William Goff and Sarah Jane Rowe

Mid Devon : Country Lane towards Ashill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3703994

William Goff (b. 1857), Mason, second son of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, married Sarah Jane Rowe (b. 24 Jun 1858), daughter of William Rowe, Game Keeper, and Sarah Bishop, on 29 Sep 1881 at the parish church of St Mary, Kentisbeare, Devon. Witnesses were John Goff and Ann Rowe.

William and Sarah Jane had seven children:

1. Elizabeth Goff b. 1882 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 437, bap. 4 Jun 1882 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. Died at 17 months (1883 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 275) and was buried at St Mary, Kentisbeare on 7 Oct 1883, "by authority of the Coroner's Warrant."
2. Mary Goff b. 1884 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 431, bap. 4 Jun 1884 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
3. Bessie Goff b. 22 Jul 1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 414, bap. 12 Sep 1886 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
4. Annie Goff b. 17 Sep 1888 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 404, bap. 9 Dec 1888 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
5. Amy Goff b. 1891 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 408
6. Nelson Goff b. 16 May 1893 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 417, bap. 2 Sep 1893 in Uffculme
7. Frank Goff b. 6 Apr 1899 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 392, bap. 13 May 1900 in Uffculme

In 1891, at Ashill Moor, Ashill, Uffculme were William Goff (33) Mason; Sarah J Goff (32), Mary Goff (7), Bessie Goff (4) and Annie Goff (2).

In 1901, at 1, Prospect Place, Ashill, Uffculme, were William Goff (44) Mason; Sarah J Goff (42), Amy Goff (9), Nelson Goff (7) and Frank Goff (2). Mary Goff (16) was a kitchen maid at Craddock House, Uffculme; Bessie Goff (14) was a general servant at Foxhill [Farm], Uffculme and Annie Goff (12) was a visitor in the household of Sarah Ackland (48) in Ashill.

In 1911, at Ashill Craddock Cullompton: William Goff (53) Builder; Sarah Jane Goff (52), Bessie Goff (24) Dressmaker; Annie Goff (22) School teacher and Frank Goff (12). The 1911 census confirms that William and Sarah had seven children, with 6 then living, during their 30 year marriage. Mary Goff (26) birthplace "Devonshire Guddiford" [Goodiford] was a Parlourmaid at Hillfoot, Lovelace Road, Surbiton, Surrey; couldn't find Amy and Nelson Goff (16) was a Cattle lad on farm at Foxhill Craddock, Cullompton.

William Goff died, aged 59, in 1916 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 573.

In 1921, Sarah Jane Goff (62) Widow; Annie Goff (32) Assistant Teacher at Huntsham School; and Nelson Goff (28) Jobbing Labourer on Farm were living at Ashill Moor, Uffculme.

Nelson Goff, of Ashill, was fined 7s 6d for being drunk and incapable on July 24th, 1921. Meanwhile, Nelson Goff, labourer, of Ashill, pleaded not guilty of assaulting William Wright, a rabbit trapper, on January 26th, 1924. However, "Defendant was so drunk he could not stand still." He was fined 20s.

In 1939, Sarah J Goff, Widow and Nelson Goff, Cowman, were living at Prospect, Barton, Tiverton.

Nelson Goff died, at 52, on 6 Sep 1945 (1945 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 398), leaving £174 0s 11d to Arthur Goff, farmer.

Sarah Jane Goff died, aged 92, on 1 Oct 1950 (1950 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A  Page 811) and was buried on 4 Oct 1950 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 6 Oct 1950 reported on the Kentisbeare Funeral. "The funeral took place in Kentisbeare Churchyard, on Wednesday, of Mrs Sarah Jane Goff, of Prospect Place, Ashill, whose death, at the age of 92, took place on October 1st. She was the widow of Mr William Goff, who died in 1916, and formerly lived at Kentisbeare. They went to live at Ashill 34 years ago. The Rev. F G Baker (rector) officiated and the mourners were: Mrs B Symons, Mr and Mrs W James, and Mrs A Smith (daughters and son-in-law); Mr R Smith, Mr and Mrs L Yendall and Miss B Dunn (grandchildren); Mrs B Dunn (sister); Mrs V Rugg and Mrs A Goff (nieces). The bearers were Messrs A Goff, E Goff and W Goff (nephews) and L G Leatt. Also present were Mesdames H J Middleton, T Dunn, J Dunster and S J Salter."

These newspaper reports are useful as confirmation. Among the mourners, Mrs B Symons is Bessie; Mr and Mrs W James is Annie and her husband William; Mrs A Smith is Amy; Mr R Smith is Amy's son Ronald; Mr and Mrs L Yendall is Bessie's daughter Vera and her husband Leslie. A granddaughter named Miss B Dunn is a mystery. Notable is that neither Mary nor Frank attended their mother's funeral. Frank, at least, was then alive.

