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Mary Sophia and James Berry Morris with three of their children (standing), Frank, Henry and Alice.
Photo (G Churchill, 4 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne) taken around 1890 in the garden of the Morris house and shop, 66 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

FAMILY MEMBERS ARRANGED IN DATE ORDER

To earlier Morris family members

1828 - 1901 JAMES BERRY MORRIS

James Berry Morris around 1862 with his wife Mary Sophia. Photo: Edward Reeves, Lewes, No.458.

Born; 10 January 1828, Cliffe, Lewes.
Baptised; 10 April 1828, by the Rev John Vinall (1782-1860) in Jireh Chapel, Lewes.
Parents; Ebenezer Morris (1801-1888) = Jane Elizabeth Berry (1802-1874)

Details of the Jireh Chapel, Lewes.

Educated from the aged of about four at Delap Hall, Lewes, by two maiden ladies named Page. Then to an establishment at Castle Place House run by Mr Benjamin Abbott, a Quaker. He was then sent to Bolton House, Turnham Green, where he started his hobby of book collecting, which was to grow to a total of over 1,000 on the subject of Sussex alone. Married; Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916) Thur 7 August 1851 at St.Thomas-a-Becket Parish Church, Cliffe, Lewes, by Rev.J.C.Russell.
Children; Mary Sophia (1852-1929), James (1854-1921), Herbert (1856-1927), Ellen Isabel (1857-1951), Alice Louisa (1859-1922), Reginald (1862-1909), Henry (1863-1943), Robert (1865-1948), Ada Rose (1866-1872), Frank (1869-19??), John Douglas (1871-1894)

At the 1841 Census shown as aged 13, of High Street, Cliffe, Lewes.
At the 1851 Census shown as assistant ironmonger, unmarried, aged 23, of High Street, Cliffe, Lewes.
East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/54 is a letter from Frances Wille (his mother-in-law, 1797-1886) to James Berry Morris describing the problems of her son George on his return from America, his difficulty in adjusting to England, his lack of a job, and the attitude of his family. She hopes that J.B.Morris will find some way of enabling his return. Circa 1851.
East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/67 is James Berry Morris's book of household accounts from 1851 to 1888.
James and his family left Lewes for Eastbourne on 11 February 1856 to set up a new branch of E Morris & Sons ironmongers, initially in South Street, Eastbourne, but later at 66 Seaside Road.

The Morris Ironfoundry in Lewes and Eastbourne.

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/68/5 and 68/6 are two portrait photographs of James taken around 1861 and 1872.
At the 1881 Census James was shown as aged 53, married, ironmonger, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

James Berry Morris around 1875. Photo: Edward Reeves, Lewes, No.9944.

Entry from 'Diary of the Den' (an informal journal kept by James's sons in their room at the Eastbourne premises) 27 Sept 1891; "The Gov. in expostulating with a bandsman of the (self called) Salvation Army for playing a musical instrument narrowly escaped being summonsed for assault." Robert Morris's (one of James's sons, 1864-1948) diary 20 June 1892; "Jubilee (yesterday, Sunday) of J.B.M.'s entry into business. He presented each member of family with £2.10.0 and employees with 2/6."
James retired from the family business on 1 July 1895. In 1898 he commissioned the building of a house in Uckfield for his retirement ('Fernhurst', 21 London Road). He moved in with his wife and three of his children in June 1899.

"Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield. James's retirement home from 1899 until his death in 1901.

From Robert Morris's diary;
20 Jan 1898; "J.B.M. received 12 summonses re the Upwick Cottages."
6 May 1899; "Dr.Farnell called to see J.B.M. He sounded him thoroughly and pronounced him quite sound, but weak."
28 August 1899; "J.B.M. again elected on Gas Co. Directorate, and Mr.D.Gilbert likewise."
11 October 1899; "J.B.M., Alice & I to Lewes by 2.31 p.m. train to witness the laying of the first stone of The Martyrs' Memorial by Capt. Bingham R.N."

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This is, beyond doubt, my favourite picture of my great grandfather, James Berry Morris. James was still living in Lewes in 1898 and on the point of retirement from the family firm when his son Robert wrote in his diary for 23 March; "To Berwick with J.B.M. at 10.5 am train. Walk to Michelham Priory, returning from Berwick at 1.10 pm." Berwick (Sussex) was, and still is, two stations down the line from Lewes towards Eastbourne, and Michelham Priory is a 3.5 mile walk from there.
Here we see James on Berwick station platform awaiting the train to take them back to Lewes. The sign over the window on the right says "James Pickard, Station Clerk".
It would appear that Robert had taken his camera with him and decided to photograph James unexpectedly. James, with a trace of a smile on his face, raises his stick threateningly as though to say "Don't you sneak up on me, young man!"
Clearly this picture was regarded very warmly within the family and, after James died in 1901, an enlargement was made of it, from which this image was copied. On 12 March 1902 Robert wrote in his diary "The Autotype enlargement of JBM's photo arrived this morning and we think it is excellent." James comes across as a genial and fascinating character, and I wish I could have met him.

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James's chief interest lay in books and local history (his letters and articles in Sussex papers have much invaluable content) and his increasing activity as a newspaper contributor in the late 1890s suggest a growing detachment from business. His book collection was huge and took considerable organisation to sell some of it and move the rest to Uckfield on his retirement.

The drawing room at 66 Seaside Road, Eastbourne around 1890. The large bookcase (which probably came from the Lewes house, and contained part of James's huge book collection) passed to the Gilbert family in Eastbourne, finally being sold in 1987.

See this page for extensive details of the book collection and the move from Eastbourne to Uckfield.

James's health was starting to be an issue from 1899 onwards. Robert Morris's diary (Uckfield);
22 December 1899; "J.B.M. abed all day. No doubt influenza. His temperature was 102 this evening."
30 December 1899; "To Lewes to pay Foundry men etc. J.B.M. shows improvement. Dr. called this evening."
2 January 1900; "J.B.M. does not seem so well today."
15 January 1900; "J.B.M. downstairs at 10 a.m. Not quite so well this afternoon."
8 February 1900; "J.B.M. met with serious mishap just after 12 o'clock. In getting over a stile at The Budletts he fell & broke left thigh, & was brought home in a cart. Dr.(Brit?) was called in."

This event even made the newspapers. A report said; "Yesterday we learned that Mr Jas. B Morris, who badly fractured his left thigh in a fall after getting over a stile at Uckfield, where he now resides, was going on as well as could be expected. The accident occurred at a place called the Budletts, situate nearly a mile from Mr Morris's residence, and it appears that the ground dips on the side of the stile where the tumble occurred. Owing to Mr Morris's advanced age (72) and accident of such a nature was, of course, alarming and the sufferer has been reduced to a great state of weakness. On Tuesday it was found possible to set the fractured limb and the injured gentleman bore up against the ordeal exceedingly well."

9 February; "Dr.Langdale called this morning. J.B.M. as well as expected."
13 February 1900; "Drs.Lucas & Langdale set J.B.M.'s leg. Chloroform was used. James, Mrs.D.Gilbert, Alice and a professional nurse present. They took half an hour."
15 February 1900; "Dr. Langdale altered splint reluctantly this morning. We got Pelham's old joiner, Mr.Cheal, to make ankle hole larger. Alec here fixing electric bell & gas stove, & he assisted. J.B.M. much easier." (Dr.Henry M.Langdale lived in Newtown, Uckfield at the 1891 census.)
17 February 1900; "J.B.M. had 2 hours sleep last night. Dr.called this morning and considered 'satisfactory'."
8 March 1900; "Dr. called this afternoon. Says everything is satisfactory - the bone supposed to be joining."
27 March 1900; "Dr. came about 4 p.m. and removed splint from J.B.M.'s leg. Foot much swollen etc."
30 March 1900; "Mr White brought crutches for J.B.M.'s use."
3 April 1900; "J.B.M. out of bed at about 11 a.m. & back again at 4 p.m. First time out of bed since accident. Leg swelled very much in consequence."
9 April 1900; "J.B.M. up at 12.30 & had dinner with us in back room. 1st time."
14 April 1900; "Mr.Bannister lent invalid chair, which we used and managed to get J.B.M. up to his bedroom. Cleared beds out of dining room and recommenced using it."
17 April 1900; "J.B.M. out (in chair) 1st time."
14 May 1900; "J.B.M. to Eastbourne to attend Gas Directors meeting. Mrs.J.B.M. & Alice accompanied him."
20 May 1900; "Sunday. We wheeled J.B.M. to chapel. He sat in one of the vestries. 1st time he has been there since last December."
26 June 1900; "J.B.M. to railway station and back in 55 minutes."
4 August 1900; "J.B.M. to the Foundry this morning. He went last Saturday too."
(See details of the sale of his huge book collection in 1900.)
27 October 1900; "J.B.M. has sold the Foundry at Lewes."
1 December 1900; "J.B.M. really severs his connection with the Lewes Foundry today."
21 December 1900; "J.B.M. has quite settled up with the Foundry."
25 February 1901; "J.B.M. to Gas Directors' meeting. Returned at 5.30."

23 April 1901; "J.B.M. seized with influenza this morning. Dr.Langdale sent for."
24 April 1901; "Dr. called, reported congestion of lungs, serious. Temperature 102. Temperature 100.5 this evening."
25 April 1901; "Dr called this afternoon, reports pneumonia, serious."
26 April 1901; "Dr called twice, reports more favourable."
27 April 1901; "J.B.M. not so well. Dr.Langdale reports 'critical'."

James died on 28 April 1901, aged 73, at 'Fernhurst', London Road, Uckfield, Sussex. The funeral was at Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne.

28 April 1901; "(Sunday) Reg & Harry arrived just before 11 a.m. Our father passed away at few minutes after 12 noon. His death was peaceful, and I don't think he suffered much actual pain during his illness. We were all present - Mother, Mary, Alice, Reg, Harry, myself, Frank and Aunt Hannah."
29 April 1901; "Mr.Bannister brought coffin this evening - between 7 & 8 o'clock. James arrived with Mr.D.Gilbert just after 5 p.m. & left with Mrs.D.Gilbert later. Frank left this morning for Eastbourne."
30 April 1901; "Aunt Hannah here this morning, & Miss Morris & Mrs.Vinall this afternoon. James left at 2.30 p.m. taking with him the will."
30 April 1901; "Mr.T.A.Bannister & Mr.Hammond came to solder down the zinc lining at 2 pm"
2 May 1901; "The funeral. We left for Eastbourne at 10 p.m. and returned this evening."
4 May 1901; "Made 2 copies of the will."
6 May 1901; "To Lewes on my bicycle this morning. Saw Mr. Curtis Card & called at Vinall's office. I am, of course, very sorry at finding myself an executor of the Gov's will, but I suppose it can't be helped."
7 May 1901; "To Lewes by rail. Took Will to Vinall's office."
10 May 1901; "James and Ellen arrived at 1 p.m. James & I endeavoured to get through the 47 questions I received from Mr.Vinall."
14 May 1901; "Received Gas Directors' letter of sympathy and wrote reply."
15 May 1901; "Received letter of sympathy from Eastbourne Ironmongers' Association & wrote reply."
22 May 1901; "Messrs Card & Son arrived at 1 p.m. and left this evening. They valued from top of house to the drawing room."
24 May 1901; "Messrs Card & Son finished the valuation here. Arrived at 1 p.m. and left at 6.15 p.m. Two Messrs Vinall called at 11 a.m. to witness signature of Mrs.J.B.M.'s will."
25 May 1901; "To Eastbourne. Messrs Card & I started valuation of the books &c in drawing room. I returned to Uckfield at 10 p.m."
30 May 1901; "To Eastbourne by the 9.52 a.m. train. Mr.Card junior finished valuations at Eastbourne. I called on Mr.Sutton and he looked over the books &c in the drawing room."
23 July 1901; "James arrived at 1 p.m. Mr.Carpenter (Vinalls office) arrived at 2.30 p.m. The Exors signed here, and took oath at Dawson's office. So the will has, at last, been proved. Gross £17,000."

Excerpt from the Obituary in Sussex Daily News, 1 May 1901; "...while holding strong opinions and fearless at all times in their expression, he was always of a kind and genial nature which disarmed all enmity..." "...full of recollections of old localities and incidents relating to the development of the countryside, in which the introduction of railways played a material part..."

From Robert Morris's diary;
28 April 1911; "We lost the Govr. 10 years ago this day. He would never have lasted until now."
10 January 1914; "The Gov.'s birthday - we should never have had him till now - he would be 86."

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/69/94, one of the diaries of his son Robert, contains a biography of James Berry Morris.

H R Gilbert has the following in his records;
An article by James about his schooldays, in Ellen I Gilbert's newspaper cutting album, Page 44.
An article by James about a great strom in 1836, in Ellen I Gilbert's newspaper cutting album, Page 51.
An account by James about the Lewes great snow storm and avalanche of December 1836 which he had witnessed, and a picture of it.
Three books of pencil drawings by James dated 1841 - 1842.
Letter from James to Mary in 1850 regarding his future prospects within E.Morris & Sons.
An amusing letter of 1872 from his brother Isaac (a doctor) advising James on his diet.
Three typewritten pages by Richard Gilbert describing J.B.M.'s account book 1851-1888. The book itself is missing.
Photocopy of 41 pages of newpaper cuttings, mainly recollections of old Eastbourne and Lewes by James in the 1890s. The original was donated to the Eastbourne Local History Society.
A letter from James to his grandson Richard Gilbert in 1900 thanking him for a birthday present.
A letter from James to his grandchildren thanking them for his birthday present in Jan 1901, 3 months before his death.
His obituary from the Sussex Daily News, Wednesday 1 May 1901. Several obituaries (and reports of the funeral) in Ellen I Gilbert's newspaper cuttings album, Pages 144, 145 and 146. Several obituaries (and reports of the funeral) in Charlotte Gilbert's newspaper cuttings album, Pages 5, 6 and 7.

1831 - 1916 MARY SOPHIA MORRIS (nee WILLE)

Mary Sophia Morris around 1862 with her husband James Berry Morris. Photo: Edward Reeves, Lewes, No.458.

Born; 13 January 1831 at "Ryders Wells", Wellingham, Ringmer.
Baptised; 15 February 1831 at Lewes Independent "Tabernacle" Chapel by Rev. Evan Jones.
Parents; Charles Wille (1797-1878) = Frances Morris (1797-1886)

More information about the Wille family

A note (by James Berry Morris?) inside the cover of Charles Wille's diary for 1831 or 1832 says "May 12th (?) MS born." (The diary is at East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/27 or 28).
Mary witnessed the Lewes avalanche on 27 December 1836 as she was living at the spot where it occurred. Fourteen of her neighbours were buried, eight of whom were dead when dug out. East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/89/1 & 89/2 are letters from Mary in Brighton to James Berry Morris in 1848 (before their marriage).
At the 1851 Census Mary was aged 20, unmarried, living with her father (timber merchant) at South Street, Lewes.

Married; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) at Cliffe Parish Church, Lewes, on 7 August 1851.
Children; Mary Sophia (1852-1929), James (1854-1921), Herbert (1856-1927), Ellen Isabel (1857-1951), Alice Louisa (1859-1922), Reginald (1862-1909), Henry (1863-1943), Robert (1865-1948), Ada Rose (1866-1872), Frank (1869-19??), John Douglas (1871-1894).
James and his family left Lewes for Eastbourne on 11 February 1856 to set up a new branch of E Morris & Sons ironmongers in Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
Early in 1856 she moved with James and their family to Eastbourne.
At the 1881 Census Mary was aged 50, married, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne. In 1899 James retired and they moved from Eastbourne to "Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield.

"Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield. Mary Sophia lived here from 1899 until her death in 1916.

Mary Sophia Morris (formerly Wille) around 1890. Photo: Frederick A Bourne, Rembrandt Studio, 19 Langney Road, Eastbourne.

From the diary of Robert Morris (one of Mary's sons), Uckfield;
24 May 1901; "Two Messrs Vinall called at 11 a.m. to witness signature of Mrs.J.B.M.'s will."
2 July 1901; "Arranged with Miss Markwick to collect Mrs.J.B.M.'s rents. Mr.Card junr. called & paid up rents to March quarter."

(Miss Markwick almost certainly refers to Agnes Markwick (1844-1922), registrar of births and deaths for Uckfield {as had been her father, Thomas Markwick 1818-1882}, and Secretary of the Uckfield Building Society. She was of the family that ran Markwick's the undertakers, later Markwick & Cooper, later just Cooper's. She lived at Alpha Cottage, Church Street, Uckfield, according to the 1891 census.)

8 July 1901; "Mrs.J.B.M. opened her a/c with Barclays Bank."
6 August 1901; "Miss Markwick starts collecting Mrs. J.B.M.'s rents today."
20 August 1901; "Transfers of Eastbourne Gas shares & property to Mrs.J.B.M. arrived for signature."
24 August 1901; "H.C.Card sent 2 ten pound notes on a/c. Mrs.J.B.M.'s rents. They were found inside front door this morning and no one saw it done."
9 November 1901; "Mrs.J.B.M. received letter from Mr. Bannister offering her mortgage on Aunt Sturt's property."
27 October 1908; "Mrs. J.B.M. is not really well - she is again having nose-bleeding."
17 June 1909; "In looking for Mrs.J.B.M's gas share certificates I cannot find them, and we don't even remember them being returned to her."
18 June 1909; "Most of the day has been spent in searching for the missing Gas Co. scripts, and they can't be found."
8 April 1910; "Mr Martin and Miss Markwick called this afternoon to witness Mrs.J.B.M.'s signature to codicil(?) making me an executor.'"

3 September 1910; "Mother has a bad attack of Sciatica."
6 September 1910; "Mother's sciatica better."
19 September 1910; "Mrs.J.B.M. decided to see the Doctor. Dr.Langdale called this morning. His report would seem alarming, but we think it is really sciatica which she has."
20 September 1910; "Mother had a bad night. Dr.called this morning - she is better now."
23 September 1910; "Mother not quite so well."
24 September 1910; "Mrs. J.B.M. better. Dr.called."
28 September 1910; "Dr.Langdale has decided not to visit mother again."
13 January 1911; "Mother's birthday. She was born at 'Ryderswells', Ringmer, 80 years ago."
7 August 1911; "Mother not at all well. Dr. Langdale called."
11 August 1911; "Dr.Langdale to see Mrs.J.B.M. She seems much better."
18 July 1912; "Received Mrs.J.B.M.'s Mortgage document this morning and sent it to Messrs.Vinalls this evening."
22 July 1912; "Paid in Mrs.J.B.M.'s mortgage cheques."
25 January 1913; "Mother not at all well, mostly in bed all day, with sickness etc. Sent for Dr.Langdale this evening. He says 'a chill'."
27 January 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. not quite so well."
28 January 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. much better. Alice very unwell."
29 January 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. seems practically well again, but Alice is very unwell and abed all day."
28 March 1913; "Mrs.Flint called to get Mrs.J.B.M.'s signature for nomination of Sir Francis Osborne for C.C."
14 May 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. received the new will for signature etc."
9 June 1913; "Miss Markwick & Daisy witnessed the signing of Mrs. J.B.M's will this afternoon."
15 July 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. is not very well - we suppose shingles."
12 January 1915; "Gave mother a birthday present - a blotting case."

Died; Tuesday 26 December 1916, aged 85, at 'Fernhurst', London Road, Uckfield, reportedly from influenza followed by an attack of pneumonia.
Buried; Saturday 30 December 1916 at Ocklynge Cemetery, Eastbourne.
A brief obituary is on page 141 of Ellen I.Gilbert's newspaper cuttings album, and another on Page 143, and also in Charlotte Gilbert's cuttings album page 54.

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/881 to 88/16 consists of sixteen diaries of Mary Sophia Morris between 1848 and 1899.
The following are in H.R.Gilbert's records;
A letter from James to Mary in 1850 regarding his future prospects within the firm of E.Morris & Sons.
Article from the Eastbourne Gazette 1917 regarding her memories, in E.I.Gilbert's newspaper cuttings album page 136.

More information about the Wille family

1852 - 1929 MARY SOPHIA MORRIS

Mary Sophia Morris around 1868. Photo: G Churchill, 4 Cornfield Road, Eastbounre.

Born; 16 June 1852, 6:55 a.m., at 24 South Street, Lewes.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
At the 1881 Census Mary was shown as aged 28, unmarried, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

In 1899 her father retired and they moved from Eastbourne to "Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield.

"Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield. Mary Sophia lived here from 1899 until 1917 when the house was sold and she moved to 21 Mayfield Place, Eastbourne.

Robert Morris's diary (Uckfield);
6 October 1899; "Dr.Langdale called to see Mary's spine" (Dr.Henry M.Langdale lived in Newtown, Uckfield at the 1891 census.)
9 October 1899; "Dr.Langdale called soon after 9 a.m. Invalid couch arranged about."
10 October 1899; "Invalid couch arrived this morning."
31 October 1899; "Mary received present from her Sunday school class. Toilet set."
30 July 1900; "Mary's back having become so troublesome she left for Uckfield this evening."
12 December 1901; "Mrs.J.B.M. received letter from Mary stating that she had sold remainder of the books at No.66 Seaside Rd. for 10/-. Not a very fat bargain."
27 December 1901; "Frank arrived at 10 a.m. & James, Ellen, Reg & Harry at 1 p.m. We had the family meeting this afternoon. 14b North St bought by Frank £420. 14c by me £525. 14d by Mrs.D.Gilbert £525. 14e by Mary £600. Stables by Alice £825."
23 May 1903; "Mary left for Eastbourne this afternoon. She is going to reside at 'Kempsey' during James's absence on holiday."
22 June 1903; "Mary and Alice to Lewes to attend Protestant demonstration."
28 August 1903; "Alice met with an accident at Ringles Cross this afternoon. She fell off her bicycle and injured it, but fortunately not herself."
25 September 1903 (Sunday); "Alice gave notice of her intended resignation at the Sunday School."
19 November 1903; "M.S.M. has shingles. Very bad."
1 February 1904; "We understand that the Morris Beef Co. has cleared out of Mary's shop in North Street."
31 March 1906; "Mary left for Eastbourne at 5 pm. She is going to take charge of 'Kempsey' during Mrs. M's absence for a few days."
22 May 1906; "Mary to Crowborough on her new free wheel bicycle this afternoon. Had an accident and fell off."
13 June 1906; "Protestant demonstration at Lewes this afternoon. Mary & Alice attended."
10 August 1906; "Dr.Langdale to see Mary - says she is liable to typhoid fever. Her temperature 101."
17 October 1906; "Dr. called to see Mary and says she ought to leave Uckfield during the 'fall of the leaf'."

11 March 1908; "Alice to Five Ash Down Sunday School entertainment all day, and Mary afternoon and evening."
17 July 1908; "Mary & Alice left for Eastbourne at 10.40 am, returned at 10 pm. They went to Pevensey and witnessed a performance of the Pevensey Pageant."
22 July 1908; "Mrs.Gilbert & Alice to Sunday School treat at Five Ash Down. Mary went this evening."
18 August 1909; "M.S.M. to Framfield Flower Show at Framfield Lodge this afternoon."
21 October 1909; "Mary to Bible Society meeting this evening."
6 Janusry 1910; "Mary confined to her bed"
1 March 1910; "The women are determined to believe that the people at 'Brownings' have put down rat poison and have thereby finished off 'Nick' (Cat found dead in the shed on 28th inst.)."
3 March 1910; "Mary has been stupid enough to write the people at 'Brownings' asking if they have put down any poison.'"
4 June 1910; "Alice laying out centre of geometrical border. Mary bedding out side borders."
13 September 1910; "Mary on her bicycle to Lewes to meet her mother. Returned this afternoon."
6 January 1911; "Mary examined her Sunday School scholars this evening. She has a bad cold."
8 March 1911; "Sunday School anniversary at Five Ash Down. Mary attended. I did not go this time."
20 April 1911; "Mary to Crowborough this evening to see Aunt Sturt."
14 June 1911; "Protestant demonstration at Lewes. Mary & Alice attended."
16 June 1911; "Mary's birthday. She was born about 1852."
3 January 1912; "Mary to Eastbourne to attend the tea at Cavendish Place Chapel, in connection with Mr.Evans, the new pastor."
28 February 1912; "Sunday-School anniversary at Five Ash Down. Mary attended."

Details of Cavendish Place and Five Ash Down Chapels.

24 April 1912; "Dr. called and ordered a night nurse for Alice, and told Daisy she must go home for she has mumps. Daisy left this afternoon, and the trained nurse arrived at 6 pm."
25 April 1912; "Mrs.Gilbert arrived at 10 am and will use my bedroom. Mary had a foolish tiff with the nurse this afternoon."
29 May 1912; "Anniversary at Five Ash Down Chapel. Mary attended the three services."
17 June 1912; "Mary to teachers' meeting at Miss Markwick's."
26 June 1912; "Mary to Cavendish Place Chapel Sunday School treat at Hailsham."
6 November 1912; "Mary to B.& F. Bible Society's meeting at Town Hall. Mr.R.J.Streatfeild in the chair."

24 April 1913; "Mary writing and telephoning to Jim about Frank's affairs."
5 May 1913; "M.S.M. to Eastbourne about Frank's affairs. Herbert says Frank is a THOROUGH SCOUNDREL."
6 May 1913; "Mary to Lewes about Frank's affairs. She means to buy 11 Belmore Road."
8 May 1913; "M.S.M. received a decidedly straight letter from Herbert on Frank's affairs. She is very indignant."
9 May 1913; "M.S.M. received a straight letter from Harry re Frank's affairs."
11 June 1913; "Mary to Protestant demonstration at Lewes."
23 June 1913; "Mary to Eastbourne about Frank's affairs - a row between her & Herbert."
5 July 1913; "Deeds of 11 Belmore Road arrived & Mary took them to Eastbourne.",
8 July 1913; "Mary dashed to Mayfield in order to obtain Mrs.Gilbert's signature to 11 Belmore Road deeds."
30 July 1913; "M.S.M. to Sunday School treat at Five Ash Down."
31 July 1913; "Signed deed of 11 Belmore Road. Mary took it to Eastbourne."
22 October 1913; "Mary to Eastbourne for the day to attend Harvest Thanksgiving at Cavendish Place Chapel."
23 October 1913; "Mary thinks of buying Frank's workshop in North St. 530 pounds is asked for it, but it is not worth 350."
27 October 1913; "M.S.M. to Eastbourne to see dentist."
4 November 1913; "Mary to Bexhill & Eastbourne to see about purchasing Frank's workshop and house at Bexhill."
9 January 1914; "The Morris Beef Coy. take on M.S.M.'s shop in North Street for 3 years."
14 January 1914; "Mary had her Sunday School boys here this evening."
26 January 1914; "M.S.M. to Aunt Sturt's at Jarvis Brook this afternoon."
27 May 1914; "Anniversary at Five Ash Down Chapel. M.S.M. attended all three services. I did not go."
4 June 1914; "M.S.M. spent day at Eastbourne."
10 June 1914; "M.S.M. to Protestant demonstration at Lewes."
12 October 1914; "Mary to Eastbourne to see the dentist."
12 January 1915; "M.S.M. to Miss Markwick's Teachers' Tea."

