Yearly Archives: 1997

General History | Longshot:

The Ballard Family Register

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It was many years ago, in 1970 to be exact, that as a schoolboy of 14 I saw and touched my first old document. I can still remember the excitement of reading the handwriting of a person born in the 1690s, and, what is more, a direct ancestor, which seemed to make his words come to life in an extraordinarily immediate way. It was a strange feeling to have such a personal link with someone who had lived so long ago; I was hooked from that moment onwards and continue to pursue my unfailing interest in family and local history through the original source material left by our forebears.

My interest in the family history of the Ballards really originates from the time of my great Aunt’s death in 1969 at the age of 98. Aunt May was my grandmother’s eldest sister; she never married, and I can only just remember her. But she was a dear old lady who was fascinated by the past and her hero of all time was William the Conqueror. She loved nothing better than to visit old churches and she would go on long walks with her sisters in the countryside to seek out places of interest. Soon after she died, all her personal effects were sent round to an Aunt’s and I was lucky enough to help sort through them. Among her possessions was a box full of family papers and correspondence which I avidly devoured and photocopied whilst I had the opportunity. There were also some scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings, and a small album of photographs – all served to stimulate my interest in my grandmother’s family, especially as she had died many years before I was born.

But what I discovered at the bottom of the box was really quite remarkable. It was, in effect, a family register of births, marriages and deaths, begun by Isaac Ballard of Cranbrook, who was born in 1692. Whereas many families recorded these events on the fly leaves of the Family Bible, the Ballards of Cranbrook kept a separate book in which was entered up, from generation to generation, a register of the family. Isaac entitled it: “Isaac Ballard His Register Book of Births and Deaths in his own Family.” This title page was added to twice by later Ballards who have continued to make entries. His son, Joseph wrote beneath his father’s writing: “& likewise his Son Joseph’s Regester of his Children.” Isaac’s grandson added his own title page (which is the present one): “Isaac Ballard His Regester Book of Births and Deaths in His Own Family & Likwis of His Father Joseph Ballard and His Grandfather Isaac Ballard.”

I was rather puzzled at first as to why Isaac started to make entries in a separate book when the family did, in fact, possess a Family Bible. Unfortunately, the bible and its owner completely disappeared during the 1880s, but not before my grandmother’s eldest brother, as a young boy, had copied out the many entries it contained. Nevertheless, the entries were quite sporadic. Although mention is made of an Isaac (or Richard) Ballard, Gent. who was born October 23rd 1567, it then jumps to the 1680s. The births recorded are those of Isaac’s brothers and sisters, although, strangely, Isaac’s birth in 1692 was not included; this may, of course, have been the fault of the transcriber who already had the information from the Register.

Isaac married Frances Godfrey in October 1714, and their first child, Sarah, was born in August 1715. This was the date when he probably started his record, judging by the similarity of detail attached to every entry that follows. Isaac’s father was Richard Ballard, husbandman, born in 1640, who married Elizabeth Boughton of Cranbrook in 1680. It is probably safe to assume that the Family Bible was originally acquired by Isaac’s father who recorded the births of his children from the early 1680s, and, for good measure, that of his earliest known ancestor. Why, then, did Isaac not continue to use it? A plausible answer is that he couldn’t, for the simple reason that the Family Bible didn’t belong to him till much later. Since his father died in October 1717, it probably passed to his eldest son, Joseph, who died ten years after. As Joseph had no sons, and his second brother Richard was also dead, the Bible eventually passed to Isaac. Not surprisingly, therefore, he continued to make entries in the book he had already started rather than revert to the Family Bible which would have entailed a lot of copying out. But he obviously valued this book, or he would not have taken the trouble to entrust its future care to his grandson. He apparently wrote the inscription: “I give and bequeath this Family Bible to my grandson Isaac Ballard. Witness my hand this 2nd day of July 1771. Isaac Ballard.”

Isaac’s Register records events as they actually happened, and in many cases the names of godparents at baptisms and the officiating clergyman. An early instance of the use of two Christian names in the family occurs in 1766, when Joseph Ballard’s eldest daughter was christened Elizabeth, with the addition of Balcombe, her mother’s maiden name. The high incidence of infant mortality is very apparent, but Isaac records these events with obvious detachment. This is surely a reflection of the times when all families expected to lose one or two children before they reached aduthood.

Luckily, other happenings of importance to the family are noted at various times. In October and November 1723, “my 4 children Sarah Francis Rich:& Isaac had the Measels.” Then, on September 5th 1736, “My Wife fell from her Horse and broak her Coller Bone. Sett by Dr. Backett 15s.” In the same year, “My Son Isaac with Mr. Simonds carlesly set Fire to upward of 2 pounds of Gunpowder in Mr. Jenning’s Shop which blew out the Shop Windows and did great damage to the house and Goods and Vastly Scorched their faces & hands & were several days Blind, both cured by Docr. Walter, Feb. 19th paid him his Bill, for applications to Isaacs hands and Face and Board with Francis (his elder sister) 20 days 4-4-0.”

In 1742 Isaac tells us: “I by a whip with a Twig a brushing hurt my left Eye and lost gradualy the Sight thearof.” On June 20th 1745, he records that “the Small Pox came out on Isaac, He living with Mr Davis at W. Farly was extream bad, came home the 23rd of August very weak, went again to Mr Davis Nov: 5.” Next year, on July 25th, Isaac “had an Ishue cut above my left Knee by Dr. Backet. Dryed up Jan: 1st 1765.” Issues, or running sores, were fairly common among our ancestors; his wife had a similar complaint in 1755.

Evidence of Isaac’s meticulous attention to detail can still be seen on his tombstone in the churchyard at Cranbrook:

This stone was erected by ISAAC BALLARD of this Parish In memory of FRANCES his Beloved and Virtuous Wife with Whom he lived lovingly 44 Years Had by her 3 sons Richd Isaac & Joseph & 4 Daughters Sarah Frances Eliz & Rebekah. She died Sept 6th 1759 aged 69 years. Also the aforesaid ISAAC which died…

Unfortunately, erosion has worn away the rest of the inscription; but it obviously refers to Isaac’s burial in 1782, some 23 years after his wife.

Joseph Ballard, who was born on November 26th 1728, was the seventh child of Isaac and Frances. He married Ann Balcombe in Cranbrook Church on October 4th 1757. In 1783 he was staying at Deal where, on August 15th he suddenly died, as the register records, “after comeing out of the Sea, where he had been bathing for the Comfit of his health. He was in the 56 yr of his age. Was buried in Deal Chappel Field. Josh. & James was there.” His tombstone, in what is now known as St. George’s Churchyard, records that “he was a Kind Husband and a Sincere Friend.” It would appear from the different handwriting in the Register that Isaac made his last entry in 1771, so he probably passed the Register on to Joseph at about the same time he bequeathed the old Family Bible to his grandson, Isaac. Perhaps increasing infirmity, especially poor eyesight, had something to do with his decision.

