Henry Wood and Mary Jane Melhuish

Kentisbeare: St Mary's churchyard
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/4624352

Henry Wood, son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Jane Melhuish at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 31 May 1866. 

Henry and Mary Jane had ten children:

1. Charles Henry Wood born 1866, bap. 19 Aug 1866 at All Saints, Blackborough, Devon (Demolished 1994)
2. William Wood born 1869, bap. 27 Mar 1869 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare
3. Emma Jane Wood born 1871, bap. 3 Sep 1871 in Kentisbeare
4. Alice Wood born 1874, bap. 18 Jan 1874 in Kentisbeare. (Died 1874, aged 3 weeks and buried on 25 Jan 1874, also in Kentisbeare.)
5. Henry Wood born 1875, bap. 3 Feb 1875 in Kentisbeare
6. Amelia Wood born 1877, bap. 3 Jun 1877 in Kentisbeare
7. Walter Wood born 1879, bap. 25 Dec 1879 in Kentisbeare
8. Alice Mary Wood born 1882, 4 Jun 1882 in Kentisbeare
9. Ellen Wood born 1887, bap. 9 Mar 1887 in Kentisbeare
10. Frederick Wood born 1889, bap. 11 Aug 1889 in Kentisbeare

On Charles Henry's baptism in Blackborough, Henry and Mary Jane are described as "Tinkers in Kentisbeare", which is an archaic term for an itinerant tinsmith who mends household utensils.

In 1871, they were living in the Village, Kentisbeare with Henry Wood (28) Farm Labourer from Kentisbeare, Devon, wife Mary Jane (24), with Charles Henry (6), William (2) as well as Henry's father, James Wood (57), mother, Harriet (51), brother James (12) and sister, Sarah (8). 

In 1881 and still living in the Village, Kentisbeare, were Henry Wood (38), Mary J (34), William (12), Harry (6), Amelia (4) and Walter (1). Charles Henry (15) had already left home and was working as a Farm Servant (indoors) for William Snell (48) Farmer of 118 Acres at Bishops Farm, Kentisbeare, while Emma Jane (9) was staying nearby with her grandmother, Harriet. 

In 1891, living in a Cottage, Kentisbeare (quite possibly the same place), were Henry Wood (48), Mary J (44), Charles (24), Emma J (19), Henry (16), Milly [Amelia] (14), Walter (11), Alice (9) and Ellen (4). 

In 1901, back in the Village, Kentisbeare, there were Henry Wood (59) now a Carter on Farm, Mary Jane (55), Charles Wood (34) Single, also a Carter on Farm, Ellen Wood (14) and Henry Melhuish (44) Lodger.

Henry Wood died, aged 63 and was buried on 13 Mar 1904 in Kentisbeare.

In 1911, Charles Wood (44) Widower and Waggoner on Farm has become head of the household with, Mary Jane (65) and brother Walter (31). 

Charles Wood predeceased his mother and died in 1933 at 68.

Mary Jane Wood died in 1935, at 87.

James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish

Broadhembury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Stowell - geograph.org.uk/p/6855

James Wood, son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Ann Melhuish on 20 May 1883 at St. Mary’s church, Kentisbeare. 

James' elder brother, Henry Wood, had married a Mary Jane Melhuish, which seems an incredible coincidence. Henry's wife, Mary Jane had said she was from Plymouth, while Mary Ann lists herself as being from Clayhidon. But in neither case can I find a birth for either of them individually, much less find any connection between them. That's another mystery for another day.

James and Mary Ann had 11 children:

1. Robert Wood born 1883, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare (Baptism record notes that he was 18 months old.) 
2. Sarah Ann Wood bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare
3. Edith Maud Wood b. 24 Jul 1887, bap. 14 Aug 1887 in Kentisbeare
4. Harriet Mary Wood b. 23 Nov 1888, bap. 13 Jan 1889 in Kentisbeare
5. George Wood born 30 Aug 1890, bap. 5 Oct 1890 in Broadhembury
6. Unnamed male Wood born Q1 1893 (Died in the same quarter)
7. Eldred James Wood born 15 Mar 1894, bap. 1 Apr 1894 in Broadhembury. 
8. Mabel Wood bap. 8 Aug 1896 in Kentisbeare (Died at 21 days old, buried 23 Aug 1896, also in Kentisbeare)
9. Roland Ashford Wood b. 25 Jan 1898, bap. 13 Mar 1898 in Kentisbeare. 
10. Reginald Leonard Wood b. 8 May 1901, bap. ? 1901 in Blackborough
11. Mabel Frances Wood b. 1904 (Died at 26 days old, buried 17 Jan 1904 in Blackborough)

In 1891 the family were living in Broad Road, Broadhembury, Honiton with James Wood (32) Agricultural Labourer, Mary A (29), Robert (7), Sarah A (5), Edith M (3), Harriet M (2) and George (0).