• Cannot find Mary Goff after 1911. Had she married a Dunn to produce the mystery granddaughter? Found no record of it.
• Bessie Goff married William Henry Symons (b. 2 Feb 1887), son of William Symons and Eliza Jane Blackmore, at St Mary's, Kentisbeare on 18 Feb 1914. Their only daughter, Vera Symons, having arrived 'early' on 21 Jan 1914 (1914 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 657). In 1915, William Henry Symons enlisted in the Royal Engineers. In 1939, the three were living at Prospect, Barton, Tiverton. William Henry Symons (61) died on 17 Jul 1948. Bessie Symons (66) died on 12 Apr 1953.
• Annie Goff married William Thomas James on 31 Dec 1930. The report in the Western Times of 2 Jan 1931, details: "At St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, on Wednesday, the marriage was solemnised between Miss Annie Goff, fourth daughter of Mrs and the late Mr W Goff of Prospect Place, Ashhill and Mr William Thomas James, fifth son of the late Mr and Mrs E James, formerly of Welsh Tenement Farm, Ashill, and Downhill, Bampton, Devon. The Rector (Rev. E S Chalk) officiated. The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr W H Symons, was gracefully attired in brown crepe de chine, with a brown tailor made cloth coat with wide collar and cuffs of lambswool with a hat to match. She carried a bouquet of bronze chrysanthemums and asparagus fern, which was later laid on the grave of the bride's father. There were no bridesmaids. Mr F Goff (brother of the bridegroom bride) was best man. A reception, which took place at the home of the bride's mother, was observed quietly, owing to the recent death of the father of the bridegroom. There was a large number of presents. Later in the day the happy couple left for their new home at Bampton. The bride is well known and highly respected in Huntsham, where she has been assistant mistress in the school for 16 years, which post she will be resigning on the complete recovery of the headmistress, Mrs Fitchett." The couple did not have children. In 1939, William Thomas James, Dairy Hand, and Annie James, were living at Comeytrowe Manor Farm, Trull, Taunton. Annie James died in 1972 and William Thomas James in 1982.
• Amy Goff married Harry B Smith, in Tiverton, in 1920. They had one son, Ronald Smith b. 1920 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 648. Cannot identify further records.
• Frank Goff married Hilda Mary Ferris (b. 2 Oct 1898), daughter of Henry Spearing Ferris and Florence Furnham, in Chard Somerset, in 1927. They had one son, John Ferris Goff b. 1930 D Quarter in CHARD Volume 05C Page 432. In 1939, they were at 62 Station Road, Ilminster. Frank Goff died on 20 May 1974 and Hilda Mary Goff on 26 Aug 1975, both in Paignton, Devon.

James Flew and Elizabeth Zelley

Tiverton : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/5054852

James Flew (bap. 26 Aug 1818 in Rackenford, Devon), son of Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines, married Elizabeth Zelley (bap. 27 Dec 1829 in Tiverton, Devon), daughter of Joseph Zelly and Susanna Serles, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton on 29 Sep 1852. Witnesses to their marriage were Joseph Zelley, who may have been the bride's father or brother and a Mary Ann Leigh.

James and Elizabeth had seven children:

1. Emma Flew b. 21 Jun 1853 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 388, bap. 10 Jul 1853 at St Peter's, Tiverton
2. Charles Flew b. 23 Mar 1855 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 397, bap. 15 Apr 1855 at St Peter's, Tiverton
3. Fred Flew b. 1857 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 401, bap. Frederick Flew on 4 Jan 1857 in Loxbeare, Devon
4. Susan Ellen Flew b. 1858 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 407. Died, aged 3, in 1862 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 259 and was buried in Withleigh, Devon
5. Ann Eliza Flew b. 8 Feb 1860 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 443, bap. 18 Mar 1860 at St Peter's, Tiverton
6. Mary Ann Flew b. 1 Jan 1862 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 457, bap. 26 Jan 1862 at St Catherine's Church, Withleigh
7. Elizabeth Flew b. 29 Aug 1863 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 425, bap. 13 Sep 1863 at St Catherine's, Withleigh

In 1861, the household included: James Flew (38), Elizth Flew (32) Emma Flew (7), Charles Flew (6), Fredk Flew (4), Susan Flew (2) Anna E Flew (1) and Mary Southwood (75). Susan Flew (2) and Anna E Flew (1) were also listed as staying at Lower Wyke, Tiverton with Mary Elson (45).

James Flew died, at 44, in 1864 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 360.

Elizabeth Flew remarried to John Cann, 15 years her junior (b. 1844 in Sandford, Devon 1844 J Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 74), son of Robert Cann and Elizabeth Horrill, on 15 Jan 1871, at Cove, Devon. Elizabeth's children, Emma Flew & Charles Flew, were witnesses.

John and Elizabeth Cann added one son:

1. William Cann b. 11 May 1871 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 447, bap. 27 Dec 1871 at St Paul's Church, Tiverton

In 1881, living in Hammetts Lane, Tiverton were John Cann (36) Shoemaker from Sandford, Devon; Elizabeth Cann (51) Laundress; William Cann (9) Scholar; Emma Flew (27) Step-daughter, Dressmaker; Fred Flew (24) Step-son, Whitesmith; Eliza Flew [Ann Eliza] (21) Step-daughter, Laundress; Mary A Flew (19) Step-daughter, Laundress and Frank Leigh (15) Boarder. Charles Flew had married in 1877. Bessie Flew [Elizabeth] (17) was Shop Assistant to John Harwood, Baker & confectioner in Fore Street, Tiverton.

In 1891, John Cann (46) Bootmaker was in Fore Street, Tiverton with Elizabeth Cann (61), William Cann (19) Blacksmith; Emma Candy (37) Married, Step-Daughter, Dressmaker and William E Heath (9) Grandson. 

In 1901, we find John Cann (56) Shoemaker in Hammett's Square, Tiverton with Elizabeth Cann (only 68) Laundress; William Cann (30) Blacksmith and Emma Candy (48) Married, Laundress.

In 1911, John Cann (66) Formerly Boot and Shoe Maker of No Occupation, and Elizabeth Cann (81) were still living in Tiverton.

Elizabeth Cann died at 85 in 1915 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 731.

John Cann died in 1916 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 531.

William Henry Bailey and Jane Reeby

Edgcumbe Street, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Rothery - geograph.org.uk/p/4817390

William Henry Bailey (b. 1856) Seaman RN, son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married Jane Reeby (b. 4 Aug 1861), daughter of John Reeby and Mary Francis, at St. George, Stonehouse, Plymouth on 26 Sep 1889. Witnesses were John Reeby and Lucy Bailey (groom's mother).

