Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway

Church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/5104522
A plaque near The Ancient Yew of Ashbrittle declares, "Generations of local people
have cherished this tree, one of the oldest living things in Britain."

Henry Stone (bap. 26 Oct 1828 in Langford Budville, Somerset), son of William Stone and Mary Thorne, married Mary Ridgeway (bap. 28 Dec 1833 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock, at her parish of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, on 24 Jan 1854. 

Henry and Mary Stone, a pair of my 2nd great-grandparents, had nine children. Frederick James was born in Stawley and the rest in Ashbrittle, Somerset. All were baptised at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

1. Frederick James Stone bap. 25 Dec 1854
2. Henry William Stone bap. 13 Jul 1856 
3. John Stone bap. 23 May 1858 
4. Mary Ann Stone bap. 5 Feb 1860 
5. Tom Stone b. 11 Dec 1861, bap. 4 Feb 1862
6. Harriet Stone bap. 2 Apr 1865 
7. Francis Stone b. 1 Feb 1867, bap. 3 Mar 1867
8. Charles Stone b. 8 Apr 1869, bap. 9 May 1869
9. Lucy Jane Stone b. 11 Apr 1872, bap. 26 May 1872

Court Place, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/3819462

In 1861, Henry (31) and Mary (27) were also living in a Private Cottage at Court Place, as were Henry's parents at that time. With Henry and Mary were the four children born to date; Frederick (6), Henry (4), John (3) and Mary Ann (1), along with Jane Ridgeway (28), Sister-in-Law (Mary's sister).

In 1871, with their address merely given as Cottage, Ashbrittle, were Henry and Mary with Mary Ann (12), Tom (9), Harriet (6), Francis (3) and Charles (1). Frederick Stone (16) Ag Lab Indoor', was working for Henry Oxenham at Chevithorne, Tiverton. Henry Stone (13), Indoor Agricultural Labourer working for Richard Poole (62) a Farmer at Bathealton, Somerset.

In 1875, the family were living in Hill, Huntsham, according to son Francis Stone's school record, when he was enrolled at Huntsham County Primary School that year. At the time he left school in 1879, Francis was attending school in Chevithorne, so presumably the family had relocated there.

By 1881, the family had moved to Lands Mill, Uplowman with Henry (51) and Mary (49), Harriet (16), Francis (14), Charles (11) and Lucy Jane (8), granddaughter, Ellen Snow (2) and widowed Sister-in-Law, Jane Vickery (43). Visiting were Mary Ann Tarr (27) and Jane Tarr (22), General Servants. 

Lands Mill (now demolished) was part of the Widhayes estate, so assuming Henry was employed by Edward Chave at Widhayes Farm. The stable block, barn, linhay, gate house and farmhouse at Widhayes are Listed Buildings. 

Some of the listed buildings at Widhayes

Mary Stone died, aged 52, on 28 Dec 1885 and was buried on 3 Jan 1886. 

In 1891, Henry Stone (63), Widower, was living at Greengate Cottage in Uplowman, with daughter Harriet (25), son Francis (23), granddaughter, Ellen Snow (12) (Henry's daughter) and grandson Francis (3) (Harriet's son).

In 1901, Henry (71), Widower (listed incorrectly as Henry Ridgway), working as a Labourer on Roads, was still living at Greengate, Uplowman, this time in the household of James Ridgway (34), who was married to Harriet Stone.

Henry Stone died, aged 72, on 26 Nov 1901 and was buried on 30 Nov 1901 at Uplowman. Henry and Mary are buried together in Uplowman Churchyard along with their son, John, who died in 1882. Finding their grave was something I came across quite by accident online, thanks to the work of Janice Dennis, contributing at Find A Grave. We'd even been to the church and didn't bother to look, because we didn't expect the family to have had the resources.

Grave of John, Mary and Henry Stone in Uplowman Churchyard.

William Stone and Hannah Westcott

Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1350345

William Stone (bap. 1 Apr 1821 at St Peter's Church, Langford Budville), eldest son of William Stone and Mary Thorne, married Hannah Westcott (b. 8 Feb 1831), daughter of Thomas Westcott and Hagar (Ann) Mitchell, at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset, on 13 Jul 1850. One of the witnesses was Mary Ann Westcott, Hannah's sister. Hannah was baptised Anna Westcott (due to pronunciation, probably) on 19 Jun 1831, at the The Lower Meeting Independent Formerly Presbyterian, Wellington, Somerset and in 1841, Hannah Westcott (10) was living at Tone Wharf, Wellington Somerset with her parents, Thomas and Ann Westcott. 

Tracking down the children of this marriage has been proving difficult, with no birth records for half of them, but include the following half-dozen: 

1. William Stone b. 1851 in Devon (listed on 1861 census)
2. Mary Ann Stone b. 1854 in Ashbrittle, Somerset (on 1861 census)
3. Hannah Maria Stone b. 1861 S Qtr in PONTYPOOL Vol 11A 122
4. Thomas Stone b. 12 Aug 1864 in Usworth, Durham 
5. Edith Ellen Stone b. 1866 D Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 428
6. Isabella Stone b. 1870 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 479

Those at the GRO, the mother's maiden name is listed as Westcott.

In 1851, William Stone (28), Agricultural Labourer, was living at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, with wife Anah (21). Whipples Farmhouse, Tracebridge, is a Grade II Listed Building. Living at Whipples also was Henry Tremlett, a Dairyman, for whom William was presumably working. 

In 1861, however, William Stone (40), married, Pitman from Holcombe, Devon was a lodger in the house of Elizabeth Archer (50), widow at Nailers Shops, New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham. While Hannah Stone (29) from Wellington, Somerset was living at Garndiffath, Trevethin, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales with son William Stone (10) born in Devon, England and daughter, Mary Ann Stone, born in Ashbrittle. 

In 1871, living at Washington New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham were William Stones (sic) (under estimated to 43) Miner from Somerset; Hannah Stones (39), William Stones (19) Miner; Anna Maria Stones (9), Thomas stones (5), Edith Ellen Stones (3) and Isabella Stones (11 m).

William Stone died at 55 in 1875 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A Page 356 and was buried on 24 Jul 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Usworth.

In 1881, Hannah Stone (49) widow, mother-in-law, was living in the household of Miles Handy (35) Coal Miner from Wallsend, Northumberland and Mary A Handy (27) from Somerset, with Thomas Stone (16) Coal Miner (putter) born in Usworth, Durham, brother-in-law and Isabella Stone (10) born in Washington, Durham, sister-in-law and William Handy (25) Coal Miner, boarder, also from Wallsend, Northumberland, Miles' brother. 

In 1891, Hannah Stone (59), widow, was living on her own means in the household of William Handy (34) Coal Miner at New Rows, Little Usworth, Chester Le Street - her home, but he presumably became head as a man. In the household also were Hannah's daughter, Isabella Brack (20) and her husband John Brack (23) from Byker, Northumberland, Coal miner deputy.

In 1901, Hannah Stone (70), widow, mother-in-law, from Wellington, Somerset, was living in the household of John Robert Brack (34) Coal deputy overman and Isabella Brack (30), and their then five children, at 10, New Rows, Washington, Great and Little Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham.

Hannah Stone died, aged 78, in Chester Le Street, in 1909.

• William Stone married Ann Jackson in Kelloe on 8 Sep 1873
• Mary Ann Stone married Miles Handy in Chester Le Street, in 1872
• Anna Maria Stone married John Hodgson in 1883
• Thomas Stone married Polly Beaty in 1888
• Edith Ellen Stone married William Brabbon Simpson in 1889
• Isabella Stone married John Robert Brack in 1890

William Stone and Mary Thorne and Elizabeth Sprague

Langford Budville : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4028563

William Stone (son of Thomas Stone and Dolly Carpenter, bap. 3 Nov 1799) married Mary Thorne on 3 Jul 1820 at St Peter's Church, Langford Budville, Somerset. William and Mary Stone were some of my 3rd great-grandparents. Witnesses were Ann Waygood and William Bridges. The groom is described as a 'Sojourner' - temporarily residing in the parish - a blow in - which makes sense, as we know he was from Kentisbeare, over the border, in Devon. 

Records show they had three children, all baptised in Langford Budville:

1. William Stone bap. 1 Apr 1821
2. Thomas Stone bap. 4 Jan 1824
3. Henry Stone bap. 26 Oct 1828 

Mary Stone (née Thorne) died - the burial record says she was aged 33 (b. 1799) - and was buried on 9 Sep 1832 at Langford Budville. Given her age and the timing, I'd imagine there's at least an evens chance that Mary died having a fourth child, although I've not found a relevant record to support this.

William Stone then remarried Elizabeth Sprague, from Ashbrittle, 10 years his junior, on 5 Feb 1834, also in Langford Budville. They had one daughter: 

1. Mary Ann Stone, baptised 25 Dec 1834 in Langford Budville.

Court Place, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/3819462

In 1841, William (40), Elizabeth (30) - William is listed as M. S. (male servant) and Elizabeth as F. S. (female servant); William Jr (rounded down to 15) - I actually think they've confused which son was at home and this was Thomas - and Mary Anne (6) are living at Hill Cottage, Holcombe Rogus, Wellington.  William Stone (20) was living (working?) in the household of James Stephens (50) in the village of Langford Budville. While, Henry Stone, age rounded down to 10 (actually 13), was employed as a servant to the family of Richard and Martha Barton at Higher Wellesford, Langford Budville,. 

"Richard Barton was born in Churchstanton, Somerset, in about 1817. I think that he was baptised at Otterford with his brother John Barton on 16th March 1817. He married Martha Surridge in Tiverton Registration District during 1841 and they were probably living at Langford Budville, Somerset, until at least 1844. At the time of the 1841 census Richard was farming at Higher Wellesford, Langford Budville. He was described as a twenty-year-old farmer, not born in the county of Somerset, and his wife, Martha, was aged twenty and born in that county." - Pedigree of the Bartons 

In 1851, William and Elizabeth were living at Trace Bridge, Ashbrittle with Mary Anne (16), who has become a 'Nurse Woman' and Henry Sprague (6), lodger, born in Exeter, while Henry (21) was a servant (Farm Servant/Ag Lab) to James and Elizabeth Talbot at Appley, Stawley, Wellington, Somerset.

In 1861, William Stone (62), Agricultural Labourer, and Betsy Stone (53) are living in a Private Cottage at Court Place, Ashbrittle, "Court Place Farm has been a feature of Somerset’s Tone Valley for centuries. Some of its pastures still bear the names they were given over five hundred years ago."

William Stone was buried on 7 Feb 1869 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.