1.  Horace⁴ Metcalf  (George³ Metcalfe, Francis² Metcalf, Metcalf¹) was born June 16, 1812 in

Battle, Sussex, England, and died June 1858 in Battle, Sussex, England (Source: Crime and

Criminals of Battle.). 

He married Matilda Marchant November 06, 1838 in Westfield, Sussex, England, daughter of

John West.  She was born 1813 in Westfield, Sussex, England, died 1888 in Hastings Reg., Sussex, England, daughter of John West*

Notes for Horace Metcalf:

HORACE METCALF         

(Excerpt from "Crime and Criminals of Battle, pages 55 & 56)     

Horace Metcalf was in the position of fringe member of the "Battle Gang", obviously a crony,

but not sharing their excesses. He was born about 1812 in Battle according to the 1851 Census,

but there is no record of his baptism. However, the probable marriage of his parents, George and

Elizabeth, did take place in Battle church in January 1806.

He was caught trespassing in order to poach in December 1835 with George Jenner who was

later transported for theft. They both spent three weeks, including Christmas 1835, in Battle goal

for this . Shortly afterwards, in February 1836 he was again caught poaching,, this time with a

gun, which suggests some sort of liaison with an outside buyer. There is no indication of

whether he paid the fine of spent three months in Lewes goal .

As a workhouse protester he chose somewhat unaggressive methods, simply refusing to work

on two occasions, in February 1838 and again the following year. Two other young men acted

with him, all were playing cards, presumably forbidden .

His marriage did not take place in Battle but his three eldest children were christened there, in

December 1839, March 1842, and October 1843.

In 1840 he was again in Battle gaol on suspicion of having stolen three chickens with Thomas

Longley, a regular petty thief of wood and vegetables. The incident referred to had occurred a

year earlier and had been brought to light by the monumental deposition and confession of

George Stunt who maintained he had been with Longley and Horace Metcalf . Part of Stunt's

Evidence was that he had eaten chicken just afterwards at the Metcalfs. To this Horace had

deposed "I have never had dinner with Stunt in my like". Insufficient evidence acquitted both

Longley and Horace Metcalf, and the incident probably determined the latter against further law

-breaking - or to be more prudent. At any rate, his name does not occur again.

He was obviously the best educated of the "gang", his careful signature rather suggests some

practice in writing other than simply signing his name. His father, a shoemaker, put up bail for

him of $50, and he did the same himself, the only one to do so, a further indication that this was

not an entirely ordinary labouring family. The other Metcalf involved, William, (who stole

Timothy Potter's hams with Stunt) was also literate, and although he was unable to offer bail, he

certainly returned from his transportation to Bermuda , the 1851 Census showing a William

Metcalf of the right age and with no children born in the transportation period. The fare back

would have to have been paid. William was probably not Horace's brother, but maybe a cousin.

They lived near each other and in each case a slightly less poverty-stricken background is

indicated, in spite of earlier poor relief.

Neither died in the workhouse, Horace Metcalf himself died in 1858 from tuberculosis and is

buried in Battle churchyard .

Member of the Battle Gang.  He was a petty criminal.

I have been able to access the Quarter Sessions Order Book QO/EW57 on film at WSRO where I

found [Mf114] :

R v William Metcalf  Felony  Plea Not Guilty  Found Guilty  William Metcalf late of the Parish of

Battle in the County of Sussex labourer came here into Court & and desired to hear & that he on

the 9th day of March in the second year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lady Victoria & with

force and arms at the Parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid 30 pounds weight of ham of the

value of 30 shillings and 30 pounds weight of bacon of the value of 10 shillings of the goods

and chattels of Timothy Potter then and there being found feloniously did steal & against the

peace & and having heard & says and pleads that he is thereof Not Guilty therefore the Sheriff

is commanded & to cause to come a Jury & to try & Came as well William Vidler Langridge who

& as the aforesaid William Metcalf and the Jury by the Sheriff of the said County impanelled to

wit [12 names] who being chosen and sworn to enquire into the truth of the promises do upon

their oath say that the said William Metcalf is Guilty of the felony aforesaid in the said

Indictment as alleged against him therefore & Timothy Potter v William Metcalf £23/18/6d

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lewes House of Correction Calendar

William Metcalf 7 years "severally convicted of felony let them be severally transported to such

parts beyond the seas as Her majesty by the advice of her Privy Council shall order and direct

for the several terms set against their respective names and let them be severally committed to

the said House of Correction in execution of such judgement"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Horace Metcalf acquitted of felony and discharged

More About Horace Metcalf:

1841 Census: Call Back - Battle Enumeration Disctrict 3

1841 Census-1: Ag Labourer

1851 Census: HO107/1636 Folio 382 Page 5

13 Upper Lake Battle. Picture taken 2002

1851 Census-1: 13 Upper Lake, Battle, Sussex, England

1851 Census-2: Labourer

Baptism: August 01, 1852, Church of England, Battle, Sussex, England

Burial: June 21, 1858, Battle Churchyard, Sussex, England (Source: Crime and Criminals of Battle,

Register of Burials, Battle.)

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Tuberculosis

Fact 1: co75901/0381

Occupation: Crimimal (Source: Crime and Criminals of Battle.)

Registeration: July 23, 1812, Great Meeting-Presbyterian Or Unitarian, Battle, Sussex, England

Notes for Matilda Marchant:

Also staying with Matilda and her family at the time of the 1861 census is a lodger - Robert

Jones,  22 from Dallington, Sussex employed as a Groom.

* On her marriage registration, Matilda gives her father as John West.

More About Matilda Marchant:

1841 Census: Call Back - Battle Enumeration Disctrict 3

1851 Census: HO107/1636 Folio 382 Page 5

1851 Census: 13 Upper Lake, Battle, Sussex, England

1861 Census: RG9 / 565 Page 5

1861 Census-1: Name recorded as "Jane"

1871 Census: Battle Census page 19

1871 Census-1: Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1881 Census: RG11 1021 / 7 Page 7

1881 Census-1: 18 Hughenden Road, Ore, Sussex, England

1881 Census-2: Living with daughter Jane

Death Ref: Vol. 2b Page 28 December 1888 1/4 Hastings Reg., Sussex, England

More About Horace Metcalf and Matilda Marchant:

 Horace and Matilda's Marriage Certificate

Marriage: November 06, 1838, Westfield, Sussex, England

Marriage Witness: Lester Metcalf & Sarah Vidler

Children of Horace Metcalf and Matilda Marchant are:

        2                 i.    William⁵ Metcalf, born December 1839 in Battle, Sussex, England (Source: Crime and

                                 Criminals of Battle.); died June 03, 1876 in Battle, Sussex, England (Source: Battle Cemetery Records.). 

                                 He married Hannah Beaching March 10, 1872 in Battle, Sussex, England; born 1850 in Hellingly, Sussex, England.

More About William Metcalf:

1841 Census: Call Back - Battle Enumeration Disctrict 3

1851 Census: HO107/1636 Folio 382 Page 5

1851 Census-1: 13 Upper Lake, Battle, Sussex, England

1871 Census: Battle Census page 19

1871 Census-1: Labourer

1871 Census-2: Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

 St Mary's, Battle

Baptism: December 22, 1839, Battle, Sussex, England

Burial: June 08, 1876, Battle Cemetery, Sussex, England

Occupation: 1872, Labourer

More About William Metcalf and Hannah Beaching:

William and Hannah's Marriage Certificate

Marriage: March 10, 1872, Battle, Sussex, England

Marriage Witness: Richard Hart & Jane Billings

Notes for Hannah Beaching:

Hannah remarried after William’s death to Joshua Stone (born Mountfield, Sussex)

on 26 September 1877 in Battle, Sussex , Hannah and Joshua had two children,

Hotoise and Victoria

Hannah and Joshua Stone's Marriage Certificate

More About Hannah Beaching:

1881 Census: 20 Gensing Road, Hastings, St Mary Magdalen, Sussex, England

1881 Census-1: Dressmaker

1901 Census: RG13 866 Folio 25 page 41

1901 Census-1: Caretaker

+      3                ii.    Jane Metcalf, born March 1842 in Battle Sussex, England; died in Between 1881 - 1891.

+      4               iii.    Edwin Metcalf, born September 13, 1843 in Battle Sussex, England.

        5               iv.    Frank Metcalf, born 1845 in Battle, Sussex, England; died January 1851 in Battle, Sussex, England.

More About Frank Metcalf:

Baptism: October 26, 1845, Battle, Sussex, England

Burial: January 05, 1851, Battle, Sussex, England

+      6                v.    Lewis (Louis) Metcalf, born November 11, 1847 in Battle Sussex, England.

+      7               vi.    George Metcalf, born March 25, 1852 in Battle, Sussex, England.

+      8              vii.    Horace (Price) Metcalf, born March 25, 1852 in Battle, Sussex, England; died in Prior to 1901.

        9             viii.    Albert Metcalf, born 1854 in Battle, Sussex, England; died November 1859 in Battle, Sussex, England.

More About Albert Metcalf:

Baptism: September 03, 1854, Battle, Sussex, England

Burial: November 18, 1859, Battle, Sussex, England

+      10              ix.    Alice Metcalf, born 1857 in Battle Sussex, England.

Generation No. 2

      6.  Lewis (Louis)⁵ Metcalf (Horace⁴, George³ Metcalfe, Francis² Metcalf, Metcalf¹) was born

November 11, 1847 in Battle Sussex, England. 

He married Grace Isabella Stephens June 06, 1870 in Register Office, Battle, Sussex, England,

daughter of David Stephens.  She was born 1850 in Herstmonceaux, Sussex, England, and died

1889 in Hastings Reg., Sussex, England.

Notes for Lewis (Louis) Metcalf:

1881 Census - also a Alfred Dann living with the family. Aged 5 and birth given as

Hurstmonceaux, Sussex - same as Grace - could this be a nephew of Graces?             

More About Lewis (Louis) Metcalf:

 Lewis's Birth Certificate

1861 Census: RG9 / 565 Page 5

1861 Census-1: Apprentice Shoemaker

1861 Census-2: Upper Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1871 Census: Battle Census page 12

1871 Census-1: Shoemaker Journeyman

1871 Census-2: High Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1881 Census: RG11 1034 Page 30

1881 Census-1: Shoemaker

1881 Census-2: Lower Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1891 Census: RG12 763 Page 28

1891 Census-1: Boot Maker

1891 Census-2: 17 Middle Street, Hastings, Sussex, England

1901 Census: RG13 868 Folio 78 page 14

1901 Census-1: Boot maker

1901 Census-2: 17 Clyde Cottage Middle St, Holy Trinity, Hastings, Sussex, England

Kelly's Directory: 1891, Boot Maker, 17 Middle Street, Hastings, Sussex

Baptism: January 02, 1848, Battle, Sussex, England

Birth Ref.: Folio 7 page 269

Occupation: 1894, Shoemaker/Journeyman

More About Grace Isabella  Stephens:

1871 Census: Battle Census page 12

1871 Census-1: High Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1881 Census: RG11 1034 Page 30

1881 Census-1: Lower Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

Death Ref: Vol. 2b Page 23 December 1889 1/4 Hastings Reg., Sussex, England

More About Lewis Metcalf and Grace Stephens:

Lewis and Grace's Marriage Certificate

Marriage: June 06, 1870, Register Office, Battle, Sussex, England

Marriage Witness: William Metcalf & Jane Billings

Children of Lewis Metcalf and Grace Stephens are:

        23               i.    Rose Matilda⁶ Metcalf, born November 15, 1870 in Battle Sussex, England. 

                                 She married George Thunder October 01, 1894 in Emmanuel  Church, Hastings,

                                 Sussex, England; born 1871 in Hastings, Sussex, England.

More About Rose Matilda Metcalf:

1871 Census: Battle Census page 12

1871 Census-1: 4 months old

1871 Census-2: High Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1881 Census: RG11 1034 Page 30

1881 Census-1: Lower Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1891 Census: RG12 763 Page 28

1891 Census-1: 17 Middle Street, Hastings, Sussex, England

1901 Census: RG13 868 Folio 78 page 14

1901 Census-1: 17 Clyde Cottage Middle St, Holy Trinity, Hastings, Sussex, England

Baptism: February 05, 1871, Battle, Sussex, England

Residence: 1894, 5 Gladstone Terrace, Hastings, Sussex, England

Notes for George Thunder:

George's youngest brother, Rufus married Frances (Min) Minnie Jury - his wife, Rose's 1st cousin

More About George Thunder:

1881 Census: Folio 1022/41 page  31

1901 Census: RG13 868 Folio 78 page 14

1901 Census-1: Tailor

1901 Census-2: 17 Clyde Cottage Middle St, Holy Trinity, Hastings, Sussex, England

Occupation: 1894, Tailor

Residence: 1894, 5 Gladstone Terrace, Hastings, Sussex, England

More About George Thunder and Rose Metcalf:

Rose and George's Marriage Certificate

Marriage: October 01, 1894, Emmanuel  Church, Hastings, Sussex, England

Marriage Witness: Frederick Sweatman & Alice Metcalf

        24              ii.    Alice Metcalf, born November 17, 1872 in Battle Sussex, England.

                                 She married Herbert William Hayward (Source: Shirley Smith - GR 2007.) 1897

                                 in Hastings Reg., Sussex, England, son of Samuel Hayward and Naomi

                                 Rowe.  He was born 1871 in Dieppe, France

More About Alice Metcalf:

1881 Census: RG11 1034 Page 30

1881 Census-1: Lower Lake Street, Battle, Sussex, England

1891 Census: RG12 763 Page 28

1891 Census-1: 17 Middle Street, Hastings, Sussex, England

1901 Census: RG13 695 Folio ? Page 4

1901 Census-1: Bexley, Sussex, England

 Alice's Birth Certificate

Baptism: January 26, 1873, Battle, Sussex, England

More About Herbert William Hayward:

1881 Census: RG11 1893 Folio 16 page 6

1881 Census-1: Scholar

1881 Census-2: Rendham Rd, Peasenhall, Suffolk, England

More About Herbert Hayward and Alice Metcalf:

Marriage: 1897, Hastings Reg., Sussex, England

Marriage Reference: Vol. 2b Page 60 December 1897 1/4 Hastings Reg., Sussex, England

        25             iii.    Unnamed Metcalf (Source: Battle Cemetery Records.), born March 1875 in Battle,

                                 Sussex, England; died March 16, 1875 in Battle, Sussex, England.

More About Unnamed Metcalf:

Burial: March 17, 1875, Battle Cemetery, Sussex, England

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Still Born

        26             iv.    Louis Metcalf (Source: Battle Cemetery Records.), born 14 March 1877 in Battle,

                                 Sussex, England; died March 14, 1877 in Battle, Sussex, England.

More About Unnamed Metcalf:

Burial: Battle Cemetery, Sussex, England

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Still Born

        27              v.    Unnamed Metcalf (Source: Battle Cemetery Records.), born May 1879 in Battle,

                                 Sussex,  England; died May 15, 1879 in Battle, Sussex, England.

More About Unnamed Metcalf:

Burial: May 16, 1879, Battle Cemetery, Sussex, England

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Still Born

        28             vi.    Ellen Jane Metcalf, born August 11, 1881 in Battle, Sussex, England; died 1904, Hastings Reg., Sussex, England.

More About Ellen Jane Metcalf:

Death Ref: Vol 2b Page 14 March 1904 1/4 Hastings Reg., Sussex, England

1891 Census: RG12 763 Page 28

1891 Census-1: 17 Middle Street, Hastings, Sussex, England

1901 Census: RG13 868 Folio 78 page 14

1901 Census-1: 17 Clyde Cottage Middle St, Holy Trinity, Hastings, Sussex, England

Baptism: March 19, 1884, Battle, Sussex, England