TOMSETT & Variants - FAMILY TREE – Researched & compiled by Don Tomsett, Sydney Australia.
b = Birth
c = Christened
m = Marriage
d = Died/Buried
Name/details (in green) = Unconfirmed &/or Conjecture
Data by Alan Tompsett & Brian Tompsett
Sivann? Silvestor? Silvanus? TOMSETT – b. abt 1590 Sussex (Relative Thomas Stanford ?)
m. 2 Feb 1613 Buxted, Sussex to Ane Barham
Son - William TOMSETT – b. abt 1615 Buxted, Sussex
m. 1 Nov 1636 Buxted, Sussex to Joane Chapman
Son - Henrie TOMSETT – b. abt 1636 Buxted, Sussex
m. abt 1660 Buxted, Sussex
Son - John TOMSETTE – c. Apr 1661 Buxted, Sussex, Father Henrie Tomsette
Son - Thomas TOMSETT – c. 3 Dec 1637 Buxted, Sussex, Father William
Son - John (See separate tree) TOMSETT – c. 24 May 1640 Buxted, Sussex, Parents William & Joane
Son - William TOMSETT – b. abt 1645
m. 25 Oct 1670 Heathfield, East Hoathly, Sussex to Anne Piper
Dau – Mary
Mary TOMSUTT – m. 5 Jun 1683 Laughton, Sussex to John Seaman
Son – Thomas – b. 1672
Son - William TOMPSETT – b. 15 Jan 1685 E. Hoathley, Sussex Parents William & Ann
Son – John – b. 1696
Dau - Marie TOMSET – c. 4 Feb 1618 Ripe, Sussex Father Silvanus
Dau - Abigell TOMSETT – c. 14 Feb 1620 Buxted, Sussex Father Silvanus
Son - Richard THOMSETT – c. 23 Mar 1622 Buxted, Sussex Father Silvanus
Son - Nicholas TOMSETT – c. 26 Aug 1626 Bishopstone, Sussex
John TOMSETT – c. 24 May 1640 Buxted, Sussex, Parents William & Joane
m. abt 1663 to Susan
Son – Thomas TOMSETT – c. 16 Dec 1664 East Hoathly, Sussex Parents John & Susan
m. abt 1689 to Elizabeth
Son – John TOMSAT – c. 4 Jan 1690 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Elizabeth
Son – Thomas TOMSET – c. 3 Dec 1694 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Eliz
m. 1 Jan 1723 East Hoathly, Sussex to Elizabeth Henley
Dau – Ann TOMSETT – c. 23 Jul 1727 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Thomas & Elizabeth
Dau – Elizabeth – b. abt 1728
m. 27 Feb 1749 Laughton, Sussex to Edward Stonestreet
Son – Thomas TOMSETT – c. 5 Apr 1730 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Thomas & Elizabeth
m. 9 Jul 1762 Chiddingly, Sussex to Sarah Horsecroft – b. abt 1744
Son – Thomas TOMSETT – c. 6 Mar 1763 Ripe, Sussex Parents Thomas & Sarah
Son – William TOMPSET – c. 10 Feb 1765 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Sarah
m. abt 1788 to Elizabeth
Son – Henry TOMSETT – b. 5 Jun 1789 – c. 9 Aug 1789 Chiddingley, Sussex William & Elizabeth
m. abt 1820 to Hannah
Son – George TOMPSET – c. 18 Dec 1824 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Hannah
(1881 Census – Occ: Green Grocer – 21 Islingwood St. Brighton, Sussex)
m. abt 1862 to Emma – b. abt 1827 Wivelsfield, Sussex
Son – Obadiah TOMSET – b. abt 1863 Lewes, Sussex George & Emma
(1881 Census Occ: Plasterers Labourer)
Son – James TOMSET – b. abt 1868 Lewes, Sussex
Dau – Emily TOMSET – b. abt 1871 Preston, Sussex
Son – Harry TOMSET – b. abt 1875 Preston, Sussex
Son – Stephen TOMSET – b. 23 Apr 1792 – c. 30 Apr 1792 Chiddingley, Sussex William & Eliz
Son – Jesse TOMSETT – b. 26 Apr 1793 – c. 30 Jun 1793 Chiddingley, Sussex William & Elizabeth
Son – Samuel TOMSETT – c. 31 Jan 1796 Chiddingley, Sussex Parents William & Elizabeth
m. 4 Mar 1833 Chiddingly, Sussex to Harriet Bull B/No.7223406 see Colin Bridgland tree
Dau – Sarah TOMSETT – c. 28 Dec 1796 Chiddingley, Sussex Parents William & Elizabeth
m. 2 Feb 1822 All Saints, Lewes, Sussex to James Davey
Dau – Elizabeth TOMPSETT – c. 2 Feb 1822 All Saints, Lewes, Sussex Mother Sarah
Son – David TOMSETT – b. 27 Jul 1800 – c. 28 Sep 1800 Chiddingly, Sussex – d. 27 Oct 1806
Son – Charles THOMPSET – c. 1805 Chiddingly, Sussex Parents William & Elizabeth
Dau – Ann – c. 22 Sep 1771
Son – Henry (See separate tree) TOMSET – c. 24 Oct 1773 Laughton, Sussex – Parents Thomas & Sarah
Dau – Elizabeth THOMSET – c. 14 Jul 1776 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Sarah
m. 3 Dec 1793 Laughton, Sussex to William Goldsmith
Son – Samuel THOMSET – c. 5 Oct 1777 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Sarah
m. abt 1810 to Jane
Dau – Martha TOMSET – c. 17 Mar 1811 Laughton, Sussex Parents Samuel & Jane
(1851 Census – Unmarried – Schoolmistress, Laughton, Sussex)
Dau – Eliza – c. 13 Jun 1813 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Jane
Dau – Harriet THOMPSET – c. 26 May 1816 Laughton, Sussex Parents Samuel & Jane
m. 6 Aug 1836 Laughton, Sussex to Charles Bradley
Dau – Mary Anne TOMPSETT – c. 28 Jun 1818 Laughton, Sussex Parents Samuel & Jane
m. 26 Jul 1840 Buxted, Sussex to William Langley
Dau – Susanna TOMPSET – c. 24 Mar (2 Jul) 1780 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Sarah
m. 6 Oct 1805 Laughton, Sussex to John Carter
Son – Joseph TOMPSET – c. 20 Jun 1784 Laughton, Sussex Thomas Divall? & Mother Sarah Divall?
Dau – Mary TOMPSET – c. 18 Nov 1732 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Elizabeth
Son – William THOMSET – c. 8 Nov 1735 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Eliz
m. 18 Oct 1757 Ripe, Sussex to Sarah Sharwood
Dau – Elizabeth TOMSET – c. 29 Mar 1697 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Elizabeth
m. 30 Mar 1725 Laughton, Sussex to John Gurr
Son – John – b. 5 Nov 1698
Dau – Ann – b. 7 Feb 1704
Son – Henry TOMSET – c. 24 Oct 1773 Laughton, Sussex – Parents Thomas & Sarah
m. abt 1796 to Martha – b. abt 1770 – d. 1 Dec 1802
Son – Henry (See separate tree) THOMSET – c. 15 Oct 1797 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry (William?) & Martha
Son – Samuel THOMPSET – c. 19 Jul 1801 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Martha
(1881 Census – Wateringbury, Kent)
m. abt 1832 to Sophia – b. abt 1810 Wateringbury, Kent
Dau – Ann Sophia TOMSETT – c. 24 Jan 1834 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
Dau – Sarah Jane TOMSETT – c. 15 May 1837 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
Son – Henry TOMSETT – c. 7 Dec 1840 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
m. abt 1865 London, Middx. to Sarah - b. abt 1842 London, Middx.
(1881 Census – Coachman (Dom), Frenches Cottages, Cuckfield, Sussex)
Son – Henry W. – b. abt 1866 Aldershot, Hampshire Parents Henry & Sarah
Dau – Annie A. – b. abt 1867 Leeds, York Parents Henry & Sarah
Dau – Sarah K. – b. abt 1875 Rusper, Sussex. Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – George Samuel – b. abt 1879 Slaugham, Sussex. Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – William Francis TOMSETT – c. 14 Jan 1844 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
Son – George TOMSETT – c. 12 Jan 1849 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
(1881 Census – Visitor in Brasted, Kent)
Dau – Fanny TOMSETT – c. 12 Jan 1849 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
Dau – Ann TOMPSETT – c.30 May 1858 Wateringbury, Kent Parents Samuel & Sophia
2nd m. 21 Feb 1803 Of, Laughton, Sussex to Sarah Oliver – b. abt 1781 Chiddingly, Sussex
Son – Thomas TOMSETT – c. 21 Oct 1804 Laughton, Sussex – d. 22 Aug 1831 Parents Henry & Sarah
m. 24 Apr 1825 Laughton, Sussex to Lydia Page – b. abt 1796 Laughton, Sussex
(1851 Census – Lydia, widow – House servant, Laughton, Sussex)
Son – James TOMSETT – c. 12 Mar 1826 Laughton, Sussex Parents Thomas & Lydia
(1851 Census – Ag. Lab. Laughton, Sussex)
m. 26 Jul 1851 Laughton, Sussex to Mercy Bryant
Son – Thomas – c. 26 Jan 1852 Laughton, Sussex Parents James & Mercy
Dau – Mary Ann Esther TOMPSETT – c. 17 Feb 1856 Laughton, Sussex Parents James & Mercy
Dau – Julia Jane TOMPSETT – c. 22 Apr 1860 Frant, Sussex Parents James & Mercy
Son – James TOMPSETT – c. 5 Jul 1863 Frant, Sussex Parents James & Mercy
Son – Albert TOMPSETT – c. 1 Jul 1866 Frant, Sussex Parents James & Mercy
Son – Harry THOMPSETT – b. abt 1868 Frant, Sussex
Dau – Emily THOMPSETT – b. abt 1871 Frant, Sussex
Dau – Caroline THOMPSETT – b. abt 1876 Wadhurst, Sussex
2nd m. 23 Apr 1864 Laughton, Sussex to Margaret Funnell
Dau – Eliza TOMSETT – c. 14 Feb 1828 Laughton, Sussex – d. 14 Feb 1828 Parents Thomas & Lydia
Son – William TOMSETT – c. 14 Feb 1828 Laughton, Sussex – d. 17 Feb 1828 Parents Thomas & Lydia
Dau – Lydia – b. abt 1833 Laughton, Sussex
Lydia TOMPSETT – m. 19 May 1855 Laughton, Sussex to James Funnell
Dau – Phillis TOMSET – c. 31 May 1807 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – Johnathan (See separate tree) THOMPSET – c. 1 Oct 1809 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
Dau – Sarah TOMPSET – c. 20 Oct 1811 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – Charles TOMSETT – c. 12 Sep 1813 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Henry & Sarah
(1851 Census – Ag. Lab. Laughton, Sussex)
m. 22 Oct 1836 Laughton, Sussex, to Hannah Anscomb – b. 1817 Wivelsfield, Sussex)
Dau – Jane TOMPSETT – c. 16 Sep 1838 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
m. 9 Jun 1863 Laughton, Sussex to Frederick Barrowcliff
Son – Charles TOMPSETT – c. 14 Mar 1841 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
Son – Thomas TOMPSETT – c. 5 Mar 1843 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
(1881 Census – Crawley, Sussex)
m. abt 1865 to Mary A – b. abt 1846 East Hoathly, Sussex
Son – William – b. abt 1866 East Hoathly, Sussex
Son – Charles – b. abt 1868 Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Dau – Mary A – b. abt 1870 Ifield, Sussex
Son – Frank – b. abt 1873 Ifield, Sussex
Dau – Nellie – b. abt 1875 Ifield, Sussex
Son – Tom – b. abt 1877 Ifield, Sussex
Son – Harry – b. abt 1879 Ifield, Sussex
Son – Jack – b. abt 1880 Crawley, Sussex – d. Apr–Jun 1881 Crawley, Sussex
Son – Frederick TOMSETT – c. 18 May 1845 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Charles & Hannah
Dau – Louisa TOMPSETT – c. 12 Sep 1847 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
Dau – Frances Elizabeth – c. 28 May 1871 Laughton, Sussex, Sussex, Mother Louisa
m. Jul–Sep 1889 Hailsham district, Sussex
Dau – Frances TOMPSETT – c. 7 Apr 1850 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
Son – William TOMPSETT – c. 3 Sep 1852 Laughton, Sussex Parents Charles & Hannah
(b. abt 1842? Laughton, Sussex 1881 Census)
m. 16 Nov 1872 Laughton, Sussex to Lois Davey – b. 1852 Laughton, Sussex
Son – William David – c. 27 Apr 1873 Laughton, Sussex, Parents William & Lois
m. Oct–Dec 1892 Hailsham district, Sussex
Son – James Albert – c. 25 Oct 1874 Laughton, Sussex, Parents William & Lois
m. Apr–Jun 1902 Hailsham district, Sussex
Dau – Lois Susannah – c. 13 Jan 1877 Laughton, Sussex, Parents William & Lois
Son – Albert TOMPSETT – c. 10 Sep 1854 LaughtonParents Charles & Hannah – d. Oct–Dec 1936 Croydon
(1881 Census – Croydon, Surrey)
m. abt 1877 to Mary A – b. abt 1858 Northfleet, Kent
Dau – Hannah Florence M – b. abt 1878 Penge, Surrey
m. Apr–Jun 1897 Croydon, Surrey
Dau – Fanny R. J – b. abt 1880 Croydon, Surrey
m. Jul–Sep 1898 Croydon, Surrey
Dau – Margaret – b. abt 1858
Son – George TOMPSETT – c. 24 Dec 1815 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
m. 30 May 1838 Laughton, Sussex to Martha Pocock – b. abt 1817 Laughton, Sussex
Son – George TOMPSETT – c. 8 Feb 1848 Laughton, Sussex Parents George & Martha
Dau – Harriet TOMPSETT – c. 24 May 1818 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – Trayton THOMSETT – c. 12 Mar 1820 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – Obediah TOMSETT – c. 23 Jun 1822 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Henry & Sarah
Dau – Jane TOMSETT – c. 16 Dec 1827 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Henry & Sarah
Son – James TOMPSETT – c. 13 Apr 1851 Laughton, Sussex Mother Jane Tompsett
Henry THOMSET – c. 15 Oct 1797 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry (William?) & Martha
(1851 Census – Ag. Lab. Laughton, Sussex)
m. 13 Dec 1817 Ripe, Sussex to Mary Cossum – b. abt 1797 Ripe, Sussex
Son – Henry TOMSETT – b. abt 1816 Ripe, Sussex
m. 25 Mar 1854 Laughton, Sussex to Philadelphia Funnell – b. abt 1821 Laughton, Sussex
(1881 Census – Ag Lab. 1 New Cottages, Laughton, Sussex)
Dau – Mary – b. abt 1850
Dau – Caroline TOMPSETT – c. 3 Apr 1854 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philadelphia
Son – Henry TOMPSETT – c. 26 Oct 1856 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philadelphia
(1881 Census – Ag Lab., 1 Park Farm Cottages, Laughton, Sussex)
m. abt 1879 Laughton, Sussex to Harriett – b. abt 1856 Laughton, Sussex
Dau – Alice – b. abt 1880 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Harriett
Son – Albert – b. abt 1859? 1887 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Fillis
Son – Albert – b. 1857
Son – George TOMPSETT – c. 21 May 1863 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philadelphia
Dau – Elizabeth TOMPSETT – c. 5 Nov 1865 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philadelphia
Dau – Esther TOMSET – c. 1 Mar 1868 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philly
Son – Alfred TOMPSETT – c. 26 Jun 1870 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Philis
Son – Henry TOMSETT – b. abt 1870 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Fillis
Dau – Ellen TOMSETT – c. 1 Sep 1872 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Henry & Phyllis
Son – Charles TOMPSETT – c. 8 Mar 1819 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
Son – William TOMSET – c. 29 Jul 1821 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
(1851 Census – Ag. Lab. Laughton, Sussex) (1881 Census – Eastbourne)
m. 4 Jul 1846 Laughton, Sussex to Ann Fennell – b. abt 1824 Ringmer, Sussex
Dau – Martha – b. abt 1846 Laughton, Sussex
Martha TOMPSETT – m. 23 Jul 1865 Chiddingly, Sussex to John Roser
Dau – Lucy TOMPSETT – c. 21 Nov 1847 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Anne
Dau – Betsy Naomi TOMSETT – c. 29 Aug 1869 Laughton, Sussex Mother Lucy
Dau – Elizabeth TOMPSETT – c. 9 Dec 1849 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
m. 28 Nov 1868 Chiddingly, Sussex to Job Guy
Son – William TOMPSETT – c. 15 Feb 1852 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
(1881 Census Beckenham, Kent)
m. abt 1877 to Esther – b. abt 1858 Beckenham, Kent
Son – William G – b. abt 1878 Beckenham, Kent
Dau – Alice – b. abt 1879 Beckenham, Kent
Son – John TOMPSETT – c. 12 Nov 1854 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Anne
Son – George TOMPSETT – c. 3 May 1857 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
Son – Edwin TOMPSETT – c. 27 Nov 1859 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann – d 1910 Eastbourne
m. abt 1882 Laughton, Sussex to Fanny
Son – Caleb TOMPSETT – c. 12 Jan 1862 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
Dau – Esther TOMPSETT – c. 10 Jan 1864 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
Dau – Mary Ann TOMPSETT – c. 18 Mar 1866 Laughton, Sussex Parents William & Ann
Dau – Ann TOMSETT – c. 26 Apr 1868 Laughton, Sussex, Parents William & Ann
Dau – Bessie TOMPSETT – b. abt 1869 Laughton, Sussex
Son – Ebenezer William TOMPSETT – b. abt 1879 Laughton, Sussex
Dau – Florence P. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1880 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Martha TOMSETT – c. 6 Aug 1826 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
Dau – Caroline THOMSETT – c. 10 Aug 1828 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
Dau – Elizabeth TOMSET – c. 1 Aug 1830 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
m. 9 Oct 1852 Laughton, Sussex to Trayton Burfield
Dau – Jane TOMPSETT – c. 9 Dec 1832 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
m. 25 Dec 1852 Laughton, Sussex to John Cosham
Dau – Eliza TOMPSETT – c. 12 Oct 1834 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
m. 2 Feb 1856 Laughton, Sussex to Alfred Jenner
Dau – Maria TOMPSETT – c. 19 Mar 1837 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary
m. 26 Sep 1857 Laughton, Sussex to Stephen Coleman
Son – Samuel TOMPSETT – c. 24 May 1840 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Mary Ref. Alan Tompsett 3Ggf ?
