THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE DORSET MUDDLE FAMILIES THE WIMBORNE MUDDLES

 

Chart of William jnr. & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family

 

William and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Elizabeth Muddle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 16 April 1786. When she was 29 years old Elizabeth married 24-year-old Stephen Pounds at Wimborne Minster Church on 18 May 1815 by licence. Stephen was the son of Stephen and Hannah Pounds; he had been born at Wimborne Minster in Dorset and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 3 October 1790. Stephen and Elizabeth lived at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster where they had six children born between 1816 and 1827, the fifth of whom died in infancy. At the baptisms of the first two of these children in 1816 and 1820 Stephen was described as a woodman or carpenter, and then at the later baptisms from 1824 to 1827 he was described as a labourer.

When his father died in 1836 Stephen inherited the property that he was living in at Holt Wood subject to him paying fifty shillings a year to his mother for the rest of her life; she died in 1842. Stephen and his brother William were joint executors of their father’s will and shared equally any residue of his estate.[2]

In the census of 6 June 1841 Stephen and Elizabeth were living at Holt Wood in the parish of Wimborne Minster with their two youngest surviving children, and Stephen was a farmer. They also had 3-year-old Victoria Pounds living with them, who was possibly a foster child. They were living at Holt Wood when Elizabeth died there at the age of 56, and was buried in Wimborne Minster Churchyard on 5 June 1842.

In the census of 30 March 1851 Stephen was living alone at Holt Wood and working as a timber hewer. Three years later, when he was 63 years old, Stephen married Mary Cobb, who was about 60, in Christchurch registration district in Hampshire (now in Dorset) during the 1st quarter of 1854. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living in Pound Lane at Chalbury in Dorset, and Stephen was continuing to work as a timber hewer. Stephen was living at Wimborne when he died at the age of 72 (not 73 as given on his burial record), and was buried in St John the Evangelist Churchyard at Hinton Martel on 3 November 1862.

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Eliza Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset. She was privately baptised on 6 September 1816 and then received into Wimborne Minster Church on 29 December 1816. When she was 18 years old Eliza married Jesse Habgood at Wimborne Minster Church on 9 October 1834. When her mother’s uncle Leonard Martin died in 1852 Eliza received £100 from his will. Eliza died at the age of 52, and she was buried in the graveyard of Holt Chapel in the parish of Wimborne Minster on 11 February 1869. Jesse remarried later that year.

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s second child was Stephen Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset in about 1818. When he was about 21 years old Stephen married 18-year-old Caroline King at Wimborne Minster Church on 10 September 1839. Caroline was the daughter of John and Sarah King; she had been born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 27 May 1821. Stephen and Caroline had nine children born between 1841 and 1865. Stephen received £100 from the will of his mother’s uncle Leonard Martin when Leonard died in 1852. Caroline died at the age of 56, her death being registered in Wimborne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1877. Three years later Stephen died at the age of 61, his death being registered in Wimborne registration district during the 1st quarter of 1880.

 

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s third child was John Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset, and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 3 March 1820. When he was about 21 years old John married Sophia Shears at Wimborne Minster Church on 11 February 1841. They had fifteen children born between 1839 and 1864. John received £100 from the will of his mother’s uncle Leonard Martin when Leonard died in 1852. Sophia died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Wimborne registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1894. Six years later John died at the age of 80 (not 81 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Wimborne registration district during the 4th quarter of 1900.

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s fourth child was George Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset in about 1822, and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 6 June 1824, at the same time as his younger brother Leonard. (George’s mother was incorrectly recorded as Anne at his baptism.) In the census of 6 June 1841 George was living with his parents at Holt Wood in the parish of Wimborne Minster. George was still alive when he was named in the will, made in 1843, of his mother’s uncle Leonard Martin from which he received £100 when Leonard died in 1852. But he had died by the time the first administration was granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862.

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Leonard Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset, and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 6 June 1824, at the same time as his elder brother George. (Leonard’s mother was incorrectly recorded as Anne at his baptism.) Leonard died in infancy and was buried in Wimborne Minster Churchyard on 25 November 1824.

 

Stephen and Elizabeth’s fifth child was Mary Pounds who was born at Holt in the parish of Wimborne Minster, Dorset, and baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 5 August 1827. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary was living with her parents at Holt Wood in the parish of Wimborne Minster. When she was 19 years old Mary married George Tubbs at Wimborne Minster Church on 26 November 1846. George was then a labourer and sojourner in the parish. They had at least five children. When her mother’s uncle Leonard Martin died in 1852 Mary received £100 from his will. Mary died at Hinton Martell near Wimborne Minster at the age of 67, and she was buried in Hinton Martell Churchyard on 9 April 1895.

 

William and Elizabeth’s second child was Jane Muddle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 17 February 1787. Jane died when only four years old, and she was buried in Sturminster Marshall Churchyard on 28 May 1791 .

 

William and Elizabeth’s third child was William Muddle/Mudle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 15 May 1788. William was baptised with the name Muddle, but after he moved to London, probably in about 1815, he used the name Mudle.

When his widowed mother died intestate the Prerogative Court of Canterbury granted William administration of her estate on 20 October 1824. William inherited £30 when his brother Richard died in 1834; this is thought to have actually been the repayment of a loan that William had made to Richard.

William orginally lived at Kensington in London but later at George Street in Battersea, London. A rates book for George Street in Battersea lists William Mudle as paying the rates on numbers 11 to 16 from about 1845/6 to 1863; these properties were built in the early 1840s and had a rateable value of £7 in 1858.

When his mother’s brother Leonard Martin died in 1852 William inherited £200 from him.

William never married. He died on 10 September 1859, at the age of 71, at 11 George Street, York Road, Battersea, Surrey, from a carbuncle, and he was buried at Brompton Cemetery in London on 17 September 1859. William was buried in a private grave that was later used for his brother Charles Mudle and his nieces Jane Martin and Ann Mudle; this grave is marked by a small headstone and kerb. Elizabeth Millard, the daughter of his brother George, who was also living at 11 George Street, registered William’s death. Elizabeth was possibly acting as his housekeeper, but it wasn’t Elizabeth but another of William’s nieces, Ann Mudle daughter of his brother Richard, who was also living with William, who was to inherit William’s estate.

On his death certificate William was described as being a house proprietor, and in his will dated the 19 September 1854, at which time he was also living at 11 George Street, he was described as being a gentleman. William’s will, which was proved in the Principal Probate Registry in London on 25 October 1859, made his niece Ann Mudle his sole executrix and left her his whole estate, valued at under £1500 at probate, for her life only if she dies without issue, the remainder of the estate then to go to his surviving, at the time of his death, siblings, brothers Charles Mudle/Martin and George Mudle/Martin.

 

William and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Leonard Muddle/Martin who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 29 December 1789. Leonard moved to London where he changed his name to Martin. Leonard married Elizabeth Adams in about 1815 and they had at least two children, born in 1816 and 1817, when they were living at Gore Lane in Kensington and Leonard was working as a gardener. Elizabeth then died and Leonard married Hannah Burrows in about 1835. They had at least one child, a daughter, born at 34 Gore Lane in 1837. Leonard was described as being a gardener when his son married in 1844. In the census of 30 March 1851 Leonard and Hannah and their daughter were living at 41 Park Lane in Kensington; Leonard was a gardener and Hannah a laundress, and they had 15-year-old Mary Pratt as a live-in servant. When his mother's brother Leonard Martin died in 1852 Leonard should have inherited £200 from him, by a will that had been made in 1843. Leonard was still a gardener when he died at 34 Park Lane in Kensington on 8 August 1853, at the age of 64, from decay of nature. In the census of 7 April 1861 Hannah was a widow and laundress living at 46 Arthur Street in Chelsea, and living with her was her daughter Jane, who was an ironer, and her niece Ann Mudle who was living on the income from houses and funds she had inherited. Also living independently in the same house was 36-year-old Mary Wheatley, who was also working as an ironer, so it seems probable that Hannah had a small laundry business. Hannah died at the age of 77, her death being registered in Chelsea registration district during the 1st quarter of 1867.

 

Leonard and Elizabeth’s eldest child was James Mewdle Martin who was baptised at St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington on 31 March 1816.[3] James was a clerk at the Pantechnicon (a large bazaar and furniture warehouse, consisting of two large buildings, on the north and south sides of Motcomb Street in Belgravia), when, at the age of 28, he married 26-year-old farmer's daughter Mary Knowles at Hornton Street Independent Chapel in Kensington on 23 May 1844. James was then living at Gore Lane in Kensington, and Mary at 7 The Gore in Kensington. They had one child born in 1845 when they were living at 79 Westbourne Street in Belgravia and James was working as a mercantile clerk. James had died by the time of the census of 30 March 1851 as Mary was then a widow living at 57 Lincolns Inn Fields with her young son. Mary was working as a housekeeper at chambers (the lawyer's chambers at Lincolns Inn Fields) and she had 19-year-old Mary None, who was a general servant at chambers, living with her. Mary also had 45-year-old manager Thomas Moorcock as a lodger and part of the property was occupied by solicitor Edward Sadler. If James had still been alive in 1852 when his grandmother's brother Leonard Martin died he would have inherited £100 that Leonard had left him under the name James Muddle; did this inheritance possibly go to either his widow or his son?

 

James and Mary’s only child was James Martin who was born at 79 Westbourne Street (now called Bourne Street) near Sloane Square in Belgravia, London on 18 March 1845. In the census of 30 March 1851 James, at the age of 6, was living with his widowed mother at 57 Lincolns Inn Fields, and he was going to school. When he was 22 years old James married 22-year-old Alice Elizabeth Bray at Fetter Lane Independent Chapel, West London on 20 April 1867. James was then living at 57 Lincolns Inn Fields, and Alice at 176 Drury Lane. James was a pianoforte tuner at the time of his marriage, and was still in that occupation in the 1901 census. They had three children, all born in Islington between 1869 and 1875. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 18 Wharton Street in Clerkenwell with their then one child. Their address when their second child was born in 1873 was 8 Copenhagen Street, West Islington. In both the census of 3 April 1881 and the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 76 Kellett Road in Brixton with their two youngest children. James’ cousin Ann Mudle was living with them when she died in 1892, and Ann’s will, which was granted probate on 26 August 1892, left her whole estate, which was valued at £594 19s 8d, to James who was the sole executor. In the census of 31 March 1901 James and Alice were continuing to live at 76 Kellett Road, but both of their children had now left home.

 

James and Alice’s eldest child was Jane Alice Martin who was born at Islington in London, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Jane, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 18 Wharton Street, Clerkenwell, London.

 

James and Alice’s second child was Rosa Marian Martin who was born at 8 Copenhagen Street in West Islington on 26 August 1873. In the census of 3 April 1881 Rosa, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 76 Kellett Road in Brixton and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Rosa, now aged 17, was still living with her parents at 76 Kellett Road but she was now working, doing letter copying and addressing.

 

James and Alice’s third child was James Leonard Martin who was born in Islington, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1875. In the census of 3 April 1881 James, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at 76 Kellett Road in Brixton and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 James, now aged 15, was still living with his parents at 76 Kellett Road, but he was now an apprentice artistic steel and copper plate maker.

 

Leonard and Elizabeth’s second child was Ann Mewdle Martin who was baptised at St Mary Abbots Church in Kensington on 2 November 1817.

 

Leonard and Hannah’s only child (Leonard’s third) was Jane Martin who was born at 34 Gore Lane in Kensington on 8 May 1837.[4] In the census of 30 March 1851 Jane, at the age of 13, was living with her parents at 41 Park Lane in Kensington. In the census of 7 April 1861 Jane, at the age of 23, was living with her widowed mother at 46 Arthur Street in Chelsea. Jane was working as an ironer, probably for her mother, who was a laundress and probably operating a small laundry business. Also living with them was Jane’s cousin Ann Mudle who was living off the income from the inheritance she had recently received from her uncle William Mudle.

Jane’s mother died in 1867 and in the census of 2 April 1871 Jane, at the age of 33, was the head of the household at 46 Arthur Street and a laundress. She had presumably inherited her mother’s small laundry business. Continuing to live with Jane was her cousin Ann Mudle, and she had also taken in Eliza Moss as a lodger. Jane had moved to 97 Arthur Street (possibly the street had been renumbered) by the time she made her will on 31 March 1876, and in the census of 3 April 1881 she was living there and still described as being a laundress. Her cousin Ann Mudle was still living with her and they had a friend, Grace Boyle, staying with them.

Jane never married. She died on 25 June 1884, at the age of 47, at 85 Robert Street in Chelsea, and she was buried in Brompton Cemetery on 30 June 1884 in the grave already occupied by her uncles, William and Charles Mudle. Jane’s will, which was granted probate on 6 September 1884, left her whole estate valued at £615 7s 9d to her cousin, Ann Mudle, who was sole executrix.

 

William and Elizabeth’s fifth child was James Muddle/Martin who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 4 December 1790. James, who used the surname Martin as well as Muddle, was living at Knightsbridge in London when he died in about 1816 at the age of about 25. James died intestate and administration of his estate,[5] which was valued at under £40, was granted to his brother, George Muddle, by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 12 February 1816, his mother Elizabeth, his next of kin, having renounced the Letters of Administration.

 

William and Elizabeth’s sixth child was Jane Muddle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 11 April 1792. When she was 20 years old Jane married yeoman John Miles at Wimborne Minster Church on 6 November 1812 by licence. John was the son of John and Sarah Miles, and he had been born at Wimborne Minster on 13 August 1790; this birth was recorded by the Baptist Church in Wimborne Minster under the name Miell. John and Jane had ten children; the first four were born at Wimborne Minster between 1813 and 1819; the fifth and sixth at Cheriton in Wiltshire in 1821 and 1824; the next two at Vernham Dean in Hampshire in 1826 and 1829; and the last two at Collingbourne in Wiltshire in 1832 and 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 they were living at Collingbourne with eight of their children; John was a farmer and they had 18-year-old Elizabeth Faw as a live-in servant. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 they were living at Collingbourne with five of their children; John was a farmer of 713 acres employing 19 labourers, two of these were living with them, and they also had a live-in female house servant. Jane inherited £200 when her mother's brother Leonard Martin died in 1852. Then six years later Jane died at Pennington near Lymington in Hampshire on 16 April 1858, at the age of 66. In the census of 7 April 1861 John was living at Pennington Manor Farm with his daughter Elizabeth and sons Timothy and Leonard; he was farming 520 acres and employing 12 men and 6 boys. He was now 70 years old; his daughter would have been his housekeeper and his two sons were helping him manage the farm, and they had 21-year-old Ellen Lunkester as a live-in general servant.

 

John and Jane’s eldest child was John Miles who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 7 March 1813. John died between the two administration granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862 and 1895.

 

John and Jane’s second child was Jane Miles who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 6 December 1814. In the census of 6 June 1841 Jane, at the age of 26, was living with her parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Jane had died by the time the first administration was granted on the estate of her uncle Charles Mudle in 1862.

 

John and Jane’s third child was Mary Geater Miles who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 2 January 1818. In the census of 6 June 1841 Mary, at the age of 23, was living with her parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Mary, now aged 33, was continuing to live with her parents at Collingbourne. Mary had died by the time the first administration was granted on the estate of her uncle Charles Mudle in 1862.

 

John and Jane’s fourth child was Thomas Miles who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church on 12 April 1819. In the census of 6 June 1841 Thomas, at the age of 22, was living with his parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. If he was still alive Thomas inherited £200 when his mother’s uncle, Leonard Martin, died in 1852, but if he was dead the money was to be equally divided between those of his siblings who were still alive. Thomas had died by the time the first administration was granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862.

 

John and Jane’s fifth child was William Miles who was baptised at Cheriton in Wiltshire on 22 July 1821. William died between the two administration granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862 and 1895.

 

John and Jane’s sixth child was Elizabeth Miles who was born at Cheriton in Wiltshire in about 1824. In the census of 6 June 1841 Elizabeth, at the age of 16, was living with her parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, now aged 26, was continuing to live with her parents at Collingbourne. In the census of 7 April 1861 Elizabeth, still unmarried at the age of 36, was living with her widowed father and two of her brothers at Pennington Manor Farm in Hampshire.

 

John and Jane’s seventh child was Timothy Geater Miles who was baptised at Vernham Dean in Hampshire on 23 July 1826. In the census of 6 June 1841 Timothy, at the age of 14, was living with his parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. In the census of 7 April 1861 Timothy, still unmarried at the age of 34, was living with his widowed father at Pennington Manor Farm in Hampshire, and together with his brother Leonard he was helping to manage the farm. Timothy died between the two administration granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862 and 1895.

 

John and Jane’s eighth child was Charles Miles who was baptised at Vernham Dean in Hampshire on 12 July 1829. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charles, at the age of 12, was living with his parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Charles, now aged 22, was continuing to live with his parents at Collingbourne. In the census of 3 April 1881 Charles was a widower, and a farmer of 280 acres at Froxfield in Wiltshire. He had died by the time the second administration was granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1895.

 

John and Jane’s ninth child was Leonard Martin Miles who was born at Collingbourne in Wiltshire in about 1832. In the census of 6 June 1841 Leonard, at the age of 8, was living with his parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Leonard, now aged 18, was continuing to live with his parents at Collingbourne. In the census of 7 April 1861 Leonard, still unmarried at the age of 28, was living with his widowed father at Pennington Manor Farm in Hampshire, and together with his brother Timothy he was helping to manage the farm. He died between the two administration granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1862 and 1895.

 

John and Jane’s tenth child was George Miles who was born at Collingbourne in Wiltshire in about 1835. In the census of 6 June 1841 George, at the age of 5, was living with his parents at Collingbourne in Wiltshire. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 George, now aged 15, was continuing to live with his parents at Collingbourne. He died after the second administration was granted on the estate of his uncle Charles Mudle in 1895.

 

William and Elizabeth’s seventh child was Charles Muddle/Mudle/Martin who was baptised at the Holt Chapel of Ease of Wimborne Minster Parish in Dorset on 21 August 1793. Charles was baptised with the name Muddle, but after he moved to London, probably in about 1815, he used both the name Mudle and Martin.

Charles inherited £50 when his brother Richard died in 1834; this is thought to have actually been the repayment of a loan that Charles had made to Richard. Charles never married. In the census of 6 June 1841 Charles was working as a gardener and lodging with John and Anne Mattock at Caroline Place in Chelsea. Then in the census of 30 March 1851 Charles was living in part of 29 Caroline Place in Chelsea, and he was described as being a labourer.

When his mother’s brother Leonard Martin died in 1852 Charles inherited £200 from him.

Charles died at 90 Westbourne Street, Pimlico, Middlesex on 19 April 1862, at the age of 69, from bronchitis, which he had suffered from for one month, and he was buried in Brompton Cemetery on 26 April 1862 in the same private grave as his brother William. Charles’ death certificate described him as being a jobbing gardener.

Charles died intestate, and his brother George was granted administration of his estate on 21 May 1862 by the Principal Probate Registry in London, the estate then being valued at under £300, but for some reason George didn’t complete the administration. It was only when Charles’ nephew William Martin Mudle (son of George) found out 33 years later that new Letters of Administration for Charles’ estate were granted to William by the Principal Probate Registry in London on 27 April 1895. The administration records that William, in July 1896, gave the value of Charles’ estate as £512 0s 11d.

 

William and Elizabeth’s eighth child was George Muddle/Mudle/Martin who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 12 February 1795. George was baptised with the name Muddle, but after he moved to London, probably in about 1815, he used the names Mudle and Martin as well as Muddle. When his brother James died intestate, George was granted administration of his estate by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 12 February 1816.

From about 1824 George lived with Mary Ann Pudifoot and they had five children born between 1824 and 1838 before they finally married at St Marylebone Parish Church on 5 April 1843, when George was 48 and Mary Ann 44. George was then a tailor and they were both living in St Marylebone. Mary Ann had been baptised at Rickmansworth Church in Hertfordshire on 28 October 1798, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Puddifoot.

George and Mary Ann were living at Union Street and George was a tailor when their first two children were baptised at Westminster in 1827, their other three children were probably born in either Westminster or Chelsea between 1830 and 1838. In the census of 30 March 1851 George and Mary Ann were living at 7 George Street in Chelsea, George was a tailor, and two of their daughters, Elizabeth and Charlotte, were living with them.

When his mother’s brother Leonard Martin died in 1852 George inherited from him £100 and the property of Cowgrove at Wimborne Minster in Dorset, which was held by a lease that was to last until George’s death, provided that George continued to pay the rent.[6] The will of Leonard Martin’s widow, Ann Martin, reveals that she purchased the leasehold property of Cowgrove from George after her husband’s death, and in this will, dated 1853 and proved in 1859, she bequeathed this property back to George.[7]

Mary Ann died before the 1861 census, as George was then a widower living in Battersea Square, as a boarder with the family of outfitter Mathew Bird, George was still a tailor, possibly working for Mathew Bird. George was also described as being a tailor at the marriages of his children between 1854, and 1862.

On 21 May 1862 George was described as being a tailor living at Battersea Square when he was granted Letters of Administration by the Principal Probate Registry in London for the estate of his brother Charles. For some reason George never completed the administration of this estate.

George died on 14 December 1870, at the age of 75, at The Workhouse, Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, Middlesex (now part of London) from bronchitis. His death was registered under the name Martin and he was then described as being a labourer. He was buried in Paddington Cemetery in grave number 2826. George died intestate, and it wasn’t until 22 years after his death that his son, William Martin Mudle, was granted Letters of Administration on 8 February 1893 by the Principal Probate Registry in London. The administration record records that in June 1896 the final value William gave for George’s estate was £568 7s 8d.

 

Their children were:

Elizabeth Ann Martin 1824-?  George William Martin 1826-?

William Martin 1830-1898  Jane Martin 1832-1898  Charlotte Martin 1838-1899

 

George and Mary Ann’s eldest child was Elizabeth Ann Martin Muddle who was born at St Georges on 19 December 1824, and baptised at St James Church in Westminster on 28 May 1827, at the same time as her brother George. In the census of 30 March 1851 Elizabeth, still unmarried at the age of 26, was living with her parents at 7 George Street in Chelsea, and she was working as a dressmaker. When she was 29 years old Elizabeth married Henry Edward Millard at St Mary’s Church in Lambeth on 6 March 1854. They were both then living at James Street in Lambeth, and Henry was a labourer. Nothing else is known of Elizabeth except that when her wealthy bachelor uncle William Mudle died in 1859 she registered his death stating that she was present at the death and resident at 11 George Street in Battersea, which was William’s home. Elizabeth never received anything from William’s estate of £1500, which all went to her spinster cousin Ann Mudle, who had also been living with William.

 

George and Mary Ann’s second child was George William Martin Muddle who was born on 9 September 1826, and baptised at St James Church in Westminster on 28 May 1827, at the same time as his elder sister, Elizabeth.

 

George and Mary Ann’s third child was William Martin Muddle/Mudle who was born in about 1830, probably in Chelsea. It’s thought that William may have served in the Royal Navy before he became a merchant seaman under the name William Martin with a place of birth of Devonport. He served on the German ship Joseph Polly from 3 June 1857 on its voyage from Plymouth to St Thomas and then on to Hamburg where William left the ship on 11 December 1857. He later served on the Eagle from 4 May 1859 to the 8 October 1859 when he was discharged at Amsterdam. He then worked briefly on the Partisan sailing from Shields and finishing at Newcastle on 20 October 1859, his rate of pay on this voyage was £2 10s 0d per month. William’s last known sailing was on the Equator from the 31 October 1859 to the 25 January 1860.[8]

When he was 32 years old William married 22-year-old Sarah Georgina Clayton at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton on 29 July 1862. They were both then living in Brompton, and William was working as an iron fitter. Sarah had been born in Chelsea on 28 March 1840, the daughter of George and Sarah Clayton. William and Sarah had ten children, born between 1863 and 1884; one died at the age of 3 and the last was stillborn. They were living in Pimlico when their first child was born in 1863, and at 12 Grosvenor Cottages in Pimlico when their second child was born in 1865 and William was then a labourer at an ironworks. William changed the spelling of the family name from Muddle to Mudle in about 1866, between the births of their second and third children.

They were living in Southwark when their third child was born in 1867. They then moved across the river, and when their fourth child was born in 1869 they were living at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Cromwell Road, Lambeth, which was close to Waterloo Station, and William was now a platelayer on the railways. In the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 14 Brad Terrace with their four children, William was a platelayer on the railways, and Sarah was a window blind maker. They remained at 14 Brad Terrace at least until the birth of their ninth child in 1881. William had still been a platelayer when their fifth child was born in December 1871; then when their sixth was born in 1874 and their fifth died in 1875 he was an engine driver; and when their ninth child was born in 1881 he was a general labourer. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea with six of their children, and William was continuing to work as a general labourer.

In the Letters of Administration granted to William in 1893 and 1895 he was described as being a vestry employee living at 10 Wayford Street, Battersea Park Road, Battersea, Surrey. It was 22 years after his father’s death that William was granted, on 8 February 1893 by the Principal Probate Registry in London, the administration of his father’s estate, which was finally valued by William in June 1896 at £568 7s 8d. It seems that it was while administering his father’s estate that William found out that his father had applied in 1862 to administer the estate of his brother, Charles, but had never completed the administration. So William now applied for and was granted administration, on 27 April 1895 by the Principal Probate Registry in London, of Charles’ estate, which the administration record records that William in July 1896 valued at £512 0s 11d.

William was very religious and a member of the Phoenix Temperance Society, of which he may possibly have been president. William wrote a song about a temperance meeting at the Crystal Palace entitled ‘Teetotallers at the Crystal Palace’.

William died at 10 Wayford Street on 27 March 1898 at the age of 68; he had suffered from paralysis for a month and had been in a coma for the last 36 hours. He was described on his death certificate as having been a lavatory attendant, but later when his son Frederick married in 1904 he was described as having been a chalet attendant, and when his wife died in 1906 he was described as having been a borough chalet attendant. William was buried in a common unmarked grave at Wandsworth Cemetery on 2 April 1898. William’s will, which described him as being a vestry employee, was dated the 21 July 1896 and granted probate by the Principal Probate Registry in London on 14 April 1898. This will made his wife sole executrix and also sole inheritor of his estate, which was valued at £228 12s 10d.

In the census of the 31 March 1901 Sarah and her three youngest children were living at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and Sarah was described as being a shopkeeper working on her own account. The Kelly's London Suburban Directory for 1901 and the Post Office London Directory (County Suburbs) for the years 1904, 1905 & 1906 all listed Mrs Sarah Georgina Mudle as a shopkeeper at 72 Culvert Road, Battersea. A photograph of Sarah's shop shows that it was a general store, and it's thought that her daughter Georgina, who was living next-door in 1901, help her mother in the shop.

Sarah died at 28 Home Road in Battersea on 22 August 1906 at the age of 66 (not 65 as given on her death certificate), from cardiac disease, which she had suffered from for six months, and exhaustion. Sarah’s death was registered by her widowed daughter, Georgina Slinn, who was also living at 28 Home Road.

 

Their children were:

Georgina Louisa 1863-1940  William George Martin 1865-1942

Leonard Martin 1867-1936  Arthur Martin 1869-1955  Henrietta 1871-1875

Henry Martin 1874-1916  Jane 1876-1933  Frederick Jesse 1879-1960

Thomas 1881-1941  Alfred 1884-1884

 

William and Sarah’s eldest child was Georgina Louisa Muddle/Mudle who was born in Pimlico on 12 July 1863. Georgina’s surname changed from Muddle to Mudle when her father changed the spelling of the family name in about 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 Georgina, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Lambeth, and she was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 Georgina, at the age of 27, was a live-in domestic servant to William and Agnes Christmas at 287 High Holborn, St Giles, London.

When she was 32 years old Georgina married 56-year-old widower Joseph William Slinn at Christ Church in Battersea on 26 October 1895. They were both then living at 10 Wayford Street in Battersea, which was the home of Georgina's parents. Joseph was the son of Joseph and Hannah Slinn; was born in Bloomsbury registration district in London on 14 November 1838. He had married Louisa Gale in 1862 and they had four children before Louisa's death in 1891.

Joseph and Georgina lived at Battersea where they had three children, born in 1896, 1898 and 1902. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in two rooms at 74 Culvert Road in Battersea, which was next-door to Georgina's mother who now lived and had her shop at number 72. They had their then two children living with them, and Joseph was working as a general porter. It's thought that Georgina was now working in her mother's shop. Soon after the birth of their third child Joseph died in Wandsworth registration district on 14 November 1902, his 64th Birthday (not aged 60 as recorded on his death certificate).

Life was hard for Georgina after her husband's death, she worked wherever she could and lived at a number of addresses. She couldn't cope with three children and her two eldest became boarders at a school for paupers. Georgina was living at 28 Home Road in Battersea, which is only a short distance from Culvert Road, when her mother died there in 1906. Georgina had possibly continued to work in her mother's shop until her mother's death.

In the census of 2 April 1911 Georgina was working as a general domestic servant and living in one room at 9 Lyveden Road in Tooting. She had her youngest child, daughter Rosina, living with her, but her eldest daughter, Louisa, was a live-in pupil at North Surrey District School for pauper children at Anerley in Penge, and her son Joseph was a boarder with the family of poor law officer John William Page at 16 Melvin Road in Penge. Thirty-eight years after Joseph's death Georgina died at the age of 77, her death being registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 4th quarter of 1940.

 

Joseph and Georgina’s eldest child was Louisa Georgina Slinn who was born at Battersea in London on 20 August 1896. In the census of 31 March 1901 Louisa, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 74 Culvert Road in Battersea. The following year her father died, and sometime after this Louisa became a live-in pupil at North Surrey District School for pauper children at Anerley in Penge, London, and this was where Louisa, at the age of 14, was the census of 2 April 1911.

Louisa never married she always worked for the Civil Service in London, and when she retired she moved to Littlehampton in Sussex. She was one of the first people ever to give a blood transfusion, which in those days was direct person to person. This was on 6 July 1930 and the recipient was a 13-year-old boy; it was recorded in the papers. Louisa died in a care home for the elderly in Littlehampton on 20 December 1989, at the age of 93.

