Divall family - Cuckfield, Sussex - Lewisham

This Divall family originated from Cuckfield in Sussex, and were the children of Thomas Dival and Mary King who married in Cuckfield on 10 April 1782. They are John (b.1783?), James (christened 12 Feb 1786), William (christened 1 Jul 1787and the writer of the will below), Stephen (christened 16 Nov 1788, married Susan Davey 7 Feb 1821 Clayton, Sussex), David (christened 28 Nov 1790), Mary (christened 7 Oct 1792) and Martha (christened 22 Mar 1795, married James Randall 13 Oct 1813 Clayton, Sussex).

William does not appear from the following will to have married, or else he was widowed with no children, - though it is possible that his immediate family was already provided for - as he leaves everything to his brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces. I hope - but have no actual proof so far - that his brother John (also a victualler in Lewisham) already dead in 1831 is the father of Susannah Divall who married John Robson and was the mother of Louisa Robson. John Divall's wife was Mary Ann Grubb (married 18 Mar 1813 at St George the Martyr, Southwark) while the Executor of this will is suitably Henry Grubb the elder (Mary Ann's father) as their children receive the residue of the estate.

The inscription on a tomb in Lewisham churchyard lays out the family relationships:

112. Flat tomb In memory of | Fanny GRUBB | who died August 7th 1802 in her 39th year. Also Mary Ann DIVALL daughter of the above who died October 2nd 1824 in her 33rd year. Also John Divall husband of the above Mary Ann Divall who died September 27th ?1827 aged …9 years. (LAS manuscript says 27 September 1828 aged 49) Also John Divall son of John and Mary Divall who died 16 November 1841 aged 26 years. Also Henry Grubb husband of the above Fanny Grubb who died July 29th 1845 in his 82nd year. Also Henry Grubb son of the above died September 30th 1863 aged 77 years.

Henry Grubb the elder, described as a yeoman of Lewisham in his will (18 Oct 1847) left all of his property in Lewisham - freehold (in George Place, Lewisham), and leasehold (next to the Bull Inn) - to his son Henry. Pigot's Kent directories for 1832-34 have Henry the elder as licensee at the Castle, Lewisham. Henry the younger in the 1851 census runs a greengrocers in Lewisham High Road next to the Black Bull Inn; he is 61 and unmarried. Mary Ann, Henry the elder's daughter, married John Divall. Their offspring included the John on the inscription who died in 1841, Susannah who married John Robson, and Frances (Fanny) who married Kemsey Ingersoll.

The 1841 census has the Divall children (John (25), Maria (20) and Susannah (18)) living in Lewisham with the two Henry Grubbs, aged 75 and 50, both greengrocers, their grandfather and uncle respectively. These are the orphaned children of John Divall mentioned in the will below, ten years before the 1841 census. This almost certainly confirms the family links betwen the Grubbs and John Divall and William the author of the will below.

Though there is now another problem: Susannah is still unmarried at the time of the 1841 census - so how come I can't find her marriage to John Robson? I think from the same census I have found him living in St. Paul, Deptford - the family is still to be found there 20 years later when their daughter Louisa marries Isaac Cattley - aged 18, the son of Josiah Robson, and both are watermen, born in the county.

Will of William Divall Victualler Lewisham 1831

This is the last will and testament of me William Divall of Lewisham in the county of Kent victualler. First I direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses may be fully paid and satisfied as soon after my decease as conveniently may be and after payment thereof and subject thereto I give and bequeath to my brother James Divall the sum of ten pounds of like lawful British money for his absolute use.

Also to my brother Stephen Divall the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money for his absolute use. Also to my brother David Divall the sum of fifteen pounds of like lawful money for his absolute use. Also to my sister Martha Randall the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money for her absolute use. Also to my sister Mary ....... late Mary Divall Spinster the sum of twenty pounds of like lawful money for her absolute use and to my niece Helena? Divall the sum of five pounds of like lawful money for her absolute use and which said six special Legacies I direct may be paid to my respective Legators as soon as the sum may be conveniently raised by my Executor after my decease.

Also I give to my said brother the said David Divall all my wearing apparel of every kind and description whatsoever to be delivered to him immediately after my decease for his absolute use. Also I give to my said brother the said Stephen Divall my watch and whatever appendages may be attached thereto to be delivered to him immediately after my death for his absolute use.

And as to all the Rest, Residue and Remainder of my goods, chattels, debts, credits, Estate and Effects and property of every description whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall be possessed of and not ..... before by me disposed of I give and bequeath the same respectively and the whole and every part thereof and all my right title and interest therein and thereto with the appurts unto and equally between all and every the lawful child and children of my late brother John Divall deceased who shall be living at my death if more than one share and share alike and if only one the whole thereof to such only one absolutely.

And I so hereby nominate constitute and appoint Henry Grubb the Elder of Lewisham aforesaid Yeoman sole Executor of this my will and I direct that my said executor, his executors and administrators shall be answerable only for so much monies and property as shall come to his or their hands by virtue hereof. And that he and they shall and may retain to and reimburse himself and themselves out of the monies which shall come to his or their hands under this my will all loss costs and expenses which he or they may sustain or be put to in the execution of ..... this my will or relating thereto.

And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills, codicils, testamentary dispositions by me made and do publish and declare this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said William Divall the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty one Wm. Divall [signed] Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Divall the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us the words "Mary Divall Spinster" having been first interlined? in the first side. Geo. Parker Lewisham [signed] James Richards Lewisham [signed]

Proved at London 19th April 1831 before the Worshipful John Danbary (Daubary) Dr of Laws & Sur? By the oath of Henry Grubb the sole executor to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer