| ID: AFM_MST_001 / Peter Mussett
| Title | Mussetts of Mersea Island |
| Abstract | This family tree seeks to trace the descendants of John Mussett, the earliest male member of the family known to have married and had children on Mersea Island.
The great majority of these are descended from his youngest son, James Mussett, who was born in 1800. I have traced both the male and female lines up to and including James' great grandchildren. I have included all known descendants up to that point, regardless of gender, surname or whether or not they lived on Mersea. Many of these people led interesting lives in a world very different from today. This table contains very little anecdotal information, but the Mussett family tree I have compiled on Ancestry.co.uk has much more about professions, locations, social mobility, emigration, military service and the like.
I have not taken the tree any further towards the present day, because some individuals in the next generation are still living. I have however noted the number of children born, and have included the forenames of males with the Mussett surname, to assist anyone in recognising their own forebears, and possibly wishing to take the research further.
As far as possible I have only included verifiable records and avoided supposition and guesswork, but I have included a few records where I believe
there is a strong balance of probability that the right person or event has been identified. These are indicated by questions marks or " prob."
Inevitably there will be mistakes or omissions, and I would be delighted to learn about these. Also I would love to learn more about the handful of
individuals who simply disappear from the records, such as William Mussett's daughter Rebecca, or George Mussett's daughter Ruth. So if you can add
anything to this tree, please email me via Mersea Museum CONTACT US page.
Peter Mussett.
John Mussett (c.1743 - 1815) m. Elizabeth Rayner (c.1755 - 1831) in 1772.
.a John Mussett 1773-1775
.b William Mussett 1775-1821
.c Elizabeth Mussett 1776-1794
.d Susannah Mussett 1779-1829 m. John Barr 1775-1839 in 1805, 6 sons, 1 daughter.
.e Hannah Mussett 1782-1803 also m. John Barr 1775-1839 in 1802. She died in childbirth.
.f John Mussett 1784 - unknown, prob. in infancy
.g Thomas Mussett 1787-1855 m. (prob.) Mary Vince 1789-1855
. . 1. Thomas Joseph Mussett c. 1813-1875 m. Sarah Ann Harker c.1816-c.1873. No children
. . 2. Mary Ann Mussett 1814-1893 m. Henry Hitchcock 1806-1872 . . 2 sons, 4 daughters
. . 3. Martha Mussett 1818-1895 m. John Rutherford 1825-1858, George Harris 1812-1891. No children
. . 4. Sarah Mussett 1822-1825
.h Mary Mussett 1790 - unknown
.i Sarah Mussett 1792-1876 m. Samuel Payne 1791-1871. No children.
.j James Mussett 1800-1885 m. i) Frances Whitehead 1796-1838 b. Old Newton, Suffolk
ii) Susannah Whitehead 1800-1874 sister of the above.
James Mussett had eight children with his first wife Frances, who are listed below. After her death, her sister Susannah came to live with James as his housekeeper. She was previously married to John Howes Dwit (c.1795-1834), with four children. With James Mussett she gave birth to Thomas (General) D'Wit (1842-1931), who acknowledged James as his father, but retained his mother's surname. His descendants are briefly listed at the end. At the time it was illegal to marry a deceased wife's sister, and it is said that the clergy on Mersea Island would not marry James and Susannah. They finally married in a civil ceremony in Mistley in 1862, where presumably their marital history was not disclosed.
.a James Mussett 1822-1877 m. a) Eliza Bibby 1818-1846 (died in childbirth)
b) (1848) Sarah Munson 1826-1900. No further children.
. . 1. James Mussett 1844-1906 m. Emily Maria Barr 1841-1875 (second cousin)
. . . . m. Caroline Martha Rogerson 1844-1928
. . . . i) James Mussett 1865-1926 m. Mary Louisa Gould 1880-1926. 2 infant deaths.
. . . . ii) Edgar Mussett 1871-1913 m. Euretta Agnes Hawkins 1875-1938. One infant death.
. . . . iii) John Barr Mussett 1873-1938 partner Annie? 1869-1950. One daughter.
. . . . iv) Edith Caroline Mussett 1877-1960 m. Patrick McTernan 1876-1951. One son.
. . . . v) Ada Mussett 1889-1937 m. Charles Kean (dates ?). One son Charles Mussett Kean
. . 2. Eliza Mussett 1846-1846 d. in infancy
.b Samuel Burton Mussett 1824-1913 m. Asenath D'Wit 1828-1893 (daughter of his stepmother by her first marriage)
. . 1. Mary Ann Mussett 1848-1935 m. Alexander Murray 1848-1897
. . . . i) Asenath Mary Ann D'Wit Murray 1876-1958 b. Scotland, lived London. Did not marry.
. . . . ii) Samuel Burton Mussett Murray 1879-1952 m. Nellie Eliza Gilbert 1881-1940. 3 daughters.
. . . . iii) Helen Smith Murray 1881-1962 m. Roger Gustave Savery 1880-1957. One son Clarence
. . 2. Herbert Samuel Burton (Buxon) Mussett 1850-1912 m. Sophia Carey 1853-1947
. . . . i) Asenath Ann Mussett 1879-1960 m. Richard Matthew Jackson Slater 1879-1940. One son
. . . . ii) Sophia Sarah 1882-1961 m. Harry Horace Slater 1882-1949 (bro. of Richard). One son, one d.
. . . . iii) Violet Mary 1884-1977 m. Arthur Sidney Hines 1884-1951. One son Sidney (Sam) Hines
. . . . iv) Edgar Titus (Tite) Mussett 1887-1957 m. Gertrude Mabel Lilley 1895-1961. No children.
. . . . v) Ezra John Mussett 1889-1919. (d. from Spanish Flu) m. Ada Maud Parvin 1894-unknown. One d.
. . . . vi) Hilda Carey Mussett 1892-1981 m. Philip Fulford 1885-1963. No children.
. . 3. Alfred (Swan) Mussett 1853-1939 m. Hope Cutts Avis 1851-1931
. . . . i) Reginald Mussett 1890-1965 m. Florence Mabel Woodward 1891-1976. One s, two d., one infant d.
. . 4. Frederick (Foreigner) Mussett 1858-1939 m. Mary Funnell 1853-1931
. . . . i) Grace Mary Mussett 1880-1946 m. James Edwin French 1878-1939. Two sons, three daughters
. . . . ii) Frederick Funnel Mussett 1881-1915 (died and buried at sea, WW1)
. . . . iii) Florence Sarah Mussett 1883-1989 m. Charles William Elston 1879-1973 Four daughters
. . . . iv) Frank Elgar Mussett 1885-1985 m. Nellie Heard 1894-1981. One s.(Elgar Frank) ., One daughter
. . . .v) Dora Winifred Mussett 1887-1984.
. . . .vi) Ivy Ettie Jane Mussett 1895-1976 m. Travis William Wright 1893-1956. No children.
. . 5. Samuel Mussett 1860-1886 m. Emma D'Wit 1855-1890. First cousins - her f. and his m. were siblings.
. . . . i) Emma Gertrude Mussett 1877-1957 m. (1914) Harry Claude Vivian Roxby 1879-1956. No children.
Emma had a son by an unknown father in 1898, Ernest Wilfred Mussett. He was nursed then adopted by the Farrow family, and took their surname.
. . . . ii) Martha Mary Mussett 1879-1963 m. Charles William Ager 1881-1952. No children.
. . . . iii) Samuel Burton Mussett 1882-1884
. . . . iv) Hannah Edith Mussett 1885-1889
. . 6. Herodias Mussett 1862-1863 died in infancy.
. . 7. Arthur (Joker) Mussett 1863-1941 m. Edith Ann Banks 1858-1925
. . . . i) Cecil Joseph Mussett 1888-1919
. . . . ii) Clifford Banks (Brassey) Mussett 1889-1966
. . . . iii) Clarence Archibald (Cadder) Mussett 1891-1964
. . . . iv) Daisy Birdie Mussett 1894-1964 m. William Lemon Thomas Webb 1891-1945. 3 d., one son.
. . 8. Edward Mussett 1866-1913 m. Emma Ellen Mussett 1863-1959. First cousins - fathers were brothers.
. . . . i) Ernest Edward (Ted) Mussett 1890-1972
. . . . ii) Florence May Mussett 1893-1920 m. Walter Joseph Hempstead 1890-1968. Two daughters.
. . . . iii) Yorick Murray Mussett 1896-1935
. . 9. William (Sooty) Mussett 1868-1935 (drowned on shooting trip) m. Eliza Richardson 1870-1941
. . . . i) Samuel Charles (Charlie) Mussett 1894-1955
. . . . ii) Elsie Maud Mussett 1898-1977 m. Arthur John Townsend 1883-1976. No children
. . . . iii) Redvers Alexander Mussett 1900-1901
. . . . iv) Roberts Methuen Mussett 1900-1961 m. Winifred May Edwards 1902-1981. One daughter.
. . . . v) Baden Powell Mussett 1900-1901.
The last three were triplets. This was very unusual at the time, and made the national press.
. . . . vi) Leslie Alexander (Hutch) Mussett 1907-1932 m. Rose Andrews 1909-1988. One son d. In infancy.
. . . . vii) Evelyn Ruth Mussett 1908-1934
. . . . vii) Douglas Algernon Mussett 1914-1986 m. Marie Jones 1931-1990. Two sons, Howard William Douglas, and Redvers John.
. . 10. Reuben Charles Mussett (aka Charles Reuben) 1872-1906 m. Alice Mary Clough 1873-1944
. . . . i) Eva Alice Mussett 1900-1975 m. a) Walter Frank Blackwell 1896-1949. One son
b) William Thomas Rand 1889-1971. No children.
. . . . ii) Esther Lilian Mussett 1901-1990 m. Ernest Albert Davis 1889-1951. Two sons, two daughters
.c Mary Ann Mussett 1826-1895 m. (1878) James Adams 1815-1897. No children.
.d Rosina (or Roseana) Mussett 1829-1915 m. Josiah Daw 1828-1909
. . 1. Elizabeth Daw 1853-1913 m. George William Cunnell Aldous 1848-1918
. . . . i) William Josiah Aldous 1875-1973 m. Alma Elizabeth Bragg 1875-1961. One daughter
. . . . ii) George Samuel Aldous 1877-1929
. . . . iii) Rose Eleanor Aldous 1880-1954 m. William Charles Hull 1881-1963. One son, one daughter
. . . . iv) Frances Jessie Aldous 1882-1985 m. Frederick Richard Higgins 1875-1964. Emigrated to New Zealand, One s., two d., poss. more.
. . . . v) James Burton Aldous 1884-1937 m. Eliza Carter 1885-1955. One son, one d., one infant death
. . . . vi) Frederick John Aldous 1887-1976 m. Elizabeth Jane Crozier 1892-1925. Emigrated to NZ. One son.
. . . . vii) Louis Henry Aldous 1891-1965 m. Elizabeth Scott abt.1887-1945. One son, one infant death.
. . 2. Eliza Daw 1854-1938
. . 3. Frances Daw 1856-1900 m. Henry Hempstead 1848-1906, No children.
. . 4. Josiah Daw 1859-1926 m. Thirza Ellen Green 1864-1931.
. . . . Henry Hempstead (Harry) Daw 1885-1974 m. Kate Ethel Rands 1887-1975. No children.
. . . . Rose Ellen Daw 1888-1986 m. Charles William Prigg 1894-1965. No children.
. . . . Josiah George Daw 1896-1968
.e John Cornelius Mussett 1830-1912 m. Susannah Howard 1827-1908
. . 1. Henry Mussett 1953-1875. Killed by his own gun in a shooting accident while on a fishing trip.
. . 2. Eliza Rebecca Mussett 1855-1874. Troubled for years by mental illness, d. in Essex Hall Lunatic Asylum.
. . 3. Susannah Howard Mussett 1857-1857. Died in infancy.
. . 4. John Mussett 1862-1934 m. Rose Pullen 1861-1943. No children.
. . 5. Matilda Mussett 1864-1947.
. . 6. Jonathan Whitehead (Whitey) Mussett 1866-1938 m. Bertha Maud Green 1870-1952. No children.
. . 7. Susannah Mussett 1869-1940 m. John William Waller 1862-1940.
. . . . i) John Henry George (Harry) Waller 1896-1986 m. Barbara Rose Johnson 1895-1970. One daughter
. . . . ii) Percy W. Waller 1900-1901
. . . . iii) Bertie Waller 1904-2003 m. Nellie May Wilkinson 1907-1985. Five sons, one daughter
. . . . iv) Frederick Waller 1909-1996.
.f William Mussett 1832-1888 m. Rebecca Traylor 1834-1920
. . 1. Caroline Mussett 1854-1937. Never m., her son may be by Peter Moss (b.1843), a Mersea mariner.
. . . . i) Peter Moss Mussett 1878-1959 m. Rose Violet Stafford 1889-1984. One son (Willliam), one d.
. . 2. William Henry Mussett 1856-1858.
. . 3. Rebecca Mussett 1857-unknown. No reliable records after 1881.
. . 4. Emma Mussett 1859-1940 m. Harry Vince Thorp 1861-1947 (remarried 1941 Cecilia Beatrice Page)
. . . . i) Herbert Henry Thorpe 1888-1895
. . . . ii) Robert Frank Thorp 1890-1890 Died in infancy.
. . 5. Emily Mussett 1861-1861 Died in infancy.
. . 6. Anna Mussett 1862-1863 Died in infancy.
. . 7. Anna Mussett 1864-1941 m. a) Rutherford ?, prob. soldier, d. 1890's b) Charles Daniel Wilks 1861-1938
. . . . i) Jack Wilks 1901-1972 m. Lena Alice Stevens 1901-1991. One son, one daughter
. . . . ii) Frank Wilks 1903-1976 m. Doris Lilian Hart 1912-1963. One son, two daughters
. . . . iii) Alexander Wilks 1905-1952 m. Peggy Cynthia Weinel 1915-1998 (remarried 1974 Charles Meads)
2 sons, one infant death
. . . . iv) Stanley Wilks 1907-1969 m. Gladys Maud Perry 1906-2001. One son, one daughter
. . 8. Mary Anne Mussett 1867-1955 m. (1901) widower John Henry Brazier 1847-1921. No children
. . 9. Ida Mussett 1869-1952. Spent her life in service.
. . 10. Albert Mussett 1874-1927.
. . 11. William Mussett 1876-1965 m. Emma Smith 1878-1963.
. . . . i) Doris Ida Mussett 1916-2005 m. a) Stanley Percy Welham 1914-1956
b) Robert Harry Barrell 1919-1994. No children.
. . . . ii) Glen Joseph (Joe) Mussett 1921-2003 m. Violet Brownlee 1921-1991. One son, one daughter.
. . . . iii) Albert William Mussett 1919-1996 m. Madge Saye 1914-2010. Two sons.
.g George Mussett 1834-1834 died in infancy
.h George Mussett 1835-1924 m. Emma Clark 1940-1913
. . 1. Emma Ellen Mussett 1863-1959 m. her cousin Edward, 7th. child of Samuel Burton Mussett (see above)
. . 2. Frances Margaret Mussett 1864-1941 m. Frederick Dracott Popham 1858-1945
. . . . i) Frederick Dracott Popham 1895-1918. Killed in action, Palestine.
. . 3. George Walter Mussett 1867-1956 m. Eliza Greenleaf 1872-1951
. . . . i) Walter Mark (Navvy) Mussett 1893-1982 m. Edith Sampson 1901-1987. Three sons (Bernard, Keith Walter, Michael George), one daughter
. . . . ii) Vera Eliza Mussett 1896-1978 m. George Milgate 1895-1978. One son, two d. (one b. before m.)
. . . . iii) Annie Helen Mussett 1899-1987 m. Leonard James Willsmore 1893-1982. No children.
. . 4. Hannah Mussett 1869-1955 m.(although c/t record) Herbert (later Herbert John) Mott 1873-1945
Both children born before supposed marriage and retained mother's surname.
. . . . i) Joseph Theodore Mussett 1892-1903
. . . . ii) Hilda Mussett 1895-1975 m. a)(1928) Charles M. Morris prob. 1903-1962. Four daughters.
b) (1935) Samuel Albert Appleton 1888-1967. No children.
. . 5. Ruth Mussett 1872-unknown. In service in London 1891, then named as baptismal mother of Percy in West Mersea Church. No further records after then.
. . . . i) Percy Charles Mussett 1891-1941.
. . 6. Abram Clark Mussett 1874-1963 m. Bertha Agnes French 1876-1953
. . . . i) Bertha Emma Mussett 1902-1950 m. Harold Farrow 1899-1969 3 sons, one daughter.
. . . . ii) James Clark (Jim) Mussett 1905-1997 m. Annie Louise (Nancy) Clarry 1912-2000
Two sons (David James and Adrian)
. . . . iii) Victor Bruno Mussett 1909-1978 m. Jessie Eleanor Cole (1912-1993). Two daughters.
. . 7. Henry Robert (Harry) Mussett 1877-2001 m. Lily Beatrice Hewes 1880-1965
. . . . i) Henry Percy Mussett 1898-1945. Generally known as Percy. m.Nellie Catherine Woolf. No children
. . . . ii) Ernest Mussett 1900-1983 m. Iris Grace Mole 1908-1984 Two s.(Harry Thomas & Sidney Percy), 1d.
. . 8. Moses Mussett 1880-1913 m. Mary Ellen Pratt 1877-1954
. . . . i) Gwendoline Rose Mussett 1908-1961 m. Jack Leonard Harvey 1909-1962. Seven sons, six daughters.
. . . . ii) Gordon Moses Mussett 1909-1952 m. Catherine Heywood 1908-1999. Four sons (Cecil Edward, John Henry, David William, Nicholas George)
. . 9. Rose Mussett 1883-1954 m. Arthur John (Hodge) Hewes 1888-1967
. . . . i) Harold George Hewes 1919-1993 m. Doris Lucy Madden 1920-2001. One son, one daughter
James Mussett's son by his second wife Susannah was:
Thomas (General) D'Wit 1842-1931 m. Mahala Hephzibah Clark 1845-1893
. . 1. Hephzibah D'Wit 1867-1934 m. (1892) Maurice Mark Thorp 1869-1944. Five sons, three daughters. Hephzibah also gave birth to a daughter Winifred Bessie by an unknown father in 1889. She was raised by her maternal grandparents.
. . 2. Thomas D'Wit 1869-1947 m. Mary Jane Cousins 1872-1955. Two daughters
. . 3. Eliza D'Wit 1872-1952
. . 4. Asenath D'Wit 1874-1967 m. a) George Alfred Fann 1874-1933. No children
b) Thomas Stoker 1871-1959. No children
. . 5. Blanche D'Wit 1876-1946 m. Benjamin Samuel Wilson 1872-1946. No children
. . 6. Robin D'Dwit 1879-1931 (Robin Mussett on baptismal record) m. Emily Mary Spratt 1886-1943 Two d.
. . 7. Manasseh D'Wit 1882-1969 m. Kate Alice Farthing abt.1885-1972. Seven sons
. . 8. Burton D'Wit 1886-1950 m. Constance Mary Went 1891-1985. One son, one daughter.
