Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Thomas GUMBRELL (1805-1861)

and Sarah SIMMONS (1811-1883)

Thomas Gumbrell and Sarah Simmons married by banns on 10 June 1834 in Henfield, Sussex.  He was then a bachelor from Poynings, Sussex and she was a spinster of Henfield.  The witnesses to their marriage were Mary Pellen and James Luxford.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

Thomas Gumbrell was baptised on 22 July 1805 in Poynings.  He was the son of Samuel Gumbrell (1779-1855) and Zilpha Greenfield (c1779-1825).  Thomas died aged 56 years and was buried on 4 August 1861 in Poynings.  He was a cordwainer, i.e. a leather worker, and shoemaker.

Sarah Symonds was born on 28 January 1811 and baptised on 3 March 1811 in Henfield.  She was the daughter of James Simmons and Frances Luxford.  She died aged 72 years and was buried on 12 April 1883 in Poynings.

When the 1841 census was recorded the couple were living in Poynings Street, Poynings.  Thomas was a 35 year old shoemaker and Sarah was 30.  Also with them were 3 of their children, 22 year old servant Mary Simmons and 11 year old William Barber.  They were living next door to the family of William Lelliott.

At the time of the 1851 census the couple were living in Poynings Street, Poynings, along with 6 of their children.  Thomas was then a 45 year old cordwainer from Poynings and Sarah was 40 and born in Henfield.

In 1861 the couple were living in Poynings village.  Thomas was a 55 year old shoemaker and Sarah was 50.  Also with them was their youngest daughter and unmarried 56 year old servant, Thomas Matthews a shoemaker from Shermanbury.

The 1871 census recorded that Sarah was a 60 year old widow and charwoman, living in Poynings.  Also with her was her daughter Mahala.

In 1881, Sarah was said to be a 70 year old widow and former nurse, living in Poynings Street.  Also with her was unmarried 71 year old lodger Mary Thorpe who was infirm and in receipt of parish relief.

Thomas Gumbrell and Sarah Simmons had 6 known children:

1. Henry Gumbrill was born in Poynings as per the 1851 census, although he was baptised on 7 June 1835 in Henfield.  He was a 15 year old labourer in 1851 and living with his parents.

2. William Gumbril was born on 24 February 1837 and baptised on 26 March 1837 in Poynings.  The baptism register noted that his father was a cordwainer.  He was a 14 year old labourer in 1851.

   William married Harriett Pelling on 27 February 1858 in Poynings.  He was a 21 year old bachelor and cordwainer and she was a 20 year old spinster.  Their fathers were named as Thomas Gumbrell a cordwainer and Isaac Jordan a miller.  The witnesses to their marriage were F. Pelling and R. Pelling.

3. Louisa Gumbrell was baptised on 1 December 1839 in Poynings.  The baptism register noted that her father was a cordwainer.  She was an 11 year old scholar in 1851.

4. Samuel Gumbrel was born on 2 April 1842 and baptised on 8 May 1842 in Poynings.  The baptism register noted that his father was a cordwainer.  He was an 8 year old scholar in 1851.

5. Fanny Gumbrell was born on 2 January 1844 and baptised on 11 February 1844 in Poynings.  The baptism register noted that her father was a cordwainer.  She was a 7 year old scholar in 1851.

   Fanny married Michael Wheeler on 2 August 1863 in Poynings.  He was then a 24 year old bachelor and blacksmith from Brighton and she was a 29 year old spinster of Poynings.  Their fathers were named as William Wheeler a blacksmith and Thomas Gumbrell a cordwainer.  The witnesses to their marriage were W. Wheeler and M. Gumbrell.

6. Mahala Gumbrell was baptised on 27 May 1849 in Poynings.  The baptism register noted that her father was a cordwainer.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was a year old.  In 1861 she was an 11 year old scholar and the only one of her siblings living at home.  At the time of the 1871 census she was an unmarried 21 year old domestic servant and living with her mother.  She died in the second quarter of 1886 in the East Grinstead registration district.

   Mahala had the following child:

   1. Norah Wheeler Gumbrell was baptised on 22 February 1880 in Poynings.  Norah married John Blunden in 1903.

   Mahala married married George Laker in the first quarter of 1886 in the East Grinstead registration district.

GUMBRELL          SIMMONDS