m. 24 Dec 1864 Laughton, Sussex, to Mary Ann Goldsmith - b. 12 Jun 1845 Laughton, Sussex
(1881 Census – Ag Lab Whitesmith, Laughton, Sussex)
Son – Samuel TOMSETT – c. 16 Jun 1867 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Mary – d. 1 Oct 1913 Ringmer
(1881 Census – Carter Boy, Whitesmith, Laughton, Sussex)
m. 18 Jun 1892 to Alpha Haffenden – b. abt 1869 – d. 26 Sept 1925 Ringmer, Sussex
Dau – Mary – b. 15 Jul 1893
Dau – Fanny (Ida) – b. 12 Feb 1895
Dau – Ellen
Son – Samuel
Son – Wiliiam
Son – John
Dau – Annie
Son – Albert Stephen
Son – Philip
Son – George
Dau – Olive
Son – Percy
Dau - Kathleen
Dau – Mary Ann TOMSETT – c. 25 Sep 1870 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Mary
Son – Henry TOMSETT – c. 22 Sep 1872 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Mary
Dau – Fanny TOMSETT – c. 17 May 1874 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Mary
Son – William TOMSETT – b. abt 1876 Laughton, Sussex Parents Samuel & Mary
Son – Alfred TOMSETT – b. abt 1878 Laughton, Sussex Parents Samuel & Mary
Dau – Alice – b. 1881
Son – George – b. 1883
Son – James – b. 1886
Dau – Edith Jane – b. 1889
Johnathan THOMPSET – c. 1 Oct 1809 Laughton, Sussex Parents Henry & Sarah
m. 19 Oct 1831 Laughton, Sussex to Mary Funnell – b. abt 1793 Laughton
Son – Frederick TOMPSETT – c. 6 May 1832 Laughton, Sussex Parents John & Mary – d. 27 Sep 1899 Laughton, Sussex
m. 10 Mar 1863 Laughton, Sussex to Sopia Ellis – b. abt 1836 Laughton
(1881 Census – Grocer & Farmer Of 18 Acres Employing 2 Men Hastings Rd., Laughton, Sussex)
(Will probate granted 1900, Beneficiary – Sophia Tomsett, wife)
Dau – Alice TOMSETT – c. 31 Jul 1864 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Frederick & Sophia
Son – Alfred TOMSETT – b. abt 1866 Laughton, Sussex Parents Frederick & Sophia
(Poultryman – living at West Hardwicke near Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1902)
m. Oct–Dec 1902 Chelsea, London to Marguerite Ormonde – b. abt 1870 (father Patrick Ormonde, farmer)
Dau – Esther (Hester?) TOMSETT – c. 31 May 1868 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Frederick & Sophia
(1881 Census – General Servant Domestic 32 High St. Brighton, Sussex)
Esther – m. Jul–Sep 1896 Hailsham district, Sussex
Son – Frederick TOMSETT – c. 24 Jul 1870 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Frederick & Sophia
Son – Albert TOMSETT – c. 19 May 1872 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Frederick & Sophia
Son – William TOMSETT – c. 29 Mar 1874 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Frederick & Sophia
Son – James TOMSETT – b. abt 1878 Laughton, Sussex Parents Frederick & Sophia
Son – Edwin TOMSETT – b. abt 1880 Laughton, Sussex
Son – Albert TOMPSETT – c. 31 Aug 1834 Laughton, Sussex Parents John & Mary
(1881 Census – Eastbourne)
m. 17 Dec 1863 Laughton, Sussex to Henrietta Whipple Peek (Peck?) – b. abt 1841 Devonport
Dau – Ada Mary – c. 6 Nov 1864 Laughton, Sussex, Parents Albert & Henrietta Whipple
Ada Mary Thompsett – m. Jul–Sep 1904 Dartford, Kent
Dau – Rosina M. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1867 Lewes, Sussex
Dau – Ellen L. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1869 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Edith M. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1871 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Arthur H. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1873 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Albert F. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1875 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Evilena E. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1877 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Henrietta L. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1879 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Luther TOMPSETT – c. 11 Dec 1836 Laughton, Sussex – d. 2 Jun 1905 Parents John & Mary Ref. Brian Tompsett 2Ggf ?
(1881 Census – Luther – Occ: Dustman – 6 Church Road, Eastbourne, Sussex)
m. 16 Jun 1866 Saint Nicholas, Brighton to Mary Ann Suggitt – b. abt 1852 (1839?) Middx. Wife's Father Benjamin Suggitt
Dau – Mary A. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1866 Laughton, Sussex
Son – Albert E. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1867 Brighton, Sussex
Son – Frederick J (Alfred John Frederick) – b. 21 Jan 1871 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 26 Jun 1951
m. 19 Oct 1895 to Naomi Hannah Bourner – b. 6 Dec 1869
Son – Albert
Dau – Margaret
Son – Edwin W. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1873 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Henry L. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1875 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Ernest B. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1877 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Herbert C.F. TOMPSETT – b. abt 1879 Eastbourne, Sussex
Samuel TOMSETT – b. 18 Oct 1795 – c. 31 Jan 1796 Chiddingley, Sussex Parents William & Elizabeth Ref. Colin Bridgland 3Ggf
(1851 Census – Beerhouse labourer, Garden Street, Lewes, Sussex)
m. 4 Mar 1833 Chiddingly, Sussex to Harriet Bull – b. abt 1808 Chiddingly, Sussex
Son – George – c. 30 Jun 1833 Lewes Parents Samuel & Harriet
(1881 Census – Coal Merchants labourer, 14 Robert Street, Brighton, Sussex)
m. abt 1857 to Jane – b. abt 1834 Brighton, Sussex
Dau – Mary Jane THOMPSETT – c. 17 Aug 1862 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex Parents George & Jane
m. abt 1884 to Walter Smith
Dau – Rosa Alice – c. 1868 Hove, Sussex
m. abt 1890 to Hughs
Dau – Jane – c. 8 Feb 1835 Lewes, Sussex
m. abt 1856 to Ellis
Dau – Elizabeth – c. 12 Nov 1837 Lewes – d. 16 Jan 1916
Son – Henry – c. 25 May 1839 Lewes, Sussex
Dau – Fanny – c. 17 Jan 1841 Lewes, Sussex – d. 16 Jan 1914 Lewes, Sussex
Son – John Tomsett – b. 1864 Lewes, Sussex
m. abt 1887 to Sarah
Dau – Sarah – c. 6 Jan 1889 Lewes, Sussex
Son – John Percy – c. 7 Dec 1890 Lewes, Sussex
Son – Thomas – c. 21 Aug 1843 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Harriet
Dau – Harriet – c. 26 Jan 1845 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Harriet
m. 20 Jan 1876 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex to Arthur Brandrick
Dau – Ellen – c. 18 Apr 1847 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Harriett
m. 18 Sep 1875 Lewes, Saint John The Baptist, Sussex, to Edwin Hillman
Dau – Sarah – c. 22 Oct 1848 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Harriet
Son – Samuel THOMPSETT – c. 9 May 1852 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex Parents Samuel & Harriet
m. 14 Jul 1875 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex to Mary Ann Parsons
Thomas – c. 21 Aug 1843 Saint John The Baptist, Lewes, Sussex, Parents Samuel & Harriet – d. 28 Jul 1916 Eastbourne, Sussex
(1881 Census – Bricklayer, 10 Wick Cottages Eastbourne, Sussex)
m. 21 May 1866 Saint Michael, Lewes, Sussex to Mary Ann Rich – b. abt 1846 Warbleton, Sussex – d. Apr–Jun 1932, Age 85, Eastbourne
Son – Thomas – c. 18 Oct 1868 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann – Mary Ann – d. 1938 Eastbourne
m. Jul–Sep 1887 Eastbourne, Sussex to Fanny Burtenshaw – b. abt 1870 – d. 1939 Eastbourne
Dau – Florence Fanny – b. 1886 – c. 1889 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 1918 to Robert Benjamin Edgecombe – b. 1885 London – Migrated to Cananda
Dau – Nellie Irene – b. 1888 Eastbourne, Sussex – c. 1889 Eastbourne – d. 1971 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 1917 Eastbourne, Sussex to William Bridgland
Son – Ronald William Bridgland
Son – Colin Bridgland
Son – Thomas Fred – b. 1889 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. Dec 1975 Leroy, New York, USA
Dau – Winifred Kate – c. 11 Dec 1892 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. Spinster 1975 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Eleanor May – c. 22 Dec 1895 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. Spinster 1946 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Elsie Gladys – b. 1899 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 1981 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 1930 Jersey to William John E. Kelsall – b. 1896 Glasgow – d. 1980 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Mary Jane – c. 1870 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann
Son – William Robert – c. 11 Feb 1872 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann
m. 26 Sep 1897 Eastbourne, Susssex to Kathleen Mary Tiller – b. abt 1877 Lewes, Sussex
Dau – Marion Kate – b. 1899 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 16 Jul 1924 Eastbourne, Sussex to Arthur Edward Victor Johnson
Son – Stanley Robert – b. 16 Jun 1901 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 27 Nov 1992 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 14 Sep 1927 Eastbourne, Sussex to Lilian Amy Alice Lee – b. 14 Jan 1903 – d. 19 Jan 1994
Dau – Vera Patricia – b. 16 Feb 1929 – c. 14 Apr 1929 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. abt 1950 to Roy Evenden
Son – Roland Thomas H – b. 1903 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 1997 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 5 Oct 1929 Eastbourne, Sussex to Florence Alice Harris
Son – Osbourne William – b. 5 Dec 1930 – c. 9 Nov 1931 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 9 Nov 1979 Eastbourne
m. 31 Mar 1956 to Marie Louis Weller
Dau – Judith A – b. 1936 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. abt 1957 to Mike Maughan
Son – Tim – b. abt 1939
m. abt 1963 to Mary
Son – William Samuel – b. 1907 Eastbourne, Sussex – d. 19 Jul 1948 Eastbourne, Sussex
m. 1928 to Georgina Dumbrell
Dau – Patricia J – b. 1930 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Constance A – b. 1931 Eastbourne, Sussex
Dau – Barbara O – b. 1934 Eastbourne, Sussex
Son – Samuel – c. 19 Apr 1874 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann – d. 1893 Kirkee, India
Son – George Henry – c. 26 Mar 1876 Eastbourne Parents Thomas & Mary Ann – d. Jul–Sep 1942 Eastbourne
m. 9 Apr 1898 Eastbourne, Sussex to Sophia Fuller
Dau – Dorothy May – b. 1899
m. abt 1920 to Wiliam Button
Dau – Agnes Ellen – c. 3 Mar 1878 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann
m. Jul–Sep 1901 Eastbourne, Sussex to Charles Farthing
Dau – Mary Agnes E – b. 1902
Dau – Elizabeth – b. Jul–Sep 1880 Eastbourne, Sussex Parents Thomas & Mary Ann – d. Spinster 1968
THE TOMSETT FAMILY.
