Thomas Stone and Mary Collard

Photo © Roger Cornfoot (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Peters Church, Clayhanger, Wednesday, 27 April, 2016

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Thomas Stone (bap. 4 Jan 1824 in Langford Budville, Somerset), son of William Stone and Mary Thorne, married Mary Collard (b. ~1828 in Bampton, Devon), at Cove Chapel, Cove, Devon (between Tiverton and Bampton) on 2 Apr 1854. Unbelievably, the marriage certificate just lists Thomas Stone, of full age, single, labourer, then resident in Tiverton, with no mention of who his father was. For Mary Collard, all that's listed is her name; no age, no status, no address, no father, no clues whatsoever. They were married by J Spurway. How on earth did he perform a legal marriage with so little detail? 

Worse, the next marriage on the same record page was equally devoid of detail. And yet, The Rev. John Spurway was a prominent 19th-century Rector of the Pitt Portion at St Peter's Church in Tiverton, Devon. Cove Chapel: In 1822, the Rev. J. Spurway was heavily involved in the local parish records and church development, overseeing the district that later became its own ecclesiastical parish. Cove Chapel (later St. John the Baptist) served the area, and Spurway had land ownership in the greater Tiverton/Halberton area. The only irregularity, that I know of, is that the couple had clearly already been in a relationship and living together as man and wife for at least four years. They already had two children, with a third imminently on the way. Perhaps, the Rev. Spurway was known locally as an "ask no questions" kind of guy.

Witnesses to the marriage were George Cornwall (who made his mark with an X) and an H Newton. Newton also witnessed the following marriage, so could simply have been a bloke who hung around churches witnessing marriages for a small consideration. Could have been. It all seems most strange.

Thomas's aunt, Elizabeth Stone, had married in this Chapel in 1827. At that date it was clear that the marriage must have taken place in the old Cove Chapel, said to be Medieval and also said to have dated from 1544, which is Tudor and reading between the lines, I think this infers that a Tudor version had been built over the site of a previous Medieval one already. 

White's Devonshire Directory of 1850 says, "Cove Chapel, in Pitt quarter, is an old dilapidated building, but it is in contemplation to rebuild it." In 1854, it is unclear if it will still have been the old Medieval/Tudor Chapel, or in it's replacement. Heritage Gateway lists, "Chapel of St John the Baptist, Cove (Correspondence). SDV354721. Chapel. 1854-5 by Edward Ashworth of Exeter." That would appear to be the date the new one was designed. Most sources suggest the new chapel was built in 1856 [1, 2, 3]. The old chapel was said to be demolished 'in the 1850s', but there is no clear date. 

An Act for legalizing certain Marriages solemnized in Cove (PDF) dated 13 Mar 1873, explains that, "in or about the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six the ancient consecrated chapel called Cove Chapel, situate in Pitt Portion in the parish of Tiverton in the county of Devon [...] was wholly taken down, in consequence of its dilapidated condition, and rebuilt on different site within the ancient chapel yard belonging thereto, but such new chapel was not consecrated or licensed for the solemnization of marriages ..." Basically, after the new chapel was built, somebody forgot to consecrate it, so Queen Victoria had to legislate to back-date the legalisation of those marriages.

In conclusion, I think the clue is that the new chapel was apparently built in a slightly different location on the plot than the older one, so the demolition was not necessarily done first. My feeling is that Thomas Stone and Mary Collard therefore married in the older, Tudor, chapel. Theirs may well have been one of the last marriages in that building. Maybe they were having a closing down sale, with money off for keeping details to a minimum!

The 'new' chapel was later deconsecrated and is now a private residence.

The bad news: we still have absolutely no idea who Mary Collard was.

This couple eventually had ten children:

1. Mary Jane Stone bap. 2 Jun 1850 at St Mary the Virgin, Burlescombe. I could find no GRO birth registration (under either surname), but she was baptised 'as if' she were legitimate, i.e. her parents lied in a church. :) On Mary Jane's baptism, her father was described as a Husbandman and the family's address was given as "at Amory's, Westcott." [1]
2. Elizabeth Collard b. 23 May 1852 at Clayhanger, Devon was registered at the GRO (1852 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 389) as the (illegitimate) daughter of Mary Collard, with no father listed. Nevertheless, she was baptised at St Peter, Clayhanger, Devon, on 4 Jul 1852, as Elizabeth Stone, once more 'as if' she were legitimate. Their address was simply 'Clayhanger' and her father listed as a Labourer.
3. William Collard Stone bap. 4 Jun 1854 at St Michael's, Stawley [2]
4. Emily Stone bap. 11 Jun 1856 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus
5. Thomas Henry Stone bap. 22 May 1858 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus
6. Benjamin Stone bap. 25 Nov 1860 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus
7. Samuel John Stone bap. 10 May 1863 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus
8. Ellen Rebekah Stone (sic) b. 12 Jan 1865, bap. 5 Feb 1865 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus [3]
9. Caroline Ann Stone b. 7 Oct 1867, bap. 3 Nov 1867 at St Mary the Virgin, Burlescombe [3]
10. Eliza Stone, b. 12 Mar 1870 at Locks Cottage, Holcombe Rogus (1870 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 396), with her mother's maiden name listed as COLLARD; father Thomas Stone, Quarryman, bap. 10 Apr 1870 at All Saints', Holcombe Rogus.

Interesting that they suddenly registered the last child, because Thomas' brother, Henry Stone's youngest is also the only one they registered at the GRO in 1872. In 1870, the civil registration of births in England and Wales was technically required by law, but not actively penalized until the Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1874 made it strictly compulsory in 1875. Perhaps there had been warnings of what was coming around that time.

[1] Amory's Tenement is an agricultural property in the hamlet of Westcott, in the parish of Burlescombe, Devon. The property has roots tracing back to the 17th century. A counterpart lease dating to June 8, 1688, lists Thomas Amory (yeoman) as the tenant under Sir Edward Wyndham of Somerset.

[2] The very next baptism after William Collard Stone's is of Laura Churly, eldest child of George Churly and Mary Ann Stone, Thomas' half-sister.

Photo © David Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Webber's Church of England School, Holcombe Rogus, Wednesday, 31 August, 2016

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

[3] Dates of birth for Ellen Rebecca and Caroline Ann are from the records of their admissions, in 1876 and 1878 respectively, to Holcombe Rogus (Webber's) School (Webber's Church of England Primary School), a co-educational primary school located on Fore Street in the village of Holcombe Rogus, Wellington, Somerset. This school, endowed by a Mrs Webber of Bampton in 1823, is an important component in the centre of the village. Eliza Stone was also registered in 1876, and all list their father as Thomas Stone.

On William Collard, Emily and Thomas Henry's baptisms, their father was listed as a Labourer, but on Benjamin's, as a Quarryman. On Samuel John's and Ellen Rebekah's baptisms it was once again Labourer. In earlier years, Thomas had certainly been an Agricultural Labourer, but later, maybe he'd been a Labourer in a quarry. Equally, he could have swapped back to agriculture as jobs, such as farm servants & labourers, were live-in roles, and workers were hired on fixed six-month or annual verbal contracts. On Caroline Ann's and Eliza's baptisms, he was back to being a Quarryman.

During the 19th century, quarrying in Holcombe Rogus was dominated by limestone extraction for agricultural lime, building stone, and railway ballast. These sites — notably Barge and Perry quarries — were interconnected with the nearby Grand Western Canal via tramways and tunnels. What is now the massive Westleigh Quarry (stretching across the border into Burlescombe) was made up of several smaller 19th-century operations like Furlong, Sparkes Hill, and Pitcher Kiln quarries. These small entities were later consolidated. Eric G Rodwell's history of Tracebridge, Stawley (PDF), has a tremendous map that shows the relative positions of many of the villages and hamlets, as well as the route of the canal and the various quarries in the area.

In 1851, Thomas Stone (~25) Ag Lab from Langford [Budville], Somerset; with Mary Stone (24) 'Wife' from Bampton, Devon and Mary J Stone (0) born in Burlescombe, Devon, were living in Westleigh, Burlescombe, Devon.