William and Jane Bailey had two children:

1. Lucy Mary Bailey b. 1890 D Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 272
2. Samuel William Bailey b. 1893 J Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 302

In 1891, William Bailey (33) Seaman Royal Navy, Jane Bailey (27) and daughter Lucy M Bailey, were living in the household of William's mother, Lucy Bailey (53), at 47, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse.

Haven't yet been able to confirm a naval record, nor a death for William Henry Bailey, but must assume he died between begetting his son in 1893 and 1901, when Jane is listed as widowed. There are no deaths in Plymouth in that period that could relate, but in British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials, there are some deaths of William Bailey, at Sea, in 1894, which may be relevant, but none with any detail that would confirm it.

On the marriage certificates for both Lucy in 1912 and William in 1914, they describe their father's rank as having been Chief Petty Officer RN.

In 1901, Jane Bailey (39) widowed, was at 48, Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse (noted on the census as the Stonehouse Inn, of which her mother-in-law, Lucy Bailey, was the Innkeeper), with Lucy M Bailey (10) and Samuel W Bailey (8) and Thomazine Francis (69) Widowed, described as her Aunt. (Thomazine was the widow of Samuel Francis, Sail Maker, who had died in 1898, who was the younger brother of Mary Francis, Jane's mother.)

30, Langdon Park Road
Spudgun67, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

In 1911, Jane Bailey (49) Widowed, was living at 12 Emma Place, East Stonehouse, with William Bailey (18) Merchant's Clerk at a Coal Merchant, Lucy Bailey (20) and Tamasine Francis (80) Widow, Boarder. (Thomazine died, at 86, in 1917).

In 1921, Jane Bailey (59) was a Visitor in the household of her son, listed as William Samuel Bailey, Assistant Quantity Surveyor and his wife Ellen Maud (née Wilson) at 30, Langdon Park Road, Hornsey, Middlesex.

However, in 1939, Jane Bailey was once more living back in Plymouth, at 20 Clarence Place. [So far] I've been unable to identify the record of Jane Bailey's death.

William Henry Middleton and Alice Maud Osmond

Admiralty Mews, Deal
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/1407334

William Henry Middleton (b. 10 Dec 1888), son of Emma Middleton, married Alice Maud Osmond, in Tiverton, on 21 Sep 1918. Alice Maud, known as Maud, (b. 2 Nov 1888, bap. 23 Dec 1888 at St. Mary, Willand), was daughter of cousins John Osmond (son of Henry Osmond from Halberton) and Annie Osmond (daughter of John Osmond of Willand).

William Henry "Bill" Middleton, giving his birth date as 10 Dec 1889, had enrolled in the Royal Marines on 4 Nov 1907, at Exeter (record says was underage between then and 9 Dec 1907), and was sent to Royal Marine Depot, Deal, until 2 Oct 1908, before Plymouth Division. William Henry was promoted to Corporal in 1911, and Sergeant in 1916 while serving on HMS Roxburgh (1904), which he was with from 4 Jun 1912 until 13 Aug 1916 - she was hit by a torpedo on 20 Jun 1915 but escaped with serious damage to her bow - latterly at the North America and West Indies Station.

From 13 Apr 1917 until 26 Nov 1918, Bill was with HMS Highflyer (1898), which means that he was present in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the Halifax Explosion on 6 Dec 1917. 

"Royal Navy cruisers in port sent some of the first organized rescue parties ashore. HMS Highflyer, along with the armed merchant cruisers HMS Changuinola, HMS Knight Templar and HMS Calgarian, sent boats ashore with rescue parties and medical personnel and soon began to take wounded aboard."

From 27 Nov 1918, Bill was transferred back to Plymouth Division, with a brief visit to HMS Excellent (shore establishment) in Portsmouth on 23 Dec 1918, but he was Invalided on 25 Sep 1919. While I don't know the nature, I can only surmise it may have been as a result of the Halifax blast.

Remarks on his marine's record say, "Has a good knowledge of semaphore."

In 1921, William Henry Middleton (32) Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and Alice Maud Middleton (32) were living at Lower Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Halberton, Devon.

In 1939, William H Middleton, Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and wife Alice Maud were still living at Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Devon. Lodging with them was Frederick H Kerslake (20) Railway Clerk, nephew (son of Maud's sister Emily and her husband, Frederick James Kerslake).

Bill and Maud, I know, were still living in the cottage in Ash Thomas in the 1950's and 60's and Maud probably continued to live there until later life. I never consciously met my dad's Uncle Bill, of whom he was very fond, however I may have visited them, sort of. I know my parents visited and almost certainly did so when they went on a camping holiday to Devon one summer when my mother was utterly convinced she had food poisoning. My arrival the following March tells you what she was really suffering from.

Bill and Maud didn't have children, for what reason I'm unaware, but they had a cat named "Stripy" (a tabby, obviously), who, I was told, used to drink milk out of a jug on the windowsill, by dipping his paw in the jug (like Arthur from the Kattomeat ad). In our family, if you cleaned your plate at the end of a meal, someone would exclaim, "Poor old Stripy!", intimating that the poor cat, fed on scraps, would therefore go without. I only hope this was in jest!

Bill Middleton died on 23 Nov 1967. Alice Maud Middleton of Tidcombe Hall, Tiverton, died on 21 Sep 1982, just short of her 94th birthday. 

Tiverton : Tidcombe Hall
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6337380
Early 19th century house, shown as Tidcombe Rectory on late 19th century Ordnance Survey map. Much altered in late 20th century. The building was also once a Marie Curie daycare unit.

Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker

St Peters Church, Knowstone
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/6092409

Robert Medelton (sic) (b. ~1791) married Elizabeth Baker (b. ~1800) at St Peters Church, Knowstone, Devon on 21 Sept 1821. Unfortunately, there are no baptism records to trace their origins further, however, Elizabeth Baker was from Knowstone and came to the marriage with an illegitimate daughter, Mary Baker, born ~1821, but for whom there's no baptism record either.

