It looks like I have a George Fiest in my family interest too. Although not yours Robham but for what its worth here's the info. I have just received some handwritten info from a second cousin, re my Margaret Buckett (1862-1930)(nee Fiest of Tooting), her mother was Mary (but known as Polly) Roberts from Cowfold - died circa 1932, Mary/Polly married George Feist of Lower Beeding. Mary had at least 2 sisters - an older sister Susan Roberts she became Mrs Bradbury and younger Ellen Roberts -became Mrs CS Akehurst. My cousin didn't have any further info on George Fiest and unfortunately no dates. But given that Mary/Polly's daughter Margaret was circa 1862 would make George at least c 1830-40's. In your searching have you found any linkages to my George??? I have spelt the Fiest as my cousin spelt it.
Zoe
I currently have many Fiest families noted on scattered pieces of paper, all from various sources, Upper and Lower beeding plus many others, seems to be very complex but I will beet it some day, my current mission. I have some PR fiches comming soon that will hopefully be a step forward.
Have easily found your probable family in the 1881 census
George b. 1843 L Beeding
Mary b. 1846 L Beeding
Have checked through the 1861 census for Lower Beeding, some of the folio's seem to be burnt, some have an ink bottle spilt on them, others are difficult to read, but there is only one large decipherable family in Lower Beeding
James age 41/47 Cowfold
Mary age 42 West Grinsted
five children all born Lower Beeding (no sign of George but at 18 he may well have moved away, perhaps to Cowfold district)
This family is mentioned in an earlier mesage of this thread as a possible parents to Margarett.
This could well be George's parents.
Will post up an other info as it comes in.