 

 

Joseph and Georgina’s second child was Joseph Henry William Slinn who was born at Battersea in London on 14 June 1898. Joseph's middle names were registered at birth as William Henry but he always used them the other way round. In the census of 31 March 1901 Joseph, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 74 Culvert Road in Battersea. The following year his father died and Joseph, like his elder sister, later became a live-in pupil at North Surrey District School for pauper children at Anerley in Penge, London. When he was 11 years old Joseph won a scholarship from London County Council to go to Dulwich College, which is part of the Alleyn's College of God's Gift charity founded in 1619 by the Elizabethan actor and businessman Edward Alleyn. In in the census of 2 April 1911 Joseph, now aged 12, was a boarder with the family of poor law officer John William Page at 16 Melvin Road in Penge. He was going to school, presumably Dulwich College.

During the First World War Joseph was Private T-4371 and then Private 201978 in The Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, the same regiment that his cousin William Henry Mudle was with. Joseph served with the regiment in Egypt and was awarded two campaign medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.[9]

When he was 26 years old Joseph married 22-year-old Margaret Jane Rebecca Doyle at Tooting in London on Easter Saturday, 11 April 1925. Margaret had been born on 1 December 1902. They had three children, two daughters and a son, born in Surrey in 1929, 1936 and 1937. Joseph trained as a teacher and taught in London before, in 1939, being evacuated with children from the school to East Preston in Sussex. He sent for his family and they all moved to Rustington in Sussex. He changed teaching posts, moving to Rustington Infant School where he became the headmaster in about 1956. The family moved to Littlehampton in Sussex during March 1950, and Joseph retired in about 1961.

Margaret died in Worthing registration district, which includes Littlehampton, on 16 December 1988, at the age of 86. Joseph moved to a care home for the elderly in 1991 and died there on 1 July 1994, at the age of 94, from old age, his death being registered in Worthing registration district.

 

 

Joseph and Georgina’s third child was Rosina Jane Slinn whose birth was registered in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1902. Rosina's father died soon after her birth and in the census of 2 April 1911 Rosina, at the age of 8, was living with her widowed mother in one room at 9 Lyveden Road, Tooting, London.

When she was about 24 years old Rosina married 30-year-old Albert William Brookes, also spelt Brooks, in Wandsworth registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1926. Albert was the son of Albert and Charlotte Brooks, and his birth had been registered in Wandsworth registration district during the 1st quarter of 1896. They had two children born at Croydon in 1928 and Southwick 1930. Albert died at the age of 39 (not 38 as given on his death certificate), his death being registered in Epping registration district in Essex during the 4th quarter of 1935. Rosina died on 6 September 1952, at the age of 50, at the Farnborough Air Show Disaster when a De Havilland 110 fighter aircraft disintegrated after breaking the sound barrier and showered debris over spectators, killing 29 and injuring 60 more.

 

William and Sarah’s second child was William George Martin Muddle/Mudle who was born at 12 Grosvenor Cottages in Pimlico on 20 March 1865. William’s surname changed from Muddle to Mudle when his father changed the spelling of the family name in about 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 William, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Lambeth, and he was going to school. William was one of the taller of the Muddle boys, who were all on the short side, growing to about 5ft 4in.[10] When he was 26 years old William married 20-year-old Elizabeth Frederica Sarah Hannah Pyke at Christ Church in Battersea on 30 March 1891. See the section headed ‘William & Elizabeth/Ellen Mudle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Sarah’s third child was Leonard Martin Mudle who was born in Southwark on 30 May 1867. In the census of 2 April 1871 Leonard, at the ag e of 4, was living with his parents at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Lambeth, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Leonard, now aged 23, was living with his parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea and he was working as a general labourer. Leonard was a Captain in the Boys Brigade and very religious. When he was 25 years old Leonard married 19-year-old Henrietta Boother at St Paul’s Church in Clapham on 24 July 1892. See the section headed ‘Leonard & Henrietta/Emma Mudle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Sarah’s fourth child was Arthur Martin Mudle who was born at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Cornwall Road, Lambeth on 14 October 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 Arthur, at the age of 18 months, was living with his parents at 14 Brad Terrace, Wootton Street, Lambeth. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Arthur, now aged 21, was living with his parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea and he was working as a general labourer. Arthur at just 5ft tall was the shortest of the Muddle boys, none of whom were very tall.[11]

When he was about 27 years old Arthur married 21-year-old Eleanor Amelia Overton at Christ Church in Battersea on 7 November 1896. They were both then living at Arthur’s parent’s home, 10 Wayford Street in Battersea, and Arthur was working as a porter. They had three children born in Battersea between 1897 and 1905, the first two of whom died just eight days apart, during October 1899, from whooping cough.

They were living at 39 Rollo Street in Battersea when their first child was born in 1897, then at 100 Henley Street in Battersea when their two eldest children died in 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were occupying three rooms at 100 Henley Street. Then when their third child was born in 1905 they were living at 45 Rollo Street. In 1897 Arthur was a porter in a soap factory and then in 1899 and 1905 he was a porter in a soap warehouse.

Arthur was secretary of the Workers Union, and very religious. The two editions of the Post Office London Directory for the years 1914 & 1915 listed Arthur M Mudle as the secretary of the Phoenix Temperance Orphanage Ltd at 162 Blackfriars Road, Southwark. Eleanor died at the age of 65, her death being registered in Brackley registration district in Northamptonshire during the 1st quarter of 1941. Fourteen years later Arthur died at the age of 85, his death being registered in Chelsea registration district during the 1st quarter of 1955.

 

Arthur and Eleanor’s eldest child was Eleanor Amelia Mudle who was born at 39 Rollo Street in Battersea on 10 July 1897. Eleanor died when only 2 years and 3 months old, on 18 October 1899, probably at 100 Henley Street in Battersea from whooping cough, as her younger sister did just eight days later. Eleanor was buried in grave number 2963 in Wandsworth Cemetery.

 

Arthur and Eleanor’s second child was Jane Emma Mudle who was born in Wandsworth registration district during January 1899. Jane died when only 9 months old, at 100 Henley Street in Battersea on 26 October 1899 from whooping cough, just eight days after the death of her elder sister. She was buried with her sister in grave number 2963 in Wandsworth Cemetery.

 

Arthur and Eleanor’s third child was Arthur Thomas Mudle who was born at 45 Rollo Street in Battersea on 12 January 1905. When he was about 24 years old Arthur married 25-year-old Maud Louisa Luker in Wandsworth registration district during the 1st quarter of 1929. Maud had been born on 6 September 1903. They had two children born in Battersea registration district in 1930 and 1932. Maud died at the age of 73, her death being registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during the 1st quarter of 1977. Eleven years later Arthur died at the age of 83, his death being registered in Portsmouth registration district in Hampshire during August 1988.

 

William and Sarah’s fifth child was Henrietta Mudle who was born on 2 December 1871 at 14 Brad Terrace, Woolton Street, Cornwall Road, Lambeth. Henrietta died when only 3 years and 9 months old, at 14 Brad Terrace on 5 September 1875, from phrenitis for 10 days and hydrothorax for 2 days.

