THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE KENT MUDDLE FAMILIES THE HARRIETSHAM MUDDLES

 

Chart of James & Susannah Muddle's Family

 

James and Susannah’s eldest child was William Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 13 June 1786. When he was 25 years old William married Mary Bottle at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 6 July 1811. Mary already had a daughter who had been born at Lenham in 1809. William and Mary lived at Lenham where they had nine children born between 1811 and about 1829, and where William worked as a tailor like his father. William had worked in a partnership with his younger brother Arthur, who was a tailor at Hollingbourne, until it was recorded in The London Gazette of 9 January 1813 that this partnership had been dissolved by mutual consent on 1 January 1813. In 1817 William and Mary are thought to have been living in The Square in the centre of Lanham, either with or next-door to William's parents, see the section above on William's parents for more details on this.

It’s thought that William and Mary may have become non-conformists in about 1820 as there are no records of baptisms of their four children born after this date except for the son who died in infancy, and his baptism was 7 months after his birth and 3 months before his death. William died at Lenham when he was 50 years old (not 51 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 24 August 1836. Three years later Mary died at Lenham, at the age of 51, and she was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 1 June 1839.

 

Mary’s illegitimate child was Harriet Bottle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 23 April 1809.

 

William and Mary’s eldest child (Mary’s second) was Mercy Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 9 October 1811. In the census of 30 March 1851 Mercy, at the age of 39, was an out of work house servant staying with the family of her sister Mary Kemsley at Norrinton’s Cottages in Lenham. Three weeks later Mercy, at the age of 39, married George Rivers at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 22 April 1851. George was then a gardener living at Poplar in London and he was the son of farmer James Rivers.

What happened to George is unknown but Mercy ended up migrating to the USA and living at Gloversville, Fulton County, New York State, where her brother John, who had emigrated in 1846, was living with his wife and children. Mercy died at Gloversville during 1885, at the age of about 73, and she was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville, where her headstone describes her as the wife of George Rivers.

 

 

William and Mary’s second child (Mary’s third) was Mary Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 8 June 1813. When she was about 22 years old Mary married widower John Kemsley at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 3 May 1835. John had been married to Harriet and had at least two children. John and Mary had three children born at Lenham between 1835 and 1847, the second of whom died in 1836 when only 3 weeks old.

In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at New Shelve Cottage in Lenham with their then one surviving child and John was a male servant. Also living with them were two of John’s children, Amelia and Henry Kemsley, from his first marriage, and Mary’s two young orphan brothers, 14-year-old John Muddle and 12-year-old Arthur Muddle. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Norrinton’s Cottages in Lenham with their two surviving children, and John was working as a farm labourer. Also living with them was John’s son Henry from his first marriage and Mary’s 39-year-old spinster sister, Mercy Muddle, who was soon to marry, Mary being one of the witnesses at the wedding. They also had a lodger, 49-year-old bachelor and farm labourer Henry Eason.

John’s son Henry died at the age of 21 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary in Lenham on 25 May 1851. Then three years later John died at the age of 56, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary in Lenham on 25 November 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Mary was a widow living in the road to the south of the turnpike in Lenham; she was working as a schoolmistress and had her 14-year-old daughter Ann living with her. Mary's daughter Ann died just on a year later at the age of 15. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Mary was housekeeper to widower and farmer William Mayham living near the railway station in Ham Street, in the parish of Orlestone, in Kent. In the census of 3 April 1881 Mary was visiting William and Susan Monk at the Laurels in Doddington, Kent, and she still had the occupation of housekeeper. Mary died at Lenham, at the age of 73, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary in Lenham on 3 November 1886.

 

John and Mary’s eldest child was George Kemsley who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 19 May 1835, just 16 days after his parents’ marriage. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at New Shelve Cottage in Lenham. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 16, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Norrinton’s Cottages in Lenham.

 

John and Mary’s second child was Mercy Kemsley who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 18 November 1836. Mercy died when she was only 3 weeks old and she was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 23 November 1836.

 

John and Mary’s third child was Ann Hannah Kemsley who was born at Lenham in Kent and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 Ann, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Norrinton’s Cottages in Lenham. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Ann, now aged 14, was living with her widowed mother in the road south of the turnpike in Lenham, and she was going to school. The following year Ann died at the age of 15 and she was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 22 March 1862.

 

William and Mary’s third child (Mary’s fourth) was Hannah Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 16 July 1815. When she was 30 years old Hannah married William Hewitt at Camden Chapel in Camberwell, London on 30 June 1845. They were both then living at Cow Walk in Peckham, Camberwell and William was a groom and gardener. William was the son of labourer James Hewitt and he had been born at Shepperton in Middlesex in about 1817. William and Hannah are thought to have probably been childless.

In the census of 30 March 1851 William and Hannah were living at 12 Retreat Cottages in Peckham and William was a master gardener employing one man. They had 60-year-old fund holding spinster Charlotte Broderip living with them. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living in part of 25 Boundary Road in Hampstead, London and William was working as a domestic gardener. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in part of 51 St Johns Wood Terrace in Marylebone, London and William was a gardener. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living in part of 85 St Johns Wood Terrace in Marylebone and William was still a gardener. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in part of 15 Menford Gardens in Hammersmith, London; William was now a retired gardener and they had seven elderly female lodgers who were either spinsters or widows.

William died at the age of probably 75 rather than 77 as given on his death certificate, his death being registered in Fulham registration district, which includes Hammersmith, during the 1st quarter of 1893. Two years later Hannah died at the age of 79, her death being registered in Fulham registration district during the 1st quarter of 1895. Both deaths were registered under the surname Hewett and Hannah’s was with the forename Anna.

 

William and Mary’s fourth child (Mary’s fifth) was William Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 21 September 1817. In the census of 6 June 1841 William was working as a journeyman bricklayer and lodging with gardener William Hope and his wife Ann in the High Street at Lenham. William emigrated from England to the USA in about 1843, when he was about 25, and went to live in Albany, Albany County, New York State. See the section headed ‘William & Ann/Sarah/Jane Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of his life and details of his family.

 

William and Mary’s fifth child (Mary’s sixth) was Clarissa Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 24 October 1819. Clarissa never married and she was working as a domestic servant in Gillingham when she was severely burnt in an accident on Sunday 1 December 1839 and as a result died four days later, on Thursday 5 December 1839, at the age of 20. The Monday 9 December 1839 edition of The Sussex Advertiser reported on the cause of her death:

SHOCKING ACCIDENT. - On Sunday morning, whilst the family were at church, the servant of Mr. Pope, brewer, of Gillingham, named Muddle, while taking something off the grate set fire to her clothes, by which she was so dreadfully burnt that not the slightest hopes are entertained of her recovery.

Eighteen months later in the census of 6 June 1841 brewer George Pope, aged 57, together with his wife Elizabeth, three adult children and his mother were living in Gillingham High Street near Red Ochre Place, and they had 17-year-old Mary Pierce as a live-in servant; presumably the replacement for tragic Clarissa.