In 1901, they were back in Kentisbeare at Hollis Green, with James Wood (43), Mary A (39), Edith (13), Harriet M (12), George (10), Eldred J (7) and Roland A (3). I've been unable to find either Robert or Sarah Ann. 

In 1911, at Cobblers Hall, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (53), Mary Ann (49), Sarah Ann Wood (25) Domestic Servant Cook, and Reginald Leonard Wood (9).

James Wood died in 1918, aged around 61.

In 1939, Mary Ann Wood, Widow, was living at 15, Blackborough with her youngest son, Reginald Leonard, then employed as a Rabbit Trapper. 

Mary Ann Wood died in 1955, aged 91.

1. Eldred J Wood served in the Devonshire Regiment during World War I.
2. Roland A Wood married Cicely Butt in 1939. That year they were living at Bodmiscombe Wood, where Roland was a Farmer on his own account. Roland Ashford Wood died on 28 Feb 1975.
3. Reginald Leonard Wood of 15 Blaydon Cottages, Blackborough, died on 18 Jun 1954 at Tiverton and District Hospital. As he left his effects to his widowed mother, we can probably conclude he had not married. 

James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood

British Cemetery Graves, St Sever Cemetery Extension Photo: Giogo, Some rights reserved

Sarah Ann Wood, eldest daughter of James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish, married James Edmond (b. 1888, in Prestonpans, Midlothian, Scotland), son of George Edmond, at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 8 May 1911. At the time of the marriage, James Edmond was a Lodging House Keeper and Sarah was a Domestic Servant. Both gave their address as Ponchydown, Kentisbeare (did they perhaps run the former Ponchydown Inn in Blackborough).

James and Sarah Ann had three children:

1. James Roland George Edmond b. 24 Jul 1912, bap. 29 Dec 1912 at Blackborough, Devon, although the family's address on the baptism record was given as 2 New St, Prestonpans.
2. Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond born 23 Dec 1914
3. Constance Mary Helen Edmond born 11 May 1917

On 23 Jun 1906, James Edmond enlisted for Short Service in the Scots Guards. He served until 23 Jun 1909 and was transferred to the reserve. However, he was mobilised again on 5 Aug 1914, the day after Britain declared war on Germany. James was promoted to Corporal in 1915 and Sergeant in 1916. His army record states that he embarked on the "SS Queen Alexandria", in Southampton on 9 Aug 1916, arriving in Le Havre the next day.

Admitted to hospital on 14 May 1918, dangerously ill, having received a gunshot wound to the head, James died of his wounds, at the No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, on 25 May 1918. Sgt James Edmond is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Plot: Q. I. A. 3.

Devington Park, Exminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sarah Charlesworth - geograph.org.uk/p/990195
A huge complex of apartments, housed in what was once the Devon Mental Hospital.

Sarah Ann Edmond, widow, of The Mental Hospital, Exminster (originally Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster), died on 4 Dec 1933, leaving her effects to her son James Roland George Edmond, Guardsman.

Constance M H Edmond, in 1939, Incapacitated, was resident at the The Royal Western Counties Institution For Training And Treatment Of Mental Defectives, Starcross. "Originally known as the Western Counties Idiot Asylum, this institution opened in 1864 in a house and land, rented from W.R. Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon." "It later became known as the Western Counties Institution, Starcross, and was certified as 'a residential special school for mental defectives'. Residents were trained in carving, weaving, basketry, lace-making and carpentry, and worked on the institution's agricultural holdings." The institution was closed in 1986, and demolished.

Constance M H Edmond had died in 1949, aged 32.

James Wood and Harriet Gollop

Kentisbeare: village stores and Post Office
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/4624324

James Wood (b. 1814), son of Henry Wood, Shoemaker, with residence in Bathwick, Somerset, married Harriet Gollop, daughter of Robert Gollop and Jane Horton on 19 Feb 1840 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare Devon. 