More on the Mussett family |
| Author | Peter Mussett |
| Published | 30 June 2022
|
| Source | Mersea Museum
|
| ID | AFM_MST_001
|
| Related Images: |
|
![The lady on the left is Joan Gilbert, one of the best-known faces on British TV in the immediate post-war years. She hosted a magazine programme called Picture Page from 1946 to 1952, but I think this visit to Mersea dates from later than that. Bert Mussett is showing her something connected with oysters. The figure at the back looks like a young Anthony Buck, who became Colchester's MP in 1961. [Peter Mussett 1] PMT_001](MMThumbnails36/PMT_001.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_001 | | Title: | The lady on the left is Joan Gilbert, one of the best-known faces on British TV in the immediate post-war years. She hosted a magazine programme called Picture Page from 1946 to 1952, but I think this visit to Mersea dates from later than that. Bert Mussett is showing her something connected with oysters. The figure at the back looks like a young Anthony Buck, who became Colchester's MP in 1961. [Peter Mussett 1] | | Date: | 1960s | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_003 | | Title: | Another photo from the same visit as PMT_001 . Joan Gilbert with Bill and Joe Mussett. | | Date: | c1960s | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_005 | | Title: | The wedding of Joe Mussett and Violet Brownlee, Lancashire, 1944. Sent to Bert with Best Wishes from Joe & Violet. | | Date: | 1944 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_007 | | Title: | Joe Mussett (1921-2003), one of Mersea's best known figures, as a butcher, postman and fireman. | | Date: | c1944 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Wedding of Albert William 'Bert' Mussett and Madge Saye, 9 August, 1947, at West Mersea Parish Church.
(L to R) Arthur and Alice Saye, Joe Mussett, Madge and Bert Mussett, Stanley (Son) Welham (then husband of Bert's sister Doris), Emma and Bill Mussett [Peter Mussett 3] PMT_009](MMThumbnails36/PMT_009.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_009 | | Title: | Wedding of Albert William 'Bert' Mussett and Madge Saye, 9 August, 1947, at West Mersea Parish Church.
(L to R) Arthur and Alice Saye, Joe Mussett, Madge and Bert Mussett, Stanley (Son) Welham (then husband of Bert's sister Doris), Emma and Bill Mussett [Peter Mussett 3] | | Date: | 9 August 1947 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![My paternal grandmother, Emma Mussett (née Smith, 1878-1963), was one of 10 children. Her elder brother George (1873-1949) married this lady, Edith Head (1880-1965). I recall her round my grandmothers' house as an eccentric old lady, while they reminisced about their years in service. [Peter Mussett 4] PMT_011](MMThumbnails36/PMT_011.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_011 | | Title: | My paternal grandmother, Emma Mussett (née Smith, 1878-1963), was one of 10 children. Her elder brother George (1873-1949) married this lady, Edith Head (1880-1965). I recall her round my grandmothers' house as an eccentric old lady, while they reminisced about their years in service. [Peter Mussett 4] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Another of my grandmother's siblings was Rose Smith (1886-1976). She was born after the family moved from Fingringhoe to Strood House and Cottage, where her father Joseph worked as a sea waller. She married Leonard Reynolds (1882-1957), who worked in an iron foundry, and they lived in Gladstone Road in Colchester
[Peter Mussett 5] PMT_013](MMThumbnails36/PMT_013.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_013 | | Title: | "Another of my grandmother's siblings was Rose Smith (1886-1976). She was born after the family moved from Fingringhoe to Strood House and Cottage, where her father Joseph worked as a sea waller. She married Leonard Reynolds (1882-1957), who worked in an iron foundry, and they lived in Gladstone Road in Colchester
[Peter Mussett 5] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Doris Ida Mussett (1916-2005), on the right, spent all her life on Mersea. She was the elder sister of Bert and Joe, and worked for many years at Gowens Sailmakers. She was married twice, to Stanley Welham (1914-1956) and Bob Barrell (1919-1994). They lived at Wispers, in High Street North. [Peter Mussett 6] PMT_015](MMThumbnails36/PMT_015.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_015 | | Title: | Doris Ida Mussett (1916-2005), on the right, spent all her life on Mersea. She was the elder sister of Bert and Joe, and worked for many years at Gowens Sailmakers. She was married twice, to Stanley Welham (1914-1956) and Bob Barrell (1919-1994). They lived at "Wispers", in High Street North. [Peter Mussett 6] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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 |
| ImageID: | PMT_017 | | Title: | Doris Barrell 1916 - 2005.