 

William and Mary’s sixth child (Mary’s seventh) was Charlotte Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent in about 1821. Charlotte never married. She was working as a servant when she died at Lenham on 23 March 1839, at the age of 18, from typhus. She was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 27 March 1839.

 

William and Mary’s seventh child (Mary’s eighth) was George Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent in about May 1824 and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 10 January 1825. George died when he was 10 months old and he was buried in Churchyard of St Mary at Lenham on 1 April 1825.

 

William and Mary’s eighth child (Mary’s ninth) was John Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent in on 10 April 1827. John became an orphan, at the age of about 12, when his mother died in mid-1839, his father having died in 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 14, and his 12-year-old brother Arthur were living with the family of their married sister, Mary Kemsley, at New Shelve Cottage in Lenham. When he was about 19 years old John emigrated from England to the USA sailing from Liverpool on the Washington, which arrived in New York on the 2 June 1846, and, as his brother William had already done, he went to live in Albany, Albany County, New York State. See the section headed ‘John & Mary Jane Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of his life and details of his family.

 

William and Mary’s ninth child (Mary’s tenth) was Arthur Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent in about 1829. Arthur became an orphan, at the age of about 10, when his mother died in mid-1839, his father having died in 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Arthur, at the age of 12, and his 14-year-old brother John were living with the family of their married sister Mary Kemsley at New Shelve Cottage in Lenham. It is thought to be Arthur who was referred to in the 30 July 1848 edition of The Era when it reported on a cricket match played on 21 July 1848 between Chilston Park and Mereworth Park clubs at Chilston Park, which is only just over a mile from Lenham, in which Muddle scored 4 runs for Chilston Park. In the census of 30 March 1851 Arthur, now aged 22, was a live-in farm servant to farmer William Brenchley at Cobham House in Lenham. It was probably in the mid-1850s that Arthur emigrated from England to the USA and joined his brothers William and John at Albany, Albany County, New York State. See the section headed ‘Arthur & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family’ for the rest of his life and details of his family.

 

James and Susannah’s second child was Arthur Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 22 January 1788. Arthur was a tailor at Hollingbourne and had worked in a partnership with his elder brother William, who was a tailor at Lenham, until it was recorded in The London Gazette of 9 January 1813 that this partnership had been dissolved by mutual consent on 1 January 1813.

When he was 27 years old Arthur married 21-year-old Ann Goodearl Robinson at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne, Kent on 17 January 1815 by license. The license was issued by the Archdeaconry of Canterbury on 16 January 1815 and described Arthur as a bachelor of Hollingbourne and Ann as a spinster of Hollingbourne. Ann was the daughter of James and Mary Robinson and she had been baptised at the Church of All Saints in Boxley, Kent on 23 June 1793. Ann’s surname was spelt Robbison at her marriage and her middle name as Goodair at her baptism so there is considerable doubt as to the exact form of both of these names, though she signed as Robinson when a witness at the marriage of Arthur’s brother James in 1814, so this is thought the most likely form of her surname.

Arthur and Ann lived at Hollingbourne where they had two children born in 1815 and 1819. Arthur was described as being a tailor and draper at the baptism of their first child and as a tailor at the baptism of their second child. Then just over two years after the birth of their second child Arthur died at the age of 34 (not 37 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 16 March 1822. Arthur died intestate and administration of his estate, valued at under £100, was granted to his widow Ann by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 30 March 1822.[1]

Five years after Arthur’s death Ann had an illegitimate daughter born at Hollingbourne in 1827. Then five months after the baptism of this child Ann, at the age of 34, married bachelor George Walton Gower at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Tonbridge, Kent on 1 October 1827. George and Ann had one child born at Hollingbourne in 1828. At the baptism of this child George was described as being a tailor.

It’s not known what happened to George, he may have died, but he was not with Ann in the census of 6 June 1841 when she was living at Eyhorne Street (a village in the parish of Hollingbourne) with her daughter Louisa Muddle and son George Gower, and was described as being of independent means. Ann died at home on Tuesday 23 January 1844, at the age of 50, and because her death was sudden and unexpected it was the subject of a coroner’s inquest held on 25 January 1844, which returned a verdict of ‘Died by the visitation of God’. She was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 28 January 1844. Ann’s surname was spelt Goward on all documents relating to her death and burial.

Ann’s death was reported in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser of 30 January 1844:

HOLLINGBOURNE. – AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH. – On Tuesday last a woman named Goward, about 50 years of age, rose in the morning in as good health as usual and prepared her dough for baking, when she commenced washing. Shortly afterwards she dropped down apparently in a fit from which she never recovered, and died in the evening about eight o’clock. An inquest was held on Thursday upon the body, before R. Hinde, Esq., and a verdict of “Died by the visitation of God” returned.

 

Arthur and Ann’s eldest child was James Robbison Muddle who was born at Hollingbourne in Kent and baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 11 September 1815. James’ middle name is almost certainly meant to be his mother’s maiden name, the correct form of which is considered to be Robinson, it seems that it was the incumbent at Hollingbourne who used the spelling Robbison at both his baptism and his mother’s marriage at Hollingbourne. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, at the age of 35, was working as a tailor and lodging with coachman Joseph Austin and his wife Mary at 17 Boss’s Gardens in Brighton, Sussex.

When he was 42 years old James married 38-year-old spinster Eliza Ann Arthur at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 13 February 1858. James was then a tailor living at 4 Steyne Gardens in Brighton and Eliza was living at 3 Windmill Street in Brighton. Eliza was the daughter of tailor William Arthur and his wife Jane, and she had been born at Mitcham in Surrey and baptised at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Mitcham on 9 January 1820. The 1858 edition of Melville & Co.'s Directory & Gazetteer of Sussex listed Mrs Muddle as a laundress at 3 Windmill Street, Brighton. James and Eliza didn't have any children, and in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 8 Windmill Street in Brighton; James was still a tailor and Eliza was still a laundress, and they had Eliza's niece, 4-year-old Dorinda Arthur, staying with them. On 19 September 1865 James and Eliza submitted plans to Brighton Borough Council for a new house at 3 Finsbury Road.[2]

Eliza died at the age of 50, her death being registered in Brighton registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1870. In the census of 2 April 1871 James was living at 3 Finsbury Road in Brighton and he was now a laundryman employing five women. Had he possibly taken on a business that had been run by his late wife? To look after him he had 16-year-old Susan Hillman as live-in domestic servant.

Later that year, and about 18 months after his first wife’s death, James, at the age of 56, married 53-year-old widow Jane Mills at the Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 23 December 1871. In the census of 3 April 1881 James and Jane were living at 3 Finsbury Road in Brighton; James was a laundryman and Jane was a laundress. They were still living at 3 Finsbury Road when James died there on 3 September 1889, at the age of 74. James left a will in which he described himself as a tailor, and probate, which valued his personal estate at £20, was granted to Jane as sole executrix by Lewes Probate Registry on 27 September 1889. James had also described himself as a tailor at his marriage to Jane so it seems he still considered himself a tailor even though he had put his occupation as laundryman on censuses since 1871.

