THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

Abraham and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 16 February 1743. When she was 8 years old Sarah was admitted to Mayfield Charity School on 29 March 1751, but after only 3 months she was removed from the school on 28 June 1751 for non-attendance.[2]

When she was 19 years old Sarah married 27-year-old John Bones at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield, Sussex on 12 April 1762. They were both then living at Mayfield. John was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Bones, he had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 9 February 1735. John and Sarah lived at Mayfield where they had thirteen children born between 1763 and 1785, two of whom died in childhood.

Fifteen years after the birth of their last child John died at the age of 65 and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 6 November 1800. Nine years later Sarah died at the age of 67 and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 11 March 1810.

John and Sarah’s eldest child was William Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 13 March 1763.

John and Sarah’s second child was Elizabeth Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 10 March 1765.

John and Sarah’s third child was John Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 13 July 1766.

John and Sarah’s fourth child was Ann Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 20 October 1768.

John and Sarah’s fifth child was Thomas Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 15 April 1770.

John and Sarah’s sixth child was Abigail Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 7 March 1772.

John and Sarah’s seventh child was James Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 5 September 1773.

John and Sarah’s eighth child was Joseph Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 20 December 1774.

John and Sarah’s ninth child was Samuel Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 7 July 1776. Samuel died when he was only a year old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 27 August 1777.

John and Sarah’s tenth child was Sarah Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 18 January 1778.

John and Sarah’s eleventh child was Simon Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 2 May 1779.

John and Sarah’s twelfth child was Samuel Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 19 November 1780. Samuel died when he was 14 years old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 27 October 1795.

John and Sarah’s thirteenth child was Michael Bones who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 2 January 1785.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s second child was John Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 17 February 1745. When he was 21 years old John married 27-year-old Ann Parks at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 22 April 1766. They were both then living at Waldron. Ann was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Parks, she had been born at Waldron and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 4 February 1739. John and Ann lived at Waldron where they had six children born between 1767 and 1780. Thirty-seven years after the birth of her last child Ann was living at Waldron when she died at the age of 78 (not 79 as given on her burial record) and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 13 April 1817. Nine years later John was still living at Waldron when he died at the age of 81 (not 82 as given on his burial record) and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 16 June 1826. John had made his will on 10 April 1826, two months before his death, in which he described himself as a labourer of Waldron. This will was proved by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 31 July 1826 when John’s personal estate was valued at less than £20. In this will John made his son Thomas, who was living with him, his sole executor and left all his real and personal estate to him, which consisted of land of 1¾ acres in Waldron occupied by himself and his son Thomas that contained fruit and other trees, a cow lodge and hog pound; together with all his household goods, furniture, stack of hay and other personal estate. John was not able to sign his will just making his mark.[3]

John and Ann’s eldest child was Anne Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 27 March 1767. When she was 22 years old Anne married John Saunders at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 19 September 1789. They were both then living in Waldron and in the marriage register John name was spelt Sanders.

John was the tenant miller at Waldron Water Mill where they were living when they had their five children born between 1798 and 1812. These children were all baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816.

John died at Waldron, at the age of 81, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 2 April 1835. John had made his will on 3 July 1829 and probate of this will was granted to John's three sons, Henry, Richard and George, who were the three joint executors and trustees, by the Archdeaconry of Lewes on 16 March 1836, when John's personal estate was valued at under £450. In this will John instructed his trustees to convert all his real and personal estate into money and invest it with the income to be paid to his wife Anne for the rest of her life. Then after her death the principal money was to be divided equally between his five children.[4]

In the census of 6 June 1841 Anne was living with the family of her son George at Waldron Water Mill. Then fifteen years after her husband's death Anne died at Waldron, at the age of 83, and she was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 19 March 1850.

John and Anne’s eldest child was Henry Saunders who was born at Waldron Water Mill in Sussex on 28 April 1798 and baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816 at the same time as his four siblings. When his father died in 1835 Henry was, jointly with his two brothers, an executor and trustee of his will. Then after his mother’s death in 1850 Henry inherited a fifth share of his father’s estate that had been held in trust for his mother to have the income during her life.

John and Anne’s second child was Richard Saunders who was born at Waldron Water Mill in Sussex on 12 August 1802 and baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816 at the same time as his four siblings. When his father died in 1835 Richard was, jointly with his two brothers, an executor and trustee of his will. Then after his mother’s death in 1850 Richard inherited a fifth share of his father’s estate that had been held in trust for his mother to have the income during her life.

John and Anne’s third child was Jane Saunders who was born at Waldron Water Mill in Sussex on 26 January 1805 and baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816 at the same time as his four siblings. After her mother’s death in 1850 Jane inherited a fifth share of her father’s estate that had been held in trust for her mother to have the income during her life.

John and Anne’s fourth child was Sarah Saunders who was born at Waldron Water Mill in Sussex on 12 February 1808 and baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816 at the same time as his four siblings. After her mother’s death in 1850 Sarah inherited a fifth share of her father’s estate that had been held in trust for her mother to have the income during her life.

John and Anne’s fifth child was George Saunders who was born at Waldron Water Mill in Sussex on 25 September 1812 and baptised at the Wesleyan Chapel in Waldron on 21 March 1816 at the same time as his four siblings. When his father died in 1835 George was, jointly with his two brothers, an executor and trustee of his will. In the census of 6 June 1841 George was living at Waldron Water Mill with his wife and child and also had his widowed mother living with him.

In an agreement dated 8 February 1842 Augustus Eliott Fuller agreed to sell George Saunders the mill called Waldron Water Mill together with the dwelling house, oast house, stable, lodges and other buildings together with several pieces of arable, meadow, pasture and woodland thereto belonging containing 20 acres 2 roods 26 perches, for £550 plus the valuation of the timber and other wood on the property. This document stated that the mill had long been in the tenancy of George and Henry Saunders and their ancestors while owned by the Fuller family, and the actual sale was to take place on 25 March 1842.[5] On 17 Feb 1842 Thomas Starnes valued the timber and other wood on the property at £79 13s 11d.[6]

Then after his mother’s death in 1850 George inherited a fifth share of his father’s estate that had been held in trust for his mother to have the income during her life.

John and Ann’s second child was John Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 23 February 1769. John never married, dying when he was 25 years old. He was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 30 August 1794.

John and Ann’s third child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 10 November 1771. When he was about 31 years old Thomas was recorded on the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being an unmarried labourer of Waldron and willing to serve. Thomas lived with his parents at Waldron and then after his mother’s death in 1817 with his father at Waldron. When his father died in 1826 Thomas was sole executor of his will and inherited all his real and personal estate, which consisted of land of 1¾ acres in Waldron occupied by his father and himself that contained fruit and other trees, a cow lodge and hog pound; together with all his father’s household goods, furniture, stack of hay and other personal estate. Thomas never married and in the census of 6 June 1841 he was living alone in one of the Alms Houses at Waldron and described as being of independent means. Thomas died at Waldron, at the age of 73 (not 72 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 2 December 1844.

John and Ann’s fourth child was William Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 12 March 1775. When he was 16 years old William married Sarah Hendley, who was about 23 years old, at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield, Sussex on 11 November 1791. They were both then living at Mayfield and they continued to live at Mayfield where the first seven of their eight children were born between 1792 and 1807. When he was about 28 years old William was recorded on the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being a married servant living at Mayfield.

Sometime after the birth of their seventh child in 1807 William and Sarah moved to Rotherfield in Sussex where their eighth child was born in 1810. They had moved back to Mayfield by the time of the census of 6 June 1841 when they were living at Trulls Hatch; William was a farm labourer and they had their granddaughter, 10-year-old Emily Muddle, the illegitimate daughter of their daughter Ann, living with them. Three years later they were still living at Trulls Hatch when Sarah died at the age of 76 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 24 October 1844.

In the census of 30 March 1851 William was a farm labourer and a visitor in the home of William and Mary Heathfield at Trulls Hatch. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 86, was still a farm labourer and living with his daughter Sarah and her husband James Vinall at Five Ash Down in Buxted Parish, Sussex. Four years later William was still living in Buxted Parish, probably still with his daughter’s family, when he died at the age of 90 (not 94 as given on his burial record), and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 15 March 1865. William's death and funeral were reported in the 21 March 1865 edition of The Sussex Advertiser:

BUXTED.

NOT AN EVERY-DAY OCCURRENCE. - It is curious to remark that the two oldest men in the parish should have died about the same time; their united ages amounting to 185. Their names and ages were respectively - Drawbridge, 91; Muddle, 94. Their funerals took place on Wednesday last, and arriving at the Church gates almost together, they were brought in one procession into the body of the Church here. The first part of the funeral service being so adapted was read over them together; they were then in succession brought out and decently interred, numerous spectators being present. Though not born in the parish it is understood they were playmates together, and the "old Muddle" had said for some time prior to his death that "he should die whenever old Drawbridge did."

William and Sarah’s eldest child was John Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 11 March 1792. When he was 25 years old John married Harriet Ticehurst, who was about 17, at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 9 June 1817. They were both then living in Jevington and the first of their nine children was born at Jevington five months later. They then moved to Rotherfield in Sussex where their other eight children were born between 1820 and 1839. They were living at Hedges in Rotherfield in 1823 and 1825 and then from 1827 they lived at Pales Gate in Rotherfield. In mid-1835 while they were living at Pales Gate four of their children, three sons and a daughter all died within a month of each other, probably from some infectious disease. During all the time they were having their children John was working as a farm labourer.

In the census of 6 June 1841 Harriet and her two youngest children were living at Pales Gate in Rotherfield and Harriet was working as a farm labourer. John and his 13-year-old son John were then living near the George Inn in Lewisham, Kent (now part of Greater London); John was a farm labourer and they had 25-year-old James Lambert, who was also a farm labourer, living with them. John’s son James was also living in Lewisham and they had probably all gone there to find work. John was probably still living in Lewisham the following year when Alexander Stone was tried at the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, in London, at a session that started on 13 June 1842, for stealing a scythe valued at 10s 6d from John Muddle on 15 June 1842, for which he was found guilty and sentenced to three months imprisonment. Lewisham was then in the part of Kent that came within the jurisdiction of the Old Bailey.[7]

John and his two sons, James and John, had probably returned from Lewisham to the family home at Pales Gate in Rotherfield by early 1849 when Harriet died there at the age of 49 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 16 March 1849. The following month John’s son John died, his son James married in November of that year, his daughter Caroline, who’d had two illegitimate daughters in 1844 and 1848 while living at Pales Gate, married in December 1850, and his youngest daughter Sarah died in January 1851. So in the census of 30 March 1851 just John and his son Henry were living in the family home at Pales Gate and both working as farm labourers. John was still living in Rotherfield when he died at the age of 68 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 April 1860.

John and Harriet’s eldest child was James Muddle who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 16 November 1817. In the census of 6 June 1841 James, at the age of 23, was working as a labourer and lodging with the family of labourer James Burton at Drift Way, Rushey Green, Lewisham, Kent (now part of Greater London). James’ father and brother John were also living in Lewisham at this time.

James, like his father and brother John, had returned to his home in Sussex by 1849, where, at the age of 32, he married 45-year-old widow Harriet Parker at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham, Sussex on 10 November 1849. They were both then living in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish, which was only about 2 miles from the Muddle family home at Pales Gate in Rotherfield. Harriet, whose maiden name was Adams, was the daughter of labourer Thomas Adams and she had been born at Kingston on Thames in Surrey in about 1804. She had married Stephen Parker at Withyham in 1823 and had several children before Stephen died at Withyham in 1846.

In the census of 30 March 1851 Harriet with a son and grandson from her first marriage were living on the forest in the St Johns area of Withyham Parish. James was then a day labourer and a patient in the infirmary in Tunbridge Wells run by house surgeon Joseph Delves. James and Harriet didn’t have any children and James died just two years after their marriage, at the age of 34, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 26 November 1851.

In the census of 7 April 1861 Harriet was a live-in house servant to the family of carpenter Henry Hazelden at Chapel Hill in Lewes, Sussex. In this census Harriet was recorded as single and under her first married name of Parker, which she probably thought made her more acceptable as a servant. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Harriet was back living alone in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish without any occupation. In the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet was living alone at Friars Gate in the St Johns area of Crowborough and described as an outdoor pauper, which meant she was living on parish relief. Then a few weeks later Harriet died at the age of 77 and was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 23 June 1881.

John and Harriet’s second child was Edward Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex on 6 April 1820 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 30 July 1820. There are errors in Edward’s baptism record which states he was Edmund Muddle son of spinster Harriet Muddle of the Boars Head in Rotherfield. Edward died when he was 15 years old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 14 June 1835, at the same time as his sister Harriet. Two of his brothers also died within the next month. On his burial record he was described as Edward Muddle the son of John and Harriet Muddle of Pales Gate in Rotherfield.

