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. 1872), 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
2. Thomas Ridgway b. Q1 1894 (Died Q2 1894, aged 0)
3. Annie Elizabeth Ridgway b. 26 May 1895, bap. 30 Jun 1895 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman

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. Annie Ridgway (16) 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 Ridgway, Assisting Cowman, and Ellen Ridgway (b. 23 Dec 1871), were living at Whipcott, Red Ball.

John Ridgway (77) of Whipcott, Holcombe Rogus, died on 22 Mar 1947 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 (worth around £91,590 in 2021).

Ellen Ridgway (81) of Gamlins, Greenham, Somersetshire died on 11 Sep 1952 at Mountbatten Nursing Home Taunton, leaving effects of £2942 9s 2d. Probate was granted to Arthur John Exton, solicitors managing clerk.

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.

Henry Finnimore and Louisa Beer

St Michael & All Angels church, Heavitree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1065240

Henry Finnimore (b. 1851), son of William Finnimore and Maria Pickard, married Louisa Beer (b. 1855), daughter of Thomas Beer and Mary Elson, in the district of St Thomas, Devon [Exeter] in the 1st quarter of 1877.

Henry and Louisa had seven daughters and one son:

1. Lily Eliza Finnimore b. 1877 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 63, bap. 2 Nov 1877 in Heavitree, Devon. On this baptism their address was White's Court and Henry's occupation was Coachman.
2. Florence Louise Finnimore b. 22 Mar 1880 J Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 62, bap. 12 May 1880 in Heavitree, Devon.
3. Alice Maud Finnimore b. 13 May 1882 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 58, bap. 14 May 1882 in Heavitree, Devon.
4. Beatrice Ellen Finnimore bap. 28 Dec 1883 in Heavitree, Devon, reg. 1884 M Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 59
5. Blanche Annie Finnimore b. 1886 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 61, bap. 21 May 1886 in Heavitree, Devon.
6. William Henry Finnimore b. 7 Jan 1889 M Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 62, bap. 1 Feb 1889 in Heavitree, Devon.
7. Ivy May Finnimore b. 12 Oct 1892 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378, bap. 30 Nov 1892 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman.
8. Elsie Beer Finnimore b. 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 388, bap. 8 Sep 1896 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. On this baptism, Henry Finnimore's occupation was again Coachman and the family's address was given as the Redwoods Inn, Uplowman.

In 1881, Henry Finnimore (26) Coachman was living at 17, Roseland Terrace, Heavitree with Louisa Finnimore (25), Lilie E (sic) (3) and Florence L (1).

In 1891, Henry Finnimore (37) Groom & Gardener, was living at Glebe Cottage, Coles Hill, Uplowman with Louisa Finnimore (36), Lily E Finnimore (13), Florence L Finnimore (11), Maude E [Alice Maud] Finnimore (8), Beatrice Finnimore (7), Blanche A Finnimore (4) and William Henry Finnimore (2).

In 1901, at Shoreditch, Scattered Houses, Pitminster, Taunton, Somerset, were Henry Finnimore (45) Domestic gardener; Louisa Finnimore (44), Alice M Finnimore (18) Housemaid; Beatrice E Finnimore (17) Housemaid; Blanche A Finnimore (14), Ivy M Finnimore (8) and Elsie B Finnimore (4). Florence Finnimore (23) was a Housemaid to James Cook (64) Retired Solicitor at Claire, Southside, Weston Super Mare. William Henry Finnimore (12) was an Errand Boy for Walter J Hunt (26) Butcher in Halse, Somerset.

In 1911, Henry Finnimore (59) Groom was living in North Petherton, Somerset with Louisa Finnimore (55), William H Finnimore (22) Farm Labourer and Elsie Finnimore (14). Ivy May Finnimore (19) at that time was working as a Housemaid in Kingston by Yeovil, Somerset.

Henry and Louisa were still living in North Petherton, Somerset in 1921.

Henry Finnimore died, aged 78, in 1930 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER.

Louisa Finnimore died in 1936 D Quarter in BRIDGWATER, aged 80.

1. Lily Eliza Finnimore died, aged 20, in 1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 340 and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman.
2. Florence Louise Finnimore married William Ridgeway, in 1903.
3. Alice Maud Finnimore married Arthur Beadon Butt in 1909. Alive Maud Butt died in 1970 and is buried at St James Cemetery, Taunton.
4. Beatrice Ellen Finnimore married Francis Samuel Atyeo in Taunton, in 1903. Beatrice Ellen Atyeo died in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1960.
5. Blanche Annie Finnimore married George Perry in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1910. Blanche Annie Perry died, in 1962, in Taunton, Somerset.
6. William Henry Finnimore died in Taunton, Somerset, in 1970. 
7. Ivy May Finnimore married Ernest Bartlett on 11 Jun 1911 in North Newton, Somerset. Ernest Bartlett died on 5 Feb 1927 and is buried at St. Peter's Churchyard, North Newton. Ivy May Bartlett remarried to William Henry John Dunn in 1947. Ivy May Dunn died on 8 Jan 1970 and is also buried at St. Peter's Churchyard, North Newton.
8. Elsie Beer Finnimore died in 1931 S Quarter in HOLSWORTHY Volume 05B Page 513 with age estimated as 33. She will have been 35.

