Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Sunday 15 September 2024

Henry Wilton and Martha Douse

Saint Mary the Virgin, Great Shelford

Henry Wilton (bap. 12 Apr 1702), son of Henry Wilton and Elizabeth Bissell, first married Mary Simper, on 14 Jan 1727 in Sawston, Cambridgeshire, with whom he had a daughter, Mary Wilton bap. 18 Nov 1728. However, it appears that Mary Wilton and the infant were buried in Stapleford on 28 Nov 1728.

Henry Wilton, groom from Stapleford, then married Martha Douse (bap. 8 Jul 1711 in Great Shelford), daughter of Philip Douse and Constance Harvey, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire on 15 Sep 1732.

Henry and Martha Wilton had three children baptised in Stapleford:

  1. Henry Wilton bap. 2 Sep 1733
  2. Richard Wilton, bap. 16 Oct 1737
  3. Martha Wilton bap. 21 Oct 1739

Henry Wilton was buried on 21 Oct 1739, at Stapleford.

Martha Wilton was buried on 24 Oct 1766, also at Stapleford.

Anthony Cleghorn and Margaret Jane Murray

The River Tweed at Carham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Walter Baxter - geograph.org.uk/p/270077
Viewed from England at Carham, the village of Birgham in Scotland is on the left

Anthony Cleghorn married Margaret Jane Murray on 15 Sep 1770 at St Paul's ChurchShadwell. Not the current church, built in 1821, but the old church, traditionally known as the Church of Sea Captains. Both "of this parish", bachelor and spinster, respectively and both were able to sign their names. Witnesses were George Cleghorn (presumably a relative) and an Andrew Hedly. Literate people, with family at the wedding, probably hadn't 'run away' to London to marry, but what brought them there and when, isn't clear.

Anthony Cleghorn was baptised at Carham, Northumberland on 17 Mar 1745, the son of John Cleghorn. There is a marriage, in Carham, of a John Cleghorn to an Isabel Edmiston, on 27 Mar 1733, who may well be his parents.

It isn't possible to go any further north than Carham, without going over the border into Scotland and with a name like Murray, there's an enormous probability that was where Margaret Jane was originally from. Sadly, trying to find the right Murray in Scotland is like trying to find the right Jones in Wales or Sweeney in Ireland! So, for now at least that's as far as we can go. 

The couple had at least three children, all baptised at St Paul's, Shadwell: 
  1. Isabella Cleghorn b. 7 Jul 1771, bap. 28 Jul 1771
  2. William Guthrie Cleghorn b. 1772
  3. Ann Phillis Cleghorn b. 1777
On the baptism record for the 21 day old Isabella Cleghorn, daughter of Anthony and Margaret Jane, in 1771, it gives the family's address as Farmer Street, Shadwell and Anthony's occupation as a Baker.

So far, I've found no further records for this couple.

St Paul's Church, ShadwellJ Shepherd, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Saturday 14 September 2024

Morris Glede and Sarah Thorn

St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3477077

Morris Glede (or Gleed) b. 1783, married Sarah Thorn b. 1793, at St Dunstan and All SaintsStepney on 14 Sep 1812. Both of them were listed as from the Hamlet of Ratcliff, a sub-district, in Stepney and Limehouse parishes. The marriage was solemnised in the presence of [unreadable] and Ann Gleed. 

Records exist for the following children: 
  1. William Gleed b. 26 Dec 1813, bap. 20 Feb 1814 at St Dunstan
  2. Sarah Glede b. 1 Aug 1815, bap. 3 Dec 1815 in Edmonton
  3. Marian Glead b. 3 Aug 1818, bap. 18 Oct 1818 in Edmonton 
  4. Esther Gleed, bap. 12 Nov 1829 at St Dunstan and All Saints
  5. Robert Morris Gleed, b. 8 Oct 1833, bap. 14 Jan 1844 at All Saints, Poplar
All of the baptisms show them as children of Morris and Sarah. On Sarah's baptism, their address is listed as Fore Street, Edmonton.

In 1841, Morris Gleed (58), wife Sarah (48), daughter Esther (17) and son Morris (8) were living in Water Lane, Fore Street, Edmonton. Also in the household were Thomas Acland (20) and Sarah Batts (4). (There is no indication of relationships in 1841, but could she be a granddaughter?)

Morris Gleed died, at 58, in 1843 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03 Page 97. 

In 1851, Sarah Gleed (58), widow, laundress, from Bromley, Middlesex, was at Victory Row, Mile End Old Town, with Morris (18) dock labourer. 

There is a death of a Sarah Gleed with age estimated as 74, in 1865 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 553, which may relate.

Thursday 12 September 2024

Jeremiah Woodbery and Ann Brice

Burlescombe Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Nick Chipchase - geograph.org.uk/p/3419551

Jeremiah Woodbery (bap. 23 Dec 1715 in Burlescombe), son of Johanis [John] Woodbury and Gratia [Grace] Stanbury, married Anne Brice (bap. 10 Oct 1718 in Holcombe Rogus), daughter of John and Dorothy Brice, on 12 Sep 1737, at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus.

Jeremiah and Anne had at least these six children:
  1. Johannes [John] Woodbery bap. 24 Feb 1739 in Burlescombe [1]
  2. Betty Woodbery bap. 2 May 1742 in Holcombe Rogus
  3. Dorothy Woodbery bap. 11 Apr 1746 in Holcombe Rogus
  4. Grace Woodbery bap. 9 Dec 1753 in Holcombe Rogus [2]
  5. Mary Woodbery bap. 16 Dec 1757 in Holcombe Rogus
  6. Thomas Woodbery bap. 6 Sep 1762 in Holcombe Rogus
There is also a Jeremiah Woodbury b. 1744-1745 attributed to this couple, but I've not seen a baptism record to confirm that this is their child.

As we can see, they were still writing the records in Latin in Burlescombe.

Anne Woodbury died at 47 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus on 22 Nov 1765. Jeremiah Woodberry (80) was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1795.
  1. John Woodbery married Elizabeth Webber in Holcombe Rogus on 25 Jun 1759. Elizabeth Woodbury died in 1783 and John Woodbery in 1807.
  2. It appears Grace Woodberry (sic) married William Cotterell of Bampton, Widower, in Burlescombe, on 9 May 1779.

Henry Bradley, Mary Chapman and Mary Thompson

Ye Olde King's Head, Chigwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/7349355
The main part of this set of buildings is the Olde Kings Head, a former coaching inn on Chigwell's High Road opposite the church. It is grade II* listed and probably dates from the 17th century, although some sources give a very specific date of 1547. Closer to the camera are the grade II listed King's Head Cottages built in the 18th century. The inn is said to have been the model for the Maypole in Charles Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge.

Henry Bradley, son of Thomas Bradley and Sarah Garton, married Mary Chapman, in Chigwell, on 19 May 1810. This couple had one son:
  1. Henry William Bradley bap. 1 Sep 1811 in Chigwell, Essex
However, this first Mary Bradley died on 26 July 1812, aged 22, was buried, also in Chigwell, on 2 Aug 1812. Henry Bradley, widowed, then remarried, again at St Mary's Church, Chigwell, on 12 Sep 1813 to Mary Thompson

Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson had at least eight children:
  1. Elizabeth Ann Bradley born 29 Oct 1814, bap. 20 Nov 1814 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
  2. Sarah Anne Bradley bap. 29 Apr 1816 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
  3. Thomas Bradley bap. 22 Jun 1817. A note on this baptism record says, "Whilst St Mary Woodford Was Being Repaired, The Ceremony Of Baptism Was Performed At St Mary Wanstead."
  4. Ann Bradley bap. 20 Sep 1818 (presumably didn't survive)
  5. Ann Bradley bap. 30 Jan 1820
  6. James Bradley bap. 2 May 1824
  7. Henry Bradley bap. 8 Jan 1826
  8. Eliza Bradley bap. 13 Apr 1828
The baptism records all list Henry's occupation and Labourer and several of them also list the family's residence as Grange Hill, Chigwell, Woodford.

