Harry Sampson and Ellen Ridgeway

Rectory House and Church at Sampford Peverell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tony Atkin - geograph.org.uk/p/2227593

Harry Sampson (25), son of James Sampson and Sarah Jane Ponsford, married Ellen Ridgeway (22), daughter of Thomas Ridgway and Ann Tooze, at St John the Baptist Church, Sampford Peverell on 20 April 1908. Witnesses to the marriage were William Ambrose Quick, husband of Ellen's sister Bessie Ann, and Mary Sampson, Harry's younger sister.

In 1911, Harry Sampson (28) Waggoner on farm and Ellen Sampson (25) were living at Middle Pitt, Burlescombe. (Living at Middle Pitt at that same time were Frank Stone, Ellen's first cousin, and his wife Frances.)

In 1921, Harry Sampson (38), Carter on Farm and Ellen Sampson (35) were living at 2, Putson Cottages, [Blundells Road], Tiverton, Devon.

Harry Sampson died, at 55, in 1938 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 547.

In 1939, Ellen Sampson was living with her brother-in-law and sister, William and Bessie Quick, at 104, Barrington Street, Tiverton.

In 1947, Ellen Sampson remarried, at 61, to John William Salway. 

John William Salway (b. 1884), was the son of Charles Salway and Sarah Ann Galpin. In 1909, John William Salway had married Ellen Taylor, who had died in 1940. He was in no danger of getting his wives' names confused!

Ellen Salway (formerly Sampson, née Ridgeway) died, aged 71, in 1957 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 706. 

John William Salway died on 11 Mar 1972.

William Parsons and Mary Ann Stone

Tyne Cot Cemetery. Photo: Mike Thurston Some rights reserved

William Parsons (b. 4 Jul 1882 in Bampton, Devon), son of John Parsons and Emma Burrows, married Mary Ann Stone (b. 1886 in Uffculme) daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman, on 19 Apr 1906. Witnesses were the bride's father, Frederick James Stone and James Parsons, the groom's elder brother.

On 21 Oct 1899, William Parsons from Shillingford, Bampton, Devon, adding a year to his age and saying he was 18, had joined the Devonshire Regiment at Exeter. He was then 5ft 5⅝in, weighing 126 lbs, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was, however, discharged on 30 Jun 1900. In 1901, William Parsons was Stockman at Mill Head, Bampton, but by the time of his marriage, he'd become a Railway Platelayer, residing in Landkey.

William and Mary Ann had two children: 

1. William James Parsons b. 1906 D Qtr in BARNSTAPLE Vol 05B 407
2. Olive Mary Parsons b. 1908 M Qtr in BARNSTAPLE Vol 05B 421

In 1911, William Parsons (28) Railway Platelayer, Mary Ann (24), William James (4) and Olive Mary (3) were living at 2 Abyssinia Terrace, Barnstaple.

Corporal William Parsons of 1st Bn., Devonshire Regiment, was killed in action during the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 Oct 1917, aged 35, and is buried at Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, located outside Passendale, near Zonnebeke in Belgium, Plot LXIII. D. 12. (The Battle of Broodseinde was part of the Third Battle of Ypres – a major Allied offensive in Flanders which became known as Passchendaele.) The Western Times of 9 Nov 1917 reported on his death: "Corpl Parsons, who in peace time was engaged on the G.W.R. at Bristol, leaves a widow and two children."

In 1919, Mary Ann Parsons married Sydenham Charles Brunt (b. 1871), son of John Brunt and Fanny Carpenter, in Keynsham, Somerset. Sydenham was a widower, having first married Hannah Elizabeth "Bessie" Carey, in 1891, with whom he had two children. Hannah Elizabeth Brunt died, at 45, in 1917.

In 1921, Sydenham C Brunt (49) Time Keeper working for G.W.R. at Bristol (he'd previously been a Railway Policeman), was living at 72, Repton Road, Brislington, Bristol, with Mary Ann Brunt (35), William J Parsons (14) Step-son, Messenger and Olive Mary Parsons (13) Step-Daughter.

Sydenham Charles Brunt died, at 58, in 1929 M Quarter in BRISTOL.

Mary Ann Brunt of 72, Repton Road, Brislington, died, at 44, on 15 Dec 1930 (1930 D Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 117), leaving her effects to William James Parsons, Railway Porter and Olive Mary Parsons, Spinster.

