Sarah Ward

b. 15 April 1827

Parents:

Father: Thomas Ward b. c 1797
Mother: Elizabeth Harrison b. c 1799
Last Edited: 11 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "GS Film number: 990889."

William Henry Ward

b. 25 December 1835

Parents:

Father: Thomas Ward b. c 1797
Mother: Elizabeth Harrison b. c 1799
Last Edited: 11 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "GS Film number: 990889."

Edwin Ward

b. 25 December 1837

Parents:

Father: Thomas Ward b. c 1797
Mother: Elizabeth Harrison b. c 1799
Last Edited: 11 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "GS Film number: 990889."
  2. [S16] 1851 Census for England "HO107 piece 2285 folio 249 page 22."

Harrison Ward

b. 8 January 1840, d. 13 July 1923

Parents:

Father: Thomas Ward b. c 1797
Mother: Elizabeth Harrison b. c 1799
Last Edited: 26 Jan 2016

Family:

Mary Maria Perigo b. 28 Sep 1848, d. 28 Oct 1920

Citations

  1. [S419] Birth certificate of Harrison Ward, born 8 Jan 1840, registered 21 Jan 1840 in the Registration District of Sheffield, Yorkshire, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 22 Page 551).
  2. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "GS Film number: 990889."
  3. [S16] 1851 Census for England "HO107 piece 1333 folio 2/28 page 20."
  4. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "State Records Authority of New South Wales; Police Gazettes 1862-1930; Roll: 3130; Year: 1865; Page: 41."
  5. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "State Records Authority of New South Wales; Police Gazettes 1862-1930; Roll: 3130; Year: 1865; Page: 15."
  6. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. (Marriage Reg. No. 1444)."
  7. [S244] Website "Ancestry" (http://www.ancestry.co.uk/) "State Records Authority of New South Wales; Police Gazettes 1862-1930; Roll: 3598; Year: 1914; Page: 531."
  8. [S298] Webpage The Sydney Morning Herald (http://trove.nla.gov.au/) "1923 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 14 July, p. 12, viewed 24 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16080611."

Alfred Ward

b. 22 April 1834

Parents:

Father: Thomas Ward b. c 1797
Mother: Elizabeth Harrison b. c 1799
Last Edited: 11 May 2013

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) "GS Film number: 990889."

Thomas Realf

b. circa 1783
Last Edited: 7 Aug 2016
  • Birth*: Thomas Realf was born circa 1783 at Kent, England.
  • Anecdote: Information from Sheila Smith:
    Said on his Marriage licence to have come from Penshurst, Kent and to be a yeoman. No further information yet. Aged 21 +
    Bondsmen, Thomas Realf & William Newnham of Framfield, miller(South Melling Peculiar)
    Taken from Sussex Record Society Vol xxvi, Lewes Melling, M-Z. Sussex Marriage Licences.
    Marriages from 1789 - 1812, number 5 at ESRO, Lewes,Sussex,England Witnesses were William & Elizabeth Newnham see paper files

    deaths: Brighton 1852 or Thakeham March 1867 aged 83. If Thakeham, he must have married twice .

    Brighton Census 1851 says Thomas Realf, aged 69, was born in Buxted, Sussex, England and was a blacksmith, pauper and widower.

    HO107/1645/1058     1851 census microfiche, Brighton: Thomas Realf, UnionWorkhouse, Brighton, pauper, widower, blacksmith aged 69, b. Buxted

    Uckfield Union Poor Law Records XA30/58/8-9:
    25 March 1858 Thomas Realf b. 1781, labourer, Uckfield. shows in records until 25 March 1859. Died 1st wk April 1859.
    Bastardy Order at Framfield. Thomas Realf, putative father of HannahMorris's child. Dated 3rd April (or July) 1804 (see e-mail from PamAllsopp dated 16th Sept. 2003
    National Burial index gives a Thomas Realf who was buried at Eastbourne St Mary on 3rd April 1804. (Unlikely to be him.)
  • Anecdote: Bastardy Order at Framfield. Thomas Realf, putative father of Hannah Morris's child. Dated 3rd April (or July) 1804.
  • Marriage License*: Thomas Realf and Hannah Morris obtained a marriage licence on 5 July 1804 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Said on his Marriage licence to have come from Penshurst, Kent and to be a yeoman. No further information yet. Aged 21 +
    Bondsmen, Thomas Realf & William Newnham of Framfield, miller(South Melling Peculiar)
    Taken from Sussex Record Society Vol xxvi, Lewes Melling, M-Z. Sussex Marriage Licences.
    Marriages from 1789 - 1812, number 5 at ESRO, Lewes,Sussex,England Witnesses were William & Elizabeth Newnham.1
  • Marriage*: Thomas Realf married Hannah Morris, daughter of Joseph Morris and Hannah Turner, on 5 July 1804 at Framfield, Sussex, EnglandB, Thomas of Penshurst, Kent.1
  • Anecdote*: There is a baptism of a Lucy RELFE in Framfield on 21 May 1820 to Hannah RELFE, spinster - an illegitimate child. Also there is a burial in Framfield on 9 Mar 1830 of Hannah RELFE, spinster, age 39 years.
  • Anecdote: 5 Sep 1827 Thomas RELF married Hannah PARSONS in Burwash.
  • Anecdote: Sarah Anne RELFE is baptised in Burwash, Sussex to Thomas RELFE (labourer) and Hannah.
  • Anecdote: Possibility for a burial is 1 Oct 1858 at Uckfield Holy Cross, age 77 years. This would give a birth around 1781.2