The 1890 edition of Kelly's Directory of Sussex and the 1891 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex both listed Mrs Muddle as living at 3 Finsbury Road in Brighton. In the census of 5 April 1891 Jane was still a laundress and still living at 3 Finsbury Road, but now with the family of her son-in-law George Clifford and his wife Catherine Rebekah, who was Jane’s daughter from her first marriage. Jane was still living at 3 Finsbury Road when she died on 12 April 1896, at the age of 76. Jane left a will and probate, which valued her effects at £114 17s 10d, was granted to architect Thomas Simpson and solicitor Harry Montague Williams by the London Probate Registry on 1 June 1896.

 

 

Arthur and Ann’s second child was Arthur Muddle who was born at Hollingbourne in Kent and baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 15 December 1819. In the census of 6 June 1841 Arthur, at the age of 21, was working as a tailor and living with the family of his father’s brother John Saltmarsh Muddle, who was a tailor, and who Arthur was probably working for, at Eyhorne Street (a village in the parish of Hollingbourne). Bagshaw’s History, Gazetteer and Directory of Kent for 1847 listed Arthur Muddle as a tailor at Egerton in Kent. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Arthur, now aged 31, was working as a journeyman tailor and lodging with widow Ann Smeed at Egerton. Arthur never married. He was still a tailor when he died at Egerton on 5 May 1858, at the age of 38 (not 39 as given on his death certificate), from consumption. He was buried in the Churchyard of St James in Egerton on 10 May 1858.

 

 

Ann’s illegitimate daughter (her third child) was Louisa Muddle who was born at Hollingbourne in Kent and baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 6 May 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 Louisa, at the age of 14, was living with her mother at Eyhorne Street (a village in the parish of Hollingbourne). Louisa’s mother died in 1844 and in the census of 30 March 1851 Louisa was living with her 90-year-old grandmother, Mary Larking, who was presumably her mother’s mother with a different surname because of remarriage. Mary Larking was described as formerly a landlady now living on parish relief, and Louisa was described as being a servant, presumably she was looking after her grandmother.

When she was 26 years old Louisa married 21-year-old William Henry Hobbs at the Church of the Trinity in Maidstone, Kent on 9 July 1853. They were both then living in Maidstone and William was a carpenter. William was the son of papermaker Richard Hobbs and his wife Mary; he had been born at Aylesford in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Peter in Aylesford on 18 December 1831.

William and Louisa’s first child was born at Clerkenwell in London during 1860. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 49 Red Lion Street in Clerkenwell with their young daughter; William was a carpenter and Louisa a mantle maker. Their second child was born at St Luke in London during 1869. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in part of 13 Little Sutton Street in Clerkenwell with their two children; William was a carpenter and joiner and Louisa a mantle maker. Their third child was born at Holborn in London later in 1871. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 66 Noble Street in St Luke, London with their two youngest children; William was now a coal dealer and Louisa had no occupation. Their now married eldest daughter and her young daughter were staying with them, and they had 18-year-old Stephen Syly as a boarder and 39-year-old Mary Needham as a lodger. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 100 Warnington Road in Kensington, London with their two youngest children, and William was back to being a carpenter and Louisa a mantle maker.

Louisa died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Hackney registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1900. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 70, was a visitor in the home of house painter William Jenner at 125 Worningham Road in Kensington. William didn’t have any recorded occupation so he had presumably retired. Fifteen years later William died at the age of 85, his death being registered in Kensington registration district during the 1st quarter of 1917.

 

William and Louisa’s eldest child was Rosina Jane Hobbs whose birth was registered in Clerkenwell registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1860. Rosina’s birth was registered under the name Rosetta but she seems to have always been known as Rosina. In the census of 7 April 1861 Rosina, at the age of 10 months, was living with her parents at 49 Red Lion Street in Clerkenwell. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Rosina, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 13 Little Sutton Street in Clerkenwell. When she was 19 years old Rosina married 25-year-old Alfred Arthur Crofts in Holborn registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1880. Alfred was the son of James and Jane Crofts, he had been born at Walworth in Newington, London and his birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1855. Alfred and Rosina had at least one child born at Islington in London in early 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Rosina and her young daughter were staying with Rosina’s parents at 66 Noble Street in St Luke, London.

 

Alfred and Rosina’s only known child was Ada Crofts whose birth was registered in Islington registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ada, at the age of 3 months, and her mother were stay with her maternal grandparents, William and Louisa Hobbs, at 66 Noble Street in St Luke, London.

 

William and Louisa’s second child was George Hobbs whose birth was registered in St Luke registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 George, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 13 Little Sutton Street in Clerkenwell. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 George, now aged 12, was living with his parents at 66 Noble Street in St Luke, London, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 George, at the age of 22, was working as a porter and living with his parents at 100 Warnington Road in Kensington, London.

 

William and Louisa’s third child was Kate Hobbs whose birth was registered in Holborn registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1871. In the census of 3 April 1881 Kate, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 66 Noble Street in St Luke, London, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Kate, now aged 19, was working as a dressmaker and living with her parents at 100 Warnington Road in Kensington, London.

 

George and Ann’s only child (Ann’s fourth) was George Norton Gower who was born at Hollingbourne in Kent and baptised at the Church of All Saints in Hollingbourne on 7 December 1828. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 12, was living with his mother at Eyhorne Street (a village in the parish of Hollingbourne). Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 22, was working as a tailor and lodging with victualler James Sivyer at Eyhorne Street. Later that year George married Mary Bates in Maidstone registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1851. They had four children; the first born at Leeds in Kent in late 1851, the second at Hollingbourne in 1853, the third back at Leeds in 1856, and the forth at Maidstone in 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Royal Oak Yard in King Street, Maidstone with their four children, and George was working as a tailor.

 

George and Mary’s eldest child was Harry Gower who was born at Leeds in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Harry, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at Royal Oak Yard in King Street, Maidstone, Kent, and he was going to school.

 

George and Mary’s second child was Isabella Gower who was born at Hollingbourne in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1853. In the census of 7 April 1861 Isabella, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at Royal Oak Yard in King Street, Maidstone, Kent, and she was going to school.

 

George and Mary’s third child was Laura Gower who was born at Leeds in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 Laura, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Royal Oak Yard in King Street, Maidstone, Kent, and she was going to school.

 

George and Mary’s fourth child was Emma Gower who was born at Maidstone in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1858. In the census of 7 April 1861 Emma, at the age of 3, was living with her parents at Royal Oak Yard in King Street, Maidstone.

 

James and Susannah’s third child was Hannah Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 16 February 1790. When she was 22 years old Hannah married James Claridge at the Church of St James in Piccadilly, Westminster, London on 11 October 1812. They had three children while they were living at James Street in Lambeth, London; the first and second born in 1819 and 1822 when James described himself as a Wax Chandler, and the third in 1829 when James described himself an Oil Merchant.

 

James and Hannah’s eldest child was James Claridge who was born at Southwark in London and baptised at Christ Church in Southwark on 21 March 1819.