John and Harriet’s third child was Caroline Muddle who was born at Hedges in Rotherfield, Sussex on 1 April 1823 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 18 May 1823. Caroline had two illegitimate daughters, born in 1844 when she was 21 and in 1848 when she was 25, while living with her parents at Pales Gate in Rotherfield.

Then when she was 27 years old Caroline married 21-year-old James Brown at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 7 December 1850. James was the son of James and Elizabeth Brown, he had been born at Rotherfield on 8 March 1829 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 29 March 1829. In the census of 30 March 1851 James and Caroline were living at Neves’s in Rotherfield with Caroline’s two illegitimate daughters and James was working as a farm labourer. James and Caroline had four children, the first two born at Town Row in Rotherfield in 1851 and 1854, the third at Mark Cross in Rotherfield in 1857 and the fourth back at Town Row in Rotherfield in 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish with their four children and Caroline’s youngest illegitimate daughter, and James was continuing to work as a farm labourer. Four years later Caroline died at the age of 42 (not 48 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 22 October 1865.

The following year James, at the age of 37, married 22-year-old Fanny Humphrey at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 8 September 1866. Fanny was the daughter of Stephen and Frances Humphrey; she had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 3 March 1844. James and Fanny had five children; the first was born in Uckfield Union Workhouse in 1865 before their marriage and a few months before the death of James' first wife Caroline, and the other four were born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish between 1867 and 1873. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish with their then two children and two of James' children from his first marriage, and James was continuing to work as a farm labourer. Then just under two years after the birth of her last child Fanny died at the age of 31 (not 32 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 19 February 1875.

In the census of 3 April 1881 James was living at Cinder Hill Cottage in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish with Edith Brown as his wife, though no marriage has been found, and his four youngest children; James was continuing to work as a farm labourer. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 James was living at Tidebrook Hill in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish with Rebecca Brown as his wife, though again no marriage has been found and Rebecca’s details of age and place of birth suggest she may be the same person as Edith in the 1881 census. They now have just James’ youngest child still living with them; James was still working as a farm labourer and Rebecca was a laundress.

Caroline’s first illegitimate daughter was Harriet Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex on 19 November 1844 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 February 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Harriet, at the age of 6, was living with her mother and stepfather at Neves’s in Rotherfield. When she was nearly 20 years old and using the surname Brown Harriet married 19-year-old William Cosham at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield, Sussex on 8 October 1864. William was the son of Edward and Mary Cossum; he had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 26 January 1845.

William and Harriet lived in the parish of Tidebrook, which had been formed out of parts of the ancient parishes of Mayfield and Wadhurst in 1858, where they had eleven children born between 1864, four months before their marriage, and 1889, one of whom died in 1882 when 16 years old and another in 1884 when only 7 months old. When two of their children were baptised in 1866 and 1868 they were living in Lake Street at Tidebrook. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish with their then four children and William was working as a farm labourer. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Tidebrook School House with their now seven children and a young grandson, who was probably and illegitimate son of their daughter Sarah Jane, and William was now working as a gardener.

By the time of the census of 5 April 1891 they had moved to the Wadhurst area of Tidebrook Parish where they were living at Watleys Villa with their seven youngest children and William was continuing to work as a gardener. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Chillinghurst Farm in Tidebrook with just two of their children and William was now working as a stockman on a farm. In the census of 2 April 1911 they were living at Orchard Cottage in Tidebrook with just their son Percy still living with them and William was now working as a farm labourer.

Harriet died at the age of 69, her death being registered in Ticehurst registration district in Sussex, which included the Wadhurst area of Tidebrook Parish, during the 4th quarter of 1913. Sixteen years later William died at the age of 84, his death being registered in Uckfield registration district in Sussex, which included the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish, during the 4th quarter of 1929.

William and Harriet’s eldest child was Sarah Jane Brown/Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 22 May 1864 as the illegitimate daughter of Harriet Brown, and then 13 months after her parents’ marriage she was baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 12 November 1865 as the daughter of William and Harriet Cosham. In the census of 2 April 1871 Sarah Jane, at the age of 6, was going to school and living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah Jane, now aged 16, was an out-of-work servant living with her parents in Tidebrook School House; also living there was her parents’ grandson, 7 week old Frederick Cosham, who was possibly Sarah Ann’s illegitimate son.

William and Harriet’s second child was Emily Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 7 June 1866 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 8 July 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 Emily, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Emily, now aged 14, was an out-of-work servant living with her parents in Tidebrook School House. The following year Emily died at the age of 16 and she was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 17 November 1882.

William and Harriet’s third child was Caroline Elizabeth Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 28 August 1868 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 8 November 1868. In the census of 2 April 1871 Caroline, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Caroline, now aged 12, was going to school and living with her parents in Tidebrook School House.

William and Harriet’s fourth child was Flora Ann Rhoda Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 12 February 1871. In the census of 2 April 1871 Flora, at the age of 3 months, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Flora, now aged 10, was going to school and living with her parents in Tidebrook School House. In the census of 5 April 1891 Flora, at the age of 20, was living with her parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s fifth child was William Thomas Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 16 July 1873 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 26 October 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 7, was going to school and living with his parents in Tidebrook School House. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William, now aged 17, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s sixth child was Frank Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 3 February 1876 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 16 April 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Frank, at the age of 5, was going to school and living with his parents in Tidebrook School House. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Frank, now aged 15, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s seventh child was Albert Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 25 July 1878 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 13 October 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Albert, at the age of 2, was living with his parents in Tidebrook School House. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Albert, now aged 12, was living with his parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s eighth child was Ellen Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 27 November 1881 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 19 February 1882. In the census of 5 April 1891 Ellen, at the age of 9, was going to school and living with her parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Ellen, now aged 19, was living with her parents at Chillinghurst Farm in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s ninth child was Harriet Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 1 February 1884 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 23 March 1884. Harriet died when she was only 7 months old and she was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 20 September 1884.

William and Harriet’s tenth child was Percy Charles Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 1 August 1887 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 9 October 1887. In the census of 5 April 1891 Percy, at the age of 3, was living with his parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Percy, now aged 13, was working as a farm labourer and living with his parents at Chillinghurst Farm in Tidebrook. In the census of 2 April 1911 Percy, at the age of 23, was working as a domestic gardener and living with his parents at Orchard Cottage in Tidebrook.