His grandson, Isaac married Mary Pearce at Cranbrook Church on December 5th 1786, and so begun yet another generation of children to be recorded in the family register. In 1799 or 1800, Isaac and his young family moved to Sittingbourne where he took over the inn known as the “Rose”. To do this he had to show a certificate from the churchwardens and overseers proving that the family had lived in Cranbrook 200 years and had never received parish relief. Of their many children, William Ballard, who was born at Sittingbourne in 1801, was their eldest surviving son. He became innkeeper on his father’s death in 1822, but in 1832, soon after his marriage to Maria Osborn at Chatham, he moved to Chichester to take over the Dolphin Hotel. The Register came with him to Sussex, and he became the fourth generation Ballard to record the births of his children in it.

William Ballard was a man of substance, with many commercial interests, and he remained landlord of the Dolphin until his death in 1868. In 1843, he was appointed Posting Master at Chichester; in 1857, he received a warrant signed by Arthur Wellesley, 2nd Duke of Wellington, appointing him Posting Master to the Establishment of Her Majesty’s Stables. Both these original warrants are still on display at the Dolphin and Anchor Hotel. In Kelly’s Directory for 1855, William is described as of the Dolphin Hotel, a commercial inn and posting house, wine, spirit and coal merchant, inland revenue office, and agent to the London and Brighton Railway Company. Both William and Maria were staunch Wesleyan Methodists and did much to further the cause of Methodism in the city. Maria’s brother was Dr George Osborn (1808-1891), twice President of the Wesleyan Conference and an outstanding figure in the movement. He was well known for his inspiring oratory and an able preacher.

William faithfully recorded the births of his eleven children between 1831 and 1845 in the Family Register, and I am lucky to possess a photograph album containing pictures of virtually all of them, including their parents. Among them, born on January 31 1838, was my grandmother’s father, Adolphus Ballard (1838-1918). Adolphus married Frances Stafford in 1865, and on the death of their father, he took over the family business with his elder brother, George. Adolphus and Frances also had 11 children, but none are entered in the Register begun by his great great grandfather some 150 years previously. Unfortunately, not having seen the original document for 25 years, I cannot remember whether it was full or not, but I suspect it was. As far as I know, it is now in Australia with another Ballard descendant who is very keen on family history – so at least it should be in safe hands. I refrained from photocopying it at the time because I only had access to a machine which copied internally, and I dared not risk it. What if it should get stuck? But at least I had the sense to make a full transcript, thereby preserving the contents of this unique family record for future generations. I shall shortly be providing copies to the West Sussex Record Office and the Kent County Archives Office.

Returning briefly to the Chichester Ballards, some six years after his brother George suddenly died in 1882, Adolphus sold the Dolphin to Henry Waite. Until his retirement in 1904, he ran an ironmongery business in East Street. Like his father, he was very active in local affairs, both in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in which he held all the various posts, and in the town council to which he was first elected in 1885. He was elected Mayor on two occasions, in 1896 and 1897, and in that capacity presided over Chichester’s local celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

But what about the young boy who copied out the entries in the Ballard Family Bible before it disappeared? Named after his father, Adolphus junior was their eldest child; he was born in 1867. After studying law at London University, he completed his articles and started in practise as a solicitor in Woodstock. In 1894 he was appointed Town Clerk of Woodstock. Despite his very busy professional life, he also found time to indulge his passion for historical research, his favourite subject being the social and economic history of the Middle Ages. Apart from his many contributions to the Sussex Archaeological Collections, he also wrote a History of Chichester, published in 1898, but his major work was undoubtedly The Domesday Inquest (1906). In this book, he comprehensively describes conditions in the 11th century through a detailed analysis of the Domesday Book. Tragically, Adolphus died at the early age of 48, his death possibly hastened by a strenuous workload. Sadly, his only son, Godfrey, who was on military service on the Western Front, was killed in action a few months later. He was 20. I still have the letter which his former Platoon Sergeant sent me in 1975. He said: “(Godfrey)… was a very clever and well educated young man and we got quite friendly. He was well liked by all his comrades… I am enclosing a photograph he gave me before he left us, which you may like to have.”

This concludes the story of the Ballard Family Register. Some time after I first saw it, I discovered that my great Aunt had written a short article about it during the 1930s, which was published in Archaeologia Cantiana. Though concise and to the point, it unfortunately says very little about the family. I hope I have rectified the omission by saying something of the people who continued to use Isaac’s book, thereby keeping alive the history of this family for future generations.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ‘The Ballard Family Register’, by Miss Frances M. Ballard and WPD Stebbing FSA in Archaeologia Cantiana, Vol. XLVI. The Dolphin & Anchor Hotel Chichester, by Francis W. Steer MA, FSA. Chichester Papers, No 23 (1961) Methodism in a Cathedral City, by John and Hilary Vickers. Published by the Southgate Centenary Committee (1977)

Note: I have also extracted information for this article from a number of newspaper cuttings; all are contained in two scrapbooks, which belonged to my great Aunt. Unfortunately, they were not referenced and dated. Nevertheless, included among them are the Chichester Observer, Methodist Recorder and Oxford Chronicle.

Archives, Lin(d)field History | Longshot:

More Service Records

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In Longshot Vol 5 number 2, we published a list of the records we have found of military service by Lin(d)fields. We now have a complete listing from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which gives some further details, and in some cases these have allowed us to establish the identities and family connections. The listing also includes a number of war graves of which we were previously unaware.

The first was mentioned in the earlier article:

 

Royal Sussex Regiment, deaths in 1914-18 War

LINFIELD, William Ernest, private, SD/5183, 12th Bn, died 30 June 1916, buried Loos, reference MR19. Database number #13932. We now have the name of his mother from the War Grave details, together with his age. He was 20 when he died and his mother is shown as Mrs Harriett Linfield of 2 Spring Villas, Lyminster, Littlehampton. This allows us to connect him as follows:

 