 

James and Hannah’s second child was Mary Ann Claridge who was born at Lambeth in London and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lambeth on 7 July 1822.

 

James and Hannah’s third child was Arthur Claridge who was born at Lambeth in London and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lambeth on 24 May 1829.

 

James and Susannah’s fourth child was James Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 4 November 1791. When he was 22 years old James married 26-year-old Susanna Carr Crisp at the Church of St Leonard in Deal, Kent on 27 August 1814. Susanna was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Crisp; she had been born at Deal and baptised at the Church of St Leonard in Deal on 23 November 1787.

On the 6 January 1815 James Muddle, a linen draper, was made a Freeman of the Borough of Deal.[3] James and Susanna had three children, two daughters and a son, born at Deal in 1815, 1816 and 1817 while they were living at Lower Street in Deal and James was a linen draper. In The Times of 9 February 1818 it was reported that the London Gazette of 7 February had reported that the partnership of J Muddle and S Hayward, linen drapers of Deal, had been dissolved. The second born child of James and Susanna died in August 1818, when only 2 years old, and their third born in January 1819, when only 1 year old, while they were still living at Lower Street in Deal. They are thought to have had another child, son William, born in about 1820, who is only known from being with Susanna in the 1841 census. James' sister Agnes was living at Lower Street in Deal when she had an illegitimate daughter in 1824, so it seems likely that James and Susanna where then still living at Lower Street in Deal and that Agnes was living with them.

Sometime after this they moved to Dover and it seems that by 1829 James had some connection with John and Mary Thomsett, possibly a business connection with John. Between 1815 and 1825 John and Mary had had six children and at their baptisms at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover John was described as a mariner. Then their other two children, born in 1829 and 1836, were given the middle name of Muddle; with the first, a daughter, being named Agnes (the name of James’ sister) and the second, a son, being named James. At the baptism of the first of these children the Thomsett family were stated to live in Calais, France and John to now be a lace manufacturer, and then at the baptism of the second they were living at Dover Castle and John was a victualler. So it seems that there was some link between the Muddle and Thomsett families, but just what it was is difficult to tell, because as it looks as if James and Susanna separated after moving to Dover the link may be more between James and Mary.

The 1830 Poll Book to return two Members of Parliament for Dover recorded that James Muddle, a silk mercer of Dover, cast his vote on 30 July 1830. The 1832 and 1833 Poll Books for Dover recorded that James Muddle, a silk mercer of Snargate Street, Dover, cast his vote on 11/12 December 1832 and then again on 6/7 March 1833. The Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Kent for 1834 has James Muddle listed as a linen draper and silk mercer of 184 Snargate Street in Dover. The 1835 Poll Book for Dover recorded that James Muddle, a silk mercer of Snargate Street, Dover, cast his vote on 6/7 January 1835.

The 17 September 1836 edition of The Scotsman reported that several people had had goods seized because of non-payment of Church Rates in the parishes of St Mary and St James in Dover. One of these was James Muddle of Snargate Street, who for a demand of 9s and £1 0s 6d expenses, had goods valued at £44 18s, at cost, seized, and from these those sold realised £1 5s 6d and goods valued at £43 1s 6d were returned. It seems from the newspaper report that a lot of people across the country were protesting by not paying their Church Rates. This was also reported in the London Dispatch and People’s Political and Social Reformer of 24 September 1836 under the heading ‘SHAMEFUL TYRANNY’ that James Muddle, mercer, at Dover had articles worth between £40 and £50 seized for payment of a few shillings Church Rate; their information coming from the Kentish Chronicle.

The 1837 Poll Book for Dover recorded that James Muddle, a silk mercer of Snargate Street, Dover, cast his vote on 24/25 July 1837. Then later that year James, at the age of 46, was said to be retiring from business when the following notice for the sale of his business was published in The Times on 11 and 16 October 1837:

TO MERCERS, &c. – First-rate Business at Dover. Mr. Henry Threlkeld respectfully informs the trade that he has received instructions to SELL by Public Tender, on Friday, October 20, at 12, the STOCK in TRADE, Lease. Goodwill, &c., of that valuable BUSINESS, conducted for many years with great pecuniary advantage by James Muddle, in Snargate. It is now sold in consequence of Mr. Muddle retiring from the trade. Dover has at all times been a town of great importance, possessing wonderful resources for trade, in addition to which it has lately become fashionable and much frequented watering place, indeed from the superior buildings which have been recently erected, and other inducements, it bids fair to compete with Brighton as a pleasure resort. The connexion of this shop includes all the nobility and gentry in Dover and its vicinity. The premises (held on lease) are admirably situate for trade, in good condition, spacious, and low rented. Upon inspection it will be at once seen that an opportunity is here offered to any person acquainted with a fine trade of realizing a handsome fortune. The stock, which is in value about £4,600, consists of foreign lace, silks, muslins, embroidery, jewellery, &c. For particulars and orders to view apply to Mr. Threlkeld, 4, Wood-street, Cheapside.

It seems that James had purchased a lot of stock from a sale by Customs of a large quantity of confiscated smuggled goods. This had probably put him into debt and this was why he was selling up rather than because he was retiring. James sold his stock, but not his lease, to William Edwards of the London Silk Warehouse in Birmingham, who then advertised it for sale in the 9 December 1837 edition of The Birmingham Journal where the list of goods gives a good idea of the expensive items that James traded in:

SALE OF RARE AND COSTLY FRENCE GOODS,

Consisting of Shawls, Silks, Furs, Ribbons, Jewellery, Bijouterie, &c.

LONDON SILK WAREHOUSE,

61 AND 62, BULL-STREET,

THE Proprietor has just returned from purchasing the Stock of Mr. MUDDLE, of Dover, retiring from business. It consists of the above Goods, and is to be sold without reserve, on the Premises as above. Such an op­portunity of purchasing the richest Goods, was, perhaps, never before offered in Birmingham, the greater portion having been originally taken from persons attempting to smuggle them into this country, and sold to Mr. Muddle at the usual Custom-house Sales at Dover.

Among them are the following Goods, all marked in plain Figures:-

A Quantity of the best Fur Fringes, usually sold at 3s., all at 11½d.

Fifty Orleans Dresses, (India Pattern, as thick as Me­rino,) at 13s. 6d. each.

Some of the best Silk Cloakings, usually sold at 25s., at 15s 6d. each.

A Quantity of Boys’ Gold and Velvet Caps, at 2s, each.

Hundreds of Pairs of Gentlemen’s Damask Leather Slippers, at 1s. 6d.

Ladies’ Silk Slippers, 1s. 6d., Kid ditto, 2s. 2d.

Gentlemen’s Pumps, sold in London at 12s. – 3s. 6d.

Ladies’ Embroidered Merino Slippers, all French.

A Lot of Irish Linens, very fine, at a Guinea and a Half the Piece, 25 and 26 yards long.

Filled Silk Shawls, 1s. 2d. each.