Richard Land (Trafalgar veteran) and Mary Rookes

The Opening Engagement at Trafalgar; H.M.S. 'Royal Sovereign' raking the
stern of the Spanish flagship 'Santa Ana'. James Wilson Carmichael

Richard Land (bap. 24 Oct 1784 at St Michael & All Angels, Bampton, Devon) son of John Land and Sarah Melhuish, married Mary Rookes (b. 7 Jan 1791, bap. 15 May 1791 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton), daughter of Thomas and Mary Rooke, at St George's Church, East Stonehouse, on 18 Apr 1811.

Richard and Mary Land had five children:

1. Mary Land b. 26 Jun 1812, bap. 20 Sep 1812 at St Peter's, Tiverton
2. Sarah Land bap. 8 Oct 1815 in Tiverton
3. Richard Land bap. 25 Dec 1817 in Tiverton
4. Elizabeth Land bap. 24 Apr 1820 in Tiverton
5. Fanny Land bap. 16 Feb 1823 in Tiverton

The baptisms from 1815 onwards list Richard's occupation then as Labourer and so many were just that, but this certainly doesn't reflect his whole story:

The records of Royal Navy Allotment Declarations - seamen and marines were able to send (allot) part of their wages to support next of kin at home - lists Richard Land from Bampton, Drummer, in 1805-10 with HMS Hibernia (1804) at which time he allotted part of his pay to his mother, Sarah. Then, when he was with HMS Ocean (1805) in 1811-12, to his wife, Mary.

Marine Drummer Richard Land served at the Battle of Trafalgar (confirmed here), being a drummer serving on HMS Royal Sovereign (1786), the flagship of Admiral Collingwood and the first ship of the fleet in action at Trafalgar on 21 Oct 1805. She led one column of warships; Nelson's Victory led the other. Royal Sovereign lost her mizzen and mainmasts in the battle. Richard Land's station on the ship will have been up on the poop deck, an exposed spot (in a bright red uniform), probably to one side of the [by then missing] mizzen mast, so it's pretty much a bloody miracle he survived at all. 

"Royal Marine Drummers were first mentioned in the 1664 Convening Order, at the formation of Corps and so pride themselves as being the oldest Branch in the Corps." - Royal Marines Band Service

On his pension records, Richard Land's service in the Royal Marines is listed as being 14 years, 1 month, 2 weeks and 6 days. If he left the service in 1816, it's more that likely he had enlisted in 1802 at 18. He was granted a pension, at the age of 32, from 16 May 1816, of £8 8s per year, for life. 

St Andrew Street, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery 
geograph.org.uk/p/6242815

In 1841, Richard Land (55), Mary Land (50), Mary Land (3) and Thomas Rooks (80) were living in St Andrew Street, Tiverton. The three year old was their granddaughter, born Mary Elizabeth Gould Land bap. 29 Apr 1838, in Tiverton, the illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Land (and someone whose surname was Gould?). Thomas Rooks (sic) was Richard's father-in-law. 

Mary Land died, aged 58, in 1849 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 194, and was buried on 10 Jun 1849, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton.

In 1851, Richard Land (66) Masons labourer (Greenwich pensioner) was still in St Andrew Street, Tiverton, with Mary Land (12) Grand child, Scholar.

Richard Land (72) 5' 4", Widower from Bampton Devon, Labourer, last ship HMS Ocean, Marine was admitted to Greenwich Hospital, London on 21 Dec 1855. (Just in time to be "regaled with plum pudding and roast beef" on Christmas Day.) The Royal Hospital for Seaman, as it was originally called, now the Old Royal Naval College, once described as the "poshest pensioners home that ever was". Life as a Greenwich Pensioner. In the column, "If wounded", it said NO, but underneath was written "Trafalgar".

This Description In 1855 is fascinating in describing their diet, clothing and facilities. It boasts that, "Their food is of the best description, varied daily by a new and liberal arrangement of diet introduced in 1853." (If a bit heavy on roast or boiled beef and mutton.) "Two pints of excellent beer is the daily allowance throughout the year, except on four days set apart as festival days, when each man is supplied with two quarts of strong ale." 

Also in 1855, it was said, "The clothing has been somewhat changed of late. The original dress corresponded with that in common wear at the beginning of the last century; but the knee-breeches have been exchanged for trousers, and round hats have been allowed for daily wear. Cocked hats are issued, however, as before, and are worn on Sundays and on ceremonial occasions."

