Charles John Northcott and Emily Stone

Tiverton : The Barley Mow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1601875

Charles John Northcott (b. 23 Feb 1902), son of William Northcott and Emma Jane Wood, married Emily Stone (b. 2 May 1901), daughter of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton, in Tiverton, on 26 Oct 1929. 

The couple had one daughter, Beryl Emily Northcott, born 19 Feb 1930.

In 1939, Charles John Northcott, Coal & General Carter, wife Emily and Beryl, were living at 93 Barrington Street, Tiverton, Devon (next-door-but-one to The Barley Mow, partly over the entrance to Martin's Lane).

Emily Northcott of 93 Barrington Street, Tiverton, died, aged 66, on 22 Dec 1967. Beryl Emily Northcott died, aged 44, in 1974, leaving a daughter. It appears that Charles John Northcott's death has not been registered, which I don't find surprising with just his young granddaughter left by then. 

William Bridle and Lucy Jane Stone

St Peter’s Church, Uplowman
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2510457

William Bridle (24), son of Henry Bridle and Emma Lucas, and Lucy Jane Stone (23), daughter of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman, on 16 Oct 1895. Witnesses to the marriage were Lucy Jane's elder brother, Francis Stone and her niece, Ellen Stone. 

In 1891, William Bridle (20), Horse Driver, was a boarder in the household of Mary Jennings in Westexe South, Tiverton. Lucy Stone, was a General Servant in the employ of Charles E Tutton, Chemist, in Gold Street.

The couple had just one child, a daughter, Nellie Bridle, born 20 Feb 1898, and baptised on 7 Apr 1898 at St George's Church, Tiverton. 

In 1901, William Bridle (29), Coal Yard Labourer, Lucy Jane (28) and Nellie (3) were living at School Board House, 111, Chapel Street, Tiverton. (111 Chapel Street was also the address given by Lucy's brother Charles at the time of his marriage to Emma Middleton in 1896.) There was a school, where there is a green bush, just beyond these houses, on the map of the area in 1890.

In 1911, at the same address, with William Bridle (40) employed as a Carter; with Lucy Jane Bridle (38) and Nellie Bridle (13) was still at school. 

In 1921, again at 111, Chapel Street, Tiverton, were William Bridle (50) Driver Motor Lorry, working for Shell Mex Ltd at the GWR Goods Yard, Tiverton Depot; with Lucy Jane Bridle (49) and Nellie Bridle (23).

William Bridle died relatively young, at 55, on 5 Aug 1926. 

By 1939, Nellie had married and she and her husband, Lewis William Kerslake and their son William were all living with the widowed Lucy Jane, who was undertaking Sewing and Domestic work, still at 111 Chapel Street. 

Lucy Jane Bridle died on 18 Apr 1944, aged 72. Probate was granted on 8 Jun that year, to her daughter, Nellie Kerslake. Lucy Jane left effects valued at £1912 15s 2d, worth approximately £85,345 today.

111 Chapel Street, Tiverton (with the white door)

Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land

Bampton (Devon), Church of St Michael & All Angels
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Brooksbank - geograph.org.uk/p/5006885

Frederick James Stone (b. 1854 in Stawley, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married the delightfully-named, Loveday Jane Land (b. 1864), daughter of James Land and Rose Anna Beamer. Frederick (26) and Loveday (17) were married on 10 Oct 1881 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton, Devon. Loveday's father, James Land, made his mark as witnesses to the marriage (and, no doubt, had his shotgun in his other hand.)

In 1891, Frederick James (36) and Loveday (27) were at Noblelimdrance, Rock, Halberton. And they'd begun to acquire quite a brood: 

1. Rose Anna Land Stone b. 2 Aug 1880, bap. 13 Aug 1882 in Uplowman
2. Bessie Ann Stone b. 18 Jul 1882, bap. 13 Aug 1882 in Uplowman
3. Loveday Jane Stone b. 6 Apr 1884, bap. 27 Apr 1884 in Uplowman
4. Mary Ann Stone b. 1886 in Uffculme (seem to have missed baptism)
5. Frederick James Stone b. 27 Mar 1888, bap. 27 May 1888 in Uplowman
6. John Charles Stone b. 18 Jun 1890, bap. 27 Jul 1890 in Uplowman
7. Florence May Stone b. 26 Sep 1894, bap. 18 Oct 1894 in Halberton
8. Laura Alice Stone b. 9 Apr 1898, bap. 22 May 1898 in Uplowman
9. Irene Venetta Stone b. 15 Jul 1900, bap. 19 Aug 1900 in Uplowman
10. Stanley William Stone b. 7 Jan 1903, bap. 15 Feb 1903 in Uplowman
11. Phillip Alfred Stone b. 14 Jun 1909, bap. 11 Jul 1909 in Uplowman

In 1901, Frederick (46), Carter on Farm, and Loveday (37) with John Charles (10), Florence May (6), Laura Alice (2) and Irene Venetta (0) are living at Stagg Mill, Uplowman. It's from here their older daughters marry.

By 1911, they'd gone full circle to Berry, Chevithorne, with Frederick (56), Farm Labourer, and Loveday (47), Frederick James (23), Florence May (16), Irene Venetta (Minnie) (10), Stanley William (8) and Phillip Alfred (1).

Frederick James Stone died on 21 Sep 1916, aged 62. 

In 1921, Loveday Jane Stone (55) Widow, Dairy Farm was living at Lugsland Cottage, Cruwys Morchard, Devon, with Frederick James Stone (33) Roadman for Tiverton District Council and Philip Alfred Stone (12). Stanley William Stone (18) was a Horse Man on the farm of Ernest John Hill at Wilson Farm, Witheridge, Devon (husband of Irene Venetta Stone).

Loveday Jane Stone died, on 21 Apr 1938, aged 74, in Bishops Lydeard.

Thomas Stone and Dolly Carpenter

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

The earliest Stone ancestors I can document a link to in Devon are Thomas Stone (b. 1766) who married Dolly Carpenter (bap. 15 Jul 1764), daughter of Edward Carpenter and Mary Winter, at St Mary's, Kentisbeare, Devon, on 5 Sep 1787. These were a pair of my 4th great-grandparents. 

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

1. Sally Stone bap. 20 Apr 1788
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). 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 Sr died in 1838, aged 72 (from exhaustion, I shouldn't be surprised), and was buried in Kentisbeare on 26 Jan 1838.

In 1841, Mary Stone (65) was living in "Kentisbeer Village" with her sons Robert (30), John (26) and Thomas (23). And Mary Stone (78), Widow, Pauper, was still living in the village in 1851, but disappears after that.

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.

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." 

But 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 around 17) to be hanged in England.

It's a small enough village, so the Stones must have 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?😀

Albert Stone and Agnes Jones

Tiverton : King's Crescent
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3053842
On Bert's Marines record, Agnes' address is given as King's Crescent, Tiverton.

Albert Stone (Bert), son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton and brother of Charley Stone, married Agnes Jones (Daisy), daughter of David Jones and Laura Elizabeth White and sister of Ellen Stone (née Jones), married, on 7 Aug 1926 at the Anglican Church of Saint Matthew, which was in Clarence Place, opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at East Stonehouse, in Plymouth. 

As you may have deduced, the two brothers married two sisters.

On 27 July 1914, at the age of 14½, Albert Stone enlisted as a Bugler in the Royal Marines and from 7 Dec 1914 until 29 May 1917, was assigned to his first ship, HMS Hilary (1914), a former passenger steamship, converted to an armed merchant cruiser for service during the First World War. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy at Liverpool on 6 Dec 1914 and patrolled between the British Isles and the Denmark Strait, often in the area between the Outer Hebrides and Faroe Islands and also to the Shetland Islands. 

On 25 May 1917, HMS Hilary was torpedoed and sunk west of the Shetlands, by German submarine, SM U-88, captained by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger. Schwieger was infamous for sinking RMS Lusitania two years earlier, an event Agnes (Daisy) remembered as a child, living in Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, where both survivors and dead were brought ashore. 

Bert was one of the survivors in the seven lifeboats from HMS Hilary, picked up by the naval drifter Maggie Bruce or the destroyer HMS Sarpedon.