Died; 2 October 1929, Eastbourne, aged 77.
After both their parents had died, Robert, Alice and Mary Sophia decided to sell 'Fernhurst', London Road, Uckfield, and move back to Eastbourne. Robert and Alice moved to Hampden Park while Mary Sophia bought 21 Mayfield Place, Eastbourne and lived there until her death in 1929. It was rumoured that Robert and Alice did not wish to share a house with her! In her will she left the house in Mayfield Place to her two nieces Ellen and Catherine Morris.
Alice L.Morris (1859-1922, her sister) left Mary Sophia Nos. 55 & 57 South Street, Lewes, for her life and then to be passed on to Ellen and Catherine 'Katie' Morris.

1854 - 1921 JAMES MORRIS

James Morris around 1895. Photo: Rudolph W Vieler, 3 Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Born; 3 April 1854, Lewes.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia. Wille (1831-1916)
Married; Ellen White on 8 March 1894 at Kempsey, near Worcester.
Moved into 15 Gorringe Road, Eastbourne, and named it "Kempsey".
Children; Ellen (1895-1962), James White (1898-1938), Catherine Mary 'Katie' (1900-1986), John Charles W. (1904-1906)

At the 1881 Census shown as aged 27, unmarried, ironmonger's assistant, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

Brothers James, Reginald and Henry progressively took over the family iron foundry business from their father during the 1880s and 1890s.

The Morris Ironfoundry in Lewes and Eastbourne.

Around 1901 James Berry Morris's sons Henry and Reginald came to live at the Eastbourne shop in Seaside Road with their families while James (junior) continued to live at 15 Gorringe Road.

James was a keen rowing enthusiast. His daughter 'Katie' wrote to R.Gilbert in 1983 "I still have some of the prizes won in rowing including two marble clocks, one with an inscription that it was won at St.Leonards regatta in 1881, which is still in use. I have given away most of the cups - four to a very poor mission station in Africa for Communion cups, two to St.Mary's Boys' School for swimming prizes, and one to the present Eastbourne Rowing Club; so they are still performing a useful service."

Died; 22 November 1921, aged 67.

More information about James and his family

1856 - 1927 HERBERT "CHUB" or "CHUBBY" MORRIS

Herbert Morris around 1866.

Born; 8 January 1856, Lewes.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
At the 1871 Census shown as scholar aged 15, attending Cliffe House School, living at High Street, Cliffe.
Emigrated to New Zealand in 1895 but returned in 1903.

Herbert Morris and his house in New Zealand, around 1901.

From Robert Morris's diary;
16 March 1896; "Received today 2 papers from Chubby in which were accounts of the burning down of the Stores and his house, with everything belonging to him. It occurred on Jan 21st."
8 January 1897; "Chubby's birthday, aged 41. He has now been in New Zealand over 12 years."
11 April 1903; "Chubby has sent a cablegram stating his intentions of returning to England, leaving N.Z. this month."
6 June 1903; "Received postcard from Harry who informs us they have just received a telegram from Herbert who is leaving Sydney for England today."
12 June 1903; "'The Omrah', upon which we suppose Herbert is returning to England, has left Adelaide."
22 June 1903; "Herbert's will arrived in a registered envelope this morning, it had been opened both ends and officially sealed."
25 June 1903; "The Omrah arrived at Colombo yesterday."
4 July 1903; "The Omrah has passed Perim."
7 July 1903; "We suppose The Omrah to be in the Suez Canal today."
8 July 1903; "The Omrah left port Said yesterday."
11 July 1903; "The Omrah has arrived at Naples."
14 July 1903; "James has received a letter from Herbert at Naples. The Omrah has left Marseilles."
17 July 1903; "Received a telegram this afternoon from Eastbourne stating that they had received one from Herbert at Plymouth."
18 July 1903; "Received a telegram from Chub this afternoon stating that he would arrive at Uckfield at 8pm. He arrived however at 10pm and Alice and Frank (who came here on his bicycle at 9 pm) met him at the station."
20 July 1903; "Herbert left for Eastbourne at 2.40 pm."

20 August 1903; "Chub has a bad cold and has taken 'Auld Reekie' as a cure. Slightly in his cups." (i.e. drunk)
21 August 1903; "Chubby left about 10 am & has not turned up since. Chubby arrived home at 8 pm in his cups."
14 December 1903; "Chub to Lewes &c. returned at 7.15 pm slightly in his cups."
28 January 1904; "Chub received letter from E.Kay, Robinson of Clay-next-Sea, proposing to start a 1d weekly natural history paper. He has written for prospectus."
31 December 1903; "I and Chub by rail (10.44 a.m.) to Lewes, walked from there to Cooksbridge, Chailey, Sheffield Green, Splayne's Green, to Fletching and Pilt Down."
25 January 1904; "Walked (with Chub) to Hadlow Down, Five Ashes, Mayfield, Argos Hill, Rotherfield, Jarvis Brook, and home by Five Ash Down."
9 April 1904; "Chub to Lewes. Returned at 10 pm slightly in his cups."
24 November 1904; "We are told that Chub is lodging with a Mrs.Hardwick in The Colonnade." (Eastbourne)
26 November 1904; "We understand that Chub and Reg have gone to Birmingham for a fortnight."
20 December 1905; "The very latest I hear is that Chub is purchasing a small coal business!"
5 July 1906; "James informs us that Chub has bought an ironmongery business at Hove."
6 July 1906; "Chub arrived this afternoon to see James, left at 8pm."
9 July 1906; "I understand Chub pays deposit on Hove business today."
3 August 1906; "We now know for certain that Chub is in business at Hove."
6 August 1906; "Mr.J.Green says he believes the business recently purchased by Herbert at Hove is 'no good'."
19 September 1906; "Alice & Ellen to Brighton this morning, returned at 5.20 pm. They saw Chub's shop at Hove, but he was not at home."
28 September 1906; "Harry is at present staying with Chub at Hove."
25 January 1907; "We hear that Chub is getting out of his business at Hove."
2 March 1907; "James arrived on bicycle, dined and took tea with us. Chub is financially on his last legs."
12 March 1907; "Alice to Eastbourne, returned at 10 pm. Chub is right down in the dumps. Mrs Gilbert has given him an invite."
18 March 1907; "Harry arrived at 1 pm & left at 8 pm. Chub is fairly on his last legs financially."
29 March 1907; "Chub arrived this morning and left at 7.35 pm. No one would suppose him to be on his last legs financially."
18 May 1907; "We hear that Chub has now a partnership in an upholsterer's business at Lewes."
15 July 1907; "Chub is at present attending at the shop, Nos. 66 & 67 for his keep."
29 February 1908; "Chub has entered into a partnership, and in business at Brighton. I am curious to see how this new venture will turn out."
17 April 1908; "Chub arrived at 'Ryderswells' this morning and, having been invited to dinner, a most unpleasant disturbance took place between M.S.M. and him."
23 October 1908; "We hear that Chub is very busy."

Herbert Morris around 1882.

4 February 1909; "Chub has recently had influenza and is now full of business again."
29 May 1909; "Chub arrived this evening to spend a few days at Ryderswells."
13 November 1909; "Chub arrived for weekend."
15 November 1909; "Chub left for Brighton at 10:30 a.m."
1 January 1910; "Conservative meeting tonight. Chub, David & William went."
12 February 1910; "We hear David (Gilbert) is now going to Chub's business at Brighton. He starts a month trial Monday next."
4 August 1910; "Chub visited Jarvis Brook this morning."
15 October 1910; "Chub arrived from Brighton this evening."
18 February 1911; "Chub was to have come today for the weekend but I wrote him a somewhat pointed letter on Thursday. He is not coming!"
28 December 1910; "James & Harry arrived at 10 am, & Frank came later, on bicycle, from Horeham Road. Spent very pleasant day. James, Chub & Harry left at 8 pm, Frank sleeps here tonight."
18 October 1911; "Hear young John Green is likely to finance Herbert's Tin-Kettle business."
13 November 1911; "Mrs.Gilbert informed me that Herbert has been practically turned out of the Tin-Kettle business by young Jack Green, the man who was going to finance the affair."
5 December 1911; "It is now family property that Herbert has been ousted from the Tin-Kettle business at Brighton. Jack Green has become possessor. Herbert gets £100 and £50 in shares."
11 December 1911; "We hear that Herbert is in indifferent health."
8 January 1912; "Herbert's birthday. I think he must be 56, if not 57. He is completely out of the Brighton Tin-Kettle business. He comes out of it with £100 in cash and £50 in shares."
12 January 1912; "Herbert has started work at E.M.& S.'s; it is a funny thing, but he has got there again, after all the talk about the poor old business."
28 August 1912; "Herbert arrived at 5.30 pm having walked from Lewes. Left 7.30 pm."
8 January 1913; "Herbert's birthday. I should suppose him to be 57."
5 May 1913; "M.S.M. to Eastbourne about Frank's affairs. Herbert says Frank is a THOROUGH SCOUNDREL."
8 May 1913; "M.S.M. received a decidedly straight letter from Herbert on Frank's affairs. She is very indignant."
23 June 1913; "Mary to Eastbourne about Frank's affairs - a row between her and Herbert."
27 December 1913; "James, Herbert & Harry spent the day here. The two former walked from Lewes, and Harry took train at Barcombe."
6 April 1914; "The great Unionist Demonstration went off well in Hyde Park on Saturday. Herbert, I am told, attended."