William and Harriet’s tenth child was Henry Cosham who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 2 November 1889 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 12 January 1890. In the census of 5 April 1891 Henry, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at Watleys Villa in Tidebrook.

Caroline’s second illegitimate daughter was Sarah Ann Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex on 11 December 1848 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 6 May 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 Sarah Ann, at the age of 2, was living with her mother and stepfather at Neves’s in Rotherfield. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Sarah Ann, now aged 12, was living with her mother and stepfather in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex.

When she was 20 years old Sarah Ann married 26-year-old Samuel Humphrey at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 28 August 1869. They were both then living at Tidebrook and Samuel was working as a labourer. Samuel was the son of Jesse and Anna Humphrey, he had been born at Wadhurst in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Wadhurst on 8 January 1843. Samuel and Sarah Ann didn’t have any children; Sarah Ann dying at the age of 21 just a year after their marriage. She was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 18 August 1870.

In the census of 2 April 1871 Samuel was working as farm labourer and lodging with Thomas and Dinah Spice at 2 Mill Cottage Wadhurst. Then four years after Sarah Ann's death Samuel, at the age of 31, married 21-year-old spinster Eliza Ann Card at the Parish Church of St James in Tunbridge Wells, Kent on 1 August 1874. Samuel was then a labourer living at Wadhurst and Eliza was living in the Parish of St James in Tunbridge Wells. Eliza was the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Card; she had been born at Frant in Sussex and her birth registered during the 1st quarter of 1853. Samuel and Eliza had three children; the first two born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent in 1875 and 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at Clifford Park Cottage in Penshurst, Kent with their two children and Samuel was working as a farm carter. Their third child was born at nearby Ashurst in Kent in 1882.

By the time of the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at East Lane in Wembley, Middlesex with their two youngest children; Samuel was working as a farm labourer and they had 33-year-old heybinder Benjamin Clark as a lodger. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 they were living at Peel Road in Wembley with just their youngest child; Samuel was working as a general labourer and they had two general labourers, 40-year-old Edward Convue and 46-year-old Richard Rush, as lodgers. Five years later Eliza died at the age of 53 (not 55 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Tonbridge registration district in Kent during the 3rd quarter of 1906.

A year after Eliza’s death Samuel, at the age of 64, married Sarah Jane Burrows in Hendon registration district in Middlesex during the 4th quarter of 1907. Sarah Jane had been born at Berfield in Buckinghamshire in about 1854. In the census of 2 April 1911 Samuel and Sarah Jane were living at 113 Llanover Road in Wembley and Samuel was still working as a general labourer. Samuel died at the age of 75, his death being registered in Hendon registration district during the 4th quarter of 1917. Eleven years later Sarah Jane died at the age of 74, her death being registered in Hendon registration district during the 4th quarter of 1928.

Samuel and Eliza’s eldest child was Mary Ann Humphrey who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 Mary Ann, at the age of 5, was living with her parents at Clifford Park Cottage in Penshurst, Kent and she was going to school.

Samuel and Eliza’s second child was Charles Samuel Humphrey who was born at Tunbridge Wells in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at Clifford Park Cottage in Penshurst, Kent. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Charles, now aged 12, was working as an apprentice and living with his parents at East Lane in Wembley, Middlesex.

Samuel and Eliza’s third child was William Humphrey who was born at Ashurst near Tunbridge Wells in Kent and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1882. in the census of 5 April 1891 William, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at East Lane in Wembley, Middlesex and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 William, now aged 19, was working as a labourer and living with his parents at Peel Road in Wembley.

James and Caroline’s eldest child (Caroline’s third) was Thomas Henry Brown who was born at Town Row in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 7 September 1851. In the census of 7 April 1861 Thomas, at the age of 9, was living with his parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex. Seven years later he died at the age of 16 (not 17 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 27 February 1868.

James and Caroline’s second child (Caroline’s fourth) was Rhoda Brown who was born at Town Row in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 2 July 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 Rhoda, at the age of 7, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Rhoda, now aged 17, was an out-of-work general servant and living with her father and stepmother in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Caroline’s third child (Caroline’s fifth) was Caroline Elizabeth Brown, known as Elizabeth, who was born at Mark Cross in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 14 June 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, at the age of 4, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Caroline’s fourth child (Caroline’s sixth) was Winnifrith Brown who was born at Town Row in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 13 May 1860. In the census of 7 April 1861 Winnifrith, at the age of 1, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Winnifrith, now aged 11, was going to school and living with her father and stepmother in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Fanny’s eldest child (James’ fifth) was James Brown who was born in Uckfield Union Workhouse at Uckfield in Sussex on 8 September 1865, and his birth registered as James Humphrey the illegitimate son of Fanny Humphrey. No father was named on the birth certificate but it is assumed that his father was James Brown. In the census of 2 April 1871 James, at the age of 5, was living with his parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 James, now aged 15, was working as a farm labourer and living with his father and 'stepmother' at Cinder Hill Cottage in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Fanny’s second child (James’ sixth) was William Brown who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 27 October 1867. William died when he was only 5 months old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 8 April 1868.

James and Fanny’s third child (James’ seventh) was Ellen Maria Brown who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 3 February 1869 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 2 May 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Ellen, at the age of 2, was living with her parents in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Ellen, now aged 12, was going to school and living with her father and ‘stepmother’ at Cinder Hill Cottage in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Fanny’s fourth child (James’ eighth) was Susan Brown who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 5 November 1871 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 14 January 1872. In the census of 3 April 1881 Susan, at the age of 9, was going to school and living with her father and ‘stepmother’ at Cinder Hill Cottage in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

James and Fanny’s fifth child (James’ ninth) was Fanny Louisa Brown who was born in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish in Sussex on 2 April 1873 and baptised at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Tidebrook on 18 May 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 Fanny, at the age of 8, was going to school and living with her father and ‘stepmother’ at Cinder Hill Cottage in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Fanny, now aged 18, was working as a laundress and living with her father and ‘stepmother’ at Tidebrook Hill in the Mayfield area of Tidebrook Parish.

John and Harriet’s fourth child was Harriet Muddle who was born at Hedges in Rotherfield, Sussex on 28 February 1825 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 10 April 1825. Harriet died when she was 10 years old and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 14 June 1835, at the same time as her brother Edward. Two of her other brothers also died within the next month.

