My great-grandfather's brother : Joseph Brown 1890

JOSEPH BROWN was born circa 1890 in Upper Beeding, Sussex (source : 1901 census). His mother was Emily Brown and his father was possibly Alphonse Joseph Delonnette, although he is the only child to have kept the surname Brown. There is a birth registered for Joseph Frederick G Brown in 4th quarter 1890 in Steyning district.

On the 1891 census, the year after Joseph's birth, 55-year-old Alphonse (listed as Alphonse Delanette) and his 65-year-old wife Phebe were at 28 Norton Rd in Hove (St Andrews), Sussex with their 23-year-old general domestic servant EMILY BROWN. Phoebe died, aged 77, on 17th August 1897 in Brighton. Alphonso later married EMILY BROWN, his former maid (before 1901), who was some thirty years younger than him. Judging by the ages on the 1901 census, by the time of Phoebe's death in 1897, Emily had already had three children (by Alphonso?) - Joseph (in 1891), Victor Alphonso (in 1891) and Josephone (1894). (They went on to have Georgina (1897), Augustus (1898) and Wilhelmina (1901).

Joseph appears to have been brought up by his grandparents in Upper Beeding (source : 1891/1901 census)

On the 1891 census, aged 7 months, he was with his grandparents and the rest of the family (but not his mum) at Pound House, Upper Beeding.

On the 1901 census, aged 10, he was listed as a grandson at Pound House, Upper Beeding, with his maternal grandparents and their children, the youngest of whom was only a year older than him.

On the 1911 census, a 21-year-old single cowman, he was with his uncle George Brown, a widower unable to work on his farm in High Street, Upper Beeding. Also in the household were his cousins Albert (29), Henry (25), John (22) and Edith (23), who all worked on the farm.

Cousin Henry died during the First World War. The Upper Beeding War Memorial website explains : 212568 Gunner Henry Brown, “B” Battery, 37th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Henry enlisted in Hove and resided in Small Dole. He was the son of George and Mary Brown of Upper Beeding. The 1911 Census shows him as a farm carter, living in the High Street, Upper Beeding, with his widowed father, his elder brother, Albert, his younger brother, John, his cousin, Joe Brown. All of them are shown as farm workers and Henry’s younger sister was also living with them as their housekeeper. He died aged 32, on Sunday 6th October 1918 in Alexandria, Egypt. Given that Henry was apparently serving in Egypt late on in the war and is simply shown as “Died” (i.e. not “Killed in Action” or “Died of Wounds”), I think it likely that he died of disease or some other natural cause(s) or, possibly, as a result of an accidentally sustained injury or injuries. In view, however, of the fact that his service record apparently did not survive the 1940 bombing raid (see page 5) it is impossible to be certain as to his cause of death. Although he died in Alexandria, Egypt, he is buried in gave CC. 21 Ramleh Military Cemetery, Israel, being one of a number of men who were exhumed after the end of the war and re-interred in that cemetery. I understand that Henry was known locally as “Harry Brown of Horton Hall”. So, presumably, he was working on that farm and that is why he is also commemorated on the Small Dole War Memorial. Henry was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal, not having gone overseas until 1916 or later."

There was a tragic accident at this farm in 1914, but I am unsure if Emily's parents still owned and lived at the farm : "Records of the coroner of the Borough of Brighton, INQUESTS - ref. COR/3/2 - FILE - FORD - ref. COR/3/2/1914/96 - date: 25 Jul 1914 [from Scope and Content] of 'Pound House', Upper Beeding, Sussex, stable boy; at the Royal Sussex County Hospital; shock following rupture of the spleen caused by being kicked by a horse at Upper Beeding on 20 Jul; accidental death" (source : A2A website).

Pound House Cottage in Upper Beeding is now a listed building (assuming it's the same property) : "Once two cottages. C18 or earlier. Two storeys. Three windows. Faced with flints with red brick dressings and quoins. Hipped thatched roof. Casement windows." .

He was present at his mother's funeral in 1944 in Hastings and his sister Georgina's funeral in Hastings in 1954 (flowers from "Joe and Mrs Lindfield" which is presumably him)

Joseph died in 1968 in Worthing district, aged 77.

Census returns for Joseph Brown :

1891 census :

Piece: RG12/825 Place: Steyning -Sussex Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Upper Beeding Ecclesiastical Parish: Upper Beeding Folio: 55 Page: 3 Schedule: 15 Address: Pound House
		Surname		First name(s)		Rel		Status		Sex		Age		Occupation		Where Born		Remarks
		BROWN		George		Head		M		M		47		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Bosham
		BROWN		Mary Ann		Wife		M		F		45				Sussex - Selsey
		BROWN		George		Son		S		M		25		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		William		Son		S		M		17		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		Frederick		Son		-		M		15		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		Stenising		Son		-		M		13		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Ripe
		BROWN		Mark		Son		-		M		11		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Albert		Son		-		M		9		Scholar		Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Henry		Son		-		M		5				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Edith		Dau		-		F		3				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Charles		Son		-		M		1				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Joseph		Grnson		-		M		7m				Sussex - Upper Beeding

1901 census :
address : Pound House, Upper Beeding (rural district of Steyning), West Sussex

