John Fry [2.1]

John Fry was the first child of John Fry & Caroline Stephens christened January 14th, 1810 at East Grinstead.

John married Harriot Brooker on July 18th, 1834 at St George the Martyr, Southwark, Surrey. Harriot was born October 20th 1802 at Worth, the daughter of Ambrose & Mary Brooker. John was of the parish & Harriot was of Hartfield, Sussex. Witnesses at the wedding were James Brooker & Mary Ann Brooker.

John & Harriot's marriage

At the time of the 1841 census John & Harriot were living at ‘Allins’, Horsted Keynes where John was a farmer. They had 2 sons John (4) & William (1).

In 1851 John & Harriot were living at Hunters (also called Courtland) Farm, Fletching with 5 children, namely, John, a farm labourer, William, Mary Ann (9), George (7) & Harriet (3). Living with them was John Awcock, a carter & a visitor, Harriet Brooker (aged 9), Harriot’s niece (daughter of older brother John Brooker).

By 1861 they had moved to Battle and were living at Burnt Chimney and John was still farming. At home were all the children except oldest son John.

Harriot died in April-June 1870 (aged 66) at Battle.

The children of John Fry & Harriot Brooker were:

f.2.1.1 John Fry christened March 19th, 1837 at Horsted Keynes, died April-June 1891 at Horsted Keynes
f.2.1.2 William Fry christened May 10th, 1840 at Horsted Keynes, died 1901 at Battle
f.2.1.3 Mary Ann Fry christened May 29th, 1842 at Horsted Keynes; died January 12th, 1933 at Battle
f.2.1.4 George Fry christened March 31st, 1844 at Horsted Keynes; died June 25th 1929 at Eastbourne
f.2.1.5 Harriett Fry christened November 7th, 1847 at Horsted Keynes, died March 20th 1880 at Battle

The following year, widower John was recorded at Wind Mill, Battle and was a miller & grocer. Sons William & George were both millers living with him, & both daughters were also still at home.

In July-Sept 1876 John, aged 66, married Mary Ann Waters at Lewisham. Mary Ann was born July-September 1839 at Methwold, Norfolk & had been living at Kensington, London in 1871 as a cook to the Cocks family, the head of which was Stroud Cocks a music publisher. John & Mary Ann had a daughter Edith Ellen in 1877 at Battle.

In 1881 John, Mary Ann & daughter Edith were living at Copps Hall, Battle, John was a grocer.

John died on August 26th, 1883, aged 74, at Copps Hall, Battle. His will was proved on March 19th, 1888 by widow Mary Ann. John’s personal estate amounted to £71.

Mary Ann died Oct-Dec 1896 at Hastings, aged 60.

The children of John Fry & Mary Ann Waters were:

f.2.1.6 Edith Ellen Fry born Oct-Dec 1877 at Battle; died April-June 1901 at Hastings