Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Joseph MASTERS (1784-1847)

and Alice BATES (c1790-1815)

and Elizabeth BATES (c1794-1857)

Joseph Mastus and Alicia Bates married by banns on Wednesday 22 April 1807 in Peasmarsh, Sussex.  They were both of Peasmarsh and both made their marks.  The witnesses to their marriage were Robert Mastus and Thomas Markquick who both signed their names.  (Thomas may have been a church warden as he witnessed several marriages.)  They were married by the vicar, John Lettice.  The banns were published on 29 March, 5 and 12 April 1807 in Peasmarsh (ref.1).  He then married Elizabeth Bates on Monday 25 November 1816 in Bexhill, Sussex. 

Joseph Masthouse was baptised on Sunday 1 August 1784 in Icklesham, Sussex.  He was the son of Robert Masters (1747-1819) and Mary Hicks (c1741-1819).  He died aged 62 years and was buried on Sunday 21 March 1847 at All Saints in Icklesham.  (The photograph is of All Saints Church, Icklesham.  Please click on the image for more details about the village.)

Alice Bates was born about 1790.  She died aged 25 years and was buried on Wednesday 1 February 1815 in Icklesham. 

Elizabeth Bates was born about 1794 in Beckley, Sussex.  Might she have been baptised on 13 August 1797 in Ewhurst, Sussex and have been the daughter of Benjamin Bates and Margaret?  She died aged 63 years and was buried on 23 February 1857 in Icklesham. 

When the 1841 census was recorded the couple and their 8 children were living in Icklesham and Joseph was earning his living as an agricultural labourer.  Elizabeth was a 57 year old widow when the 1851 census was recorded and she then gave her place of birth as Beckley.  She was living in Icklesham along with 4 of her children and unmarried 35 year old lodger, Henry Hall.

Joseph Masters and Alice Bates had 2 known children:

1. Sarah Mastus was baptised on 12 June 1810 in Icklesham.  Did she marry John Morris on 30 December 1832 in Guestling, Sussex? 

2. Caroline Mastus was baptised on Sunday 27 December 1812 in Icklesham.  She died in 1849. 

   Caroline married Thomas Eldridge by banns on 26 April 1834 in Udimore, Sussex.  They were both then of Udimore. 

   Thomas was baptised on 3 March 1811 in Udimore and was the son of William Eldridge (1792-1870) and Philadelphia Turner (184-1861). 

   When the 1841 census was recorded the couple, together with 3 children and 35 year old James Satly were living at Marshals in Udimore.  Thomas was then an agricultural labourer.  In 1851, Thomas was a 39 year old widower living in Udimore with his 4 children.  Also with them were 50 year old widow and housekeeper, Gilead Streeter and 16 year old visitor, Elizabeth Streeter.  The previous property on the census enumerators route was Marshalls and that was occupied by the family of Alfred Whiteman.

   Thomas and Caroline had 7 known children:

   1. Edward Eldridge was baptised on 17 August 1834 in Udimore, at which time his father was a labourer.  He died aged 9 months and was buried on 17 April 1835 in Udimore.

   2. Thomas Eldridge was baptised on 27 March 1836 in Udimore, at which time his father was a labourer.  He was 5 years old in 1841.  In 1851 he was a 15 year old agricultural labourer.

   3. Alfred Eldridge was baptised on 27 May 1838 in Udimore, at which time his father was a labourer.  He was 3 years old in 1841.

   4. William Eldridge was born in 1840 in Udimore.  He was a year old when the 1841 census was recorded.  In 1851 he was a 10 year old scholar.  He married Sarah.

   5. Jesse Eldridge was born in 1842 in Udimore.

   6. Stephen Eldridge was born in 1844 in Udimore.  He was a 6 year old scholar in 1851.  He married Eliza.

   7. Ann Eldridge was born in 1847 in Udimore.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was a 4 year old scholar.