John and Harriet’s fifth child was John Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex on 28 June 1827 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 19 August 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 John, at the age of 13, was living with his father near the George Inn in Lewisham, Kent (now part of Greater London); John’s father was working as a farm labourer and John was probably also working, and they had gone to Lewisham to find work. John and his father had probably returned to the family home at Pales Gate in Rotherfield by the time John’s mother died there in March 1849. Then the following month John died at Pales Gate, at the age of 21, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 6 April 1849.

John and Harriet’s sixth child was George Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex on 10 September 1830 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 10 October 1830. George died when he was 4 years old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 16 July 1835. Two of his brothers and a sister also died within the previous month.

John and Harriet’s seventh child was William Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 17 November 1833. William died when he was 20 months old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 17 June 1835. One of his brothers and a sister had died a few days earlier and another brother was to die a month later.

John and Harriet’s eighth child was Henry Muddle, known as Harry, who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 3 July 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Henry, at the age of 5, was living with his mother at Pales Gate in Rotherfield. Henry’s mother died in 1849 and in the census of 30 March 1851 Henry, now aged 14, was working as a farm labour and living with his father at Pales Gate. Henry’s father died in 1860 and in the census of 7 April 1861 Henry, at the age of 24, was a police constable lodging at the Police Station in Upper Terrace, Islington, London with the family of police inspector William George Judges and a large number of other policemen lodgers.

The following year Henry was assaulted by a drunk, John Doyle, while trying to restrain him and the resultant case at Clarkenwell Magistrates Court was reported in the 19 February 1862 edition of The Morning Chronicle:

MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON THE POLICE. — John Doyle, aged twenty-six, a potman, residing at 28, Payne-street, Islington, was charged before Mr. Knox, who again sat for Mr. Barker, charged with being drunk and disorderly, and annoying Mr. James Woulfe, the landlord of the Hare and Hounds public-house, Upper-street, Islington, and further with assaulting Police-constable Henry Muddle, 83 N, in the execution of his duty, and wilfully damaging his uniform in the Upper-street, Islington.

From the evidence, it appeared that the prisoner yesterday went out for a holiday, and on his return he was drunk. The landlord, who has for some time suffered from ill-health, asked him to leave the house, but he refused, made a great disturbance, and it was found necessary to send for the police to remove him from the house. No sooner had the police interfered than the prisoner threatened to murder the complainant, and when the constable was outside the prisoner struck him twice, and blackened one of his eyes. Whilst they were on the ground the prisoner endeavoured to kick the constable in the face, but failing in that, kicked him in the stomach, and did all he could to injure him for life. On the way to the Police-station, the prisoner was still more violent, and tore the trousers of the constable.

Mr. Knox sentenced the prisoner, for the assault on the constable, to two months’ hard labour in the House of Correction, without the option of a fine. He would further have to pay a fine of 10s. for the damage, or, in default, fourteen days’ hard labour, and further to find a surety to keep the peace for a month.

When he was 30 years old Henry married Martha Austin Alder at the Parish Church of St George Hanover Square, Mayfair, London on 22 August 1866. Henry was then a servant living in Charles Street and Martha was living in Berkeley Square. Martha was the daughter of farmer William Alder and his wife Sarah; she had been born at Childrey in Berkshire and baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Childrey on 3 September 1834.

Henry and Martha had at least two children, when the first was born on 2 December 1868 they were living at 2 Upper Rathbone Place in Marylebone, London and Henry was working as a waiter. This child died in 1869 and in the census of 2 April 1871 Henry and Sarah were living in part of 28 Queen Street, Kensington, London; Henry was still working as a waiter and Martha was working as a waitress, and they had an out of work footman called Colman as a lodger. When their second child was born on 6 August 1872 they were living at 11 Montpelier Place in Knightsbridge, London and Henry was working as a tavern waiter.

No records to show what happened to this family after the birth of their second child in 1872 have been found; possibly they changed their name or emigrated.

Henry and Martha’s eldest child was Sarah Hannah Muddle who was born at 2 Upper Rathbone Place in Marylebone, London on 2 December 1868 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church, Wells Street, Marylebone on 30 December 1868. Sarah died when she was less than a year old, her death being registered in Marylebone registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1869.

Henry and Martha’s second child was Florence Muddle who was born at 11 Montpelier Place in Knightsbridge, London on 6 August 1872.

John and Harriet’s ninth child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Pales Gate in Rotherfield, Sussex on 29 July 1839 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 29 December 1839. In the census of 6 June 1841 Sarah, at the age of 1, was living with her mother at Pales Gate in Rotherfield. Sarah mother died in 1849 and Sarah was living in the Crowborough Town area of Rotherfield Parish when she died at the age of 11, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Denys in Rotherfield on 21 January 1851.

William and Sarah’s second child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 15 June 1794. When she was 18 years old Sarah married 18-year-old James Kenward at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield, Sussex on 30 October 1812. James was the son of William and Ann Kenward, he had been born at High Hurstwood in Buxted Parish, Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 1 January 1794.

James and Sarah had eleven children born between 1813 and 1836. They initially lived at Rotherfield where their first three children were born in 1813, 1815 and 1817. They then moved to Buxted where their fourth child was born in 1820, then to Withyham in Sussex where their fifth child was born in 1822 and then back to Rotherfield where their sixth child was born in 1824. They then settled in Withyham where their last five children were born between 1826 and 1836, three of these dying in childhood. During all this time James was working as a farm labourer and they would have had to move to be near the farm he was working on, but it seems likely that they didn't move far as they were probably in those areas of the three parishes of Rotherfield, Buxted and Withyham that are parts of Crowborough.

In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Warren Cottages in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish with their eldest and two youngest children and James was working as a farm labourer. When his brother Henry Kenward died in 1842 James inherited £10. The following year they were still living in the St Johns area of Crowborough when James died at the age of 49 (not 50 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 14 April 1843. About three weeks later Sarah's youngest son, Thomas aged 10, who was still living at home, died.