1. Christopher LINFIELD #909 born 3 Nov 1850, Washington, Sussex (Reg: Thakeham), ref: opcs/b vii529, occupation Farmer & contractor, married 25 Sep 1880, marr ref: opcs/m 2b553, Thakeham, Sussex, England, Harriet FRANCES #910, born abt 1859, died 1937, Toddington. Christopher died 26 Dec 1916, Spring Villas, Lyminster, living: 1851, Washington, Sussex. Poss same as #1771. No Christopher or Harry/Henry in opcs/b for 1848. Prev entered as #13869 from opcs/b. Shown in CR51 as aged 5m, bn Washington [1851 Index SFHG, fo 262] Said to have 11 children, known as Harry, occupation farm carter, according to letter to Eric from Christopher and Eva Linfield September 1973. Family moved from Warminghurst to Billingshurst after Harriett was born but before she started school in 1891. From there they moved to Houghton Bridge near Amberley, and from there to Thakeham where they lived in Thakeham St. They were still there when Harriett left school in 1899/1900. They moved subsequently to Lyminster.
Children
i Elizabeth LINFIELD #4433 born q1—1881, (Reg: Thakeham), ref: opcs/b 2b366, married Steve JANMAN #15498. Prev entered as #4129 from opcs/b.
ii Harry LINFIELD #4429 born 1 Jul 1882.
iii Christopher LINFIELD #911 born q4—1883, Toddington, ref: opcs/b 2b350, occupation Farmer & contractor, married q2—1915, in Toddington, marr ref: opcs/m 2b1003, East Preston, Sussex, Ellen LUCKIN #912, born 1880, Toddington, died 1958, Toddington. Christopher died 1951, Toddington. No children [Letter to Eric from Christopher and Eva Linfield September 1973] Birth given as 1883 on info from Colin Mainstone; 1884 by W F Daggett. Prev entered also as #4471 from opcs/b. Birth place given as Toddington by W F Daggett, Thakeham by K Joan Puttock, letter July 1995. Marriage prev shown as 1917.
iv Fanny LINFIELD #4499 born ?? Jun 1885, Thakeham, Sussex, England, ref: opcs/b 2b334, married Harry HAMMOND #15499. Birth reg Q3 1885.
Harry: Speeling prev shown as HAMMAND.
v Harriett LINFIELD #4434 born 21 Jul 1886.
vi Annie LINFIELD #3160 born q3—1888, Thakeham, Sussex, England, ref: opcs/b 2b321. OPCS ref poss incorrect – same as #3162 Annie listed by Colin Mainstone; shown as md to Ernest GILLETT. Letter to Eric from Christopher and Eva Linfield September 1973 shows Nancy. K Joan Puttock, letter July 1995 shows Nance, christened Annie or Nancy and bn abt 1887/8. Two opcs/b entries for Annie in 1888; see also #3168.
vii Annie Linfield #3168 born q4—1888, Thakeham, Sussex, England, ref: opcs/b 2b342. Two opcs/b entries for Annie in 1888; see also #3160.
viii Emily LINFIELD #4437 born abt 1888, Lyminster, Littlehampton, married q2—1919, marr ref: opcs/m 2b1069, East Preston, Sussex, William WYATT #15501, born abt 1888. Emily died Littlehampton, Sussex. Shown as Emm on info from Colin Mainstone. Only opcs/b refs Thakeham are in 1881 #4130 and 1890 #4547. Ref for latter is 2b309 Q4 1890.
ix Kate LINFIELD #4438 born q4—1893, Lyminster, Littlehampton (Reg: Thakeham), bp. 31 Dec 1994, Billingshurst, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b327, married q1—1917, marr ref: opcs/m 2b595, East Preston, Sussex, Frederick MUNDAY #15500, born abt 1890. Kate died Australia, living: 1915/16?, 96 Shirland Rd, Maida Vale, West London?. Poss same as #1706 bp Billingshurst 31 Dec 1894. Name given as Kit by Colin Mainstone. Most likely opcs/b ref is Kate LINFIELD Q4 1893 2b327 #14091. Poss the Miss Kate LINFIELD at 96 Shirland Rd, Maida Vale, W London in 1915/6, recipient of postcard from Rifleman Will EDWARDS, Hut L30, D Coy 3rd Bn London Irish Rifles, Morn Hill Camp, Winchester. [Postcard, date unclear 1915/16]
Frederick: Spelling is MUNDY in opcs/m.
x Mary LINFIELD #14081 born q2—1892, Thakeham, Sussex, England, ref: opcs/b 2b342, died q4—1892, Thakeham, Sussex, England. Death ref opcs/d 2b229; age given as 0.
xi William Ernest LINDFIELD #13932 born q2—1896, Houghton Bridge, Amberley (Reg Thakeham), ref: opcs/b 2b338, occupation Private Soldier, died 30 Jun 1916, France, buried: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais. Died in WW1, aged 18-19 [K Joan Puttock, letter July 1995] Shown as Wm Ernest LINFIELD, private, SD/5183. 12th Bn., Royal Sussex regt. Died 30 June 1916, age 20. S of Mrs Harriett L, 2 Spring Villas, Lyminster. [Casualty Listing from Commonwealth War Graves Commission 20 March 1997.]
xii Frederick George LINFIELD #14463 born q3—1898.
xiii Alfred James LINFIELD #14139 born q2—1901, East Preston, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b353. No children [Letter to Eric from Christopher and Eva Linfield September 1973]

Another one from the previous article was Gunner William Lindfield of Horsham:

 

Basra Memorial – Iraq

In the previous article we listed LINDFIELD William, gunner, Royal Artillery, number 15420. Shown as born and enlisted at Horsham, died 10 July 1916, in Mesopotamia.(Ref. 1) In this case we also now have the location of the memorial and the parents and age of the soldier. He is shown on the Basra Memorial as follows:

LINDFIELD, Gunner, William, 57420. 20th Bty. Royal Field Artillery. Drowned in the Tigris 10th July 1916. Age 30. Son of William and Rebecca Lindfield of 4 Mill Lane, Lower Beeding, Horsham, Sussex. [#4159 in database].

 

Inscriptions on the Menin Gate, Ypres

We now find that there are in fact 2 soldiers listed on the Menin Gate which lists soldiers killed at Ypres but with no known grave. The first is shown as Private John LINFIELD, 1454, of the 16th (The Queen’s) Lancers, who died on 21st October 1914. As yet, we have not identified him, and would obviously be grateful if any member can help us to do so.

The second was Rifleman Percy LINFIELD, S/11733 of the 7th Bn. Rifle Brigade. He is shown as aged 26 when he died on 7th July 1915 and is shown as the son of Thomas and Sara Lindfield of 209 High St, Tooting, London. His birth was registered in the second quarter of 1889, but as yet we have no further details of his parents. We may find some useful clues in the 1881 census.

 

Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium

LINFIELD, Private, Percy Frank, G/16044, “B” Coy. 13th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment. Killed in enemy air raid 15th October 1917. Age 31. Son of John and Friend Linfield, of Storrington; husband of Esther Barbara Linfield, of White Horse Yard, Storrington, nr Pulborough, Sussex. O.8. [#2092 in database].

 

Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension – Somme

LINFIELD, Private, Albert David John, 6403197. 7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment. 26th May 1940. Age 22. Son of Charles Albert and Emily Maria Linfield, of Chichester, Sussex; husband of Mary Campbell Linfield, of Chichester. Plot 9. Row D. Grave 16. [#5383 in database].

 

Beaumont-Hamel (Newfoundland) Memorial – Somme

LINFIELD, Private, Roland, 2543. Royal Newfoundland Regt. Killed in action near Marcoing 20 November 1917. Son of Alfred G Linfield of Loon Bay, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. [#9431 in database].

 

Croisilles British Cemetery – Pas de Calais

LINFIELD, Private, Fredrick (sic), 12648. 2nd BN. The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regt.) 2nd April 1917. Age 30. Son of George and K Linfield, of Wakeland’s Farm Cottage, Moor Lane, Ringmer, Sussex. Born at Henfield. IV. C. 30. [#1857 in database].

 

Pozieres Memorial – Somme

LINGFIELD, Private, William James, 125255. 16th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Inf). 4th April 1918. Age 30. Son of William James Lingfield; husband of the late Charlotte Lingfield. As yet, I have not been able to identify this family.

In the earlier article we showed the death of Private William Denn LINFIELD as 5th May 1918, from the information obtained from the Regimental records. The CWGC records, however, have the date as 5th April.

 

Regina Trench Cemetery – Somme

LINFIELD, Private, George Frank, 4640. 7th BN. Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). 19th November 1916. Age 20. Son of Ephraim and Mary Ann Linfield, of Groombridge, Kent. V.F.3. [#1537 in database].

 

Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery – Somme

LINFIELD, Private E, G/15944. 13th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment. 29th March 1918. VI.F.6. At this stage, we are unable to identify this man, having no address or first name or other clues. If any readers can help, we would be grateful.

 

Khayat Beach War Cemetery – Israel

LINFIELD, Able Seaman, Albert, P/SSX19714. HMS Janus, Royal Navy. 9th June 1941. Son of David Peter and Annie Linfield, of West Horsham, Sussex. A.D.7. [#14282 in database].

 

Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery – Netherlands

LINFIELD, Private, Frederick Alexander, M/105560. Lincoln and Welland Regiment, R.C.I.C, 24th October 1944. 2.B.9. [#18602 in database]. It seems likely that he died during operations to recapture the Scheldt estuary, in which Canadian forces played a major part.(Ref. 2) We have yet to establish where he was born and when, and which branch he belongs to.

 

Rawalpindi War Cemetery – Pakistan

LINFIELD, Private, Joseph Henry, L/10867. 1st Bn. Royal Sussex Regt. 24th November 1919. 4.A.2. [#4707 in database].

He was the son of William and Jane Linfield of Angmering, and was probably an uncle of William Denn Linfield who was buried at Pozieres, (see above). However, these connections remain to be proved:

 

1. William LINFIELD #1895 born 1844, Angmering, occupation Bricklayer, married Jane —– #16098, born abt 1846, Sompting, died 20 Sep 1897, (Reg: East Preston), living: 1891, Angmering. William living: 23 Oct 1891, Angmering, Sussex. Poss the Wm LINFIELD, Builder & Contractor in Angmering 1903/1911 [Invoices purchased July 1993 from Judy Bright]. Named with bro Chas as the surviving execs of will of father in 1891. Shown as aged 46 bn Angmering in CR91.

Jane: Shown in CR91 as aged 45, bn Sompting. [RG12/838 fo 141] Death ref opcs/d 2b219, age shown as 51; date given by Chris & Wendy Elliott.

Children
i Louisa LINFIELD #7462 born abt 1862, bp. 27 Jul 1862, Pulborough, Sussex, England, occupation Servant, living: 1881, Slinfold, Sussex, England. Poss same as #13949 opcs/b Q3 1861 Thakeham or #4334 Q2 1860 Horsham, Sussex. Prev shown as child of #8058 – seems more likely given Pulborough location. Shown as aged 19 in CR81; servant bn Pulborough, living with Amy MILLS, unm.
ii Ralph LINFIELD #3217 born q1—1872, East Preston, Sussex, bp. 17 Mar 1872, Angmering, Sussex, England, ref: opcs/b 2b359, married q4—1892, marr ref: opcs/m 2b751, East Preston, Sussex, —– —– #16067, born abt 1872. Also entered as #8056 from IGI import. Prev shown as child of #8058.
2. iii Robert Denn LINFIELD #3280 born q1—1874.
iv Frank LINFIELD #3312 born q1—1876, East Preston, Sussex, bp. 20 Feb 1876, Angmering, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b358, living: 1891, Angmering. Also entered as #651
from IGI import. Prev shown as child of #8058. Shown in CR91 as aged 15, bricklayer’s labourer, bn Angmering, same folio as William #1895 and Edwin #1897.
v Joseph Henry LINFIELD #4707 born q4—1878, Angmering (Reg: East Preston, Sussex), ref: opcs/b 2b355, occupation Private Soldier, died 24 Nov 1919, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, buried: Rawalpindi War Cemy, living: 1891, Angmering, Sussex. Shown as Private Joseph Henry LINFIELD, L/10867, Royal Sussex Regt. No age or details of parents, consistent with presumed age if #4707 is correct birth. [Casualty Listing from Commonwealth War Graves Commission 20 March 1997.] NOT PROVED THAT BIRTH AND DEATH DETAILS ARE OF SAME PERSON. Shown in CR91 as aged 12, farm boy, bn Angmering [RG12/838 fo 141]
vi Horace William LINFIELD #4036 born q3—1880, East Preston, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b375, living: 1891, Angmering, Sussex. Shown in CR91 as aged 10, scholar, bn Angmering, same folio as Edwin #1897 & William #1895.[RG12/838 fo 141] Shown in CR81 as aged 8m.
vii Hannah Denn LINFIELD #4404 born q3—1883, East Preston, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b367, married q2—1906, marr ref: opcs/m 2b753, East Preston, Sussex, —– —– #18069. Hannah living: 1891, Angmering. Shown in CR91 as aged 7, scholar, bn Angmering; same folio as Wm and Edwin.

Next Generation

 

2. Robert Denn LINFIELD #3280 born q1—1874, East Preston, Sussex, bp. 15 Feb 1874, Angmering, Sussex, ref: opcs/b 2b344, married q4—1892, in Stroud, marr ref: opcs/m 6a611, —– —– #16075. Also entered as #8191 from IGI import. Spelling is Dean in IGI, Denn in opcs/b Also spelt Denn in opcs/m. Prev shown as child of #8058.

 
Children
i William Denn LINFIELD #4615 born q3—1894, Stroud, Kent, ref: opcs/b 6a309, occupation Private soldier, died 5 Apr 1918, buried: Pozieres Cemy, MR27. See also #3280 Robt Denn bn 1874 and #4404 Hannah Denn bn 1883 both E. Preston Listed in war dead as Pte William Denn LINFIELD, no SD/3164, 7th Bn, Royal Sx. Regiment ref MR27. NO PROOF OF LINK TO THESE PARENTS

 

Chatham Memorial – Kent, England

LINFIELD, Able Seaman, Alfred, C/J 114303. HMS Picotee Royal Navy. 12 August 1941. Age 31. Son of Frank and Lillian Linfield of Harlesden, Middx. 43,1. [#5497 in database].

LINFIELD, Able Seaman, William Stephen Lloyd, C/JX 247986. HMS Dasher Royal Navy. 27th March 1943. Age 22. Son of Edward John and Hannah Pearce Linfield of Twillingate, Newfoundland. 73, 2. [#16896 in database]. His descent from the Twillingate branch is as follows:

 

1. Frederick LINFIELD #9206 born 29 Aug 1849, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, bp. 1 Nov 1849, Jenkins Cove, Twillingate, married 1 Jan 1881, in Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, Susannah POND #9205, born 1850, died 5 Mar 1938, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, buried: North Side Cemy, Twillingate. Frederick died 17 Jun 1921, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, buried: North Side Cemy, Twillingate. Started the Linfield store on the North Side and later passed it to son Edward. MI shows as aged 72.

Susannah: MI shows as aged 88.

 
Children
2. i Edward John LINFIELD #9204 born 1883.
ii Isabelle Lydia LINFIELD #16888 born 29 Nov 1881, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, bp. 7 Mar 1882, married S COOK #16889, born abt 1881.