Doris Ida Mussett spent all her life on Mersea. She was married twice, to Stanley Welham (1914-1956) and Bob Barrell (1919-1994). | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Peter Moss Mussett (1878-1959) was born out of wedlock to my grandfather's eldest sister, Caroline Mussett (1854-1937), and raised by her parents. He joined the Navy in 1897, and spent many years abroad or at sea. He married Rose Violet Stafford (1889-1984), and lived in Gillingham in Kent. Their children Ida and William were born in 1909 & 1910, so this picture was probably taken early in the First World War, in which Peter served. [Peter Mussett 7] PMT_019](MMThumbnails36/PMT_019.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_019 | | Title: | Peter Moss Mussett (1878-1959) was born out of wedlock to my grandfather's eldest sister, Caroline Mussett (1854-1937), and raised by her parents. He joined the Navy in 1897, and spent many years abroad or at sea. He married Rose Violet Stafford (1889-1984), and lived in Gillingham in Kent. Their children Ida and William were born in 1909 & 1910, so this picture was probably taken early in the First World War, in which Peter served. [Peter Mussett 7] | | Date: | c1915 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Rose Mussett, with her children Bill and Ida [Peter Mussett 8] PMT_021](MMThumbnails36/PMT_021.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_021 | | Title: | Rose Mussett, with her children Bill and Ida [Peter Mussett 8] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Harry Vince Thorp (born in Little Clacton 1861, died West Mersea 1947). He was a farmers son who became a police constable, and later sergeant, in the Colchester Borough Police Force. He was married at West Mersea in 1888 to Emma Mussett (1859-1940), one of 11 children of William Mussett and Rebecca Traylor, and the couple moved from Colchester to a house called The Rest in High Street North. [Peter Mussett 9] PMT_023](MMThumbnails36/PMT_023.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_023 | | Title: | Harry Vince Thorp (born in Little Clacton 1861, died West Mersea 1947). He was a farmers son who became a police constable, and later sergeant, in the Colchester Borough Police Force. He was married at West Mersea in 1888 to Emma Mussett (1859-1940), one of 11 children of William Mussett and Rebecca Traylor, and the couple moved from Colchester to a house called "The Rest" in High Street North. [Peter Mussett 9] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Emma Smith (née Beaumont) 1846-1929, born in Beaumont-cum-Moze, married Joseph Smith (1848-1922) in 1866, lived with him in Fingringhoe, where her 10 children were born, then from the 1890's in Strood House. [Peter Mussett 10] PMT_025](MMThumbnails36/PMT_025.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_025 | | Title: | Emma Smith (née Beaumont) 1846-1929, born in Beaumont-cum-Moze, married Joseph Smith (1848-1922) in 1866, lived with him in Fingringhoe, where her 10 children were born, then from the 1890's in Strood House. [Peter Mussett 10] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![Ethel Ellen Wright.
Joseph and Emma Smith's eldest daughter, Ellen (1868-1915), married George Wright in Colchester in 1890. He was a painter and decorator who lived in Osborne Street. They had eight children, of whom this lady, Ethel Ellen (1890-1980) was the eldest. She was in service to the Eagle family at Pete Hall, Peldon, around 1910, and later became a school mistress in Hampshire. [Peter Mussett 11]
</p><p>Photo posted from Ethel at Pete Hall, Peldon, 10 Aug 1910 to Miss smith, Seaton, Devon. PMT_027](MMThumbnails36/PMT_027.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_027 | | Title: | Ethel Ellen Wright.
Joseph and Emma Smith's eldest daughter, Ellen (1868-1915), married George Wright in Colchester in 1890. He was a painter and decorator who lived in Osborne Street. They had eight children, of whom this lady, Ethel Ellen (1890-1980) was the eldest. She was in service to the Eagle family at Pete Hall, Peldon, around 1910, and later became a school mistress in Hampshire. [Peter Mussett 11]
Photo posted from Ethel at Pete Hall, Peldon, 10 Aug 1910 to Miss smith, Seaton, Devon. | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![George Wright married Ellen Smith in Colchester in 1890. He was a painter and decorator who lived in Osborne Street. They had eight children. [Peter Mussett 11B]
</p><p>Written on the back: With every Good Wish for the New Year. George Dec 1917. PMT_029](MMThumbnails36/PMT_029.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_029 | | Title: | George Wright married Ellen Smith in Colchester in 1890. He was a painter and decorator who lived in Osborne Street. They had eight children. [Peter Mussett 11B]
Written on the back: "With every Good Wish for the New Year. George Dec 1917." | | Date: | c1917 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
|
![William (Bill) Mussett (1876-1965) (on left) on his fishing smack 64CK IDA. She was 38 ft., built by the Aldous shipyard in Brightlingsea in 1876. She was named after Bill's older sister Ida (1869-1952), who spent her life in service, then retired to live next to Bill and Emma in Myrtle Villas, which stood opposite the bus station in West Mersea High Street. [Peter Mussett 12]