Robert and Elizabeth added seven children, baptised in Knowstone: 

1. Elizabeth Medelton (sic) bap. 19 Jan 1823 (buried 23 May 1824)
2. William Medelton (sic) bap. 13 Mar 1825 (buried 5 Jun 1825)
3. Robert Medelton (sic) bap. 4 Jun 1826
4. Jane Medelton (sic) bap. 15 Mar 1829
5. Maria Middleton bap. 22 Jan 1832 (buried 21 Sep 1834)
6. Harriot Medelton (sic) bap. 4 May 1834
7. Thomas Middleton b. 1841 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 10 Page 209, mother's maiden name BAKER, bap. 25 Jul 1841

Spellings are always variable, but none more so than with Middleton / Medelton and it's variations, which I'm sure is as a result of the officiator writing down what they heard said in a thick West Country accent. 

The North Devon Journal of 25 Jun 1835 reported that "Farmer William Blackwell, of Knowstone, charged Robert Middleton, a labourer, with harbouring Mary Baker, his parish apprentice. It seemed that for some fault the farmer's wife had beaten her, not by any means with undue severity, and that she had run off to the defendant's (her father-in-law)[1], who, instead of taking her back to her master, had kept her at home a fortnight: this he had done on other occasions before. The defendant appeared to have acted under the idea that the child had been treated cruelly; but the magistrates warned him that supposing that had been the case, of which there was not the slightest proof, his duty was to apply to the overseers who would see that the parish apprentices were not subjected to any improper usage."

[1] On many occasions I've seen "in-law" used in place of "step".

In 1841, Robert (50), Agricultural Labourer, and Elizabeth (40), were living, as were many other families, in "Part of Lower High Building" in Knowstone, with Harriet (7) and Thomas (0). Robert Middleton Jnr (15) Ag Lab was out working, for William Follett at Bransford, Knowstone, while Jane Middleton (12), was similarly employed by John Bucknell at Beaple's Barton. 

Robert Middleton died, aged 50, and his death was registered in 1842 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 140. The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 19 Mar 1842 reports on the particulars. "Suicide: On Monday last the 14th inst., an inquest was held in the parish of Knowstone, before J Partridge, Esq., coroner on the body of Robert Middleton, a man of rather weak intellect, and a pauper of that parish, who had committed suicide, by lacerating his left arm with a razor, and bled to death. It appeared that on Saturday the 5th, he had received half-a-crown for labour, from a farmer of the parish, and that he went to a public house, and spent the greater part of it. In consequence of spending the money, an altercation took place between him and his wife. On the Sunday morning following he was heard to say that he would destroy himself, and one of his children observed that he took a razor and made a slight laceration in his arm, from which blood appeared; soon after which he left his house, and about nine o'clock the same morning, he was discovered lying upon his face in a barn, a few hundred yards distant from his cottage. He was desired to leave the barn, which he did, and walked in the direction of a coppice on the other side of the field, and was never seen alive afterwards. He was accidentally found on Sunday the 13th by his landlord, in the coppice towards which he had been walking. The body presented a most emaciated and wretched spectacle, being enveloped in rags and filth, with the same shirt in which he had left the Union [Workhouse] at Christmas. In the left arm were several slight lacerations, but one had divided the artery and caused death; in his waistcoat pocket was found a razor stained with blood. The Jury returned a verdict of Felo de se, and he was accordingly buried in the church-yard, between the hours of nine and twelve the same night."

Persons who were judged guilty of Felo de se (felon of himself) - it was then a crime - would forfeit their property (very doubtful Robert had any) and be subjected to 'a shameful burial'. Burials for felones de se typically took place at night, with no mourners nor clergy. In England and Wales, the offence of felo de se was finally abolished by section 1 of the Suicide Act 1961.

Then the following item appeared in the same newspaper of 2 Apr 1842. "KNOWSTONE AGAIN: Resurrectionists.- Several attempts have been made to steal the body of that poor unfortunate creature, Robert Middleton, who a short time since committed suicide, and was buried about midnight in the churchyard of this parish; but hitherto the villains have been disappointed. It was suspected that on a certain night an attempt would be made, and the grave was accordingly watched; when in the dead of the night two notorious characters of the parish were observed to remove the earth to within about a foot of the body, when finding they were discovered they made a most precipitate retreat, once more disappointed of their booty."

A Beginner’s Guide to Body Snatching, explains why the interest in his body: "In the early days of surgery, dissecting a corpse was seen as a heinous defilement of the body, akin to cannibalism in its vulgarity. But the growing field of surgical science demanded bodies for study. The gallows were the only place surgeons could get cadavers. Executed criminals were fair game to slice and dice, as were suicide victims, but not regular law-abiding corpses."

In 1851, Betty Medelington (sic) (46) Widow from Knowstone, Devon; Thomas Medelington (10) and Robert Medelington (24) were all Lodgers in the household of Thomas Chapple, Farm Lab, at Rock, Knowstone.

In 1861, Elizabeth Middleton (61) Widow was living, alone, in West Village [Knowstone], right next door to The Masons Arms; Thomas Middleton (19) that year was a House Servant to James Perryman at Higher Radnidge Farm, Old Way Road, East Anstey, Devon.

In 1871, Elizabeth Middleton (71), widow and annuitant, was a lodger in the household of George Bawden, at Bawden Cottage, Knowstone, who was Elizabeth's son-in-law, married to her eldest daughter, Mary Baker.

Elizabeth Middleton died, aged 73 in 1873 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON and was buried on 31 Aug 1873, at St Peters Church, Knowstone.