French Merino Scarfs, Scarlet and White, 1s. 6d. each, trimmed with Swansdown and Fur, and usually sold at 5s. 6d.

A Quantity of Gold, Pearl, Mosaic, and Ormolu Zone Clasps, (worth 10s. 6d. each,) at 2s. 6d.

Ladies’ Letter Cases, with two Pockets and Blotting Paper, at 6½d. each.

A large Lot of French Bags, cost 8s. 6d., each at 1s. 6d.

Some lined Gloves.

A Quantity of Damask Moreens, at ls. 6d. per yard, in sets.

Some costly Printed Satin Shawls.

Damask and Embroidered India Shawls.

Some long Shawls, worth Ten Guineas, each for £3.

A very large Quantity of Ribbons.

Several Hundred Wire Gauze Dish Covers, at 7½d. and 11½d., usually sold at 4s. 6d. each.

A large Quantity of Jet, Berlin, Pearl, and Gold Crosses, Brooches, Ear-rings, Pendants, and other Jewellery Goods.

 Large Quantities of rich French Figured Silks, at 1s. 9d. per yard.

Plain Poult de Soies, at 2s. 1d.

Some Embroidered Shawls, cheap.

A Quantity of Victoria Long Cloths, at 10s. 3d., the Piece, 24 yards long.

Large Quantities of French and German Velvets.

Print Dresses, at 1s. 6d. and 1s. 9d. each.

Some Hundreds of Chenille Bed Ornaments, 1s. per pair.

A Quantity of choice Embossed Drawings.

 Flannels, Merinos, Furs, &c. &c.

300 Pieces of Gauze Ribbons, all at 3d.

Sale to commence on Monday next.

WILLIAM EDWARDS, Proprietor.

December 8, 1837.

It seems that the sale by James of his stock, probably at a heavily discounted price to get a quick sale, was not enough to solve his debt problems because the bankruptcy of James Muddle was published in the London Gazette on 2 January 1838:

Whereas a Fiat in Bankruptcy is awarded and issued forth against James Muddle, of Snargate-street, Dover in the county of Kent, Silk Mercer, and of No. 34, Bucklersbury, in the city of London, Coffee House Keeper, and he being declared a bankrupt is hereby required to surrender himself to Joshua Evans, Esq. a Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Court of Bankruptcy, on the 12th day of January instant, at twelve at noon, and on the 13th day of January next, at eleven in the forenoon precisely, at the Court of Bankruptcy, in Basinghall-street, in the city of London, and make a full discovery and disclosure of his estate and effects; when and where the creditors are to come prepared to prove their debts, and at the first sitting to choose assignees, and at the last sitting the said bankrupt is required to finish his examination, and the creditors are to assent to or dissent from the allowance of his certificate. All persons indebted to the said bankrupt, or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. Goldsmid, Ironmonger-lane, the Official Assignee, whom the Commissioner has appointed, and give notice to Messrs. Borradaile and Middleton, Solicitors, King’s-Arms-yard, London.

From this we learn that James also had a coffee house business at 34 Bucklersbury in the City of London. The various stages of the bankruptcy proceedings dragged on during most of 1838 and were reported in issues of the London Gazette, Perry’s Bankrupt and Insolvent Gazette, The Times and Morning Chronicle, with dividends of 9s and 2s 8d in the pound to creditors being reported in Perry’s Bankrupt and Insolvent Gazette on 1 July and 1 December 1838.

It seems that after his bankruptcy James started up in business again, presumably in his old premises on which he still had the lease, because the Pigot & Co.’s Directory of Kent for 1839 lists James Muddle as a linen draper and silk mercer of 14 Snargate Street in Dover, and in 1840 James is again listed at 14 Snargate Street. On 21 February 1840 The Times reported on the case of Muddle v Stride that had come before Lord Denman and a Common Jury at the Court of Queen’s Bench, Guildhall, London on 20 February 1840. In this case James was suing the directors of the Margate Steam Packet Company for damage to, and delay in delivering, goods that they had transported for him. James had purchased articles of silk and linen at a Custom House sale; they were packed in a wooden packing case and put on board the company’s ship Royal Adelaide at London Bridge Wharf a few days before the end of August. The ship sailed for Dover but rough weather prevented her entering Dover harbour and she went back to Margate, where on 4 September the goods were transferred to the company’s ship Royal George which sailed to Dover. At Dover the packing case was opened and the goods were found to be partly damaged with wet, and also gave off an offensive smell. The defendants pleaded that the damage was due to the perils of the sea and not their neglect, but the jury found that they had been negligent and awarded James the estimated value of the damage done to the goods of £20.

It seems that James and Susanna separated and that James had a son born in about 1837 by another woman. When this son died at 22 Alfred Terrace, Mile End Old Town, Stepney, London on 29 December 1840 he was described as the son of James Muddell, linen draper, and the death was registered by Eliza Fisher of the same address, who was present at the death. So was Eliza Fisher possibly the mother and had been living with James.

In the census of 6 June 1841 Susanna was living at the Church Place in Dover, and living with her was 20-year-old William Muddle, who is thought to possibly be her son; and they were both described as being of independent means. James, describing himself as a silk merchant, was then staying with the family of his brother John at Eyhorn Street in Hollingbourne Parish.

Susanna died at Standon in Hertfordshire, at the age of 61 (not 62 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary in Standon on 17 April 1849.

By 1849 James was back living in Dover and it seems that he accused local shoemaker Mr G Gray of owing him money that he refused repay. Gray complained to the local magistrates that James had been causing trouble in his shop for which James was charged with a breach of the peace and sentenced during September 1849 by the magistrates to provide sureties for three months. But as James was too poor to provide the sureties required he was committed to Dover Goal for 3 months, from where on 3 & 22 October 1849 he wrote letters to the Secretary of State complaining that he had been unjustly accused and imprisoned, and requested an enquiry into his case. This petition by James resulted in no action being taken by Home Office officials and presumably James had to serve his three months in Dover Goal.[4]

In the census of 30 March 1851 James was a pauper in Dover Union Workhouse at Buckland, and giving his occupation as silk mercer. James died in Dover Union Workhouse, at the age of 65 (not 68 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 14 May 1857.

 

James and Susanna’s eldest child was Elizabeth Carr Crisp Muddle who was born at Deal in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Leonard in Deal on 9 August 1815. When she was 21 years old Elizabeth married 27-year-old Osborn Hendrey at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover, Kent on 16 January 1837 by licence. Osborn was the son of Alexander Osborn and Ann Hendrey; he had been born at Dover on 3 December 1809, and baptised at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 1 January 1810. Osborn and Elizabeth had one child, a daughter, born on 3 July 1838, and at her baptism Osborn was described as being a stationer. Then three months later they were living in Snargate Street in Dover when Elizabeth died at the age of 23, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 19 October 1838. Then in March 1839 their daughter died at Snargate Street in Dover. In the census of 6 June 1841 Osborn was a bookseller living with his widowed father and spinster sister, Ann Hendrey, at Snargate Street in Dover. Osborn died at the age of 47, his death being registered in St Olave registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1857.

 

Osborn and Elizabeth’s only child was Emily Gibbon Hendrey who was born at Dover in Kent on 3 July 1838, and baptised at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 15 August 1838. Emily died at Snargate Street in Dover five months after her mother’s death there, when she was only 8 months old, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 17 March 1839.

 

James and Susanna’s second child was Eliza Ann Hyder Muddle who was born at Deal in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Leonard in Deal on 25 July 1816. Eliza died at Deal when she was only 2 years old and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Leonard in Deal on 30 August 1818.

 

James and Susanna’s third child was James Dowers Muddle who was born at Deal in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Leonard in Deal on 10 October 1817. James died when he was only a year old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Leonard in Deal on 10 January 1819. The burial record states 'child on the other' which is taken to mean that James was buried in the same grave as his sister Eliza.

 

James and Susanna’s fourth child was William Muddle who was born in Kent in about 1820. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 20, was living with his mother at the Church Place in Dover, Kent, and they were both described as being of independent means. No relationships were recorded in the 1841 census so it has been assumed that William was James and Susanna’s son only from the fact that he was with Susanna in the census.

 

James and Eliza’s only child (James' fifth) was James Muddell who was born in about mid-1837. James died at 22 Alfred Terrace, Mile End Old Town, Stepney, London on 29 December 1840, when he was 3¼ years old, from inflammation as a result of having measles. He was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan & All Saints in Stepney on 3 January 1841.

 

James and Susannah’s fifth child was Charlotte Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 14 January 1794. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charlotte, at the age of 47, was a live-in female servant to clergyman John Russell at Layle House, Ponders End, Enfield, Middlesex.

Two years later, when she was 49 years old, Charlotte married widower Samuel Norris, who was about 60, at the Church of St Mary in Hornsey, Middlesex on 7 December 1843 by a licence issued by the Faculty Office on 5 December 1843. Samuel was then a cordwainer (shoemaker) living at Manor Place in Hornsey, and Charlotte was living at Enfield. Samuel was the son of cordwainer John Norris, and he had been born in Middlesex in about 1782. There were no children from this marriage as Charlotte was too old.

Less than three years after their marriage Samuel died, at the age of about 64, his death being registered in Edmonton registration district, which includes Hornsey, during the 3rd quarter of 1846. In the census of 30 March 1851 Charlotte was a grocer living at 2 Manor place in Hornsey and she had her stepson, 26 year-old James Norris, who was a cordwainer, living with her. Charlotte died at the age of 64, her death being registered in Edmonton registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1858.

 

James and Susannah’s sixth child was John Saltmarsh Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 12 May 1797. John married Eliza Wisenden, probably in about 1835. Eliza was the daughter of James and Mary Wisenden; she had been born at Boughton Monchelsea in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Peter in Boughton Monchelsea on 15 April 1807.

John and Eliza are not thought to have had any children. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Eyhorn Street in Hollingbourne Parish, Kent where John was a master tailor. Living with them were John’s brother James, a silk merchant; John’s nephew, 21-year-old Arthur Muddle, who was a tailor and probably working for John; and 15-year-old Joseph Tillman, who was John’s apprentice. The 1850 edition of the Directory for Maidstone & its Environs listed John Muddle as a tailor of Hollingbourne. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were still living at Eyhorn Street and John was still a master tailor. Now living with them were Eliza’s 87-year-old widowed mother, Mary Wisenden, who was stated to be deaf, and 18-year-old James Sears, who was now John’s apprentice. The Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties for 1851 listed John Muddle as a tailor and draper in Hollingbourne.

It was probably when John retired that they moved the six miles to Doddington in Kent, and in the 1855 edition of the Post Office Directory of the Six Home Counties and the 1858 edition of Melville & Co.'s Directory & Gazetteer of Kent John was no longer listed under traders but under the gentry as Mr John Saltmarsh Muddle of Doddington. So it seems that John's business as a tailor had been successful and profitable and after his retirement from trade he considered himself a gentleman. John died on 8 March 1859, at the age of 61, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints at Hollingbourne on 14 March 1859. Probate of John's will, which valued his effects at under £200, was granted to Eliza by the Principal Probate Registry in London on 16 May 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza was living alone in the Old Workhouse at Doddington, and she was described as being a proprietor of cottages.

When she was 63 years old Eliza married 61-year-old widower William Hartridge at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 5 May 1870. William was then a gentleman living at Highbury in Islington, London, and Eliza was living at Doddington. William was the son of William and Mary Amelia Hartridge; he had been born at the Lying in Hospital, Endell Street, Holborn, London on 15 January 1809, and baptised there on 26 January 1809. He was baptised again at the Church of St Giles in Cripplegate, London on 12 September 1813.

In the census of 2 April 1871 William and Eliza were living at Highbury Park South in Islington with two of William's daughters, and William was a member of the Stock Exchange. They had two live-in servants, a cook and a housemaid. Later in the 1870s they moved to Addelam House in Deal, Kent where William was listed as living in a 1878 Directory of Kent. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Addelam House in Deal and William was now Deputy Chairman of the Bombay, Baruda and Central Indian Railway Company. Living with them as a companion for Eliza was Eliza's niece, 51-year-old spinster Agnes Weeks, whose mother, Sarah Weeks née Muddle, was a sister of Eliza's first husband. William and Eliza again had a cook and housemaid as live-in servants. The 1882 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed William Hartridge as living at Addelam House in Deal.

William died at the age of 76, his death being registered in Eastry registration district in Kent, which includes Deal, during the 1st quarter of 1885. Three years later Eliza died at the age of 81, her death being registered at Bromley registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1888.

 

James and Susannah’s seventh child was Agnes Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 11 June 1799. In 1824, when she was about 25 years old, Agnes had an illegitimate daughter. When this daughter was baptised Agnes gave her address as Lower Street in Deal, Kent, which was were the family of her brother James lived.

When she was 36 years old Agnes married 27-year-old John Boorn at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover, Kent on 27 August 1835. John was then living at Folkestone in Kent and Mary in Dover. Mary was probably still living with the family of her brother James as they were known to have been living in Dover since at least 1834, and James and his daughter Elizabeth were the witnesses at the marriage. John was the son of Thomas and Frances Bourne; he had been born at Dover and baptised at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Dover on 10 March 1808.

John and Agnes lived at Folkestone where they had three children born between 1836 and 1839, and at their baptisms John was described as either a chemist or druggist. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Fancy Street, Folkestone with their three children and Agnes’ illegitimate daughter, and John was a druggist. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were all living in Dover Street, Folkestone and John was a chemist. Their daughter Agnes died in 1854, at the age of 15. Then five years later Agnes died at the age of 60 (not 59 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary & St Eanswythe in Folkestone on 28 December 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 53, was a retired druggist living at 20 Fancy Street in Folkestone with his son John and his stepdaughter, Agnes Muddle, who was his housekeeper. John died at the age of 59, his death being registered in Elham registration district, which includes Folkestone, during the 3rd quarter of 1867.