"By all accounts the ‘Greenwich Geese’ as locals referred to them were a rowdy bunch and barely resembled our modern image of elderly pensioners." (Not resembling any image of elderly pensioners is a good aim, IMHO!)

Richard Land, Navy Pensioner, died on 25 Dec 1866 (1866 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Volume 01D Page 405), at the pretty grand old age of 82, at 3 Walsingham Place, Summer Street, Peckham, London from Senectus and diarrhoea (3 weeks certified). An E Pruitt was present at his death. (Senectus is the Latin word for "old age" and is not a disease, but an historical term for a cause of death that indicates age-related decline.) Richard Land was buried on 1 Jan 1867 at Camberwell Old Cemetery, Square 37, Grave 2647.

Charles Palmer and Mary Amelia Oxford

Maker Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © jeff collins - geograph.org.uk/p/3634359

Charles Palmer, son of John Palmer and Esther Collins, married Mary Amelia Oxford, daughter of John Oxford and Elizabeth Lang, at St Mary's and St Julian's Church, Maker, Cornwall on 17 Apr 1835. 

Charles and Mary had seven children:

1. Esther Elizabeth Palmer b. 27 Mar 1836, bap. 12 Jun 1836 at Buckwell Lane Rehoboth Chapel -Independent, Plymouth.
2. Benjamin Charles Palmer b. 1838 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 387. (No baptism and no further records found.)
3. James Lang Palmer b. 1840 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 371, bap. 11 Oct 1844 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
4. Edward Oxford Palmer b. 31 May 1844 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 409, bap. 11 Oct 1844 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
5. Elizabeth Colwill Palmer b. 1846 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 378, bap. 7 Oct 1846 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth, died aged 1, in 1848 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 245
6. Charles Palmer b. 1848 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 365
7. Mary Palmer b. 17 November 1848 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 09 Page 365, reputedly born at 16 Catte Street, Plymouth.

It's clear that the last two were twins. On James and Edward's baptism, Charles' occupation in listed as Labourer. On Elizabeth Colwill's baptism, he is listed as a Porter and the family's address as Catte Street.

In 1841, Charles Palmer (25) was living in York Street, Plymouth St Andrew with Mary Palmer (25), Ester Palmer (5), Benjn Palmer (3), James Palmer (1) and a Margert Charter (20). All spellings as (badly) written/transcribed.

In 1851, Charles Parmer (sic) (39) Sub Bailliff (sic) with birthplace suggested as Ionkley (sic), Lancashire - there is a Charles Palmer born in Hinckley, Leicestershire - was living in Vauxhall Street, Charles The Martyr, Plymouth with wife Mary Parmer (39) from Devonport, Devonshire; Benjamin Parmer (13), Edward Parmer (11), James Parmer (7) - clearly they have transposed James and Edward's ages - Charles Parmer (2) and Mary Parmer (2). 

In 1861, Charles Talmer (sic - this is certainly a transcription error) (48) Tanner and Mary Talmer (sic) Wife of Tanner are still living in Vauxhall Street with the twins, Charles (12) and Mary (12), as well as Esther Talmer (70) from Winchester, Hampshire, Widowed, 'Tanner's Mother', Edmund Drake (3) - daughter Esther's step-son - and William Barry (0) Boarder. Charles' father, John Palmer, who had died in 1855, had been a Tanner, so it would appear that Charles had taken over his trade (or at least attempted to do so).

Mary Amelia Palmer died, aged 55, in 1867 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 208 and was buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

There is a Charles Palmer (age estimated to 61), Widowed, Porter, birthplace Plymouth, Devonshire, listed in Charles, Devon in 1871.

Charles Palmer died, aged 61, in 1874 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 170. He is also buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

James Potter and Jane Stone

All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/5100720

James Potter (b. 1741) married Jane Stone (bap. 3 Jul 1744 in Holcombe Rogus), who was the daughter of William Stone and Temperance Hitchcock, at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus, on 16 Apr 1770. 

James and Jane had two daughters, baptised in Holcombe Rogus:

1. Joan Potter bap. 21 Jan 1771
2. Agnis Potter (sic) bap. 17 Dec 1775

James Potter died, at 39, in 1780 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus.

Jane Potter later remarried to James Dunn of Chipstable, in Holcombe Rogus, on 13 May 1796. Witnesses to this marriage were Joan Blackmore and Samuel Tooze. James Dunn, bap. 8 Sep 1732 in Chipstaple, son of John and Joan Dunn, had previously married Ann Langdon on 6 Feb 1757 and on the record of this marriage, we discover that James Dunn was a Shoemaker. The couple had one child, a daughter, Ann Dunn bap. 17 Sep 1760. James first wife, Ann Dunn, died in 1782. James Dunn died in Chipstable, in 1802. 

Jane Dunn died in 1828 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus.

• William Heyward (bap. 3 Jun 1757 in Huish Champflower), son of John and Elenor Heyward, married Ann Dunn, daughter of James Dunn and Ann Langdon, in Chipstable, on 14 Mar 1785. William and Ann had six children: William Heyward bap. 19 Feb 1786 in Huish Champflower; Ann Heyward bap. 28 Sep 1788; Sylvia Heyward bap. 18 Mar 1792; Elinor Heyward bap. 9 Apr 1795; James Dunn Hayward bap. 24 Mar 1798 in Chipstable; and Fanny Heyward b. 8 May 1804, bap. 15 May 1804 in Huish Champflower. Anne Heyward (née Dunn) died, aged 79, in 1840 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 167 and was buried in Huish Champflower. In 1841, William Heyward was living in the household of Robert and Fanny Stone. Robert Stone, son of William Stone, Miller had married Fanny Heyward, daughter of William Heyward, Shoemaker - thus it appears she is William's daughter. (Please don't ask me what relation Robert Stone is to Jane Stone, but they inevitably are.) William Heyward died, aged 87, in 1843 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 1660 and was also buried in Huish Champflower.
• William Heyward (bap. 19 Feb 1786 in Huish Champflower), son of William Heyward and Ann Dunn, meanwhile, married Agnes Potter (bap. 17 Dec 1775 in Holcombe Rogus), daughter of James Potter and Jane Stone, on 26 Nov 1809, in Chipstable. Records exist for three daughters: Sylvia Heyward bap. 27 Nov 1809, Harriott Heyward bap. 8 Nov 1811 (buried in Chipstaple in 1813) and Agnes Heyward bap. 9 Jan 1815, all baptised in Chipstable. The last of these baptisms shows her father's occupation as a Cordwainer (a shoemaker who makes new shoes from new leather.) William Heywood (50) Journeyman Shoemaker and Agnes Heywood (60) were living on Golden Hill, Wivelscombe in 1841. In 1851, still on Golden Hill, were William Hayward (65) Pauper Shoemaker and Agnes Hayward (75). Agnes Heyward (née Potter) died, at 84, in 1858 J Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 251 and was buried in Wivelscombe. In 1861, William Hayward (75) Widower, Shoe Maker, was a boarder in the household of John Richards (45) and Sylvia Richards (52) - clearly William's eldest daughter - at Routine Row, Russells Buildings, Wivelscombe. William Heyward died, at 80, in 1861 D Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 258 and was also buried in Wivelscombe.

Once more, the Devon family tree is a complicated monkey puzzle! :)

James Land and Jane Flew

Church of St Michael and All Angels, Bampton

cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rob Purvis - geograph.org.uk/p/6807505

James Land (b. 1828) son of John Land and Loveday Flew, married Jane Flew (b. ~1826), daughter of Robert Flew and Mary Cottrell (Robert Flew was the brother of Loveday Flew, so the couple were first cousins), at the parish church of St Michael and All Angels in Bampton, on 16 Apr 1854.

James and Jane had one son:

1. George Land b. 1855 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 374, bap. 9 Dec 1855, in Bampton, Devon. Died 1856 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 304.

Jane Land died, aged 30, in 1856 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 304. Those deaths may have occurred at the end of 1855 and registered in early 1856 and, it would appear likely that Jane died giving birth to their son.

James Land, widower, married Rose Anna Beamer (b. 1823), widow, on 19 Apr 1863 at St Michael and All Angels, Bampton. Rose Anna Beamer gave her father's name as Isaac Smith, Labourer. (Not found hers, but I've found a baptism on 1 Feb 1824 for a Mary Smith, daughter of Isaac and Hannah Smith at All Saints, Norton Fitzwarren, who may have been her sister.)

In 1861, James Land (32) Quarry Labourer was a Lodger in the household of Ann Beamer (38) from Norton, Somerset, along with four of her children: Mary (10), Alfred (8), James (6) and Lindy (2). The civil birth registration for James in 1855, confirms that Rose Anna's maiden name was SMITH.

With a two year old in 1861, one might assume that Rose Anna (Ann) had only recently been widowed, but the only record of a death that may be that of her husband - I haven't been able to find the earlier marriage, but son Alfred Beamer's marriage gives his father's name as James Beamer - is that for a James Beamer, aged 37, in the last quarter of 1854. That would make James Beamer, born 1855, a posthumous child. Although, it would also make Lindy Beamer the child of another liaison. Not exactly unheard of.

John and Rose Anna Land had at least three further children together:

1. George Land Beamer b. 1862 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 461, registered George Beamer, no mother's maiden name. Death registered as George Land Beamer in 1863 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 335.
2. Loveday Jane Land b. 1864 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 455, mother's maiden name this time was listed as SMITH.
3. John Land b. 3 Feb 1866, in Stoodleigh, Devon (No GRO reg.)

In 1871, in High Street, Bampton, we find James Land (41) and Rosannah (46), with just Loveday J (7) and John (5). Not one of Rose Anna's family are living with their mother. It's not the first time I've seen a first family "disappear" when their parent remarries. Rose Anna's daughter, Mary (b. 1850), I've been unable to find any mention of; Alfred Bimmer (sic) (19) was working as a [Farm] Servant for Thomas Chave in Morebath; James Beamer (16) Masons Labourer was lodging, with Henry Beamer (21) Ag Lab, elsewhere in Bampton; there are no other records of Lindy Beamer.

In 1881, at Westbrook Cottage, Bampton, at a guess, on Westbrook Farm (PDF), were James Land (54) Ag Lab; Ann Land (58); Jane Land (18) Domestic (Out of Service) - just given birth; John Land (16) Gen Labourer; Henry Beames (sic) (8) Grandson and Rosana Land (0) Granddaughter.

James Land died, at 56, in 1884 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 297.

There is a death of a Rose Anne Land in 1889, with her age estimated as 40 (1889 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 273). This would be a 20 year discrepancy, but is a typical lie about a woman's age and her name is uncommon enough for me to be persuaded this does most likely relate.

In 1891, John Land (24) Private in the Royal Marines Light Infantry was at Fort Stamford, Plymstock, Devon. He had enlisted on 3 Jan 1885, served for 21 years until Jan 1906 and then again in 1914-15. That latter period, mostly, at Plymouth Division, but from 12 Sep - 3 Dec 1914, on HMS Jupiter: When World War I broke out in August 1914, Jupiter was transferred to the 7th Battle Squadron of the Channel Fleet. During this service, she covered the passage of the British Expeditionary Force from England to France in September 1914. In late October 1914, Jupiter was reassigned to serve alongside her sister ship Majestic as a guard ship at the Nore. On 3 November 1914, Jupiter and Majestic left the Nore and relieved their sister ships Hannibal and Magnificent of guard ship duty on the Humber. In December 1914, Jupiter moved on to guard ship duty on the Tyne. On his Marines Record, John describes his sister Loveday Jane's daughter, Rose Anna Southwood (née Land) as his sister, whereas, in reality she was his niece. This might suggest that the illegitimate child was brought up by her grandparents long enough for him to believe / consider her as such.

In 1911, John Land (45) Horse Man on Farm, who never married, was boarding with his niece Rose Anna (30) and her husband, William Henry Southwood (34) at Chieflowman Cottage, Uplowman.

In 1921, John Land (56) Royal Marine Pensioner was still boarding with William Henry Southwood (45) Farmer at Bungsland, West Anstey.

John Land died, aged 58, in 1924 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON.

John Lynch and Ann Wiltshire

Photo © Stephen McKay (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Altab Ali Park, Whitechapel, Wednesday, 9 April, 2008

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

This open space, to the south of Whitechapel Road, was originally the site of the 'White Chapel', St Mary Matfelon (Church of St Mary, Whitechapel, London, 1831)

John Lynch (b. 15 Mar 1806, bap. 30 Mar 1806 at St George in the East), son of James and Jane Linch (sic), married Ann Wiltshire - the marriage record spells her name Wilcher - (b. 3 Oct 1806, bap. 27 Oct 1813 at St Mary Whitechapel), daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Wiltshire (there's a marriage of Richard Wiltshire and Elizabeth Todd, in Shoreditch on 13 Oct 1806 that may relate), at St Mary Matfelon (St Mary Whitechapel) on 13 Apr 1828.

