Lewes Lookup Pls? - John Delves

[Deb D]

If anyone is able to visit Lewes, and has the time, please would they be able to look around the parish records for the birth of a John Delves, around 1818-19?  He was listed as 21 when he arrived in Australia on the "James Pattison" in early 1840.

There's been some confusion about what the ship's registers actually said in relation to his birthplace ... we've now ascertained the scribbled writing says "Hallenden", but there isn't a Hallenden in close proximity - so we're thinking whoever filled in the forms may have mis-heard either Hollington, or Dallington.

Unfortunately, we are not sure whether he was baptised C of E (the Delves name is associated with a C of E rector in Catsfield, nearby - unsure whether they were related, at this stage), ... or whether John was Wesleyan Methodist, which is the calling he took up later in life.

Any help would be huuuuuuuuugely appreciated - I'm stuck in a groove with this fellow ... and just don't seem to be able to get out! 

[sharon r]

Hi Deb, I read your post only recently and was excited to find someone else who was looking for John Delves born 1819 in Sussex and was also having touble finding him. My dad told me that the family farmed around the Battle/Hasting district so I moved my search to that area. I found a John Delves baptised 28 MAr 1819 in Wartling East Sussex (in the Rape of Hastings). His parents names - John and Mary fit with the names I had. Also his fathers occupation was listed as a 'labourer in husbandry. As John later farmed and ran dairy cows in the Manning district in Taree I think his father occupation fits well.
I also found five siblings whose names are also the names of John Delves's children. What do you think?

[Deb D]

Hi Sharon,

Yes, I'm pretty sure we're talking about the same fellow.

The John who was baptised in Wartling is the one my husband's cousin believes is our man ... it's just that I keep stumbling over this "Hallenden" reference.  He may, however, have been baptised in Wartling (although I believe there's also one baptised in Worthing around the same time - frustratingly other rellies think this is him, instead) ... and later moved to Hallenden/Hollington/Dallington.

Are you in the UK, or Australia?

Cheers
Deb

[swebby]

There is reference to Hallenden being a district near Leigh in Kent.
http://www.theweald.org/P5.asp?PId=PK.Leigh

Sean

[Deb D]

Thanks, Swebby, ... I'd seen that one earlier, ... it's yet another possibility ~ but unless I can find some documentation that puts our John or his family in any of these places pre-1839, I don't think we're ever going to know whether he'd moved there (*sigh!*).

For the moment, though ... I'd desperately love to be able to get to Lewes and trawl through the parish registers!  Just a tad difficult, finding things from the wrong side of the "rock" 

[kerryb]

Hi Deb

I had a look on the SFHG baptism database for you and the Wartling baptism is the only one that comes up between 1815 and 1825.  I think they have most parishes on the database now so could well be the right one.

Kerry

[Deb D]

Thank you, Kerry - the news that he's the only one who shows up, ... is what I needed to know.  Will have to see if I can get a transcription, as it now makes more sense to me that this is our fellow (am I being paranoid?).

Sharon, nice to hear from you, too.  I wonder if you wouldn't mind sending me a PM with the names of the siblings, please?  I'd be very grateful

Cheers
Deb

[sharon r]

Hi Deb,
The brothers and sisters of John Delves (baptised 28 Mar 1819 at St Mary Magdalene Wartling) are
Elizabeth Baptised 11 Nov 1804
Louisa Bap 21 Dec 1806
Harry Bap 17 Sep 1809
Mary Ann 9 Jul 1815
Jane Bap 28 May 1822

Have you checked out the Non conformist Registers for Worthing yet? I am still a bit hung up on the fact that all of my family records state that he was born in Worthing Sussex. I was looking at an article from 'The Methodist'  -'In Memoriam- Mr. John Delves'  and I quote ' JohnDelves was born at Worthing in Sussex England January 21st 1819, came to Sydeny in 1838,settling there for one year, being in the employ of Messers. Lamb and Co.
I have been looking at records in the Worthing area for the last 20 years and still haven't found what should be obvious given that I have so many references to his birth date and place

[Deb D]

Hi again, Sharon!

Yes, my husband's cousin sent me a copy of the "Methodist" article, a couple of years back ... and it's bugged me, too, ever since.  I don't believe I've found the non-conformist registers yet, ... but very appreciative of the names etc., of his siblings - thank you!  Where did you find them?   

I wonder whether there were 'naming traditions' in this part of the country, as there were in Scotland and Wales?  Could we figure out the names of our John's grandparents from the names of his older siblings, do you think?