Jeremiah Woodbury and Ann Brice

Burlescombe Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Nick Chipchase - geograph.org.uk/p/3419551

Jeremiah Woodbury (bap. 23 Dec 1715 in Burlescombe), son of Johanis [John] Woodbury and Gratia [Grace] Stanbury, married Anne Brice (bap. 10 Oct 1718 in Holcombe Rogus), daughter of John Brice and Dorothy Wyatt, on 12 Sep 1737, at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus.

Jeremiah and Anne had at least these six children:

1. Johannes [John] Woodbury bap. 24 Feb 1739 in Burlescombe [1]
2. Betty Woodbury bap. 2 May 1742 in Holcombe Rogus
3. Dorothy Woodbery bap. 11 Apr 1746 in Holcombe Rogus
4. Grace Woodbury bap. 9 Dec 1753 in Holcombe Rogus [2]
5. Mary Woodbury bap. 16 Dec 1757 in Holcombe Rogus
6. Thomas Woodbury bap. 6 Sep 1762 in Holcombe Rogus

There is also a Jeremiah Woodbury b. 1744-1745 attributed to this couple, but I've not seen a baptism record to confirm that this is their child.

As we can see, they were still writing the records in Latin in Burlescombe.

Anne Woodbury died at 47 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus on 22 Nov 1765. Jeremiah Woodberry (80) was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1795.

1. John Woodbery married Elizabeth Webber in Holcombe Rogus on 25 Jun 1759. Elizabeth Woodbury died in 1783 and John Woodbery in 1807.
2. It appears Grace Woodberry (sic) married William Cotterell of Bampton, Widower, in Burlescombe, on 9 May 1779.

Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson

Ye Olde King's Head, Chigwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/7349355
The main part of this set of buildings is the Olde Kings Head, a former coaching inn on Chigwell's High Road opposite the church. It is grade II* listed and probably dates from the 17th century, although some sources give a very specific date of 1547. Closer to the camera are the grade II listed King's Head Cottages built in the 18th century. The inn is said to have been the model for the Maypole in Charles Dickens' novel Barnaby Rudge.

Henry Bradley, son of Thomas Bradley and Sarah Garton, married Mary Chapman, in Chigwell, on 19 May 1810. This couple had one son:

1. Henry William Bradley bap. 1 Sep 1811 in Chigwell, Essex

However, this first Mary Bradley died on 26 July 1812, aged 22, was buried, also in Chigwell, on 2 Aug 1812. Henry Bradley, widowed, then remarried, again at St Mary's Church, Chigwell, on 12 Sep 1813 to Mary Thompson. 

Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson added at least nine children:

1. Elizabeth Ann Bradley b. 29 Oct 1814, bap. 20 Nov 1814 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
2. Sarah Anne Bradley bap. 29 Apr 1816 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford
3. Thomas Bradley bap. 22 Jun 1817. A note on this baptism record says, "Whilst St Mary Woodford Was Being Repaired, The Ceremony Of Baptism Was Performed At St Mary Wanstead."
4. Ann Bradley bap. 20 Sep 1818 in Chigwell, Essex (presumably died)
5. Ann Bradley bap. 30 Jan 1820 in Chigwell, Essex
6. Sarah Bradley bap. 13 May 1821 in Chigwell, Essex
7. James Bradley bap. 2 May 1824 in Chigwell, Essex
8. Henry Bradley bap. 8 Jan 1826 in Chigwell, Essex
9. Eliza Bradley bap. 13 Apr 1828 in Chigwell, Essex

The baptism records all list Henry's occupation and Labourer and several of them also list the family's residence as Grange Hill, Chigwell, Woodford.

In 1841, at Grange Hill, Chigwell, Epping, were Henry Bradley (50) Ag Lab, Mary (45), James (15), Henry (15) and Elizabeth (14) - presumably Eliza?

In 1851, Henry Bradley (63) Ag Lab, birthplace Woodford Bridge and Mary Bradley (54) born in Takeley, Essex, were living at King William, Chigwell Horse Lane, Epping. I'm sure Chigwell Horse Lane became Chigwell Road / High Road and wonder if the previous name was to distinguish it from other lanes that weren't even fit for horses? All joking aside, meaning the main thoroughfare that passes coaching inns, such as the King's Head.

Mary Bradley died, aged 65 in 1860 M Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 35, and was buried on 29 Jan 1860 in Chigwell.

Henry Bradley died, aged 74 in 1862 M Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 35, and was buried on 30 Mar 1862.

Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins

Ducklington Duckpond
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dave Price - geograph.org.uk/p/3483077
On Fritillary Sunday with St Bartholomew's Church.

