at 42 Hampden Road in Brighton.

 

William and Phebe’s third child was Benjamin John Thomson who was born at Heathfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1862. In the census of 2 April 1871 Benjamin, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at 42 Hampden Road in Brighton, and he was going to school.

 

William and Phebe’s fourth child was Hyrum Ensign Priday Thomson who was born at Heathfield in Sussex, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1864. In the census of 2 April 1871 Hyrum, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 42 Hampden Road in Brighton, and he was going to school.

 

John and Dinah’s eighth child was Jane Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 26 February 1832. In the census of 6 June 1841 Jane, at the age of 9, was living with her parents in Barcombe. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Jane, now aged 19, was working as a shirtmaker and living with her parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton. In the census of 7 April 1861 Jane, at the age of 29, was, together with her sister Harriet, working as a laundress and needlewoman and lodging with the family of farm labourer William Weller at 56 Elder Street in Brighton.

 

John and Dinah’s ninth child was Harriet Hillman who was born at Barcombe in Sussex, and baptised at St Mary’s Church in Barcombe on 19 October 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 Harriet, at the age of 6, was living with her parents in Barcombe. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Harriet, now aged 16, was living with her parents at 56 Gloiter Lane in Brighton. In the census of 7 April 1861 Harriet, at the age of 26, was, together with her sister Jane, working as a laundress and needlewoman and lodging with the family of farm labourer William Weller at 56 Elder Street in Brighton.

 

Thomas and Dinah’s fourth child was John Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 26 January 1794. In the census of 30 March 1851 John was working as a farm labourer and lodging with the family of fellow farm labourer John King at Isfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 John and his brother William were both inmates of Uckfield Union Workhouse and described as being labourers. John never married. He died in Uckfield Union Workhouse at the age of 70 (not 67 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in St Margaret of Antioch Churchyard at Isfield on the 19 November 1864.

 

Thomas and Dinah’s fifth child was James Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 24 April 1796. When he was 32 years old James married 23-year-old Phoebe Collins at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 26 July 1828. Phoebe was the daughter of Joseph and Phoebe Collins; she had been born at Isfield and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 27 January 1805. See the section headed ‘James and Phoebe Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

Thomas and Dinah’s sixth child was Samuel Muddle who was born at Isfield in Sussex, and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch Church in Isfield on 24 October 1802.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2006-2010

Last updated 18 August 2010