Ancestors of Mandy Willard

Daniel MERRITT (1800-1870)

and Sarah MERCER (1800-?)

Daniel Merrit and Sarah Mercer married on 12 December 1821 in Thakeham, Sussex.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

Daniel Merrit was baptised on 28 September 1800 in Wiston, Sussex.  He was the son of Thomas Merreat (1769-?) and Mary Liliot (1772-?).  Daniel died aged 69 years and his death was registered in the third quarter of 1870 in the Thakeham registration district.

Sarah Mercer was baptised on 17 August 1800 in Thakeham, Sussex.  She was the daughter of Thomas Mercer (1771-?) and Elizabeth Comber.  Her death may have been registered in the first quarter of 1860 in the Worthing registration district.

When the 1841 census was recorded the couple and 3 children were living at Rokers in Washington.  They were both said to be 40 years old and he was an agricultural labourer.

In 1851 the couple and son Alfred were living in Washington.  Daniel was a 51 year old game keeper and gave his place of birth as Washington.  Sarah was also 51 and she said she was born in Thakeham.  Also with the family was 26 year old unmarried nephew Alice Merritt (that's what it looks like!) who was born in Washington.

By 1861 Daniel was a 60 year old widower and agricultural labourer and living at Longfurlong Toll Gate in Clapham, Sussex.  Also with him was the family of his son Alfred.

Daniel Merrit and Sarah Mercer had 3 known children:

1. Ruth Merritt was born about 1826 in Washington.  In 1841 she was 15 years old.

   Ruth married Harry Ockenden in the first quarter of 1850 in the Thakeham registration district.

   In 1851 the couple and young son were living at 3 ? Gate Cottage in Broadwater, Sussex.  They were both aged 26 years and Henry was a coachman to the Rector.  He gave his place of birth as Ashington and she as Washington.

   The 1861 census recorded that the couple and 6 children were living at 5A Mill Place in Kemp Town, Brighton, Sussex.  They were both aged 36 years and Henry was a coachman.  Their places of birth were both given as Ashington.

   When the 1881 census was recorded Ruth was a 57 year old widow and annuitant and living at 3 St. Marks Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, with her sons James and Walter.  They were sharing the house with the family of 28 year old William Shepherd.

   Harry and Ruth had the following children:

   1. Harry Ockenden was born about 1850 in Brighton, Sussex.  The 1851 census recorded that Henry Ockenden was a year old.  In 1861 he was an 11 year old scholar.

   2. Jane Ockenden was baptised on 22 June 1851 in Broadwater.  She was a 9 year old scholar in 1861.

   3. James Ockenden was born about 1853 in Broadwater.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1861.  In 1881 he was an unmarried 27 year old groom.

   4. William Shell Ockenden was born in the third quarter of 1855 in Brighton.  He was a 5 year old scholar in 1861.

   5. Alice Mary Ockenden was baptised on 14 February 1858 in Brighton.  In 1861 she was 3 years old.

   6. Fanny Ockenden was baptised on 6 May 1860 in Brighton.  In 1861 she was a year old.

   7. Walter Ockenden was born in 1863 in Brighton.  In 1881 he was a 17 year old greengrocer's assistant.

2. Fanny Merritt was born about 1831 in Washington.  She was 10 years old in 1841.

3. Alfred Merritt was baptised on 6 April 1834 in Wiston.  He was 7 years old in 1841.  In 1851 he was a 17 year old shoemaker.  He married Ann Quaite in 1852.  (They have their own page.)

MERCER          MERRITT