Family:

Hannah Morris b. 4 Sep 1785
  • Marriage License*: Thomas Realf and Hannah Morris obtained a marriage licence on 5 July 1804 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England, Said on his Marriage licence to have come from Penshurst, Kent and to be a yeoman. No further information yet. Aged 21 +
    Bondsmen, Thomas Realf & William Newnham of Framfield, miller(South Melling Peculiar)
    Taken from Sussex Record Society Vol xxvi, Lewes Melling, M-Z. Sussex Marriage Licences.
    Marriages from 1789 - 1812, number 5 at ESRO, Lewes,Sussex,England Witnesses were William & Elizabeth Newnham.1
  • Marriage*: Thomas Realf married Hannah Morris, daughter of Joseph Morris and Hannah Turner, on 5 July 1804 at Framfield, Sussex, EnglandB, Thomas of Penshurst, Kent.1

Children:

Richard Realf+ b. 10 Feb 1805, d. 6 May 1881
Thomas Realf b. 22 Nov 1807

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  2. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Richard Realf

b. 10 February 1805, d. 6 May 1881

Parents:

Father: Thomas Realf b. c 1783
Mother: Hannah Morris b. 4 Sep 1785
Last Edited: 25 Sep 2011

Family:

Martha Highlands b. c Jan 1805, d. 19 Jan 1887

Children:

Edward Realf+ b. c Jan 1827, d. Mar 1895
Mary Realf b. c 1830
Richard Realf b. c 1832
Joseph Realf b. c 1835
Harriet Realf b. c 1839
Sarah Realf b. c 1842

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.

Martha Highlands

b. circa January 1805, d. 19 January 1887
Last Edited: 25 Sep 2011

Family:

Richard Realf b. 10 Feb 1805, d. 6 May 1881

Children:

Edward Realf+ b. c Jan 1827, d. Mar 1895
Mary Realf b. c 1830
Richard Realf b. c 1832
Joseph Realf b. c 1835
Harriet Realf b. c 1839
Sarah Realf b. c 1842

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.

Edward Realf

b. circa January 1827, d. March 1895

Parents:

Father: Richard Realf b. 10 Feb 1805, d. 6 May 1881
Mother: Martha Highlands b. c Jan 1805, d. 19 Jan 1887
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: Edward Realf was born circa January 1827 at Framfield, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • He was the son of Richard Realf and Martha Highlands.
  • Marriage*: Edward Realf married Caroline Allitt on 4 October 1848 at Wembley, Middlesex, England.
  • Occupation: Edward Realf was a gardener (deaf) on 7 April 1861.
  • Residence: On 7 April 1861 Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt lived at Northwood District Gates Hill, Ruislip, Middlesex, England.
  • Anecdote: Edward is totally deaf from paralysis according to the 1871 census.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt lived at Cambridge Street, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Occupation: Edward Realf was a shoemaker on 2 April 1871.
  • Occupation: Edward Realf was a shoemaker (jobbing) on 3 April 1881.
  • Residence: On 3 April 1881 Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Anecdote*: Edward is recorded as deaf and dumb in the 1891 census.
  • Residence*: On 5 April 1891 Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Occupation*: Edward Realf was a shoemaker on 5 April 1891.
  • Death*: Edward Realf died in March 1895 at Uckfield, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Burial*: Edward Realf was buried on 2 April 1895 at Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Anecdote: The Mystery of Edward Realf
    by Sheila Smith

    On 16th December, 1854, Ralph Edwards of Rickmansworth Hertfordshire, aged 23 joined the 9th Battalion of the Royal Artillery as a gunner/driver. He became a bombardier on the 10th January 1856, and was in Constantinople in hospital (possibly Scutari) in February 1856 when he had an apoplectic attack following a fever. By May he was in Portsmouth where he had a second attack and was invalided out of the R. A. on November 11th 1856. He had served for a total of one year and three hundred and thirty two days, of which eight months were in Constantinople, unfit for service. 11 Military records of Ralph Edwards, R. A. no: 4663 at TNA, Kew, Ralph’s war was a very short one. It seems likely that he was in action from December 1854 until about February 1856. He would not have been present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, or Inkerman (September, October and November 1854 respectively.) and was ill in Constantinople when the Armistice was signed on February 29th, 1856. Ralph would have been one of the second wave of troops sent out to the Crimea and, as a gunner, would probably have been involved in the second to the sixth bombardments of Sebastopol which met with varying degrees of success.22 See “Into Battle” British orders of Battle for the Crimean War 1854 to 1856 The taking of Sebastopol, in September 1855, marked the effective end of the war although the Treaty of Paris was not signed until the end of March.

    The facts from his Army medical records33 Military records of Ralph Edwards, R. A. no: 4663 at TNA, Kew, show that Ralph was returned to England in May 1856 after his first apoplectic attack (stroke) and had a second attack in Portsmouth, resulting in his having a “paralytic affection of the muscles of the face and tongue” and being “rendered totally deaf”. He was granted a pension of 6d per day from his discharge on the 11th November 1856 until 2nd June 1858 and this was renewed at six monthly intervals until it was made permanent on 26th April 1864.