John Stone: Attempting to ravish and carnally know

Hockworthy: Hockford Cottage
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/164609

John Stone, the third of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway's children, born in Ashbrittle, Somerset, in 1858, may have been a bit of a rogue. 

In 1861, John (3), like his older brothers, was at home with his parents at Court Place, Ashbrittle. I've not been able to locate him in 1871, when he will have been around 13, but he'd already left his parents' home. Undoubtedly employed as a farm labourer, his employer probably didn't know much about him, so he may well appear on the census, but with details they guessed.

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 suggested, 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. We may assume she was the young lady in question. 

[NOTE: John's sister, Harriet Stone, married their first cousin, James Ridgway. James Ridgway's mother was Ann Tooze, who's own mother was Eliza Disney, so there's no doubt that John was also "keeping it in the family"!]

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. It doesn't take much imagination, therefore, to work out what John must have been working on in 1881. Living in what must have been horrendous conditions, with so many people crammed into an undoubtedly 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 or even a revenge attack, I'd ordered his death certificate, but John had, in fact, died of the all-too-common at that time, Phthisis (Tuberculosis). 

John Stone was buried, on 3 Sep 1882, in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Grave of John Stone and his parents, Mary and Henry Stone, in Uplowman Churchyard

William Flew and Sarah Bennett

Shop and post office, Rackenford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Humphrey Bolton - geograph.org.uk/p/1801119

William Flew (bap. 16 Nov 1834 in Rackenford, Devon), son of Richard Flew and Ann Hagley, married Sarah Bennett (b. 1845 J Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 79) in the 4th quarter of 1863, in Crediton.

Sarah Bennett was born on 16 Jun 1845, the illegitimate daughter of Jane Bennett. Her birth was registered by a Mr Leach, Master of the Workhouse, Crediton, on 20 Jun 1845. In 1851, Sarah (6) was living with William and Ann Bennett at Courtlage, Morchard Bishop, Crediton, listed as their niece. In 1861, Sarah Bennett (17) was House Servant in the household of William Davy, Farmer and Miller at Stone Mill, Leverton Road, Chawleigh, Crediton. Sarah's grandparents, the parents of both her uncle William Bennett and her mother, Jane Bennett, were Richard Bennett and Mary Richards.

William and Sarah Flew had four children: 

1. Thomas Flew b. 11 Feb 1864 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 475, bap. 18 Feb 1864 at All Saint's Church, Rackenford
2. Mary Jane Flew b. 3 Sep 1865 S Quarter in CREDITON Volume 05B Page 387, bap. 6 Sep 1865 at St David’s Church, Thelbridge
3. Sarah Flew b. 31 Dec 1867, reg. 1868 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 470, bap. 22 Mar 1868 at All Saint's, Rackenford
4. William Flew b. 1870 M Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B Page 480

The GRO birth registrations confirm the mother's maiden name as Bennett.

In 1871, William Flew (30), Sarah Flew (26), Thomas Flew (7), Jane Flew (5), Sarah Flew (3) and William Flew (1) were living at Windsor, Rackenford, South Molton, Devon. William Flew's birthplace was listed as Rackenford, although Sarah's was listed as not known; the two older children's birthplace was listed as Thelbridge and the two younger ones, Rackenford. Living with them was Ann Flew (72), William's mother, listed as Mother-in-Law.

Sarah Flew died, age estimated to 29, on Christmas Eve 1872 of "diarrhoea" which may mean Typhoid (1872 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 302) and was buried on 29 Dec 1872 in Rackenford.

In Sarah Child's, Rackenford, A Short History, we read that, Thomas Flew aged 11 years 3 months, was admitted to Rackenford school on May 24 1875. "Thomas came from Winsor Cottage on Sideham farm, a good two miles’ walk from school; his father was a labourer working for Mr Beedell [Robert Beedell 1817-1886] on Sideham and his mother had died three years earlier. Thomas’ sister Mary Jane aged 8 joined him at school in October."

William Flew remarried to Jane Middleton, in Knowstone on 2 Sep 1875.

William Flew died, age estimated as 40, from measles and pneumonia, in March 1876 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 344 and was buried on 5 Mar 1876. His widow Jane was present at that death.

The descendants of William Flew and Sarah Bennett:

On March 13 1876, however, the school records tell us that, “Thomas and Mary Flew have left, gone to the workhouse." Sarah Child in, Rackenford, A Short History, continues that, "Their stepmother seems to have managed to keep their 7 year old sister but for Thomas, Mary and 6 year old William there was no alternative." Mary Jane Flew, age estimated as 13, died in 1880 M Quarter in South Molton Workhouse and "as was the regulation, she was buried in Rackenford at the parish expense", on 7 Feb 1880.