Joseph Masters and Elizabeth Bates had 9 known children:

3. Alfred Mastus was baptised on 9 March 1817 in Icklesham.  He may have died aged 60 years and his death registered as Alfred Masters in the fourth quarter of 1879 in the Rye registration district.  He probably never married.

   The 1841 census records that he was a 20 year old agricultural labourer and he was living at home with his parents.  In 1851 he was an unmarried 34 year carrier living at home with is mother.  The 1851 Post Office Directory recorded that Alfred was a carrier of letters received through Rye, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  At that time the service on Monday, Wednesday and Friday was provided by Edwin Barden and George Vidler.  All 3 were also carriers to Hastings in 1851.  The 1861 census records that he was an unmarried 40 year old carrier living at Cut Thorne in Icklesham, along with his sister Fanny.  In the 1867 Kelly's Directory Alfred was recorded as a carrier, travelling to Rye from George tap on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, John Colegate was the carrier to Rye in 1867.  The 1871 census records that he was an unmarried 50 year old agricultural labourer, lodging in the home of 62 year old James Glaizer and his wife at the Castle Inn within the parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in Rye.

4. Spencer Mastus was baptised on 14 March 1819 in Icklesham.  In February 1839 he may have been sentenced at the Lewes Assizes to 10 years transportation, but the records state he was then 18 years old, although he was of Icklesham.  He was not at home with his parents on census night in 1841. 

5. Maria Mastus was baptised on 21 October 1821 in Icklesham.  She was said to be 15 years old in 1841.  She died aged 89 years and her death was registered in the first quarter of 1911 in the Rye registration district.

   Maria married John Coleman in the fourth quarter of 1841 in the Rye registration district.

   John was born about 1820/1 in Icklesham.  He died aged 81 years and his death was registered in the second quarter of 1901 in the Rye registration district.

   When the 1851 census was recorded the couple and their 3 children were living in Icklesham and John was a 31 year old agricultural labourer.  In 1861 the family of 5 were living Camden Hill in Icklesham and John was a 40 year old agricultural labourer.  By 1871 the couple were living alone at Camden Hill and John was still an agricultural labourer.  The couple were still living alone in 1881 at 2 Camden Hill Cottage, Icklesham.  At that time their next door neighbours at No. 1 were the family of Alfred Potter and his wife Maria (nee Masters).  In 1891 the couple were living alone in Icklesham Street, Icklesham and John was a 71 year old agricultural labourer.  By 1901 the couple had moved to 11 Hastings Road in Icklesham and John was an 81 year old agricultural labourer.

   John and Maria had 3 known children:

   1. Robert Coleman was born about 1842 in Icklesham.  He was  9 year old scholar in 1851.  In 1861 he was a 19 year old carter and he was living at home.

      Robert married Ruth Amelia Reed in the second quarter of 1865 in the Rye registration district.

      Ruth was born about 1846 in Warbleton, Sussex and was the daughter of Reuben Reed (c1810-?) and Sarah Winchester.  In 1851 she was 5 years old and living with her parents in Warbleton.  Her father was then an agricultural labourer.

      The 1881 census records that the couple and 4 daughters were living in Icklesham and Robert was a 38 year old master bootmaker, employing 1 man.  (I wonder if he was employing George Frederick Masters?  In the original 1881 census, Robert was at the top of a page and George at the end of the same page.  George was a journeyman bootmaker.)

      Robert and Ruth had the following known daughters:

      1. Edith Coleman was born in the fourth quarter of 1866 in Icklesham.  She was a 14 year old scholar in 1881.

      2. Alice Coleman was born in the second quarter of 1869 in Icklesham.  In 1881 she was a 12 year old scholar.

      3. Gertrude Coleman was born in the fourth quarter of 1873 in Icklesham.  She was a 7 year old scholar in 1881.

      4. Maud Annie Coleman was born in the third quarter of 1877 in Icklesham.  In 1881 she was 3 years old.

   2. Philly Coleman was born about 1845 in Icklesham.  In 1851 she was a 6 year old scholar.  She was a 16 year old school teacher in 1861.

   3. Harriot Coleman was born about 1846 in Icklesham.  In 1851 she was a 5 year old scholar.  She was 15 years old when the 1861 census was recorded.

6. James Mastus was baptised on 7 January 1824 in Icklesham.  He died aged 32 years and was buried on 19 February 1857 in Icklesham.  He was said to be 15 years old in 1841.

7. Eliza Mastus was baptised on 5 March 1826 in Icklesham.  At the time of the 1841 census she was 15 years old.  She may have had an illegitimate son:

   1. Arthur Mastus was baptised on 8 August 1849 in Icklesham.

8. George Mastus was baptised on 7 June 1829 in Icklesham.  He was 13 years old in 1841 and in 1851 he was an unmarried 22 year old agricultural labourer.  He died aged 36 years and was buried on 5 March 1866 in Icklesham.

   George married Harriet Selmes in the first quarter of 1857 in the Rye registration district.

   Harriet was born about 1837 in Brede.

   When the 1861 census was recorded the couple and their young daughter were living in a Private House (the previous property was Sheep House) in East Guldeford.  George was then a 31 year old brewer's drayman.  Also with them on census night was 22 year old labourer, Thomas Raywood.

   George and Harriet had the following known daughter:

   1. Emily Masters was born about 1859 in Icklesham.  She was 2 year old in 1861.  In 1871 she was a 12 year old scholar.

   2. George Masters was baptised on Sunday 29 September 1861 Playden.  He was a 9 year old scholar in 1871.

   3. John Percy Masters was baptised on Sunday 11 October 1863 in Playden.  In 1871 he was a 7 year old scholar.

   4. Henry Herbert Masters was baptised on Sunday 8 October 1865 in Playden.  The 1871 census records that he was 5 year old Herbert H. Masters and he was a scholar.

   After George died, Harriet had a son:

   1. Frederick William Masters was baptised on Sunday 31 May 1868 in Playden, although according to the 1871 census he was born in Rye.  The 1871 census records that he was 2 year old Frederick W. Masters.

   As a widow Harriet married William Ellis in the fourth quarter of 1869 in the Rye registration district.  When the 1871 census was recorded Harriet and her 6 children were Cinqueports Square in Rye and she was a mariner's wife.  Her husband was not at home on census night.

   William and Harriet had the following known child:

   1. Harriet Ann Ellis was born in 1870 in Rye.  The 1871 census records that she was 6 month old Harriet Ann Masters.

9. Frances Mastus was baptised on 12 September 1831 in Icklesham.  She was 9 years old in 1841 and 19 in 1851.  The 1861 census records that she was an unmarried 28 year old housekeeper living with her brother Alfred.  Her name was then recorded in the census as Fanny Masters.

10. Frederic Mastus was baptised on 19 November 1835 in Icklesham.  He was 5 years old in 1841.  He died aged 12 years and was buried in 1848 in Icklesham.

11. Frank Mastus was baptised on 28 March 1841 in Icklesham.  He died aged 16 years and he was buried as Frank Masters on 18 July 1857 in Icklesham.  When the 1841 census was recorded he was 5 months old.  The 1851 census records that he was 10 year old Francis Mastus.

1841 census - Icklesham, Sussex (HO107/1106, folio 21, page 6)

Joseph Masters, 50, Ag Lab, born in Sussex

Elisabeth Masters, 45, born in Sussex

Alfred Masters, 20, Ag Lab, born in Sussex

Maria Masters, 15, born in Sussex

James Masters, 15, born in Sussex

Eliza Masters, 15, born in Sussex

George Masters, 13, born in Sussex

Fredk Masters, 5, born in Sussex

Frances Masters, 9, born in Sussex

Frank Masters, 5 months, born in Sussex

1841 census - Marshall, Udimore, Sussex (HO107/1106, folio 5, page 2)

Thos Eldridge, 25, Ag Lab, born in Sussex

Caroline Eldridge, 25, born in Sussex

Thos Eldridge, 5, born in Sussex

Alfred Eldridge, 3, born in Sussex

William Eldridge, 1, born in Sussex

James Satly, 35, born in Sussex

1851 census - Icklesham, Sussex (HO107/1634, folio 656, page 7)

Elizabeth Mastus, Widow, 57, born Sussex, Beckley

Alfred Mastus, Son, 34, Carrier, born Sussex, Icklesham

George Mastus, Son, U, 22, Agricultural Labourer, born Sussex, Icklesham

Frances Mastus, Daur, U, 19, born Sussex, Icklesham

Francis Mastus, Son, U, 10, Scholar, born Sussex, Icklesham

Henry Hall, Lodger, U, 35, Carpenter, born Sussex, Iden

1851 census - Udimore, Sussex (HO107/1634, folio 594, page 6) (previous property was Marshalls)

Thomas Eldridge, Head, Widr, 39, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Udimore

Thomas Eldridge, Son, 15, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Udimore

William Eldridge, Son, 10, Scholar, born Sussex, Udimore

Stephen Eldridge, Son, 6, Scholar, born Sussex, Uidmore

Gilead Streeter, Housekeeper, W, 50, born Sussex, Sedlescombe

Elizabeth Streeter, Visitor, U, 16, born Sussex, St. Leonards

Anne Eldridge, Daugt, 4, Scholar, born Sussex, Udimore

1851 census - Icklesham, Sussex (HO107/1634, folio 643, page 13)

John Coleman, Head, Mar, 31, Ag Lab, born Icklesham, Sussex

Maria Coleman, Wife, Mar, 29, born Icklesham, Sussex

Robert Coleman, Son, 9, Scholar, born Icklesham, Sussex

Philly Coleman, Daur, 6, Scholar, born Icklesham, Sussex

Harriot Coleman, Daur, 5, Scholar, born Icklesham, Sussex

1861 census - Cut Thorne, Icklesham, Sussex (RG9/558, folio 119, page 8)

Alfred Masters, Head, Unm, 40, Carrier, born Sussex, Icklesham

Fanny Masters, Sister, Unm, 28, Housekeeper, born Sussex, Icklesham

1861 census - Camden Hill, Icklesham, Sussex (RG9/558, folio 126, page 24)

John Coleman, Head, Mar, 40, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Icklesham

Maria Coleman, Wife, 38, born Sussex, Icklesham

Robert Coleman, Son, 19, Carter, born Sussex, Icklesham

Philly Coleman, Daur, 16, School Teacher, born Sussex, Icklesham

Harriet Coleman, Daur, 15, born Sussex, Icklesham

1871 census - Camden Hill, Icklesham, Sussex (RG10/1026, folio 37, page 3)

John Coleman, Head, Mar, 50, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Icklesham

Maria Coleman, Wife, M, 48, Labourers Wife, born Sussex, Icklesham

1881 census - 2 Camden Hill Cottage, Icklesham, Sussex (RG11/1020, folio 54, page 23)

John Coleman, Head, Mar, 61, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Icklesham

Maria Coleman, Wife, Mar, 58, born Sussex, Icklesham

1891 census - Icklesham Street, Icklesham, Sussex (RG12/757, folio 98, page 3)

John Coleman, Head, M, 71, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Icklesham

Maria Coleman, Wife, M, 69, born Sussex, Icklesham

1901 census - 11 Hastings Road, Icklesham, Sussex (RG13/861, folio 90, page 9)

John Coleman, Head, M, 81, Ag Lab, worker, born Sussex, Icklesham

Maria Coleman, Wife, M, 79, born Sussex, Icklesham

Ref. 1 - ESRO, PAR 440/1/1/3, page 19, entry 75

BATES          MASTERS