Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Thomas CROUCH (1798-1874)

and Sarah MASTERS (1803-1883)

Thomas Crouch and Sarah Masters married by banns on 9 April 1820 in Bexhill, Sussex.   (They were not my direct ancestors.)

Thomas Crouch was baptised on 9 September 1798 in Burwash, Sussex.  He was the son of John Crouch (1764-?) and Mary Vidler (1766-?).  Thomas died aged 76 years and his death was registered in the second quarter of 1876 in the Battle registration district.

Sarah Masters was baptised on 23 January 1803 in Ewhurst, Sussex.  She was the daughter of John Masters (1770-?) and Ruth Eversfield (1758-1844).  Sarah died aged 80 years and her death was registered in the second quarter of 1883 in the Battle registration district.

At the time of 1841 census, the couple together with their 5 children and Sarah's mother, were living in the hamlet of Netherfield within the parish of Battle.  Thomas was then an agricultural labourer.

In 1851 the family were living in Netherfield.  Thomas was a 54 year old agricultural labourer and gave his place of birth as Burwash.  Sarah was, what looks like 42 years old, and gave her place of birth as Ewhurst.

The 1861 census recorded that the couple and 2 daughters were living in Netherfield.  Thomas was then 62 and Sarah was 59.  Also with them was 5 year old Thomas Crouch who was said to be their son.

When the 1871 census was recorded 73 year old Thomas and 68 year old Sarah were living in Netherfield Road, Battle.  He was still an agricultural labourer and she was a laundress.  With them on census night as their daughter Frances and 15 year old grandson Thomas.

In 1881, Sarah was a 78 year old widow and she was living in Netherfield Road with daughter Frances and 25 year old grandson, Thomas.  Sarah was then said to be a tailoress.

Thomas Crouch and Sarah Masters had 10 known children:

1. John Crouch was baptised on 28 August 1820 in Ewhurst.

2. Mary Ann Crouch was baptised on 11 November 1821 in Ewhurst.

3. Kitty Crouch was baptised on 16 May 1824 in Ewhurst.

4. Frances Crouch was baptised on 4 March 1827 in Battle.  She was 14 years old in 1841 and 24 in 1851.  It was recorded in the 1851 and 1861 census that she was deaf and dumb from birth.  In 1861 she was an unmarried 34 year old dressmaker and living with her parents.  She was an unmarried 44 year old seamstress in 1871 and living with her parents.  The census noted that she was deaf, dumb and lame, not from birth.  In 1881, she was a 54 years old and living with her mother.  This time the census said she was deaf, dumb and lame from birth.

5. Harriet Evenfield Crouch was baptised on 20 September 1829 in Battle.  She was 11 years old in 1841.

6. Thomas Crouch was baptised on 30 December 1832 in Battle.  In 1841 he was 9 years old and in 1851 he was an 18 year old agricultural labourer.

7. Sarah Crouch was baptised on 21 July 1835 in Battle.  She was 6 years old in 1841.

8. Ruth Crouch was born about 1839 in Battle.  She was 2 years old when the 1841 census was recorded.  In 1851 she was 12 years old.

   Ruth married James Knight in the second quarter of 1859 in the Rye registration district.

   When the 1861 census was recorded, Ruth was 22 years old, married and the head of her household.  Her husband was not at home on census night.  With her was her infant daughter and they were living at Toll House in Battle, where Ruth was the toll collector.

   James and Ruth had the following child:

   1. Ruth Knight was born about 1860/1 in Battle.  She was 3 months old when the 1861 census was recorded.

9. William Crouch was born about 1843 in Battle.  He was 8 years old in 1851.

10. Maria Crouch was born about 1847 in Battle.  In 1851 she was 4 years old.  She was a 15 year old house servant in 1861 and living with her parents.

CROUCH          MASTERS