Guildford to Keymer

 

The Hamblett Family History: From Guildford to Keymer

1. Origins and Early Life

• Sidney James Hamblett: Born on 26 November 1890 at 21 Church Road, Guildford.

• Sidney Mansfield Hamblett: A master Furniture Maker and Marquetry Cutter. He was married to Susan Alice Mansfield.
• Migration: After 1890, the family moved to Leicester, where two addresses have been found, 53, Gaul Street and 39 Hinckley Road, where siblings Archibald (1892), William Wilfred (1894), and Alice Edith (1895) were born, before returning south to Chilworth, Surrey, where Margery was born in 1904.

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Life at Harrington Farmhouse (1909–1920s)

See the full article as described by Margery

The description of a ten-roomed, double-fronted farmhouse with a central porch aligns perfectly with the stable, middle-class life a master craftsman like Sidney Mansfield Hamblett would have provided.

• The Nursery Setting: Margery notes they were in the middle of a nursery owned by a man named Scutt. This explains the "hundred fruit trees" and "fabulous old fashioned roses" she describes.
• The Belgian Artist: During WWI, many Belgian refugees (including artists) were hosted in Brighton. The fact that a painting of their garden hung in the Brighton Art Gallery suggests the property was truly a local landmark.

The "yellow tree" she mentioned might have been a Golden False Acacia or a specific type of Chestnut, both of which were popular in Sussex nursery gardens and would be striking enough for an artist to capture.

• The Move to Keymer: The family’s move to Keymer (near Hassocks) likely offered the same "fresh air" benefits as Brighton but in a more rural setting.
• The Looting: The story of the neighbours digging up fruit trees and even the porch tiles the moment the family stepped out is a staggering bit of social history. It’s a testament to your Great-Grandfather's character that he tracked them down and made them pay "in lieu of taking them to Court."

Hertford Road School where Harrington Farmhouse once stood; the trees would have been on the nursery that surrounded the farmhouse.

1911 Census: Harrington Farmhouse, Brighton

The family is recorded living at Harrington Farmhouse, Brighton, in a property that they occupied after their time in Leicester and Chilworth.

• Sidney Mansfield Hamblett (Head): His trade is listed as a Furniture Maker and Marquetry Cutter.
• Susan Alice Hamblett (Wife): Married to Sidney for 21 years.
• Sidney James Hamblett (Son): Aged 20.
• Archibald Hamblett (Son): Aged 19.
• William Wilfred Hamblett (Son): Aged 16.
• Alice Edith Hamblett (Daughter): Aged 15.
• Marjorie Hamblett (Daughter): Aged 6.

The Likely Artist: Léon de Smet (1881–1966)

The most compelling candidate for the artist who painted your family's garden is Léon de Smet.

• The Brighton Connection: He was a celebrated Belgian refugee artist who moved to Britain in 1914 and was very active in the Brighton area.
• Style: He was known for his "Impressionist" style—specialising in sun-drenched landscapes. This matches the description of the yellow tree.
• The Art Gallery: De Smet’s work was frequently exhibited at the Brighton Art Gallery during the war.

3. The Final Chapter: Highleigh, Keymer

After leaving Brighton, the family settled at Highleigh on Lodge Lane, Keymer.

The Location: Lodge Lane and Keymer Church

The house, Highleigh, being just a few yards from the Keymer Church (St Cosmas and St Damian), explains why Alice and Margery stayed there for so long. It would have been a constant, visible connection to their parents.

Probate and the Keymer House

Sidney Mansfield Hamblett died on 11 January 1947. His estate was valued at £2,058 13s. 11d., a substantial sum for the time, suggesting they held their wealth in the property.