After that, Bert was transferred to Plymouth Division and was at Deal from Sep 17 to Apr 18, becoming a Private in Dec 17, shortly before he was 18.

From 25 June 1919 to 21 Aug 1919, Bert embarked on HMS Cornwall (1902), presumably for her return journey from Bermuda to Devonport.

In Oct-Nov of that year, he was at HMS Impregnable training establishment (at that point the former HMS Black Prince (1861) in Devonport. And then at the HMS Vivid shore establishment from Dec 1919 until Dec 1920. 

His subsequent excursions were with: 

• HMS Ramillies 15 Jan - 1 Sep 1921 with the Atlantic Fleet. 
• HMS Cairo 19 Nov 1921 - 7 Mar 1924 on the East Indies Station
• HMS Thunderer cadet training ship, 4 Jun 1924 - 30 Jun 1925
• HMS Adventure minelaying cruiser, 6 May 1927 - 16 Apr 1928
• HMS Hood 24 Apr 1928 - 16 May 1929, Mediterranean Fleet
• HMS Comus 10 Jan 1930 - 13 Apr 1930 in Devonport
• HMS Rodney 7 Jan 1933 - 30 Aug 1934 when Rodney became the temporary fleet flagship, for a winter cruise to British West Indies.
• HMS Leander 30 Apr 1935 - 25 Apr 1937 

Bert, who had been promoted to Corporal in July 1927, was discharged at the end of his second period of engagement in Jan 1939. But, on 27 Sep 1939, he was back for service during World War II, until 1 Jan 1942.

They had two sons, Albert Henry Stone (1927-1999) and one living.

In 1939, Albert Stone, Postman, wife Agnes, son Albert H (Harry) and two other occupants were living at 9 Falconhurst Road, Birmingham.

Albert Stone died in 1974. Agnes died in 2000.

Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey

St Paul Street, Plymouth (number 9 is the darkest caramel coloured one)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2333440

Frederick Thomas Stone, Leading Signalman, H.M.S. Sandhurst, of 9 St Paul's Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, second son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Kathleen Mullarkey, tailoress, of 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, only daughter of Anthony Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, at King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on 4 Aug 1923. 

Witnesses were Frederick's first cousin, Charley Stone (best man); Rosina Kathleen Stone, the bridegroom's younger sister (bridesmaid?), and Anthony Charles Mullarkey, the bride's brother who probably gave her away. Their fathers, Tom Stone and Anthony Mullarkey (both deceased), had been Royal Marines, as were Charley Stone and Anthony Charles Mullarkey. 

Frederick and Kathleen had two sons: 

1. Frederick Anthony Stone b. 25 July 1924
2. Douglas John Stone b. 27 Sep 1927

Frederick Thomas Stone had enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy of 15, on 6 Jul 1907 and served for 21 years until 25 Nov 1928, at which time he was a Yeoman of Signals. He re-entered service with the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service (RNSSS) on 30 May 1932 as a Signalman. As he was still living at Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages at the time of his death, at 65, in 1957, he must have remained with the service through both World Wars.

At 18, Frederick Thomas Stone was 5ft 5½in with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. Among his tattoos were an anchor, two female figures and a bird on his right forearm; Eagle, snake, Ensign, rose and thistle. Clasped hands and heart and 8 dots on left forearm.

In 1939, son Frederick Anthony Stone was a boarder at the Royal Hospital School (historically nicknamed "The Cradle of the Navy"). Frederick Thomas and Douglas John do not appear anywhere on the 1939 Register. The only entry for a Kathleen Stone of the right age is that detailed below.

On 11 Aug 1943, Douglas J Stone appears on a "List or Manifest of Aliens Employed on the Vessel as Members of the Crew" of the Marquesa, as an apprentice on his 1st trip to New York. He was 16, 5' 4" and 123lbs.

Frederick Thomas Stone of 5 Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages, Old Folkstone Road, Dover, died on 11 Nov 1957, aged 65, at Buckland Hospital, Dover, leaving effects of £960 12s 5d to Frederick Anthony Stone, Chief Electrician R.N. and Douglas John Stone, Laboratory Assistant. 