Records suggest that John and Ann Lynch had nine children:

1. Charlotte Lynch b. 21 May 1829, bap. 14 Jun 1829 at St George in the East
2. Elizabeth Harriet Lynch b. 20 May 1831, bap. 19 Jun 1831 at St George in ...
3. John Edward Lynch b. 22 Sep 1833, bap. 13 Oct 1833 at St George in the East
4. Francis Lynch b. 13 Nov 1835, bap. 27 Dec 1835 at St George in the East
5. James Linch (sic) b. 8 Mar 1838 (1838 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLE Volume 02 Page 127 - mother's maiden name WILCHERE), bap 15 Apr 1838 at St George in the East. Died, aged 1, in 1839 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 02 Page 84.
6. Ann Elizabeth Lynch b. 22 Jun 1840 (1840 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 02 Page 114 - mother's maiden name WILTCHER), bap. 19 Jul 1840 at St George in the East
7. Richard Lynch b. 27 Apr 1842 (1842 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) Volume 02 Page 108 - mother's maiden name WILCHER), bap. 22 May 1842 at St George in the East
8. Robert Gordon Lynch b. 2 May 1845 (1845 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) Volume 02 Page 116 - mother's maiden name WILTSHIRE), bap. 1 Jun 1845 at St George in the East (as Robert Lynch) and bap. again on 17 Aug 1845 (as Robert Gordon Lynch) at Christ Church, Watney Street, Shadwell. The transcriptions in the London, Docklands And East End Baptisms says Christ Church, Jamaica Street, but that church didn't open until 1877. Suspect the second baptism was because his middle name was missed on the first one.
9. Alfred James Lynch b. 26 Feb 1852 (1852 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) Volume 01C Page 456 - mother's maiden name listed as WILLSHER), bap. 21 Mar 1852 at St George in the East.

The various spellings of the mother's maiden name on the GRO birth registrations are undoubtedly as a result of clerks writing down what they heard, which the parents couldn't spell out to them, but it's clear they're all meant to be Wiltshire. All of the baptisms list John's occupation as a Butcher. On Charlotte's baptism, the family address was Upper Chapman Street (see on map); on Elizabeth Harriet's and John Edward's baptisms their address was Lower Cornwall Street (now Cornwall Street formerly Upper (western part) and Lower (eastern part) Cornwall Street, it's just north of and parallel to Cable Street.) On Francis' baptism the address is just Cornwell Street, but that's probably the same place as before. On James, Ann Elizabeth and Richard's baptisms, the address is transcribed as Lower Cornwell Street. On Robert Gordon and Alfred James' baptisms, it was specified as 7 Lower Cornwell Street. I'm sure this is all still Lower Cornwall Street.

Haven't been able to locate any record of the family on the 1841 census.

In 1851 and still living at 7 Lower Cornwall Street, Saint George in the East, were John Lynch (45) Butcher Journeyman; Ann Lynch (44), Charlotte Hanson (21) (Charlotte Lynch had married Adolph Hanson in 1850), John Ed[ward] Lynch (17) Messenger; Francis Lynch (15) Coach painter apprentice; Ann Elizabeth Lynch (10), Richard Lynch (8) and Robert G Lynch (6). (Cannot confirm any further records for Elizabeth Harriet and need further clues.)

In 1861, at 143 High Street, Shadwell we find John Lynch (55) Butcher; Ann Lynch (55) Laundress with her birth place listed as Aldgate (which makes sense as it's yards from where she was baptised in Whitechapel); Ann Lynch (20); Richard Lynch (18) Warehouseman; Robert G Lynch (15) Errand Boy; Alfred J Lynch (9); Catherine Lewis (30) Servant Housemaid; and two boarders: William Honeyford (20) from Middlesex and George Thompson (19) from Sunderland, Durham, both list their occupation as Blacksmith.