Very few records before the 16th century have survived, so tracing a family name to its origins in most cases is impossible. The English
and Welsh parish registers did not start until 1538 and the Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries would not have helped in
the survival of records. Therefore all that can be said is that from the surviving records the Tomsett name has its known origins firmly in
the county of Sussex. It’s interesting to note that the system of counties was only adopted in the second half of the 16 th century.
The earliest record of the name Tomsett is in 1395 at Ewhurst, East Sussex where the surname is found throughout the 15th century.
People bearing the name all appear to be ‘Yeomen’ or ‘Copyholders’ (small land owners or tenant farmers). This occupation suggests a
clue to the gradual migration of our Tomsett ancestors to other parts of Sussex during the late 16th century & 17th century.
The Tudor land enclosures and the subsequent ‘land grab’ of the 16 th century by the gentry spelled the destruction of many of the
traditional rural villages that since perhaps Saxon times had been self sufficient and self sustaining. The village peasants and yeomen
‘owned’ their land by inheritance over the centuries. There was no “documentation” and ‘native title’ certainly did not apply in those
days. Dispossessed villagers started to leave the area where for centuries they and their families were born, married, lived, worked the
land and died and move to the towns to look for work. The traditional yeoman was the titular head of the village as well as a farmer with
far more land than the peasant. He was better educated, had more assets, and was able to adapt to the ‘new order’ by becoming a small
land owner or tenant farmer by moving to other areas.
The earliest records of Tomsett births and marriages in the International Genealogical Index (IGI) are from the 16th century and although
few in number they show a migration by the 1570s as far west as the Cuckfield district in central Sussex. This is where my Tomsett
family are first recorded and where they settled for over 200 years. By the end of the 16th century we find Tomsett births also recorded
in Piddinghoe, Burwash, Ripe, East Grinstead and Newhaven. By the end of the 17 th century Tomsetts were still confining themselves to
East Sussex where births are recorded in towns including Barcombe, East Hoathley, Rotherfield, Bishopstone, Lewes, Laughton,
Uckfield, Wivelsfield, Chiddingley, Horsted Keynes, Brighton, Fletching, Ticehurst, Hastings, Streat and Buxted. However, most of
these towns/villages still fit within a circle of less than 15 miles radius. By the end of the 18th century Tomsetts had settled in most main
East Sussex towns but still hadn’t ventured too far into West Sussex.
Analysing just the 17th century IGI entries reveal that from about 1000 records, 93% of all Tomsetts were born in Sussex and even up to
the middle of the 1800s at least 80% were born in Sussex, the rest were born in Kent and a handful in Surrey and London. In t he 1881
Census, a total of 470 Tomsetts (no ‘h’ or ‘p’) are recorded, about 50% were born in Sussex, 25% in Kent, 20% in the Greater London
area and 5% in other counties.
THE ORIGINS OF THE TOMSETT SURNAME.
As every Tomsett will know when others write the name they invariably add an ‘h’ a ‘p’ or both. It was not unexpected therefore to find
Thomsett, Tompsett, Thompsett and other spelling variations in all the available records. Some of these variations however, became
fixed and ramified at quite an early stage. I have built up a data-base of every Tomsett (including 45 spelling variations) recorded in the
IGI. From about 3,500 entries 60% were Tomsett, 20% Tompsett, 8% Thompsett, 7% Thomsett, 1% Tampsett and 4% miscellaneous
spellings. A check in todays Sussex telephone directory reveals the same order persists although the percentages are closer together.
From all the spelling variations, apart from the odd exception only the above five names have survived. The percentage break up also
indicates that ‘Tomsett’ was the original spelling.
British surnames became fixed in the period between 1250 and 1450. The broad range of ethnic and linguistic roots reflects the history of
Britain as an oft-invaded land. Therefore Old English (Anglo-Saxon), Middle English, Old French, Old Norse, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic,
Pictish, Welsh, Gaulish, Germanic, Latin, Greek and Hebrew have all had an influence on British surnames. Old English (or AngloSaxon) is the oldest recorded form of English. It is said to be the language of the three tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) of West
Germanic speaking people who invaded and occupied Britain in the fifth century. Old English developed four major dialects:
Northumbrian, Mercian, West Saxon, and Kentish. The majority of recorded Old English is in the West Saxon dialect.
Throughout the British Isles, there are four main types of native surnames:
i) Those taking, or based on, the first name of the father (patronymic).
Many surnames were based on the christian name of the father by adding ‘son’ to become Davidson, Thompson, Richardson etc. The
Celtic ‘Mac’ or ‘Mc’ meant ‘son of’ & in Wales ‘ap’ was a prefix also meaning ‘son of’ e.g. Pritchard (ap Richard, the ‘a’ later dropped)
The Welsh also simply added an ‘s’ to popular english christian names to use as surnames e.g. Jones, Williams, Davis etc. The Irish
added the prefix ‘O’ meaning the grandson.
The suffix ‘kin’ was also used in surnames as a diminutive - so Tomkin is "Little Thomas", Wilkin is "Little William" and Perkin is
"Little Peter". Several of the pet forms of Thomas involved the letter ‘p’, which was generally added as a pronunciation aid to make a pet
form. For example, from Thomas came the pet form Thompkin "little Tom".
ii) Names reflecting occupation or status.
Occupational surnames are self-explanatory e.g. Smith, Barber, Miller, Baker, Carpenter, Taylor, Brewer, Mason etc. a practice that was
commonplace by the end of the 14th century.
iii) Surnames that are nicknames describing the ancestor's face, figure, temper, morals, or habits.
Surnames began to be used that were an identifier e.g. Long, Short, Stout. as were dispositions such as Gay, Moody, Wise etc.
Sometimes the name told its own story (Lackland, Freeholder, Goodpasture) and sometimes they might have been selected to elicit envy
or sympathy (Rich, Poor, Wise, Armstrong).
iv) Those recording localities or places where ancestors originated.
The most widely found category is that which contains surnames derived from a place easily recognizable e.g. Walsh hailed from Wales,
Norman was from Normandy, Norris was Norwegian. Towns were used in the same fashion, as were major rivers and geographic
features.
Folk names are a small but significant type of place-name. Many are names of important divisions of England today. These became
place-names because they were transferred from the people to whom they referred to the territory of that people.
A folk name ending in 'sett' could be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'saete' meaning 'settlers' or 'dwellers' and is usually a division
of a larger established group. Such a group was the Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) tribal 'Kingdom' of the Mierce (Mercians) The origins of
Mercia are obscure, although it started out as a small kingdom roughly the size of a modern county sometime in the fifth century. By the
beginning of the eighth century it had expanded to take in the whole of the midlands, from the Thames to the Humber. By the late eighth
century the Mercian kings held power over almost all of the other kingdoms. They had originally settled in the Trent valley area and
south along the river Tame. No early documents have survived from the churches of the Trent Valley, and little is known about the
organisation of the people along its course. In the seventh century they were divided by the river into the North Mercians, of 7,000
households, and the South Mercians, of 5,000. Only one of these folks can be identified. A charter of 849 which refers to the district
south-west of Birmingham mentions the boundary of a folk called TOMSAETAN (the 'ae' being a diphthong making the pronunciation
Tomsett-an), that is, the dwellers by the river Tame.
It is interesting to note that although the Saxon chieftain Aelle is credited with creating the kingdom of the South Saxons, or Sussex, it
was King Offa of Mercia who conquered Sussex in 711 where the earliest records of the Tomsett name is recorded.
The origins of the Tomsett name does not fall readily into one of these four categories. It was certainly an hereditary name from 1395
and throughout the 15th century. It might simply be another patronymic version or derived from a diminutive or pet form of Thomas. It
has been suggested that the name may have a French origin but the French diminutive forms of Thomas are names like Thomelin,
Thoumasson, Thomazeau Thomazon & Thomasseau. The fact that the name is not wide spread but exclusively found in Sussex & East
Kent well into the 1800s suggests it might have a more exotic or interesting origin. In Richard McKinley’s history of the origins of
Sussex surnames, he suggests the possibility of the Tomsett name originating exclusively in Sussex and perhaps even from one single
family.
Don Tomsett, Sydney, Australia.