Where is Newtown, Sussex?

[markey164]

Hi all,

Is there a Newtown in Sussex? If so where would references to it in 1860 be likely to be referring to?

I'm trying to trace my gg grandfather Frank/Francis Edwards who lists his birthplace on the 1861 Census as what we initially thought was Newhaven, Sussex, but having found his Seamans ticket c.1857, his birthplace is more clearly written as Newtown, Sussex. He was born c.1836-1837.

Any suggestions greatfully received?

[CaroleW]

See also

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,528094.msg3835685.html#msg3835685

[John915]

Good evening,

There is no place called Newtown in it's own right. However, the name is used for parts of other towns and villages built at a later date. Not always that recent either.

Uckfield is one place that springs to mind, the south east corner is known as New Town.

John915

[markey164]

See also

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,528094.msg3835685.html#msg3835685

Thanks Carole. Unfortunately you've linked me to my own post. That thread was back when I was following the Newhaven route

[CaroleW]

I know - it was to ensure info on that post was not duplicated here by anybody unaware of it

[markey164]

Good evening,

There is no place called Newtown in it's own right. However, the name is used for parts of other towns and villages built at a later date. Not always that recent either.

Uckfield is one place that springs to mind, the south east corner is known as New Town.

John915

Hi John, thanks for the info, I'll have a look at Uckfield.

I realise it isn't a place in its own right hence the query about where it may have been referring to.

The way the birthplace is written on the 1861 census could be either Newhaven or Newtown depending on how you read it, but the seamans ticket which is c.1857 is much clearer. It says Newtown, Sussex quite clearly. There's also a small area near Copthorne that comes up on google for Newtown, so there are a few possibilities by the looks of it.

[Little Nell]

There is this baptism in Broadwater:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7ZK-V4V

Have you tried looking for him in 1851 census?

Nell

[markey164]

There is this baptism in Broadwater:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7ZK-V4V

Hi Nell. Yes found that record....and it sent me off down the wrong path for months lol!

There's a burial record in Broadwater (below) for Frank Edwards aged 12 in Jan 1850 (which we think is the same person you found).
http://www.barriesgenealogy.co.uk/html/st_mary_s_burials_1558-1895.html

Also on both my gg grandfather Frank's marriage records, he lists his father's as Francis, whereas the Frank above had father Edward. These two facts seem to rule out the above record from being my Frank

Have also searched the 1851 Census at length, but without finding any probable matches

I can't find any record of him before 1857 (when he married wife #1 age 21), and nothing after 1876 when wife #2 died (where he was present at her death).

We know his his two young sons were in workhouses in 1881, so either he died as well, or did a runner off to sea (he was a merchant seaman)

[sillgen]

I am not sure what non conformist churches there were in the Newhaven area but they may be worth investigating.