Next Generation

 

2. Edward John LINFIELD #9204 born 1883, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, married Hannah Pearce —– #16890, born 1885, died 13 May 1967, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada. Edward died 30 Nov 1951, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada. MI shows as aged 68.

Hannah: MI shows as aged 82.

 
Children
i Emma Isabella LINFIELD #16891 born 6 Jul 1909, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, bp. 25 Aug 1909, died 3 Oct 1909, buried: Nth Side Cemy, Twillingate. Prev shown as Erma Isabel.[from MI notes; Kaiser papers]. MI shows as aged 3 months.
ii Raymond George LINFIELD #16892 born 21 May 1911, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, bp. 19 Jun 1911, died 21 Aug 1911. MI shows as aged 3 months.
iii Hubert Sidney LINFIELD #16893 born 1912, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, died 3 Jul 1913. MI shows as aged 10 months.
iv Clara Louise LINFIELD #16894 born 1914, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, died 2 Mar 1915. MI shows as aged 9 months.
. v Ena Geneve LINFIELD #16895 born 1 Jul 1916.
vi William Stephen Lloyd LINFIELD #16896 born 1921, Twillingate, Newfoundland, Canada, occupation Able Seaman, died 27 Mar 1943, HMS Dasher, buried: /commemorated, Chatham Memorial, Kent. Death prev shown as 26 Mar 1948 (presumed copying error). Shown as Able Seaman , C/JX 247986, HMS Dasher, Royal Navy, aged 22, son of Edward John and Hannah Pearce LINFIELD of Twillingate, Newfoundland. Ref 73,2. [Casualty Listing from Commonwealth War Graves Commission 20 March 1997.]

 

Dover (St James’s) Cemetery – Kent

LINFIELD, Leading Seaman, Harry Robert, 126723. H.M. Trawler “Lock Naver”. Royal Navy. Drowned 16th April 1915. Age 46. (R.F.R./PO/B/580). Born at Brighton, Sussex. M.W.19. [#3055 in database]. Harry was the son of Robert and Caroline Linfield, from whom several members of the Group descend, and whose descent is shown at the end of the article by Norma Frew in this issue.

Lowestoft Naval Memorial – Suffolk

LINFIELD, Lieutenant, Frederick Roy, Royal Naval Reserve. 29th January 1942. Age 31. Husband of Alice Cameron Minter Linfield, of Durban, Natal, South Africa. Panel 8, Column 1. [#2948 in database]. Frederick would have served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, which was based in Lowestoft. Arthur G Lindfield was also a member of the RNPS, and his article about the Service appears elsewhere in this issue.

 

Wallasey (Rake Lane) Cemetery – Cheshire

LINFIELD, Ordinary Seaman, H.C. SS/7956. (PO). R.N. HMS “Achilles” Royal Navy. 21st October 1918. Age 19. Son of Harry and Mary Linfield of Chesswood Farm Cottage, Chesswood Road, Worthing. 7. C of E. 2. [#4838 or #5432 in database].

 

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – Belgium

LINDFIELD, Private, Albert Edward, 401984, 49th Bn., Canadian Infantry, (Alberta Regt). Died of accidental injuries 6 Sept 1916. Age 22. Son of Annie Lindfield (now Woolgar) of 299 Grey St etc and the late Henry Thos L, native of Brighton. Grave ref IX.D.15.

His father was Henry Thomas Lindfield who married Annie Scardifield:

 

Tyne Cot Memorial – Belgium

LINDFIELD, Private, Ephraim, 40940. 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment. 4th October 1917. [#1530 in database].

 

Adanac Military Cemetery – Somme

LINDFIELD, Sapper, P, 154480. 401st Field Coy, Royal Engineers. 25th March 1918. IV. K. 11. [Possibly #1965 in database.] Another mystery, this one. If anyone can help us to identify him, please get in touch.

 

Aire Communal Cemetery – Pas de Calais

LINDFIELD, Private, C E, T4/083574. 46TH Coy. Army Service Corps. 15th November 1915. I.C. 10.

 

Mont Huon Military Cemetery – Seine Maritime

LINDFIELD, Able Seaman, Percy William, R/6248. Drake Bn., Royal Naval Division. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died of wounds (gas) 26 Mar 1918. Age 30. Husband of Grace Gertrude Lindfield of 43a, Richmond St, Brighton, Sussex. V.F.5A. [#3153 in database].

He was possibly the son of William Henry LINDFIELD #15748 born 19 May 1858, Lindfield, Sussex, occupation Coachman, who married on 19 September 1886, in St Peter’s, Brighton, Annie Elizabeth PERCY #15749. Percy William was born on 21st December 1887, in Brighton. According to information supplied by Alice & Tony Bamber, he was gassed on March 12, 1918 and died 14 days later. Percy and Grace had no children. Grace remarried.

Hove Old Cemetery – Sussex

LINDFIELD, Boy Second Class, Henry Thomas, J/89929. HMS “Impregnable” Royal Navy. Died of pneumonia 27th June 1918. Age 16. Son of Henry and Elizabeth Lindfield of Road Hole, West Blatchington, Hove. E.115. [#5517 in database]

 

Reigate (Redstone) Cemetery – Surrey

LINDFIELD, Gunner, George William, 1598363. 263 Bty. 19 Lt A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 30th June 1945. Age 33. Son of George and Ellen Lindfield; husband of Elizabeth D Lindfield of Reigate. Grave 67. [#5664 in database].

 

Wick Cemetery – Caithnesshire

LINDFIELD, Chief Petty Officer Writer, Arthur, P/M38109. HMS Exmouth Royal Navy. 21st January 1940. Age 35. Son of Arthur George and Laurie Rebecca Lindfield; husband of Kathleen Nellie Ada Lindfield, of Drayton, Cosham, Hampshire. Sec.O. Coll. grave 1.

 

In a future article, I will concentrate on those who served in other conflicts such as the American Civil War, and the War of Independence, the Crimean War, and the English Civil War. If any readers have particular interests in these subjects or know of Lin(d)field ancestors with military connections, I would be very pleased to hear from them.

References

1. Soldiers Died in the Great War. HMSO 1919.

2. Normandy to the Baltic, by Field-Marshal The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Hutchinson & Co, 1947

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Longshot Contents | Longshot:

Longshot Vol 6, No. 1

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More Service Records, by Alan Lindfield
The Ballard Family Register, by Malcolm Linfield
Edmund Linfield of Storrington, Clockmaker, by Malcolm Linfield
Reflections from the President, part 3, by Eric Linfield
The 1881 Census in Sussex, by Alan Lindfield
The Life of Walter James Burrage, by Norma Frew
The Royal Naval Patrol Service, by Arthur G Lindfield
The Avery and Beard Connections, by Mary Offer
A Lindfield Coat of Arms, by Alan Lindfield
It Could be You!, by Alan Lindfield
The Last Word

Front Cover: Linfield clock; see article on page 15

Humour | Longshot:

The Last Word

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Many readers will be familiar with the collections of unintentional humour found in letters to insurance companies, along the lines of “ I drove into the lamp post, then lost control”. It will come as no surprise that family history has its own collection of verbal nonsense, and a good sample was sent to me recently by another researcher called Jack Montgomery, who lives in Canada and who descends from Ebbeth Linfield of the Twillingate branch. Readers might find the following excerpts amusing.

