Second Generation

2. Henry BLABER^1,7,8 was born about 1786.⁹ He was illegitimate. George MERRILEES of South Malling and John MERRILEES of Chipstead, both Gardeners, indemnified the parish against consequent charges (ESRO/Par.461/34/3). Presumably, one of them was the father? This may explain his late baptism. He was christened on 7 June 1795 in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England.^1,10 He lived at Norlington Farm from 6 April 1810 to 5 April 1811.¹ Boarded out to Mr William New for one year by the parish vestry meeting. Henry was a Gardener / Bricklayer.^8,11 He lived at his mother's home in Edward Street in Brighthelmston (Brighton), East Sussex, England between 1841 and 1845.^3,4 Between 1841 and 1860 he was a Brewer's Labourer.^4,12 Henry died on 7 June 1860 at the age of 74 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^12,13 He died at 7 Queen's Garden. In attendance was a W J or M J MARTIN of the same address.

Henry BLABER and Martha were married on 7 April 1819 in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England.^1,14 They^1,14 were separated about 1826.¹⁵ Martha stated that she had been separated from Henry for about 30 Years, in a court report in the Sussex Advertiser, page 5, dated 23 September 1856, and that she had been living with James EVANS as husband and wife for about 20 years.
Martha^1,7,16 was born about 1791 in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England.^{17,18,19,20,21} We have been unable to fix Martha's exact date of birth. Her Death Certificate says she died at the age of 87 on 6 December 1878 (b. 1791). However, at 1851 Census she was 57 (b. 1794), at 1861 Census she was 68 (b. 1793) and at 1871 Census she was 72 (b. 1799).
She lived at North Court in Cliffe, Lewes, East Sussex, England on 7 June 1841.²² James EVANS was living with the family at the 1841 Census. On 30 March 1851 she was a Housekeeper.²³ Martha lived at 206 Brook Street in Lewes, East Sussex, England on 30 March 1851.²³ At the 1851 census, Martha was a live-in "servant" at the home of widower James EVANS (60, labourer at the Chalk Pit). Her daughter, Ellen was also living with her.