    Edward Realf was born in January 1827 and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church. In the 1841 census Edward was living with his family at Farm Cottage, Isfield, Sussex. No more is known about Edward until 1848 when, on October 4th, he married Caroline Allitt, a servant, the daughter of William Allitt, a farmer of Sudbury on Thames, at St. John’s Church, Wembley Middlesex. The young couple were both twenty one and Edward was shown as the son of Richard Realf, a police constable of Uckfield, Sussex. Edward’s trade was shown as “labourer, late Royal Artillery”. 44 Marriage Certificate of Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt

    Edward and Caroline lived in the London area until sometime between 1868, when their son Edward Henry was born in Hendon, Middlesex and 1873 when their last recorded child, Joseph Thomas, was born in Uckfield. During the following years, three children were born between 1848 and 1853 and all of them were dead by October 1853. In fact, all the deaths are recorded in the same quarter in the indexes of the General Record Offices. It seems likely that they died of the third cholera epidemic which began in September of that year and resulted in 15000 deaths. The area in which the Realfs were living at this time was badly hit by the epidemic. In 1854, a daughter, Caroline was born in the final quarter of the year and it is about this time that Ralph Edwards enlisted in the Royal Artillery.

    The puzzle about Edward seems to begin with those words “labourer, late Royal Artillery” on his marriage certificate. To date I have been unable to find any sign of him in the records of the Royal Artillery at Kew and given his age, 21, he could not have served for very long in the army. Why had he left and did he, when he rejoined, use the name of Ralph Edwards of Rickmansworth Hertfordshire, aged 23? - He was actually 27. I have not as yet been able to solve the problem of why Edward re-enlisted under an alias, though circumstantial evidence, including his portrait, points to this. If so, he must certainly have kept up the deception throughout his life since army records for Ralph exist well into the 1870s.

    In September 1857, Edward and Caroline Realf had a son, Frederick Edward who was born at Batchworth, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Edward was an agricultural labourer at this point. Ralph had given his place of birth as Rickmansworth when he enlisted and was drawing his pension from Watford in November 1857. Frederick Edward was registered in Watford. I have still to verify whether Ralph’s pension was transferred to Uckfield between 1868 and 1873 but this seems likely.

    Documentary evidence for Edward’s return to Sussex and continued living there come from two letters by his brother Richard to his sister Sarah (Whapham) in the USA written when Richard paid a visit home to England in the summer of 1873. He mentions visiting Edward and says that “old Ned” is well.55 Photocopies of original letters by Richard Realf to Sarah Whapham Simon Wright’s article on “A Village School: Little Horsted in 1860s & 70s” in “Hindsight” Vol. 466 Journal of the Uckfield & district preservation Society shows Henry Realf (Edward Henry already mentioned, 10th child of Edward and Caroline) appearing in the school log for 1876, 1878 and 1879. By 1881, Edward is listed as a jobbing shoemaker of Horsted Green, Little Horsted in the census.

    In 1882, Thomas Suplee, a friend and biographer of Richard Realf, the American Civil War soldier and poet, came to England to visit Martha and Edward and his sister Ellen Madgwick. He wrote an article on this trip and his description of Edward adds to my conviction that Edward and Ralph are the same person. “I found Edward Realf, ……. Living in a little cottage, covered with rose vines, …………… In the hey-day of his youth and strength he enlisted in the army and was sent out for service in the Crimea. When he reached Constantinople , he was stricken down with disease then paralysed, and finally returned to England a perfect wreck!……………………Edward Realf is hopelessly deaf and all conversation with him is carried out by signs. ……….”77 “A Visit to the Early Home of Richard Realf” A letter written by Sarah Whapham on October 31st 1882 corroborates the story of Edward’s fever and paralysis, adding the information that he was in Scutari Hospital and received a pension of 6d per day for six months which was made permanent after Florence Nightingale wrote to the Prince Consort and Edward “agitated through the papers.”88 transcript of letter from Sarah Whapham to Thomas Suplee

    So was Ralph Edwards really Edward Realf? If so, why did he leave the Royal Artillery before his wedding in 1848? Did he re-enlist to earn money to keep his wife and baby daughter? If so, why did he use an alias which he never, as far as I know, used anywhere but in the army? Did he desert before October 4th 1848 and if he did, why admit to having been in the Royal Artillery on his marriage certificate? I feel almost certain that Ralph is Edward but I am still trying to find answers to these questions.

    Edward Realf died at Ridgewood, Uckfield in March 1895 and was buried in Little Horsted Churchyard on April 2nd of that year. Caroline lived on at 41 Horsted Green Cottages, Little Horsted, moving to live with her youngest son Joseph in West Hoathly after 1901. She died and was buried there in 1906.
  • Anecdote: The Mystery of Edward Realf (continued).
    by Sheila Smith

    Two years ago, my article about my 2 x great grandfather, Edward Realf, born in Framfield in 1827, I wrote that I was unable to account for his rejoining the Royal Artillery in 1854 under the name of Ralph Edwards. I speculated that he had deserted in order to marry in October 1848.