It is hereditary in my family, not to have children…..

Family Bible in possession of Aunt Marie until the tornado hit Topeka, Kansas, now only the good Lord knows where it is .

The wife of #435 couldn’t be found. Somebody suggested that she might have been stillborn. What do you think? .

Any ancestors you can dig up would be appreciated ..

I am mailing you my aunt and uncle and three of their children ..

Enclosed please find my grandmother. I have worked on her for 50 years without success. Now see what you can do ..

My grandfather died at the age of 3 …..

He and his daughter are listed as not being born ….

We are sending you 5 children in a separate envelope .

I would like to find out if I have any living relatives, dead relatives, or ancestors in my family …

Archives | Longshot:

Military Records

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Readers may be interested in a brief update on the records we have found of military service by Lin(d)fields. Alan Michael Linfield has a particular interest in this area and has written about some particular cases, and the material which has come to light in past few weeks has been passed to him for further investigation. This list serves as a short summary of the names in question.

Royal Sussex Regiment, deaths in 1914-18 War

LINFIELD, Harold Frank, private, no. G/1295, 2nd Bn, died 9 May 1915, buried Rue-Petillon, reference Fr 525. He was the son of Arthur George Linfield and Edith Mary Young and was born in 1893. The probate index at Somerset House shows the place of death as Richebourg L’Avou� and gives his address as The Laurels, Chesswood Road, Worthing. Database number #778.

LINFIELD, William Denn, private, SD/3164, 7th BN, died 5 May 1918, buried Pozi�es, reference MR27. His birth was registered in 1894 in Stroud, Kent, and we have no details as yet of his parents. Database number #4615

LINFIELD, William Ernest, private, SD/5183, 12th Bn, died 30 June 1916, buried Loos, reference MR19. Database number #13932.

Soldiers Died in the Great War

LINDFIELD William, gunner, Royal Artillery, number 15420. Shown as born and enlisted at Horsham, died 10 July 1916, in Mesopotamia.

Public Records Office, War Office Records of Soldiers discharged to pension 1883-1913

LINFIELD, William, 3rd Hussars, enlisted 3 March 1891, age given as 18 years 4 months. Declared parish of birth unclear but looks like Battlebridge. Town given as Redhill. Next of kin given as brother but with name of John Palmer. On discharge in 1897 gave address as 6 Chesham Place, Mare St, Hackney. He was possibly the William whose birth is registered at Reigate in 1869, and who married Amy Charter at Southwater in 1894. On the marriage certificate, he appears to come from Charlwood.

LINFIELD, John Henry, Army Service Corps, enlisted 17 July 1896, age given as 22 years 11 months. Place of birth shown as St Mary’s, Portsmouth, father as John Linfield of Fratton. There is a chance that he was actually the John Henry born in 1872 at Farnham, and who married Mary Combes, though this is far from being proved.

LINFIELD, Walter L, 2nd Rifle Brigade, enlisted 5th November 1870, age shown as 18 years. Birthplace shown as Croydon, next of kin shown as brother Jesse Linfield of Horsham. The name of the brother is consistent with him being the son of Jesse Linfield and Sarah Isted of Chailey, Sussex, but again there is some considerable doubt as to his parentage.

LINFIELD, James, Royal Artillery, enlisted 10 August 1887, age given as 20 years 1 month. Shown as born Hawley (sic), (presumably Horley), Crawley. Father shown as George Linfield of Marsh Lane, Croydon. Died of heat apoplexy in Dinapore, India on 15 June 1891. He was the son of George Linfield and Mary Fairs. Record #2326 in database.

Chelsea Royal Hospital: Out-Pensioners Regimental Registers: Index (Ref. 1)

LINDFIELD, Henry, Staff Corps, pensioned in 1823 as out-pensioner, age given as 45. Possibly the Henry who was born about 1776 in Cowfold, in which case his father was perhaps Henry LINFIELD #4855 and his mother Mary POTTER #4856. This however remains to be proved. His death may have been the one registered

in 1854 in Horsham, or alternatively that shown, also in Horsham, on 7 May 1854, for a Henry aged 78. The latter is shown on the death certificate as occurring at Wimblepost Cottage, Horsham; the cause of death is shown as apoplexy and the occupation as labourer. He may have married Ann HENTY #3442 on 1 Jan 1793 at West Grinstead.

Chelsea Royal Hospital: Pension Records (Ref. 2)

LINFIELD, Will, 32nd Foot Regt, number 117771, admitted 12 September 1854 to out-pension, and 1 July 1867 to in-pension. Died 20 December 1867. No trace of a matching death registration, so his age on death is uncertain.

LINFIELD, Charles, (unit not noted). Number 77172. Admitted to out-pension 20 December 1859; in-pension 1 August 1898. Died 16 October 1903. Death registration shows age as 66. Database ref #5174 or #4423.

Soldiers Records, Public Record Office (Ref. 3)

LINFIELD, Edward, private, 3rd Kings Own Regt. Light Dragoons. Discharge shown in Proceedings of Regimental Board 27 August 1847. Born St Helens, Canterbury; attested 7th March 1821, age 20, served 26 years, 163 days including 24 years abroad. This including service in Afghanistan in 1842. He was promoted to Corporal with effect from 4 June 1848. Medical report shows general debility due to prolonged Indian service. Discharged at Umballa in the East Indies. Shown as 5ft 7inches tall, with brown hair and eyes and fair complexion.

LINFIELD, Peter, private. Occupation on enlistment shown as labourer. Born Shipley, Sussex, attested for 15th Hussars at Brighton on 19 October 1829 at the age of 21. Served for 24 years and 74 days including 13 years 33 days abroad. Appears to have served mainly in the East Indies. Shown as “worn out from long service in tropical climate”. Description shows him to be 5ft 9 inches tall with light hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. Discharged at Chatham October 1854. Almost certainly the son of Hannah Linfield, baptised at Shipley, 12 June 1808. Database number #8024.

LINFIELD, John, private, 1st Bn Royal Veterans born in or near Sydenham in the parish of Lewisham, Kent, enlisted at the age of 29 years and served for one year and 340 days as well as in other Corps, discharged on account of weakness of eyesight. He appears to have enlisted originally on 10 September 1804 (the Regiment is unclear) and served until 6 August 1812, and then from 7 August 1812 until final discharge from the Veterans on 12 July 1814. His age on discharge is shown as 39 and he is described as 5ft 11 inches tall, with black hair, hazel eyes and dark complexion, and a labourer by trade (Ref. 4). He is probably the same John LINDFIELD (sic), shown in the 1851 census at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, aged 75, widower, private soldier, born Lewisham, Kent (Ref. 5). His death is possibly the one registered in Stepney in 1855.