</p><p>
Ron Green tells us the IDA was sold up river to Heybridge Basin or Maldon. She ended her days being broken up at Maylandsea. PMT_031](MMThumbnails36/PMT_031.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_031 | | Title: | William (Bill) Mussett (1876-1965) (on left) on his fishing smack 64CK IDA. She was 38 ft., built by the Aldous shipyard in Brightlingsea in 1876. She was named after Bill's older sister Ida (1869-1952), who spent her life in service, then retired to live next to Bill and Emma in Myrtle Villas, which stood opposite the bus station in West Mersea High Street. [Peter Mussett 12]
Ron Green tells us the IDA was sold up river to Heybridge Basin or Maldon. She ended her days being broken up at Maylandsea. | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Bert Mussett standing in front of IDA 64CK in Buzz'n (properly Besom) Fleet, during the big freeze in early 1963. [Peter Mussett 13] PMT_033](MMThumbnails36/PMT_033.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_033 | | Title: | Bert Mussett standing in front of IDA 64CK in Buzz'n (properly Besom) Fleet, during the big freeze in early 1963. [Peter Mussett 13] | | Date: | cFebruary 1963 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Harriet Priscilla Smith (1870-1928) was another of Joseph Smith's children. Born in Fingringhoe, she worked in service in Kensington before marrying Herbert Jesse Pullen (1868-1964), a Mersea gardener, in 1903. He remarried after her death. [Peter Mussett 14] PMT_035](MMThumbnails36/PMT_035.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_035 | | Title: | Harriet Priscilla Smith (1870-1928) was another of Joseph Smith's children. Born in Fingringhoe, she worked in service in Kensington before marrying Herbert Jesse Pullen (1868-1964), a Mersea gardener, in 1903. He remarried after her death. [Peter Mussett 14] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Madge Saye (1914-2010) arriving for her wedding to Albert William (Bert) Mussett (1919-1996) at the Parish Church, West Mersea, 9 August 1947. She is escorted by her father, Arthur Saye (1884-1982), a baker who lived on Mersea as a young man, then retired to live in Sundown, Victory Road, after World War 2. [Peter Mussett 15] PMT_037](MMThumbnails36/PMT_037.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_037 | | Title: | Madge Saye (1914-2010) arriving for her wedding to Albert William (Bert) Mussett (1919-1996) at the Parish Church, West Mersea, 9 August 1947. She is escorted by her father, Arthur Saye (1884-1982), a baker who lived on Mersea as a young man, then retired to live in "Sundown", Victory Road, after World War 2. [Peter Mussett 15] | | Date: | 9 August 1947 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Arthur Saye's wife Alice (née Burton) (1888-1945), and her three eldest children, Doris, Tom and Madge, photographed outside the house of her father-in-law, Thomas Say (the final -e was added late in life) (1858-1941), which still stands in Rainbow Road, West Mersea. Taken around 1917. [Peter Mussett 16] PMT_039](MMThumbnails36/PMT_039.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_039 | | Title: | Arthur Saye's wife Alice (née Burton) (1888-1945), and her three eldest children, Doris, Tom and Madge, photographed outside the house of her father-in-law, Thomas Say (the final -e was added late in life) (1858-1941), which still stands in Rainbow Road, West Mersea. Taken around 1917. [Peter Mussett 16] | | Date: | c1917 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_041_001 | | Title: | William Mussett Wildfowling Permit Book No. 315981.
issued by County Police Station Colchester 27 July 1918. William Mussett of Myrtle Villa, High Street West Mersea. | | Date: | 4 August 1918 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_041_002 | | Title: | William Mussett Wildfowling Permit Book. Pages 2 and 3.
Identity MUSSET, William, born 17 January 1876
Father W. Mussett. | | Date: | 4 August 1918 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_041_004 | | Title: | William Mussett Wildfowling Permit Book. Pages 4 and 5.
Fred Greenleaf, High Street, West Mersea, Baker 29 July 1918
Arthur Mussett, Beach Bower, West Mersea, Oyster Mchnt, 29 July 1918 | | Date: | 4 August 1918 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_041_006 | | Title: | William Mussett Wildfowling Permit Book. Pages 6 and 7.
To the Competent Authority at Brentwood. No. 9 District
I apply for permission to Use my Boat for the purpose of Wildfowling Within the area of No.9 District West Mersea From August 1918 to March 1919.
Aeference Harry Thorp, Collector of Tares ?, The Rest, West Mersea.
Please return this Permit Book to me at Myrtle Villa, West Mersea. 29 July.
Stamp by .. Base Brightlingsea, Commander in Charge. | | Date: | 4 August 1918 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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| ImageID: | PMT_041_008 | | Title: | William Mussett Wildfowling Permit Book. Pages 8 and 9, and several more.
