John Ridgeway and Ellen Norman

Building at Widhayes Farm, Uplowman

John Ridgeway (b. 18 Jun 1870), son of Thomas Ridgway and Ann Tooze, married Ellen Norman (b. 23 Dec 1871), daughter of James Norman and Harriet Woodland at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman, on 3 Jul 1892. Witnesses were James Norman and William Norman, the bride's father and brother.

The couple probably met at Widhayes Farm (Grade II Listed), as in 1891, John Ridgeway (20) Agricultural Labourer, had been lodging with James Wood at Widhayes, Uplowman and at the same time, Ellen Norman (20) had been employed as a General domestic servant in the household of Edward Chave (39), a prosperous Farmer, at the Farm, Widhayes, Uplowman.

John and Ellen had three children:

1. William Henry Ridgway b. 1893 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Pg 407
2. Thomas Ridgway b. 1894 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 401 (Died 1894 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 261)
3. Annie Elizabeth Ridgway b. 26 May 1895 (1895 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 387), bap. 30 Jun 1895 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman

The mother's maiden name on all three births was NORMAN.

In 1901, John Ridgeway (30) Cattleman on farm, Ellen Ridgeway (29), William H (8) and Annie E (6) were at Little Sellake, Halberton.

In 1911, still at Sellake, Halberton, were John Ridgway (40), Ellen Ridgway (39) and William Henry (18) Farm Labourer. The original census record confirms that the couple had three children - two living and one who had died - during their then 19 year marriage. Annie Ridgway (16) that year was working as a General domestic servant in the household of Retired farmer, Robert Pearce (89) at Locks House, Witnage, Sampford Peverell.

In 1921, John Ridgway (50) Farmer was living at Whipcott, Holcombe Rogus with Ellen Ridgway (49).

In 1939, John and Ellen Ridgway, were living at Whipcott, Red Ball.

John Ridgeway of Whipcott, Holcombe Rogus, died on 22 Mar 1947 (1947 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 07C Page 340) at Gamlins, Greenham, Stawley. Probate was granted to Herbert John Howe, quarry proprietor and Arthur John Exton, solicitors managing clerk, leaving effects of £2282 12s.

Ellen Ridgway of Gamlins, Greenham, Somersetshire died, aged 80, on 11 Sep 1952 (1952 S Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 07C Page 179) at Mountbatten Nursing Home Taunton, leaving effects of £2942 9s 2d. Probate was again granted to Arthur John Exton, solicitors managing clerk.

• After joining the Australian Military in November 1916, William Henry Ridgeway married Gertrude Hannah Goodwin (b. 14 Jan 1892 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 16 Jan 1918, in Brisbane. William Henry Ridgeway died, at 84, on 29 Oct 1977 and was buried, on 1 Nov 1977, at Pinaroo Lawn Cemetery, Albany Creek, Queensland, Australia. Gertrude Hannah Ridgeway died on 18 Sep 1984 and was also buried, on 20 Sep 1984, at Pinaroo Lawn Cemetery. (There's also a Raymond Francis Ridgway b. 1926, d. 14 Jun 1921, at that cemetery. Was he their son?)
• Herbert John Howe (b. 31 Jan 1895), son of Walter Howe and Ann Hawkins, married Annie Elizabeth Ridgeway, in Wellington, in 1916. (Walter Howe, was a Carter on farm and general labourer, living in Holcombe Rogus village.) Herbert and Annie Howe had one son: Colin John Ridgway Howe b. 3 Feb 1933. In 1921, Herbert John Howe (26) Road Stone Quarrier, at Whipcott Quarries; and Annie Elizabeth Howe (26) were living at Whipcott, Holcombe Rogus. In 1939, Herbert J Howe "General Farmer, Quarry Owner, Haulage & Road Contractors & Quarrying", Annie E Howe "Assistant To Husband In Farming" and Colin J R Howe, were living at Gamlin's [Farm], Stawley, Somerset. Herbert John Howe (56) of Gamlins, Greenham, Somersetshire, died on 6 Dec 1951, leaving effects of £2796 2s to his widow, Annie Elizabeth Howe. Almost an entire column of the Crediton Gazette on 18 Dec 1951 was filled with the report on the funeral of Mr Herbert John Howe of Gamlins, "well known quarry owner and agriculturalist, who took a keen and active interest in local affairs", saying that "there was a large and representative gathering at Holcombe Rogus Parish Church." Annie Elizabeth Howe died, at 75, on 14 Mar 1970. Herbert John Howe and Annie Elizabeth Howe are buried together in All Saints' Churchyard Extension, Holcombe Rogus.

Stawley: Gamlins Farm
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/148474

James Norman and Harriet Woodland

St James, Taunton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Craven - geograph.org.uk/p/7064603

James Norman (b. 1843), son of Samuel Norman and Ann Gamlin, married Harriet Woodland (bap. 11 Apr 1841 in Huish Champflower, Somerset), daughter of Abraham Woodland and Mary Milton, on 2 Apr 1866 at the church of St. James, Taunton. James and both fathers' occupations are listed as Labourer. Both James and Harriet's address is listed as North Town.

James and Harriet had around 12 children:

1. Lucy Woodland b. 1865 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C
2. Elya Norman b. 1867 listed on 1871 census, no birth record found
3. Jane Norman b. 1868 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C
4. Mary Ann Norman b. 1870 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 446
5. Ellen Norman b. 23 Dec 1871 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 478
6. William Norman b. 1873 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 418
7. Tom Norman b. 1875 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 428
8. Maria Norman b. 1877 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 440
9. Samuel Norman b. 1878 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439 (Died at 32 in 1911 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 331)
10. Elizabeth Norman b. 1880 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 413 (Died, aged 0, in 1880 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 285)
11. George Norman b. 1882 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 444
12. Bessy Norman b. 1885 M Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 431

There was one further child attributed to this family, Lily Norman: b. 1885 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421. This birth was later in the same year as Bessy Norman: technically possible, only just, but highly unlikely. There's no mother's maiden name on her birth registration, suggesting an illegitimate birth, so it's far more plausible that this was the illegitimate child of one of the daughters. No doubt the birth certificate would list the true mother's name. (Lily Norman married Tom Richards in 1910; in 1911 Tom Richards (29), Lily Richards (26) and son Thomas James Richards (b. 1910 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 355) were living in Bampton, Devon. Lily Richards died in the 3rd quarter of 1911, aged 26.)

In 1871, James Norman (27) Farm Labourer, was living in Tiverton with Harriet Norman (28), daughter Lucy Norman (6), Elya Norman (4) (this is the only record with this name), Jane Norman (2) and Mary Ann Norman (1).

In 1881, James Norman (38) Ag Lab, was at Ewings, Tiverton, with Harriet Norman (39), Jane Norman (12), Mary A Norman (11), Ellen Norman (9), William Norman (8), Tom Norman (6), Maria Norman (4) & Samuel (2).

In 1891, at Drizzlecombe, Higher Curham, Halberton, were James Norman (47) Agricultural Labourer, Harriet Norman (49), William Norman (17), George Norman (9), Bessie Norman (6) and Lily Norman (5). That year Maria Norman (13) was employed as a General Servant in the household of Henry Venner, Confectioner, in Bridge Street, Tiverton, Devon.

James Norman (52) died in 1896 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 287.

In 1901, Harriet Norman (58) Widow, was living in Halberton, Devon with Samuel Norman (22), George Norman (17), Lily Norman (15) and William Fook (24) Lodger. Bessie Norman (17) that year was Housemaid in the household of Edward Chave, in Uplowman (at Widhays Farm), where her sister Ellen had been a General domestic servant 10 years earlier.

In 1911, Harriet Norman (70) Widow, was living at Priory Cottage (adjoining The Priory), 9 High Street, Halberton with Beattie Gors (12) Grandchild.

Harriet Norman (71) died in 1913 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 567.

George Norman and Ellen Stone

St Peter's Church, Tiverton

Ellen Stone (b. Ellen Stone Snow on 27 Feb 1879 in Tiverton), daughter of Henry William Stone and Sarah Snow, married George Norman (b. 19 Mar 1882), of 92 Bampton Street, Tiverton, son of James Norman and Harriet Woodland, on 11 Nov 1901, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. The bride gave her address at the time of her marriage as 111 Chapel Street, Tiverton, the home of her aunt, Lucy Jane Bridle, who Ellen was brought up with. (Ellen Stone was a witness, bridesmaid perhaps, at Lucy's wedding in 1895.)

George and Ellen Norman had three sons:

1. Frank Norman b. 7 Apr 1903 (1903 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 371)
2. George James Norman b. 16 May 1909 (1909 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 382), bap. 17 May 1909 at the Tiverton, Wesleyan Methodist Church, St Peter's Street. Died 1909 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 250 and buried 22 May 1909 at Uplowman.
3. William Henry Norman b. 16 May 1909 (1909 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 382), bap. 17 May 1909 at the Tiverton, Wesleyan Methodist Church, St Peter's Street. Died 1909 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 225 and buried 5 Aug 1909 at Uplowman.

The mother's maiden name on all three births was listed as Stone.

In 1911, George Norman (29) Waggoner on Farm, wife Ellen Norman (31) and Frank Norman (8) were living at Wallflower Cottage, Halberton.

In 1921, George Norman (39) Farmer was living at Cott Daisy, Uplowman, Devon with Ellen Norman (40) and Frank Norman (18) Agricultural Worker, who was employed by Herbert Pearce at Whitnage Farm.

In 1939, at Cott Farm, Uplowman, were G Norman, Dairy Farming (with DOB listed as 29 Mar 1882) and E Norman (with DOB listed as 27 Feb 1880).

Ellen Norman died on 18 Mar 1952, aged 73 (1952 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 870). She is buried in Uplowman Churchyard.

George Norman died on 6 Apr 1953, aged 71 (1953 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 718). He is buried in Uplowman with his late wife.

• Frank Norman married Amy Cleeve (b. 7 Jul 1901 in Bampton, Devon), daughter of William Cleeve and Mary Kingdom, in 1924. In 1939, they were living at No 3 Council House, Uplowman, Devon with their two children: i. William George Norman (b. 4 Apr 1924, d. 5 Mar 2000) and ii. Doris Elizabeth Norman (b. 26 Oct 1926, d. 2003, in Exeter), who m. Leslie Lewis Hutchings (b. 30 Dec 1922 d. 2005), in 1953. Frank Norman died on 9 Jun 1976, aged 73 and is buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Uplowman. Amy Norman died on 8 Jan 1992, aged 89 and is buried with her late husband.