George Brown, head, 57, cowman on farm (of cattle), born Bosham Sussex
 wife Mary A, 55, born Selsey Sussex
Mark, son, 21, carter on farm (of horse), born Upper Beeding, Sussex
Albert, son, 19, labourer on farm - ag lab, born Upper Beeding, Sussex
 Henry, son, 15, carter on farm (of horse), born Upper Beeding, Sussex
 Edith,  daughter, 13, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex
 Charles, son, 11, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex
Joseph, grandson, 10, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex

1911 census :

address : Beeding, Upper Beeding

George Brown, head, 67, widower, 5 children/5 still living, cowman unable to work, born in the parish Bosham
Albert Brown, son, 29, single, farm labourer, born Upper Beeding
Henry Brown, son, 25, single, carter, born Upper Beeding
John Brown, son, 22, single, cowman, born Upper Beeding
Joe Brown, nephew, 21, single, cowman, born Upper Beeding
Edith Brown, daughter, 23, single, houskeeper, born Upper Beeding

My great-grandfather's sister : Georgina Delonnette 1897 - 1954

GEORGINA DELONNETTE  was born circa 1897 in Brighton. (1901 census). Her birth was registered as Georgina Victoria Brown. Her mother, Emily Brown, aged about 30, was working as a servant for her father, Frenchman Alphonse Joseph Delonette, aged about 57, who she later married, but he was still married to wife Phoebe, aged 77, at this point. Big age differences obviously weren't an issue ! Georgina's birth almost coincided with Phoebe's death in August 1897. By the time of Phoebe's death, Emily had had four children (all with Alphonse?) : Joseph Brown, Victor Alphonse Delonnette, Josephine Delonnette and Georgina.

On 1901 census, age 4, Georgina is living with her parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. Her father died in 1908 when she was 10. On the 1911 census, a 14-year-old unmarried domestic nursemaid, she is with her widowed mother  at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore.

On 9th August 1919, she had a son, AUGUSTUS JACK KNOWLES in Hastings. (He died in 1972)

She married JOHN WILLIAM KNOWLES (known as JACK) (1899-1965) in 1923 in Hastings.

On 30th October 1924, they had a daughter, BETTY JOAN  KNOWLES. She died in 2002.

She had a daughter DOREEN M KNOWLES in June 1927, but she sadly passed away a year later, in June 1928.

In October the same year, on October 15th 1928 she had a son, JOHN ARTHUR KNOWLES (1928-2005).

In 1931, she was at her sister WILHEMINA DELONNETTE's marriage to CHARLES MANSER - she is sitting to the right of the bride.

In December 1944, Georgina and Jack are listed amongst the mourners at her mother Emily's funeral.

Hastings Observer, 4th December 1948

Daughter Betty married Idris Harding in December 1948 and her parents' address was listed as 29 Middle Street.

Georgina died in 1954, aged 57. Her address is given as 29 Middle Street

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

14 Aug 1954

My great-grandfather's sister : Wilhelmina Delonnette 1901-1976

WILHELMINA DELONNETTE (or MINNIE) was born on 31st January 1901 in Hastings. Her parents were Alphonse Joseph Delonnette (born 1836 France) and Emily nee Brown. (Click here to see their page)

 On 1901 census, age 2 months, she is living with her parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. On the 1911 census, a 10-year-old scholar, she is with her widowed mother and siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore. 

She married CHARLES MANSER in 1931 in Hastings. This is a photo of their wedding day - you can spot Emily, the bride's mum, behind her daughter and sitting next to her is presumably her sister Georgina.

They had two sons DEREK MANSER and TONY MANSER.

Wilhelmina died in 1976 in Hastings.

My great-grandfather's brother : Victor Alphonso Delonnette (b1892)

VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE (or ALPHONSO) was born circa 1892 in Brighton (source : 1901 and 1911 censuses). On the 1901 census, aged 9, he is living with his parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings, Sussex. His father died in 1908 when he was 16, so he'd have become the man of the house as the eldest son.

 On the 1911 census, aged 19, he is an unmarried Vanman for a Corn Merchant (quite possibly Strickland's, see below), listed with his widowed mother Emily and four siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore, Hastings.

He was in trouble with the long arm of the law in 1915 but it was really his boss's fault ! Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, 18 Dec 1915. Alphonso Delonette was summoned for not having required lights on a cart at Dorset Place and for obstruction. Albert Herrmann, as Manager for the Kent and Sussex Casing Company, was summoned for not providing the lights. "It was a windy night", Mr Polley, Special Constable said, "the only lamp was very inadequate." Herrmann was fined 10s6d, and Delonnette 7s6d.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 4 Mar 1916, showed that he requested exemption from going off to war : "UNIQUE EMPLOYMENT. Mr Alphonse Delannette, 24 years of age, claimed through his employers Webb and Co. Applicant described himself as a skin and gut scraper and offal collector. His father was a Frenchman. It took a long time to learn the business. He suggested that it was in the interests of the town that offal should be properly collected, and in this matter he believed he had he support of the Medical Officer of Health. The Tribunal allowed a month's exemption to enable the firm to make arrangements."

He served in the First World War as Gunner Delonnette, and appears in the Roll of Honour in the Hastings and St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser and Visitors List of May 25th 1916.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

9 Jun 1917

His photo was sent in by Miss Eleanor Rackliff, 91a Hughenden Road, Hastings and the caption reads : " Gunner Delonnette, now at the Base, having been slightly gassed and shellshocked" (source : Roll of Honour). He received a medal for his service in world war one, his name being recorded as Alfonso Delonnett (source : War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War, on the National Archives database). He served in the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner and his regiment number was 135581 (source : medal roll).