 

William and Sarah’s sixth child was Henry Martin Mudle who was born at 14 Brad Terrace, Woolton Street, Cornwall Road, Lambeth on 23 March 1874. In the census of 5 April 1891 Henry, at the age of 17, was living with his parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea, and he was working as a warehouse boy. When he was 21 years old Henry married 19-year-old Emily Matilda Jones, also known as Emma, at Christ Church in Battersea on 23 June 1895. See the section headed ‘Henry & Emily Mudle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Sarah’s seventh child was Jane Mudle who was born in Lambeth on 30 October 1876. In the census of 5 April 189 1 Jane, at the age of 14, was living with her parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Jane, now aged 24, was living with her widowed mother at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and she was helping her mother in the home. The following year when she was about 25 years old Jane married 24-year-old George Clement Bolingbroke at St Saviour’s Church in Battersea on 26 October 1902. They were both then living at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and George was an oil-shop manager. The year before George had been recorded in the 1901 census as living next-door at No. 70 with his sister and others. George and Jane had four children, born between 1904 and 1916, before George died on 31 December 1916 in West Ham registration district at the age of 38. In 1920 Jane was living in the Custom House near the Victoria and Albert Docks. Jane died at Prince Rupert’s Lane on 28 September 1933 at the age of 56.

 

George and Jane’s eldest child was William George Bolingbroke whose birth was registered in Windsor registration district in Berkshire during the 4th quarter of 1904.

 

George and Jane’s second child was Ivy Nellie Bolingbroke whose birth was registered in Wandsworth registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1908.

 

George and Jane’s third child was Leonard Albert Bolingbroke whose birth was registered in West Ham registration district in London during the 2nd quarter of 1912.

 

George and Jane’s fourth child was James Douglas Bolingbroke whose birth was registered in West Ham registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1916.

 

William and Sarah’s eighth child was Frederick Jesse Mudle who was born in Lambeth on 12 March 1879. In the census of 5 April 1891 Frederick, at the age of 12, was living with his parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Frederick, now aged 22, was living with his widowed mother at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and he was now working as a packer at the Army and Navy Stores, as was his brother Thomas. Frederick, though not the shortest of the Muddle boys, was only 5ft 2in tall.[12]

When he was 25 years old Frederick married 25-year-old Caroline Jessie Archer at St Saviour’s Church in Battersea on 12 November 1904. They were both then living at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and Frederick was working as a packer. Caroline was the daughter of Robert and Rosina Archer; she had been born at Kilburn in London and her birth registered during the 3rd quarter of 1879. See the section headed ‘Frederick & Caroline Mudle’s Family’ for the rest of their lives and details of their family.

 

William and Sarah’s ninth child was Thomas Mudle who was born at 14 Brad Terrace, Woolton Street, Cromwall Road, Lambeth on 25 October 1881. In the census of 5 April 1891 Thomas, at the age of 9, was living with his parents at 46 Stainforth Road in Battersea and he was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Thomas, now aged 19, was living with his widowed mother at 72 Culvert Road in Battersea, and he was now working as a packer at the Army and Navy Stores, as was his brother Frederick. It was in about 1903 that Thomas painted a portrait from a photograph of his late brother-in-law Joseph William Slinn for his widowed sister Georgina Louisa Slinn. There are no other known artistic works by Thomas.

When he was 25 years old Thomas married 20-year-old Ellen Elizabeth Hill at St Paul’s Church in Clapham on 18 May 1907. Thomas was then a printer living at 28 North Street in Clapham and Ellen was living nearby at 33 Rozel Road in Clapham. They had two children born in Fulham registration district in 1908 and 1919. When their second child was born in 1919 they were living at 2a Furness Road in South Fulham, and Thomas was working as a printer’s warehouseman. They had also been at this address when Thomas' brother Frederick sent Thomas three postcards while he was a POW in Germany during the second half of 1918.

Thomas called himself 'Fulham's Little Man' being of very short stature, and he had an ambition to fly, so he entered a competition to win a flight. His winning slogan was 'He wanted to show that little people have nerves equal to the big ones'. He was very impressed with his flight and it was reported in the local paper that he thought it was a marvellous thing to be able to look down from the air and see everything like a little model.

They were living at 21 Redfern Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex when Thomas died at 30 Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex on 20 June 1941, at the age of 59, from a cerebral haemorrhage. He was buried in Twickenham Cemetery on 26 June 1941 in grave N-T19. Thomas died intestate and administration of his estate, which was valued at £122 18s 1d, was granted on 23 September 1941 by Llandudno Probate Registry to his widow, Ellen. Twenty-three years later Ellen died at the age of 77, her death being registered in South Middlesex registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1964. She was buried with her husband in grave N-T19 at Twickenham Cemetery on 5 June 1964.

 

Thomas and Ellen’s eldest child was Ellen Elizabeth Mudle who was born in Fulham registration district in London on 1 November 1908. When she was 27 years old Ellen married 25-year-old John Maurice Creed in Croydon registration district in Surrey during the 3rd quarter of 1936. John had been born in Fulham registration district in London on 14 April 1911. John and Ellen are not thought to have had any children. Ellen was living at 22 The Hydneye, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, Sussex when she registered the death of her brother in 1968. Ellen died at the age of 84, her death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during August 1993. Two years later John died at the age of 84, his death being registered in Eastbourne registration district during September 1995.

 

Thomas and Ellen’s second child was Charles Thomas Mudle who was born at 2a Furness Road, South Fulham, London, on 14 June 1919. In October 1935 Charles was appointed a GPO Postman Manager in the London Postal Service.[13] Then on 25 August 1938 Charles was appointed a GPO Postman in the London Postal Region.[14] Followed fourteen years later by Charles being appointed a GPO Telegraphist in the London Telecommunications Region during June 1952.[15]

Charles never married. He was a supervisor at Cable & Wireless and living at 66 Kingsway in Stanwell when he died in Ashford Hospital at Stanwell near Staines in Surrey on 26 November 1968, at the age of 49, from liver failure. After a funeral service at St Mary the Virgin Church in Stanwell he was buried with his parents in grave N-T19 at Twickenham Cemetery on 2 December 1968.

 

William and Sarah’s tenth child was Alfred Mudle who was stillborn in June 1884.

 

George and Mary Ann’s fourth child was Jane Martin Mudle who was born at Chelsea in about 1832. When she was about 22 years old Jane married 19-year-old Jesse Marchant at St Mary’s Church in Lambeth on 7 May 1854. They were then both living at Golding Place (now Denny Street) in Lambeth, and Jesse was a tripe dresser. Jesse had been baptised at Ore Church in Sussex on 4 January 1835, the illegitimate son of Bethsheba Marchant.

Jesse and Jane had two children, both sons. They were living at Pimlico when their first son was born in 1856 and then at 91 East Street in Marylebone when their second son was born in January 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 9 York Mews South in Marylebone with their two sons, and Jesse was continuing to work as a tripe dresser. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 145 Bridge Road West in Battersea with their two sons; Jesse was a tripe dresser, as was his eldest son. In the census of 3 April 1881 Jesse and Jane were living at 79 York Road in Battersea, both their sons having married, and Jesse was still a tripe dresser. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living with Jesse's aunt, Dinah Marchant, at 65 Arabin Road in Lewisham; both Dinah and Jesse were described as retired butchers.

Jane died on 23 February 1898 at 21 Gwynne Road in Battersea at the age of 65, and she was buried in Wandsworth Cemetery on 28 February 1898. Jane died intestate, and letters of administration, which valued her estate at £101 10s 0d gross and £92 10s 0d net, were granted by the Principal Probate Registry to her husband Jesse, a cab driver, on 18 June 1898. Two years later Jesse died on 20 January 1900 at 21 Gwynne Road at the age of 65, and he was buried with his wife in Wandsworth Cemetery on 26 January 1900.

Jesse’s will dated the 21 December 1899 and granted probate on 8 March 1900 lists the following properties that he owned, houses at 38, 40 & 42 Totteridge Road in Battersea, house at 21 Gwynne Road in Battersea and the lease of Butcher’s shop at 79 York Road in Battersea, his estate was valued at £534 13s 5d gross and was to be divided between his two sons. But the elder son died between the writing of the will and granting of probate when the younger son was declared ‘the natural and lawful son and only next of kin’.

 

Jesse and Jane’s eldest child was William Jesse Marchant who was born at Pimlico in London, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1856. In the census of 7 April 1861 William, at the age of 4, was living with his parents at 9 York Mews South in Marylebone. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 William, now aged 14, was living with his parents at 145 Bridge Road West in Battersea, and he was working with his father as a tripe dresser. When he was 22 years old William married Martha Cook in Chelsea registration district in London during the 1st quarter of 1879. They had three children born at Battersea in London between 1879 and 1883. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 134 Bridge Road West in Battersea with their then one child, and William was working as a pork butcher. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 79 York Road in Battersea with their three children, and William was a butcher working on his own account. This was where William's parents had been living in 1881 so William had probably taken over his now retired father's butcher's business. William died at the age of 43, his death being registered in Wandsworth registration district, which includes Battersea, during the 4th quarter of 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 Martha was living at 79 York Road with her two eldest children, and she was working on her own account at home as a tripe dresser.

 

William and Martha’s eldest child was William Marchant who was born at Battersea in London in about 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 William, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 134 Bridge Road West in Battersea. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 William, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 79 York Road in Battersea, and he was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 William, at the age of 21, was working as a general labourer and living with his widowed mother at 79 York Road.

 

William and Martha’s second child was Mary Marchant who was born at Battersea in London in about 1881. In the census of 5 April 1891 Mary, at the age of 9, was living with her parents at 79 York Road in Battersea, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Mary, now aged 19, was working as a laundry packer and living with her widowed mother at 79 York Road.

 

William and Martha’s third child was Frederick George J Marchant who was born at Battersea in London, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Frederick, at the age of 7, was living with his parents at 79 York Road in Battersea, and he was going to school. In the census of 31 March 1901 Frederick, now aged 17, was on the 1st Rate Boys Training Ship HMS Lion at Devonport in Cornwall where he was a Boy 1st Class under training.

 

Jesse and Jane’s second child was Jesse William Marchant who was born at 91 East Street in Marylebone, London on 9 January 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 Jesse, at the age of 3 months, was living with his parents at 9 York Mews South in Marylebone. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Jesse, now aged 10, was living with his parents at 145 Bridge Road West in Battersea, and he was going to school. When he was 17 years old Jesse married Emma Bailey in Fulham registration district in London during the 3rd quarter of 1878. They had two children born at Battersea in London in 1879 and 1888. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 95 Ingrave Street in Battersea with their then one child, and Jesse was working as a grainer (something to do with decorating). Then in the census of 5 April 1891 they were living in three rooms at 21 Gwynne Road in Battersea with their two children, and Jesse was continuing to work as a grainer. In the census of 31 March 1901 they were living in the main four room section of 21 Gwynne Road with their youngest child, and Jesse was now a decorator and employer working from home.

 

Jesse and Emma’s eldest child was Henry George Marchant who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1879. In the census of 3 April 1881 Henry, at the age of 1, was living with his parents at 95 Ingrave Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Henry, now aged 11, was living with his parents at 21 Gwynne Road in Battersea, and he was going to school.

 

Jesse and Emma’s second child was Chrissy Marchant who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 1st quarter of 1889. In the census of 5 April 1891 Chrissy, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 21 Gwynne Road in Battersea. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Chrissy, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 21 Gwynne Road.

 

George and Mary Ann’s fifth child was Charlotte Martin Mudle who was born at Westminster or Chelsea in about 1838. In the census of 30 March 1851 Charlotte, at the age of 13, was living with her parents at 7 George Street in Chelsea. When she was 21 years old Charlotte married William Thomas Gabell at St Mary’s Church in Lambeth on 28 August 1859. They were both then living at Golding Place (now Denny Street) in Lambeth and William was a carpenter. They had eleven children, the first probably born before their marriage, and the last in about 1884.

In the census of 7 April 1861 they were living at 25 Clegis Grove in Battersea with their then two children; William had a greengrocer’s shop and they had his sister Mary Ann Gabell living with them and working in the shop as William’s assistant. Their second and third children died in infancy during the early 1860s. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 they were living at 7 Grosvenor Cottages, Whittaker Street, Pimlico, with their then four surviving children, and William was now a cabman. In the census of 3 April 1881 they were living at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea with six of their children and William was described as being a carman. In the census of 5 April 1891 they were living at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea with six of their children, and they had 21-year-old Ellen Taylor as a boarder. William occupation was now described as carman (goods).

Charlotte died on the 21 January 1899 at the age of 61, and she was buried in Wandsworth Cemetery on 27 January 1899. In the census of 31 March 1901 William and his daughter Emily were living in three rooms at 38 Brougham Street, and William was now working as a labourer. William died at the age of 69, his death being registered in Paddington registration district during the 2nd quarter of 1910.

 

William and Charlotte’s eldest child was Charlotte Ann Gabell who was born at Pimlico in about 1858, probably before here parent’s marriage. In the census of 7 April 1861 Charlotte, at the age of 2, was living with her parents at 25 Clegis Grove in Battersea. Then in the census of 2 April 187 1 Charlotte, now aged 12, was living with her parents at 7 Grosvenor Cottages, Whittaker Street, Pimlico.

 

William and Charlotte’s second child was Martha Gabell whose birth was registered in St George Hanover Square registration district, which includes Pimlico, during the 1st quarter of 1861. In the census of 7 April 1861 Martha, at the age of 3 weeks, was living with her parents at 25 Clegis Grove in Battersea. Later that year Martha died when only a few months old, her death being registered in St George Hanover Square registration district during the 3rd quarter of 1861.

 

William and Charlotte’s third child was William George Gabell whose birth was registered in St George Hanover Square registration district, which includes Pimlico, during the 3rd quarter of 1862. William died when he was only 1 year old, his death being registered in St George Hanover Square registration district during the 4th quarter of 1863.

 

William and Charlotte’s fourth child was Sarah Jane Gabell who was born at Pimlico, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1864. In the census of 2 April 1871 Sarah, at the age of 6, was living with her parents at 7 Grosvenor Cottages, Whittaker Street, Pimlico. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 Sarah, now aged 16, was an unemployed general domestic servant and living with her parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea.

 

William and Charlotte’s fifth child was Elizabeth Gabell who was born at Pimlico on 30 December 1866. In the census of 2 April 1871 Elizabeth, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 7 Grosvenor Cottages, Whittaker Street, Pimlico.

 

William and Charlotte’s sixth child was John William Gabell who was born at Pimlico, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1869. In the census of 2 April 1871 John, at the age of 18 months, was living with his parents at 7 Grosvenor Cottages, Whittaker Street, Pimlico. Then in the census of 3 April 1881 John, now aged 12, was living with his parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea, and he was going to school. In the census of 5 April 1891 John, at the age of 21, was living with his parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea.

 

William and Charlotte’s seventh child was Leonard Gabell who was born at Pimlico on 12 October 1874. In the census of 3 April 1881 Leonard, at the age of 6, was living with his parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea, and he was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Leonard, now aged 17, was living with his parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea.

 

William and Charlotte’s eighth child was Lucy Maud Gabell, also known as Louisa, who was born at Pimlico, and whose birth was registered during the 3rd quarter of 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Louisa, at the age of 4, was living with her parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea, and she was going to school. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Louisa, now aged 15, was living with her parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea.

 

William and Charlotte’s ninth child was Edward George Gabell who was born at Pimlico, and whose birth was registered during the 4th quarter of 1878. In the census of 3 April 1881 Edward, at the age of 2, was living with his parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Edward, now aged 12, was living with his parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea.

 

William and Charlotte’s tenth child was Grace Gabell who was born at Chelsea in January or February 1881. In the census of 3 April 1881 Grace, at the age of 2 months, was living with her parents at 7 Ellis Street in Chelsea. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Grace, now aged 10, was living with her parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea.

