Ancestors of Mandy Willard

John DOWLEN (1802-1875)

and Elizabeth MANSBRIDGE (1808-1879)

John Dowlen and Elizabeth Mansbridge were my 3x Great Grandparents.  (Click here to see their place in my pedigree chart.)  They married by banns on Sunday 26 March 1826 at the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene in Bolney, Sussex.  They were both then of Bolney.  The witnesses to the marriage were Henry Mansbridge and Mary Ann Dowlen.  All bar Elizabeth signed their names.  (Henry was most probably Elizabeth's brother and Mary Ann, Charles's sister.)

John Dowlen was baptised on Sunday 4 April 1802 at the parish church of St. Peter's in Cowfold, Sussex.  He was the youngest son and child of Charles Dowlen (1754-1822) and Ann West (1760-1825).  He died aged 73 years on Friday 12 March 1875 at Cranmers, Henfield.  His cause of death was Chronic Bronchitis.  His death was registered by his son-in-law, Frederick Coles, who was present at the death and was also of Cranmers.  John was buried on Tuesday 16 March 1875 in Henfield and his name was then recorded in burial register as John Dowling.  He was a farm labourer.

Elizabeth Mansbridge was born on Sunday 27 November 1808 and baptised on Sunday 18 February 1810 in Bolney.  She was the youngest of 10 children and the second daughter of James Mansbridge (1759-1830) and Mary Finch (1768-1837).  She died aged 68 years and her death was registered in the name of Elizabeth Bray.  Elizabeth died on 31 March 1879 at Mill Hall in Aylesford, Kent.  Her cause of death was bronchitis and her husband, W. Bray registered her death on 1 April 1879.  He was then a platelayer and had been present at her death.  She left her husband, John Dowlen, and children in about 1850 and went to live with another man, with whom she remained until her death.  He was William Mansell who also went by the name of William Bray and he died after Elizabeth.

John Dowlen and Elizabeth Mansbridge had 8 known children:

1. Charles Dowlen, my 2x Great Grandfather, was born on 23 Janaury 1827 and baptised on 4 March 1827 in Slaugham, Sussex.  He married Susan Hoadley in 1856.  (They have their own page.)

2. Mark Dowlen was born on 6 April 1829 and baptised on 7 June 1829 in Slaugham.  He married Ann May in 1853.  (They have their own page.)

3. Clarissa Dowlen was born on 7 June 1832 and baptised on 1 July 1832 in Henfield (Independent) and buried there on 20 December 1843, aged 11 years, by the name of Clara Dowlen.

4. Ann West Dowlen was born on 23 December 1836 and baptised on 5 March 1837 in Henfield (Independent).  She died aged 78 years on 9 March 1915 at Prospect Place, Horsham.  The cause of death was Cerebral Haemorrhage and Bronchus Pneumonia.  Her death was registered by her daughter E. Still who was of 9 Henfield Cottages, Newdigate.  (E. Still was probably Esther Coles.)

   Ann married twice.  First to Isaac Adams on 5 April 1857 in Henfield.  They were both of full age, of Henfield and made their X marks.  Isaac was a labourer and a bachelor and Ann a spinster.  The witnesses to the marriage were Charles Dowlin and Susan Dowlin.

   Isaac was baptised on 26 February 1825 in Shipley, the son of Henry Adams and Mary Potter.  Isaac died aged 37 years on 9 July 1862 at Hoads, Hurstpierpoint and was buried on 13 July 1862 in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.  His cause of death was heart disease and his death was registered by Ann Bowles of Shalford, Hurstpierpoint.

   Isaac and Ann had 2 known children:

   1. Janetta Kate Adams was baptised on 3 April 1859 in Hurstpierpoint.  She died aged 16 weeks and was buried on 29 May 1859 in Hurstpierpoint.

   2. Harry Adams was baptised on 3 March 1861 in Hurstpierpoint.  At the time his father was a labourer of Hurstpierpoint.  The baptism register also records that his Godparents were Edward Stedman, William Sayers and Emily Dowlen.

   Ann then married Frederick Coles on 10 April 1864 in Clayton, Sussex.  (They have their own page.)

5.  Emily Dowlen was born on 12 May 1839 in Henfield.  She may have had an illegitimate daughter:

   1. Kate Dowling was baptised on 29 March 1863 in Lower Beeding, Sussex, at which time it was noted in the baptism register that her mother was from Slaugham.

   Emily married Alfred Childs on 12 February 1866 at St. Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex.  At the time of their marriage Alfred was aged 25, a bachelor and a grocer of 18 Bedford Buildings. Emily was aged 26 and a spinster of 30 Clifton Hill.  The witnesses to the marriage were Charles Dowlen and Esther Dowlen

   Alfred was baptised on 15 November 1840 at St. Peters, Brighton and was the son of Henry Childs and Ann, (Henry was a gardener).  In 1881 the family were living at 19 Upper North Street, Brighton and Alfred was a Bootmaker.

   Alfred and Emily had 3 known children: 

   1. Ann Childs was born on 15 June 1867 at 30 Crown Street, Brighton and baptised on 4 August 1867 in Brighton.  She died on 24 January 1947.  She married George William Hole in 1886.  He was baptised on 14 March 1862 in Henfield and was the son of Anthony Hole (1816-1886) and Frances Stillaway (1833-1917).  George died in 1927 in Patcham, Sussex.

      George and Ann had 5 known children:

      1. Anthony Hole was born in 1887 in Brighton and died in 1914.  He married Violet Long.

      2. Albert Hole was born in 1888 in Patcham and died in 1956.  He married May Peacock.

      3. Clara Frances Hole was born on 7 July 1892 in Patcham.  She married Albert George Wingfield.  He was born in 1894 and was the son of Mark Wingfield (1859-1930) and Caroline Jupp (1861-1934).

      

      Many thanks to Harry Hutchinson for the above photograph.  Harry's Grandmother was Clara Frances Wingfield, nee Hole.

      Left to Right:  Albert George Wingfield (1894-1964), Minnie Shoulders, nee Childs (1869-?), Clara Frances Wingfield, nee Hole (1892-1989), Daisy Laura Wingfield (1896-?), Ann Hole, nee Childs (1867-1947), Frank Cecil G Hole (1900-?), Violet Hole, nee Long (1890-1973), Annie Eliza Hole (1894-1985) and Albert Hole (1888-1956). 

      4. Annie Eliza Hole was born in 1894 in Patcham and died in 1985 in Henfield.  She married Albert Haffenden.

      5. Frank Cecil G. Hole was born in 1900 in Patcham.  He married Nellie Dival.

   2. Minnie Childs was born about 1869 in Brighton.  She married Albert Shoulders in 1890.  He was baptised on 9 July 1871 in Henfield and was the son of William Shoulders (1837-?) and Agnes Blann (1840-?).

      Albert and Minnie had 3 known children:

      1. Alfred Shoulders was born about 1892 in Brighton.  He was a shoe repairer and cobbler.

      2. Sydney Frank Shoulders was born about 1895 in Brighton.

      3. Ernest Shoulders was born about 1896 in Brighton.

   3. Ernest Childs was born about 1877 in Brighton.

6. Edwin Dowlen was born on 5 May 1843 and baptised on 3 April 1844 in Henfield and buried there on 17 May 1850, aged 7 years.

7. Esther Dowlen was born on 6 August 1845 in Henfield.

   Esther married Henry Stringer on 2 April 1870 in Henfield.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Stringer and Ann West Coles.

   Harry Stringer was baptised on 14 November 1851 in West Grinstead and was the son of Solomon Stringer (1824-1894) and Emily.

   In 1881 the family were living in Mile Oak, Portslade, Sussex and Henry was an agricultural labourer.  By 1901 he was a foreman on a farm and the family were living in Edburton, Sussex.

   Henry and Esther had 5 known children: 

   1. Frederick W. Stringer was born about 1870 in Washington, Sussex.  In 1881 he was an 11 year old agricultural labourer.

   2. William Stringer was born about 1876 in Brighton.  He married Margaret Gray in 1898.  She was born in about 1877 in Amberley, Sussex.  By 1901 they had 2 children.