Joseph Rundle Trevail and Eliza Thursby

Lambeth Palace, London SE1.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Hallam-Jones - geograph.org.uk/p/3972034
The redundant St Mary-in-Lambeth Church at the side.

Joseph Rundle Trevail, claiming to be 40 and a Bachelor, son of Joseph Trevail, Farmer, married Eliza Thursby (34) Spinster, listed as daughter of James Thursby, Butcher, at St Mary, Lambeth, on 21 Sep 1890. Just 5 days later, on 26 Sep 1890, Joseph R Trevail and Eliza Trevail embarked on RMS Ormuz, bound for Victoria, Australia, where they arrived in November.

However, Joseph Rundle Trevail (bap. 21 Jun 1847 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), son of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, had previously married Gertrude Augusta Shepherd (bap. 25 Apr 1845 in Colaton Raleigh in East Devon), illegitimate daughter of Eliza Shepherd, in Q1 of 1871 in St. George Hanover Square, London. Naturally, checked the National Archives for a record of a divorce, though it would be unlikely, and of course there wasn't one.

What's more, Joseph and Gertrude Trevail had five children:

1. Charley Thomas Trevail b. 1871 D Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 35 (Died 1871 D Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 27)
2. Charley Joseph Walter Radford Trevail b. 1872 D Quarter in ST. THOMAS Volume 05B Page 44
3. Annie Gertrude Trevail b. 1875 M Quarter in ST. GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 435
4. Kate Olivia Trevail b. 1880 D Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 442 (Listed as ALICE OLIVIA GERTRUDE Trevail at the GRO)
5. Gertrude Augusta Trevail b. 1884 D Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 453 (Died 1885 S Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 266)

Mother's maiden name, in all cases, spelled SHEPPARD.

At the time of the 1871 census, Joseph Trevail (24) Engineer Fitter, was living in Denbigh Street, Westminster with wife Gertrude (25), brother Charles (20) Engineer Fitter, sisters Amy* (16) and Jane (12), as well as a visitor, Selina Rundle (20). (* Joseph didn't have a sister called Amy. Kate, maybe?)

In 1881, the family living at 6, Meadow Terrace, Lambeth, London, comprised: Joseph R Trevail (34) Engine fitter, Gertrude A (36), Charles J W R (8), Anne G (6), Kate O (0) and Eliza Sheppard (69) 'Relative' (Gertrude's mother).

In 1891, Gertrude Trevail (46) wife, married, mender of fine lace, was alive and well, at the family home in Meadow Terrace, Lambeth, with daughters Annie G (16) & Kate O (10), and her mother, Eliza Shepperd (78).

By 1901, Gertrude Trevail (55) Married [still], Honiton lace manufacturer, was living at 153, Kennington Road, Lambeth, with daughter Kate (20).

Meanwhile, Joseph Rundle Trevail, Engineer, was shown on the Australia Electoral Rolls in 1903, in Market Street, New South Wales, Australia.

Gertrude Trevail died, aged 58, in 1910 D Qtr in EPSOM Vol 02A Page 27.

Mr J R & Mrs Trevail (not) departed from London, on 17 Nov 1910, on the RMS China, this time bound for Sydney, via Freemantle, Adelaide and Melbourne, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia on 20 Dec 1910.

Then, in 1911, Joseph Rundle Trevail married Eliza Thursby in Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia. Again. Non-bigamously this time.

On 27 Feb 1921, J R and Mrs Trevail left Sydney for Wellington, New Zealand, on the SS Marama, as tourists. Joseph's sister Mary Ann had just died and his sister Ellen was still in New Zealand.

The last will and testament of Joseph Rundle Trevail of 52 Market Street, Randwick, New South Wales, Gentleman, who died on 20 Jan 1934, aged 86, left the balance of his estate to his 'dear wife Eliza', after various other bequests. Among beneficiaries were a grandson, Arthur Waymark (daughter, Annie Gertrude Trevail had married Louis Charles Waymark in Lambeth in 1898); his sister Olivia Caldwell (Olivia Trevail had married Thomas William Colwill in 1886 in St George, Hanover Square); her daughter was Elsie Bates; a niece, Florence Wright; other bequests go to a John Edwards and to granddaughters, Amy Edwards and Edith Anderson (née Edwards) (daughter Kate Olivia Trevail had married Frank William Edwards in 1903). His estate was valued at £3,757 in 1934 (worth over £275,000 today).

Eliza Trevail died in 1942 in Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Thomas Wilkey and Eliza Flew

Church of St James, Swimbridge
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/3512831

Thomas Wilkey (bap. 7 Jul 1822 in Bratton Fleming), son of John and Mary Wilkie married, Eliza Flu (sic), daughter of Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines, at The Church of St. James, Swimbridge, on 18 Sep 1848. Their marriage service was conducted by the famous Vicar of Swimbridge, John Russell (The Rev. John "Jack" Russell, who first bred the Jack Russell Terrier).

Thomas and Eliza Wilkey had four daughters, of whom only one survived:

1. Lucy Wilkey b. 1849 S Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 10 Page 21, bap. 19 Aug 1849 at St James, Swimbridge. Died, aged 2, in 1852 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 361 and was buried on 21 Mar 1852, also at St James, Swimbridge.
2. Rhoda Wilkey b. 1852 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 461, bap. 30 May 1852 at St James, Swimbridge.
3. Lucy Wilkie b. 1855 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 404. Died aged 5 in 1860 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 289 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales
4. Sarah Wilkie b. 1858 J Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 455. Died aged 1 in 1859 J Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 296.

In 1851, in the Village, Swimbridge, Barnstaple, Devon, were Thomas Wilkey (28) Ag Lab from Bratton, Devon; Eliza Wilkey (24) from Rackenford, Devon; Lucy Wilkey (1) born in Swimbridge; Arthur Flew (60) Ag Lab, Father-in-Law from Rackenford; Sarah Flew (70) Mother-in-Law, from Exeter and John Flew (8) Nephew, from Rose Ash, Devon. (John Flew bap. 23 Apr 1843 in Rose Ash, Devon was the base - illegitimate - son of Charlotte Flew.)

Eliza Wilkie died, aged 31, in 1859 J Qtr in NEATH Vol 11A Page 301.

On 8 Apr 1860, Thomas Wilkie, Widower, married Mary Thomas, Widow, daughter of Thomas Lewis, at St Cynwyd's Church, Llangynwyd.

In 1861, Thomas Wilkins (sic) (38) Shearer; Mary Wilkins (sic) (39) and 9 year old daughter [Rhoda] were living in the household of George Ley, also from Bratton, Devon, in Brown Street, Llangynwyd, Glamorgan, Wales.

In 1871, Thomas Wilkey (47) Labourer, Mary Wilkey (listed as 40) and Roda Wilkey (19) as well as three boarders, were living in Cwm Du, Glamorgan, Wales, where inhabitants were employed chiefly in iron and coal works.

In 1881, listed as Thomas Wilkes (sic) (58) Plate Layer from Barnstaple, Devon and Mary Wilkes (sic) (52) from Cowbridge, Glamorgan, were living at 7, Treharne Row, Cwmdu, Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales. 

Thomas Wilkie died at 62 in 1883 M Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 380 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales.

Mary Wilkie remarried Thomas Adams on 10 Mar 1884, in Llangynwyd.

In 1891, Thomas Adams (50) from Berkshire, England and Mary Adams (listed as 60) were living in High Street, Glyncorrwg Late Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales with five lodgers in the household. 

Mary Adams died in 1894 M Qtr in NEATH Vol 11A  Page 491.

Ornate gates, Talbot Terrace, Maesteg
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/3005790
The gates have two oval motifs each depicting four daffodils.
Across the top of the gates is PUDDLER'S COTTAGE.

David Williams married Rhoda Wilkey, daughter of Thomas Wilkey and Eliza Flew, in Q2 1879 (Vol 11A Page 617), in Bridgend, Glamorgan. The marriage certificate should reveal the venue, as well as clues to David's origins.

David and Rhoda had four children:

1. Thomas Williams b. 1880 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 513
2. William Williams b. 1882 J Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 567
3. John Williams b. 8 Jul 1884 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 610
4. Eliza Mary Williams b. 1892 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 709

In 1881 living at 7, Treharne Row, Cwmdu, Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales, were David Williams (36) Puddler (An iron puddler (often merely puddler) was a worker in iron manufacturing who specialized in puddling, an improved process to convert pig iron into wrought iron. The strenuous labor, heat and fumes caused puddlers to have a short life expectancy, with most dying in their thirties.); Roda Williams (30) and Thomas Williams (0).

In 1891, David Williams (47) Colliery Labourer and Rhoda Williams (42) and two of their sons: William Williams (9) and John Williams (6) were living at Talbot Terrace, Cwm Du, Glamorgan, Wales.

In 1901, David Williams (64) Water Pumper (Colliery) Below, this time his birthplace is listed as Ystalafern, Glamorganshire (presumably Ystalyfera) was still living at Talbot Terrace, Cwm Du, Maesteg, Glamorganwith Rhoda Williams (listed as 50), William Williams (19), John Williams (16), Elizabeth [Eliza] M Williams (8) and Patsy Regar (19) (Male) Boarder.

Rhoda Williams, with age over estimated to 58, died in 1908 M Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 569. 

The rest of them are harder to locate going forward. Rhoda Wilkey was listed as the mother's name on a Social Security Application in the United States relating to John Williams in Mar 1937, which provided his date of birth and from which we can deduce that he had emigrated at some point.

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 the following children:

1. Johannes [John] Woodbury bap. 24 Feb 1739 in Burlescombe [1]
2. Betty Woodbury bap. 2 May 1742 in Holcombe Rogus
3. Jeremiah Woodbury b. 1744-1745 (not seen baptism record)
4. Dorothy Woodbery bap. 11 Apr 1746 in Holcombe Rogus
5. Grace Woodbury bap. 9 Dec 1753 in Holcombe Rogus [2]
6. Mary Woodbury bap. 16 Dec 1757 in Holcombe Rogus
7. Thomas Woodbury bap. 6 Sep 1762 in Holcombe Rogus

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

Anne Woodbury (47) 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.

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. (No GRO registrations)

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.

Cottages, at Twitchen, Holcombe Rogus
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/1268080

Thomas Tooze (bap. 10 Feb 1833) son of William Tooze and Sophia Disney, married Caroline Cottrell (bap. 16 Feb 1834), daughter of Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Tooze. The Banns of the marriage were attempted to be read in Holcombe Rogus, but written on the record is, "I William Tooze, father of the above Thomas Tooze, did openly in the Church this day March 13th, 1853, forbid these Banns. My son being under age." William Tooze.

The determined couple married, in Tiverton, in the 4th quarter of 1853.

Thomas and Caroline Tooze went on to have twelve children:

1. Sophia Tooze b. 1854 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 417, bap. 7 May 1854 in Holcombe Rogus
2. Edward William Thomas Tooze b. 1855 D Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Vol 05C Page 355, bap. 2 Dec 1855
3. Sarah Jane Tooze b. 1858 M Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 416, bap. 14 Feb 1858
4. Caroline Tooze b. 1859, bap. 26 Feb 1860 (no GRO registration)
5. Eliza Tooze bap. 15 Dec 1861 (no GRO registration)
6. Lily Tooze b. 1863 D Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 396, bap. 8 Nov 1863
7. Thomas Tooze b. 1865 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET & DEVON Volume 05C Page 390, bap. 10 Sep 1865
8. Lucy Ann Tooze b. 1867 S Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 369, bap. 14 Jul 1867. Died, aged 13, in 1880 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C  Page 273 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus
9. Emily Tooze b. 1869 D Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 352, bap. 10 Oct 1869
10. Elizabeth Tooze b. 1872 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 393, bap. 3 Mar 1872. Died, 1900 J Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET & DEVON  Volume 05C  Page 209
11. William Tooze b. 1875 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 361, bap. 15 Aug 1875
12. Albert Tooze b. 9 Mar 1880 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 333, bap. 16 May 1880

Caroline will have been 46 when the last child was born, which is late, so I did check that they weren't passing off any illegitimate grandchildren as their own, but all of the registrations of the above show the mother's maiden name as COTTERILL, COTTERELL or COTTRELL and all of the baptisms list the child as being that of Thomas and Caroline, so appear to be theirs.

In 1861, Thomas Tooze (28) Carter; Caroline Tooze (28), Edward (5), Sarah J (3) and Caroline (2) were living at Knowle Cottage, Holcombe Rogus. Their eldest daughter, Sophia (7) was living with her grandparents.

In 1871, Thomas Tooze (38) Agricultural Labourer; Caroline Tooze (37), Caroline (10), Eliza (8), Lillie (sic) (7), Thomas (5), Lucy (4) and Emily (1) were all living at Twitchen, Holcombe Rogus. Living with them was Caroline's widowed father, Thomas Cotterell (84) Pauper and an Elizabeth Hall (22) Visitor. Eldest daughter, Sophia (17) Fancy Worker, was still living with her grandmother; yet to find Edward; Sarah Tooze (13) was Domestic Servant to Henry Jones (73) Carpenter, in South Street, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1881, still at Twitchen, Holcombe Rogus were Thomas Tooze (48) Ag Lab, Caroline Tooze (48), Emily (10), Elizabeth (9), William (6) and Albert (1). Also living with them was Frances Tooze (6) Granddaughter (b. 1875 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 365), bap. 31 Jan 1875, illegitimate daughter of Sophia Tooze. Not found Sophia, Edward or Sarah Jane; Caroline married in 1879; Eliza Tooze (19) was Domestic Servant to John Howse (42) Farmer at Burrow Farmhouse, Ashbrittle; Lillie (sic) Tooze (18) was a General Servant to Alice E James (21) Schoolmistress in South Street, Wellington and Thomas Tooze (15) was a Farm Servant (indoor) to William Warren (55) Farmer at Ford Place, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1891,  at Twitchen, were Thomas Tooze (58) Coachman, Caroline Tooze (57), William Tooze (15) French Polisher and Albert Tooze (11). Elizabeth Tooze (20) was Domestic Servant to Frederick Chave (68) in Halberton.

In 1901, Thomas Tooze (68) Ordinary Labourer and Caroline Tooze (68).

Caroline Tooze died actually at 66, in 1901 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 193. Thomas Tooze died in  1902 J Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 213, at 68.

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 (b. 1845 in Tiverton, Devon), son of James Coombe and Sarah Hurley, married Mary Jane Southcott (b. 1854 in Tiverton), daughter of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, on 7 Sep 1869. On the marriage certificate both are listed as being of 'full' age, however, Mary Jane, registered in the 2nd quarter of 1854, may have been 15. Witnesses to the marriage were James Coombe and Mary Bawden. 

(Temperance Cosway, Mary Jane's Southcott's mother, had married her third husband, James Coombe, John Hurley Coombe's father, in 1866.)

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.

Thomas Stone and Dorothy Carpenter

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

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

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

1. Sarah Stone bap. 20 Apr 1788 (listed as Sally on baptism) 
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 and, given her age, was probably a widow at the time of this marriage). 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." However, 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 17) to be hanged in England. It's a small enough village, so the Stones must have at least 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.)

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey and Ada Mary Hartwell

Clifton Suspension Bridge

At almost 42, Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey (b. 1 Oct 1869), son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married the 25 year old, Ada Mary Hartwell (b. 1886), daughter of Thomas Cooper Hartwell and Julia Adelaide Hodges, at St Paul's Church, Clifton, Bristol (photo) on 4 Sep 1911.

Thomas and Ada had two children:

1. Dorothy Ada Bailey b. 19 Sep 1912 D Quarter BRISTOL Vol 06A Pg 8
2. Stanley Thomas Bailey b. 1914 S Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 7

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey had enlisted, at 14, in the Royal Marines on 22 Nov 1884, in which he served until 20 Feb 1896, having attained the rank of Corporal in 1894. On 21 Feb 1896, he signed up for 12 years with the Royal Navy, as a Ship's Corporal, from which he was pensioned on 16 Dec 1909.

In 1911, Thomas Bailey, from Stonehouse, Devonshire, listed as 40, was a boarder in the household of John Milton Mann (53) Fine Art Dealer, in Clifton, Bristol and was employed as a Toll Collector by the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company. Meanwhile, Ada Mary Hartwell (24), from Chadbury, Worcestershire, was in service as a domestic cook in Long Ashton, North Somerset, just outside the boundary of city of Bristol urban area.

Then along came the First World War and Thomas Bailey was re-engaged by the Royal Navy in Aug 1914, until his final discharge on 1 Mar 1919. 

In 1921, Thomas S O Bailey (51) Temporary Postman GPO, Out of Work; Ada Mary Bailey (34), Dorothy Ada Bailey (8) and Stanley Thomas Bailey (7) were listed as living at 44, Dearose Road, Plymouth.

Ada Mary Bailey died, aged 40, in 1927 in Plymouth Vol 05B Page 427.

In 1939, Thomas S O Bailey, Widowed, was listed at 25 Victoria Street, Plymouth, with his daughter Dorothy A Bailey.

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey died, aged 79, in 1948 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 634.

• Dorothy Ada Bailey married Vincent Prete in Plymouth, in 1947.
• Stanley Thomas Bailey married Vera Muriel Helen Crabb, at Emmanuel Church, Plymouth, on 2 Aug 1941.

Jane Middleton and William Flew

Church of St Peter, Knowstone
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/3465881

Jane Middleton (bap. 15 Mar 1829 in Knowstone, Devon), daughter of Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker, was my 2x great-grandmother.

By 1841, then aged around 12, Jane had already left home and was working as a farm labourer for John Bucknell at Beaple's Barton. The still-important farmhouse is about one mile south west of Knowstone village, bordered to the south by Beaple's Moor and to the north by Beaple's Wood. 

In 1851, Jane (~20), was a Pauper inmate of The Workhouse in Church Lane, South Molton, along with her son, Robert, aged 1. Presumably, this was the only place she could go as a single mother and clearly she was either still there or back there in 1853/4 when she had her second son, William.

Jane actually had 4 children out of wedlock. Only her daughter survived.

1. Robert Middleton, b. 1850 S Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 10  Page 199, bap. on 3 Mar 1854, record marked 'dead' (abode 'Union', i.e. Workhouse) and buried on 6 Mar 1854 in Knowstone, aged 4 years.
2. William Middleton, b. 1853 S Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B  Page 416, bap. 9 Feb 1854, record marked 'dead' (abode given as 'Union', i.e. Workhouse), buried 5 Mar 1854 in Knowstone, aged 8 months.
3. Frederick Middleton, b. 1856 D Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 430. Buried 20 Jan 1858 at St Peter’s Church, Rose Ash, Devon, and bap. (posthumously) 3 Oct 1858 in West Anstey.
4. Emma Middleton, b. 6 Aug 1862, bap. 5 Oct 1865, in West Anstey.

Robert, William and Frederick's surname is listed on their GRO birth records as MEDDLETON. All have the mother's maiden name left blank, confirming illegitimate births. Found no GRO birth registration for Emma.

In 1861 Jane Middleton (32), was a House Servant in the employ of John Micks at Woods Farm, West Anstey. A decade later, in 1871, Jane Middleton (34?) was Housekeeper to William Short (66) at Rowry, Molland, South Molton, Devon, with her daughter Emma (8) listed as a Boarder. 

Jane Middleton, Spinster, daughter of Robert Middleton, married William Flew, Widower, son of Richard Flew, who said he was then 38, at her parish of St Peter's, Knowstone on 2 Sep 1875. On the marriage certificate, Jane is listed as being 30. She was actually 46. Witnesses were Hugh Tapp (married to Jane's sister Harriet) and Mary Ann Marshall (William's sister Mary).

However, within six months, William Flew died, age estimated at 40. He was buried on 5 Mar 1876, at All Saints Church, Rackenford. William also left four children from his first marriage; Thomas, Mary Jane, Sarah and William.

Jane Flew then married John Howe (or How) in the first quarter of 1877.

St Margaret's Church, Stoodleigh
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper
geograph.org.uk/p/2448281

John How, born 12 Mar 1842 to John How and Mary Ann Broom (who married in 1837 in Oakford, Devon), was baptised on 3 Apr 1842 in Stoodleigh, Devon.

In 1851, at Hasswells Cottage, Stoodleigh, John was the second of six children; Mary Ann (11), John (9), Matilda (7), Ellen (5), Robert (2) and William (0). John's maternal grandmother, Mary Broom, widow (78), born in 1773, lived with the family.

John How Sr had been baptised on 13 May 1810, in the wonderfully named village of Huish Champflower in Somerset, the son of Nathaniel Howe and Joan Rogers, who had married on 25 Mar 1805 in Chipstable.

In 1881, John How (38) Agricultural Labourer and Jane How (claiming to be 49, she was actually 52), were living at Babcott Cottage on the Stoodleigh Estate, Stoodleigh. (John's parents also lived in Stoodleigh at 1, Little Coleford.) Jane's daughter, Emma, then 19, must have been out working somewhere, but I've been unable to find her on this census.

In 1891, living at Habridge Cottages, Steart Road, Stoodleigh, John How (49) and Jane How (49 again, really 62), were joined by John's mother, Mary Ann (76), widow - John's father had died in 1887 - and Emma's illegitimate son, William Henry Middleton (2), described as 'Wife's Daughter's Son'. (My dad just called him Uncle Bill.) Emma Middleton (claiming to be 26, really 29) was a Domestic Servant to William Heywood (27), Farmer (son of Robert Heywood of Spurway Barton), at West Spurway Farm, Oakford, Devon. 

By 1901, John and Jane Howe had moved to Manley Cottage, 2, Halberton - near to the Manley Bridge on the Grand Western Canal (here's what the property at 1 Manley Cottages looks like). John was 59 and Jane had clearly become tired of lying about her age, as she's listed accurately at 71.

Jane Howe, wife of John Howe a Farm Labourer (in attendance), died on 21 Nov 1905 (1905 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 264) at West Manley, Halberton, from Heart Failure. Age estimated as 70, she was 76.

In 1911, John Howe (69), Widower, was a boarder in the household of George Cockram at Marsh Cottages, Bolham Road, Tiverton. 

In 1921, John Howe (79) Widower, OAP, was still a boarder in the household of George Cockram, this time at 80, Chapel Street, Tiverton.

John Howe died on 31 Mar 1927 (1927 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 414) at the age of 85.

When my father had hand drawn a family tree for me some years ago, he had added John and Jane Howe with some of their dates, unlinked, at the bottom of the page. Clearly he knew of them (he was a small boy when John died), but didn't know who they were nor that Jane was his great-grandmother.

Manley Bridge, Grand Western Canal, from the west
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Christine Johnstone - geograph.org.uk/p/4085587