Records suggest that James and Harriet had at least seven children: 

1. Mary Jane Wood born 1840, bap. 14 Jun 1840 in Widworthy
2. Henry Wood born 1842, bap. 30 Oct 1842 in Kentisbeare
3. Ann Wood born 1845 and/or 1854 (see below)
4. Charles Wood bap. 9 Sep 1849 in Kentisbeare
5. Emma Wood born 1852, bap. 4 May 1856 in Kentisbeare
6. James Wood born 1857, bap. 2 Aug 1857 in Kentisbeare
7. Sarah Ann Wood bap. 5 Oct 1862 in Kentisbeare

In 1841, Harriet Wood (20) and her daughter Mary (1) were living in Harriet's mother's household at Lusehayne, Widworthy. It was quite common for women to go back to their mother's home to give birth to first babies. James, presumably, was away working, but I've not found where.  

In 1851, James Wood (37), wife Harriet (32), Mary (9), Henry (8), Ann (5) and Charles (2) were living at Lower Croyle, Kentisbeare. Mary J (10) was also once again listed as staying with her grandmother in Widworthy.

In 1861, living in North Street, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (47), Harriet (43), Charles (10), Ann (7) and James (4). NB: Ann's age just doesn't stack up. She should either have been 15, or this is a different child, but I can find neither birth or death registrations, nor baptisms around either date to clarify.

In 1871, James Wood (57), Harriet (51), James (12) and Sarah (8) were living with son Henry Wood and his family in Kentisbeare Village.

James Wood died in 1880, aged 65. 

In 1881, Harriet Wood (64) Widow, Unemployed, was living in Kentisbeare Village with son James (23) and granddaughter, Emma (9) [Henry's daughter].

Harriet Wood died and was buried on 3 Jan 1889, in Kentisbeare.

William Northcott and Emma Jane Wood

Fore Street, Cullompton with the grade II listed White Hart
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/5497724

William Northcott married Emma Jane Wood, daughter of Henry Wood and Mary Jane Melhuish from Kentisbeare, Devon, in 1896. Five years earlier, in 1891, William Northcott (19) Blacksmith, had been a lodger at The White Hart, Fore Street, Cullompton, but I've been unable to find him before that. 

William and Emma's children included: 

1. Maud Wood, Emma's illegitimate daughter, born 1894 and baptised on 19 Feb 1895, when she was 14 months old, in Kentisbeare
2. William Henry Northcott born 8 Mar 1897 (not seen after 1911)
3. Arthina Northcott born 14 Oct 1898, bap. 2 Nov 1898 in Cullompton
4. Elizabeth Northcott born 1900 (died 1900 aged 0)
5. Charles John Northcott born 23 Feb 1902, bap. 23 Mar 1902
6. Albert James Northcott born 30 Aug 1903, bap. 16 Sep 1903 in Cullompton (died 1904, aged 0)
7. Florence Northcott born 25 Oct 1907, Emma's illegitimate daughter

The retreat, Cullompton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/4955997
The neighbouring house in the row on the left, also listed, is Church Cottage.

In 1901, William Northcott (31) Blacksmith Journeyman from Branscombe, Devon (not identified relevant birth), wife Emma Jane (30) from Kentisbeare, along with Emma's daughter, Maud Wood (7), William Henry Northcott (4) and Arthenia Northcott (2) were living at Church Cottages, Cullompton.

William Northcott (33) died and was buried on 15 May 1904, in Cullompton.

Charles John Northcott was registered at Elmore School, Tiverton in 1908, with his address as Elmore Workhouse. In 1911, Emma Northcote (sic) (37) Widow, Laundress was living at 7 Rices Court, West Exe South, Tiverton with William (14) Errand Boy, Arthina (12), Charles (9) and Florence (3). 

Charles John Northcott (17) joined the Royal Tank Corps on 19 Aug 1919.

In 1917, Emma J Northcott had remarried to Arthur Southcott. What were the chances?

Arthur Southcott, born 30 Jul 1883, bap. 9 Aug 1883 at St Peter’s Church Tiverton, therefore 12 years younger than his wife, was the son of Frederick Southcott and Eliza Harris. 

Arthur Southcott died in 1935, in his early 50's.

In 1939, Emma J Southcott, Widowed again, was living at 7 Bartows Causeway, Tiverton with Dorothy A Evans (Arthina Northcott had married Ernest F J Evans in 1918), Laundress, and Dorothy Florence Northcott (b. 16 Nov 1916 - mother's maiden name was Northcott, so appears to be Arthina's illegitimate daughter), who worked at the Lace Factory and one other person. Emma Jane Southcott died in 1947. 

Tiverton : Bartows Causeway
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/5699381