In 1871, Ann Lynch (64) was living at 15 Sidney Street, Mile End Old Town, she was listed as the head of the household and married. Living with her were Robert G Lynch (25) Smith; Alfred J Lynch (19) Factory Hand; Sarah J Hanson (15) Granddaughter, Domestic Servant; and Ann Twyman (30) Lodger. Meanwhile, John Lynch (65) Oil refiner, Married, birthplace Wapping (St George in the East, was historically known as Wapping-Stepney) was less than half a mile away as a Patient in The London Hospital, Whitechapel Road. (The current Tower Hamlets Town Hall, opened in 2023, incorporates the façade of the old London Hospital which is a Grade II listed building.)

John Lynch (66) Oil refiner, died on 17 Dec 1872 (1872 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 332) at 15 Sidney Street, of 'Dropsy' 10 days, certified. The informant was R G [Robert Gordon] Lynch, present at death, of 15 Sidney Street. (Dropsy is an archaic term for edema, a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the body's tissues, causing swelling. Dropsy is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition, including heart, liver, or kidney failure.) The change of occupation from butcher to oil refiner was at first confusing, but the address in Sidney Street where he died, as well as the name of the informant on his death certificate confirm that these are the correct records.

Ann Lynch (née Wiltshire) died, aged 72, in 1880 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 340.

Charles Awton and Mary Maurice

St Michael, Awliscombe, Devon - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1726261

Charles Awton (bap. 1735 in Broadhembury, Devon) married Mary Maurice (b. 1737) at the church of St Michael and All Angels, Awliscombe, East Devon on 13 Apr 1762. The family name was probably, and it certainly became, Horton, but I'll reproduce what was written undoubtedly as a result of the Devonshire accent and the precedent set by the spelling of the village name.

Charles and Mary had at least ten children, all baptised in Awliscombe:

1. Betty Awton bap. 6 Jun 1762
2. John Awton bap. 7 Apr 1765 (John, son of Charles and Mary, was buried on 10 Feb 1782. He will have been 16.)
3. William Awton bap. 22 May 1768
4. Charles Awton bap. 9 Sep 1770
5. Mary Awton bap. 18 Apr 1773
6. Nancy Awton bap. 2 Jul 1775
7. Jenny Awton bap. 19 Apr 1778 (Later calling herself Jane)
8. Henry Awton bap. 14 Jan 1781 (Presume died as an infant)
9. John Awton bap. 11 Feb 1782
10. Henry Awton bap. 9 Jan 1785

Charles Awton reputedly died in 1810, however, I've found no evidence.

There is a burial of a Mary Auten (sic), on 21 Jun 1837 - the day after Queen Victoria ascended to the throne - in Awliscombe, who had lived to 100. 

Reenactors in the uniform of the 33rd Regiment of Foot (Wellington's Redcoats), who fought in the Napoleonic Wars between 1812 and 1816. (Slightly later than William Horton's time.)
“The 33rd Regiment was unquestionably the best trained regiment in the British Army at this time (1765 -1795).” [Source] WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most of the Awtons/Hortons I've been unable to trace forward, however, William Horton, living with his sister, Jane Gollop, in Widworthy, in 1841 and 1851, described as a Chelsea Pensioner, who had served with Marquess Cornwallis' 33rd Regiment of Foot (the real one, not the reenactors, but this does help to visualise him in his red coat, looking like an extra in a Jane Austen drama). He was discharged on 21 Apr 1796: William Horton, Private of the Aforesaid Regiment, born in the parish of Orliscomb (sic), in or near the Market Town of Honiton, in the county of Devon, aged twenty-six years (ish) and by Trade a Labourer, hath served honestly and faithfully in the said Regiment, five years and eight months, but being lame of the right arm from a Wound received at Bois-de-duk (sic) on the 15th October 1794, which renders him unfit for service ... The regiment took part in the disastrous Flanders Campaign during the French Revolutionary Wars (War of the First Coalition). In 1794, Bois-le-Duc (French) ('s-Hertogenbosch a.k.a. Den Bosch, Netherlands) was taken by French troops of the newly created young republic. The Siège de Bois-le-Duc (1794) took place from 23 Sep to 5 Oct 1794, so it's clear that William Horton was there around that time.

Despite this, William Horton lived until the age of 84 and was buried, on 27 Mar 1853, in the churchyard of St Cuthbert's church in Widworthy.

Hugh Flew and Mary Wood

Rackenford : Village Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4637008

Hugh Flew (bap. 28 Feb 1779), son of Richard Flew and Elizabeth Thomas, married Mary Wood (bap. 26 Dec 1780), daughter of George Wood and Elizabeth Tucker, at All Saints Church, Rackenford on 11 Apr 1805.