As she wasn't a beneficiary to Frederick's will, it would be easy to assume that Kathleen had pre-deceased her husband, but there was no death record in the relevant period and there looks to be another possibility: There are only two records (that I could find) of deaths of someone named Kathleen Stone, born 1896. One was in St Albans and there are other records in that area to prove that is a distinct person, so that death can certainly be discounted. 

The other is of a Kathleen Stone, born 1896, listed as married, who in 1939 was patient at the East Riding Mental Hospital, Beverley, Yorkshire. 

The later Probate record shows that this Kathleen Stone died there, at Broadgate Hospital, on 4 Feb 1968. My research hasn't discovered any other Kathleen Stone locally, for example, who this might have been. 

The East Riding Archives, searched the records they hold and were unable to link her to Frederick Thomas Stone, nor discount it either; there's no mention of family members, but they were able to tell me that this person "was admitted on the 31 Aug 1937, her care was being charged to Bridlington." Further searches produced no local person in the Bridlington area either. 

There was, however, a signal station at Flamborough Head, which is only around six miles from Bridlington. There is nothing on Frederick's records to suggest that he went there, but it would follow the usual pattern in the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service to be posted and move from station to station, so he might well have done, which might account for her presence in the area if this is her. This could be casting aspersions, but sadly, all of the circumstantial evidence does persuade me that it is still possible it was and, hopefully this information might lead to something that either confirms or refutes it.

• Douglas John Stone died in 1985 in Kingsbridge, Devon, at 58.
• There is a record of a marriage of a Frederick A Stone in Newport, in 1950. Frederick Anthony Stone died, also in 1985, on 19 Mar, in Newport, Wales. He will have been 60. 

Henry William Stone and Sarah Snow and Jane Tarr

Huntsham : All Saints Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6039979

William Henry Stone (baptised Henry William) married Sarah Snow on 23 Jul 1879 at All Saints' Church, Huntsham. Witnesses were John Voisey and the bridegroom's sister, Mary Ann (Marrianne). Their daughter, Ellen Stone Snow had already been born at Putson Cottages, Blundells Road, Tiverton on 27 Feb 1879, to Sarah Snow, a Domestic Servant and in 1881, this child was living with Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, listed as their granddaughter, because Sarah Stone, wife of Henry Stone a Farm Labourer, died on 22 Jan 1880, from Phthisis acuta (Acute tuberculosis), at Huntsham. Emma Maunder, sister, was present at her death. This explains why, in 1881, Henry Stone, was a widower, aged just 24, living alone at Little Fair Oak, Uplowman. 

At that same time, in Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway's household were two visitors: Mary Ann Tarr (27) and Jane Tarr (22), who were daughters of William Tarr, a Hostler, and his wife, Jane Wood, of Marsh Bridge Road, Dulverton, Somerset. Clearly they were there preparing for a wedding, because in Q2 of 1881, William Henry Stone married Jane Tarr.  

Henry and Jane Stone had four further children: 

1. Frederick Henry Stone b. 1885, bap. 26 Apr 1885, son of Henry and Jane, at St Mary’s church, Uffculme (Died 1887, see below)
2. Francis Albert Stone b. 17 May 1886, bap. 15 Aug 1886 in Halberton
3. Louisa Jane Stone b. 1888, bap. 26 Feb 1888 as Louisa Mary Jane Stone, at St Mary’s church, Uffculme.
4. Emma Katie Stone b. 3 Feb 1890 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 432, bap. 12 Feb 1892 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, the abode on the baptism record was Tiverton (Union), i.e. Workhouse

On 29 July 1887 The Western Times reported on the inquest into the accidental death of Frederick Henry Stone, 2½ yrs old, of Wellington Road, Uffculme, whose clothes caught fire, causing burns over his whole body, as did the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. This report of the inquest, which was held in the cottage where they lived, is hard reading.

THE SHOCKING DEATH OF A CHILD NEAR UFFCULME

The inquest touching the death of the child, Frederick Henry Stone, aged 2½ years, son of a labourer residing at Brickyard Cottage, Wellington Road, near Uffculme, was held by Mr. F. Burrow, district coroner, on Saturday, when the evidence of the mother, Mrs Potter, a neighbour, and Dr. Morgan, of Uffculme, was taken. It appeared that about 8 a.m. on Friday the mother, having lighted the kitchen fire, placed the child, which was wearing its night-dress, in a chair by the side of it. Her back was turned for a few moments, and in the meantime the nightdress, a long one, became ignited by a burning stick which fell out of the grate. On hearing the child scream the mother ran into the kitchen, and finding the nightdress in flames, endeavoured to smother them by throwing some woollen material around the child. Failing, however, in this attempt, she and her little girl called for assistance, Mrs Potter then came in and, according to her statement, found the child in the middle of the floor, getting up into its knees and enveloped in "a mass of flames from head to foot." With the exception of fragments, the nightdress and undergarments were then completely charred. She extinguished the flames upon what remained and then, with the assistance of other neighbours, the burns were treated with linseed oil and lime water. In the meantime Dr. Bryden, of Uffculme, was sent for, as also was Dr. Morgan. The latter arrived first, but not until the child had expired. In his evidence, Mr. Morgan said he entirely approved of the remedies applied and even had he been there more could not have been done. The extent and nature of the burns, involving as they did the whole body were sufficient to cause death. -- The father of the child was present at the earlier part of the enquiry, but as he persisted in interposing remarks he was ordered by the Coroner to withdraw. Subsequently he was recalled and allowed to make a statement, the Coroner holding that he was not in a fit state to be sworn. Stone complained very strongly that Dr. Bryden although called twice and promised to come down did not do so until it suited his convenience in the course of his usual round as parish doctor, which was an hour or more after death. Mentioning incidentally that Dr. Bryden had attended on previous occasions he said he owed him 7s 6d, which he declared he would never pay. -- The Coroner remarked that that was a matter between himself and Dr. Bryden. -- It transpired that the child was insured in the Prudential Insurance Company. -- The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

William Henry Stone, Farm Labourer of Halberton, died, aged 33, on 11 Aug 1889, at the Infirmary Tiverton from Cardiac disease and oedema of the lungs (Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure.) 

In 1891, Jane Stone (32), Francis Albert Stone (5), Louisa Mary Jane Stone (4) and Emma Katie Stone (1) were all listed as Inmates at the Tiverton Union Workhouse. Ellen Snow (12) was again living with her grandfather, going by her mother's surname, even though her parents subsequently married. 

Jane Stone, Widow, married William Staddon at Uffculme Parish Church on 11 Oct 1899. William Staddon, Widower, son of William Staddon and Jane Babbage, had been blind from birth. (He'd previously married Leah Parr, in Halberton, on 30 Mar 1871. Leah Staddon died, at 51, in 1897.)

In 1901, William Staddon (51), Jane Staddon (42), Lucy Stone [Louisa Mary Jane] (13), Emma Stone (11) and Richard Takel (59) Boarder were living in Bridge Street, Uffculme. Ellen S Stone (22), was a Domestic Cook at a Private Girls School at 19, St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon.

In 1911, in Kitwell Street, Uffculme were William Staddon (52) Basket Maker, from Uplowman, Devon, with Jane Staddon (52) from Dulverton, along with his son Tom Staddon (32) and Henry Wright (45) Boarder. 

In 1921, with address just listed as 'Halberton' were William Staddon (73) Basket Maker (retired); Jane Staddon (62) and Doris Irene Harding (11) Granddaughter - actually Jane's granddaughter, daughter of Emma Katie Stone, who had married Reginald Herbert Harding in 1909.

William Staddon died in 1925 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 466.

There's a death of a Jane Staddon of the right age and vintage who died, aged 78, in 1937 J Quarter in MERTHYR TYDFIL Volume 11A Page 598. 

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

Charley Stone and Ellen Jones

St George's Church, Tiverton

Charley Stone (Char), son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton, married Ellen Jones (Nell), daughter of David Jones and Laura Elizabeth White, on 3 Jul 1922, at St George's Church, Tiverton, generally considered to be the finest Georgian church in Devon, and one of the best examples in England. Witnesses were Francis Stone, the groom's uncle; William Henry Middleton, the groom's elder half-brother and their mother, Emily Stone (former Emma Middleton). Given that line up, my feeling is that Bill was best man, while Frank gave away the bride as her own father was back in Ireland.

Charley Stone born 6 Jun 1898 at 1 Silver Street, Tiverton, and baptised on 20 Jul 1898 at St Peter’s Church Tiverton, lied about his age when he enlisted in the Royal Marines at Exeter on 18 Jan 1915, which is why this and many subsequent records suggest he was born a year earlier in 1897. The marines can't ever have discovered the one year discrepancy though, because his record notes the 139 days he was underage, from 18 Jan 1915 to 5 Jun 1915, but 6 Jun 1915 will only have been his 17th birthday, not his 18th.

Char did his training at the Royal Marine Depot, Deal, until 18 Aug 1915. Then after a brief period at Plymouth Division, was assigned to HMS Revenge (06) on 1 Feb 1916 and stayed with this ship until 24 Jan 1918, being promoted to Corporal on the 1st day of that year.

Revenge (left) and the battleship Hercules (right) at the Battle of Jutland

Consequently, on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, just five days before his 18th birthday, Charley Stone took part in the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the First World War. "In the course of the battle, Revenge had fired 102 rounds from her main battery [...]. She also fired 87 rounds from her secondary guns. She was not hit by any fire during the engagement."

British battleship HMS Glory at Murmansk

From 23 May 1918, until 16 Jul 1919, Char was assigned to HMS Glory (1899), of the British North Russia Squadron, which took him to Archangel and Murmansk during the North Russia intervention. "Glory was based at Archangel to protect supplies that arrived there for the Russian Army. The squadron's mission evolved after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 into preventing the supplies that had been delivered from falling into the hands of the Red Army." Arrived just in time for A Fire, a Riot, a Bombing, and a Mutiny. Like most who went through these events, Char never spoke about his experiences, except to a brother who was also a Marine, and what I've been told only intimated that things were really bad (understatement) up there. 

The Allied Intervention at Archangel and Murmansk in 1918

HMS Royalist (1883)

Continuing his amazing ability to turn up in all the wrong places at the right times, from 12 Feb 1920 to 15 Mar 1922 Char was sent to HMS Colleen (formerly HMS Royalist (1883)), which was then the depot ship at Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, at the height of the Irish War of Independence. Being hulked (stuck in one place), allowed more opportunity to fraternise with the locals, obviously. The 1921 Census shows Charley Stone (24) [i.e. still maintaining he was a year older than he really was], Corporal R M L I, was with the Royal Navy, Armed Forces Overseas.

Nell and Char's only child, Charles Francis Stone (Frank) was born, on 17 July 1923 at The Military Families Hospital, Devonport and christened at The Anglican Church of Saint Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse on Sunday, 5 Aug 1923. This was the day after the wedding of Char's first cousin Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey, at which Char was best man and could have been the new baby's first "social engagement" - not that he'd have remembered it - but it feels like a real connection to the past to imagine that maybe Maria Mullarkey, the bride's mother, may have fawned over the new infant (as you do). The family's address at that time was 36, Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse. Now The Fig Tree Restaurant, this was once a shop.

Nell and Char's only child, Charles Francis Stone (Frank), aged around three.

The rest of Char's Royal Marines' career was spent mostly at Plymouth Division - they lived in the Eastern King battery where Frank played football on the landings - and at HMS Impregnable training establishments in Devonport: the former HMS Black Prince (1861) in late 1922 and the former HMS Ganges (1821) in 1923/24. Char was promoted to Sergeant from 9 Aug 1924, Colour sergeant from 2 Apr 1931, and Quartermaster sergeant (QMS) in Aug 1932, retiring on 5 Jun 1936. 

Charley Stone's uniform tunic now in the possession of the Royal Marines Museum

(Here's an exhibit you wouldn't see on display, even if the Royal Marines Museum wasn't currently homeless. So I consider myself fortunate that I was able to visit when it was still housed in the former officers’ mess on the Eastney Barracks (now to be turned into a five-star hotel) a few years ago and had made arrangements for a private viewing of the tunic pictured.)

Nell and Char on their
25th Wedding Anniversary
in 1947, in the garden of 117,
Corisande Road, Selly Oak.

