James Barton & Orpah Crowhurst

James Barton who was born on 5 February 1825 the son of John Barton and Catherine Keeley (chapter 2). He was baptised on 13 March 1825 at Heathfield Independent Chapel.

It may have been James who witnessed his sister Jane's marriage in 1842.

On 4 September 1847 James married Orpah Crowhurst at All Saints Church, Herstmonceux. James was a 25 year old bachelor, a labourer from Cowbeech, the son of John Barton, labourer. Orpah is described a 21 year old spinster, daughter of Charles Crowhurst. No occupation is given for Charles. Both James and Orpah were only able to make their mark, as were the witnesses James Christmas and Charlotte Martin. (Reg Gen Sept Qtr 1847 Hailsham 7 491).

Orpah Crowhurst's ancestry is considered at Appendix I, but in 1841 Orpah Crowhurst had been living with James' brother John Barton, his wife Ellen and their children and was employed as a general servant (Appendix E).

All Saints Church is situated over a mile from the village centre closer to the castle on the edge of Pevensey Levels. The village may have been relocated after the Black Death in AD1348 as a number of villages in the area were. The church contains some of the best examples of early 13th century architecture in Sussex. The oldest part is the 12th century tower, the nave, chancel and aisles are from the 13th & 14th centuries, while the north (Dacre) chapel is 15th century. It is constructed of red Flemish bricks and was added by the builders of Herstmonceux castle.

The Church has a mounting block on the wall just outside which was used to help ladies get on their horses. The ladies with their long skirts would have had great difficulty mounting their horses, even side saddle, without the aid of these steps.

James and Orpah had four children:

• Jane Barton. Baptised 2 January 1848 at Warbleton.
  
• Dorcas Barton. Born 1850 in Warbleton
  
• Rhoda Barton. Born 10 May 1860 in Warbleton
  
• John Henry Barton. Born 4 March 1864 in Warbleton
  

At the time of the 1851 census James and Orpah Barton were living at Bodle Street with their daughters Jane and Dorcus.

In 1861 they were still in Bodle Street, Warbleton. James, aged 36 was a labourer. Daughter Dorcas, aged 10, a scholar and Rhoda Barton, daughter, aged 11 months are listed. Daughter Jane, aged 13 was a house servant living with Stephen Neve, his wife Jane and their family at Rushlake Green.

'Kelly's Post Office Directory of Essex, Herts, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, 1867'

describes Warbleton as

"a parish, 7 miles north from Hailsham, 3 south from Heathfield, and 10 west from Battle railway station, in the Eastern division of the county, Hawkesborough hundred, Lewes county court district and archdeaconry, Hailsham union, Hastings rape, diocese of Chichester, and rural deanery of Dallington.

The Earls of Ashburnham and Chichester, and the trustees of Smith's charity, are lords of the manor. Here are charities of £45 annual value. Stone House, the seat of John Roberts Dunn, Esq., D.L., is a large mansion, partly in the Elizabethan style and partly modern, situated in well wooded and pleasant grounds: this mansion has been in the Roberts family for several centuries. Markly is the seat of George Darby, Esq., D.L.: the house, which is large and commodious, commands extensive views of the surrounding scenery.

About one mile east of Rushlake Green are the remains of an ancient priory (now forming part of the Priory farm house), built by John Pelham in the year 1413, for the monks of the Holy Trinity in Hastings. The parish contained in 1861 a population of 1,431 and the area is 5,763 acres"

James appears to have improved his circumstances. An insurance policy taken out on 24 June 1869 refers to

"Mr James Barton of Bodle Street Green in the parish of Warbleton in the county of Sussex, Pork Butcher and Huckster".

The insurance covered the period from

"24 June 1869 to 24 June 1870. Premium for one year 11s 3d" .

"on his dwelling house situate at Bodle Street Green, brick built, roof part tiled and other part thatched situate as above and in his own occupation £125. On his stable and east lodge near his house but not adjoining £25.00"

When the census was taken on 2 April 1871 the family were still living at Bodle Street Green. The entry reads:

• James Barton, head, aged 46, carrier, born Warbleton
  
• Orpah Barton , wife, aged 45, born Herstmonceux
  
• Rhoda Barton, daughter, aged 10, scholar, born Warbleton
  
• Henry Barton, son , aged 7, scholar, born Warbleton
  
• Martha Crowhurst, mother in law, widow, aged 84, born Herstmonceux
  
• Sarah Wood, general servant, aged 17, born Wartling.
  

Some seven months later Martha Crowhurst had been admitted to the Asylum where she died on 28 December 1871.

In 1881 James and Orpah were still living at Bodle Street Green, Warbleton. James, aged 55, is now described as a Pork Butcher. Also at the address, his 54 year old wife, Orpah, his 17 year old son, John H Barton, a grocers assistant and their grandson, George Reed, aged 9, born Warbleton. George was the son of daughter Jane (see below)

By 1891 James and Orpah are living alone at Brick Cottage, Wartling. James, aged 65 is now described as an agricultural labourer. I wonder what had happened to the butchers? Orpha was aged 66.

James Barton of Windmill Hill, Herstmonceux, labourer,  died on 15 March 1897 aged 72 (Reg Gen March Qtr. 1897 Hailsham 2b 59). Probate was granted to Richard Oxley, grocer and draper.  

This picture of James comes from our family's photograph albums. 

His will made on 16 March 1870 and written in what appears to be a diary seems to set up a trust. He leaves all his estate to his wife Orpah Barton 'for her life' and following her death to his son John Henry Barton. However he does not appear to appoint trustees or stipulate that Orpah is only entitled to the income from his estate, although this is perhaps implicit. After the death of John Henry his executors are to sell all his estate and divide the proceeds between Jane (or her heirs), Dorcus (or her heirs) and Rhoda (or her heirs). If John Henry should die before Orpah then on Orpah's death, the estate is to be sold and the proceeds to be divided between Jane (and her heirs) and Dorcas (or her heirs) and Rhoda (or her heirs).

In 1901 Orpah, aged 74, was living in Gardner Street, Herstmonceux with a boarder, Edmond Elphick, aged 33, a trug basket maker, born Herstmonceux. Any relationship between Edmond Elphick and Orpah's daughter Rhoda's husband has yet to be established.

At the time she was living next door to her daughter Dorcas, her husband William Jarman and family 

Orpah Barton died in 1905 aged 78 (Reg Gen Dec Qtr. 1905 Hailsham 2b 5 38). 

This picture of Orpah comes from our families photograph albums. 

Our line continues through their son John Henry Barton (Chapter 4), but first a little about his siblings

Jane Reed nee Barton

John and Jane had eight children:

John and Sarah remained in Bodle Street Green. By 1901 John is aged 58 and his wife aged 60. John is described as a farmer, possibly indicating a further increase in status. His son John, aged 21 is the only child who remains at home. He is described a cattleman. Sarah is shown as having been born in Falmouth, Cornwall. Also shown as visiting at the time is 12 year old Merle Jeffrey, born Hailsham.

Living next door at the time was Sarah Reed, a 83 year old widow living on her own means, born Warbleton. This appears to be John's mother.

In 1911 John and Sarah are living at Alehouse Farm, Bodle Street Green. John is still a farmer. Living with them is their 14 year old grandson, George Walter Teague who was working on the farm, and was daughter Esther's son (Appendix J).

John Henry Reed of Sellens Road, East Hoathley died on 5 December 1919. He was buried on 10 December 1919 at East Hoathley. Probate was granted to Charles Keeley, farmer and Frederic William Chilvers, gardener.

i can find no trace of Sarah Reed in the 1921 census.

Sarah Reed died on 19 February 1922 and was buried with her husband at East Hoathley. The Inscription on their grave reads:

"In
loving memory
of
John Henry Reed, who died Dec. 5th 1919
Aged 77 years
In every state search kept as Jehovah's eye,
'tis well with them while life endure
and well when called to die
Also of Sarah Reed
wife of the above
who died Feb. 19th 1922 Aged 83 years
At rest in Uckfield".

Further detail of their children can be found at Appendix J

Dorcas Jarman nee Barton

William Frederick Jarman was baptised on 5 February 1837, the son of Naomi Jarman. He had been born out of wedlock. His father was William Frederick Clark. William Frederick Clark married Elizabeth Sutton in 1839 and they had 2 sons, George Clark and Charles Clark. Elizabeth died in 1863 and on 25 January 1866 William Clark finally married Naomi Jarman at St Nicholas Brighton, when their son would have been nearly 30.

Rhoda Elphick nee Barton

Rhoda Barton was born in 1860 (Reg Gen June Qtr 1860 Hailsham 2b 63).

In 1861 and 1871 she was living at home with her parents

On 18 May 1878, Rhoda, aged 18 she married William Elphick at St John the Evangalist Church, Bodle Street Green. William Elphick aged 20 (which he appears to overstate) was the son of William Elphick, labourer. The witnesses were Jane Reed and John H Barton, Rhoda's sister and brother (Reg Gen June Qtr 1878 Hailsham 2b 160).

William and Rhoda had four children:

• Ernest Henry Elphick. Baptised 4 August 1878 at Bodle Street
  
• Edith Mary Elphick, Baptised 1880 at Bodle Street
  
• William Charles Elphick. Baptised 1884 at Bodle Street.
• Robert Augustus Elphick. Born 1886 in Herstmonceux.

In 1881 William and Rhoda were living at Brick House, Herstmonceux. William, aged 21 was a brewer in brew house. Living next door were:

• William Elphick, head, aged 45, groom and gardener, born Hooe
  
• Caroline Elphick, wife, aged 42, housekeeper, born Herstmonceux
  
• Ernest Elphick, son, aged 14, basket maker , born Herstmonceux
  
• Lorney C Elphick, daughter, aged 9, scholar, born Herstmonceux
  
• Hannah B Elphick, daughter, aged 7, born Herstmonceux
  
• Clara M Elphick, daughter, aged 3, born Herstmonceux.
  

This appears to be William's parents and his siblings.

In 1891 the family are living at Gardner Street, Herstmonceux. 31 year old William is a "buss proprietor". Rhoda, aged 30 is a launderess and 12 year old son Ernest is a "buss conductor" while the younger children remain at school.

They are still at Gardner Street in 1901. William is now a general labourer. Son Ernest is a butchery shop man. No occupation is given for the other children.

By 1911 William and Rhoda are living at St Dunstans, Heathfield and 51 year old William is a farmer. How did that happen? Only their 27 year old son William remains at home and he is working on the farm with his father.

In 1921 they are living at 58, High Street, Seaford. William is 61 years old and a farm labourer and "general work" for Richard Laube, farmer at Bletchington Farm, East Blatchington. Rhoda, also aged 61 is on home duties. None of their children remain at home.

In the 1939 register William and Rhoda are still living at 58 High Street, Seaford, but William (born 26 August 1859) is now described as a house painter (retired). Rhoda (born 10 May 1860) is on unpaid domestic duties.

In the 1945 electoral register it shows that William and Rhoda were living at Willetts Farm, Warbleton

Rhoda Elphick died aged 84 in 1945

William Elphick died aged 88 years in 1946.

Further details of their children can be found at Appendix L 

Our line continues through James and Orpah's son, John Henry Barton. Click here to go to "Chapter 4 - John Henry Barton & Caroline Wood".

To find out more about the Crowhurst's click here to go to "Appendix I - Crowhurst"

Click here to go back to "Chapter 2 - John Barton & Catherine Keeley".