The Brook Family of Heathfield, East Sussex

[1982FordEscort]

Hi all,

I've been looking into another of my family lines, the Brook family of Heathfield. I have traced as far back as 1809, when George Brook (abt 1774 - 1828) married Judith Prior (1786 - 1833) on 30 March that year. However, I cannot seem to trace the Brook name back any further.

I have found a baptism record for a George Brook being baptised on 21 Nov. 1773 in Warbleton - parents John and Sarah. I don't know if it's a match for "my" George Brook, though, but it's the most likely out of the potential matches I found on FindMyPast. I also can't locate a marriage record for a John Brook marrying a Sarah in that location and time period.

Also, sometimes the family are listed as having the surname "Brooks", which I have also checked.

If anyone could help me trace the Brook(s) name even further back, I would appreciate it massively!

Thanks in advance,
Jack

[ColC]

I guess you have the year of birth from the death records on Ancestry or elsewhere?

George Brook
Marriage 30 Mar 1809
Heathfield, Sussex,
Spouse's Name: Judith or Jude Prior

I could only find 3 children, do you know of any others?

Children Heathfield Chapel (Independent)

Samuel 1810
Mary 1814

Heathfield, Sussex

Charles 1828


Colin

[ColC]

I wonder if this is Jude Prior
Baptism Date:   10 Dec 1786
Baptism Place:   Heathfield, Sussex
Father:   Samuel Prior
Mother:   Sarah Prior


Colin

[ColC]

Sophia Brookes
Mother   Judith Brookes
Father   George Brookes
Birth   1826
Burial Date   1 Jul 1827, age 1

[ColC]

I note the baptism you mention but no clear marriage to Sarah.

John & Sarah

George Brook
Baptism   21/11/1773 Warbleton,Sussex,

The only other Brook baptism at Warbleton below.

John & Elizabeth

Samuel Brook
Baptism   10/03/1771 (10 Mar 1771) Warbleton,Sussex,

One tree on Ancestry think both of the above were the children of John & Elizabeth Dallaway.

John Brook married Bettey Dalloway 3/04/1763 Warbleton,Sussex

No other birth records that I can see and personally I do not think that is correct and I am drawn to the conclusion that George was born elsewhere.

Colin

[1982FordEscort]

Thanks for your help, Colin. To address your posts:

1) Yes, I only knew of Samuel, Mary, and Charles, with Samuel being my direct ancestor. I was wondering about the 14-year gap between Mary and Charles, and whether George and Judith had more children that weren't recorded.

2) That is probably the right person. I've looked into the Prior line and that's what I found for Judith.

3) That seems right, Sophia was buried in Heathfield, and the timing of her birth adds up. That closes the gap between Mary and Charles down a little, but there's still a 12-year gap between Mary and Sophia.

4) I've looked at the Parish Marriages on Find My Past, and there's a John Brook who married a Sarah Wood on 27 January 1759 in Hooe (around 7 miles from Warbleton as the crow flies). Could they be George's parents?

Thanks again,
Jack

[ColC]

Thanks for your post.

The England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936 on Ancestry
record Samuel & Mary, there are no further records for Brook/s there. Sophia & Charles were baptised I guess at the parish church.


WARBLETON is a parish 3 miles south from Heathfield,

Baptisms Warbleton, Sussex, parents George & Elizabeth Brook.

Thomas Brook 16 Jul 1821, George Brook 28 Mar 1824

I cannot find a marriage for this couple so I wonder if there is an error in the records. Or maybe the records between 1814 & 1826 have not survived?

Colin

[ColC]

These are the other baptism records at Warbleton,Sussex,on Ancestry, father John?

George Brook   21 Nov 1773   John, Sarah
Samuel Brook   10 Mar 1771   John, Elizabeth
Thomas Brook   1 Nov 1768   ditto
Jno. Brook           26 Oct 1766   ditto
Ann Brook      4 Nov 1764   ditto
Jesse Brooks   15 May 1763   ditto

Colin