Person Page - 315

Christopher A'Downe

Parents:

• Birth*: Christopher A'Downe was born circa 1560 at Sussex, England.
• He was the son of William A'Downe and Eleanor Saxbyes.
• Marriage*: Christopher A'Downe married Dorothy Burgess on 12 November 1592 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• (Witness) Will: Christopher A'Downe is mentioned in the will of John A'Downe dated 7 November 1600 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Death*: Christopher A'Downe died in 1602 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Christopher A'Downe was buried on 4 April 1602 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.³

Dorothy Burgess

• Marriage*: Dorothy Burgess married Christopher A'Downe, son of William A'Downe and Eleanor Saxbyes, on 12 November 1592 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• Married Name: As of 12 November 1592, her married name was A'Downe.
• Death*: Dorothy Burgess died after 21 March 1601/2 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Dorothy Burgess was buried on 24 March 1602 at St Alban, Frant, Sussex, England^B, "Dorothea DOWNE, wife of Christopher."²

John A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: John A'Downe was baptized on 16 September 1593 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• He was the son of Christopher A'Downe and Dorothy Burgess.
• Anecdote*: Possible marriage to Helen Loake at Rotherfield on 22 Jan 1609/10. Might be too young though?²

Agnes A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: Agnes A'Downe was baptized on 10 June 1599 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• She was the daughter of Christopher A'Downe and Dorothy Burgess.
• Marriage*: Agnes A'Downe married Edward Harris on 9 June 1631 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Married Name: As of 9 June 1631, her married name was Harris.

Dorothea A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: Dorothea A'Downe was baptized on 21 March 1601/2 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.^1,2
• She was the daughter of Christopher A'Downe and Dorothy Burgess.

Mary Ann Morley

Parents:

• Birth*: Mary Ann Morley was born circa 1851 at Brighton, Sussex, England^B.
• She was the daughter of William Henry Morley and Mary Ann Marchant.
• Anecdote*: All the information on the family of Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley has been provided by Cynthia McCaughan. It is recommended that anyone with a serious interest in this family contact her.
• Residence*: In January 1872 Mary Ann Morley and Alfred Silvester lived at 33 Stanley St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Mary Ann Morley married Alfred Silvester, son of Henry Silverston and Esther Lisher, on 27 January 1872 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, England^B.¹
  
• Married Name: As of 27 January 1872, her married name was Silvester.
• Emigration*: Mary Ann Morley and Alfred Silvester emigrated in December 1872 to New Zealand on the ship "Zealandia". They departed London on 8 Oct 1872 for Port Chalmers via Bluff, arriving Bluff 28 Dec 1872. The Silvester’s immigrated under a labour scheme and when they arrived Alfred worked as a platelayer building the southern railway.
• Anecdote*: In 1933 there were seven living children according to Mary Ann's death certificate.
• Death*: Mary Ann Morley died on 3 August 1933 at Bluff, Southland, New Zealand.
  
• Burial*: Mary Ann Morley was buried on 5 August 1933 at Bluff Cemetery, Bluff, Southland, New Zealand.

Alfred Silvester

Parents:

• Birth*: Alfred Silvester was born on 3 April 1849 at Edburton, Sussex, England^B; born SILVERSON.
• He was the son of Henry Silverston and Esther Lisher.
• Baptism: Alfred Silvester was baptized on 20 May 1849 at St Peter's, Woodmancote, Sussex, England^B, surname SILVERSON, abode Edburton, occupation labourer.¹
• Anecdote*: All the information on the family of Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley has been provided by Cynthia McCaughan. It is recommended that anyone with a serious interest in this family contact her.
• Occupation*: Alfred Silvester was a mariner in 1872.
• Residence*: In January 1872 Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley lived at 33 Stanley St, Brighton, Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Alfred Silvester married Mary Ann Morley, daughter of William Henry Morley and Mary Ann Marchant, on 27 January 1872 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex, England^B.²
  
• Emigration*: Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley emigrated in December 1872 to New Zealand on the ship "Zealandia". They departed London on 8 Oct 1872 for Port Chalmers via Bluff, arriving Bluff 28 Dec 1872. The Silvester’s immigrated under a labour scheme and when they arrived Alfred worked as a platelayer building the southern railway.
• Death*: Alfred Silvester died on 23 November 1930 at Bluff, Southland, New Zealand, at age 81.