In 1841, at Grange Hill, Chigwell, Epping, were Henry Bradley (50) Ag Lab, Mary (45), James (15), Henry (15) and Elizabeth (14) - presumably Eliza?

In 1851, Henry Bradley (63) Ag Lab, birthplace Woodford Bridge and Mary Bradley (54) born in Takeley, Essex, were living at King William, Chigwell Horse Lane, Epping. I'm sure Chigwell Horse Lane became Chigwell Road / High Road and wonder if the previous name was to distinguish it from other lanes that weren't even fit for horses? All joking aside, meaning the main thoroughfare that passes coaching inns, such as the King's Head.

Mary Bradley died, aged 65 in 1860 M Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 35, and was buried on 29 Jan 1860 in Chigwell.

Henry Bradley died, aged 74 in 1862 M Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 35, and was buried on 30 Mar 1862.

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins

Ducklington Duckpond
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dave Price - geograph.org.uk/p/3483077
On
Fritillary Sunday with St Bartholomew's Church.

Samuel Blazey (bap. 7 Nov 1841 in Heigham, Norfolk), son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, married Elizabeth Wiggins (bap. 14 Apr 1844 in Ducklington, Oxfordshire), daughter of Alfred Wiggins and Anne Adams, on 11 Sep 1864, at St Bartholomew’s church, Ducklington-with-Hardwick, Oxfordshire. Samuel was described as a Railway Servant, residing in Witney; Elizabeth, who was (20) under age at the time, was resident in Ducklington. Witnesses to the marriage were John Wright (possibly a cousin) and Maria Blazey (wife of Samuel's brother, Francis Robert Blazey).

Samuel and Elizabeth had five children:
  1. Alice Hannah Blazey b. 6 Feb 1865 (1865 M Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 651), bap. 5 Jun 1878 at Holy Trinity, Heigham, Norwich
  2. Francis Blazey bap. 18 Oct 1867 in Drayton, Norfolk
  3. Alfred Blazey b. 8 Oct 1869 (1869 D Quarter in SAINT FAITHS Volume 04B Page 98), bap. 26 May 1870 in Drayton, Norfolk
  4. William Blazey b. 1872 in Worcester, bap. Whit Sunday 24 May 1874, at 2 years old, at St Bartholomew’s, Ducklington
  5. Elizabeth Eliza Blazey, b. 8 Jan 1874 (1874 M Quarter in WORCESTER Volume 06C Page 346), bap. 8 Mar 1874, in Worcester
The mother's maiden name on Alice Hannah's birth registration was correctly listed as WIGGINS, on Alfred's, WIGGENS and on Elizabeth Eliza's WIGGIN. There don't seem to be GRO registrations for Francis or William.

In 1871, listed as James Blazer (sic) (29) Engine Driver from Norfolk; Elizabeth (28) from Ducklington; Alice (6) born in Witney; Francis (4) and Alfred (1), were at Norwich Upper Road, Drayton, Norfolk. 

Elizabeth Blazey, aged 30, died, in Q1 of 1874 - can probably surmise why - and was buried on 18 Jan 1874, at St. Paul's Parish, Worcester.

In 1881, Samuel Blazey (35), widowed, Fireman on Railway, was living at 3, Duke Street, Heigham, Norwich (Duke's Cross Street (subsequently renamed as Manchester Street) with his widowed mother. Alfred (11) was living with them. Alice Blazey (17) was a General Servant to Joseph Clayden, Lodging house keeper at 16, Westbourne Place, St George Hanover Square; Francis (13), was living with his Aunt and Uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff (Samuel's sister Eliza) at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London, where he was Shop boy to greengrocer. William Blazey (7) Grandson was living with his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins in Ducklington, Witney; While Elizabeth Eliza (7), was living with John and Hannah Versey, originally from Devon, in Worcester, described as their Adopted Daughter.

In 1891, Samuel Blazey (49) Fireman, Railway and daughter, Elizabeth (17) Tailoress, were living with Samuel's mother, Hannah (78) at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich. Alice Hannah had married in 1888; Francis Blazey (25) and Alfred Blazey (21) Dock Labourers, were living with their aunt and uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff, in Kensington, London; William Blazey (19) was again living with his grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins, in Ducklington.

In the press of 14 May 1892, Samuel Blazey of Union Place, Norwich, a Great Eastern Railway employee, was reported as giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Robert George Buckingham (18) who died when hit by a ballast train running from Norwich to Cromer. Samuel Blazey was the Engine Driver's, mate and fireman on the train. Blazey said that Hubbard [driver] had just shut off steam before pulling up at Worstead, three-quarters of a mile from the station, and witness was putting on the injector in order to get more water into the boiler, when only four or five yards in front of the buffers he thought he saw a lad. Witness flew to the brake, and his mate promptly stopped the train. The inquest found that there was no one to blame.

In 1901, Samuel Blazey (57) Railway Labourer, was living at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich, with his mother, Hannah (90).

In 1908, Samuel Blazey appeared in the local City and County directory at 19 Manchester Street, listed as a Chimney Sweeper.

Samuel does not appear on either the 1911 or 1921 Census, however, he died in 1925 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 161, at 83. 

Sunday 8 September 2024

William Tooze and Sophia Disney

St Andrew's Church, Halberton, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Wayland Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/6557083

William Tooze (bap. 3 Apr 1809) son of Thomas Tooze and Joan Potter, married Sophia Disney at St Andrew's Church, Halberton, Devon, on 8 Sep 1831. Sophia was most likely born around 1805 - census records place her birth anywhere between 1803 and 1808 - and she is consistently listed as being born in Thorne St Margaret, Somerset, as was Eliza Disney (b. 1807), wife of William's elder brother, Richard Tooze. Baptisms for that parish are not freely available online, so I haven't seen baptism records for either, but I imagine there's a good chance that the two could have been sisters.

William and Sophia had three children:
  1. Thomas Tooze bap. 10 Feb 1833 in Holcombe Rogus
  2. Edward Tooze bap. 29 Nov 1835 in Holcombe Rogus.
    Died, aged 7, and was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1843.
  3. Eliza Tooze bap. 20 Jun 1838 in Burlescombe.
    Died, aged 4 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1842.
William's occupation listed on all the baptisms was Thatcher.

In 1841, William Tooze (30), Sophia Tooze (35), Thomas (8), Edward (5) and Eliza (3) were living at Ridgeway Gate, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1851, William Tooze (40) Thatcher; Sophia Tooze (43) and Thomas Tooze (18) Thatcher were again living at Ridgeway, Pound Hill, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1861, William Tooze (59) Thatcher; Sophia Tooze (58) and Sophia Tooze (7) Granddaughter, were again listed at Ridgeway Gate, Holcombe Rogus.

William Tooze died, aged 60, in 1869 M Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 297.

In 1871, Sophia Tooze (67) Widow, Gardenwoman, and granddaughter, Sophia Tooze (17) Fancy Worker, were still at Ridgeway Gate.

Sophia Tooze died in 1875 J Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 274, aged ~70. She was buried in Holcombe Rogus on 4 Jun 1875.

Saturday 7 September 2024

William Watson and Mary Ann White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

William Watson (bap. 9 Jul 1833 in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk), son of Mark Watson and Lydia Maria Fox, married Mary Ann White (bap. as Marianne, 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 7 Sep 1856, at St Margaret's Church, Norwich. On the marriage certificate, both parties are listed as 21, whereas Mary Ann was actually 30.