    A recent visit to TNA to research my Norfolk Tooby ancestors (all excise men) gave me the opportunity to look again at Edward’s military record. This time I was lucky and found the evidence of his earlier service in WO69/11, record number 844. I quote this below. It seems that poor Edward, far from being a deserter, was a victim of a less than romantic problem which led to his discharge! Incidentally, even on his first entry to the army, Edward was a little economical with the truth. His age on enlistment is given as 17, whereas he was really 19 years old. Having checked with the Royal Artillery Museum, it seems likely that this was simply a mistake on his part or upon the part of the army clerk who wrote up the record.

    WO69/11 record number 844. Edward Realf born in the parish of Framfield in the town of Uckfield in the county of Sussex. Enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 21st February 1846 at Lewes. Aged 17 years and 0 months with the rank of Gunner. Became a Driver dated 23rd February 1847 under age. 9th Battalion ? Brigade

    Discharged 11th July 1848 at the age of 19 years one hundred and forty days. Total service to 11th July is one year and one hundred and forty days. We certify that the above is a correct statement of the service of Edward Realf to the 11th July 1848.

    Discharged 11th July 1848 in consequence of varicose veins of the legs. Character very good.

    And the varicose veins? Well Edward came from a long line of agricultural labourers and probably worked in the fields round Uckfield from an early age.

Family:

Caroline Allitt b. c 1828, d. c Dec 1906

Children:

Caroline Realf b. c 1855
Frederick Edward Realf+ b. 13 Sep 1857, d. 1 Jun 1935
Richard Realf b. c 1859
William Realf b. c 1862
Mary Anne Realf b. c 1865
Henry Edward Realf b. c 1868
Joseph Realf b. c 1874

Caroline Allitt

b. circa 1828, d. circa December 1906
Last Edited: 6 May 2023
  • Birth*: Caroline Allitt was born circa 1828 at Marylebone, Middlesex, England.
  • Marriage*: Caroline Allitt married Edward Realf, son of Richard Realf and Martha Highlands, on 4 October 1848 at Wembley, Middlesex, England.
  • Married Name: As of 4 October 1848, her married name was Realf.
  • Residence: On 7 April 1861 Caroline Allitt and Edward Realf lived at Northwood District Gates Hill, Ruislip, Middlesex, England.
  • Residence: On 2 April 1871 Caroline Allitt and Edward Realf lived at Cambridge Street, Brighton, Sussex, England.
  • Residence: On 3 April 1881 Caroline Allitt and Edward Realf lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Residence*: On 5 April 1891 Caroline Allitt and Edward Realf lived at Horsted Green, Little Horsted, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Death*: Caroline Allitt died circa December 1906 at East Grinstead, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Anecdote: The Mystery of Edward Realf
    by Sheila Smith

    On 16th December, 1854, Ralph Edwards of Rickmansworth Hertfordshire, aged 23 joined the 9th Battalion of the Royal Artillery as a gunner/driver. He became a bombardier on the 10th January 1856, and was in Constantinople in hospital (possibly Scutari) in February 1856 when he had an apoplectic attack following a fever. By May he was in Portsmouth where he had a second attack and was invalided out of the R. A. on November 11th 1856. He had served for a total of one year and three hundred and thirty two days, of which eight months were in Constantinople, unfit for service. 11 Military records of Ralph Edwards, R. A. no: 4663 at TNA, Kew, Ralph’s war was a very short one. It seems likely that he was in action from December 1854 until about February 1856. He would not have been present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, or Inkerman (September, October and November 1854 respectively.) and was ill in Constantinople when the Armistice was signed on February 29th, 1856. Ralph would have been one of the second wave of troops sent out to the Crimea and, as a gunner, would probably have been involved in the second to the sixth bombardments of Sebastopol which met with varying degrees of success.22 See “Into Battle” British orders of Battle for the Crimean War 1854 to 1856 The taking of Sebastopol, in September 1855, marked the effective end of the war although the Treaty of Paris was not signed until the end of March.

    The facts from his Army medical records33 Military records of Ralph Edwards, R. A. no: 4663 at TNA, Kew, show that Ralph was returned to England in May 1856 after his first apoplectic attack (stroke) and had a second attack in Portsmouth, resulting in his having a “paralytic affection of the muscles of the face and tongue” and being “rendered totally deaf”. He was granted a pension of 6d per day from his discharge on the 11th November 1856 until 2nd June 1858 and this was renewed at six monthly intervals until it was made permanent on 26th April 1864.

    Edward Realf was born in January 1827 and baptised at St Thomas à Becket Church. In the 1841 census Edward was living with his family at Farm Cottage, Isfield, Sussex. No more is known about Edward until 1848 when, on October 4th, he married Caroline Allitt, a servant, the daughter of William Allitt, a farmer of Sudbury on Thames, at St. John’s Church, Wembley Middlesex. The young couple were both twenty one and Edward was shown as the son of Richard Realf, a police constable of Uckfield, Sussex. Edward’s trade was shown as “labourer, late Royal Artillery”. 44 Marriage Certificate of Edward Realf and Caroline Allitt

    Edward and Caroline lived in the London area until sometime between 1868, when their son Edward Henry was born in Hendon, Middlesex and 1873 when their last recorded child, Joseph Thomas, was born in Uckfield. During the following years, three children were born between 1848 and 1853 and all of them were dead by October 1853. In fact, all the deaths are recorded in the same quarter in the indexes of the General Record Offices. It seems likely that they died of the third cholera epidemic which began in September of that year and resulted in 15000 deaths. The area in which the Realfs were living at this time was badly hit by the epidemic. In 1854, a daughter, Caroline was born in the final quarter of the year and it is about this time that Ralph Edwards enlisted in the Royal Artillery.

    The puzzle about Edward seems to begin with those words “labourer, late Royal Artillery” on his marriage certificate. To date I have been unable to find any sign of him in the records of the Royal Artillery at Kew and given his age, 21, he could not have served for very long in the army. Why had he left and did he, when he rejoined, use the name of Ralph Edwards of Rickmansworth Hertfordshire, aged 23? - He was actually 27. I have not as yet been able to solve the problem of why Edward re-enlisted under an alias, though circumstantial evidence, including his portrait, points to this. If so, he must certainly have kept up the deception throughout his life since army records for Ralph exist well into the 1870s.

    In September 1857, Edward and Caroline Realf had a son, Frederick Edward who was born at Batchworth, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Edward was an agricultural labourer at this point. Ralph had given his place of birth as Rickmansworth when he enlisted and was drawing his pension from Watford in November 1857. Frederick Edward was registered in Watford. I have still to verify whether Ralph’s pension was transferred to Uckfield between 1868 and 1873 but this seems likely.

    Documentary evidence for Edward’s return to Sussex and continued living there come from two letters by his brother Richard to his sister Sarah (Whapham) in the USA written when Richard paid a visit home to England in the summer of 1873. He mentions visiting Edward and says that “old Ned” is well.55 Photocopies of original letters by Richard Realf to Sarah Whapham Simon Wright’s article on “A Village School: Little Horsted in 1860s & 70s” in “Hindsight” Vol. 466 Journal of the Uckfield & district preservation Society shows Henry Realf (Edward Henry already mentioned, 10th child of Edward and Caroline) appearing in the school log for 1876, 1878 and 1879. By 1881, Edward is listed as a jobbing shoemaker of Horsted Green, Little Horsted in the census.

    In 1882, Thomas Suplee, a friend and biographer of Richard Realf, the American Civil War soldier and poet, came to England to visit Martha and Edward and his sister Ellen Madgwick. He wrote an article on this trip and his description of Edward adds to my conviction that Edward and Ralph are the same person. “I found Edward Realf, ……. Living in a little cottage, covered with rose vines, …………… In the hey-day of his youth and strength he enlisted in the army and was sent out for service in the Crimea. When he reached Constantinople , he was stricken down with disease then paralysed, and finally returned to England a perfect wreck!……………………Edward Realf is hopelessly deaf and all conversation with him is carried out by signs. ……….”77 “A Visit to the Early Home of Richard Realf” A letter written by Sarah Whapham on October 31st 1882 corroborates the story of Edward’s fever and paralysis, adding the information that he was in Scutari Hospital and received a pension of 6d per day for six months which was made permanent after Florence Nightingale wrote to the Prince Consort and Edward “agitated through the papers.”88 transcript of letter from Sarah Whapham to Thomas Suplee

    So was Ralph Edwards really Edward Realf? If so, why did he leave the Royal Artillery before his wedding in 1848? Did he re-enlist to earn money to keep his wife and baby daughter? If so, why did he use an alias which he never, as far as I know, used anywhere but in the army? Did he desert before October 4th 1848 and if he did, why admit to having been in the Royal Artillery on his marriage certificate? I feel almost certain that Ralph is Edward but I am still trying to find answers to these questions.

    Edward Realf died at Ridgewood, Uckfield in March 1895 and was buried in Little Horsted Churchyard on April 2nd of that year. Caroline lived on at 41 Horsted Green Cottages, Little Horsted, moving to live with her youngest son Joseph in West Hoathly after 1901. She died and was buried there in 1906.
  • Anecdote: The Mystery of Edward Realf (continued).
    by Sheila Smith

    Two years ago, my article about my 2 x great grandfather, Edward Realf, born in Framfield in 1827, I wrote that I was unable to account for his rejoining the Royal Artillery in 1854 under the name of Ralph Edwards. I speculated that he had deserted in order to marry in October 1848.

    A recent visit to TNA to research my Norfolk Tooby ancestors (all excise men) gave me the opportunity to look again at Edward’s military record. This time I was lucky and found the evidence of his earlier service in WO69/11, record number 844. I quote this below. It seems that poor Edward, far from being a deserter, was a victim of a less than romantic problem which led to his discharge! Incidentally, even on his first entry to the army, Edward was a little economical with the truth. His age on enlistment is given as 17, whereas he was really 19 years old. Having checked with the Royal Artillery Museum, it seems likely that this was simply a mistake on his part or upon the part of the army clerk who wrote up the record.

    WO69/11 record number 844. Edward Realf born in the parish of Framfield in the town of Uckfield in the county of Sussex. Enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 21st February 1846 at Lewes. Aged 17 years and 0 months with the rank of Gunner. Became a Driver dated 23rd February 1847 under age. 9th Battalion ? Brigade

    Discharged 11th July 1848 at the age of 19 years one hundred and forty days. Total service to 11th July is one year and one hundred and forty days. We certify that the above is a correct statement of the service of Edward Realf to the 11th July 1848.

    Discharged 11th July 1848 in consequence of varicose veins of the legs. Character very good.

    And the varicose veins? Well Edward came from a long line of agricultural labourers and probably worked in the fields round Uckfield from an early age.

Family:

Edward Realf b. c Jan 1827, d. Mar 1895

Children:

Caroline Realf b. c 1855
Frederick Edward Realf+ b. 13 Sep 1857, d. 1 Jun 1935
Richard Realf b. c 1859
William Realf b. c 1862
Mary Anne Realf b. c 1865
Henry Edward Realf b. c 1868
Joseph Realf b. c 1874

Frederick Edward Realf

b. 13 September 1857, d. 1 June 1935

Parents:

Father: Edward Realf b. c Jan 1827, d. Mar 1895
Mother: Caroline Allitt b. c 1828, d. c Dec 1906
Last Edited: 19 Apr 2010

Family:

Mary Ann Tooby b. 15 Nov 1859, d. 27 Dec 1949

Child:

Reed William Neddel Realf+ b. 14 Oct 1888, d. Feb 1950

Mary Ann Tooby

b. 15 November 1859, d. 27 December 1949
Last Edited: 16 Oct 2017

Family:

Frederick Edward Realf b. 13 Sep 1857, d. 1 Jun 1935

Child:

Reed William Neddel Realf+ b. 14 Oct 1888, d. Feb 1950

Reed William Neddel Realf

b. 14 October 1888, d. February 1950

Parents:

Father: Frederick Edward Realf b. 13 Sep 1857, d. 1 Jun 1935
Mother: Mary Ann Tooby b. 15 Nov 1859, d. 27 Dec 1949
Last Edited: 8 Dec 2011

Family:

Lucy Marjorie Blore b. 13 Sep 1890, d. c Aug 1967

Child:

Reed Joseph Edward Realf+ b. 13 Nov 1919

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Oct-Dec 1888, Kings Norton, Worcestershire, Vol 6c Page 422."
  2. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Jan-Mar 1950, Birmingham, Vol 9c Page 496."

Lucy Marjorie Blore

b. 13 September 1890, d. circa August 1967
Last Edited: 8 Dec 2011

Family:

Reed William Neddel Realf b. 14 Oct 1888, d. Feb 1950

Child:

Reed Joseph Edward Realf+ b. 13 Nov 1919

Reed Joseph Edward Realf

b. 13 November 1919

Parents:

Father: Reed William Neddel Realf b. 14 Oct 1888, d. Feb 1950
Mother: Lucy Marjorie Blore b. 13 Sep 1890, d. c Aug 1967
Last Edited: 19 Apr 2010

John Pronger

b. 18 March 1804, d. 9 August 1880

Parents:

Father: Edmund Pronger
Mother: Sarah Wood
Last Edited: 5 Feb 2024

Family:

Mary Packham b. 12 Mar 1809

Children:

Harriet Pronger b. 13 Apr 1828
George Pronger b. 14 Jun 1829
Jane Pronger b. 30 Jan 1831
John Pronger b. 25 Aug 1833
Mary Ann Pronger+ b. 28 Dec 1834, d. 10 Sep 1922
Frances Pronger b. 4 Sep 1836

Citations

  1. [S16] 1851 Census for England "Class: HO107; Piece: 1642; Folio: 508; Page: 1; GSU roll: 193545."
  2. [S278] Transcript of the Parish Register of Clayton, Sussex, England, 1601 - 1840 (ESRO: WST/3/5).

Thomas Smith

Last Edited: 21 Apr 2017

Family:

Hannah Maria Fortescue Hoare b. 16 May 1852

Children:

Ada Rosa Smith b. 27 Apr 1882
Amy Smith b. c 1885
Lilian Amelia Smith+ b. 26 Sep 1892, d. 22 May 1968

Citations

  1. [S388] Website "FamilySearch" (http://www.familysearch.org/) ""England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DP9-7Y1 : 13 December 2014), Hannah Maria F Hoare, 1875; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1875, quarter 2, vol. 2A, p. 417, Kingston, Surrey, England, General Register Office, Southport, England."

Ada Rosa Smith

b. 27 April 1882

Parents:

Father: Thomas Smith
Mother: Hannah Maria Fortescue Hoare b. 16 May 1852
Last Edited: 20 Apr 2017

Family:

Frederick John Dannett b. c 1875

Frederick John Dannett

b. circa 1875
Last Edited: 20 Apr 2017

Family:

Ada Rosa Smith b. 27 Apr 1882

Ann Elizabeth Fortescue

b. 23 December 1827

Parents:

Father: John Fortescue b. c 1804, d. 1870
Mother: Anna Maria Tout b. 20 Sep 1807, d. 1878
Last Edited: 29 Jan 2014

Rebecca Barber

b. 2 February 1847, d. 1905

Parents:

Father: Robert Barber b. 6 Jul 1802, d. 4 Feb 1867
Mother: Jane Holden b. 17 Oct 1802, d. 28 Oct 1882
Last Edited: 6 Aug 2016

Family:

William Ollive b. 1846, d. 1912

Citations

  1. [S142] General Register Office: Indexes to Births, Sep 1837-2006, "Jan-Mar 1847, Brighton, Vol 7 Page 329."
  2. [S272] Copy of Letter from Victoria and Albert Griffiths, to Rita and Fred Barber, dated 1 June 1980 (GG Barber Private Archives, Perth, W. Australia) ""Brothers and Sisters of Grandfather Barber" attached to letter."
  3. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  4. [S259] Death certificate of Robert Barber, died 4 Feb 1867, registered 8 Feb 1867 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 155).
  5. [S143] General Register Office: Indexes to Marriages, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Apr-Jun 1870, Brighton, Vol 2b Page 288."
  6. [S81] Death certificate of Jane Barber, died 28 Oct 1882, registered 31 Oct 1882 in the Registration District of Brighton, Sussex, England (GRO Index Ref: Vol 2b Page 131).
  7. [S71] 1891 Census for England "RG12 piece 814 folio 89 page 18."
  8. [S141] General Register Office: Indexes to Deaths, Sep 1837 - 2006, "Jul-Sep 1905, Lewes, Vol 2b Page 94, age 58 years."
  9. [S73] 1911 Census for England "Class: RG14; Piece: 5148; Schedule Number: 221."

Mary Harbor

b. 18 April 1779, d. 1859

Parents:

Father: Stephen Harbor b. 26 Mar 1744
Mother: Tabitha Batchelor b. 15 Dec 1734
Last Edited: 10 Mar 2021
  • Birth: Mary Harbor was born in 1779 at Balcombe, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Baptism*: Mary Harbor was baptized on 18 April 1779 at Balcombe, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • She was the daughter of Stephen Harbor and Tabitha Batchelor.
  • Marriage*: Mary Harbor married Benjamin Jeffery, son of Isaac Jeffery and Mary Budgen, on 25 April 1795 at Balcombe, Sussex, EnglandB, both of Balcombe.2
  • Married Name: As of 25 April 1795, her married name was Jeffery.
  • Residence*: On 7 June 1841 Mary Harbor lived at Balcombe Lane, Balcombe, Sussex, England, a widow, 67 years, poor, living with with Frederick Jeffery age 22 years and Thomas Jeffery age 32 years and his wife Sarah age 28 years and family.3
  • Anecdote*: A Tithe record has the following entry which needs to be investigated further:
    Benjamin Jeffery
    J Jeffery
    Joseph Jeffery
    Mary Jeffery
    Mary Jeffry
    Cuckfield 30 November 1843
    WSRO Reference: TD/E91
    The source is described thus: Tithe record. The same surnames in each parish share an entry but are not necessarily related. Land occupied or owned in more than one parish has a separate entry. Entries with no Landowner or Tenant name have been omitted, eg Common Lands, Roads. There may be more than one reference to the person in the tithe record. The Repository, reference id, Parish and Date are shown on each entry. For other details: the quantities of land, the names of farms, you will need to consult the actual record. These records have been supplied by West Sussex Record Office who can supply a Tithe Map CD for any West Sussex parish. The map software includes a database of the apportionment details. The CD also has a full transcription in an MSExcel spreadsheet. Price £20 (plus £2 p&p) for CD with map, database and spreadsheet. See West Sussex Record Office website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/ro/ Findon more detail in record from J Excell's earlier indexing.4
  • Residence: On 30 March 1851 Mary Harbor lived at Balcombe Lane, Balcombe, Sussex, England, a pauper, 73 years, living with son Frederick Jeffery age 27 yrs (a farm labourer), and Frederick's niece Emily Streater age 12 yrs, and cousin Thomas Jeffery age 22 yrs (a sawyer).5
  • Death*: Mary Harbor died in 1859 at Balcombe, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Burial*: Mary Harbor was buried on 30 June 1859 at Balcombe, Sussex, EnglandB, age 81 years.6

Family:

Benjamin Jeffery b. 21 Mar 1770, d. 1840

Children:

John Jeffery b. 7 Feb 1796
Mildred Jeffery b. 21 Jan 1798
Mary Jeffery b. 8 Feb 1801
Martha Jeffery+ b. 27 Mar 1803, d. 1888
Benjamin Jeffery+ b. 6 Jan 1805
Elizabeth Jeffery+ b. 15 Feb 1807
Thomas Jeffery+ b. 4 Jun 1809, d. 1880
William Jeffery b. 23 Jun 1811
Isaac Jeffery+ b. 26 Sep 1813, d. 1872
Harriet Jeffery b. 29 Oct 1815
Frederick Jeffery+ b. 12 Jan 1823
James Jeffery b. 12 Jan 1823

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S67] 1841 Census for England "HO107 piece 1111 folio 2/10 page 13, "widow poor.""
  4. [S266] Index to People, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project, "Source: 142, Entry: 89890."
  5. [S16] 1851 Census for England "HO107 piece 1642 folio 154 page 15."
  6. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project, "81 years."

Martha Jeffery

b. 27 March 1803, d. 1888

Parents:

Father: Benjamin Jeffery b. 21 Mar 1770, d. 1840
Mother: Mary Harbor b. 18 Apr 1779, d. 1859
Last Edited: 24 Aug 2020

Family 1:

Child:

Benjamin Jeffery b. 23 Apr 1826

Family 2:

Richard Stedman Streeter b. 27 Oct 1799, d. 1857

Children:

Harriet Streeter b. 14 Mar 1830, d. 1905
Martha Streeter b. 29 Mar 1834
Abraham Streeter b. 10 Apr 1837
Frederick Streeter b. 3 Apr 1842, d. 1934
Edward Stedman Streeter b. 14 Dec 1845, d. 1930

Citations

  1. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  2. [S16] 1851 Census for England "HO107 piece 1642 folio 155 page 17."