Nettie Zealandia Silvester

Parents:

• Birth*: Nettie Zealandia Silvester was born on 17 April 1890 at Bluff, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand.
• She was the daughter of Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley.
• Name Variation: Nettie Zealandia Silvester was also known as Nellie.
• Marriage*: Nettie Zealandia Silvester married Ernest Bertram Crooks on 27 August 1910 at Southland, New Zealand.
• Married Name: As of 27 August 1910, her married name was Crooks.
• Death*: Nettie Zealandia Silvester died on 11 January 1964 at Southland, New Zealand, at age 73.

Ernest Bertram Crooks

• Birth*: Ernest Bertram Crooks was born on 10 September 1885.
• Marriage*: Ernest Bertram Crooks married Nettie Zealandia Silvester, daughter of Alfred Silvester and Mary Ann Morley, on 27 August 1910 at Southland, New Zealand.
• Death*: Ernest Bertram Crooks died in 1981.

Elaine Dorothy Crooks

Parents:

• Birth*: Elaine Dorothy Crooks was born on 1 January 1922.
• She was the daughter of Ernest Bertram Crooks and Nettie Zealandia Silvester.
• Marriage*: Elaine Dorothy Crooks married Gerald Patrick Stanaway circa 1945.
• Married Name: As of circa 1945, her married name was Stanaway.
• Death*: Elaine Dorothy Crooks died on 12 February 2011 at Auckland, New Zealand, at age 89.

Gerald Patrick Stanaway

• Birth*: Gerald Patrick Stanaway was born on 19 March 1904 at Auckland, New Zealand.
• Marriage*: Gerald Patrick Stanaway married Elaine Dorothy Crooks, daughter of Ernest Bertram Crooks and Nettie Zealandia Silvester, circa 1945.
• Death*: Gerald Patrick Stanaway died on 1 January 2000 at age 95.

Agnes (?)

• Marriage*: Agnes (?) married Robert Farmer, son of Thomas Farmer and Elizabeth (?), on 16 November 1539 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B, Probably a second or third marriage. Wife's name not given on the marriage but Robert's will gives wife's names as Agnes or Annes.¹
• Married Name: As of 16 November 1539, her married name was Farmer.
• (Witness) Will: Agnes (?) is mentioned in the will of Robert Farmer dated 1 June 1546 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Anecdote*: Robert’s wife is noted as Agnes in manorial records. At the Rotherfield manor court held 30 Jan 1587/88:
  It is found that Robert Farmer & Agnes his wife who held one tenement & garden on R. Hyll & 1 parcel called Marlynge containing 5 acres & 3 rods assart lying next Byddendenstole & 1 parcel called Inhome 5 acres Mylhole, a croft called Rowcroft ... 1 meadow Coosmeade containing 6 acres, ..... comes Thomas Farmer at crosse, eldest son & heir & prays, etc.
  Robert Farmer who held 7 acres of assart of Henlye in B. died ..... Comes Thomas Farmer at Crosse
  Robert Farmer who dies held 1 parcel containing 17 acres called Rugham in Scuttlecrouch in Rotherfield. Comes Thomas Farmer at Crosse his eldest son etc.
  There is a marriage for Robert FARMER at Rotherfield St Denys on 16 November 1539 (no wife name). So Agnes is likely to be a second or third wife and cannot be the mother of all Robert’s children. (Sussex Marriage Index.)³

George Farmer

Parents:

• Birth*: George Farmer was born circa 1525 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.
• He was the son of Robert Farmer.
• (Witness) Will: George Farmer is mentioned in the will of Robert Farmer dated 1 June 1546 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹
• (Witness) Will: George Farmer is mentioned in the will of Alexander Farmer dated 23 January 1558 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B; Note: 23 Jan 1558/59.²

Thomas Farmer

• Birth*: Thomas Farmer was born circa 1520 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Thomas Farmer married Margaret Woodgatt on 22 April 1543 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B, Margaret is "of Penshurst". Surname probably meant to be WOODGATE.¹
• Anecdote: There are two possible marriages at Rotherfield St Denys for Thomas Farmer and Margaret:
  1) 22 Apr 1543 Thomas Farmer and Margaret Woodgatt of Penshurst
  2) 5 May 1550 Thomas Farmor and Margaret Scot
  The other Thomas Farmer is considered to be the one referred to as "Thomas Farmer at Merke" [Mark Cross] who was buried in April 1591 at Rotherfield.
  The earlier marriage is considered correct because the manorial court held 12 Dec 1558 mentions sons John and Daniel, and John was baptised in 1547 before the second marriage in 1550. So the earlier marriage must apply to this family.
• Will*: Thomas Farmer left a will made on 10 August 1558 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Will/Adm Transcript*: In the name of god Amen in the yere of our Lord god 1558 the x[th] day of August I Thomas farmar of the pryshe of Retherfeld beyng syck in bodye but hole of mynde & pfyte [perfect] of remebrace make this my testament in ma. & forme followyng ffirst I bequethe my Soule to Allmyghtye god & to our ladye & to all the holye companye in heven & my bodye to be beryed in the churche yeard of Rotherfeld aforesayd Item I wyll to margaret farmer my syster a Twelmontyng bullocke Itm I wyll my wyfe shall have all the pfyt [profit] of my land at [Lyminge] Into the tyme my Sonne Danyell cometh to the age of xxi^ti yeres and the two next years after I wyll the pyfit shall remayne to my v Dawghtres Equally devyded yff any of them dye [then] twoo yeres that her or ther pte so dyeng shalbe shyffted among the others Also I will to my sone Danyell ii oxen [illeg.] The Resydew of all my goods not gyven I gyve & bequeth to margaret my wyfe whome I wyll & I make my sole Executrix of this my Testament & last wyll & I mak & ordayn John Farmor to be my ovseer and he…
  MISSING PAGE?
  (Transcribed by Claire Wickens, 5th March 2017 for Geoffrey Barber.)
  
• (Witness) Will: Thomas Farmer is mentioned in the will of John Farmer dated 13 October 1558 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.^3,4
• Anecdote*: At the Rotherfield manor court held 12 Dec 1558:
  At this court it is known that Thomas Fermor since last court surrendered into the lord’s hand by acceptance of George Maynard, deputy bedell in presence of John Fermor & Stephen Chintinge a cottage & 15 acres land upon Rotherfield Hill of assart, viz. to use of Margaret Fermor wife of the said Thomas for the term of her life to ….? From that person to John Fermor son of Thomas & his heirs under condition however that the said Margaret does not claim or sell any title, marriage dowry or jointure or other way ….? whatsoever after the age of 21 years of Daniel Farmer son of the said Thomas which the lord etc. fine 20d.⁵
• Death*: Thomas Farmer died in June 1559 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Thomas Farmer was buried on 6 June 1559 at St Denys, Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.⁶

Elizabeth Christian

• Birth*: Elizabeth Christian was born circa 1766 at Sussex, England.
• Marriage*: Elizabeth Christian married Samuel Akehurst, son of John Akehurst and Elizabeth Fuller, on 27 October 1789 at Pevensey, Sussex, England^B, Both of this parish; witnesses: John Breden and John Christian.¹
• Married Name: As of 27 October 1789, her married name was Akehurst.
• Death*: Elizabeth Christian died in 1827 at Pevensey, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Elizabeth Christian was buried on 28 November 1827 at St Nicholas, Pevensey, Sussex, England^B, "61 years."²

Jane Burt

• Birth*: Jane Burt was born circa 1769 at England.
• Marriage*: Jane Burt married William Akehurst, son of John Akehurst and Elizabeth Fuller, on 31 March 1788 at Mayfield, Sussex, England^B, Both of this parish.¹
• Married Name: As of 31 March 1788, her married name was Akehurst.
• Death*: Jane Burt died in 1805 at Mayfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Jane Burt was buried on 19 May 1805 at St Dunstan, Mayfield, Sussex, England^B, "36 years."²

Bartholomew Farmer

Parents:

• Birth*: Bartholomew Farmer was born circa 1500 at England.
• He was the son of Edward Farmer and Margaret (?)
• Anecdote: Bartholomew is probably the son of Edward and Margaret Farmer because:
  1. Bartholomew's brothers George and William are named in his administration after his death in 1558 (see below). Their occupations are tanner and trugger respectively.
  2. It is speculated that Edward Farmer had a son George (see admon for George Farmer 1558) because George inherited a property that belonged to Edward Farmer; the assumption being that George was Edward's son & heir (however, it is also possible that Edward was an uncle and not the father). The information is found in the Rotherfield manor court held 22 Oct 1559 (at the time of George's death) notes that "At this court it is found by the homage that George Farmer who held 17 acres formerly Edward Farmers died as siesed & there falls a heriot a red hoved cow which has been delivered, that George Farmer is his eldest son & next heir & is 15 years old & now he comes & asks admittance & gives of relief 5/- etc."
  3. The admon of this George Farmer 1558 does mention a William Farmer and gives his occupation as trugger.
  4. Analysis of surviving Farmer wills and admons does not show any other obvious link.¹
• Death*: Bartholomew Farmer died in 1558 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.
• Admon*: Administration of Bartholomew Farmer was granted on 1558 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.²
• Will/Adm Transcript*: Rotherfield
  Bartholomew Fermer dying intestate
  George Fermer tanner [sic] William Fermer trugger his brothers
  having [sworn] to administer… [can’t make out the rest].
  (Transcribed by Claire Wickens, 4th March 2017 for Geoffrey Barber.)

Edward Harris

• Marriage*: Edward Harris married Agnes A'Downe, daughter of Christopher A'Downe and Dorothy Burgess, on 9 June 1631 at Rotherfield, Sussex, England^B.¹

David Laghen

• Marriage*: David Laghen married Elizabeth A'Downe, daughter of William A'Downe and Eleanor Saxbyes, on 18 June 1593 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.¹

Elizabeth A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: Elizabeth A'Downe was baptized on 6 September 1590 at Frant, Sussex, England^B, DOWNE.^1,2
• She was the daughter of Edward A'Downe and Alice (?)
• Marriage*: Elizabeth A'Downe married Andrew Okell on 20 June 1614 at Frant, Sussex, England^B, surname DOWNE.³
• Married Name: As of 20 June 1614, her married name was Okell.

John A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: John A'Downe was baptized on 7 January 1592/93 at Frant, Sussex, England^B, DOWNE, son to Edward.^1,2
• He was the son of Edward A'Downe and Alice (?)
• Death*: John A'Downe died in 1594 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: John A'Downe was buried on 10 June 1594 at St Alban, Frant, Sussex, England^B, "John adowne, son to Edward."^3,4

Andrew Okell

• Marriage*: Andrew Okell married Elizabeth A'Downe, daughter of Edward A'Downe and Alice (?), on 20 June 1614 at Frant, Sussex, England^B, surname DOWNE.¹

Edward A'Downe

Parents:

• Baptism*: Edward A'Downe was baptized on 29 October 1587 at Frant, Sussex, England^B, A'DOWNE.¹
• He was the son of Edward A'Downe and Alice (?)
• Death*: Edward A'Downe died in 1596 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.
• Burial*: Edward A'Downe was buried on 20 June 1596 at Frant, Sussex, England^B.²