 

William and Charlotte’s eleventh child was Emily Gabell who was born at Battersea, and whose birth was registered during the 2nd quarter of 1884. In the census of 5 April 1891 Emily, at the age of 7, was living with her parents at 38 Brougham Street in Battersea. Then in the census of 31 March 1901 Emily, now aged 17, was living with her widowed father in three rooms at 38 Brougham Street, and she was now working as a general servant.

 

William and Elizabeth’s ninth child was Anne Muddle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 27 May 1796. Anne was a witness to the marriage of her sister, Elizabeth, at Wimborne Minster in 1815. Nothing more is known for sure about Anne, but she probably moved to London with her mother at about this time, and is thought to have died unmarried in about 1825.

 

William and Elizabeth’s tenth child was Harriet Muddle who was baptised at the Holt Chapel of Ease of Wimborne Minster Parish in Dorset on 23 July 1797. Nothing more is known for sure about Harriet, but she probably moved to London with her mother in about 1815, and is thought to have died unmarried.

 

William and Elizabeth’s eleventh child was Richard Muddle/Mudle who was baptised at Wimborne Minster Church in Dorset on 6 September 1799. Richard was baptised with the name Muddle, but after he moved to London, probably in about 1815, he used the name Mudle. When he was about 27 years old Richard married Ann Durham at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea on 25 August 1826. They had one child, a daughter, in 1827. When this daughter was baptised in January 1828 they were living at 5 Seymour Place in Chelsea, and Richard was a carpenter.

Later in 1828 Richard was described as a brewer of 115 Long Alley in Finsbury when he took out a fire insurance policy with the Sun Fire Office on 24 December 1828. This policy was for a total of £300 that consisted of £100 to cover his household goods, wearing apparel, printed books and plate, and £50 to cover his stock and utensils that were all in his dwelling house at 115 Long Alley that was constructed of brick and timber and connected to an adjoining house that had a stove and was in the tenure of a pork butcher; and £150 to cover his stock, utensils and fixtures in his brewhouse at the rear that was constructed of brick.[16] Then on 1 April 1830 Richard took out another policy identical to the previous one.[17]

Two years later Richard was described as a brewer and victualler of 115 Long Alley when he took out a fire insurance policy with the Sun Fire Office on 10 May 1832. This policy was again for a total of £300 but now consisted of £97 to cover his household goods, wearing apparel, printed books and plate; £3 to cover his china and glass, and £200 to cover his stock, utensils and fixtures that were all in his dwelling house at 115 Long Alley and his connecting brewhouse all constructed of brick and timber.[18] As Richard was now a victualler as well as a brewer he presumably operated a beershop on his premises to sell the beer he brewed directly to the public.

On 27 November 1832 Ann Matilda Thomas wife of Richard Thomas and Elizabeth Roberts took out a fire insurance policy with the Sun Fire Office on several properties, one of which for £400 was 115 Long Alley that consisted of a house and brewhouse constructed of brick and timber and in the tenure of Muddell, who occupation was initially given as broker and cook but was later crossed out and replaced by beer seller.[19]

On 22 January 1833 William Foster Smith of 26 Middle Row, Holborn and Richard Mudle took out a fire insurance policy with the Sun Fire Office for £200 on a house at 134 Churchway, Somers Town constructed of brick and in the tenure of a chandler. This was presumably a jointly owned property as the policy also included another property solely owned by William Foster Smith.[20] Richard was listed in the Post Office Directory of 1834 as being a brewer at 115 Long Alley in Finsbury.

Richard was living at 115 Long Alley when he died in late 1833 or early 1834, at the age of 34. His will dated the 26 October 1833 was obviously made without the help of a solicitor, as it was of very different phrasing to normal, and didn’t name an executor. So administration of his estate was granted to his widow Ann by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 4 April 1834.[21] The will made the following bequests: to his brother Charles Mudle £50 with 5% interest until it was paid; to his brother William Mudle £30 with 5% interest until it was paid; to his uncle Leonard Martin £50 with 5% interest, to be paid after the two bequest to his brothers; to his wife Ann and his daughter Ann all the rest of his estate. The will also requested that his wife dispose of the business of his other shops in Hackney Road, in Old Street Road and at Kings Street in Finsbury, and the proceeds to go towards paying the other bequests. It’s thought that these bequest may actually been the repayment of loans, otherwise why would Richard have left £50 to his mother’s brother Leonard Martin who was very well off, and why pay interest, this was probably the rate of interest on the loans.

Ann was living at Little Chelsea when she died at the age of 26, about a year after Richard’s death, and was buried in St Luke’s Churchyard in Chelsea on 18 May 1835. Her burial record gave her cause of death as Decline, and her burial fees to have been £2 8s.

 

Richard and Ann’s only child was Ann Mudle who was born on 21 December 1827, and baptised at the St Pancras Church (known as the Old Church), Euston Road, St Pancras, Middlesex, on 20 January 1828. Ann was orphaned in 1835 at the age of seven. She never married, and she was living with her uncle William Mudle at 11 George Street in Battersea when he died in 1859. She was her uncle’s sole executrix and inherited his whole estate, valued at under £1500 at probate, for her life only if she died without issue, the remainder of the estate to then go to William’s brothers and sister Charles Mudle, George Mudle and Jane Miles.

In the census of 7 April 1861 Ann, at the age of 33, was living with her widowed aunt Hannah Martin and Hannah’s daughter Jane Martin at 46 Arthur Street in Chelsea, and she was living off the income from the houses and funds that she had inherited from her uncle. Then in the census of 2 April 1871 Ann was continuing to live at 46 Arthur Street, where the household was now headed by her spinster cousin Jane Martin; Jane’s mother having died in 1867, and Ann was continuing to live off dividends. Ann and Jane had moved to 97 Arthur Street (or the street had been renumbered) when Jane made her will on 31 March 1876. In the census of 3 April 1881 Ann was still living with Jane at 97 Arthur Street, and she was described as being of independent means. When Jane died on 25 June 1884 they were both living at 85 Robert Street in Chelsea. Jane had made Ann her sole executrix and left her whole estate of £615 7s 9d to Ann, who was still living at 85 Robert Street when she made her own will on 7 October 1884. Then in the census of 5 April 1891 Ann was lodging with the family of leather seller John Kelly at 81 Sydney Street in Chelsea, and she was living on her own means.

Ann had never married and it was sometime after the 1891 census that she went to live with her cousin James Martin, who was the son Jane Martin’s brother, at 76 Kellett Road, Brixton, London, where she died on 10 July 1892 at the age of 64. Ann was buried at Brompton Cemetery in London on 13 July 1892, in the same grave as her uncles William and Charles Mudle, and her cousin Jane Martin. Probate of Ann’s will, which valued her effects at £594 19s 8d, was granted on 26 August 1892 by the Principal Probate Registry in London to her cousin James Martin, who was sole executor and beneficiary.

Ann's will was at odds with the terms of the will of her uncle William Mudle from whom she had inherited about £1500 when he died in 1859. His will stated that on Ann's death the residue of the estate he had left her for her life was to be equally divided between his surviving siblings, who were his brothers Charles and George Martin. This, it seems, resulted in the instigating of the action of MUDLE v MARTIN in the High Court of Chancery in 1893, and the 1 March 1895 edition of The London Gazette and 3 March 1895 edition of Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper published an order of the High Court of Chancery that all other of William's siblings or their descendents that considered they had a claim on the estate were to submit their claims by 30 March 1895 and a hearing to adjudicate upon the claims would be in held the Chambers of Mr Justice Kekewich on 9 April 1895.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2014

Last updated 16 April 2014