Isaac Jeffery

b. 24 September 1737, d. 1799
Last Edited: 13 Jun 2018

Family:

Mary Budgen b. 10 Aug 1746, d. 1801

Children:

John Jeffery b. 10 Apr 1766
Isaac Jeffery b. 27 Mar 1768
Benjamin Jeffery+ b. 21 Mar 1770, d. 1840
Thomas Jeffery+ b. 10 Apr 1774, d. 1845
Elizabeth Jeffery b. 9 Jun 1776
Catherine Jeffery b. 1 Nov 1778
Sarah Jeffery b. 12 Nov 1780
William Jeffery+ b. 25 Apr 1784, d. 1850
Ann Jeffery+ b. 9 Jul 1786
Mildred Jeffery b. 27 Dec 1788, d. 1866

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.

John Gladman

b. 6 January 1698/99, d. 1778

Parents:

Father: William Gladman b. 6 Sep 1674, d. b 1720
Mother: Joan Martin b. 6 Jun 1673, d. 1720
Last Edited: 7 May 2023
  • Birth: John Gladman was born in 1699 at Ringmer, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Baptism*: John Gladman was baptized on 6 January 1698/99 at Ringmer, Sussex, EnglandB.1
  • He was the son of William Gladman and Joan Martin.
  • Marriage*: John Gladman married Sarah Rich, daughter of Richard Rich and Mary (?), on 20 November 1720 at West Firle, Sussex, EnglandB.2
  • Marriage*: John Gladman married Ann Cheale on 26 February 1753 at West Firle, Sussex, EnglandB, by licence.2
  • Occupation*: John Gladman was a yeoman farmer in 1771.3
  • Will*: John Gladman left a will made on 21 August 1771 at West Firle, Sussex, EnglandB.3
  • Will/Adm Transcript*: "I John Gladman of Westfirle in the County of Sussex yeoman do this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say after payment of all my just Debts I give and bequeath all my Stock Goods Chattels personal Estate and Effects whatsoever unto my loving wife Ann to hold unto her my said wife for and during the time of her natural life if she shall so long continue my Widow And from and immediately after her decease or second marriage which shall first happen I give and bequeath the same unto my Son and three Daughters by my said wife namely George Ann Mary and Elizabeth to be equally divided between them Share and Share alike (John Gladman and William Gladman my sons by a former Wife having already received their Share and Proportion of my Estate) And I do make and appoint my said wife Ann the sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the day and year above written – John Gladman – Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Gladman the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereunto – Edwd Luxford – Wm Raynes
    The
    Will of John Gladman late of Westfirle within the Archdeaconry of Lewes yeoman deceased was proved the ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight before the Reverend Peter Guerin Crofts Clerk -- Surrogate and soforth Upon the Oath of Ann Gladman Widow the sole Executrix named in his said Will to whom was committed the Administration of the Goods and soforth She being first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same and soforth."
  • Death*: John Gladman died in 1778 at West Firle, Sussex, EnglandB.
  • Burial*: John Gladman was buried on 8 April 1778 at St Peter's, West Firle, Sussex, EnglandB, occupation stated as farmer.4
  • Probate: His estate was probated on 9 April 1778 at Archdeaconry of Lewes, Sussex, England.3

Family 1:

Sarah Rich b. 19 Jan 1695/96, d. b 1753

Children:

John Gladman b. 21 Feb 1720/21, d. a 22 Feb 1721
John Gladman b. 22 Mar 1721/22
William Gladman+ b. 16 Jan 1723/24, d. c 1780

Family 2:

Ann Cheale b. 1726, d. 1813

Children:

Ann Gladman b. 27 Dec 1753
Mary Gladman+ b. 24 Sep 1755
George Gladman b. 12 Feb 1757, d. 1757
George Gladman+ b. 22 Feb 1758, d. Oct 1829
Elizabeth Gladman+ b. 7 Nov 1759

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.
  3. [S333] Will of John Gladman of West Firle, Sussex, England, made 21 Aug 1771, proved in the Archdeaconry court of Lewes, 9 Apr 1778. (ESRO: PBT/1/1/63/846).
  4. [S25] Online Index to Burials, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.

Sarah Rich

b. 19 January 1695/96, d. before 1753

Parents:

Father: Richard Rich b. c 1660
Mother: Mary (?)
Last Edited: 7 May 2023

Family:

John Gladman b. 6 Jan 1698/99, d. 1778

Children:

John Gladman b. 21 Feb 1720/21, d. a 22 Feb 1721
John Gladman b. 22 Mar 1721/22
William Gladman+ b. 16 Jan 1723/24, d. c 1780

Citations

  1. [S23] Online Index to Baptisms, 1538 onwards, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, http://www.sfhg.uk/, ongoing project,.
  2. [S24] Index to Marriages, 1538-1837, Compact Disc SFHGCD003, compiled by Sussex Family History Group, 2008.