In 1881, Thomas Flew (16) Farm Servant (Indoor) was back at Sideham, Rackenford. Sarah Flue (sic) (12) was a General Domestic Servant to Elias Mills, Farmer, at Lower Southdown, Burrington, while William Flew (11), sadly, was still an inmate of the Union Workhouse, South Molton.

In 1891, Thomas Flew (25) was still Agricultural Servant to Robert Beedell, Farmer (son of his earlier boss) at Syd[e]ham, Rackenford; Sarah Flew (23) was a General Servant at Lewiss Elstone, Chulmleigh, South Molton. William Flew, by then 21, seems to have evaded being listed on this census.

Thomas Flew (33) Servant from Rackenford, son of William Flew, married Elizabeth Ann Marshall (32) Servant from Knowstone, at St Peter's Church, Knowstone on 31 Mar 1897. Elizabeth Ann was the daughter of James Marshall and Mary Flew. Mary was the elder sister of Thomas' father, William - so the couple were first cousins. They had one son, William James Flew b. 19 Feb 1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 400.

William Flew (28) Post Man, son of William Flew, married Joan Priest (bap. 28 Jun 1868 in North Molton), daughter of William Priest and Harriet Galliford, on 6 Oct 1897 in North Molton, Devon. This couple also had one son, Ernest William Flew b. 6 Apr 1902 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 398, bap. 20 Apr 1902 in North Molton.

In 1901, living at Zeal Cottage, Bampton, were Thomas Flew (37) Agricultural Labourer; son, William Flew (3); sister, Sarah Flew (31) House keeper and Robert Flew (5) Nephew [1]. Elizabeth A Flew (36) was a Patient (Lunatic) at the Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster (later Exminster Hospital). William Flew (30) Rural Postman and Joan Flew (32) were living with Joan's widowed mother, Harriet Priest (65) at Tellacott Cottage, North Molton.

[1] Robert George Haymon Flew b. 11 Nov 1895 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 395 and bap. 9 Dec 1895 in South Molton, was the illegitimate son of Sarah Flew (and, presumably, a Mr Haymon). In 1901, Robert Flew, son of S Flew of Zeal Cottage, was registered at Shillingford And Petton County Primary School, Shillingford, Devon. A date of leaving of 31 Oct 1902 is listed on the school register. As Robert George Edward Flew, age 6, of Zeal Cottage, Bampton, he died in 1902 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 279 and was buried at Petton Chapelry on 8 Nov 1902.

Elizabeth Ann Flew, died aged 43, at Devon County Lunatic Asylum, in 1908 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 40 and was buried on 10 Aug 1908 at the Exminster, Devon County Asylum Cemetery.

In 1911, Thomas Flew (45) Carter on Farm, Sarah Flew (41) Sister, Housekeeper and William James Flew (13) were at Higher Coombe, Uplowman, Devon. William Flew (41) Rural Postman, Joan Flew (42) and Ernest William Flew (8) were living in East Street, North Molton.

In 1921, Thomas Flew (57) Farm Labourer, Out of Work and Sarah Flew (53) were living at Worth Cottages, Silverton, Devon; William James Flew (23) Cowman was at Poundland Farm, Silverton, Devon; William Flew (51) Town Postman, was living at 16, East Street, South Molton with Joan Flew (53) and George Somerwill (75) Old Age Pensioner from Swimbridge, Boarder.

Ernest William Flew, son of William Flew and Joan Priest, married Elsie May Baker, daughter of Richard Baker and Ellen Irwin, in Cardiff, in 1927. (Elsie May's parents were from Ilfracombe and Coombe Martin, respectively.)

William Flew died, at 63, in 1933 S Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 368.

In 1939, Thomas Flew, Incapacitated, Widowed and his sister, Sarah Flew, still keeping house, were living in High Street, North Petherton, Bridgewater, Somerset; William James Flew was a Cowman at Manor Farm, Marsh Green, Whimple, Exeter, Devon; and Ernest W Flew, Test Baker Flour Mill (he also had a civilian role as a Special Constable) and wife Elsie M Flew were living at 7 Treorky Street, Cardiff, with Elsie's widowed mother, Ellen Baker.

• Thomas Flew (80) died in 1944 S Qtr in BRIDGWATER 05C 310
• Sarah Flew (78) died in 1946 D Qtr in BRIDGWATER 07C 103
• Joan Flew (88) died in 1956 S Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 08B 163
• William James Flew (74) died in Taunton, Somerset in 1972
• Elsie May Flew died in Cathays, Cardiff on 18 Apr 1984
• Ernest William Flew died, in Cardiff on 1 May 1985