Henry Float (1788-1824) – injured in the Battle of Waterloo

Henry Float (1788-1824) and Sarah Scott (1799-1828). My 5th-great-grand uncle and aunt. Henry was baptised on 26 March 1788 at St Mary’s in Washington, Sussex. His parents were William Float and Sarah Michel and he grew up in the village. After a spell working as a labourer, he signed up to serve in the army […]

Norman William Wheatland (1924-1987) – Croydon businessman

Norman William Wheatland (1924-1987) and Monica Mary King (1928-2020). 
 My great uncle and aunt. Norman Wheatland was born on 4 February 1924 in Croydon, Surrey, the son of William Albert Wheatland and Elizabeth Marlow. He grew up in the town and by the time of the 1939 Register was living with his family at […]

Sophia Float (1811-1882) – a Petworth Pioneer in Canada

Sophia Float (1811-1882) and George Lillywhite (1808-1877). My 4th great-grand aunt and uncle. Sophia was baptised on 22 November 1811 at St Mary’s Church in Battle, Sussex, the daughter of Richard Float and Hannah Windom. She married George Lillywhite on 13 September 1828 at St Mary’s in Washington. He was baptised on 31 March 1808 […]

Isaac Tullett (1810-1883) – he spent his life in and out of prison

Isaac Tullett (1810-1883) and Frances Wolven (1818-1871). My 3rd great-grand uncle and aunt. Isaac spent a lot of his life in trouble with the law… He was the son of Daniel Tullett and Ann Palmer and was baptised on 24 December 1810 at St Peter’s in Newdigate, Surrey. He married Frances or Fanny Wolven / […]

Samuel Wheatland (1851-1903) and his family’s move to Australia

Samuel Wheatland (1851-1903). My 3rd great-grand uncle. Samuel Wheatland was baptised on 2 November 1851 at St Mary’s Church, Shipley, Sussex, to parents James Wheatland and Ann Float. By the 1871 census he was lodging with a family in Nuthurst, Sussex, and working as an agricultural labourer. He was also living yards from the woman […]

John Wheatland (1876-1952) and the mystery of his marriage

John Wheatland (1876-1952), my great-grand uncle. Born on 6 March 1876 and baptised on 14 May that year at St Peter’s Church in Croydon, Surrey, John served in the Royal Navy and the Coastguard like so many of his ancestors and descendants. His parents were John Wheatland and Mary Coughlan. John Jnr grew up in […]