 He married BESSIE ANNIE WOOD on 28th November 1920 at Christchurch, Ore, Hastings, Sussex (source : parish register 434/1/3/3 page 95 entry 190). He was aged 27, his occupation was skin dresser and at the time of the marriage, his residence was recorded as 45 Victoria Avenue, Hastings, his parents’ home (source : marriage register). On her marriage record, BESSIE ANNIE WOOD’s age was recorded as 18, crossed through and 17 written underneath and initialled by the vicar. No occupation was listed and her residence was also recorded as 45 Victoria Avenue, her in-law’s home. Her father, ALBERT FREDERICK WOOD, was a railwayman (source : marriage register).

 In 1927, he shows up (as Alphonso Delonnette) on a record for voters at 1st Flat, 63 Hughenden Road, Hastings. On the 1939 register, Victor and Bessie are in Hastings with Maisie.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

24 Oct 1953

According to Bessie's dad's obituary, the couple were known as Bess and Phonso.


 In the Hastings Directory for 1948, he is listed (as Victor A. Delonnette) at 40 Elphinstone Road. He lived here until his death in 1969 (source : obituary).

 His obituary states that : "Throughout most of his working life, until a very few years ago, he was on the staff of Messrs. F. Strickland and Sons Ltd. Since his retirement, Mr Delonnette had been very active in membership of the West Hill and District Old Age Pensioners Association until quite recently". Stricklands was the local coal merchants, where Victor lost his arm in an accident on the crusher (source : family knowledge).

 Bessie died in 1967 (source : Victor's obituary). Victor Alphonso Delonnette died, aged 77, on Friday 24th October 1969 in St Helen's Hospital, Hastings, Sussex (source : obituary in Hastings Observer, Sat 1st Nov 1969, page 2). His obituary states : "The funeral took place at the Borough Crematorium on Wednesday (29th October 1969), when the Rev. J. Frame officiated in the presence of immediate members of the family and representatives of Messrs. F. Stricklands and Sons Ltd., of the West Hill and District Old Age Pensioners Association, and of the Pentecostal Church". The obituary also states that his daughter "desires to express sincere thanks to the doctors and nursing staff of St Helen's Hospital; to the many friends for their kindnesses and numerous tokens of sympathy received in her bereavement, including those who have so kindly made donations to the Bible and Medical Missionary Fellowship of London, S.E.11, in lieu of flowers", so he appears to have been linked to this religion. The funeral arrangements were made by Hinkley Funeral Service, 52 Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings (source : obituary).

 The child of VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE and BESSIE ANNIE WOOD: 

MAISIE EDITH DELONNETTE was born in September quarter 1921 in Hastings, Sussex (source : Free BMD, district Hastings volume 2b page 14 ). She married EDWARD GEORGE BERNARD OLSEN on Saturday 16th May 1942 at Robertson Street Congregational Church, Hastings, Sussex.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

5 Dec 1936

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

23 May 1942

She is frequently mentioned in the newspapers in relation to Oxford University in the 1930s.

Census returns for VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE

 1901 census: address : 13 Queens Road, Hastings (later known as Victoria Avenue), Sussex

 Alphonso DELONNETTE age 65 born France Emily DELONNETTE wife age 33 born Chichester Alphonso DELONNETTE son age 9 born Brighton Josephine DELONNETTE dau age 7 born Brighton Geogina DELONNETTE dau age 4 born Brighton Augustus DELONNETTE son age 2 born Hastings Wichelmina DELONNETTE dau age 2 months born Hastings

My Gx2 grandfather : Alphonso Delonnette (b 1836 France)

ALPHONSE / ALPHONSO JOSEPH DELONNETTE was born circa 1836 in France (source: 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses and death record). He appears to have been named after his mother, Alphonsine. He was probably born in Lille, France, like his brother Auguste (who probably inspired Alphonso's son Augustus's name). The family spread out, with Alphonso moving to England and brother Auguste moving to Brussels, Belgium.

This is possibly him on the 1861 census at  8 Lister Street in Chorlton-u-Medloc, Lancashire: DEROUET Alphonse, Lodger, Unmarried, M, 23, Warehouseman, Overseas - Foreign - France. The person filling in the information probably couldn't understand his accent when he said Delonnette !

 Alphonso seemed to travel around the country rather a lot, marrying in Westminster in 1871, working in Lewisham, Kent in 1881/1882 then Hove, Sussex, in 1890/1891, before finally ending up in Hastings, Sussex, some time before 1891, where he lived out his final years.

It is possible that he is the Alphonse Delloge on the 1871 census, Lodger, Married, aged 42, Commission Agent, Overseas - Foreign - France Paris, listed at 143 Stamford St in Lambeth - he is one of many lodgers with the Welsh DAVIS family.

 He married PHOEBE  HORSFORD in 1871. She was born circa 1820 (source : death record on Free BMD), circa 1826 in Falmouth, Cornwall (source : 1891 census) or circa 1835 in Falmouth, Cornwall (source : 1881 census). Alphonso was aged about 35 at this time.

On the 1851 census, in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, there is a Phoebe Horsford, born 1821 in Falmouth Cornwall, who is the wife of Thomas M Horsford, 46, Barrister At Law Not In Actual Practice (born 1805 in Weymouth, Dorset), along with a 3-year-old son, Thomas M Horsford, born in Falmouth, and three servants.

Royal Cornwall Gazette, Thursday evening, September 10th 1868

Thomas Horsford died in 1868, three years before Phoebe married Alphonse, so this is presumably where their money came from !

London Evening Standard London, England

5 May 1842

That said, their wedding announcement in the London Evening Standard (5th May 1842) reveals that they were both of high standing : Thomas Moor Horsford, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq, barrister-at-law, and Phoebe, daughter of John Bull, Esq., of Marlborough House.

An extremely scarce original antique lithograph print from the rare series 'The Mansions of England and Wales, illustrated in a series of Views of the Principal Seats in the County of Cornwall' edited by Edward Twycross and published by C. J. Greenwood. This one being a view of Marlborough House (view 1) in Cornwall, the Seat of John Bull, Esq. Sketched and drawn on zinc by H. Moreland and printed by C. Chabot. Published in 1847. Image size approx 26 x 17cm. Titled and within a decorative border. 

This was Phoebe's father's home - Marlborough House in Falmouth, Cornwall.

http://www.westbriton.co.uk/historic-marlborough-house-fetches-200-000-guide/story-26267986-detail/story.html

The house, which had fallen into disrepair, was sold in 2015 and the newspaper articles gives lots of interesting information about the house and John Bull, Phoebe's father : Marlborough House, located on Silverdale Road, is renowned as one of Falmouth's most iconic buildings. The former home of Packet Ship captain John Bull had a guide price of £400,000 to £450,000, but a packed auction room saw it go for over £200,000 more than guide figure. The property features dazzling character features, including eight bedrooms and a wine cellar, a stunning spiral elliptical staircase and an imposing five-bay entrance colonnade and decorative wrought-iron gates.The house stands in grounds of 1.6 acres and dates back to the early 1800's when it was built by Captain John Bull of the Falmouth Packet Service, who named his new home after his ship The Duke of Marlborough. [...] The Packet service took mail and passengers all over the world. In 1814 the Duke of Marlborough was mistaken for an enemy when off Cape Finnesterre by HMS Primrose and a battle took place. Captain Bull was awarded a ceremonial sword for his bravery. Katie Semmens, senior auction valuer, said: “This magnificent property is one of the most historic houses in Cornwall." John Bull lived in Marlborough House with his second wife until his death in 1851.

John Bull appears to be an iconic Cornish hero - you can find out more about his finest hour here : http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11727575.Look_Back_In_Time__When_Packet_Ship_captain_John_Bull_took_on_the_French_within_sight_of_Falmouth/?ref=mr

He also features prominently in the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall - there's an interesting blogpost about it here : https://janeaustenslondon.com/tag/packet-ships/

Dundalk Democrat, and People's Journal Louth, Republic of Ireland

19 Dec 1863: 

It would appear that Thomas knew Phoebe's family from work circles as they was a county magistrates in Falmouth called Bull too.

Birmingham Daily Post West Midlands, England

28 Oct 1914

The Scotsman Midlothian, Scotland

28 Oct 1914

The family fortune appears to have been passed down to Phoebe and Thomas's grandson, Thomas, presumably the son of their son Thomas. Colonel Thomas Moor Alphonse Horsford's will was proved in 1914 and he was worth a pretty packet - £24,279, which must have been an absolute fortune back then. He was a colonel of the Cornwall & Devon Miner's Royal Artillery , a magistrate for Cornwall and a deputy warden for the Stannaries. The announcement mentions "unsettled property".

His son (Phoebe and Thomas's grandson was also killed in the war : "To the list of wounded must be added the names of Lieut. Thomas Gavin Moor Horsford, Bedfordshire Regiment, son of the late Colonel Thomas Moor Alphonse Horsford, J. P., of Bosvathick, Penryn, Cornwall, and an old Beaumont boy" (source : http://archive.thetablet.co.uk/article/31st-october-1914/22/et-cetera)

http://www.beaumont-union.co.uk/great-war.html

Lt Thomas Moor Horsford Bedfordshire Regiment. (10) Son of Colonel Horsford of Penryn Cornwall. Thomas was promoted to Lieutenant on 13th May 1914 and joined the 2nd Battalion from the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, landing in France with them 6th October 1914. He was wounded at Ypres on 18th October during the Bn’s first engagement with the enemy. He returned after recovering and fought at 2nd Ypres, only to be killed at Givenchy by shellfire on his trench. Buried behind the Scottish Trench obliterated in later fighting KIA 16 June 1915.Age 22. Commem Le Touret Mem. Having no known grave.

Back to Alphonse Delonnette ! ...  On the 1881 census, Alphonse (listed as Alphonse De Lomette) and his wife Phoebe were at 12 Church Grove in Lewisham, Kent with one servant, 55-year-old CHARLOTTE TAYLOR. The occupation for both Alphonse and Phoebe is given as "independent funded property" so they were presumably quite well off.

 The 1882 Kelly's directory for Kent lists Alphonse Joseph Delonnette at Grove Villa, Church Grove, Ladywell, Lewisham, Kent. As can be seen on a modern map, Church Grove was (and still is) situated just off Ladywell Road, very close to the railway station. A picture of Ladywell Road in 1885 is available here and gives a good idea of the type of house they lived in.

