19th Century

+ The majority of the Family still live in Bosham in the early part of the Century but movement is seen to other Sussex villages within about a 10 mile radius of Bosham. A few now live in North or South London as well as in surrounding shires - Surrey, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire

 

+ Tom KERVELL (1763-1830), Bosham Parish Clerk, is notorious in the early 1800s for his alleged arson of old Church Records following a dispute with the then Vicar, William KILWICK. A parson described in C J Longhurst's Book about Bosham as a man who "neglected his church, his parish and his vicarage and the authority of such a man in the parish was literally nothing"

 

+KEARVELL spelling becomes the universal spelling used from the 1840's following the commencement of civil registration of births, marriages and deaths. One wonders who in the Family was the catalyst for adopting that particular spelling? A spelling that binds all worldwide KEARVELLs  to this day

 

+ John KEARVELL (1787-1868), Carpenter and Wheelwright, repairs Bosham Church Tower and Spire for £220 in 1841 and is paid in instalments as the Church lacked funds. In 1845 John made new pews for the Church and to this day his name and date still remain on the underside of the seat (“click” here for photo)

 

+ June 1869 at the Central Criminal Court sees the forgery trial and imprisonment of Frederick BESWICK

(1817-1882), the Chief Constable of Birkenhead and the future husband of Ellen KEARVELL (1846- 1919)

of West Stoke Sussex. Soon after their marriage in January 1874 in London they change surname to EGERTON

 

+ Victorian Census Returns (1841-1891) show a predominance of artisans amongst the Family - Carpenters,

Wheelwrights, Shipwrights, Bricklayers, Painters. The late Victorian Returns evidence some Family craftsmen

beginning to prosper and employ men and labourers as well as own land. Occupations such as Baker, Tailor

and Clerk, including the first Bank Clerk, are now seen. Other males work as Labourers whilst many females

are working in Domestic Service

 

+ 1881 Star Newspaper Issue 4120 dated 5 July  Supreme Court Criminal Sittings,  Christchurch New Zealand

Mark Kearvell pleaded 'Guilty to two indicments charging him with Robbery with Violence and Larceny. He gave no explanation of his conduct and Detective John Neil gave the prisoner a very bad character. Sentenced to 5 years Penal Servitude'. Previous to this information Mark had last been seen in 1871 England and Wales Census records as a 16 year old Farm Boy in Bosham, Sussex. He becomes the first known family member to appear in New Zealand.

Newgate Gaolers

+ The 2nd Boer War at the end of the Century claims the life of Frederick James "Harry" KEARVELL (1876 - 1900 by which time he was using the LEVETT surname of his step-father), son of Charlotte KEARVELL of Bosham. A Gunner in the 67th Battery Royal Field Artillery who saw action at the Battle of Talana and the Defence of Ladysmith. He died of Enteric Fever at Ladysmith in February 1900

Troops in Ladysmith October 1899

18th Century

20th Century

+ The early 1890's sees the first Family emigration to Australia. Bricklayer Edward KEARVELL (1854-1934) from West Ashling with his Wife, Alice COLLINS (1857-1933), and children start a new life in Adelaide, South Australia