• Born: 1850, Ashurst, Kent, England ¹
• Christened: 7 Apr 1850, St. Martin of Tours, Ashurst, Kent, England ¹
• Married (1): 6 Dec 1873, Wadhurst, Sussex, England ²
• Married (2): 2 Jun 1902, Wadhurst, Sussex, England ³
• Died: 24 Nov 1921, Dewhurst Lodge, Wadhurst, Sussex, England ⁴
• Buried: 29 Nov 1921, Wadhurst, Sussex, England ⁵

  Research Notes:

George James son of George Avis of Ashurst, labourer, and Elizabeth (baptismal record)

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At the time of the 1851 England Census George Avis, age 1, born in Ashurst Kent, was with his parents in -----bank cottage, Ashurst Kent.

At the time of the 1861 England Census George Avis, age 11, born in Ashurst Kent, and his sister Charlotte Avis, age 3, born in Frant Sussex, were with their mother Eliza Avis* (24) of Burwash, married, in Sparrows Green Rd., Wadhurst Sussex.

* It is evident straightaway that Eliza Avis, age 24, could not have been the mother of George Avis, age 11. George's sister Charlotte appears with her father and his second wife Ann (Dann) in the 1871 Census wherein her birthplace is given as here: Frant Sussex. The GROE index confirms that Charlotte's mother was a member of the Dann family, and her baptismal entry in the parish register records her mother's name as Eliza. Eliza Avis, so called, was, as indicated, born in Burwash, as was Ann Dann. Ann had a sister Eliza who was aged 14 years at the time of the 1851 Census. It would seem therefore that, per the 1861 Census, Eliza was George's stepmother.

At the time of the 1871 England Census George Avis, age 21, born in Ashurst Kent, unmarried, garden laborer, was lodging in Napsbury Cottage, Wadhurst Sussex.

At the time of the 1881 England Census George Jas. Avis, age 31, born in Ashurst Kent, gardener, and wife Susan, age 27, born in Wadhurst Sussex, were living in Whitegates Cottage, Wadhurst Sussex. With them were children (born in Wadhurst): Elizth. Annie (6), scholar, George Thos. (5), scholar, Susan Jane (3), and Percy John (1). At the same address was uncle Thomas Bond or Bone (85) of Wadhurst, retired farmer. Susan's parents, John Groves (farmer of 19 acres), and Ann, were living nextdoor.

At the time of the 1891 England Census Geo. Jas. Avis, age 41, born in Ashurst Kent, domestic gardener, and wife Susan, age 37, born in Wadhurst, were living in Dewhurst Lodge, Wadhurst Sussex. Present were children (born in Wadhurst): Geo. Thos. (15), gardener's lab., Susan Jane (13), scholar, Percy John (12), scholar, Caroline Alice (10), scholar, Edith Mary (8), scholar, Fredk. Chals. (7), scholar, Lotty (4), Frank (3), and Thomas Gee Llenelyn (11 months).

At the time of the 1901 England Census George J. Avis, age 51, born in Ashurst Kent, widower, gardener, was living in Dewhurst, Wadhurst Sussex. Present were children (born in Wadhurst): Elizabeth A (26), housekeeper, Percy J (21), blind, agent for Blind Tea Agency, Edith M (17), domestic servant, cook, Frederick C (16), under gardener, Lotty (14), Frank (12), Thos. Gee L. (10), Mary E (8), and William (6).

At the time of the 1911 England Census George James Avis, age 61, born in Ashurst Kent, head gardener, and wife of 8 years Eleanor, age 38, born in Wokingham Berks (mother of 1 child), were living in The Lodge, Dewhurst Lodge, Wadhurst Sussex. With them were children (born in Wadhurst): Frank (22), gardener, William (16), gardener, and Eleanor Glaydis (6), school.

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George James Avis of The Lodge Dewhurst Lodge Wadhurst died aged 71 years (burial record).

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AVIS.—On the 24th November, suddenly, at Dewhurst, Wadhurst, George Avis, for 21 years the faithful and trusted head gardener and friend of Mr. and Mrs. Whitty.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 2 December 1921, p. 12

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George James Avis of Dewhurst Lodge Wadhurst Sussex died 24 November 1921. Probate London 19 January 1922 to George Thomas Avis, gardener. Effects £412 13s. 5d. ⁴