   3. George Ernest Stringer was born 1879 in Hove, Sussex.  He died aged 21 years and his death was registered in the first quarter 1901 in the Steyning registration district.

   4. Florence Stringer was born about 1885 in Portslade.

   5. Annie Stringer was born about 1889 in Portslade.

8. David Dowlen was born on 10 April 1848 and baptised on 11 June 1848 in Henfield.  He died in 1916.  David was mainly a labourer but in 1878 he was a coal merchant.

   David married Matilda Woolgar on 21 August 1875 in Henfield.  The witnesses to the marriage were Abraham Woolgar and Caroline Slatter.

   Matilda was baptised on 12 June 1859 in Henfield and was the daughter of Stephen Woolgar (1820-?) and Harriet Edwards.

   David and Matilda had 15 known children: 

   1. David Stephen Dowlen Woolgar was baptised on 9 March 1874 in Henfield as the illegitimate son of Matilda.  He died aged 9 years and was buried on 9 October 1883 in Henfield.

   2. Matilda Sophy Dowlen was baptised on 12 December 1875 in Henfield.  She may have died aged 7 years and have been buried on 19 August 1883, by the name of Sophia Amelia Dowlen.  (Her birth was registered as Matilda Sophy.)

   3. Ada Maria Dowlen was baptised on 17 June 1877 in Henfield.

   4. John Dowlen was baptised on 9 December 1878 in Henfield.  In 1901 he was living with his parents and he was a cowman on a farm.  His age was recorded in the the census as 27 years, making his birth about 1874.

   5. Charles Dowlen was baptised on 12 December 1880 in Henfield.  In 1901 he was a 20 year old cowman on a farm living with his parents.

   6. Mark Dowlen was baptised on 8 October 1882 in Henfield.  In 1901 he was an 18 year old farm labourer living with his parents.

   7. Annie Dowlen was baptised on 9 March 1884 in Henfield.  She was not living with her parents when the 1901 census was recorded.

   8. Frank Dowlen was baptised on 14 February 1886 in Henfield.  In 1901 he was a 15 year old living with his parents and he was a cowman on a farm.

   9. Edith Kate Dowlen was baptised on 12 October 1887 in Henfield.  She may have died before the recording of the 1901 census as she was not living with her parents.

   10. Arthur Dowlen was baptised on 11 August 1889 in Henfield.  He was an 11 year old in 1901.

   11. Harriet Dowlen was baptised on 10 May 1891 in Henfield.  She was 10 years old in 1901.

   12. Ethel Dowlen was baptised on 10 September 1893 in Henfield.  She may have died before the recording of the 1901 census as she was not living with her parents.

   13. Ernest Dowlen was baptised on 19 March 1895 in Henfield.  He may have died before the recording of the 1901 census as he was not living with his parents.

   14. Emily Dorothy Dowlen was baptised on 13 December 1896 in Henfield.  She was 4 years old in 1901.

   15. Frederick Roy Dowlen was born about 1900 in Henfield (first quarter).  He died in 1969.  In 1901 he was a year old and the youngest child at home.

   In 1881 the family were living at Cannons, Henfield, and David was a coal merchant's labourer.  Matilda’s Great Grandparents 5 134 Samuel Woolgar (1755-1839) and 5 134 Mary Mitchell (c1759-1841) were my 5x Great Grandparents.

William Bray and Elizabeth Mansbridge had 2 known daughters:

1. Lucy Bray was born in the first quarter of 1851 in Crowhurst, Sussex.  She had an illegitimate son:

   1. John Henry Walse Bray was born in 1850.  At the time of the 1851 census he was 6 months old.  He was 10 year old Henry Bray when the 1881 census was recorded and living with his mother and step father.