She attended the inquest into the death of her "Common Law husband?" James EVANS in 1860.²⁴ Article from The Sussex Advertiser: 23rd September 1856, Page 5.
DEATH BY FALLING OVER A CHALK-PIT
An inquest was held on Thursday evening, at the Snow Drop, in the Cliffe, by F H Gell Equ., coroner, on the body of James Evans, a labourer, aged about 60.
Mary Ann Shaw deposed - I live with my father, Joseph Shaw, of South Street, South Malling, a labourer. I have known deceased a long time. He was a labourer and lived in the Cliffe. About 12 o'clock today I was going to a chalk-pit there, and saw a man's hat lying in the pit. I went up to it, and there saw the body of a man lying a short distance from it. He was lying on some chalk rubbish a rod from the cliff, on his right side, rather upon the bend. He appeared to me to be dead. I did not see his face. I called Mrs Barnden, a next door neighbour. She called for a barkman, who was passing along the road, and he went up to the body. I went with him and showed him the body, and he sent me for some more men.
Henry Short, barkman, in the service of Mr Baxter, tanner, of South Malling, deposed - I live in Soap Factory Lane, Cliffe. I had known deceased seven or eight years. As I was at work today in a warehouse near the Chimney chalk-pit, my fellow workman said to me, "There's a man over the pit." I went with him to the pit and saw a man lying in a fall of chalk about 30 or 40 feet from the cliff. He was on his side cross-wise, as I went up, and was quite dead. I did not know who he was. His hands and face were cold. Six or seven persons came and I went away to give information. I have since seen the body and know it to be that of James Evans. There was some blood on his face. His hat was off. I have known the pit for a long time; it was said to be 260 feet high before a fall of chalk took place, some years ago. Deceased was lying nearly at the bottom of the fall.
James Hearsey, clerk to Messrs T and R Hillman, merchants of the Cliffe - I had known the deceased about 18 months. I have been informed he had been in the service of Messrs Hillman about 20 years as rock-man in the chalk-pit. He met with an accident in the spring which prevented him from working. He came back about two months ago and worked five or six days and then left his work. Mr Robert Hillman sent a man for him and he came with the man to our office; he was crying very much. Mr Hillman asked him what he was in trouble about, and he said he had been living with a woman who was not his wife, and he had told the relieving officer she was; that he was in a great deal of trouble and did not know what to do; and that he was tired of living. Mr Hillman talked to him for some time, and he seemed to get better. Mr Hillman then sent him with a man to Mr Turner, surgeon. Deceased appeared to be in low desponding way, and to be scarcely accountable for his actions; I saw him several times afterwards at the office; I asked him on these occasions how he was. He always answered, "About the same." He has not worked for Mr Hillman since, and I have heard that he had been in the Union and has left about a month. He came to the door of the office yesterday; I did not see him, but knew him by his voice. He asked Mr Hillman if he might go to work in the pit? Mr Hillman said he might go to work, if he thought he could. I could not hear whether he made any reply or not.
Martha BLABER deposed - I am the wife of Henry BLABER, but have been separated for 30 years. I have known deceased for 20 years. He was late in the Union house in the Cliffe, and left it about a fortnight ago, after which he took his meals with me every day; but slept at my son's. He called upon me about half past ten this morning and said he was poorly. He remained with me about 2 or 3 hours. He appeared to be better after he left the Union house, except this morning, when he said he was very poorly. He has been very low spirited at times ever since his arm was broken. He has seemed very strange at times during the last fortnight. I thought it must be owing to pain caused by his being much ruptured. He was in the habit of sighing. He never suffered from the want of food, but he had not sufficient to nourish him. He was on good terms with me and my children. After he had broken his arm he was brought home in a low spirited way by one of Mr Hillman's men. Mr Turner attended him some time afterwards. He had incautiously worked in the pit without a truss, and this had increased the rupture. Two or three days ago his daughter gave him 8d to have his shoes mended, but he did not have them done, saying he would make them last a little longer. He had relief from the parish after his arm was broken - two gallons of flour and 5s in money a week. When the parish discovered that he and I were not married they ttok off the out door relief, and we went into the Union house. He was rather more than 60 years of age. He was very healthy and not subject to fits. I always called myself BLABER. Our children were called BLABER. My husband was a deserter. Deceased slept at my house during the last ten days.
Ellen BLABER - I live at home with my mother, Martha BLABER. I consider myself daughter of the deceased. He has always lived with us. After he broke his arm he became low spirited at times. His lowliness of spirits has increased during the last two months. He has been rather better since he left the Union; he came out to try to get work; but he did not get any. When he came home yesterday he told me he had been to Mr Hillman's to try to get work, and Mr Hillman said he might go to work. He was much more cheerful when he returned home. We breakfasted together this morning, he scarcely said a word. He borrowed my umbrella, but did not say where he was going. It was a misty rain when he left. His mind appeared to be affected by the breaking up of his home before he went into the Union. He left his home about half past ten o'clock that morning. He has often told me that he suffered from pains in the head since his accident. He went out to walk frequently in the morning.
This was the whole of the evidence, and the jury returned an open verdict of being found dead.

She lived at 89 Harrison Street in St Pancras, London, England in 1861.²⁵ At the 1861 Census, Martha was living with her married daughter, Eliza BICKER and family. Martha lived at Late Toll Gate House in Ringmer, Lewes, East Sussex, England in 1871.²⁶ At the 1871 census, Martha was living with her daughter Ellen BRIGGS and family. She is a widow. She died Garden Street on 6 December 1878 at the age of 87 in Southover, Lewes, East Sussex, England.^21,27 Her death was registered by her son, Daniel LINDFIELD of Keere Street, Lewes. She was also known as Martha Leanfield.^21,27 Her death was registered by her son, Daniel LINDFIELD of Keere Street, Lewes. It is more likely that Martha's surname when marrying Henry BLABER was LINDFIELD. She appears to have had a son, Daniel LINDFIELD. He could have been the illegitimate son of Martha, but later, on his Marriage Certificate, he gives his father's name as Michael LINDFIELD. In this case we do not know Martha's maiden name.

Henry BLABER-3688 and Martha -3690 had the following children: