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| Holcombe Rogus, All Saints Church: Eastern aspect cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/6642104 |
Thomas Cotterell (bap. 27 Mar 1785 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon), son of Thomas and Agnes Cotterell, married Sarah Bowerman (bap. 21 Jun 1789 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of William and Susanna Bowerman, in Holcombe Rogus, on 24 Dec 1813.
Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Bowerman had four children:
- William Cotterell bap. 17 Sep 1814
- Susanna Cotterell bap. 18 Aug 1816
- Sarah Cotterell bap. 28 Mar 1819
- Thomas Cotterell bap. 18 Mar 1821
Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Tooze then added a further eight children:
- James Cotterell bap. 21 Sep 1823
- Jane Cotterell bap. 24 Dec 1826
- Mary Ann Cotterell bap. 7 Dec 1828
- John Cotterell bap. 25 Dec 1831
- Caroline Cotterell bap. 16 Feb 1834
- Robert Cotterell bap. 5 Jan 1837
- Charles Cotterell bap. 7 Jul 1839
- Richard Cotterell bap. 11 Apr 1847
On the baptisms for James, Mary Ann, John and Caroline, Thomas' occupation is listed as Labourer. On that of Jane's it was listed as Mason, but there is a note on that record that it had been copied, which gives the opportunity for error. On Robert's, Charles' and Richard's baptisms, Thomas Cotterell is once more described as a Chairmaker. The different occupations might suggest two different families, but as most of these children do appear with this family on census returns, that cannot be the case. Probably more likely that Thomas' first wife's death caused the temporary change in his circumstances.
In 1841, Thomas Cotterell (listed as 45) Chairmaker was living at Twitchen, Holcombe Rogus with Sarah Cotterell (35), Mary (12), John (9), Caroline (7), Robert (5) and Charles (2), as well as Elizabeth Tooze (20) Female Servant. Jane Cotterell (15) was a Female Servant at Widhays Farm, Uplowman.
In 1851, and still at Twitchen, we find Thomas Cotterell (62) Chairmaker, Sarah Cotterell (54 - she was only 49), Richard Cotterell (4) and John Cotterell (2) Grandson. Caroline Cotterell (17) was a House Servant in Sampford Peverell, Devon. Meanwhile, Robert Cotterell (14) was a House Servant to John Cork, Farmer of 132 Acres, in Holcombe Rogus.
In 1861, at Twitchen Cottage, were Thomas Cotterell (75) Chairmaker, Sarah Cotterell (64) and Richard Cotterell (14) Chairmaker. Charles Cotterell (21) Chairmaker was a visitor in the household of James Tristram (63) Gardener, at Lower Greenham, Ashbrittle. Charles married Emma Tristram that year.
Sarah Cotterell died, at 63, in 1866 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 227 and was buried in Ashbrittle, Somerset. This did not make sense. However, the first Sarah Cotterell (née Bowerman), had come from Ashbrittle. This, the second Sarah Cotterell (née Tooze) was born in Holcombe Rogus. Thomas Cotterell was 81 when his second wife died. Had he confused them and is this suggestive, perhaps, of dementia?
In 1871, Thomas Cotterell (84) Pauper, Widower, was living in the household of his son-in-law, Thomas Tooze - married to daughter Caroline [1].
Thomas Cotterell died at 93, in 1878 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 240 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus.
[1] Sarah Tooze (b. 1802) was the elder sister of Thomas Tooze (b. 1805). Her daughter, Caroline Cottrell, later married Thomas Tooze, son of William Tooze the younger brother of Thomas Tooze (b. 1801).