   Lucy married Solomon Caller in the fourth quarter of 1872 in the North Aylesford registration district.  When the 1881 census was recorded the couple and their children were living at No. 3 Square in Wouldham, Kent.  Solomon was then a 30 year old cement works labourer.  They had the following children:

   2. Herbert Caller was born about 1873 in Wouldham.  He was an 8 year old scholar in 1881.

   3. Emily Caller was born about 1879 in Wouldham.  She was 2 years old whent he 1881 census was recorded. 

2. Julia Bray was born in the third quarter of 1856 in Strood, Kent.  She married James Bolton in the fourth quarter of 1877 in the North Aylesford registration district.  When the 1881 census was recorded the couple and their 2 young children were living in 3 Railway Cottage in Aylesford.  James was then a 31 year old general labourer.  They had the following children:

   1. Clara E. Bolton was born about 1879 in Mill Hall, Aylesford.  She was 2 years old in 1881.

   2. Arthur E. Bolton was born in 1880 in Mill Hall, Aylesford.  He was 11 months old when the 1881 census was recorded.

1841 Census, Blundens, Henfield, Sussex (HO107/1098/9)

John Dowlen, 35, Ag. Lab, born Sussex

Elizabeth Dowlen, 30, born Sussex

Charles Dowlen, 14, born Sussex

Mark Dowlen, 12, born Sussex

Clarisa Dowlen, 9, born Sussex

Anne Dowlen, 4, born Sussex

Emily Dowlen, 2, born Sussex

1851 Census, Cannons, Henfield, Sussex (HO107/1647, folio 517, page 3)

John Dowlen, Head, Mar, 50, Ag. Lab, born Sussex, Cowfold

Mark Dowlen, Son, U, 21, Ag. Lab, born Sussex, Slaugham

Anne W. Dowlen, Daur, 14, Housekeeper, born Sussex, Cowfold

Emily Dowlen, Daur, 11, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

Ester Dowlen, Daur, 5, Scholar, born Sussex, Henfield

1851 Census, ? Street, Crowhurst, Sussex (HO107/1636, folio 135, page 15)

William Bray, Head, Mar, 30, Railway Labourer, born Henfield

Elizabeth Bray, Wife, Mar, 34, born Boney

David Bray, Son, 3, born Henfield

Lewcy Bray, 3mo, born Crowhurst, Sussex

1861 Census, West End, Henfield, Sussex (RG9/606, folio 134, page 4)

John Dowlen, Head, Widr, 59, Ag Lab, born Cowfold, Sussex

David Dowlen, Son, 12, Scholar, born Henfield, Sussex

Mark Dowlen, Head, Mar, 32, Ag Lab, born Slaugham, Sussex

Ann Dowlen, Wife, Mar, 27, born Chailey, Sussex

Clarissa Dowlen, Daur, 7, Scholar, bron Brighton, Sussex

Ann Dowlen, Daur, 5, born Cowfold, Sussex

Mark Dowlen, Son, 2, born Henfield, Sussex

1861 Census, Lower Halling, Halling, Kent (RG9/474, folio 112, page 3)

William Bray, Head, Mar, 38, Railway Platelayer, born Sussex, Henfield

Elizabeth Bray, Wife, Mar, 49, born Sussex, Bolney

Lucy Bray, Daur, 10, born Sussex, Battle

Julia Bray, Daur, 4, born Kent, Strood

1871 Census, Cannons, Henfield, Sussex (RG10/1095, folio 60, page 10)

John Dowlen, Head, Widr, 70, Ag Lab, born Cowfold, Sussex

David Dowlen, Son, Unm, 23, Ag Lab, born Henfield, Sussex

on the previous page, Cannons, Henfield (RG10/1095, folio 60, page 9)

Stephen Woolgar, Head, Mar, 50, Ag Lab, born Henfield, Sussex

Harriet Woolgar, Wife, Mar, 44, born Shipley, Sussex

Matilda Woolgar, Daur, 11, Scholar, born Henfield, Sussex

1871 Census, Lower Halling, Halling, Kent (RG10/898, folio 93, page 26)

William Bray, Head, Mar, 50, Railway Platelayer, born Sussex, Henfield

Elizabeth Bray, Wife, Mar, 60, born Sussex, Bolney

Lucy Bray, Daur, Unm, 20, General Serv. out of employ, born Sussex, Crowhurst

John H. Walse Bray, Grandson, 6mo, born Kent, Halling

DOWLEN          MANSBRIDGE