John Fry was the first child of John Fry & Harriett Brooker, christened March 19th, 1837 at Horsted Keynes, Sussex.
In 1851 John was at home with his family at Hunters (Courtland) Farm, Maresfield.
In Oct-Dec 1858 John married Mary Ann Newbery , born c1837 at Holloway, Middlesex, the marriage being registered at Lewes, Sussex. By the time of the 1861 census they had 2 daughters Mary Ann (1) & Harriet (2 months) & were living at Newick, Sussex where John was an agricultural labourer.
By 1871 John & Mary had moved to Jersey St, Brighton where John was now a police constable. In addition to the first 2 daughters they now had George John (8), Eliza Alice (7) & Herbert (1). They had a family lodging with them – George Hall, a gas inspector & his family.
John & Mary had moved to Horsted Keynes by 1881 & were living at Hope Cottage & John was now a butcher. His son George was an assistant butcher; also at home were Eliza, Herbert & Albert (7). Hope Cottage was built in about the 17th Century as a bakery and remained in the Fry household until at least 1939!
Mary & John were still living at Hope Cottage in 1891 but John had changed occupations again – he was now a baker! Son Albert, the only child living at home, was a bakers assistant. With the family was a servant Mr Hills.
Soon after the census John died on June 1st, 1891 at the age of 54, at Hope Cottage. Administration of his personal estate was granted to widow Mary Ann on July 15th, 1891 & his effects were £85.9s.9d.
In 1901 widow Mary (63) was living at The Green, Horsted Keynes with her daughter Harriet now aged 40 and unmarried. Mary & Harriet had a ‘fancy’ shop which was also a tobacconists. Harriet had previously worked as a housemaid at a school in Brighton (1881) & as a nurse in the household of an artist Barclay Day who was a widower with a 6 year old daughter. Mary Ann was still listed as a shopkeeper at Horsted Keynes in Kelly’s directory of 1905.
Mary was still a shopkeeper in 1911, now a tobacconist, confectionery & stationery shop & working from home which was Hope Cottage, Horsted Keynes. Daughter Harriett was still living with her & helping in the shop as was Mary's granddaughter, Lydia Mary Hurren (14). Lydia was the daughter of Eliza Alice (now deceased) who had married George Hurren in 1892.
Mary died in July-September 1911, aged 75, her death being registered at Cuckfield, Sussex.
It appears that daughter Harriett continued to live at Hope Cottage until at least 1939 when she is recorded there as an old age pensioner. With her at the cottage at this time was niece Lydia Mary Hurrren now married to Arthur W Lucas, a master builder.
The children of John Fry & Mary Ann Newbery were:
f.2.1.1.1 Mary Ann Fry born Oct-Dec 1859 at Lindfield, buried February 23rd, 1884 at St Giles, Horsted Keynes, Sussex
f.2.1.1.2 Harriet Fry born March 2nd, 1861 at Newick; died July-September 1947 at Cuckfield, Sussex
f.2.1.1.3 George John Fry born Apr-June 1862 at Brighton, buried May 12th, 1885 at St Giles, Horsted Keynes
f.2.1.1.4 Eliza Alice Fry
born Jan-March 1864 at Brighton; died april-June 1902 at Grays Thurrock, Essex
f.2.1.1.5 Herbert Fry born July-September
1869 at Brighton; died April 14th, 1943 at North Middlesex County Hospital, Edmonton
f.2.1.1.6 Albert Fry born Oct-Dec 1873 at Brighton; died September 8th,1938 at Montacute, East Rd, Bridport, Dorset