Ancestors of Mandy Willard

William STILLAWAY (1866-1939)

and Lily DOWLEN (1869-1949)

William Stillaway and Lily Dowlen were my Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They were married by banns by the appointed Curate, John T. Langdale on 2 July 1892 in the parish church of Chailey, Sussex.  William was a 25 year old bachelor and labourer of Henfield, Sussex.  Lily was a 23 year old spinster of Chailey.  The witnesses to their marriage were Charles Dowlen and Olive Dowlen (father and sister of the bride).  On their marriage certificate, William named his father as Samuel Stillaway, but Samuel was his grandfather.

William Stillaway was born at 12 noon on 29 July 1866 at Bulls in Henfield, Sussex and baptised on the same day.  He was the illegitimate son of Eliza Stillaway (1846-1908) and he was a twin.  His mother registered his birth on 5 September 1866.  His twin sister Eliza died as an infant.  William died aged 71 years on 9 June 1939 at 193 Upper Shoreham Road, Kingston-by-Sea, Sussex, (Southlands Hospital), although his home address was then 41 Fishersgate Terrace, Southwick, Sussex.  His cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage and arteriosclerosis.  His death was registered by his son W. Stillaway who was then of 5 Victoria Road, Southwick.  (Britain declared war with Germany on 3 September 1939.)

At the time of the 1871 census he was 4 years old and living with his mother, grandfather and great grandfather at Bulls in Henfield.  When he was 8 years old his mother married Henry Silverson (1850-1935).  In 1881 he was a 14 year old agricultural labourer and living at Bulls with his grandfather, mother, step father and younger half siblings.  In 1891 William was an unmarried 24 year old agricultural labourer and he was living alone on The Common in Henfield, although he was possibly sharing a property with the family of 51 year old John Standen.

William was a cement works labourer in Upper Beeding, Sussex up until about 1909 when he was involved in an accident at work, in which he was buried by a rock fall.  He survived but was left disabled and unable to work.  As you can see from the photograph his left arm was left with a deformity.  He received about £200 in compensation and with that he and his wife bought a small grocery shop in Fishersgate, Sussex.

Bull Cottages in 1964, just before being demolished to make way for a car park for the Bull Inn - taken from West Sussex Past Pictures web site.  Might this have been where William was born?  (Click on the images for a larger view.)

Lily Dowlen was born on 9 January 1869 at Oreham in Henfield and baptised in parish church of St. Peters on 14 March 1869 in Henfield, Sussex.  She was the fourth child and third daughter of Charles Dowlen (1827-1896) and Susan Hoadley (1834-1901).  Her father registered her birth on 8 February 1869, at which time he was a farm labourer.  Lily died aged 80 years on 19 April 1949 at 41 The Terrace, Southwick.  Her cause of death was myocardial degeneration.  Her death was registered by her son-in-law W. J. Bishop who was of the same address.

At the time of the 1871 census Lily was 2 years old and living with parents and elder siblings at Oreham Common, Henfield.  In 1881 she was a 12 year old scholar and living with her parents at Shiprods Cottages in Henfield.  When the 1891 census was recorded, Lily was a servant in a small school for boys in Hove, Sussex.

In 1901 the couple and their 3 children were living at 10 Castle Town in Upper Beeding.  William was a 34 year old labourer in the cement works and Lily was 31.  Also with the family was 25 year old boarder Thomas Hards who was a labourer in the cement works.  They all gave their places of birth as Henfield.

At the time of the 1911 census the couple and 4 of their children were living in Beeding, Sussex.  William was then a 43 year old general labourer and Lily was 41.  The census transcript notes they had been married 10 years, this is obviously wrong.  Also with them on census night was unmarried 22 year old boarder, Samuel Browning who was a farm worker.

William Stillaway and Lily Dowlen had 6 known children:

1. Susan Stillaway was born on 24 May 1893 at Martin's Cottage in Henfield and was baptised on 9 July 1893 in the parish church at Henfield.  She died on 31 December 1983 in Southampton, Hampshire.

   When the 1901 census was recorded Susan was 7 years old.  I have not yet found her in the 1911 census.  On 5 June 1911 in Woodmancote, Sussex, Susan was a witness to the marriage of her father's half sister, Mary Anne Silverson. 

   Susan married Edmund J. Goff on 16 August 1919 in Southwick.  At the time of their marriage, Ted was a 27 year old bachelor and steward from East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.  Sussie was a 26 year old spinster of Fishersgate, Sussex.  The witnesses to their marriage were Frank Goff (1888-?) and Annie Elsie Stillaway. 

   Edmund John Goff was born in the third quarter of 1891 in Southampton, Hampshire.  He was the son of Jesse Goff (1860-?) and Mary Jane Petty (1859-1917).  Edmund died aged 76 years and his death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1967 in the Winchester registration district.

   Edmund and Susan had the following children:

   1. Kathleen J. Goff was born in the third quarter of 1920.

      Kathleen married Edward G. Windebank in the fourth quarter of 1940 in the Southampton registration district.

      Edward and Kathleen had the following children:

      1. Ann Windebank

      2. John Windebank

   2. Eric J. Goff was born in the first quarter of 1924.  He died aged 2 years and his death was registered in the first quarter of 1926 in the Southampton registration district.

   3. Beryl Goff was born in the first quarter of 1927.

2. William Ernest Stillaway was born on 26 November 1895 in Martin's Cottage, Henfield.  His death was registered in the first quarter of 1972 in the Hove registration district.

   The 1901 census recorded that he was 5 years old.  In 1911 he was 15 years old and employed in general farm work.  He was then living with his parents and younger siblings in Beeding.  William registered his father's death in 1939 and at that time he was living at 5 Victoria Road, Southwick.  On 17 September 1912 he was 5'6¾” tall and weighed 121lbs.  By 1 January 1913 he was 5'7½” tall and weighed 138lbs.  He had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  He completed and signed a Short Service form on 17 January 1913, at which time he was an 18 year old milkman and serving in the Royal Sussex Regiment Special Reserves. 

   Bill married Emily Edith May Bennett on 10 January 1920 at St. Andrew in Portslade-by-Sea.  He was a 23 year old bachelor and van man of Albion Street.  She was a 23 year old spinster and factory hand, also of Albion Street.  The witnesses to their marriage were Rose Streeter and Frederick Grinstead. 

   Emily was born in the third quarter of 1898 in Brighton and was the daughter of Albert Bennett (c1876-?) and Ellen Parsons (c1877-?).  She died in 1987.  When the 1901 census was recorded she was living with her parents, siblings, maternal grandmother and 2 of her mother's brothers at 7 Coombe Terrace in Preston near Brighton.  Her father was then a bricklayer's labourer.

   Bill and Em had 4 children:

   1. Betty Louisa Stillaway was born on 21 November 1933 and baptised on 1 April 1934 in Portslade.  Her god parents were William Stillaway and Louisa Hacher.

      Betty married Jack W. H. Stanford in the first quarter of 1953 in the Hove registration district.

   2. Peggy Irene J. Stillaway was born on 18 August 1935 and baptised on 1 December 1935 in Portslade.

      Peggy married William A. Sutcliffe in the third quarter of 1953 in the Hove registration district.

   3. James Ernest Stillaway was born on 24 June 1937 and baptised on 3 October 1937 in Portslade.  (My mum remember taking her young cousin Jim out in his pram on a Sunday morning.)  He died aged 50 years and his death was registered in October 1987 in the Worthing registration district.

      James married Iris D. Walton in the third quarter of 1973 in the Hove registration district.  As Iris D. Corke she had married Reginald J. Walton in the third quarter of 1955 in the Hove registration district.  Then as Iris D. Stillaway she married Frederick Andrews in June 1984 in the Hove registration district.

      James next married Sylvia Townsend in the fourth quarter of 1978 in the Hove registration district.

   4. Audrey Stillaway was born on 3 October 1940 and baptised on 3 March 1940 in Portslade.

      Audrey married Keith J. Evans in the fourth quarter of 1960 in Brighton.

3. Annie Elsie Stillaway, my Grandmother, was born on 29 May 1898 at Broadmere in Henfield.  She married Thomas William Tullett in 1920.  (They have their own page.)

4. Lily May Stillaway was born on 28 May 1901 at Upper Beeding, Sussex.  She died on 22 March 2000 in Southwick.  In 1911 she was 10 years old and at school.

   Lily married William Bishop on 26 March 1932 in Southwick.  Bill was then a 30 year old bachelor and builder of Southwick.  Lily was a 28 year old spinster of Southwick.  The witnesses to their marriage were Joshua Machin and Margaret Olive Stillaway. 

   My mum (Eileen Willard, nee Tullett) told me that she and her twin sister (Vera Knight, nee Tullett) were bridesmaids at William and Lily's marriage and that their dresses were apple green in colour.  During the taking of the wedding photos Vera fell off the cushion on which they were sitting - the twins had had their 9th birthday in January 1932.  The twins were allowed to keep their bridesmaids dresses for Sunday Best, but my mother got a small black mark on her dress for which received a hiding!  I don't have any photographs of the wedding.

   Bill was born on 4 October 1901 in Brighton, Sussex and was the son of Charles Bishop (1871-?) and Henrietta Baker (1876-1960).  He registered his mother-in-law's death in 1949 and he was then living at 41 The Terrace, Southwick.  Bill died on 1 February 1968 in Brighton.

   They did not have any children.

5. George Stillaway was born on 10 August 1903 in Castle Town, Upper Beeding and died aged about 9 months as a result of a failed vaccination.

6. Margaret Olive Stillaway was born on 11 August 1906 in Castle Town, Upper Beeding.  She died on 17 November 1983 in Newhaven, Sussex.  In 1911 she was 4 years old and living with her parents.

   Mags married Joshua Machin on 4 February 1933 in Southwick.  He was a 27 year old bachelor and yardman of Southwick.  She was a 27 year old spinster of Southwick.  The witnesses to their marriage were Harold Edward Smart and Mollie Ada Silverson. 

   Joshua was born on 14 May 1905 in Hucknall under Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire.  He was the son of Thomas Machin (1884-?) and Sarah Ann Wood.  He died on 26 June 1977 at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.  His cause of death was Bronchopneumonia, Congestive Cardiac failure and Acute Bronchial Astma.

   I have copied the following from John Machin's website:

   "Joshua was born in Hucknal under Huthwaite.  He moved to Brighton with his father 1905 and 1933.  He was also a steward on luxury yachts in the middle east visiting Egypt, Palestine and Malta, etc.  He became a lorry driver with the Regent Oil company (now Caltex) working out of the Fishersgate depot.  This occupation exempted him from military service during the war but he delivered a lot of gas to various airfields.  I (John Michael MACHIN Son) remember visiting Shoreham airport where several squadrons of spitfires were stationed and had to stay in the guardroom until my father had unloaded his lorry (only eight at the time) but what an exciting day.  He stayed with the petrol compaany until his retirement, although he owned a grocery shop for several years.  Known addresses for him was at 41 The Gardens Southwick.  Rented accommodation 33 Old Shoreham Road, Southwick.  Own Home (cost 750 GB Pounds) 40 Gloster Road, Brighton.  Grocery Shop 39 Montpelier Road, Brighton.  Own Home Mile Oak Road, Southwick.  Own Home Hangleton Road, Portslade.  Living with Janice Nye."

   They had 5 children:

   1. John Michael Machin was born in the third quarter of 1934.  John married Barbara Selmes.  Barbara was the daughter of Alfred Thomas Henry Selmes (1911-1969) and Julia Ellen Williams (1906-1988).

   2. David Machin was born and died in the third quarter of 1936.

   3. Marion Judith Machin was born in the third quarter of 1942.  Marion married Peter Norman Butterworth.  Peter was the son of Norman Butterworth (1905-1982) and Edith Young (1905-1997).

   4. David Joshua Machin was born in the second quarter of 1944.  David married Joyce Barker in the fourth quarter of 1965 in Brighton.  He also married Susan Jane Buckle in February 1984.  Previously as Susan Jane Matthews she had married Anthony Thomas Buckle.

   5. Janice Margaret Machin was born in the second quarter of 1947.  Janice married Patrick William John Nye.

1871 Census - Bulls, Henfield, Sussex (RG10/1095, folio 35, page 25)

Samuel Stillaway, Head, Widr, 55, Ag Lab, born Sussex Henfield

Eliza Stillaway, Daur, Unm, 24, born Sussex Henfield

William Stillaway, Grandson, 4, born Sussex Henfield

William Woolgar, Lodger, Widr, 90, Ag Lab, born Sussex Henfield

1871 Census - Oreham Common, Henfield, Sussex (RG10/1095, folio 32, page 19)

Charles Dowlin, Head, Mar, 44, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Slaugham

Susan Dowlin, Wife, Mar, 37, born Sussex, Henfield

John Dowlin, Son, Unm, 13, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Henfield

Olive Dowlin, Daur, 9, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

Susan Edith Dowlin, Daur, 5, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

Lilly Dowlin, Daur, 2, born Sussex, Henfield

1881 Census - Bulls, Henfield, Sussex (RG11/1105, folio 38, page 26)

Samuel Stillaway, Head, Widr, 65, Ag Lab, born Sussex Henfield

Henry Silverson, Mar, 30, Ag Lab, born Sussex Woodmancote

Eliza Silverson, Wife, Mar, 34, born Sussex Henfield

William Stillaway, Son, Unm, 14, Ag Lab, born Sussex Henfield

George Silverson, Son, 6, Scholar, born Sussex Henfield

John Silverson, Son, 3, Scholar, born Sussex Henfield

Arthur Silverson, Son, 1, born Sussex Henfield

1881 Census - Shiprods Cottage, Henfield, Sussex (RG11/1105, folio 52, page 16)

Charles Dowlen, Head, Mar, 54, Ag Lab, born Sussex, Slaugham

Susan Dowlen, Wife, Mar, 47, born Sussex, Henfield

Olive Dowlen, Daur, Unm, 19, born Sussex, Henfield

Lilly Dowlen, Daur, 12, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

Ernest C Dowlen, 5, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

1891 Census - The Common, Henfield, Sussex (RG12/825, folio 102, page 18)

No. on schedule 103

John Davey, Head, M, 47, General Lab, born Sussex Henfield

Susan Davey, Wife, M, 48, born Sussex West Grinstead

Ellen Davey, Daur, S, 19, born Sussex Henfield

No. on schedule 104 (103 and 104 appear to be the same property)

William Stallaway, Head, S, 24, Ag Lab, born Sussex Henfield

105 on the schedule would seem to have been another property and that was occupied by the family of 51 year old John Standen.

1901 Census - 10 Castletown, Upper Beeding, Sussex, (RG13/947, folio 13, page 18)

William Stillaway, Head, M, 34, Labourer in Cement Works, born Sussex, Henfield

Lily Stillaway, Wife, M, 31, born Sussex, Henfield

Susan Stillaway, Daur, 7, born Sussex, Henfield

continued over the page (RG13/947, folio 14, page 19)

William Stillaway, Son, 5, born Sussex, Henfield

Annie Stillaway, Daur, 2, born Sussex, Henfield

Thomas Hards, Boarder, 25, Labourer in Cement Works, Worker, born Sussex, Henfield

1911 Census - Beeding, Sussex (RG14PN5228 RG78PN231 RD80 SD4 ED2 SN72) Enumeration district 2 (transcript)

William Stillaway, Head, Married, M, 43, General Labourer, born Henfield, Sussex

Lily Stillaway, Wife, Married, years married 10, F, 41, born Henfield, Sussex

William Stillaway, Son, M, 15, Farm Work General, born Henfield, Sussex

Annie Stillaway, Daughter, F, 12, School, born Henfield, Sussex

Lily Stillaway, Daughter, F, 10, School, born Beeding, Sussex

Margaret Stillaway, Daughter, F, 4, bonr Beeding, Sussex

Samuel Browning, Boarder, Single, M, 22, Farm Work, born Henfield, Sussex

DOWLEN          STILLAWAY