William Fry [f.3.1]

William Fry was the first child of William Fry & Elizabeth Morphew born c1820 at Laughton, Sussex and christened November 12th, 1820 at St Mary’s Parish Church, Hartfield, Sussex.

In 1841 William was a wheelwright living with his parents & brother George at Western Lane, Chailey, Sussex.

On September 1st, 1847 William married his cousin Anne Fry. The marriage took place at the Parish Church of St Andrew Holborn, London. It was noted on the marriage certificate that William, a farmer, was of full age & Anne was a minor & both gave their address as Holborn. Anne was born c1830 at East Grinstead, the daughter of John Fry, a farmer, & Caroline Stephens. Witnesses at the wedding were Samuel M Hicks, the parish clerk of Holborn, & George Hicks.

William & Anne's marriage certificate

At the time of the 1851 census they were living at Moor House, Lingfield, Surrey, where William was a farmer of 65 acres. They had a 2 year old son William, born at East Grinstead and a daughter Anne J, aged 1 month. There was a nurse Mary Neady with them at the time of the census.

In 1861 William & Anne had moved to Dennetts Rd, Deptford, Greenwich, Kent & William was described as a fund holder. With them were children (Anne) Jane (10), Esther (8), Catherine (6), John (4), Alfred (3) & Arthur E (1). They had a 22 year old housemaid, Eliza Allen. Son William was with his grandparents Elizabeth & William Fry at Goodwins Farm, East Grinstead, Sussex at the time of the census.

Anne died sometime before 1866 when William remarried.

The children of William Fry & Anne Fry were:

f.3.1.1 William Henry Fry born Jan-March 1849 at East Grinstead, Sussex
f.3.1.2 Anne Jane Fry born April-June 1851 at Lingfield, Surrey
f.3.1.3 Esther Charlotte Fry born May 17th, 1852 at Lingfield, Surrey
f.3.1.4 Catherine Fry born c1854 at Lingfield, Surrey
f.3.1.5 John Fry born April-June 1856 at Burstow, Surrey
f.3.1.6 Alfred Frederick Fry born Jan-March 1858 at Faygate, Horsham, Sussex
f.3.1.7 Arthur Edward Fry born Jan-March 1860 at Shipley, Sussex

William’s new wife was Harriett Sargent whom he married on September 20th, 1866 at Hastings, Sussex. Harriett was christened on October 13th, 1839 at Lingfield, Surrey, the daughter of Jane & James Sargent, an agricultural labourer.

In 1871 William & Harriett were living at Rats Farm, Netherfield, Battle, Sussex. William was now a farmer of 200 acres employing 3 men & 3 boys. At home were William’s children Annie J, Catherine, John, Alfred F, & Arthur E. His son William was a trooper at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge at the time of the census. William & Harriett had 3 children by this time – Edith Harriett (3), Agnes A (2) & Edwin G (5 months). There was also a 31 year old agricultural labourer living with them, Benjamin Jones.

By 1881 William & Harriett had moved to Boyles Farm, East Grinstead, Sussex. William was now a farmer of 160 acres employing 9 men & 1 boy. At home were Alfred Frederick, an agricultural labourer, Edith Harriett, Agnes Amelia, Edwin George & Louis (8).

William, aged 72, was still farming at Boyles Farm in 1891. Only 3 children were still at home with him & Harriett – Agnes, Edwin & Louis.

William died in July-September 1892, aged 74, the death being registered at Uckfield.

The children of William Fry & Harriett Sargent were:

f.3.1.8. Edith Harriett Fry born April-June 1867 at Netherfield, Battle, Sussex
f.3.1.9 Agnes Amelia Fry born July-September 1868 at Netherfield, Battle, Sussex
f.3.1.10 Edwin George Fry born Oct-December 1870 at Netherfield, Battle, Sussex
f.3.1.11 Louis Fry born Jan-March 1873 at Battle, Sussex