William Moss – Sussex People

Part of the Ingram-Green family tree (Great-great-grandfather)

Family background and early life

William Moss was born at Cressing, near Braintree, Essex in about April 1803, and baptised at All Saints Church, Cressing on 8 May 1903. He was the fourth of six children born to James Moss (1766–1833) and his wife, Hannah née Young (1770–1844), who had been married at All Saints on 22 October 1794.

Marriage and children

On 3 October 1828, 25-year old William married Sarah Ann Gubby (aged 21) at All Saints Church, Cressing. She was the youngest daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Gubby, from Rotherhithe in south London.

The couple’s first child, Sarah Ann was baptised on 19 July 1829 but died at just two years old and was buried on 25 September 1831. Seven months later, a second daughter was born, who was also named Sarah Ann, and was baptised on 6 May 1832.

A further seven children followed over the next 19 years

John, born 8 September 1834, baptised 5 October 1834

William Thomas, baptised 29 July 1838

Thomas William, baptised 7 March 1841

Mary Ann, baptised 20 February 1842, buried 6 March 1842

Emily, baptised 16 July 1843

Mark James, baptised 20 September 1846

Alfred George, born 12 June 1851, baptised 13 July 1851

All the children were baptised at All Saints Church, Cressing.

At the first national census on 6 June 1841, the family’s address was recorded as “cottage on Braintree road”, Cressing. William, aged 38, was employed as an agricultural labourer. With him were his wife and oldest four children, including 4-month old Thomas; also living in the same cottage were William’s brother, 43-year old John and his wife, Sarah.

Ten years later, the family were recorded at Witham Road, Cressing. The eldest daughter, Sarah Ann was no longer living at home but working as a “house servant” for Henry Robinson, a farm bailiff and his wife, Harriett, at Mayland, 20 miles south of Cressing.

William remained at Witham Road, Cressing until his death on 2 June 1871, aged 68. He was buried at All Saints Church, Cressing on 8 June.

Subsequent family history

William’s widow, Sarah survived him by over 20 years and died on 31 March 1892. She too was buried at All Saints Church.

The eldest daughter, Sarah Ann Moss married William Barber, a waiter, at St George’s Church, Hanover Square in November 1853, when she was 21. There is no record of the couple living together, nor of any children.

In 1861, she was working as a cook for John Burgess Watson, an architect, and his family at Nottingham Place, Marylebone. Ten years later, Sarah Ann was working as a cook in the home of Francis Hastings Toone and his extended family at 80 Portland Place, Marylebone.

By 1881, she had left “service” and was now a self-employed draper. At the census, now widowed, she was living with her mother at 2 Denmark Terrace, East Ham. She remained in East Ham for the rest of her life and died there in November 1915, aged 92.

John Moss married Sophia Warren in February 1867, with whom he had twelve children, although only five survived into adulthood. John was a serial adulterer and frequently assaulted Sophia. In 1882, he was bound over to keep the peace with her, and the following year she petitioned for a divorce. They remained together, however, until his death in March 1907. Sophia survived him by 17 years and died in February 1924.

William Thomas Moss married Sophia Warren’s sister, Isabella in February 1869 and had seven children. He joined a cavalry regiment and became the Barracks Sergeant in Norwich, where he died in October 1898, aged 50.

Thomas William Moss married Eliza Breed on 10 November 1862 and had four daughters. A stoker at a gas works, he died in February 1914, aged 73.

Emily Moss married Shadrach Joslin in July 1863 and had nine children. Shadrach was also a stoker at a gas works. He died in December 1916, followed by Emily 10 years later.

Mark James Moss married Emma Louisa Scales in October 1869 and had six children. Following Emma’s death in September 1883, Mark remarried to Anne Binks. A builder by trade, Mark died in December 1930, aged 84.

Alfred George Moss married Lydia Emma Day in February 1876 and had five children. Following her death in June 1888, he re-married to Jane Knight, a widow, in July 1894. He worked as a wine cellarman by profession, latterly for Gilbey & Sons, wine importers. He died in September 1930, aged 79.

Sources

Ancestry.co.uk:

1841 England Census

1851 England Census

1861 England Census

1871 England Census

Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1538-1812

Essex, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1918

Essex, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1994

Essex, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935

London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921

Freereg.org.uk: