Jeffrey Ruffell was born circa 1756 in England, United Kingdom to Richard Ruffle (1718-c1760) and Hannah Plum (-) and died 1830 England, United Kingdom of unspecified causes. He married Jane Strand (1749-1805) 4 August 1776 in Little Horkesley, Essex, England, United Kingdom.
Jeffrey Ruffell was born in approximately 1756 to Richard and Hannah Ruffle (nee Plum), baptised on the 27th May 1757 at Wickham St Paul, Essex. Jeffrey would be the youngest of their 3 children, born after his father had been buried.
The surname Ruffell is occasionally spelt different ways in official records, including Ruffle, Ruffells, and Ruffel.
Siblings
Jeffrey's direct elder sibling was sister Hannah as his elder brother James Plum died in infancy. He also had 3 half siblings from his father's first marriage - Richard, Henry Samuel Bridge and Francis.
Inheritance
Jeffery's grandfather died in 1763 and left a will which identified his children, including Jeffrey's father Richard. An excerpt of the will follows: I give and devise after my said Wifes decease to my Grandson Jeffery Ruffle Son of my Son Richard Ruffle and to his Heirs all that my Messuage or Tenement called Cross House with the Yards Gardens Hereditaments and Appurtenances thereunto belonging lying and being in Wickham Saint Paul aforesaid in the occupation of John Percival Mary Wise and John Chaplyn
Banns for Jeffrey's marriage
At this point, Jeffrey inherited both his grandfather's and his father's estate (as his father is believed to have predeceased his grandfather). Just 3 years before (in 1860) Wickham Hall had a new rector appointed name Rev. Erskins. People from the Ruffle family had assisted with the church council for many years, however it appears that the Ruffles did not get along with the new rector. Shortly afterwards, there is no Ruffle on the church council at all.
Upon his inheritance, Jeffrey entered into a tithe war with rector and they went to court over it. Erskins was a solicitor before he was ordained and the case was held in the Church Court, so Jeffrey had very little chance at being successful. He lost the case and everything he owned. His household goods, farm stock etc was auctioned off on the village green on 15th October 1751, the sale being advertised in the local paper.
The Rev Erskins would later on accuse Jeffrey's brother William of theft. William was found not guilty but moved away from the area after the court proceeding.
Marriage
Jeffrey married on the 4th August 1776 at Little Horksley in Essex to Jane Strand. Jane had been born and baptised in Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk to parents John and Jane Strand (nee King). Banns had been read for the couple on 14th, 21st and 28th of July.
Witnesses to the marriage were John Munson and Jacob Strand. Both Jeffrey and Jane could not write and signed the register with their marks.
Jeffrey's marriage record
The couple settled in Little Horkesley and had five known children – only four are found baptised in the Little Horksley baptism register due the section of years between 1784 and 1797 being missing. So there are potentially other children of this couple that we are not yet aware of.
Death of daughter
By 1799, the family are located in Wivenhoe, Essex, where daughter Frances is buried on the 3rd of June, aged only 19 years old. Her cause of death is currently unknown.
Death of wife
Jeffrey's wife Jane was buried on the 8th December 1805 in Wivenhoe, aged 56 years. Jeffrey would outlive her by 23 years.
Death
Jeffrey died in 1830 and was buried on 17th February 1830 at Wivenhoe in Essex. Wivenhoe
| Name | Birth | Death |
| Children of Jeffrey and Jane Ruffell
| ||
| Mary | baptised 29/06/1777 baptised Little Horkesley, Essex |
|
| Frances | baptised 25/04/1779 baptised Little Horkesley, Essex |
buried 03/06/1799 buried Wivenhoe, Essex
|
| Susanna | baptised 03/06/1780 baptised Little Horkesley, Essex |
|
| Jeffrey | baptised 11/05/1783 baptised Little Horksley, Essex |
|
| Sarah | baptised c.1789 baptised Little Horkesley , Essex |
c1875 |
References
- Seax - Essex Parish Registers
- Information from Geoff Nelson and Trevor Rix, Ruffle Research Group
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JSJR-HL6 : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jane Strand, 30 Apr 1749; citing Sudbury, Suffolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 898000.
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N5KQ-PZ1 : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jane Strand, 30 Apr 1749; citing STOKE BY NAYLAND,SUFFOLK,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 919631.
- "England, Marriages, 1538–1973 ," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NLCR-S6X : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jeffrey Ruffle and Jane Strand, ; citing Little Horkesley,Essex,England, reference ; FHL microfilm 857078.
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7MT-8FS : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jefery Ruffell in entry for Frances Ruffell, 25 Apr 1779; citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 857078.
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NB9N-QHV : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jeffery Ruffle in entry for Susanna Ruffle, 03 Jun 1780; citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 857078.
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N5M7-H29 : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jeffery Ruffle, 11 May 1783; citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 857078.
- "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N5M7-H2S : accessed 23 Feb 2013), Jeffery Ruffle in entry for Jeffery Ruffle, 11 May 1783; citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 857078.
- "Pedigree Resource File", database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.2.1/9Q7S-YBS : accessed 2013-02-23), entry for Jane Strand.
Footnotes (including sources)
| ¶ Death |
|