In 1861, living in Road Longwood [Longwood Lane], Holcombe Rogus, were Thomas Stone (~39) Stone Quarrier from Langford Budville, Somerset; Mary Stone (33) Wife [this time she was] from Bampton, Devon; Mary J Stone (10) from Burlescombe; Elizabeth Stone (9) from Tiverton [Clayhanger, which is near Bampton, is within Tiverton District]; William C Stone (7) from Stawley, Somerset; Emily Stone (4), Thomas H Stone (2) and Benjamin Stone (5mts). Boarding with them was Thomas Needs (82) Widower, Ag Lab.

Photo © Roger Cornfoot (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Locks Cottage, on the Grand Western Canal, near Burnhill Farm, Holcombe Rogus

The remains of Lowdwells Lock in the foreground, this is now where the canal terminates. For more on this area, read Walking the Grand Western Canal

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

In 1871, living at Burnhill, Holcombe Rogus (which means almost certainly at Locks Cottage, since Eliza was born there the previous year) were Thomas Stone (48) Quarryman from Langford Budville, Somerset; Mary Stone (44) from Bampton, Devon; with Thomas Stone (13) Ag Lab; Samuel J Stone (8), Ellen R Stone (6), Caroline A Stone (3) and Eliza Stone (1).

Elizabeth Stone, servant, aged 23, died on 28 Oct 1875 at Burnhill, Holcombe Rogus. Her cause of death was Parturition (childbirth) Metritis (also known as childbed fever). Metritis is an acute, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection and inflammation of the entire uterus that typically occurs within the first 1 to 3 weeks postpartum. It is caused by an ascending bacterial infection (often E. coli or other polymicrobial flora) when the cervix remains open following parturition, an abortion, or obstetric manipulation. Risk factors include retained fetal membranes, dystocia (difficult labor), and unhygienic conditions. I'm including this information, because this has probably been the cause of death for so many women and, of course, in the days before antibiotics, the resulting sepsis undoubtedly did prove fatal. Clearly, Elizabeth had been pregnant with an illegitimate child, but I can find no corresponding record of a birth, baptism nor death, so I'm guessing the child was stillborn.

In 1881, living at Locks Cottage, Holcombe Rogus, Devon, were Thomas Stone (57), Quarryman from Langford [Budville], Somerset; Mary Stone (53) from Bampton, Devon; Benjamin Stone (20) Quarryman and Eliza Stone (11).

Thomas Stone (64) Quarryman died on 10 Aug 1888 (1888 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 187) at Locks Cottage, Holcombe Rogus, from Chronic Hepatitis and Hydrothorax. (Hepatic hydrothorax is the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity that affects people with cirrhosis and other serious liver issues.) Under the informant was 'The mark of Mary Stone, Widow of the deceased, present at the death'. Thomas Stone was buried on 19 Aug 1888 at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus.

Mary Stone (née Collard) (62), Widow of Thomas Stone, Quarryman, died on 4 Sep 1890 in Llangibby (Llangybi, Monmouthshire, Wales) from Fatty disease of the heart, dropsy (oedema) and congestion of the lungs. The informant listed on her death certificate was E R Stone [Ellen Rebecca], daughter, present at the death. Mary Stone of Llangibby, Monmouthshire, was buried back at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus on 10 Sep 1890.

Photo © Michael Garlick (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Holcombe Rogus, All Saints Church: Eastern aspect, Thursday, 1 October, 2020

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Charles Penfold and Mary Anna Tucker

View of St. Luke's and Christ Church Chelsea from Flood Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Lamb - geograph.org.uk/p/4810123

Charles Penfold (b. 31 Oct 1865 in Hartfield, Sussex), son of William Penfold and Mary Ann Charlotte Gunn, married Mary Anna Tucker (bap. 29 Nov 1857 in Burlescombe, Devon), daughter of Robert Allen Tucker and Mary Linton, at Christ Church, Chelsea on 13 Nov 1886. Witnesses were John R Penfold, bridegroom's brother, Rosalie Jane Burnell and one other.

Charles and Mary Anna Penfold had seven children:

1. Thomas Edwin Penfold b. 1887 D Qtr in CHELSEA Vol 01A 327
2. Rosalie Mary Penfold b. 24 Aug 1889 in CHELSEA Volume 01A 317
3. Mary Anna Penfold b. 1892 M Qtr in EAST GRINSTEAD Vol 02B 136 (Died at 23 in 1915 M Quarter in FULHAM Volume 01A Page 604)
4. Josephine Grace Penfold b. 15 Sep 1893 in CUCKFIELD Vol 02B 159
5. Minnie Gunn Penfold b. 1895 J Qtr in CUCKFIELD Vol 02B Page 157 (Died in 1896 J Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 272)
6. Charles Edward Powell Penfold b. 4 Sep 1897 in FULHAM Vol 01A 260
7. William Robert Penfold b. 1899 D Qtr in FULHAM Vol 01A 322

In 1891, Charles Penfold (25) Bootmaker and Mary A Penfold (31ish) were living in Glenvue Road, East Grinstead, Sussex with their first two children, Thomas E Penfold (3) and Rosalie M Penfold (1).

In 1901, at 48, Hugon Road, Fulham, London: Charles R Penfold (35) Civil servant postman bootmaker, Mary A Penfold (41), Thomas E (13), Rosalie M (11), Mary A (9), Josephine G (7), Charles E P (3) and William R (1).

And in 1911, at 68 Perrymead Street, Fulham, London, were Charles Penfold (45) Civil service Post Office Worker, Mary Anna Penfold (51), Thomas Edwin (23) Civil service Post Office Worker; Rosalie Mary (21) Elementary teacher for Surrey County Council; Mary Anna (19) Bodice assistant Dressmaking; Josephine Grace (17), Charles Edwin Powell (13) and William Robert (11).

Mary Anna Penfold died, aged 23, in Fulham, in the first quarter of 1915. Also in the first quarter of 1915, Josephine Grace Penfold married Douglas Gordon Reich (right, presumably with Josephine), who served in the Middlesex Regiment, Royal Engineers during the First World War, also in Fulham. And on 26 Apr 1915, Charles Edward Powell Penfold (19) enlisted in the County of London Yeomanry. (I'm certain both Thomas Edwin Penfold and William Robert Penfold also served in the First World War, however, I've not been able to isolate relevant records.)

Charles Penfold died, at 51, in 1917 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D 536.

In 1921, Mary A Penfold (62) was living at 12, Penrith Street, Streatham, Wandsworth in the household of daughter Rosalie M Penfold (31) School Teacher. Also living with them was William R Penfold (21) Meteorologist working for the Metrological Office, Air Ministry; and Visitors were Douglas G Reich (28) School Teacher from Dublin, Ireland; Josephine Reich (27), Irene Mary Reich (6) and Josephine Grace Reich (under one month).

Mary Penfold died, at 71, in 1930 S Qtr in BATTERSEA Vol 01D Page 393.

In 1939, Rosalie Mary Penfold, Head Mistress, was at 38, Hillside, Banstead, Surrey with her brother-in-law, Douglas G Reich, School master, sister, Josephine G Reich and their children. Rosalie died, aged 68, in 1957, in St Austell, Cornwall; Douglas Reich of Glamis, Fore Street, Bugle, Cornwall, died on 23 Oct 1970. Josephine Grace Reich died in 1977 at St Lawrence's Hospital, Bodmin, a mental hospital, originally Cornwall County Asylum.

Charles Edward Powell Penfold (known as Edward Penfold) had died, on 5 Oct 1970, in Perth, Western Australia.

Jeremiah Woodbury and Ann Brice

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

Jeremiah Woodbury (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 Brice and Dorothy Wyatt, on 12 Sep 1737, at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus.

Jeremiah and Anne had at least these six children:

1. Johannes [John] Woodbury bap. 24 Feb 1739 in Burlescombe [1]
2. Betty Woodbury bap. 2 May 1742 in Holcombe Rogus
3. Dorothy Woodbery bap. 11 Apr 1746 in Holcombe Rogus
4. Grace Woodbury bap. 9 Dec 1753 in Holcombe Rogus [2]
5. Mary Woodbury bap. 16 Dec 1757 in Holcombe Rogus
6. Thomas Woodbury 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.