 

Agnes’ illegitimate daughter was Eliza Chester Muddle who was born at Deal in Kent and baptised at the Church of St Leonard in Deal on 23 May 1824. In the census of 6 June 1841 Eliza, at the age of 17, was living with her mother and stepfather in Fancy Street, Folkestone, Kent. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Eliza, now aged 27, was living with her mother and stepfather in Dover Street, Folkestone. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 37, was living with her stepfather and her half-brother, John Boorn, at 20 Fancy Street in Folkestone, and she was acting as their housekeeper. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Eliza, at the age of 47, was visiting the family of her cousin Charlotte Monk at Doddington in Kent; she was described as being an annuitant and to be deaf as a result of smallpox. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Eliza, at the age of 67, was living on her own means and lodging with the family of gardener Thomas Baker at 10 Denmark Street in Folkestone. Eliza was using her mother’s married name of Boorn in the 1871 and 1891 censuses, but was back to Muddle and living at 38 Harvey Street in Folkestone when she died at the age of 76, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael in Folkestone on 7 February 1900.

 

John and Agnes’ eldest child (Agnes’ second) was Richard James Boorn who was born at Folkestone in Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe in Folkestone on 26 June 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Richard, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in Fancy Street, Folkestone. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Richard, now aged 14, was living with his parents in Dover Street, Folkestone, and he was going to school. Richard became a Customs Officer; he married Maria and had several children. He died at the age of 73, his death being registered in Toxteth Park registration district in Liverpool, Lancashire during the 3rd quarter of 1909.

 

John and Agnes’ second child (Agnes’ third) was John Boorn who was born at Folkestone in Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe in Folkestone on 11 March 1838. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents in Fancy Street, Folkestone. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 John, now aged 13, was living with his parents in Dover Street, Folkestone, and he was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 John, at the age of 23, was working as a grocer’s assistant and living with his widowed father and his half-sister, Agnes Muddle, at 20 Fancy Street in Folkestone.

 

John and Agnes’ third child (Agnes’ fourth) was Agnes Boorn who was born at Folkestone in Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe in Folkestone on 6 September 1839. In the census of 6 June 1841 Agnes, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in Fancy Street, Folkestone. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Agnes, now aged 11, was living with her parents in Dover Street, Folkestone, and she was going to school. Agnes died at Folkestone, at the age of 15, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Mary & St Eanswythe in Folkestone on 13 July 1854.

 

James and Susannah’s eighth child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Lenham in Kent on 20 June 1801 and baptised at the Church of St Mary in Lenham on 5 July 1801. When she was 22 years old Sarah married Thomas Weeks at the Church of St Mary in Teynham, Kent. Thomas was then living at Teynham and Sarah at Lenham. They first lived at Lynsted in Kent where their first child was born in late 1824; they then moved to Newnham in Kent where they had their next two children in 1827 and 1829. Their next move was to Doddington in Kent where they had seven children born between 1832 and 1847, the first of whom died in 1833 at the age of 17 months. Thomas was described as being a bricklayer or mason at the baptisms of all his children.

In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Doddington with five of their then six surviving children, and Thomas was a bricklayer. Their other child, daughter Charlotte, was living with Sarah’s widowed grandfather, probably as his housekeeper. In the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Doddington with their six youngest children; Thomas was still a bricklayer, as was his eldest son, who was probably working with Thomas. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Doddington with four of their children; Thomas was now a bricklayer employing three men, who were most probably his three sons then living at home, who were all bricklayers. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living back at Newnham and Thomas was still a bricklayer. They had their two youngest children still living with them; son Walter, who was an invalid, and son John, who was a bricklayer and probably still working with his father.

Sarah died at Newnham at the age of 73, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Peter & St Paul in Newnham on 11 January 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas was living at Park House in Newnham and now described as a builder employing his son and one other man. Living with him was his youngest son, John, who was described as being his partner, and John’s wife Elizabeth Adelaide. Thomas died at Newnham at the age of 80, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Peter & St Paul in Newnham on 11 October 1882.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s eldest child was Susannah Gooding Weeks who was born at Lynsted in Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Lynsted on 10 October 1824. In the census of 6 June 1841 Susannah, at the age of 16, was living with her parents at Doddington in Kent.

 

 

Thomas and Sarah’s second child was Charlotte Weeks who was born at Newnham in Kent on 14 January 1827, and baptised at Newnham Independent Chapel on 11 February 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charlotte, at the age of 14, was living with her widowed maternal grandfather, James Muddle, at Chequers in Lenham, Kent; she was described as being a female servant and was probably acting as her grandfather’s housekeeper. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Charlotte, now aged 24, was a live-in nurse to the family of John Smith at By Drop House in Hanwell, Middlesex.

When she was 29 years old Charlotte married 38-year-old widower Thomas Monk in Bermondsey registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1856. Thomas was the son of butcher William Monk and his wife Mary; he and been born at Doddington in Kent and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 27 April 1817. He had married Frances Matilda Terry in 1847 and had at least one child, son William, before the death of Frances in 1851.

Thomas took on the occupancy of Shulland Farm in Newnham, Kent at Michaelmas 1856 (29 September 1856) as there was a sale of the farming stock and effects of the previous occupant, Mr J Maxted, on 2 October 1856 that was advertised in the 16 & 23 September 1856 editions of the Kentish Gazette. Thomas and Charlotte had two children, born at Shulland Farm in 1857 and 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at Shulland Farm in Newnham with their two children, and Thomas was a farmer of 230 acres employing 6 men and 2 boys. They had Charlotte’s spinster sisters, Agnes and Eleanor Weeks, staying with them, and also a live-in house servant and four live-in carters who would have been working for Thomas.

One of the farm labourers working for Thomas was 61-year-old Thomas Gambrill, whom the 19 November 1861 edition of the Kentish Gazette reported had been awarded a prize of £1 10s by the Faversham Agricultural Association for having worked for 31 years on Shulland Farm where he was then in the employ of Mr T Monk.

A fatal accident happen at Shulland Farm while it was in the occupation of Thomas Monk, and the resultant inquest was reported in the 25 July 1865 edition of the Kentish Gazette:

Mr. Coroner Delasaux held and inquest at the Chequer’s Inn, Doddington, on Friday, on the body of an aged woman named Jane Everist Johnson, who was killed on the previous Tuesday, by falling from a tree in an orchard, at Shulland Farm, while engaged in gathering cherries. The deceased was subject to fits, and Mr. Craigie, surgeon, expressed his opinion that the accident probably happened from that cause. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”

After occupying and working Shulland Farm for nine years Thomas gave up his occupancy on Michaelmas 1865. The sale of his farm stock on 12 October 1865 was initially announced in the 26 September 1865 edition of the Kentish Gazette with a fuller listing of the items in the 3 October 1865 edition:

DODDINGTON.

350 Kent Sheep and Lambs, Twelve Useful Draught Horses, Two Nag Horses, Three Milch Cows, Farming Implements, and Effects.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

BY MR. H. MINTER,

ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12th, 1865, the

LIVE AND DEAD

FARMING STOCK,

AND EFFECTS,

On SHULLAND FARM, in the parish of DODDINGTON, the property of Mr. Thomas Monk, who is leaving the Farm.

THE LIVE STOCK

Comprises 130 superior one, two, and three-lamb Kent ewes, 200 ewe and wether lambs and twelve rams, twelve useful draft horses, two nag ditto, and three milch cows.

THE IMPLEMENTS

Consist of two waggons, two tugs, three dung carts, two light spring carts, two earth cleaning ploughs, five-share drill plough, corn blower, two pair Yorkshire harrows, one two-horse roll, one single ditto, two brakes, single drill, corn chests, cutter boxes, waggon and plough harnesses, and miscellaneous effects. Also a few articles of Household Furniture, brewing utensils &c., &c.

The above will be arranged in Catalogues, to be had at the place of Sale, the Inns in the neighbourhood, and of the Auctioneer, Graveney Court.

The Stock may be viewed on the morning of Sale, which will begin at Twelve o’clock at noon to a minute.

After giving up Shulland Farm they moved to a smaller farm in Doddington and in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in Doddington with their son; their daughter being away a school in Tunbridge Wells, and Thomas was now a salesman and a farmer of 70 acres employing 4 men. They had Charlotte’s cousin, Eliza Muddle, staying with them, and 19-year-old Mary Neaves as a live-in domestic servant. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Thomas and Charlotte were living at Little Sharsle in Doddington where Thomas was now a farmer of 500 acres employing 8 men and 3 boys. They had two live-in 17-year-old domestic servants, Rosetta Pilcher and Emma Johnson, and 20-year-old farm labourer John Symms was a boarder. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at Mockbegger in Norton, which is about 3 miles north-east of Doddington, where Thomas was a cattle salesman and an employer. They had their granddaughter Kathleen Hill staying with them and two live-in domestic servants, 17-year-old cook Fanny Purr and 18-year-old housemaid Fanny Feutiman.

Thomas died at the age of 83, his death being registered in Faversham registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1900. To be soon followed by Charlotte who died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Faversham registration district during the 4th quarter of 1900.

 

Thomas and Charlotte’s eldest child was Henry Monk who was born at Shulland Farm in Newnham, Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Newnham on 29 July 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Henry, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Shulland in Newnham. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Henry, now aged 13, was living with his parents at Doddington in Kent.

 

Thomas and Charlotte’s second child was Charlotte Monk who was born at Shulland Farm in Newnham, Kent, and baptised at the Church of St Peter & St Paul in Newnham on 14 August 1859. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charlotte, at the age of 1, was living with her parents at Shulland in Newnham. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Charlotte, now aged 11, was a pupil at a small girls' boarding school run by Mary Wilkin at 40 St John’s Road in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s third child was Agnes Weeks who was born at Newnham in Kent on 5 May 1829, and baptised at Newnham Independent Chapel on 30 May 1829. In the census of 6 June 1841 Agnes, at the age of 12, was living with her parents at Doddington in Kent. In the census of 7 April 1861 Agnes, at the age of 31, was staying with the family of her sister Charlotte Monk at Shulland in Newnham. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Agnes, at the age of 41, was housekeeper to farmer William Monk at Little Shawles Farm in Doddington. In the census of 3 April 1881 Agnes, at the age of 51, was a live-in companion to her aunt, Eliza Hartridge, at Addelam House in Upper Deal Road, Deal, Kent. In the census of 31 March 1901 Agnes, at the age of 71, was living on her own means and visiting the family of land steward Arthur Rayfield at Little Shoutes in Doddington. Agnes never married. She died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Kensington registration district in London during the 4th quarter of 1902.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s fourth child was Walter Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 29 January 1832. Walter died at Doddington when he was only 17 months old, and he was buried in the Churchyard of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 18 June 1833.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s fourth child was George Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 20 April 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at Doddington. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 17, was living with his parents at Doddington and working as a bricklayer, probably with his father.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s fifth child was Eliza Ann Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist at Doddington on 7 August 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Eliza, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Doddington. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Eliza, now aged 14, was living with her parents at Doddington. In the census of 7 April 1861 Eliza, at the age of 24, was living with her parents at Doddington.

 

 

Thomas and Sarah’s sixth child was Thomas James Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 23 February 1840. In the census of 6 June 1841 Thomas, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Doddington. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Thomas, now aged 11, was living with his parents at Doddington, and he was going to school. In the census of 7 April 1861 Thomas, at the age of 21, was living with his parents at Doddington and he was working as a bricklayer, probably for his father.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s seventh child was Eleanor Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist at Doddington on 4 September 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Eleanor, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Doddington, and she was described as being a scholar at home. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Eleanor, now aged 18, was staying with the family of her sister Charlotte Monk at Shulland in Newnham, Kent.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s eighth child was Walter Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 2 February 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Walter, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at Doddington, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Walter, now aged 16, was living with his parents at Doddington and he was working as a bricklayer, probably for his father. In the census of 2 April 1871 Walter, at the age of 26, was an invalid living with his parents a Newnham in Kent.

 

Thomas and Sarah’s ninth child was John Muddle Weeks who was born at Doddington in Kent, and baptised at the Church of The Beheading of St John the Baptist in Doddington on 3 October 1847. In the census of 30 March 1851 John, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Doddington, and he was described as being a scholar at home. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 John, now aged 13, was living with his parents at Doddington and he was working as a bricklayer, probably for his father. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 23, was living with his parents a Newnham in Kent and continuing to work as a bricklayer, probably still for his father.

When he was 32 years old John, now spelling his name Weekes, married 34-year-old Elizabeth Adelaide Millgate in Hollingbourne registration district in Kent during the 4th quarter of 1879. Elizabeth was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Millgate; she had been born at Lenham in Kent and her birth registered during the 4th quarter of 1845. In the census of 3 April 1881 John and Elizabeth were living with John's widowed father at Newnham, and John was a builder in partnership with his father. John's father died in 1882 and John then continued the family building business by himself. John and Elizabeth had one child, a daughter, born at Newnham in 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 John and Elizabeth were living at Park House in Newnham with their daughter, Elizabeth's widowed mother and Elizabeth spinster sister, Julia Millgate. John was a builder and an employer. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were continuing to live at Park House but now with just their daughter, and John was described as a builder working on his own account. The 1903 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed John Muddle Weekes as a builder at Newnham. Then the 1913 edition of Kelly's Directory of Kent listed John M Weekes as a builder at Park House in Newnham.

John died at Newnham on 22 December 1914, at the age of 67. Then just over a year later Elizabeth died a Newnham on 14 April 1916, at the age of 70 (not 71 as given on her death certificate). They were both buried at Newnham.

 

John and Elizabeth’s only child was Adelaide Weekes who was born at Newnham in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1883. In the census of 5 April 1891 Adelaide, at the age of 8, was living with her parents at Park House in Newnham, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Adelaide, now aged 18, was continuing to live with her parents at Park House.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2009-2016

Last updated 13 August 2016