Award of medals reported in London Gazette

Linfield C, Corporal, (Bearer Company). War Office (Ref. 6), September 27, 1901 The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments ……… and for the grant of the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field to the undermentioned Officers and Soldiers in recognition of their services during the operations in South Africa. The whole to bear date 29th November, 1900, except where otherwise stated. COLONIAL FORCES New South Wales Contingent. To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. …. Corporal C Linfield (Bearer Company).

LINFIELD, Ernest George. Admiralty, Whitehall, 11 July 1940 (Ref. 7). The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order for good services in the Royal Navy since the outbreak of War: The Distinguished Service Medal …..Petty Officer Ernest George Linfield, Petty Officer, P/JX. 130002, HMS Hampton. Probably the Ernest Linfield born in Horsham in 1902, son of George Linfield and Amelia Ann, n� Friend.

Register of Names Inscribed on Thiepval Memorial, France…..soldiers who fell…Somme and Ancre 1916-1917 and whose graves are not known. (Ref. 8)

LINFIELD, Walter, L/Cpl 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade. Birth registered Q3 1890 in Horsham, Sussex (Ref. 9). Possibly the son of #5002. Shown as aged 24 and as died 16 Sept 1916, grave not known; shown as son of Mr and Mrs Linfield of Oak Cottage, Slinfold, Horsham. Age does not tally but there is no other birth registration with Walter as the given name in the period 1890-4. Army no 4007. Database number: #4541

Inscriptions on the Menin Gate, Ypres

There is also rumoured to be a Linfield inscribed on the Menin Gate which lists soldiers killed at Ypres but with no known grave. I have written to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to request a search of their database, but if in the meantime anyone should happen to be passing through the Ypres area, perhaps they could have a look and take a photograph for us!

(This list will be continued in a later issue of Longshot.)

References

1. PRO: WO 120/30, p 164

2. PRO: WO 23/173, pp 84-85.

3. PRO: WO 97/82

4. PRO: WO 97/1115.

5. PRO: 1851 Census Returns. HO 107/1472 fo 554r p34

6. London Gazette 27359 6329; 27 Sept 1901. From FONS

7. London Gazette 34893 4258. 11 July 1940. From FONS.

8. Imperial War Graves Commission, London, 1931:1521.

9. Ref: 2b297.

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Archives, Research | Longshot:

The Postcard Index

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I imagine that most people have at least a few letters that they have kept because of some sentimental value or significance, and such collections may occasionally contain picture postcards as well. However, the vast majority of postcards are probably thrown away within a few weeks or so their receipt. Some of these turn up in auctions and on market stalls, and the rarest examples can fetch considerable sums of money. Most designs though, were of course mass produced, and have little rarity value to collectors, so the millions of cards in circulation represent an affordable, and largely untapped resource for family history research.

I was very interested therefore to receive details recently of a Postcard Index. This has been established, purely as a hobby, by Colin Buck of Cookridge, Leeds. He buys batches of postcards and lists the names and addresses of the recipients in a database. This contained some 14,000 entries when we last heard from him in September 1996, and he had several thousand waiting to be added. He collects cards dated between 1899 and 1950. His aim is quite simple – to unite the old postcards with modern day descendants of the original recipients.

Colin charges 3 to register a name and area of interest, then 1 per postcard, with subsequent postcards to the same address being only 25p. Needless to say, we have registered our interest in any of the name variants of Linfield and Lindfield, wherever they occur. We had an immediate success when we first registered, and the postcard shown below is now in our records. Postmarked 19 March 1914, it is addressed to Master E Linfield at Home Farm, Strood Park, Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham and the message tells us that the initial E stood for Eddie. The sender was called Ena and she refers to someone called Mary in the message. The picture on the reverse is of the Tower of London. This is where the detective work begins!

We have found no trace as yet of that address for any Lin(d)fields, nor of any obvious candidates among the Edwards, Edmunds or Edwins in the database. Eddie was presumably under 21 since Ena refers to him as Master E Linfield. If anyone can suggest who Eddie might have been, or who recognises the Broadbridge Heath address, do please let us know!

If any of our readers would like to register another name which they are researching, or would simply like to find postcards sent to their ancestors (or indeed to themselves) in the first half of this century, they can write to Colin Buck, at 36 Kirkwood Way, Cookridge, Leeds, LS16 7EX

Anecdotes, Lin(d)field History | Branch: | Longshot:

The Winds of Change

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Have you ever lain awake at night and, looking back over your life, wondered what it would have been like if just that little thing had not been allowed to have turned your feet into another course? Rather like a great express train is directed – just by flicking over a set of points which causes the great monster to go into a quite different direction. So it has been with our lives, little trifles so very small – hardly noticeable – have been used in God Almighty’s hand to direct our steps into quite a different path than we expected or that might have been. I believe in God, and believe that He had an over ruling hand in what happened in my life.

It so happens that in my family I can look back over 220 years and yet only then come to the birth of my great grandparents! My father was 49 when I was born, that was 80 years ago. My grandfather was 49 when my father was born. Then, strange to say, my great grandparents were both 44 when my grandfather was born, which brings it back to 1777 covering only 4 generations!

In another article I have told you how I listened to bits of conversation as I sat on the claw of the table under the chenille tablecloth. There i got the impression that my great grandmother Sarah had been a woman of some character. She was the daughter of a certain JOHN BURTON 1747-1835. John had come from a well connected family who had lived in Rottingdean for some 200 years. He had married a young lady in Newtimber, but sadly she had died only 6 months later. Then he met another lady who had just become a widow – ANN HYDER, and who had been left with 2 children and a large market garden. No doubt a mutual sympathy and an ability to help her brought them together. They married and had two daughters, one of whom was my great grandmother Sarah.

I get the impression that when Sarah met my great grandfather Allen who was the son of a very small farmer in Chailey, that it was felt that she had married beneath her! When later, John Burton made his will, he completely bypassed his son-in-law and made his grandson his heir. He made the necessary provision for his daughter Sarah during her lifetime. John owned the farm on which they were living and the adjoining farm on which he himself was then living, besides property in Brighton and the market garden and land in Hurstpierpoint, which had been his wife’s. This latter property he gave to his second daughter Barbara before his actual death. That Sarah was his favourite daughter was pretty obvious, as each of her children received a portion in his will. Her sister is stated in a codicil as having had her portion during his lifetime, and her children are not mentioned.

Sarah and Allen had 9 children. Ann, the eldest, married at the age of 20, a certain CHARLES TULLEY, and went to live at the mill farm at Scotches Farm at New Close, about two and a half miles from Fowls Farm, her old home. Here, on 23rd of March 1821, she gave birth to her little son Charles. After his birth she suffered much from postnatal depression. This caused her husband much anxiety, and one day while at work in the fields, Charles had such an impression that all was not well. At first he ignored it but it became so insistent that he dropped his tools and hurried home – only to find his fears well grounded – Ann was floating in the mill pond – dead!

Now, what to do with baby Charles? He was rushed up to Fowls Farm to grandma Sarah. She herself had been delivered of her youngest son John William on February 23rd. So, baby Charles was to be suckled by his grand mother. In after years John William would tell the story of this and laughingly say “ Yes, Charles had all the cream while I had only the skim milk!” It so happened that Charles was a tall finely built man while John William was short.

So, Charles and John William grew up together like twins, – uncle and nephew, – while Sarah ruled. So much so that when the boys became 13 they felt that enough was enough and they ran away! Charles went to Brighton and became a butcher’s boy. Speaking of this time he used to tell us of how, tired and footsore, he would have to walk through the streets carrying a wooden tray of meat on his shoulder. One day in particular he would recall how he sat down on a certain door step and burst into tears. But many years later he was able to buy the very house where he had sat!

He learned the trade of butchery and opened eventually his own shop and slaughter house. This was at St John’s Common, which at that time was fast becoming an important residential area owing to the nearby Pottery and Brick Works. After this he had his own farm at Pangdean and became a very noted breeder of Southdown sheep. So wealthy did he become that as his family married, he gave each a house, and built himself a house at Hassocks to which he and his wife and his one unmarried daughter retired. He lived to the ripe old age of 103 years and 11 months.

In his book, A Sussex Farmer, Mr William Wood writes: “At one of those fairs at Lindfield, a very dry year, .. ewes and lambs were in very poor condition and I came across a very large consignment.. . quite up to the standard of other seasons. The owner, Mr Charles Tulley of Pangdean Farm, sat on the wattles, and I congratulated him upon the fact that his sheep were as good as they always had been in spite of the drought. “Yes” he said, “nine years out of ten my flock keeps me, and when we get a year like this – I keep my flock.”

My grand father, John William ran in a different direction. He went to Chailey to his Uncle CHARLES AVERY of Longridge Farm, and became his carter boy. He was allowed to sleep in the attic, and he worked hard, one of his tasks being to take cattle to the market. He very soon became a very good judge of what was good or bad in cattle. This gift became very noticeable to other farmers. It got to the stage where they found it worth their while to get him to buy for them. In this way John began to get substantial tips and to store them away in his little room under the eaves.

Now on the opposite side of the road from Longridge is another farm originally known as “Huggetts”. But later it is known as “New House Farm”. A long row of Poplar trees had been planted along the road hedge at one time and while they were there the house was frequently known as the Poplars. About 1815 this farm was let to a WILLIAM LINDFIELD (Ref:#108 in database). He had been born at Keymer in 1788 as the son of Thomas and Sarah (n� Scrase). He had married first LYDIA STUBBS, but after the birth of their only child Frances, Lydia had died and William had married ELIZABETH WALKER in 1816. To her there were born 8 children and the lovely old house became a happy home to these youngsters. The great old farm house on the south side of the road had not been so blessed. Charles Avery was not married until much later in life. He did eventually marry the lady who had been his housekeeper so faithfully for so long. You can imagine my grandfather as a lad felt lonely at times, for “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” the saying goes! One little dark haired girl especially became a favourite with John William. He was five years older than she. It was not long before thoughts of the future began to form in his mind and being of necessity practical minded boy, he says “ I used to sit in my little attic window and look across to New House, count up my savings and try to work out how long it would be before I could marry Martha” (Ref: #224 in database).

Perhaps this was a good incentive to perseverance for we find that on March 26th 1841 at Chailey Parish Church John William married his heart’s desire- little Martha Lindfield though she was only 15! Yes, only just! After the service was over the Clergyman who married them said “If I had known you were so young I would not have done it! The marriage was witnessed by her father and mother so they must have had some confidence in him. For the first few months they lived at home with her parents but when their first child was born they are living at Ditchling. So I guess with intention to better himself John William is with Martha’s relatives at Ditchling learning how to be a butcher? Before the next child arrived they are settled at Stream Cottage, Wivelsfield Green, where they have a part of the house turned into a butcher’s shop with a small slaughter house at the rear. Here at Stream cottage were born nine children. By this time John their eldest son intends to get married so – again John William stops to think.


Martha Lindfield 1826-1874

Martha’s parents have died and the eldest son has decided to vacate New House. What could be better than for John William and Martha and their nine children to move back to New House and leave son John and his new wife in Stream Cottage. So, in 1864 they moved back to Martha’s old home and here was born the last of their 14 children, my own father being the 13th.

But sadly, in 1874 Martha died, not in childbirth but with appendicitis for which in those days there was no known cure. She was only 48 and my father lost a loving mother when he was only 6. But Grandfather was not to be daunted. The following year he married again and they had 3 more children, but my father said how kind his stepmother was to him.

But to return to great grandmother Sarah. During her life time the preaching of that great Evangelist George Whitfield and his great confederates had changed the lives of many families throughout England. At Great Ote hall in Wivelsfield, Salina Countess of Huntingdon had opened her house for preaching. The great William Romaine and others were guest speakers at her home. At last she built for the people of Wivelsfield a chapel now known as Ote Hall Chapel. The Burton Family were staunch Church of England attendants but somewhere along the line great grandmother Sarah and her family became Chapel attendants. The story went that Sarah who had been a keen card player, saw them image of Satan on the back of her cards and she put them down never to play again. Members of her family became much attached to Ote Hall Chapel and then there was a breakaway there, and Bethel Chapel was built. Children were often taken to chapels miles away to be named instead of being christened and because of the distance they were done in batches! In the case of William Lindfield’s family I eventually found them at Jireh Chapel Lewes where 4 of them were named in May I824. after Bethel Chapel opened batches of children were named there. When researching one needs to know a little about their lives and the signs of the times.

I wonder what future generations will remember about us.

Book reviews | Longshot:

Book Review

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Downland Portraits – Life in Patcham. Preston. Hangleton and West Blatchington as seen through probate and other records 1650 -1750 by Graham Kean and Tony Ketteman. Available from Tony Ketteman (01903-812380) or Graham Kean (01273-551381) Price 5 plus p & p 2.20p

I have just read this book, which was reviewed recently in the Sussex Archaeological Newsletter, and I think it may interest other members of the Group, particularly those with Lindfield ancestors in the subject area who had migrated from Hurstpierpoint during the l8th century. The possible link lies with the Scrases who are described in the book and who farmed West Blatchington, Hurstpierpoint and elsewhere.

My attention was immediately caught by references to Patcham Preston and West Blatchington because my Lindfield ancestors appear in those parishes. JOHN LINDFIELD was married to MARY ANN KEMPTON in 1755 (at St Nicholas, Brighton) but both were of the parish of West Blatchington and the witnesses were HARRY AND JOHN FARNCOMBE. The book has a substantial section on the Scrase family and their links with other local families and farms including the Farncombes at Patcham. Perhaps John worked on the Farncombe farm at Patcham? John and his young family remained at West Blatchington far a short time (two children were baptised 1756 and 1758) but from 1760 onwards his children were baptised at Patcham. John Lindfield was buried at Patcham in 1816. The eldest son, another John born at West Blatchington in 1756, later appears in the parishes of Falmer and Preston.

This well researched book is based on information taken from surviving probate inventories and related sources concerning four groups of people, Husbandmen; Craftsmen; Yeoman Farmers; Estate Farmers and a Gentleman Steward who lived in the villages concerned. I do not know the occupations of my Lindfields but possible reasons for the Lindfield moves are suggested by the links between farms in these parishes and the information in this book brings these Downland communities very much to life.