James Terry. B1849 in Brightling, Sussex. GRO birth record.

[0ctavia]

That would make sense about Arthur.

The benefits to having GEDmatch is that it gives you a wider pool of matches. You can also triangulate matches to identify which side of the family tree they would be on. Being able to identify the segments shared is also valuable for this.

I think your Terry problem could be explored by aligning DNA matches to sides of your family tree. I've uncovered who my mystery 3x great grandparents were. Only the dad's first name was fully accurate (as in birth name) on his son's birth certificate. They also decided to change their surname to Smith - not that helpful when they're from London. There's more to the story as it is quite a complex case.

If you can get the closest relative to James Terry to test, it would really help break down the matches into sides of your tree.

OK. Thank you :-)

[0ctavia]

Given Arthur was b c1859, with mother Ann,  and Alice was b c1865, I think it more likely they're half siblings

The confusion may come from the fact that  Ann Skinner Smithers' mother is also Ann, and Arthur lived with Granny

Thank you Mabel. I've said it before and I'll say it again, genealogy is like a giant escape room! 

[0ctavia]

At Lealands in Rotherfield in 1871
Next dwelling is William Sumner (farmer) at Lealands Farm
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5904f4dbe9379091b105e7d6

This farm may perhaps have straddled more than one parish.
William Sumner died in 1884, probate for him, late of Rotherfield.
The newspapers meanwhile describe the farm as Lealand’s Farm, Groombridge.

From the 1881 census TS, James Terry was at Sewage Farm Cottage in the parish of Frant
And is in the area of Broadwater Forest and Groombridge.

So I guess he may possibly be the James Terry, labourer, employed at the Sewage Farm, Groombridge, giving evidence against some potentially naughty people reported in the South Eastern Advertiser, 24 March 1883 (I don't have access)

Is he then the James Terry,  labourer, in the employ of the resident engineer of the Tunbridge Wells Commissioners, residing in Groombridge (possibly Southern Sewage Farm) and maybe giving evidence (?) in August 1870 (Surrey Gazette)

Again in 1877, James Terry, of Broadwater Forest, in the employ of the Tunbridge Wells Local Board, giving evidence...
Or is it a different James Terry, if so, who?

Mmmm. That's really interesting. Thank you for that information. I will follow this update. A big thank you for taking interest in my query :-)

[jonwarrn]

So here is the 1870 story (attached)
It's actually from The Sussex Advertiser, 30 August 1870
Quite long.

[jonwarrn]

Second one, from The Kent & Sussex Courier, 10 October 1877

[jonwarrn]

Ordnance survey map from the 1870's, can zoom in
https://maps.nls.uk/view/266664541

In the middle, from top
Groombridge and the railway station, and there is Lealands, which I guess is in Rotherfield
Pan right to Broadwater Forest, which should be in the parish of Frant, and there is the sewage farm!

It may be easier to see all this on the 1890s OS map, here
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101433912

So, taken with the newspaper reports, I think it looks promising for James Terry in Rotherfield in 1871 being the chap at the sewage farm in Frant in 1881 and 1891.

[softly softly]

Jonwarrn, very thorough and great research. Like you pretty sure it is him. Sadly still begs the question where is the b****r in 1861 and possibly birth/1851 census. I have probably like you and others run out of ideas and searched most records.

SS

[0ctavia]

Ordnance survey map from the 1870's, can zoom in
https://maps.nls.uk/view/266664541

In the middle, from top
Groombridge and the railway station, and there is Lealands, which I guess is in Rotherfield
Pan right to Broadwater Forest, which should be in the parish of Frant, and there is the sewage farm!

It may be easier to see all this on the 1890s OS map, here
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101433912

So, taken with the newspaper reports, I think it looks promising for James Terry in Rotherfield in 1871 being the chap at the sewage farm in Frant in 1881 and 1891.

This is such compelling evidence. You are amazing! Thank you so much. I am currently building a clearer picture of Ann Skinner and Ezekiel Smithers to add to the jigsaw which is James Terry, and then will look into this further. Once again thank you. I will keep you posted :-)

[0ctavia]

Jonwarrn, very thorough and great research. Like you pretty sure it is him. Sadly still begs the question where is the b****r in 1861 and possibly birth/1851 census. I have probably like you and others run out of ideas and searched most records.

SS

Agreed on all accounts!