James Brown & Matilda Shirley were one of my 3rd generation ancestors.
Key Dates:
- 1847: James Brown born
- 1850: Naomi Matilda Shirley born
- 1872: James Brown married Matilda Shirley
- 1873: First child born
- 1896: Last child born
- 1924: James Brown died
- 1936: Matilda Shirley (Brown) died
James Brown was born on 11th November 1847 in Oxted, Surrey and was baptised in Oxted on 16th January 1848. He was the son of William Brown & Jane Colegate. He married Naomi Matilda Shirley on 27th April 1872 in Felbridge, Surrey. James died on 23rd August 1924 at Lowlands, Newchapel, Surrey and was buried in Blindley Heath churchyard (aged 76').
Naomi Matilda Shirley was born on 18th August 1850 in Godstone, Surrey. She was the daughter of James Shirley & Sophia Strip. She died on 10th November 1936 at Lowlands, Newchapel, Surrey and was buried in Blindley Heath churchyard with James.
James and Matilda had ten known children:
- Alice Jane Brown was born on 11th March 1873 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. In 1901 she worked as a " Cook Domestic" in Courthouse, Nutley, Maresfield (owner was Charles Keene and wife Annie). She married William Wickham in about May 1902 in Uckfield, Sussex. William was born in about December 1873 in Nutley, Sussex. He was a Brickmaker – the brickworks being at the end of Hamsey road, Sharpethorne, where they lived. Alice and William had no children. Alice died in about 1929 in West Hoathly, Sussex.
- Alfred Brown was born in about August 1874 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey, but maybe possibly died after 2 days (source is family memories). However BMD shows a Alfred who died in about February 1879 in Godstone RD, Surrey ('aged 5').
- Joseph Arthur Brown was born on 21st March 1876 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. He worked for the circus, “Sankey’s”, as a mechanic/lighting man and travelled with the circus. He does not appear in the 1901 census. He married possibly Edith Gertrude Razzell in about February 1889 in Reigate RD, Surrey. They lived in Oxted originally but his wife left him in about 1909 and he bought up his children in Horley and at the time of the 1911 census he was living at 2 Flints Cottage, Ladbroke Road, Horley. He later lived with his parents in Horne for a period and he returned to Lowlands just before his death in about May 1932 and died there aged 56. He was rumoured to have a very bad temper. The 1911 census also shows he had difficulty spelling and his occupation is shown as 'Carman'. He had three known children:
- Elsie harriet Brown (shown in census as Horrot) was born in about 1900 possibly in Horley , Surrey. It is believed she had 10 children
- Minnie Matilda Brown was born in about November 1903 in Horley Surrey. She had two children- names unknown, and the daughter later emigrated to Canada.
- Arthur James Brown who was born in about May 1907 in Horley, Surrey. He married Nora Wittaker and had three children (names unknown). Prior to marriage he lodged with his Aunt Edith
- Minnie Brown was born on 11th April 1878 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. In 1901 she worked as a " Housemaid Domestic" in Effingham Park, Copthorne. She married James Tatnall in about August 1908 in Lingfield, Surrey. James Tatnell was born about March 1877 in Lingfield, Surrey, ( shown on BMD in district of East Grinstead, Sussex) but was killed on the railway line prior to 1922. James and Minnie had four children:
At about 1911 Minnie & James were living with his mother (Susanna) in New Town, Lingfield (see census information below)
- Alec James Tatnall was born in about August 1909 in Lingfield, Surrey (Godstone RD). He was a Parson in Reigate & Exeter but had no children.
- Percy J Tatnall was born in about November 1911 in Lingfield, Surrey (Godstone RD). He was married with two children.
- Christina M Tatnall was born in about February 1914 in Godstone RD, Surrey. She had 3 children.
- Alfred Tatnall was born in about February 1916 in Godstone RD, Surrey and had one daughter.
- Elsie Brown (or Elsey) was born 30th March 1880 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. She was unmarried when she had a son Percy. She later married John Smith. Details of Elsie Brown are shown separately as she is a direct ancestor.
- Beeney Brown was born on 29th September 1882 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. His actual forename is not known but his initials were ‘JB Brown’ (as given on address details on an envelope). Source 5 shows his name registered as 'Beeney'. Beeney emigrated to Alaska in early 1900's (or after 1897 as is in family photo but not in 1901 census). His big toe was believed to have been frozen off. His last known address was PO Box 87, Lake Stevens, Washington, USA
- Annie Brown was born on 23rd June 1884 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. She died after a few months in about September 1884.
- James Brown was born on 8th September 1887 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. He does not appear anywhere on 1901 census but he is living at Lowlands in the 1911 census. He served as a driver in the Royal Field Artillery and was killed in WW1 on 23rd October 1918. (Service Details are- Rank:Driver; Number: 944617; Burial: Belle Vue, British Cemetry, Briastre - grave B-24; Immigration: "D" Bty 210th Bde. Royal Field Artillery.
- Frank Brown was born on 10th April 1891 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. He had a dishonest reputation as did his son, and worked on a farm in Wilmots lane but later lived at Firle. He married Eva B Coleman in about November 1914 in Godstone RD, Surrey. Frank & Eva had two children:
- Mona V Brown was born in about February 1916 in Sevenoaks RD, Kent.
- Edward F Brown was born in about February 1919 in Godstone RD, Surrey.
- Edith May Brown was born on 7th May 1896 in Newchapel, Horne, Surrey. She married Norman J Whittaker in about May 1927 in Godstone RD, Surrey. Norman was born in South Godstone in about 1906 (he was about 10 years younger). He died in a torpedo attack on his ship in WW2, there being only one survivor from the ship. They lived in South Godstone when married and had two children:
- Norman Frank Whittaker was born in about March 1929 in Godstone RD, Surrey. He was in transport in Edenbridge
- Irvine E Whittaker was born about June 1932 in Godstone RD, Surrey. He was a postman.
James Brown
On his marriage to Matilda Shirley in April 1872, James moved to Frogit Heath, now known as Newchapel. The marriage certificate actually shows him as living in Newchapel at the date of marriage, (so he may have moved there earlier) and he is shown as living at Frogwood Heath, Horne at time of 1881 Census. Neighbours house was "Lowlands" occupied by "Arnolds" and "Streeters". He worked as an Agricultural Labourer.
During the later period of his life he worked as a roadman called a "Roader" as well as managing a little smallholding (cow, pig, horse and chickens). A lot of wine (Plum/potato/Fruit) was made (and drunk).
James Brown could not write as marriage certificate was marked with a cross.
Matilda Brown
The forename ‘Naomi’ of Naomi Matilda Shirley does not seem to appear elsewhere except on her birth certificate and gravestone- otherwise she was always known as Matilda.
Her parents had paid one old pence a week for someone to teach her so she could read and write. She was well brought up and her family went to church in top hats (James Brown's family wore smocks). In 1871 she was working in Kentish Town, St Pancras, London as a servant for Christopher R Solomon and family.
Matilda is remembered as a straight laced person, who was pleasant, but seldom laughed. She had a good reputation for dealing with illnesses and looking after ill people. She was known to be knowledgeable (presumably from her education).
After her husbands death she remained in black clothes until her own death.
© Peter Brown 2008 : Last Updated 15/04/10