Ancestors of Mandy Willard

John MORTON (c1775-?)

and Sarah POLLARD (1777-?)

John Morton and Sarah Pollard married by banns on 10 January 1800 at St. John, Southover in Lewes, Sussex.  They were both then of that parish.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

John Morton's date and place of birth/baptism are unknown, to me.  As will be seen below, Morton may not have been his surname.

Sarah Pollard may have been baptised on 16 February 1777 at St. John the Baptist in Lewes, and have been the daughter of James Pollard (1754-?) and Ann Roberts.

John Morton and Sarah Pollard had 6 known children:

1. Richard Morsendine was baptised on 5 July 1801 in Rodmell, Sussex, and buried there on 15 March 1807.  His name was recorded as Richard Mossendine in the burial register.

2. Robert Morsondine was baptised on 26 December 1802 in Rodmell.

   As Robert Mossom he married Mary Scutt by banns on 19 September 1824 at All Saints in Lewes.  He was then a bachelor and she a spinster and they both signed their names.  The witnesses to the marriage were Seymour Scutt and Elizabeth Scutt who both signed their names.

   Mary was probably born on 23 January 1797 in Stepney, London and baptised there on 10 April 1803 at St. Dunstan in the West.  She was the daughter of Seymore Scutt (1767-?) and Sarah Cooper.  Her father was a collarmaker.

3. Mary Morsendine was baptised on 25 December 1804 in Rodmell.

4. Sarah Mossendine was baptised on 19 April 1807 in Rodmell.

   As Sarah Mosson she married Joseph Back by banns on 3 August 1824 at St. John sub Castro in Lewes.  They were both then of that parish and both made their marks.  The witnesses to the marriage were Sarah Winch and John Moore.

   Joseph was baptised on 19 May 1805 in Alfriston, Sussex and was the son of John Back and Dinah Spice.

   (Joseph and Sarah will eventually have their own page.)

5. Margaret Mossendine was baptised on 7 July 1811 in Rodmell.

   As Margaret Mosson she married Arthur Pullinger by licence on 12 November 1833 at St. Nicholas in Brighton, Sussex.  He was then a widower and signed his named.  Martha was a spinster and made her mark.  They were both of Brighton.  The witnesses to the marriage were John Douglas Stone (signed) and Martha Douglas Stone (marked).

   I have not found Arthur and/or Margaret in the 1841 and 1851 census, but their 2 known children were then living with Margaret's sister, Martha:

   1. James Pullinger was born about 1835.  In 1841 he was 6 years old and living with his aunt Martha.

   2. Martha Pullinger was baptised on 3 August 1836 at the Chapel Royal in Brighton.  In 1841 she was 4 years old and living with her aunt Martha.  She was still with her aunt Martha in 1851 and she was then a 14 year old scholar.  In 1861 she was an unmarried 24 year old house proprietor, still living with her aunt Martha.  And again in 1871 she was living with her aunt Martha, and she was an unmarried 34 year old dressmaker.  The 1881 census records that she was an unmarried 44 year old dressmaker living with her aunt.  She was an unmarried 54 year old in 1891 living with her aunt.  In 1901, Martha was a 63 year old boarder living at 132 High Street in Lewes, in the home of Reuben Moore and his wife and children.

6. Martha Mossendine was baptised on 3 January 1813 in Rodmell, at which time her father was a labourer of Rodmell.  Her baptism was the very first entry in the new Rodmell baptism register.  She died between 1891 and 1901.

   As Martha Mosson she married John Stone by banns on 1 May 1831 at All Saints in Lewes.  He was then a bachelor of the parish of Shepton Mallett in Somerset, and was able to sign his name.  Martha was a spinster of Rodmell and made her mark.  The marriage register records that they were both residing in the parish of All Saints at the time of their marriage.  The witnesses to their marriage were Robert Mosson (signed) and Mary Mosson (marked).

   The couple may not have any children and John may have died before the recording of the 1841 census, as the 1841 census records that Martha was the head of her household in Wellington Street, in the parish of All Saints, Lewes.  She was then earning her living as a shoe binder and probably supporting her young nephew James and niece Martha.  The 1851 census records that Martha was a 38 year old widow living at East Gate Wharf in All Saints, Lewes and she was still a shoe binder.  Her niece was still living with her in 1851.  Her niece was still with her in 1861 and they were living in Friars Walk, All Saints, Lewes, but Martha was then a needle worker.  Also with them in 1861 were 2 unmarried lodgers, 29 year old Hephizbala Berry and 28 year old William Dancey.  In 1871 Martha and her niece were still living in Friars Walk and she was a seamstress.  Also with them were 3 unmarried lodgers, 22 year old John Miles, 20 year old Edwin Ovenden and 45 year old Naomi Funnell.  Aunt and niece were still together in Friars Walk in 1881 and 32 year old lodger John Miles was still with them.  In 1871 John was a solicitor's clerk, but by 1881 he was an accountant.  He was born in Rochester, Kent.  Martha was a 68 year old housekeeper in 1881.  The 1891 census records Martha and her niece were living on their own means at 2 Friars Walk.

MISCELLANEOUS