Died; 7 November 1927, aged 71, Sussex.

1857 - 1951 ELLEN ISABEL GILBERT (nee MORRIS)

Ellen I Morris, c.1875. Photo: G.Churchill, 4 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne.

Born; 26 July 1857, 66 Seaside Road (the Morris ironmongers shop and house), Eastbourne
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
Married; David Gilbert (1861-1902) on 28 February 1884 by the Rev.A.J.Baxter at Cavendish Place Chapel.

Details of Cavendish Place Chapel and Rev A J Baxter.

Children; Ellen (1885-1988), Charlotte Isabel (1886-1976), David (1888-1915), Mary (1889-1976), William (1892-1955), Richard (1894-1988)
Died 25 November 1851, Eastbourne.

More information about Ellen I Gilbert and her family

1859 - 1922 ALICE LOUISA MORRIS

Alice Morris around 1877.

Born; 10 November 1859, 66 Seaside Road (formerly 1 Victoria Place), Eastbourne, the Morris ironmongers shop and house.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
At the 1881 Census Alice was shown as aged 21, unmarried, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
When her father retired in 1899 Alice moved from the Eastbourne shop with her parents to their retirement home, "Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield along with her siblings Robert and Mary (all unmarried).

"Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield. Alice lived here from 1899 until 1917 when the house was sold and she moved with her brother Robert to Hampden Park.

Alice Morris around 1885. Photo: Frederick A Bourne, Rembrandt Studio, 19 Langney Road, Eastbourne.

From Robert Morris's diary (Uckfield);
28 July 1900; "Mary & Alice to Duchess of Devonshire's reception at Compton Place."
24 February 1901; "Alice to Sunday School this morning. Took senior boys first time."
27 December 1901; "Frank arrived at 10 a.m. & James, Ellen, Reg & Harry at 1 p.m. We had the family meeting this afternoon. 14b North St {Morris-owned North Street shops in Lewes} bought by Frank £420. 14c by me £525. 14d by Mrs.D.Gilbert £525. 14e by Mary £600. Stables by Alice £825."
7 January 1902; "C.F.Simmons has taken possession of Alice's stables, he went in yesterday."
11 June 1902; "Alice left for Eastbourne at noon, to attend Sunday School treat at Litlington."
5 July 1902; "Alice opened her account with Messrs. Barclay & Co. this morning. She received her first ?? sent from Mr.C.F.Simmons for her stables."
22 June 1903; "Mary and Alice to Lewes to attend Protestant demonstration."
5 January 1906; "Mr.Taylor took measurement for Alice's greenhouse." (at 'Fernhurst')
22 February 1906; "Taylor's men started on Alice's greenhouse this morning."
26 February 1906; "Alice's greenhouse being glazed."
13 June 1906; "Protestant demonstration at Lewes this afternoon. Mary & Alice attended."
11 March 1908; "Alice to Five Ash Down Sunday School entertainment all day, and Mary afternoon and evening."
17 July 1908; "Mary & Alice left for Eastbourne at 10.40 am, returned at 10 pm. They went to Pevensey and witnessed a performance of the Pevensey Pageant."
22 July 1908; "Mrs.Gilbert {Ellen} and Alice to Sunday School treat at Five Ash Down. Mary went this evening."

9 November 1908; "Alice not at all well. Dr.Langdale examined her this evening and pronounces a 'floating kidney'."
(Dr.Henry M.Langdale lived in Newtown at the 1891 census.)
10 November 1908; "Alice to Eastbourne to be measured for support. Returned before 8 pm."
20 November 1908; "Alice to Sunday School teachers meeting at 'Oakdene' this evening."
9 January 1909; "Alice finished outer borders of geometrical border this afternoon."
9 March 1909; "Alice again having trouble with her kidney"
7 June 1909; "Alice laying out the geometrical border."
10 November 1909; "Alice's birthday 1859. I gave her Wright's 'Life of William Huntington'."
22 November 1909; "Alice planting geometrical border."
4 June 1910; "Alice laying out centre of geometrical border. Mary bedding out side borders."
13 July 1910; "Sunday school treat at Five Ash Down. Mary & Alice attended."
3 December 1910; "Alice finished the four outside borders of the geometrical border."
26 January 1911; "Dr.Langdale to see Alice. He says it is asthma, and that she will never be rid of it."
14 March 1911; "Alice received Sir Hiram Maxim's "Pipe of Peace" and "Inhaler" for asthma &c."
20 June 1911; "Alice visited Miss Smith at the Cottage Hospital this afternoon."
4 December 1911; "Alice to Jarvis Brook to see Aunt Sturt. Returned at 1 pm."
23 April 1912; "Alice very unwell. Dr. sent for. Bronchial-asthma."
24 April 1912; "Dr. called and ordered a night nurse for Alice, and told Daisy {Varnes} she must go home for she has mumps. Daisy left this afternoon, and the trained nurse arrived at 6 pm."
25 April 1912; "Mrs.Gilbert {Ellen} arrived at 10 am and will use my bedroom. Mary had a foolish tiff with the nurse this afternoon."
26 April 1912; "Alice much worse, or at least seriously unwell. We hardly know what to think about it."
27 April 1912; "A draught administered to Alice last night, and she was able to get some sleep. A slight improvement today."
29 April 1912; "Alice maintains the improvement, however slight. But she would do better in the hands of her own people."
30 April 1912; "Alice seems better. The Vicar called. Dr. called."
1 May 1912; "The nurse, Nurse Barden, left at 2 pm. Dr. to see Alice. She is very nervous today, otherwise is progressing. She did not sleep well last night."
2 May 1912; "Alice is better. Dr. called."
4 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice. She continues to improve and sat up for some time this afternoon."
7 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice. She came down to tea."
8 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice. She dressed and came down to tea. Charlotte has mumps, caught from a Sunday School scholar. Mrs.Gilbert may have to return home. She has been a great help here."
10 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice who is still very weak. Mr.Martin called. Alice received letter from Daisy Varnes."
18 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice."
27 May 1912; "Sent for Dr.Langdale to see Alice who is not so well. Kept her bed."
28 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice who got up this afternoon."
29 May 1912; "Dr. to see Alice. He insists on a change."
16 June 1912; "Sunday. Alice attended afternoon service. 1st time since her illness."
24 Aug 1912; "Finished pictures in Alice Morris's album."
5 December 1912; "Alice has completed her art-work for the Y.M.C.A. sale at Eastbourne."
28 January 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. much better. Alice very unwell.
29 January 1913; "Mrs.J.B.M. seems practically well again, but Alice is very unwell and abed all day."
30 January 1913; "Alice abed, perhaps a little better. Dr. says a 'Thickening in one lung'.
4 February 1913; "Alice very queer. There appears to have been some obstruction in the lower part of the bowels. Dr. called."
5 February 1913; "Alice very much worried about her inconveniences but, after using the enema 2 or 3 times, the obstruction seems to have been removed this evening."
24 April 1914; "Dr. called to see Alice this morning, and says there is consumption. I hardly think it, and sincerely hope I am correct. He will make an examination tomorrow."
25 April 1914; "Dr. examined Alice but has not discovered anything further."
30 April 1914; "Dr.called & informed Alice that consumption has not been discovered in her expectoration."
15 February 1915; "Alice evidently taken with influenza."
16 February 1915; "Alice abed all day."
18 February 1915; "Alice in bed. Dr. called & says there is no complication."
19 February 1915; "Alice very unwell. Dr. called this afternoon."
22 February 1915; "Dr. called this afternoon, told Alice she might get up."
26 February 1915; "Alice not at all well. Dr. called this morning."
27 February 1915; "Alice very unwell. She has kept her bed all day."
1 March 1915; "Alice not at all well. Dr. called yesterday and again this morning. We hope for the best."
3 March 1915; "Dr. to see Alice and discovered pleurisy."
4 March 1915; "Alice - some improvement. Dr. called."
8 March 1915; "Dr. to see Alice. She sat up a short time late this evening."
11 March 1915; "Alice came down into back room just before 1 pm. Dr. called."
12 March 1915; "Alice in back room today. Dr. called - not satisfied with her condition."

She was known as "Aunt Alice" to 26 children.
On the death of their parents, Robert, Alice and Mary Sophia chose to sell 'Fernhurst', Uckfield, and return to Eastbourne.
Robert and Alice elected not to live with Mary any more, so they moved to 'Percival House', Station Road, Hampden Park (probably on 4 June 1917), while Mary bought 21 Mayfield Place, Eastbourne.
Probably as an inheritance from her mother, Alice appears to have acquired 55 & 57 South Street, Lewes, although she did not live in the properties. On her death in 1922 she left them to her sister Mary Sophia for her life, and then to be passed on to her two nieces Ellen Morris (1895-1962) and Catherine 'Katie' Morris (1900-1986).

Died; 19 (or 29) January 1922, aged 62, Eastbourne.

1862 - 1909 REGINALD MORRIS

Reginald Morris around 1895. Photo: Rudolph W Vieler, 3 Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Born; 26 January 1862, 66 Seaside Road (formerly 1 Victoria Place), Eastbourne, the Morris family ironmongers shop and house.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
At the 1881 Census Reginald was shown as aged 19, unmarried, ironmongers assistant, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

Married; Sarah Jane Gross (1864-1937) of All Saints, Lewes, at All Saints, Lewes 24 April 1889.
Children; Reginald Nelson (1890-1982), May Blenheim (1892-1985), Douglas Collingwood (1894-1964), Marjorie Isabel (1901-1992).

From Robert Morris's diary (Eastbourne);
27 December 1895; "Spent the evening with Reg and Mrs.Reg at 'Woodbridge', Latimer Road." (Eastbourne)
31 December 1897; "Reg ill, taken unwell during the night. Mother, Alice & Mrs.Gilbert called. The old place on his lung is bad again. Dr. reports 'serious'. A quantity of blood brought up."
3 January 1898; "Reg going on satisfactorily."
9 January 1898; "J.B.M. called at 'Woodbridge', Latimer Rd. Reg very weak."

From Robert Morris's diary (Uckfield);
7 July 1900; "E.M.& S's. {E.Morris & Sons.} employees outing, they came to Uckfield. Reg accompanied them & brought with him 2 creepers for our garden."
22 September 1900; "Reg is bad in both eyes now."
19 April 1901; "Mrs.Reg delivered of a daughter." {Marjorie}

Brothers James, Reginald and Henry progressively took over the family iron foundry business from their father during the 1880s and 1890s.

The Morris Ironfoundry in Lewes and Eastbourne.

Reginald is believed to have been living in Polegate, 1890 to 1895. Then at 'Woodbridge', 66 Latimer Road, Eastbourne from around 1895 until around 1901 when he and his brother Henry came to live at the Eastbourne shop in Seaside Road with their families, while the other partner, James, continued to live at 15 Gorringe Road.

24 January 1902; "Received letter from Reg relating to letting of 'Woodbridge'. Have written to Mr.A.Foster, 296 Ditchling Road, Brighton, offering him at 13/6 per week. He has told Reg he will not go higher than 13/-."
6 June 1902; "Reg and Harry were at Lewes this afternoon signing their Notes of land etc. Reg afterwards came on here at 5 pm, leaving again for Eastbourne at 8 pm. He expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the affairs of the estate had been carried out."
11 September 1902; "Reg, Mrs., May, Douglas and the baby, Marjory, arrived at 10 am and left at 8 pm."
14 February 1903; "Reg has had to give up business again."
1 August 1906; "We hear Reg is abed with rupture."
25 August 1906; "Reg arrived at 2.30 pm to spend a day or two at 'Ryderswells'."
3 April 1908; "Reg is recommended to go to Guy's Hospital for examination by a specialist."
18 April 1908; "We received unsatisfactory new of Reg this evening - he has a clot in one of the veins in his right arm."
21 April 1908; "Reg will go to town tomorrow to consult a specialist."
22 April 1908; "We received a post card from Reg, posted in London this morning. The Dr. reports 'very satisfactory'. We trust it is so."
6 July 1908; "Received letter from Reg, re tenancy of 'Woodbridge'. Young Reg is at Berehaven on one of the King's ships."
6 May 1909; "Reg does not seem to be at all well."
14 May 1909; "Reg was to have come today but he is now confined to his bed."
18 May 1909; "We hear Reg was not very well yesterday, but is a little improved."
21 May 1909; "Reg is still very unwell. The Dr. does not understand what is the matter with him."
24 May 1909; "Alice to Eastbourne, returned at 10 p.m. She saw Reg who is very unwell."
31 May 1909; "Ellen arrived at Ryderswells this afternoon, and brought very unsatisfactory news of Reg - he is seriously ill."
1 June 1909; "Mary to Eastbourne this morning, returned this evening. Reg is very ill. Whether he will be raised up again we know not."
2 June 1909; "A little better news of Reg."
3 June 1909; "The news of Reg not so favourable this morning, but a little better this evening."
4 June 1909; "Mrs.J.B.M. & Alice to Eastbourne this afternoon and saw Reg."
7 June 1909; "Reg does not improve much, though the Dr. says he is better. He seems extremely weak."
9 June 1909; "Reg is now worse. Mother & Alice left for Eastbourne at 2.30 p.m. and we have since received a postcard from Mrs.Gilbert stating that the doctor thinks badly. Mrs.J.B.M. & Alice returned at 10 p.m. Reg cannot possibly recover."
10 June 1909; "Telegram about 9 a.m. Reg died early this morning. To Eastbourne at 10.34 a.m., returned at 10 p.m. Mrs.Gilbert and Mrs.Henry were with Reg all night. He passed away at about 6.35 am and the body is in such a state that the funeral must take place on Saturday."

Reginald died; 10 June 1909, Eastbourne.
Buried; 12 June 1909, Eastbourne.

12 June 1909; "To Eastbourne, at 3 pm Reg's funeral; a lot of people attended. Mr Martin conducted it."
14 June 1909; "To Lewes at 10.34 am. Met James there and we went to Messrs. Vinall's office. James returned to Eastbourne by 1.51 pm, and I left for Uckfield at 2.1 pm. Made a copy of Reg's will. Unhappily, I am an executor."
16 June 1909; "An Eastbourne Gazette arrived giving an account of Reg's funeral etc."
26 October 1909; "Sent off Reg's will to Mrs. Reg."
8 April 1910; "Mr Martin and Miss Markwick called this afternoon to witness Mrs.J.B.M.'s signature to codicil(?) making me an executor."
9 April 1910; "We omitted to enter the date in the codicil(?) yesterday and Messrs Vinalls have returned it in consequence."
13 April 1910; "Mrs Martin & Miss Markwick to witness signature this evening. I did not insert the date last week."
1 July 1910; "To Lewes this morning to prove Reg's will, which I did before Mr. Reginald Blaker."
26 August 1910; "Young fellow here this afternoon to look over the house etc. re Reg's portion of the estate."
23 September 1910; "Wrote Vinall's, re Reg's reversionary interest."
2 April 1912; "Sent off Reg's Promissory Notes to Messrs Vinall. My own, Mary's and Alice's."
3 April 1912; "Received executors account to sign from Mrs.Reg. Signed and sent it to Messrs Vinall's."

An obituary and report of his funeral is on pages 44 to 46 of Charlotte Gilbert's newspaper cuttings album in H R Gilbert's collection. The service was conducted by Mr.Thomas Martin of Five Ash Down Chapel.

Details of Five Ash Down Chapel and Thomas Martin..

More information about Reginald and his family

1863 - 1943 HENRY "HARRY" MORRIS

Henry Morris during his brother Frank's visit to England in 1931.

Born; 11 August 1863, 66 Seaside Road (formerly 1 Victoria Place), Eastbourne, the Morris ironmongers shop and house.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
At the 1881 Census Henry was shown as aged 17, unmarried, ironmongers assistant, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

Married; Martha Edith Jinman (1863-1940) on 3 May 1893 at Trinity Church, Eastbourne.
Children; Harold Henry (1894-1917?), Hilda (1899-19??), Arthur Wellesley (1903-1982)

Involved with local politics and the militia. When Admiral Field won the poll for the Eastbourne Division by a majority of 60 on 23 July 1895, Harry rode in the carriage with Field in the evening procession.
Brothers James, Reginald and Henry progressively took over the family iron foundry business from their father during the 1880s and 1890s.

The Morris Ironfoundry in Lewes and Eastbourne.

When Henry retired from the family business on 30 June 1933, aged 70, this represented the last of the Morrises to be connected with the firm.

Died; 10 (or 11) September 1943, aged 80, Hailsham?

More information about Henry and his family

1865 - 1948 ROBERT MORRIS

Robert Morris around 1882. Photo: G Churchill, 4 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne.

Born; 10 March 1865, Eastbourne.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
Attended Clifton House School, Eastbourne in 1875.

Notes from Robert's diary (Eastbourne):-
11 May 1880; "Went to Cliffe House School, Lewes."
21 December 1880; "I left school."
13 June 1881; "Signed articles at H.E.Rumble's." This would have been Euan Rumble, a local architect.
At the 1881 Census Robert was shown as aged 12, unmarried, architect pupil, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
Later moved to Cambridge. Was taken ill in 1891, returned to Eastbourne and worked with Frederick A.Bourne, photographer of Langney Road. Subsequently he does not seem to have had any employment in the usual sense of the word, or had the financial need for work.

The following was written by Richard Gilbert as the editorial of the Transactions of the Eastbourne Natural History, Photographic and Literary Society, July 1917, Vol.VII, No.17:-
"From his earliest days he was a keen naturalist, starting, as so many do, with collecting birds' eggs, etc. He soon joined the modern persuasion of anti-collectors, however, and proved particularly successful in his garden at Uckfield with nest boxes, numbering tree creepers, nuthatches and wrynecks among his tenants. He found the Dartford Warbler nesting in Ashdown Forest, and also collected fairly conclusive evidence of the fire-crest nesting in the neighbourhood of Uckfield."
"Confining his attention almost exclusively to birds, his records at Eastbourne, made at a time when nature was less subject to municipal interference, are nothing short of remarkable. Having kept a detailed natural history diary ever since the age of 10, or thereabouts, there was very little doing in the ornithological world of which he was not cognisant. The rare birds he has seen would make a long list. As may be seen by the diagrams to his article {on Darby's Hole. HRG}, Mr. Morris is no mean artist, and, in addition, he takes a keen interest in Sussex archaeology and Sussex literature."

An astounding 134 of Robert's ornithological diaries (1882-1943) are in the East Sussex Record Office, Brighton, reference AMS 5569/69/1 to 5569/69/141. Other ornithological papers are ref; AMS 5569/69/142 to 69/148. Many of his illustrations are in the Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne.
Robert was also party to the 'Diary of the Den'. 'The Den' was a communal room at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne (over Morris's shop) used by the bachelor Morris sons, and the diaries are written in different hands. Only two survive, 1891, (in the family diary collection with H R Gilbert) and 1894 which was in the possession of Mrs. Gwladys Morris. All other volumes of the 'Diary of the Den' appear to have been destroyed. Nevertheless it would seem that other years were in existence when Robert started an additional two volume diary which covered the years from 1878 to 1915. These volumes were also in H R Gilbert's collection, donated to the East Sussex Record Office in May 2003, and have been an invaluable source of material used in the compilation of these records. He worked in the 1890s for Frederick A. Bourne, the Eastbourne photographer.

From Robert's diary entries (Eastbourne);
11 March 1898; "Have arranged to take Mrs. Hogg's house in Uckfield for a month."
15 March 1899; "I introduced the subject of a possibility of my going to Uckfield to Mr.F.A.B." (Frederick Bourne)
22 June 1899; "To Holywell with Mr.F.A.B. in a sailing boat at 8.30 a.m. to take photo of the cliffs at Holywell chalk-pit."
17 July 1899; "Assisted Mr.F.A.Bourne in taking H.R.H. the Prince of Wales as he was on the way to the Agricultural Show."

When his father retired in 1899 Robert moved from the Eastbourne ironmongers shop with his parents to their retirement home, "Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield along with his sisters Alice and Mary (all unmarried).

"Fernhurst", London Road, Uckfield. Robert lived here from 1899 until 1917 when the house was sold and he moved with his sister Alice to Hampden Park.

From Robert's diary entries (Uckfield);
9 September 1899; "I left for Lewes to pay the men at Foundry at 9.51."
11 October 1899; "J.B.M., Alice & I to Lewes by 2.31 p.m. train to witness the laying of the first stone of The Martyrs' Memorial by Capt. Bingham R.N."
1 January 1900; "I did the Govr's Xmas bills & sent off about two dozen." The 'Govr' was his father, James Berry Morris.
6 January 1900; "To Lewes this morning to see the Foundry."
18 May 1901; "To Crowborough by 5.20 p.m. to Aunt Sturt's, gave her the deeds and will hitherto kept by us. Walked back, arrived at 9.30 p.m."
6 June 1901; "On my bicycle to Lewes this morning - Took work book belonging to the Foundry to Wightman's"
2 July 1901; "Arranged with Mrs Markwick to collect Mrs.J.B.M.'s rents. Mr.Card junr.called and paid up rents to March quarter."
(Miss Markwick almost certainly refers to Agnes Markwick (1844-1922), registrar of births and deaths for Uckfield {as had been her father, Thomas Markwick 1818-1882}, and Secretary of the Uckfield Building Society. She was of the family that ran Markwick's the undertakers, later Markwick & Cooper, later just Cooper's. She lived at Alpha Cottage, Church Street, Uckfield,according to the 1891 census.)

23 July 1901; "James arrived at 1 p.m. Mr.Carpenter (Vinalls office) arrived at 2.30 p.m. The Exors signed here, and took oath at Dawson's office. So the will has, at last, been proved. Gross £17,000."
22 November 1901; "Signed lease for 14c North Street (Powell's)." This refers to one of the Morris-owned North Street shops in Lewes.
12 December 1901; "Mrs.J.B.M. received letter from Mary stating that she had sold remainder of the books at No.66 Seaside Rd. for 10/-. Not a very fat bargain." This refers to the book collection of James Berry Morris that remained in Eastbourne after his death.
17 December 1901; "Mary ordered for me 'The Zoologist' for next year".
25 December 1901; "Received letter and cheque £102.5.4 from Mr.Sutton."
27 December 1901; "Frank arrived at 10 a.m. & James, Ellen, Reg & Harry at 1 p.m. We had the family meeting this afternoon. 14b North St bought by Frank £420. 14c by me £525. 14d by Mrs.D.Gilbert £525. 14e by Mary £600. Stables by Alice £825." These were the Morris-owned shops in North Street, Lewes.
29 April 1902; "Received the Exor's Pass Book from the Bankers. I hope for the last time."
9 June 1902; "James and Mrs.Gilbert arrived at 1 p.m. and Mr.Vinall and Mr.Carpenter about 3 p.m. We signed all the conveyances etc. and got through the affair very well."
20 June 1902; "Received our cheques & received deeds of North St. property and promissory notes. I opened an account at Barclays Bank today £213.12.10."
31 December 1903; "I and Chub by rail (10.44 a.m.) to Lewes, walked from there to Cooksbridge, Chailey, Sheffield Green, Splayne's Green, to Fletching and Pilt Down."
25 January 1904; "Walked (with Chub {Herbert}) to Hadlow Down, Five Ashes, Mayfield, Argos Hill, Rotherfield, Jarvis Brook, and home by Five Ash Down."
25 January 1905; "Policeman served me with a summons to Coroner's jury at Views Wood Cottage, 27th."
27 January 1905; "This afternoon I attended the Coroner's inquest at Views Wood Cottage on Walter Charles Strudwicke Wallis, aged 14. He had pneumonia."
28 January 1905; "The boy, Wallis, was buried this afternoon."
10 July 1905; "Mr.W.R.Davey showed me over his two houses, one of which Mrs.Gilbert {Ellen} is thinking of. He wants £850 for it."
25 December 1906; "To Five Ash Down. Mr.Martin preached from John 1.14. A goose for dinner."

2 January 1908; "To Eastbourne by 10.36 am train, returned at 10 pm. Saw Clayton about lease of 14c North St. Visited Museum 1st time."
15 February 1908; "Half a dozen Cabt. photos arrived from Mr.F.A.Bourne, taken by electric light on Jan 2nd. I am bound to say, the likeness is gone somewhere."
8 March 1908; "Sunday. Blundin's barn was burned down between 11.30 last night and 1 o'clock this morning. I was the first to get there and turned the horse out &c. The Police have been after me, as they are suspicious of its having been set on fire."
10 March 1908; "Received letter from Mr.Warburton, thanking me for turning the horse out &c, during the fire at Blundin's barn on Saturday night. I do not hear any more from the Police, and don't hope to either."
10 March 1909; "My birthday, 1865. Received postcards from Harold, May, Marjorie and Reg."
14 June 1909; (after Reg's death) "To Lewes at 10:34 a.m. Met James there and we went to Messrs. Vinalls' office. James returned to Eastbourne by 1:51 p.m. and I left for Uckfield at 2:1 p.m. Made a copy of Reg's will. Unhappy I am an executor."
9 December 1909; "Mrs. J.B.M. presented me an Xmas present, 'The Home Life of a Golden Eagle.' - it contains splendid photographs."
3 January 1910; "Tom Taylor showed David, William & myself over the Buxted Sewage works."
21 January 1910; "Left for Eastbourne at 10.34 am returned at 10 pm. Recorded my vote for Rupert Gwynne, the Unionist candidate. A substantial Unionist majority is expected."
22 January 1910; "Just after 1 pm I received a telegram from Chub, stating that the Unionist majority at Eastbourne was 1553, but later we received one giving the figures - Gwynne 7,553, Morrison 5,249. Unionist majority being 2,304. I never thought such a thing possible."
29 January 1910; "Saw the new comet this evening - it has an immense tail." This was the Great January Comet, often referred to as the Daylight Comet.
8 February 1910; "Bookcase from Frank arrived this afternoon. It is made to hold my 'Journal', which now amounts to about 40 vols."
8 April 1910; "Mr Martin and Miss Markwick called this afternoon to witness Mrs.J.B.M.'s signature to codici(?) making me an executor."
9 April 1910; "We omitted to enter the date in the codicil(?) yesterday and Messrs Vinalls have returned it in consequence."
13 April 1910; "Mrs Martin & Miss Markwick to witness signature this evening. I did not insert the date last week."
1 July 1910; "To Lewes this morning to prove Reg's will, which I did before Mr. Reginald Blaker."

