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. Witnesses were George Churly and Mary Ann Churly (who had married in 1853). Mary Ann Stone, as was, was Henry Stone's half-sister.

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 (Died, aged 24, on 27 Aug 1882)
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 (1872 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 374), bap. 26 May 1872

Lucy Jane's birth was the only one that was registered at the GRO and upon which her mother's maiden name was confirmed as RIDGWAY.

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 1873, aged 15, John Stone, was arrested and taken to the Devon County Prison, on 2 Jun, accused of "Attempting to ravish and carnally know Maria Disney on the 28th May, 1873, at Hockworthy." The committing magistrate was J. C. New, Esq., of Cullompton, but John wasn't tried: the bill was ignored for assault with intent to ravish, indecent assault and assault. No further details or clues as to why the case did not proceed, but as Peter Calver of Lost Cousins suggests, securing a conviction was difficult in those times. (On the 1871 census, Mariah Disney (then 12, so 14 at the time of the alleged assault), daughter of John Disney, farm labourer, was living at Hockford Barton, Hockworthy. John's sister, Harriet Stone, married their first cousin, James Ridgway. James Ridgway's mother was Ann Tooze, who's mother was Eliza Disney, so John was also "keeping it in the family"!)

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.

Some of the listed buildings at Widhayes

By 1881, the family had moved to Lands Mill, Uplowman (Now demolished, Lands Mill, 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) 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. Widening the area of search, I eventually found John Stone on the 1881 census living in the household of Henry Payne, Railway Tunnel Miner, at Railway Hut, Hurst Green, Oxted, Godstone, Surrey. Living there were Henry Payne (31), his wife, four children aged 5 to 11, as well as nine men, all boarders, all railway tunnel labourers. And at the bottom of the long list was John Stone (22), Tunnel Miner's Labourer, born in Somerset. The Oxted Tunnel - on the Oxted line, which passes under the North Downs in two tunnels, and then splits into two branches at Hurst Green, adjoining Oxted in Surrey - opened in 1884. Living in such horrendous conditions, with so many people crammed into an overcrowded space, lacking in facilities, will have been a perfect environment for transmitting infectious diseases ...

Because one year later, John Stone, "Labourer on Railway", died, aged just 24, on 27 Aug 1882, in Uplowman. His sister, Mary Ann Prescott, was present at his death. Wondering if he'd been killed in an accident, I'd ordered his death certificate, but John had died of the all-too-common Phthisis (Tuberculosis). He was buried, on 3 Sep 1882, in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Mary Stone died, aged 52, on 28 Dec 1885 (1885 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 306) and was buried on 3 Jan 1886, also in Uplowman. 

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. Finding their grave was something I came across quite by accident online, thanks to the magnificent 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 at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, with wife Anah (sic) (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, 1909 J Quarter in CHESTER LE STREET Volume 10A Page 317.

• 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

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

William Stone (bap. 3 Nov 1799) son of Thomas Stone and Dorothy Carpenter, married Mary Thorne on 3 Jul 1820 at St Peter's Church, Langford Budville, Somerset. 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 he was from Kentisbeare in Devon.

Records suggest they had three sons, 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 record to support this.

William Stone then remarried to Elizabeth Sprague (bap. 11 Apr 1807 in Ashbrittle), daughter of James Sprague and Mary Davy, on 5 Feb 1834, also in Langford Budville. William and Elizabeth had one daughter:

1. Mary Ann Stone, b. 17 Aug 1834, bap. 25 Dec 1834 at St Peter's Church, Langford Budville.

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 think they've confused which son was at home and this was actually Thomas - and Mary Anne (6) were living at Hill Cottage, Holcombe Rogus, Wellington. William Stone (20) was living and 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 had become a 'Needle 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) were 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 died, with his age overestimated as 75 (70) in 1869 M Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 289 was buried on 7 Feb 1869 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

In 1871, Betsy Stone (64) Widow, Farm Labourer was still living, this time alone, in a Cottage, Ashbrittle.

In 1881, Betsy Stone (74) Widow, Pauper was a Lodger in the household of Charles Kingdon (26) Farm Labourer at 1, Pitt Cottages, Ashbrittle.

Elizabeth Stone died at 83 in 1890 J Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 231 and was buried on 11 Jun 1890 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

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

George Churly and Mary Ann Stone

Stawley : St Michael's Church & House
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3921235

George Churly (b. 28 Jun 1831, bap. 26 Jul 1831 in Silverton, Devon), son of William Churly and Melony Godfrey, married Mary Ann Stone (b. 17 Aug 1834, bap. 25 Dec 1834 in Langford Budville, Somerset), daughter of William Stone and Elizabeth Sprague, in the Jul-Aug-Sep quarter of 1853, in the district of Wellington, Somerset. (George and Mary Ann Churly were the witnesses at the marriage of my 2x great-grandparents, Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, in 1854. Mary Ann was Henry's half-sister.)