Hugh and Mary had ten children, all baptised in Rackenford:

1. William Flew bap. 29 Sep 1805
2. Elizabeth Flew bap. 28 Feb 1808
3. John Flew bap. 28 Jan 1810. (Buried on 26 Sep 1835.)
4. Mary Flew bap. 26 May 1812
5. Ann Flew bap. 5 Jun 1814
6. Sarah Flew bap. 1 Sep 1816
7. Jane Flew bap. 1 Jan 1820
8. George Flew bap. 1 Jan 1822
9. Thomas Flew bap. 11 Jan 1824
10. Susanna Flew bap. 21 May 1826. (Buried 26 Oct 1828.)

In 1841, living in the Village, Rackenford, South Molton, Devon, were Hugh Flew (60), Mary Flew (60), William Flew (30), Ann Flew (27), Sarah Flew (25) and Thomas Flew (15). Also in the household were Mary Wood (35), Mary Ann Wood (10) and Elizabeth Wood (2), as well as John Baker (25). Elizabeth Flew (32) was a Female Servant in the household of Thomas Tanner, Farmer, at Creacombe Barton and in the same household was John Flew (3), who was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Flew, Spinster, baptised in Rackenford on 4 Feb 1838; Jane Flew was a Female Servant at Little Hensley, Tiverton; there was a George Flew (15) Apprentice at Lower Thorne, Rackenford.

Hugh Flew died at 74 in 1850 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 10 Page 163 and was buried in Rackenford on 2 May 1850.

In 1851, with address merely listed as Cottage, Rackenford, were Mary Flew (70) Widow and George Flew (29) Agricultural Labourer. Elizabeth Flue (sic) was still Servant to Thomas Tanner, Retired Farmer, in Witheridge with her son John Flue (sic) (13) still living with her.

In 1861, Mary Flew (80) Widow, Lodger and Pauper, was living with her son-in-law James Chamberlain (50) at Cottages on Village, Rackenford.

Mary Flew died, age estimated at 83, in 1862 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 268 and was buried on 4 Oct 1862, in Rackenford.

• John Flew married Susanna Wood in Rackenford on 31 Mar 1834
• James Chamberlain m. Mary Flew in Rackenford on 27 Oct 1839
• John Baker m. Sarah Flew at St Peter's, Tiverton on 28 Jun 1841
• William Chamberlain married Ann Flew in 1843
• William Flew married Sarah Fewings in Q1 1845
• John Baker married Jane Flew on 11 Nov 1847 in Creacombe
• Thomas Flew married Maria Yendell on 7 Nov 1850 in Creacombe

It's clear James Chamberlain and William Chamberlain are brothers, so we have yet another pair of brothers, marrying two sisters in the family.

The John Baker who married Sarah Flew in 1841 was a Carpenter, bachelor, listed as son of Wm Baker. The John Baker who married Jane Flew in 1847, was also a Carpenter, listed as a bachelor, son of Robert Baker. It was allegedly this latter John Baker who was lodging with the family in 1841. Further research is needed, but were these perhaps the same person?

Edward Carpenter and Mary Winter

St Mary, Kentisbeare, Devon - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1726294

Edward Carpenter (bap. 31 May 1730), son of Hugh Carpenter and Joan Baker, married Mary Winter on 11 Apr 1748 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. 

Records suggest the couple had seven children: 

1. William Carpenter bap. 25 Apr 1749
2. Dorothy Carpenter bap. 29 May 1752 (buried 25 Jul 1752)
3. Jenney Carpenter bap. 24 Aug 1755
4. Thomas Carpenter bap. 18 Jun 1758
5. Edward Carpenter bap. 9 Nov 1760
6. Dorothy Carpenter bap. 15 Jul 1764
7. Hugh Carpenter bap. 6 Jan 1769

There's nothing in the records I've seen to date to suggest what occupation Edward had, neither has it been possible to find a record of his death. There are several deaths for a Mary Carpenter in Kentisbeare between 1774 and 1796, any of which could relate, but it hasn't been possible to identify which one it is. Likewise, trying to trace each of their children forward has either provided no further records beyond their baptisms, or where several records exist and no clues to narrow it down. Frustrating, but common problem.