28 November 1910; "Parliament dissolved today."
29 November 1910; "The East Grinstead Division is to be contested. The Radical's name is Spalding and, amongst other abominations, he is a Roman Catholic."
2 December 1910; "Spalding, the Radical candidate, is not a Roman catholic, as reported."
14 December 1910; "I left at 10.34am for Eastbourne, and recorded my vote for Gwynne, the Unionist. The majority is expected to be much smaller, a drop of at least 500 - so many out-voters have failed to vote. Returned by 10pm train."
26 December 1910; "I have received a book from the Gilberts. Chambers's 'Eastbourne Memories' - very interesting to me. Had our Xmas dinner today."
7 January 1911; "Old Benjamen Ware of Ridgewood died last Saturday (31st Ult.) and was buried at Framfield on Thursday (5th inst.). He was 89. He kept the New Inn at Ridgewood when we stayed at Ridgewood Cottage early in the '70s."
18 February 1911; "Chub was to have come today for the weekend but I wrote him a somewhat pointed letter on Thursday. He is not coming!"
14 May 1911; "Sunday. Alice and I walked back from Chapel with Fitch this afternoon."
4 October 1911; "Harvest Thanksgiving at Five Ash Down Chapel. Mary attended afternoon and evening - I attended this evening when Mr.Hallet preached from 1 Corinthians 1.30."
24 August 1912; "Finished pictures in Alice Morris's album. Illustrated Richard Lower's 'The Empty Church'."
5 September 1912; "Finished a small drawing in Ellen Morris's album."
3 December 1912; "I see today in the Eastbourne Chronicle the death at Ramsgate on the 27th ult. of 'Old Jimmy' Winder, late of Clifton House School, Eastbourne. He was master of the lower 5th when I went to school there in 1875."
25 December 1912; "I have spent a gloriously quiet day - the best Xmas day I have had for years. We had a goose for dinner - a good one. William & Richard {Gilbert} have presented me a new walking stick - just what I wanted. Alice not very well. Daisy a headache. Mary confined herself to the back room."
10 March 1913; "My birthday - I am 48 today &, providentially, better off in every respect than on a good many of my birthdays. Psalm 103."
11 March 1913; "Received application for Consols to sign for Mrs.Reg."
8 October 1913; "Did an enlarged drawing of Exceat church from the survey of 1587 for Richard {Gilbert}, and continued water colour of Paradise Wood for Harry."
10 October 1913; "Sent off water colour - Paradise Wood - to Harry."
24 December 1913; "Received presents of tobacco from Mrs.Gilbert & family, and a nice pipe from Richard."
5 January 1914; "Copied picture for Richard. Captain Knox's sketch of Beachy Head during the breeding season."
6 January 1914; "Finished picture for Richard and sent it off."
29 January 1914; "Finished picture in Arthur's album. About 12:30 went and assisted in putting out fire, and saving hop-poles and hurdles at Blundins Farm. The tar boiled over and ignited."
19 February 1914; "Wrote out a list of birds observed by me at Beachy Head for Richard."
4 July 1914; "Mr.Joseph Chamberlain died on Thursday night. He was about 78. I have flown my flag at half mast."
23 December 1914; "Received a Motto card from Jimmy, Ellen & Katie, and a card from Ellen, Charlotte and Mary."
24 December 1914; "Received 2 tins of Gold Flake tobacco from Mrs.Gilbert, and a card from David."

Robert Morris with his brother Frank, during Frank's visit to England from Canada in 1931.

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/70 are drawings of Wilmington Priory and the Star at Alfriston, 1889, taken from a book of drawings of Norfolk churches by Robert, 1884, which was transferred to the Norfolk Record Office in July 1980 (Ref: S 154 D).

He lived in his later years at 138 Victoria Drive, Eastbourne, moving there after his sister Alice died in 1922. He was certainly there by 1929.

Died; 24 December 1948, aged 83, Eastbourne.
Buried; Uckfield cemetery. (?is this right? I have been unable to find his grave. HRG 1993)

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/68/7 and 68/8 are two portrait photographs of Robert taken around 1880 and 1899.
East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/71 is a biography of Robert written by Richard Gilbert, 1980, to accompany Robert's set of ornithological diaries which had been donated to E.S.R.O. A copy of this biography is in H R Gilbert's records.
H.R.Gilbert donated two of Robet's diaries covering the period 1878-1908 and 1909-1915 to ESRO in May 2003. A photocopy of both diaries was taken in 1993 by the Uckfield Local History Society.
The following are also in H.R. Gilbert's records;
Letter and postcards from Robert in Uckfield to Richard Gilbert in Eastbourne 1907-1909 regarding bird identification, and listing bird sightings in Uckfield during this period. (Donated to ESRO May 2003)
Several excellent watercolour paintings by Robert in 1911-14 to illustrate poems by Richard Gilbert 1894-1988.
Bird notes, 1927, Eastbourne (Natural History Society)
Letter to Charlotte Gilbert in 1929 in which Robert 'appoints' her custodian of the family records.
Many photographs.

1866 - 1872 ADA ROSE MORRIS

Born; 19 December 1866
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
Died; 31 October 1872, of diphtheria, aged 5.
Buried; 4 November 1872.
Robert Morris's diary (Uckfield) 20 November 1899; "I, Mr. & Mrs.J.B.M. to Eastbourne. Mrs.J.B.M. & Mrs.D.Gilbert turned out the drawers containing Ada's clothes and toys which have never been opened since her death 28 years ago. Lots were burned & others washed (& supposed disinfected)."

1869 - 1965 FRANK MORRIS

Frank Morris visiting England in 1931, meeting some of his brothers and sisters.

Born; 27 January 1869, the Morris ironmongers shop and house, 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
Married; Emily Maria Barker (1867-1943) of 8 Queens Gardens, Eastbourne, 29 May 1893, Eastbourne. Emily was the daughter of Edwin Barker (baker of 19 Seaside Road, Eastbourne) and Maria Pocock.
Children; Emily Caroline 'Carrie' (1894-1932), Alice Sophia (1895-1976), Herbert Edwin 'Bert' / 'Bertie' (1897-1970), Frank Donald 'Donald' (1899-1973), Ruth Adelaide (1900-1926), Ada Florence (1903-1974), Leonard Henry (1904-1976), Rhoda Helen (1906-1986), Robert Bernard (1908-1994?), Joan Marian (1910-20??).

At the 1881 Census shown as scholar, aged 12, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
At the 1902 Census shown as living at 89 Langney Road, Eastbourne.
Occupation; Builder.
Emigrated to Canada in 1913.
Sailed from Southampton on 12 June 1913 on board the Cunard ship 'Ascania' to Quebec City, and thence by train to Hamilton, Ontario.
Died; 1965. Many of Frank's descendents still live in Canada today.

More information about Frank and his family

1871 - 1894 JOHN DOUGLAS MORRIS

Born; 8 May 1871 at the Morris shop and house, 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.
Parents; James Berry Morris (1828-1901) = Mary Sophia Wille (1831-1916)
Attended school at Mrs.Esse's, 9 Sussex Gardens, Eastbourne and then went to Stanley House School in 1881.
At the 1881 Census shown as aged 9, scholar, living at 66/67 Seaside Road, Eastbourne.

On 8 May 1888 began four unhappy years as apprentice to J.W.Pulsford, bookseller of the Royal Library, Terminus Road, Eastbourne.
In 1892, after an apprenticeship in Uckfield, he took up a post at Alden's (Henry Alden, printer, bookseller and stationer), 35 Cornmarket, Oxford, but accepted an offer by Pulsford and returned to Eastbourne after three weeks.
He soon developed Tuberculosis (in 1893), left work in the May and died at home on 4 September 1894.

East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/77 to 5569/85 consist of notes and writings by John Morris on a variety of subjects (particularly natural history and maritime topics) for magazines, and some diaries.
AMS 5569/85 provides some insight into his early life, and bitter analysis of the frustrations brought about by his illness.
East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/86/1 and 86/2 are two photographs of John taken around 1880 and 1890.
East Sussex Record Office AMS 5569/87 is a biography of John Douglas written by Richard Gilbert, 1981.

To later Morris family members