Ladywell Road, Ladywell, Lewisham, 1885

 According to an extract from the book "Fagin's Children : Criminal Children in Victorian England", there was a "home for fallen girls" just a few doors along at number 9 Church Grove, but no date is available to see if this was while Phoebe and Alphonse lived there !!

Alphonse appears on the 1884 Kent Register of Electors for Bexley, Sevenoaks (listed as Joseph Alphonse Delonnettee) (source : Familysearch, GS Film Number 001537664).

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette Somerset, England

8 Sep 1887

In the Bath Chronicle, dated September 8th 1887, there is an A. Delonnette listed amongst the arrivals at The Grand Hotel, alongside large numbers of titled people.

 By 1890, Alphonse and Phoebe had moved out of Lewisham and into Hove. One possible explanation is that their old house was one of those demolished as the town expanded. The Lewisham website explains : "The next stage in development came with the opening of Ladywell Station in 1857. Church Grove and the terraces to either side of it in Ladywell Road were built in the following year, which also saw the opening of Ladywell Cemetery. Railway Terrace, Prospect Place, and Mercy Terrace, close to the station, followed c.1870. The major expansation of Ladywell began in the 1880s, with the beginning of work on Vicars Hill, which opened up a wide new area for the builders. The old wooden wasteland cottages were cleared in the 1890s and replaced by Gillian Street and the shops known as The Parade. " (source : Ideal Homes : A History of South-East London Suburbs).

Sacred Heart Church in Norton Road, Hove (source : wikipedia)

 Kelly's 1890 Directory for Sussex lists Alphonse Joseph Delonnette at 28 Norton Road, Hove, which is just along the road from the old town hall. He is still listed at this address in Kelly's Directory of Kent, Surrey & Sussex, 1891. On the 1891 census, 55-year-old Alphonse (listed as Alphonse Delanette) and his 65-year-old wife Phebe were at 28 Norton Rd in Hove (St Andrews), Sussex with one servant, 23-year-old general domestic servant EMILY BROWN. The Brighton History website says that Norton Road was still under construction in 1887, number 4 was the West Brighton Estate Office, 58 was the home of Dr William Thistle, the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart was designed by J Crawley and J S Hansom and opened in 1880 and the Presbytery is next door at no 39. Grade II listed. According to Wikipedia: "People associated with the church include the Irish stage actor Barry Sullivan, whose funeral was held there in May 1891; the journalist George Augustus Sala, whose funeral took place in 1895; composer Luigi Arditi, who worshipped here". Barry Sullivan was a top actor at the time so I'm sure Phoebe and Alphonse must have gone along for a nosey !

 Phoebe died, aged 77, on 17th August 1897 in Brighton (source : The Times) and her death was registered in Steyning registration district in September quarter 1897(source : Free BMD, district Steyning, volume 2b, page 176). Her death was announced in The Times newspaper on Saturday August 21st 1897 : DELONNETTE - On the 17th last, at Brighton, Mrs Phoebe DELONNETTE, aged 77 (source : The Times, pg. 1; Issue 35288; col A). She left a will, with Lock, Reed and Lock, Dorset, solicitors, which was granted on 17th September 1897 and which described her as Phoebe DELONNETTE of Sidcup, Kent, wife of Alphonse Joseph Delonnette, gentleman (source : A2A website ref D/LRL/1/111 ).

A few years later, former "gentleman" Alphonso was apparently working as a butler, so where did all the money go ?!! Perhaps Phoebe left him nothing after his shenanigans with their maid Emily, as he married her a few years after Phoebe's death, by which time she already had several children (with Alphonso ?)

Emily Delonnette and Teddy the dog 

 Alphonso later married EMILY BROWN , his former maid (before 1901). She was born circa 1868 in Steyning (source : 1891 census) or in Chichester (source : 1901 census), so was some thirty years younger than him. Judging by the ages on the 1901 census, by the time of Phoebe's death in 1897, Emily had already had three children (by Alphonso?). She had a son, Joseph Brown, in 1890, who appears to have been brought up by her parents in Upper Beeding (source : 1891/1901 census)

 EMILY JANE BROWN, daughter of GEORGE GRANGER BROWN and MARY ANNE, was
baptised on 14th May 1869 in Portslade, Sussex (source : BVRI 2nd edition). This is presumably correct, because there is a JOSEPH BROWN, grandson, of approximately the right age, listed with George and Mary Brown on the 1901 census : George Brown (head, 57, cowman on farm (of cattle), born Bosham Sussex), wife Mary A (55, born Selsey Sussex), and their children, sons Mark (21, carter on farm (of horse), born Upper Beeding, Sussex), Albert (19, labourer on farm - ag lab, born Upper Beeding, Sussex), Henry (15, carter on farm (of horse), born Upper Beeding, Sussex), daughter Edith (13, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex), son Charles (11, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex), and grandson Joseph (10, at school, born Upper Beeding, Sussex), in Pound House, Upper Beeding (rural district of Steyning), West Sussex.

I found the same family on 1891 census too and grandson Joseph is still there - no sign of Emily though :

Piece: RG12/825 Place: Steyning -Sussex Enumeration District: 5 Civil Parish: Upper Beeding Ecclesiastical Parish: Upper Beeding Folio: 55 Page: 3 Schedule: 15 Address: Pound House
		Surname		First name(s)		Rel		Status		Sex		Age		Occupation		Where Born		Remarks
		BROWN		George		Head		M		M		47		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Bosham
		BROWN		Mary Ann		Wife		M		F		45				Sussex - Selsey
		BROWN		George		Son		S		M		25		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		William		Son		S		M		17		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		Frederick		Son		-		M		15		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Selsey(Originally: Sussex - Lidsey)
		BROWN		Stenising		Son		-		M		13		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Ripe
		BROWN		Mark		Son		-		M		11		Ag Lab (Em'ee)		Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Albert		Son		-		M		9		Scholar		Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Henry		Son		-		M		5				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Edith		Dau		-		F		3				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Charles		Son		-		M		1				Sussex - Upper Beeding
		BROWN		Joseph		Grnson		-		M		7m				Sussex - Upper Beeding

There was a tragic accident at this farm in 1914, but I am unsure if Emily's parents still owned and lived at the farm : "Records of the coroner of the Borough of Brighton, INQUESTS - ref. COR/3/2 - FILE - FORD - ref. COR/3/2/1914/96 - date: 25 Jul 1914 [from Scope and Content] of 'Pound House', Upper Beeding, Sussex, stable boy; at the Royal Sussex County Hospital; shock following rupture of the spleen caused by being kicked by a horse at Upper Beeding on 20 Jul; accidental death" (source : A2A website).

Pound House Cottage in Upper Beeding is now a listed building (assuming it's the same property) : "Once two cottages. C18 or earlier. Two storeys. Three windows. Faced with flints with red brick dressings and quoins. Hipped thatched roof. Casement windows." .

 ALPHONSE JOSEPH DELONNETTE was listed as an English subject, living on his own means, on the 1891 and on the 1901 census, where he shows up with wife Emily and children in Hastings, Sussex, at  13 Queens Road, Hastings (later known as Victoria Avenue). His occupation was given as butler in 1920, after his death (source : his son Victor's marriage certificate).

 Alphonso died in 1908 (death registered in January quarter 1908 – district Hastings volume 2b page 8) and was buried in Ore cemetery (Winchelsea Road) on February 7th 1908 (Ore burials parish 435/1/5/5). His age was recorded as 72 and his abode 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore.

Emily Delonnette in 1931 at daughter Wilhelmina's wedding

 On the 1911 census, Emily (listed as Emily Delonnutt) is head of the household at 45 Victoria Avenue, Hastings, a private house of 4 rooms, alongside five of her children. Her age is given as 45, her birth as 1866 in Chichester, she is listed as not employed and not working at home. Emily had a dog named Teddy (source : family knowledge).

She worked as a cook in the TB hospital in the Red Lake area of Ore, Hastings, Sussex (source : family knowledge). This is possibly the sanatorium in Frederick Road (formerly known as Cackle Street, because of the chicken farms around there) which was built in 1903 (source : www.hastingshandbook.co.uk/ - not online any more). Or it could be the building on the corner at the bottom of Rye Road (or Red Lake Road, as Rye Road was once called), just below where B&Q now stands. It is now a retirement home called Barrington House. They used to have chalets in the garden where B & Q is now, and where the Flats in the village are, they used to have gardens to work in. The T B home must have closed soon after the war." (source : Doris Flynn).

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

11 Nov 1944

Emily died, aged 77, in Hastings in December 1944 (source : FreeBMD). Her death was reported in the Hastings and St Leonards Observer dated 11 Nov 1944, which stated : "Mrs. Emily Delonnette who died at the Buchanan Hospital, after brief illness Thursday last week, aged 77, lived Victoria Avenue. Hastings, and for the last eleven years had been cook at the Fairlight Sanatorium, where she was very popular with the staff and patients."

So she worked at the Fairlight Sanatorium in Rye Road from 1933 until her death in 1944. The building first opened as a convalescent home in 1905 and in 1909 it became Fairlight Sanatorium for the treatment of consumption (tuberculosis), taking twenty-five male patients. It obviously expanded : "The hospital acted as an 'Outpatients Dept' for Margaret Street Hospital. The Sanatorium could house up to 78 male Patients. The Medical Superintendent was Nigel Frampton Stallard, his assistant was Dr C de W Kitcat. The Matron was Miss Adams 'a kind and devout lady...with a great sense of humour...very able too , who had 'acute powers of observation and able to give an accurate prognosis..' Apparently part of the hygiene practice was that patients had to shave off their moustaches to prevent T.B. Bacteria from spreading. " (source medical History of Hastings by C Allen Birch)

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

3 Nov 1945

 The Children of ALPHONSE JOSEPH DELONNETTE and EMILY BROWN: 

 JOSEPH BROWN (click through to see his page) was Emily's illegitimate son, older than Augustus and presumably the eldest child. He is presumably the Joseph Brown born circa 1891 in Upper Beeding, Sussex (source : 1901 census). On the 1891 census, aged 7 months, he was with his grandparents and the rest of the family (but not his mum) at Pound House, Upper Beeding. On the 1901 census, aged 10, he was listed as a grandson at Pound House, Upper Beeding, with his maternal grandparents and their children, the youngest of whom was only a year older than him. On the 1911 census, a 21-year-old single cowman, he was with his uncle George Brown, a widower unable to work on his farm in Upper Beeding.

