Ancestors of Mandy Willard

John SILVERSON (1842-?)

and Eliza PARSONS (1851-1926)

John Silverson and Eliza Parson married by banns on 7 September 1872 at the parish church of St. Peter's in Henfield, Sussex.  At the time John was a 29 year old bachelor and a labourer.  Eliza was a 21 year old spinster.  They were both of Henfield and signed their names.  The witnesses to their marriage were Henry Silverson, who signed his name and Eliza Stillaway, who made her X mark.  (They were not my direct ancestors.  Eliza Stillaway was my 2x great grandmother.)

John Silverson was baptised on 25 July 1842 in Woodmancote, Sussex.  He was a twin.  He was the son of John Silverson (1816-1884) and Rebecca Parsons (1817-1854).

Eliza Parsons was born on 18 June and baptised on 10 August 1851 in Henfield, Sussex.  She was the daughter of James Parsons (1823-?) and Louisa Simmonds (1831-1890).  She died aged 75 years in the fourth quarter of 1926 in the Steyning district.

In 1881 the family were living on Henfield Common and John was a brickmaker.  When the 1891 census was recorded the family were living on The Common in Henfield, next door to the family of his brother Harry.  John was then a 49 year old agricultural labourer.  Also living with them were 3 of Eliza's unmarried sisters:  Fanny Parsons (38), Jane Parsons (22) and Alice Parsons (19) who was a general servant.  Poor Fanny and Jane were described as idiots.  In 1901 the family were living in West End, Henfield and John was a 58 year old carter on a farm.

 John Silverson and Eliza Parsons had 7 known children:

1. Alice Harriet Silverson was born at the end of 1872 and baptised on 9 February 1873 in Henfield.  When the 1891 census was recorded she was an 18 year old domestic servant living at 29 Seafield Road in Hove, Sussex.  In 1901 she was unmarried and living with her parents.  She may have married in 1909.

2. Laura Louisa Silverson was baptised on 12 July 1874 in Henfield.  In 1891 she was a 17 year old domestic housemaid living at 66 Clarendon Villas in Hove.

   Laura married Bridger Keywood in the first quarter of 1897 in the Steyning district.  The banns were published in Henfield parish church.

   Bridger was baptised on 9 October 1870 in Henfield and was the son of William Keywood (1844-?) and Sarah Woolgar (1844-?).  At the time of the 1891 census he was an unmarried 20 year old agricultural labourer living at home with his parent at New Inn Cottage in Henfield.

   In 1901 the couple were living at Godstones in Henfield and Bridger was a carter on a farm.

   As widow Laura Louisa Keywood she married Thomas David White.  The banns were published in Henfield on 13, 20 and 27 July 1913 and noted that he was of Cowfold and she of Henfield.

3. Jane Silverson was baptised on 9 July 1876 in Henfield.

   Jane married Frederick Keywood in 1899.  The banns were published in Henfield parish church on 10, 17 and 24 September 1899.

   Frederick was born in about 1874 in Henfield and was the son of William Keywood (1844-?) and Sarah Woolgar (1844-?).  In 1891 he was a 17 year old agricltural labourer living at home with his parents.

   In 1901 the family were living at Harwoods in Henfield and Frederick was a market gardener.  They had at least 1 child:

   1. John Keywood was born in 1901 Henfield.  He was 2 months old when the 1901 census was recorded.

4. William Silverson was baptised on 9 June 1878 in Henfield.  He was a 12 year old agricultural labourer in 1891 and the eldest of his siblings living at home.  He was also living at home when the 1901 census was recorded and he was then a 22 year agricultural labourer.

5. Ada Emma Silverson was baptised on 13 June 1880 in Henfield.  She was an 11 year old scholar in 1891.

   Ada married George Goacher in 1899.  He was born about 1875 in Henfield and was the son of Thomas Goacher (1833-?) and Charlotte Weller.

6. Ernest Silverson was baptised on 13 February 1887 in Henfield.  He was 4 years old at the time of the 1891 census and 14 in 1901.

   Ernest married Jessie Virgo in the second quarter of 1913 in the Steyning registration district.

   Jessie may have been born in the first quarter of 1888 in Burgess Hill, Sussex and have been the daughter of Jesse Virgo and Jane Breach.

7. Florence Silverson was baptised on 13 October 1889 in Henfield.  She was a year old when the 1891 census was recorded and 11 in 1901.

   Florence married Charles T. Searle in the fourth quarter of 1912 in the Steyning registration district.

   Charles and Florence had the following child:

   1. Charles J. Searle was born in 1920.

PARSONS          SILVERSON