After he retired from the Royal Marines, Char took a job as a Post Office Van Driver in Birmingham, which is where we find the family in 1939, at 117 Corisande Road, Selly Oak with Charley Stone, Postman Driver (Heavy Work) still listing himself as a year older and Ellen trying to bridge the four year age gap and be two years younger. Frank (16) was working as a Stationery clerk at the Screw Works. 

Char had worked as a gardener before he'd joined the marines, having worked in the kitchen garden at Knightshayes Court in Tiverton. In Birmingham, he grew soft fruits - I remember being sent up the garden to pick raspberries and blackcurrants - and he had a greenhouse stuffed full of his favourite fuchsias that, in his Devon accent were always pronounced foosherrs.

Charley Stone died on 10 May 1973 at Selly Oak Hospital. He was 75.

Ellen Stone died on 31 Jan 1993 in Highcliffe, Dorset, in her 99th year.

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. 

William Henry Southwood and Rose Anna Land Stone

Church of St Peter, Uplowman
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2510447

Rose Anna Land Stone, daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, married William Henry Southwood, son of Joseph Southwood and Maria Wood (née Hayes) on 29 Jun 1903 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. Witnesses to the marriage were Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Stone, either the bride's parents, or her brother and sister.

William Henry Southwood, was born on 23 Aug 1875 and baptised in Chevithorne. By the time he was 14, in 1891, he was employed as a Cow Boy (Stetson optional) by farmer, Edward B Gale, in Tiverton. 

William and Rose Anna had four children:

1. Rose Anna Southwood b. 31 May 1905, bap. 16 Jul 1905 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. At the time of this baptism, their address was one of the courts off Barrington Street, Tiverton. In 1927 Rose Anna Southwood married William Ernest Watts and in 1939, were living with his parents at Chambercombe Farm, Ilfracombe. William Ernest Watts died in 1989, aged 87, and Rose Anna Watts in 2000, at 95.
2. Frederick William Southwood b. 19 Jan 1907, bap. 17 Feb 1907 in Cove, Devon. Frederick William Southwood married Nora Ames in 1930. In 1939, were living at Greenhills, South Molton. Frederick William Southwood died in 1994, aged 87. Nora died in 2006 in her 100th year.
3. Lily Southwood b. 7 Sep 1908, bap. 11 Oct 1908 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. Lily Southwood married Percival Henry Clark in 1930 and in 1939, they were living at Steps Cottage, Stuckeridge, Tiverton. Percival died in 1982 and Lily Clark in 1999, aged 91.
4. John Southwood b. 8 Sep 1910, bap. 16 Oct 1910 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. John Southwood died in 1995, aged 85.

In 1911, William Henry Southwood (34) Cattleman on Farm, was living at Chieflowman Cottage, Uplowman, with wife Rose Anna (30), Rose Anna (5), Frederick William (4), Lily (2) and John (0), as well as John Land (45), Horse Man on Farm, (Rose Anna's Uncle) and her sister, Laura Alice (12).

In 1921, William Henry Southwood (45) Farmer was at Bungsland Farm, West Anstey with Rose Anna Southwood (41), Rose Anna Southwood (16), Frederick William Southwood (14), Lily Southwood (12) and John Southwood (10), as well as Rose Anna's Uncle, John Land (56) Royal Marine Pensioner.

In 1939, William Henry Southwood, Farmer; wife Rose Anna and son, John, Farm Carter Assisting Father, were living at Twitchen Farm, South Molton. 

Rose Anna died in 1949, aged 68, and William in 1955, aged 79.

Charles Ponsford and Bessie Ann Stone

Uplowman: near Higher Coombe
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/151093
Looking east over the Lowman valley towards Houndsmoor Cottage (left) and Hill Farm (right)

Charles Ponsford (b. 23 Apr 1876, in Uplowman), son of John Ponsford and Jane Lock, married Bessie Ann Stone (b. 18 Jul 1882, in Uplowman), daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, on 4 Jun 1906 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. Witnesses were Frederick James Stone, either the bride's father or her brother and, Richard Ponsford, the bridegroom's elder brother. Dad, Frederick James Stone, will likely have been relieved to have four daughters married now, at this church, in three years.

Charles and Bessie Ann had three children:

1. Charles James Ponsford born 18 Feb 1907, bap. 22 Feb 1907 in Uplowman. In 1930, Charles James Ponsford married Marjorie Florence Chidgey (b. 29 Jul 1900), who's mother's maiden name was also Lock. In 1939, they were living in Triangle Cottage, Broadclyst. (Charles gave his birth year as 1903, making himself older by four years.) Charles James Ponsford died in 1980. Marjorie Florence Ponsford died in 1987.
2. Frederick John Ponsford born 13 Jun 1908, bap. 19 Jun 1908 in Uplowman. He doesn't appear to ever marry. Frederick John Ponsford, of 1 Crosses Cottage, Uplowman, died on 19 May 1970.
3. Florence May Ponsford born 2 Jan 1910, bap 30 Jan 1910 in Uplowman. Florence May Ponsford married John Baker in 1931. In 1939, they were living at Houndsmoor Cottage, Uplowman.
   

In 1911, at Staple Gate, Uplowman, were Charles Ponsford (34) Farm Labourer, Bessie Ann Ponsford (29), Charles James Ponsford (4), Frederick John Ponsford (3) and Florence May Ponsford (1).

In 1921, Charles Ponsford (45) Farm Labourer was still living at Staplegate, Uplowman, Devon with Bessie Ponsford (38), Charles Ponsford (14) Farm Lad; Frederick Ponsford (13) and Florence Ponsford (11).

By 1939, Charles Ponsford appears to be in ill health. He and Bessie, as well as son, Frederick John, were living at Houndsmoor Cottage, Uplowman, along with their daughter Florence May and her husband, John Baker.

Charles Ponsford died in 1952, aged 77. 

Bessie Ann died in 1966, aged 83.

Frederick Charles Stone and Rosemary Braund

Clovelly church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/407424

Frederick Charles Stone (b. 1911), son of John Charles Stone and Elsie Alberta Wright, married Rosemary Braund (b. 3 Mar 1913), daughter of Albert and Mary Braund, at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, Devon, on 28 May 1936.

From the Devon and Exeter Gazette, of Thursday April 9, 1936. CLOVELLY WEDDINGS - Miss Rosemary Braund and Mr Frederick C. Stone

A pretty wedding took place at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, between Mr Frederick Charles Stone (eldest son of Police Constable Stone, stationed at Clovelly), and Miss Rosemary Braund (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A Braund of North Hill, Clovelly). The Rev. R. J. Somers Cocks (Rector) officiated. The best man was Mr. W. Southwood, a cousin of the bridegroom and Mr Albert Braund gave the bride away. The bride's dress was of white windswept satin and lace, and she also wore an embroidered veil with lovers' knot, a coronet of orange blossom, and silver shoes. Her bouquet was of arum lilies, narcissi, hyacinths and trailing fern. There were three bridesmaids:- Miss Betty Braund (niece of the bride), Miss Nora Lamey (cousin of the bride), and Miss Rachel Crase (friend). Miss Braund wore a dress of pink taffeta, silver shoes, and a wreath of roses and silver leaves. Her bouquet was of pink tulips and maidenhair fern, tied with pink satin ribbon. The other bridesmaids wore dresses of pale green taffeta, with silver shoes, wreaths of roses and silver leaves, and carried baskets of pink tulips and fern, tied with green satin ribbon. The bride's mother wore a navy blue crepe-de-chine dress with hat to match, and dark brown shoes. The bride presented the bridegroom with a silver cigarette case, and the bridegroom presented the bride with a silver necklace. To the bridesmaids the bridegroom presented silver necklaces with pink stones. A reception was held at No 2 Underdown, Clovelly, the future home of Mr and Mrs F C Stone, who received useful and valuable presents.

In 1939, Rosemary Stone (b. 3 Feb 1913) was back at her parents' home at 31 North Hill, Mount Pleasant, Devon. Her father (76) and her brother (39), both named Albert Braund, being Coastal Fishermen. Her husband, Frederick Charles Stone, being then aged 28, we can probably assume had volunteered for service in World War II. He returned from the war, as the couple had children in 1946 and 1948 (not listed as may still be living). 

However, Frederick Charles Stone died, in 1949, aged 37. 

Rosemary Stone died on 25 Mar 2008, at the age of 95.