 VICTOR ALPHONSO DELONNETTE (or ALPHONSO) was born on 14th November 1891 in Brighton (source : 1901 census & death register). (Click through to see his page.) On the 1901 census, aged 9, he was with his parents and siblings in Hastings. He suffered shell shock after the war and lost an arm in an accident at work. He married BESSIE A WOOD in Hastings in 1920 and they had a daughter, MAISIE E DELONNETTE. He died in 1969 in Hastings (source : FreeBMD) (click through to see his page)

 JOSEPHINE DELONNETTE (or PHENIE) was born circa 1894 in Brighton (source 1901 census). On 1901 census, age 7, she is living with her parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. On the 1911 census, a 17-year-old unmarried domestic nursemaid, she is with her widowed mother and siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore. She married JAMES ELMS in 1918 and they had two sons JAMES ELMS and TONY ELMS. There is a marriage recorded for JOSEPHINE DELONNETTE and JAMES ELME in December quarter 1918 in Hastings (source : Free BMD, district Hastings volume 2b page 92 ) and the transcriber mysteriously noted "The entry has Scott or Bowes-Lyon in the spouse column".

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

12 Jan 1952

 GEORGINA DELONNETTE was born circa 1897 in Brighton. (1901 census). On 1901 census, age 4, living with parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. On the 1911 census, a 14-year-old unmarried domestic nursemaid, she is with her widowed mother and siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore.  She married JACK KNOWLES and they had two sons, JACK KNOWLES and SANDY KNOWLES , and a daughter BETTY KNOWLES . (Family members knew her as Doreena or Reena.) (click through to see her page)

 AUGUSTUS DELONNETTE (click through to see his page) was born in September quarter 1898 in Hastings (Free BMD – district Hastings volume 2b page *). On 1901 census, age 2, he is living with his parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. He is listed in the 1948 Hastings directory at 122 St George’s Road. (click through to see his page)

 WILHELMINA DELONNETTE (or MINNIE) was born in March quarter 1901 in Hastings. (Free BMD – district Hastings volume 2b page 14). On 1901 census, age 2 months, she is living with her parents at 13 Queens Road, Hastings. On the 1911 census, a 10-year-old scholar, she is with her widowed mother and siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore. She married CHARLES MANSER and they had two sons DEREK MANSER and TONY MANSER.

Census returns for Phoebe Horsford nee Bull :

1841 census :

address : Lower Brook Street, arlborough Cottage, Falmouth

John Bull, 68, independent means
Phebe Bull, 40
Phebe Bull, 21, ind
Marshall Bull, 15
George Foster Bull, 11
Kitty Draydon, 23
Mary Kiverne, 25

1851 census :

address : 4 Crescent, Melcombe Regis, Dorset

 Phoebe Horsford, born 1821 in Falmouth Cornwall,wife
 Thomas M Horsford, 46, Barrister At Law Not In Actual Practice, born 1805 in Weymouth, Dorset
Thomas M Horsford, son, 3, born in Falmouth,
Sophia Honey Larne, 29, cook
Mary Pawill, 23, house maid
Daniel Vick, 26, footman

1861 census :

 Census returns for ALPHONSE JOSEPH DELONNETTE and PHOEBE HORSFOAL/HORSFORD

1871 census :

Piece: RG10/647 Place: Waterloo Road First -Surrey Enumeration District: 3 Civil Parish: Lambeth Ecclesiastical Parish: St John Folio: 60 Page: 24 Schedule: 158 Address: 143 Stamford St
		Surname		First name(s)		Rel		Status		Sex		Age		Occupation		Where Born		Remarks
		DAVIS		David		Head		M		M		56		Retired Draper		Carmarthenshire - -
		DAVIS		Margaret		Wife		M		F		61				Carmarthenshire - -
		DAVIS		Jane		Dau		U		F		19				Surrey - Southwark
Page: 61/25		DAVIES		Rachael M		Dau		U		F		18				Surrey - Southwark
		DELLOGE		Alphonse		Lodger		M		M		42		Commission Agent		Overseas - Foreign - France Paris
		FORGET		Marie		Lodger		M		F		21				Overseas - Foreign - France
		PETERS		May (Mrs)		Lodger		M		F		30				Kent - Sevenoaks
		PRIOR		Anne		Lodger		U		F		18		Barmaid		Essex - Hatfield Heath
		DALE		Frances		Lodger		U		F		29		Barmaid		Warwickshire - Leamington
		MOORMAN		James B		Lodger		U		M		18		Attorney's General Clerk		Cornwall - Falmouth

 1881 census : address : 12 Church Gr, Lewisham, Kent

 Alphonse DE LOMETTE Head M Male 46 France Independant Funded Property
 Phoebe DE LOMETTE Wife M Female 46 Falmouth, Cornwall, England Independant Funded Property
 Charlotte TAYLOR Serv U Female 55 Northampton, England General Servant

 1891 census : Sussex -civil parish: Hove / eccl. Parish St. Andrews/ RG12 / 817 folio 81 page 5 Dwelling : 28 Norton Rd

 Alphonse DELANETTE / Head / Mar / 55 / Living On Own means / b.FRA naturalised BS (= British subject)
 Phebe DELANETTE/ wife / mar / 65 / / b.Falmouth, Cornwall
 Emily BROWN / serv / s / 23 / general servant Dom. / b. Sterming , sussex (presumably Steyning?)