Spellings of this surname are widely varied, often as Churley, sometimes Chorley and even Charley, but Churly is used on George's baptism, as well as his and Mary Ann's marriage, so I am considering that the correct one.

George and Mary Ann Churly had nine children:

1. Laura Churly bap. (as Laura Chorley) 30 Jul 1854 in Stawley, Somerset
2. Abel Asa Charley (sic) b. 24 Aug 1856 (1856 S Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 357), bap. (as Abel Asa Chorley) 3 Jan 1858 in Stawley, Somerset
3. Eli Churly b. 23 Sep 1858, bap. 5 Jun 1859 in Stawley, Somerset. Died, aged 35, in 1894 S Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 177
4. Ada Churly b. 1861 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 380, bap. (as Ada Charley) in 1863 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon
5. Obadiah Churly b. 17 Sep 1863, bap. 1869 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon
6. William Wilfred Churly b. 23 Oct 1866 (1866 D Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 355), bap. (as William Wilfrid Chorley) 1869 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon
7. Levi Churly b. 1870 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 396, bap. (as Levi Chorley) in 1870 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon. Died, aged 4, in 1874 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 233 and was buried at All Saints' Parish Church, Holcombe Rogus
8. Frederick John Churly b. 1873 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 376, bap. 1875 in Holcombe Rogus
9. Levi George Churly b. 1875 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 359, bap. 1875 in Holcombe Rogus

On Laura's baptism, George's occupation is listed as Carpenter. There don't appear to be GRO civil birth registrations for Laura, Eli or Obadiah.

In 1861, George Churley (sic) (28) Sawyer from Silverton, Devon, was living in South Street, Holcombe Rogus with Mary Ann Churley (26) from Langford Budville, Somerset; Laura Churley (6); Abel A Churley (4); and Eli Churly (2).

In 1871, George Churley (sic) (39) was living in Fore Street, Holcombe Rogus with Mary Ann Churly (36); Eli Churly (11); Ada Churly (8); Obediah Churly (6); William Churly (4) and Levi Churly (1). Laura Chorley (sic) (16) from Stawley, Somerset, was a Servant in the household of William J C Browne (William James Caulfeild Browne) in Kittisford, Somerset (Rev. William J. C. Browne M.A. was rector of Kittisford 1862—91); and Abel Chorley (sic) (13) was a Servant in the household of Thomas Cape, also in Kittisford.

In 1881, George Churley (sic) (49) Carpenter, was living in Fore Street, Holcombe Rogus with Mary Ann Churly (46); Obadiah Churly (16) Grocers assistant; Frederick Churly (8) and Levi George Churly (6). Laura married in 1878; Abel Asa Churly (23) Blacksmith was a Visitor in the household of his married sister Laura Downing (25) Wife of Ships Carpenter, in Cross Street, Northam, Devon. (There also was Mary Ann Fry (22) who Abel married in 1886 in Ontario, Canada); Eli Churly (22) Gunner RMA (Royal Marine Artillery) from Wellington, Somerset, was with HMS Audacious at Devonport Stoke-Damerel; Ada Churley (sic) (19) was Housemaid in the household of Elizabeth J Wilmot, Widow at Clevehouses (Clift Cottage), Northam, Devon and there also was William Churley (sic) (14) Stable Boy.

In 1891, George Churly (59) was once again living in Holcombe Rogus with Mary Ann Churly (56), Levi Churly (16) and Eli Churly (31). 

George Churly died, aged 60, in 1891 D Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 249.

Eli Churly had enlisted in the Royal Marines at Taunton, Somerset on his 18th birthday, 23 Sep 1876. At that time he was 5ft 7¼in with a fair complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. On final discharge from the service, in 1888, he had grown to 5ft 10in. Much of his career was listed simply with R M Artillery. He was with HMS Audacious from 8 Aug 1879 and transferred to HMS Repulse on 15 Apr 1881, confirmed here as it states, "Portsmouth 21 Apr 1881 Crew of the Audacious, from Devonport, turned over to the Repulse, guardship in the River Humber." On 28 Aug 1882 Eli Churly suffered "gun shot wounds both thighs (severe)" and was transferred to To Hosp[ital]. It was an important enough incident to be reported in the Portsmouth Evening News of 31 Aug 1882. However, he was back in service on 25 Sep 1882 for a further six years. From 1883 to 1885 he was with HMS Hercules, flagship of the reserve fleet from 1881 until 1890. Eli Churly was finally Discharged Invalided on 10 Oct 1888 and died, aged 35, in 1894.

In 1901, Mary A Churly (66) Widowed, was living alone in Holcombe Rogus.

Mary Ann Churly died, aged 71, in 1905 S Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 290 and was buried in Northam, Devon.