Unused pages. | | Date: | 4 August 1918 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Bert Mussett inspecting oysters on the foreshore in Buzz'n, probably in the 1960's. The build up of sand through the longshore drift means this scene looks very different today. [Peter Mussett 18] PMT_043](MMThumbnails36/PMT_043.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_043 | | Title: | Bert Mussett inspecting oysters on the foreshore in Buzz'n, probably in the 1960's. The build up of sand through the longshore drift means this scene looks very different today. [Peter Mussett 18] | | Date: | 1960s | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Albert Mussett (1874-1927), a mariner and like his brother Bill, a keen cricketer. [Peter Mussett 19] PMT_045](MMThumbnails36/PMT_045.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_045 | | Title: | Albert Mussett (1874-1927), a mariner and like his brother Bill, a keen cricketer. [Peter Mussett 19] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Bert Mussett (1919-1995) during WW2. His naval career took him to the Middle East and India, serving mainly on coastal defences. [Peter Mussett 20] PMT_047](MMThumbnails36/PMT_047.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_047 | | Title: | Bert Mussett (1919-1995) during WW2. His naval career took him to the Middle East and India, serving mainly on coastal defences. [Peter Mussett 20] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![Bert Mussett. Off to sea again. The young seaman outside his parent's house, 1 Myrtle Villas in the High Street, West Mersea The old Eastern National bus garage just visible in the background. [Peter Mussett 20B] PMT_049](MMThumbnails36/PMT_049.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_049 | | Title: | Bert Mussett. Off to sea again. The young seaman outside his parent's house, 1 Myrtle Villas in the High Street, West Mersea The old Eastern National bus garage just visible in the background. [Peter Mussett 20B] | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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![A rare and peculiar cricket match at West Mersea
</p><p>The Mussett family, a very numerous one, always noted for cricket, and yet all issues of Old General who only died at the age of 85, challenged the whole island at a game of cricket on Friday, August 23. They are numerous enough to place two elevens in the field, hence a good pick. Having won the toss, they put Dr. Naylor's XI in, and soon disposed of them for 44 runs. They then took the willow and more than doubled their opponents'score. Scores:-
</p><p>
MUSSETT TEAM
Arthur Mussett 0
Reuben Mussett 0
Whitey Mussett 13
Edward Mussett 14
Tom Mussett 13
Clark Mussett 3
John Mussett 6
Aolbert Mussett 10
William Mussett 5
George Mussett 10
Harry Mussett 3
Extras 15
Total 92
</p><p>
DR. NAYLOR'S XI
H. Doherty 9
P. Kennerdy 8
P. Clephane 2
D.R. Cock 0
R. Naylor 1
Ar. Cock 6
Geo. Cock 1
Ja. Pullen 2
T. Farthing 11
F. Pullen 0
S. Isaacs 0
Extras 2
Total 44
</p><p>
According to <a href=mmresdetails.php?col=MM&ba=cke&typ=ID&pid=TNO&rhit=1 ID=1>200 Not Out </a>, this cricket match took place in 1895. Remarkably, all the Mussett players were first cousins, their fathers all being sons of James Mussett (1800-1885). They included four sets of brothers. The only slight anomaly was Tom Mussett, who was also known as Tom D'Wit. His father had taken his mother's surname, while acknowledging James Mussett as his father.
My grandfather, William (Bill) Mussett retained a life-long interest in cricket. Tall and upright, he was an opening batsman and a fast bowler. He told me he had once batted against Charles Kortright, the Essex amateur, who at his peak was reckoned to be one of the fastest bowlers of all time. I still have his and Albert's medals awarded for winning the Colchester & District League for four years from 1909 to 1912. [Peter Mussett 21] PMT_051](MMThumbnails36/PMT_051.jpg) |
| ImageID: | PMT_051 | | Title: | A rare and peculiar cricket match at West Mersea
The Mussett family, a very numerous one, always noted for cricket, and yet all issues of "Old General" who only died at the age of 85, challenged the whole island at a game of cricket on Friday, August 23. They are numerous enough to place two elevens in the field, hence a good pick. Having won the toss, they put Dr. Naylor's XI in, and soon disposed of them for 44 runs. They then took the "willow" and more than doubled their opponents'score. Scores:-
MUSSETT TEAM
Arthur Mussett 0
Reuben Mussett 0
Whitey Mussett 13
Edward Mussett 14
Tom Mussett 13
Clark Mussett 3
John Mussett 6
Aolbert Mussett 10
William Mussett 5
George Mussett 10
Harry Mussett 3
Extras 15
Total 92
DR. NAYLOR'S XI
H. Doherty 9
P. Kennerdy 8
P. Clephane 2
D.R. Cock 0
R. Naylor 1
Ar. Cock 6
Geo. Cock 1
Ja. Pullen 2
T. Farthing 11
F. Pullen 0
S. Isaacs 0
Extras 2
Total 44
According to 200 Not Out , this cricket match took place in 1895. Remarkably, all the Mussett players were first cousins, their fathers all being sons of James Mussett (1800-1885). They included four sets of brothers. The only slight anomaly was Tom Mussett, who was also known as Tom D'Wit. His father had taken his mother's surname, while acknowledging James Mussett as his father.
My grandfather, William (Bill) Mussett retained a life-long interest in cricket. Tall and upright, he was an opening batsman and a fast bowler. He told me he had once batted against Charles Kortright, the Essex amateur, who at his peak was reckoned to be one of the fastest bowlers of all time. I still have his and Albert's medals awarded for winning the Colchester & District League for four years from 1909 to 1912. [Peter Mussett 21] | | Date: | 23 August 1895 | | Source: | Mersea Museum / Peter Mussett |
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