 Census returns for ALPHONSE JOSEPH DELONNETTE and EMILY BROWN: 

1901 census: address : 13 Queens Road, Hastings (later known as Victoria Avenue)

 Alphonso DELONNETTE age 65 born France 
Emily DELONNETTE wife age 33 born Chichester
 Alphonso DELONNETTE son age 9 born Brighton
 Josephine DELONNETTE dau age 7 born Brighton
Geogina DELONNETTE dau age 4 born Brighton
Augustus DELONNETTE son age 2 born Hastings
Wichelmina DELONNETTE dau age 2 months born Hastings

My Great Grandfather : Augustus Delonnette (b 1898 Hastings)

AUGUSTUS DELONNETTE was born in September quarter 1898 in Hastings, Sussex (Free BMD  district Hastings volume 2b page *). 1837online.com gives his date of birth as August 1898. He is scrawled on the end of the birth index register, for some reason !

On the 1901 census, age 2, he is living with his parents Alphonso and Emily (click through to see their page) at 13 Queens Road, Hastings, Sussex. He has a younger sister Wilhelmina, two older sisters Georgina and Josephine, and an older brother, Alphonso. His French father, who was some thirty years older than his mum, died in 1908, when Augustus was just 10 years old.

On the 1911 census, a 12-year-old scholar, he is with his widowed mother and siblings at 45 Victoria Avenue, Ore.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

2 Sep 1916

He was in trouble with the law when he was 18 for some schoolboy high jinks ! Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England 2 Sep 1916 - BAD BOYS' SUNDAY SPORT. William Wood, 15, Edward Pattenden, 18 and August Dellonnette, 18, were charged with assaulting Frank Bliss, aged 15. The father said his son came home and said that he had been assaulted by the defendants, who fired a catapault at the boy in Ecclesbourne Glen on Sunday afternoon, and when he complained, they went after him and assaulted him again.
Wood had been previously summoned. Wood admitted assaulting the boy. Pattenden said he didn't hit Bliss, but some boys who were with him. Dellannotte said he fired the catapult but did not hit the boy. He did not fire to hit the boy. Pattenden and Delonnette were wearing armlets. The Mayor said the Bench considered the assault a very cowardly one, and defendents would be fined 10s6d each and 2s each costs. Allowed till Saturday to pay. - I may be biased but it sounds like he took the blame for the others really. I bet he got in trouble with his mum though !

 As a young man, he served in the First World War as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery regiment number 212441 and apparently received a medal for this (source : War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index, First World War, Date 1914-1920 Catalogue reference WO 372/5 Image Reference 246791 / 40480 - index checked, not the document itself).

 He married BEATRICE ELIZABETH PAGE (also known as TRIXIE) in March quarter 1920 in Hastings (source : Free BMD, district Hastings, volume 2b, page 66 ).

 Beatrice was born in Hastings, Sussex on 31st December 1897 (source : death register). Her birth was registered in March quarter 1898 in Hastings (source : Free BMD, district Hastings, volume 2b, page 23).

On the 1939 register, Augustus is in Hastings with William, while Beatrice is in Battle with Jack.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

9 Dec 1944

Augustus is listed in the 1948 Hastings directory at 122 St George's Road, Hastings, Sussex.

 Augustus died in 1970 in Hastings (source : death record), and BEATRICE was listed as a widow when she was buried (source : Hastings cemetery). Beatrice died on Thursday June 19th 1986 in hospital in Hastings, Sussex and the funeral was on Thursday 26th June 1986 at 11am at Hastings Crematorium, Sussex (source : Hastings Observer, June 26th 1986, page 45). Her death was registered in June 1986 (district Hastings/R, volume 18, page 1053, source : 1837online.com)

Hastings cemetery says she was a widow, aged 88, and her cremated remains were scattered in the Garden of Remembrance, Lawn A.

The children of Augustus Delonnette & Beatrice :

VIOLET DELONNETTE

RONALD A J DELONNETTE, born in 1920

WILLIAM DELONNETTE, born in 1922

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

29 Apr 1944

Jack DELONNETTE, born in 1925

ROBERT FRANK DELONNETTE, born in 1929.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer East Sussex, England

21 Jul 1951

 Census returns for AUGUSTUS DELONNETTE 

 1901 census: address : 13 Queens Road, Hastings (later known as Victoria Avenue), Sussex
 Alphonso DELONNETTE age 65 born France
 Emily DELONNETTE wife age 33 born Chichester
Alphonso DELONNETTE son age 9 born Brighton
Josephine DELONNETTE dau age 7 born Brighton
Geogina DELONNETTE dau age 4 born Brighton
Augustus DELONNETTE son age 2 born Hastings
Wichelmina DELONNETTE dau age 2 months born Hastings 

Census returns for BEATRICE PAGE 

 1901 census : Dwelling: 44 Priory Road, St Clements (Halton parish), Hastings, Sussex

ALBERT J PAGE, head, M, 33, navvy, worker, Born Sussex Ore
EMILY G PAGE, wife, M, 30, born Surrey Croydon
MINNIE R PAGE, daur, 5, born Sussex Hastings
BEATRICE E PAGE, daur, 3, born Sussex Hastings
ALBERT J PAGE, son, 1, born Sussex Hastings