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

Showing posts with label Bradninch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bradninch. Show all posts

Wednesday 29 November 2023

Eli Drew and Anna Goff

High Street becomes Fore Street, Cullompton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/4955008

Eli Drew (b. 5 Nov 1860), son of Thomas Drew and Ann Trickey, married Anna Goff (b. 1863) daughter of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, on 7 Jul 1886. Witnesses to the marriage were William Goff and Mary Blackmore (née Goff), both of them Anna's older siblings.

There is no birth registration, nor baptism for Eli Drew (there are for all of his siblings), however he was listed with his parents in Bradninch, in 1861. His father died in 1871 and Eli (10) was that year out working as a Farm Servant for Philip Walters (39) Farmer, in Collumpton. In 1881, Eli Drew (20) Shoemaker, was home with his mother, who remarried in 1874.

Eli and Anna Drew had six children:

  1. Lily Drew b. 7 Jul 1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421, bap. 17 Aug 1887 in Cullompton
  2. Charles Eli Drew b. 6 Jun 1889 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 415, bap. 4 Jul 1889 in Cullompton. Killed in Action 1916.
  3. Frank Goff Drew b. 29 Oct 1890 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 364, bap. 3 Dec 1890 in Cullompton
  4. Albert Drew b. 1893 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 411, bap. 7 Dec 1894. Died, at 21 months, in 1894 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 268 and was buried on 16 Dec 1894 in Cullompton
  5. Bertie Drew b. 3 Jun 1895 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 383
  6. Gladys May Drew b. 1898 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 388, bap. 15 Oct 1898. Died at 6 months in 1898 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 253 and was buried on 30 Oct 1898 in Cullompton
In 1891, Eli Drew (30) Boot maker was in the High Street, Cullompton with Annie Drew (27), Lily Drew (4), Charles Eli Drew (2) and Frank Goff Drew (0).

Anna Drew died, aged 34, in 1898 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 264 and was buried on 3 Jun 1898, in Kentisbeare. Given the date her last child was born, I think we can guess at the cause of her death.

Eli Drew then remarried, on 22 Sep 1900, to Mary Ann Richards.

Born Mary Ann Read, in 1868, daughter of John Read and Mary Ann Pook, she had previously married William James Richards, in Tiverton District, in 1896. William James Richards had died, at 38, in 1900. Mary Ann brought with her two children from her previous marriage: John James Richards b. 11 Jun 1897 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 383 and Polly Read Richards b. 14 Jan 1899 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 394.

Eli and Mary Ann then added another seven children:
  1. Thomas John Drew b. 2 Jun 1901 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 387, bap. 25 Sep 1901 in Cullompton
  2. Winifred Violet Read Drew b. 21 Dec 1902 (1903 M Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 364)
  3. Richard Leslie Drew b. 10 Dec 1904 (1905 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 369)
  4. Evelyn Dorothy Drew b. 23 Mar 1906 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 376
  5. James Drew b. 7 Jul 1908 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 352
  6. Robert George Eli Drew b. 13 Aug 1910 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 341. Died, aged 12, in 1923 S Qtr in EXETER Vol 05B Page 65
  7. Alec Drew b. 6 Dec 1915 (1916 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 591)
In 1901, Eli Drew (40) Licenced Victualler and Bootmaker was at the Angel Inn, Fore Street, Cullompton (The Licence was passed from [William] James Richards to Mrs Richards (i.e. Mary Ann), who in turn transferred it to her second husband, Eli Drew), with Mary Ann Drew (31), Lily Drew (13), Charles Drew (11), Frank Drew (10), Bertie Drew (5), John Richards (3), Polly Richards (1) and three boarders: Joseph Gale (53) Agricultural Labourer and Beatrice Royal (24) and Mena Rambow (22), who were both Actresses. 

By 1911, Eli Drew (50) Bootmaker was living on Cullompton Hill, Bradninch (having transferred the licence at the Angel in 1901), with Mary Ann Drew (40) Working at mill; John James Richards (13), Polly Read Richards (11), Thomas John Drew (9), Winifred Violet Drew (8), Richard Drew (6), Evelyn Drew (5), James Drew (2) and Robert Drew (0). That year Charles Drew (21) was boarding with the family of Samuel Pring in Pound Square, Cullompton; Frank G Drew was boarding with the family of Henry Willey in Exeter Road, Cullompton and Bert Drew was boarding in the household of James Broom, also on Exeter Road, Cullompton.

On 13 Aug 1918, giving his DOB as 5 Nov 1868 and therefore age as 50, Eli Drew, Shoemaker, volunteered for Military Service with the Royal Air Force.

In 1921, Eli Drew (60) Boot Maker and Repairer was again living on Cullompton Hill, Bradninch, with Mary Ann Drew (53), Bertie Drew (26), Mary Drew (25) [wife of Bertie]; Winnie Drew (18), Richard Leslie Drew (16), Evelyn Dorothy Drew (15) (Evelyn Dorothy Drew (15) was double-counted, also being listed next door in the household of Annie Georgina Tree), James Drew (12), Eli Robert Drew (10), Alec Drew (5), and grandchildren, Kenneth Albert Drew (2) and Hazel May Drew (1) - Bertie & Mary's children.

Mary Ann Drew died, at 62, in 1932 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 656.

In 1939, Eli Drew, Boot Maker, Widowed, was still living on Cullompton Hill, Bradninch, with youngest son, Alec Drew, Assurance Agent.

Eli Drew died, at 92, on 18 Dec 1952 (1952 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A Page 738) and is buried in St Dionysius Churchyard, Bradninch, Plot 2.17.

  1. Lily Drew married George James Underhay (b. 1 Jun 1885, in Winkleigh, Devon), son of George James Underhay and Mary Lugg, in Totnes, Devon, in 1908. George and Lily had one daughter, Hazel May Drew b. 3 Dec 1908 ( 1909 M Quarter in TOTNES Volume 05B Page 143). In 1921, the three were living at 1, Handley Road, Gosport, where George was working as a Joiner for the Admiralty. George James Underhay died in Gosport, in 1969. Lily Underhay died in Droxford, Hampshire, in 1976.
  2. Private Charles DrewDevonshire Regiment 1st/4th Bn, was Killed in Action on 8 Mar 1916 in Mesopotamia (modern IraqNo known grave. Commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq (Panel 11). He's also remembered on the World War I board at Cullompton Methodist Church.
  3. Frank Goff Drew married Florence Annie Willey (b. 9 Nov 1893 in Tiverton), daughter of Henry Willey and Charlotte Gardener, in Tiverton, Devon, in 1913. They had one daughter, Mollie Delphine Goff Drew, b. 8 Apr 1914 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 679. On 9 Oct 1914, Frank Goff Drew enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment, 7th Battalion. He later served with the Royal Army Service Corps. In 1921, they were living with Charlotte Willey and in 1939 at 92 Exeter Road, Cullompton. Frank Goff Drew died on 4 Sep 1980 and is buried at Cullompton Cemetery. Florence Annie Drew died in 1982.
  4. Bertie Drew (as Albert Drew) enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry, but was discharged after 17 days. He married Mary Matthews in Pontypridd, Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1917. They had two children, Albert Kenneth Drew b. 1918 and Hazel May Drew b. 1920. In 1921, they were staying with Bert's parents. In 1939, Bert, Mary and Hazel May Drew were living at 9 Passmore Road, Bradninch. Bertie Drew died at 73 in 1968.
  5. John James Richards married Martha Elizabeth Alma Western Packer (b. 28 Feb 1900), daughter of John Packer and Alma Western, at Exeter Registry Office, in 1920. A newspaper report of his divorce petition, in the Western Morning News of 20 Nov 1940, says they had seven children (I've found records for six); that his wife had left him in 1937 and that three of the younger children had been sent to Australia under a farm school scheme. In 1939, John James Richards was living at 23 Westfield Road, Bradninch with four of the children and his eldest daughter as Housekeeper. Meanwhile, Martha E A Richards was living in Dinham Road, Exeter with George Albert Denning (b. 12 Dec 1915) and the daughter they had together b. 1939. Martha E A W Richards married George A Denning in 1941. One presumes she was divorced again as Martha E A W Denning married again in 1952 and George A Denning remarried in 1954. (I've not found a record of a death of John James Richards and wonder if maybe he too emigrated.)
  6. Polly Read Richards married William Henry Poole in 1921. They had one daughter, Sybil May Poole b. 1921. In 1939 they were in Bradninch. William Henry Poole died in 1956. Polly Read Poole died in 1987.
  7. Thomas John Drew joined the Royal Navy, as an Assistant Cook, on his 18th birthday, 2 Jun 1919. He was however invalided in August 1921, due to Fibrosis of the lung (Pulmonary fibrosis). Thomas John Drew married Elizabeth Alice Turner (b. 13 May 1900 in Clyst St Lawrence, Devon), daughter of James Turner and Thomasine Stone, in Tiverton, in 1926. They had one son, Roy Eli Drew b. 27 Aug 1928. In 1939, the three were living at Mana Cottage, Passways Street, Bradninch. Thomas John Drew died at 39 in 1940. Elizabeth Alice Drew died, aged 44, on 21 July 1944, leaving her effects to Eli Drew and Richard Leslie Drew. 
  8. Winifred Violet Read Drew married Howard Raymond Willetts (b. 19 Jan 1902 in Erdington, Birmingham), son of Thomas George Willetts and Sarah Gough, in Birmingham on 2 Aug 1927. Howard Raymond Willetts had joined the RAF on 16 Nov 1920 and it lists his previous Civilian Occupation as Electrician at the Austin Motor Company, Longbridge Works, Northfield, Birmingham. Howard and Winifred appear to have had three daughters in 1928, 1930 and 1931. In 1939, Winifred V R Willetts was living at 71 Ilmington Road, Birmingham with the three children. Howard Willetts was discharged from the RAF in 1940. Howard R G Willetts died at 64, in Birmingham, in 1967. Winifred Violet Read Willetts of St Anthony's Nursing Home, 72 Middleton Hall Road, Kings Norton, died in 1999. Her funeral on 26 Jan 1999 was conducted by Co Op Funeral Services (Yardley) at Yardley Crematorium.
  9. Richard Leslie Drew married Marjorie Rowland (b. 19 Aug 1908 in Taunton, Somerset), daughter of John Rowland and Bessie Winter, in Tiverton, in 1935. Richard and Marjorie Drew had two sons, born in 1937 and 1940. In 1939, Richard, Marjorie and their elder child were living at Malt House Tenement, Bradninch. Richard Leslie Drew died in 1983 and Marjorie Drew died, in Exeter, in 1992.
  10. Evelyn Dorothy Drew married Edward Charles Bale (b. 19 Dec 1905), in Tiverton, in 1931. In 1921, Edward Bale (15) was living in Chapel Street, Bradninch with a George and Janet Suell, listed as their adopted son. I cannot locate any other records for them, before or since, nor of Edward's birth. Edward and Evelyn had three sons between 1931 and 1938 and a daughter in 1941. In 1939, Edward, Evelyn and the three boys were living at No 2 Winsor House, Bradninch. Edward Charles Bale died in 1984. Evelyn Dorothy Bale died, in Exeter, in 1995.
  11. James Drew never married and died, at 50, on 12 Jun 1959, leaving his effects to Richard Leslie Drew and Evelyn Dorothy Bale.
  12. Alec Drew married Elsie V J Champion, in Exeter, in 1948. Born Elsie Vera Joan Addicott (b. 8 Sep 1918 in Newton Abbot), daughter of Walter Addicott, Police Constable, and Edith Maud Mary Woodley, she had previously married Alfred John Champion in 1940, with whom she had two children in 1942 and 1944. Alfred John Champion died, in Exeter, in 1983, so presumably their marriage was disolved. Alec and Elsie Drew had one daughter, born in 1949. Alec Drew died, in Exeter, in 1995 and Elsie Vera J Drew died in East Devon, in 2003.

Sunday 12 November 2023

James Ridgeway and Thomasin Rookley


Bradninch: Devon Valley Mill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/71623
Also known as Hele Mill; there has been a paper mill here since at least 1765. These buildings date from the 20th century. The brick building carries a datestone of 1912. In previous centuries several other paper mills relied on the water power of the river Culm, seen here flowing under a bridge that may have once carried a siding into the works from the nearby railway.

James Ridgeway, son of James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock, married Thomasin Rookley (bap. 28 Feb 1841), daughter of John Rookley and Mary Ayres, on 12 Nov 1859, at the parish church of St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare.

In 1861, James Ridgeway (25), Thomasin Ridgeway (20) and Samuel Rookley (4) Nephew, were living at Kentismoor [Farm], Kentisbeare.

The only child I have been able to find of this marriage was the birth of James Ridgeway in 1866, baptised in Kentisbeare on 25 Dec 1866. He died, aged 6 months and was buried, also in Kentisbeare churchyard, on 5 May 1867.

James Ridgway (37), Thomasin Ridgeway (28), still living at the 'Moor' [Kentismoor Farm] in 1871, had Thomasin's father, John Rookley (78) still employed as a Farm Labourer, living with them. John Rookely died shortly afterwards, aged 78, and was buried on 14 May 1871.

By 1881, James Ridgeway (45) and Thomasin Ridgeway (35), had moved to Rhode [Farm], Bradninch. Two nephews were staying with them as visitors, Walter Hartley (8) from Portsmouth and John Hartley (7) from Wales.

In 1891, James Ridgway (50) Farm Labourer and Thomasin Ridgeway (45) now working at the paper mill, were living in Hele, Bradninch.

In 1901, at Lower Hele, Bradninch, were James Ridgeway (68) Agricultural Labourer and Tamsin (sic) Ridgeway (60) Rag cutter in a paper mill.

Still at Lower Hele in 1911, where James Ridgway (77) and Tomassie (sic) Ridgeway (70) were both described as "Old Age Pensioner". Mary James (67) Widow of No occupation from Plymtree, was a visitor staying with them. (The "Old Age Pension" was introduced in 1909 in the United Kingdom (which then included all of Ireland). Following the passage of the Old-Age Pensions Act 1908 a pension of 5 shillings per week (25p, equivalent, using the Consumer Price Index, to £26 in present-day terms), or 7s.6d per week (equivalent to £39/week today) for a married couple, was payable to persons with an income below £21 per annum (equivalent to £2200 today), The qualifying age was 70, and the pensions were subject to a means test.)

James Ridgeway died, aged 78 in 1913 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 492.

Thomasin Ridgeway died at 76 in 1918 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 503.