William and Mary Anne had four children:
  1. Sarah White b. 20 Feb 1852, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
  2. Mary Ann Watson b. 25 Aug 1857 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 183, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
  3. William Watson b.1859 S Qtr in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 189
  4. James Francis Watson b. 1862 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 125
Sarah was baptised, honestly, as White, but subsequently used Watson.

In 1861, in King Street, St Julian, Norwich, were William Watson (27) General Labourer; Mary Ann Watson (34) from Mattishall; Sarah Watson (9), William Watson (1), William White (27) Market Gardener, Brother-in-Law (Mary Ann's brother); Susan White (32) (William White's wife) and Alice White (4). Second daughter, Mary Ann Watson (4) was staying with her grandfather, Mark Watson (60) at May Green, Little Ryburgh.

In 1871, William Watson (38) Farm Labourer from Little Ryburgh; Mary Ann Watson (44) from Mattishall; William Watson (11) and James F Watson (8) were living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew (as were Mary Ann's sister, Hannah and her husband). Sarah Watson (19) was staying with her Aunt Ann Martyn in in Lothian Street, Norwich, while Mary Ann Watson (13) was staying with her grandparents, William White and Ann Francis

In 1881, we find Mary Ann Watson (54) Laundress, listed as Married (Not located William) living at Rowena Buildings, Thorpe Next Norwich with Mary Ann Watson (23) Laundress and James Francis Watson (18) Labourer.

In 1891, listed as Mary Wilson (sic) (64) from Mattishall, Mary Ann was living with her brother-in-law and sister, George and Maria Woods, in Ipswich Road, Norwich. Mary was again listed as married, but no sign of William.

In 1901, Mary Ann Watson (74) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk was living in the household of her youngest child, James Francis Watson (38) Telegraph Foreman (railway) at 62, Glenny Road, Barking, Romford, Essex.

Mary Ann Watson died, at 75, in 1902 M Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A 304.

John Hurley Coombe and Mary Jane Southcott

East side of St Peter's Church, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/6219976

John Hurley Coombe, son of James Coombe and Sarah Hurley, married Mary Jane Southcott, daughter of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, on 7 Sep 1869. On the marriage certificate they're both listed as being of 'full' age. Mary Jane, born in the 2nd quarter of 1854, according to the GRO record of her birth, will actually only have been 15. Witnesses to the marriage were James Coombe and Mary Bawden.

John and Mary Jane had six children:

  1. John William Southcott Coombe b. 1869 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439. (Died at 7 in 1876 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 270)
  2. Sarah Jane Coombe b. 7 Nov 1871 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 133, bap. 19 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Hoxton. (Died aged 5, in 1876 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 89, and was buried on 19 Sep 1876 at Victoria Park Cemetery, Hackney.)
  3. Fanny Maria Coombe b. 1874 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 125
  4. Frederick Coombe b. 1876 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 127
  5. Charles Henry Coombe b. 1878 D Qtr in HOLBORN Vol 01B P 677
  6. James Coombe b. 1883 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 659 (Died 1884 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 435)
In 1871, John H Coombe (24) Tailor, Mary J Coombe (18) and John H S Coombe (1) were living in Kiddles Court, Tiverton, Devon, with his father, James Coombe, who married Mary Jane's mother, Temperance, in 1866.

In 1881, John Hurley Coombe (35) Journeyman tailor from Tiverton, Devon, Mary Jane Coombe (28), Fanny Maria Coombe (7), Frederick Coombe (5) and Charles Henry Coombe (3) were at 10, Green Street, St Andrew Holborn. 

Then Mary Jane Coombe (née Southcott) died, aged 33, in 1887 J Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 408.

In 1891, John H Coombe (45) Widower, was in Leigh Street, Holborn, with Fanny Maria Coombe (17) Packer soap factory, Frederick Coombe (14) Printer's boy and Charles H Coombe (12).

In 1901, John H Coombes (sic) (55) Tailor Journeyman was living in Great Queen Street, Bloomsbury, London, with Frances Maria Coombe (26) Packer in soap factory; Fredrick Coombe (24) Porter Hotel kitchen and Charles H Coombe (22) Tailor journeyman.

In 1911, John Coombe (68) Tailor, Widowed was an Inmate of Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey. (Dining Hall, Holborn Union Workhouse)

John Hurley Coombe died in 1913 J Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 469.

Thursday 5 September 2024

Thomas Stone and Dorothy Carpenter

Fore Street, Kentisbeare
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2793712

Thomas Stone (b. ~1766) married Dorothy (Dolly) Carpenter (bap. 15 Jul 1764), daughter of Edward Carpenter and Mary Winter, at St Mary'sKentisbeare, Devon, on 5 Sep 1787

There are records for nine children, all baptised in Kentisbeare: 

  1. Sally Stone bap. 20 Apr 1788
  2. John Stone, b. 6 Jan 1790, bap. 22 Jan 1792
  3. Henry Stone bap. 22 Jan 1792
  4. Hugh Stone bap. 25 Jul 1793 (buried 19 Nov 1802)
  5. William Stone bap. 26 Apr 1795 (buried 4 Apr 1796)
  6. Mary Stone bap. 2 Apr 1797 (buried 11 Apr 1813)
  7. William Stone bap. 3 Nov 1799
  8. Hugh Stone bap. 15 Feb 1803 (buried 13 Jan 1804)
  9. Elizabeth Stone bap. 7 Sep 1806

Dorothy Stone died, aged 49, and was buried at Kentisbeare on 9 May 1813. 

Thomas Stone remarried, also in Kentisbeare, on 17 Apr 1814 to Mary Hill (probably born around 1773-6). Witnesses to this marriage were Thomas Farnell and Elizabeth Hill. Thomas and Mary had three more children.

  1. Robert Stone bap. 16 Oct 1814
  2. John Stone bap. 10 Mar 1816
  3. Thomas Stone bap. 13 Sep 1818

Thomas Stone died at 72 in 1838 M Qtr in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Vol 10 Page 207 and was buried in Kentisbeare on 26 Jan 1838.

In 1841, Mary Stone (65) was living in "Kentisbeer Village" with her sons Robert Stone (30), John Stone (26) and Thomas Stone (23). 

In 1851, Mary Stone (78), Widow, Pauper, was still living in the village.

Mary Stone, with age estimated to be 84, died in 1857 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 294 and was buried in Kentisbeare.

In 1799, the year my 3rd great-grandfather, William Stone, was born in the village, Betty Limpany was executed in Exeter for burning down the house of her master, William Leech of Kentisbeare. According to Trewman's Exeter Flying Post of April 11th 1799, "She acknowledged her guilt, was very penitent, and behaved in a manner becoming her unhappy situation." 

But the film, Betty Limpany (1997), claims "Betty was said to be pregnant with the master's child and framed for a crime she didn't commit ..." It's also said that she was the last girl (at around 17) to be hanged in England.

It's a small enough village, so the Stones must have known about the house fire. Could they even have known Betty Limpany? Was she seduced by her master? Was she framed, or was she guilty? We'll never know, but for the people of Kentisbeare, it must have been the talk of village for a long time.

The film of the story apparently has a character named "Village Idiot". Gotta wonder which family member was the inspiration for that role?😀

Robert Stone (bap. 1814), son of Thomas Stone and his second wife, Mary Hill, married Jane Farnel (sic) at St Mary, Kentisbeare, on 3 Oct 1844. A Thomas Farnell had been a witness to Robert's parents' marriage, so it's a possibility that these families had known to each other for many years. Robert and Jane had a daughter, Marianne, bap. 15 Jun 1845 in Kentisbeare. Then Robert Stone died, aged 31, and was buried on 27 Dec 1846.