Six years after her husband’s death Sarah, at the age of 55, married 46-year-old James Izzard in Uckfield registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1849. James was the illegitimate son of Fanny Izzard; he had been born at Rotherfield and his baptism recorded in the register of the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 27 February 1803 with a note that he had been baptised at Tunbridge Well. At the Sussex Quarter Sessions held at Lewes on 11 April 1834 it was recorded that James Izzard alias James Vinall a labourer of Rotherfield had been convicted under the game laws, meaning that he had been convicted of poaching.[8]

In the census of 30 March 1851 James and Sarah were living at Lephams Bridge in Buxted Parish with Sarah’s youngest child and James was working as a farm labourer. James then changed the family surname to Vinall, possibly this had been his father’s surname, sometime before the next census. In the census of 7 April 1861 James and Sarah were living at Five Ash Down in Buxted Parish; James was continuing to work as a farm labourer and they had Sarah’s widowed father, William Muddle, living with them. Sarah’s father died in 1865, probably while still living with them, and in the census of 2 April 1871 it was just James and Sarah living at No 2 Lodge House, Buxted Park, and James was still working as a farm labourer.

They were still living in Buxted when Sarah died at the age of 86, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 27 January 1881. Three years later James was still living in Buxted when he died at the age of 81, and was buried in the Churchyard of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 23 February 1884.

James and Sarah’s eldest child was William Kenward who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex on 27 June 1813 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield the same day. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of almost 28, was working as a shoemaker and living with his parents at Warren Cottages in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish.

James and Sarah’s second child was John Kenward who was born at Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 28 March 1815 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 24 August 1817, at the same time as his sister Mary Ann.

James and Sarah’s third child was Mary Ann Kenward who was born at Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 17 June 1817 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 24 August 1817, at the same time as her brother John. Mary Ann died at Withyham in Sussex at the age of 18 and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 30 January 1836.

James and Sarah’s fourth child was James Kenward who was born at Buxted in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Margaret the Queen in Buxted on 12 March 1820.

James and Sarah’s fifth child was Henry Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 21 July 1822.

James and Sarah’s sixth child was Richard Owen Kenward who was born at Crowborough in Rotherfield Parish, Sussex on 13 May 1824 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 17 October 1824.

James and Sarah’s seventh child was Stephen Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 23 April 1826.

James and Sarah’s eighth child was Edward Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 12 October 1828. Edward died at Withyham when he was only 18 months old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 17 January 1830.

James and Sarah’s ninth child was Kenrick Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 15 May 1831. Kenrick died at Withyham when he was only 2 years old and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 21 April 1833.

James and Sarah’s tenth child was Thomas Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 26 May 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 Thomas, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Warren Cottages in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish. Thomas died in the St Johns area of Withyham when he was 10 years old, three weeks after his father had died, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 7 May 1843.

James and Sarah’s eleventh child was Ann Thomason Kenward who was born at Withyham in Sussex on 26 September 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Ann, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at Warren Cottages in the St Johns area of Crowborough in Withyham Parish. Then the following year Ann was baptised at the Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels in Withyham on 27 February 1842. In the census of 30 March 1851 Ann, now aged 14, was living with her mother and stepfather at Lephams Bridge in Buxted, Sussex.

William and Sarah’s third child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 18 September 1796.

William and Sarah’s fourth child was Ansley Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 26 May 1799. When she was 13 years old Ansley was one of the witnesses at the marriage of her sister Sarah at Rotherfield on 30 October 1812.

When she was 17-years old Ansley married 23-year-old Edward Henty at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington, Sussex on 16 October 1816. Edward was the son of William and Mary Henty; he had been born at Jevington and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 14 July 1793. Edward and Ansley lived at Jevington where they had nine children born between 1817, four months after their marriage, and 1841, while Edward worked as a farm labourer. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Jevington village with their five youngest children and Edward was a farm labourer. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living in Jevington village with their three youngest children and Edward was continuing to work as a farm labourer.

Ansley died at Jevington, at the age of 58 (not 60 as given on her burial record), and was buried in the Churchyard of St Andrew in Jevington on 5 November 1857. In the census of 7 April 1861 Edward was still a farm labourer and living alone in Jevington village between the grocer’s shop and the Eight Bells Inn. Two years later Edward died at Jevington, at the age of 69 (not 70 as given on his burial record), and buried in the Churchyard of St Andrew in Jevington on 3 February 1863.

Edward and Ansley’s eldest child was Henry Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 16 February 1817.

Edward and Ansley’s second child was Ansley Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 11 April 1819.

Edward and Ansley’s third child was Eleanor Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 11 March 1821.

Edward and Ansley’s fourth child was Charlotte Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 2 May 1824.

Edward and Ansley’s fifth child was James Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 25 March 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 James, at the age of 14, was living with his parents in Jevington village.

Edward and Ansley’s sixth child was William Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 21 March 1830. In the census of 6 June 1841 William, at the age of 11, was living with his parents in Jevington village.

Edward and Ansley’s seventh child was Edward Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 16 June 1833. In the census of 6 June 1841 Edward, at the age of 8, was living with his parents in Jevington village. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Edward, now age 17, was working as a farm labourer and still living with his parents in Jevington village.

Edward and Ansley’s eighth child was Harriet Emma Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 29 May 1836. In the census of 6 June 1841 Harriet, at the age of 5, was living with her parents in Jevington village. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Harriet, now age 15, was still living with her parents in Jevington village.

Edward and Ansley’s ninth child was Amy Maria Henty who was born at Jevington in Sussex on 3 June 1841 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Andrew in Jevington on 22 August 1841. In the census of 6 June 1841 Amy, at the age of 3 days, was living with her parents in Jevington village. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Amy, now age 9, was still living with her parents in Jevington village.

William and Sarah’s fifth child was Frances Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 17 January 1802.

William and Sarah’s sixth child was Maria Ann Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 16 December 1804. When she was 22 years old Maria married 21-year-old George Constable at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton, Sussex on 15 August 1827. George was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Constable; he had been born at Lindfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Lindfield on 20 July 1806.

George and Maria had four children born in Brighton between 1827 and 1834. They were living in Edward Street when their first child was baptised in 1827, than at Ivory Place when their next two children were baptised in 1830 and 1832, and in William Street when their fourth child was baptised in 1834. During this time George was recorded as being a shoemaker. It seems likely that they had Maria’s sister Ann living with them during the period 1830 to 1832 when Ann gave birth to her illegitimate daughter.

It seems that they then move to London where Maria probably died before the census of 6 June 1841 as George and his two youngest sons were then living in Vittoria Street in Islington and George was working as a journeyman shoemaker. Living with them was George’s younger brother Charles Constable, who was a shoemaker’s apprentice, and also living in the same house were three journeymen shoemakers and housekeeper Frances Andrass. Living next-door were shoemakers James and William Middleton who probably employed the four journeymen and the apprentice and possibly had this house for their workers and supplied the housekeeper.

Then, when he was 38 years old George married 21-year-old spinster Merab Ryan at St Pancras Church in St Pancras, London on 29 September 1844. They were both then living at Clarendon Place and George was a shoemaker. Merab was the daughter of carpenter Patrick Charles Ryan and his wife Merab; she had been baptised at the Laying in Hospital in Endell Street, Holborn, London on 6 March 1823. George and Merab had one child, a daughter born in Islington in 1845.

In the census of 30 March 1851 George was a shoemaker lodging with the family of carpenter and victualler William Harris in the village of Boughton under Blean near Faversham in Kent. Merab was a visitor to the family of grocer Thomas Hales at 294 High Street in Chatham, Kent. Their daughter Charlotte and George’s two youngest sons, Oscar and Horatio, who were now also shoemakers, were living at 9 South Mews in St Marylebone, London, which was probably the family home.

George had probably been lodging in Boughton under Blean so that he could arrange to set up in business there, because in the census of 7 April 1861 George, Merab and their daughter were living at Boughton Street in Boughton under Blean and George was now a master shoemaker employing one man and one boy. This man and boy that George was employing would have been 22-year-old journeyman shoemaker William Cheeseman and 15-year-old shoemaker’s apprentice George Moore, who were both living with George and Merab.

In the census of 2 April 1871 George and Merab were continuing to live in Boughton Street; George was a master shoemaker employing one man who would have been 25-year-old journeyman shoemaker George Moore who was living with them and had been George’s apprentice in 1861. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 George and Merab were still living in Boughton Street and George was a master boot and shoemaker. They had two of their grandchildren living with them, and living next-door was now married bootmaker George Moore, who was probably still working for George.

Merab died at Boughton Street on 4 October 1882, at the age of 59 (not 64 as given on her death certificate), from chronic Brights Disease. Six years later George died in Kensington Infirmary in Kensington, London on 8 August 1888, at the age of 82 (not 83 as given on his death certificate), from senile decay. He had probably been living with the family of his daughter Charlotte, who were then living in Kensington.

George and Maria Constable’s eldest child was Frederick James Constable who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 26 December 1827. Frederick worked as a shoemaker in London. He married at Islington in London during 1848, and had eight children. He died at Fulham in London at the age of 59, his death being registered during the 1st quarter of 1887.

George and Maria Constable’s second child was Rhoda Constable who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 2 February 1830.

George and Maria Constable’s third child was Oscar Henry Constable who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 19 February 1832. In the census of 6 June 1841 Oscar, at the age of 9, was living with his father in Vittoria Street in Islington, London. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Oscar, now aged 19, was working as a shoemaker and living with his brother Horatio and half-sister Charlotte at 9 South Mews in St Marylebone, London; his father and stepmother were both away from home on census night. Oscar married at St Marylebone in 1854 and had four children. He continued to work as a shoemaker in London and died at Mile End Old Town in London, at the age of 45, his death being registered during the 4th quarter of 1877.

George and Maria Constable’s fourth child was Horatio George Constable who was born at Brighton in Sussex, and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 10 August 1834. In the census of 6 June 1841 Horatio, at the age of 7, was living with his father in Vittoria Street in Islington, London. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Horatio, now aged 17, was working as a shoemaker and living with his brother Oscar and half-sister Charlotte at 9 South Mews in St Marylebone, London; his father and stepmother were both away from home on census night. Horatio moved to Glasgow in Scotland where he married in 1854. The first of his nine children was born there the following year; he then moved his family to Canterbury in Kent where his other eight children were born. He worked as a shoemaker in Canterbury and died there at the age of 61, his death being registered during the 4th quarter of 1895.

George and Merab Constable’s only child (George’s fifth) was Charlotte Maria Constable who was born at Islington in London, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 Charlotte, at the age of 5, was living with her two half-brothers, Oscar and Horatio, at 9 South Mews in St Marylebone, London; her parents were both away from home on census night. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Charlotte, now aged 15, was living with her parents in Boughton Street in Boughton under Blean near Faversham in Kent. Charlotte married in 1870 and had seven children. She lived at Boughton under Blean and then Faversham, before moving to Kensington in London in 1881.

William and Sarah’s seventh child was Harriet Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 9 August 1807. In the census of 30 March 1851 Harriet, at the age of 43, was working as a live-in cook to the family of Sophia Smith at 12 Cavendish Place in Brighton, Sussex. Then in the census of 7 April 1861 Harriet, now aged 53, was a live-in cook for Edward and Elizabeth Woodhouse at 26 Gloster Place in Paddington, London. In the census of 2 April 1871 Harriet, at the age of 63, was working as a laundress and living at 14 Durham Place in Kensington, London where she had three female lodgers. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Harriet, at the age of 73, was an inmate at the Home for Aged Poor at 44 Edge Street in Kensington. Harriet never married. She died at the age of 79 (80 as given on her death certificate), her death being registered in Kensington registration district during the 1st quarter of 1887.

William and Sarah’s eighth child was Ann Muddle who was born at Rotherfield in Sussex on 4 March 1810 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 10 June 1810. It seems that by 1830 Ann had moved to Brighton in Sussex, where her married sister Maria was already living, presumably to find work as a domestic servant. Like many young servant girls she became pregnant and this came to the attention of the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of Brighton who considered that she would become chargeable to their parish, so they applied to Justices of the Peace, J M Cripp and W S Fuller, for an order to have her removed to Rotherfield, which was her legal place of settlement. The justices issued a removal order on 14 October 1830 but immediately suspended its execution because Ann was unable to travel due to sickness and infirmity.[9] It seems likely that Ann was never removed to Rotherfield and that she was taken in and looked after by her sister Maria and Maria’s shoemaker husband George Constable, who were then living at Ivory Place in Brighton, so she never became a charge on the parish. It also seems that Ann gave birth to a daughter, who was baptised in early 1832, when about a year old, at the same time as her sister Maria’s latest child, while they were all still living at Ivory Place. Ann’s daughter was raised by Ann’s parents while Ann presumably returned to domestic service though no records have been found to show what happened to Ann.

Ann’s illegitimate daughter was Emily Muddle who was born at Brighton in Sussex in late 1830 or early 1831 and baptised at the Parish Church of St Nicholas in Brighton on 19 February 1832, when she was probably about a year old, at the same time as her cousin Oscar Henry Constable. In the census of 6 June 1841 Emily, at the age of 10, was living with her grandparents, William and Sarah Muddle, at Trulls Hatch in Mayfield, Sussex. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Emily, now aged 20, was a live-in house servant to the family of victualler Robert Collins at Clarence Terrace in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

John and Ann’s fifth child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 10 August 1777. When she was 24 years old Elizabeth married Joseph Diplock at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 14 April 1802 by licence. Joseph was then living at Mayfield and Elizabeth at Waldron.

John and Ann’s sixth child was Sarah Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 5 March 1780. When she was 21 years old Sarah married William Evenden at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 18 November 1801. They were both then living at Waldron.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s third child was Thomas Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 8 February 1747. Thomas never married, dying when he was 22 years old. He was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 19 July 1769.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Elizabeth Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 30 April 1749. In 1766, when she was 17 years old, Elizabeth had an illegitimate son born at Waldron. Five years later Elizabeth had an illegitimate daughter for whom there is no baptism record but who was buried at Waldron in 1771, presumably having died soon after birth and before she could be baptised. Elizabeth then moved to nearby Mayfield in Sussex where she had another illegitimate son born in 1772 when she was 23 years old.

When she was 38 years old Elizabeth married 24-year-old David Balcomb at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 26 May 1787. David was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Boalkam; he had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 19 September 1762. His surname had several spellings, including Balkham, before settling on Balcomb. David and Elizabeth had one child, a son, born at Mayfield in 1791.

Elizabeth died at Mayfield, at the age of 51 (not 52 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 14 October 1800. David was a witness to the marriage of Elizabeth’s illegitimate son George in 1793 and then the marriage of George’s widow Mary in 1807.

Three and a half years after Elizabeth’s death David, at the age of 41, married widow Sarah Hosmer at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 6 April 1804. David died at Mayfield, at the age of 58 (not 59 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 17 July 1821.

Elizabeth’s first illegitimate child was Charles Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 25 September 1766.

Elizabeth’s second illegitimate child was Mary Muddle who was presumably born at Waldron in Sussex and died soon after birth, before she could be baptised, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 20 July 1771.

Elizabeth’s third illegitimate child was George Piper Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 6 December 1772. His father was probably a George Piper. When he was 20 years old George married 22-year-old Mary Luck at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 28 July 1793. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Luck; she had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 31 March 1771. George and Mary had two children, both sons, born at Mayfield in 1796 and 1800. Then six years after the birth of his last child George died at Mayfield, at the age of 33, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 1 June 1806.

Sixteen months after George’s death Mary, at the age of 36, married 40-year-old bachelor William Paine at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 9 October 1807. William was the son of John and Ann Paine; he had been born at Mayfield and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 20 September 1767. William and Mary they didn't have any children. Twenty years after their marriage Mary died at Mayfield, at the age of 56, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 20 June 1827. Then ten years later William died at Mayfield, at the age of 69 (not 71 as given on his burial record), and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 28 January 1837.

George and Mary’s eldest child was George Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 14 August 1796. When he was 18 years old and now using the surname Piper George married 22-year-old Frances Saunders at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 28 November 1814. Frances was the daughter of James and Lucy Saunders; she had been born at Heathfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Heathfield on 20 January 1792.

George and Frances had two children, a son and a daughter, born at Mayfield in 1815 and 1831 while George was working as a farm labourer. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living in Fletching Street in Mayfield with their 10-year-old daughter and George was working as a farm labourer. Then eight years later Frances died at Mayfield, at the age of 57, and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 5 July 1849. In the census of 30 March 1851 George was living with the family of his now married daughter, Lucy Cork, in Fletching Street in Mayfield and he was still working as a farm labourer. Then two years later George died in the Union Workhouse at Mayfield, at the age of 56, and he was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 2 February 1853.

George and Frances’ eldest child was George Piper who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 2 April 1815.

George and Frances’ second child was Lucy Piper who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 22 May 1831. In the census of 6 June 1841 Lucy, at the age of 10, was living with her parents in Fletching Street in Mayfield.

George and Mary’s second child was Joseph Muddle who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 26 October 1800.

David and Elizabeth’s only child (Elizabeth fourth) was David Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 31 July 1791. When he was 20 years old David married 24-year-old Mary Walter at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 12 April 1812. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Alice Walter; she had been born at Wadhurst in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul in Wadhurst on 20 May 1787. David and Mary had five children born at Mayfield between 1813 and 1823, the first of whom died when only 6 weeks old. Then six years after the birth of her last child Mary died at Mayfield, at the age of 42 (not 43 as given on her burial record), and she was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 17 May 1829.

David and Mary’s eldest child was David Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex in late February or early March 1813. David died unbaptised when only 6 weeks old and was buried in the Churchyard of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 18 April 1813.

David and Mary’s second child was Joseph Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 1 May 1814.

David and Mary’s third child was Job Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 23 March 1817.

David and Mary’s fourth child was William Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 13 August 1820.

David and Mary’s fifth child was Elizabeth Balcomb who was born at Mayfield in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan in Mayfield on 20 April 1823.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Ann Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 25 December 1750. Ann died when she was 10 years old and she was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 11 March 1761.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s sixth child was James Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 10 December 1752. It seems that when he was 18 years old and living at Rotherfield in Sussex where he was working as a servant James got 15-year-old Sarah Naylor pregnant, because in a bastardy bond dated 17 September 1771 James described as a servant man of Rotherfield signed, or rather made his mark, to acknowledge that he was bound in the sum of £50 to indemnify the Parish of Rotherfield for any costs, charges, damages and expenses they may have to pay during the next fourteen years for the bastard child that Sarah Naylor, single woman of Rotherfield, was then expecting and that was likely to become chargeable to the parish.[10] Sarah was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Nailor and she had been baptised at the Parish Church of St Denys in Rotherfield on 19 April 1756. No record of a baptism or burial has been found for this child so it seems likely that it was stillborn and James never had to pay for its maintenance. Nothing is known about what happened to James after this.

Abraham and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Abraham Muddle who was born at Waldron in Sussex and baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints in Waldron on 23 May 1756. When he was about 47 years old Abraham was recorded on the Sussex Militia List of 1803 as being a labourer of Waldron and too infirm to serve. Abraham never married, he died at Waldron, at the age of 48, and was buried in the Churchyard of All Saints in Waldron on 23 October 1804.