George TAYLOR (c1810-1890)

and Mary MUZZELL (1818-1895)

George Taylor and Mary Muzzell married on 25 April 1840 in Keymer, Sussex.  George was a 30 year old bachelor and labourer.  Mary was a 23 year old spinster and servant.  Their fathers were named as James Taylor and Thomas Muzzell who were both labourers.  The witnesses to their marriage were Edward Muzzell and Sarah Muzzell.  (They were not my direct ancestors.)

George Taylor was born about 1810 in Keymer, Sussex.  He was the son of James Taylor.  George died aged 80 years and was buried on 13 July 1890 in Clayton.  Was his mother Elizabeth Lander?

Mary Muzzell was baptised on 19 July 1818 in Newtimber, Sussex.  She was the daughter of Thomas Muzzell (1786-1842) and Elizabeth Lee (c1786-1841).  Mary died aged 79 years and was buried on 7 December 1895 in Clayton.

At the time of the 1841 census the couple and unnamed 1 month old son were living in West Street, Ditchling.  George was a 30 year old agricultural labourer and Mary was 25.

In 1851 the couple and 3 children (George, Stephen and Sarah Ann) were living at Halfway House in Clayton.  George was a 41 year old agricultural labourer and Mary was 37.  They both said they were born in Keymer.

The 1861 census noted that the couple and 5 children (George, Stephen, Sarah Ann, Esther and Edward) were living at Hafwells (or something like that) in Clayton.  George was a 50 year old agricultural labourer from Keymer and Mary was 45 and from Newtimber.

In 1871 the couple and 2 children (Sarah Annie and Edward) were living at Stou??ound, Clayton.  George was a 61 year old labourer and Mary a 57 year old laundress.

When the 1881 census was recorded the couple along with Sarah Ann and Edward were living at Stemp??, Cottage No.1, Clayton.  George was a 71 year old sack mender and Mary a 64 year old laundress.

The 1891 census noted that Mary was a 75 year old widow and living at Crossways in Clayton.  Also with her was the family of her daughter Sarah Annie.

George Taylor and Mary Muzzell had 5 known children:

1. George Taylor was born about 1842 in Ditchling.  In 1851 he was a 9 year old agricultural labourer.  He was a 19 year old agricultural labourer in 1861.

2. Stephen Taylor was born about 1843/4 in Ditchling.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1851.  In 1861 he was a 17 year old agricultural labourer.

   Stephen married Fanny Steele on 30 August 1868 at St. Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex.

3. Sarah Ann Taylor was baptised on 17 November 1850 in Keymer.  She was 6 months old at the time of the 1851 census, which also mentioned she was born in Clayton.  In 1861 she was an 11 year old scholar.  At the time of the 1871 census she was an unmarried 20 year old laundress.  In 1881 she was an unmarried 30 year old laundress.

   Sarah Anne married Walter King by banns on 13 January 1889 in Clayton.  He was a 36 year old bachelor and labourer and she a 38 year old spinster.  Their fathers were named as John King and George Taylor who were both labourers.  The witnesses to their marriage were Edward Taylor and Amy Elizabeth Harper.

4. Esther Taylor was baptised on 12 December 1852 in Clayton.  The baptism register noted that her father was a labourer from Hassocks, and her mother's name was Mary Elizabeth.  In 1861 she was an 8 year old scholar.

   By 1871 she was an 18 year old general servant living at Hassocks Farm in Keymer, the head of the household being 46 year old bachelor William Rawley.  Also part of the household was Nicholas West and his wife Mary.

   When the 1881 census was recorded she was a 27 year old servant and cook at Belle View House in Hurstpierpoint (a school for girls).

5. Edward Taylor was born about 1857 in Clayton.  He was 4 years old when the 1861 census was recorded.  In 1871 he was a 15 year old labourer.  At the time of the 1881 census he was an unmarried 25 year old gardener.

Walter Taylor died aged 3 years and was buried on 1 January 1851 in Clayton.  The burial register noted that he was from Hassocks.

MUZZELL          TAYLOR