Samuel Blazey (bap. 7 Nov 1841 in Heigham, Norfolk), son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, married Elizabeth Wiggins (bap. 14 Apr 1844 in Ducklington, Oxfordshire), daughter of Alfred Wiggins and Anne Adams, on 11 Sep 1864, at St Bartholomew’s church, Ducklington-with-Hardwick, Oxfordshire. Samuel was described as a Railway Servant, residing in Witney; Elizabeth, who was (20) under age at the time, was resident in Ducklington. Witnesses to the marriage were John Wright (possibly a cousin) and Maria Blazey (wife of Samuel's brother, Francis Robert Blazey).

Samuel and Elizabeth had five children:

1. Alice Hannah Blazey b. 6 Feb 1865 (1865 M Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 651), bap. 5 Jun 1878 at Holy Trinity, Heigham, Norwich
2. Francis Blazey bap. 18 Oct 1867 in Drayton, Norfolk
3. Alfred Blazey b. 8 Oct 1869 (1869 D Quarter in SAINT FAITHS Volume 04B Page 98), bap. 26 May 1870 in Drayton, Norfolk
4. William Blazey b. 1872 in Worcester, bap. Whit Sunday 24 May 1874, at 2 years old, at St Bartholomew’s, Ducklington
5. Elizabeth Eliza Blazey, b. 8 Jan 1874 (1874 M Quarter in WORCESTER Volume 06C Page 346), bap. 8 Mar 1874, in Worcester

The mother's maiden name on Alice Hannah's birth registration was correctly listed as WIGGINS, on Alfred's, WIGGENS and on Elizabeth Eliza's WIGGIN. There don't seem to be GRO registrations for Francis or William.

In 1871, listed as James Blazer (sic) (29) Engine Driver from Norfolk; Elizabeth (28) from Ducklington; Alice (6) born in Witney; Francis (4) and Alfred (1), were at Norwich Upper Road, Drayton, Norfolk. 

Elizabeth Blazey, aged 30, died, in Q1 of 1874 - can probably surmise why - and was buried on 18 Jan 1874, at St. Paul's Parish, Worcester.

In 1881, Samuel Blazey (35), widowed, Fireman on Railway, was living at 3, Duke Street, Heigham, Norwich (Duke's Cross Street (subsequently renamed as Manchester Street) with his widowed mother. Alfred (11) was living with them. Alice Blazey (17) was a General Servant to Joseph Clayden, Lodging house keeper at 16, Westbourne Place, St George Hanover Square; Francis (13), was living with his Aunt and Uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff (Samuel's sister Eliza) at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London, where he was Shop boy to greengrocer. William Blazey (7) Grandson was living with his maternal grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins in Ducklington, Witney; While Elizabeth Eliza (7), was living with John and Hannah Versey, who were originally from Devon, in Worcester, described as 'Adopted Daughter'.

In 1891, Samuel Blazey (49) Fireman, Railway and daughter, Elizabeth (17) Tailoress, were living with Samuel's mother, Hannah (78) at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich. Alice Hannah had married in 1888; Francis Blazey (25) and Alfred Blazey (21) Dock Labourers, were living with their aunt and uncle, Joseph and Eliza Tiff, in Kensington, London; William Blazey (19) was again living with his grandparents, Alfred and Ann Wiggins, in Ducklington.

In the press of 14 May 1892, Samuel Blazey of Union Place, Norwich, a Great Eastern Railway employee, was reported as giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Robert George Buckingham (18) who died when hit by a ballast train running from Norwich to Cromer. Samuel Blazey was the Engine Driver's, mate and fireman on the train. Blazey said that Hubbard [driver] had just shut off steam before pulling up at Worstead, three-quarters of a mile from the station, and witness was putting on the injector in order to get more water into the boiler, when only four or five yards in front of the buffers he thought he saw a lad. Witness flew to the brake, and his mate promptly stopped the train. The inquest found that there was no one to blame.

In 1901, Samuel Blazey (57) Railway Labourer, was living at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich, with his mother, Hannah (90).

In 1908, Samuel Blazey appeared in the local City and County directory at 19 Manchester Street, listed as a Chimney Sweeper.

Samuel does not appear on either the 1911 or 1921 Census, however, he died in 1925 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 161, at 83. 

Thomas Chilcott and Elizabeth Stone

Photo © Derek Harper (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Andrew Street, Tiverton, Wednesday, 14 October, 2009

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Thomas Chilcott (b. 4 Jul 1803, bap. 29 Sep 1803 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton), son of Joseph Chilcott and Miriam Carrick (née Perkins), married Elizabeth Stone (bap. 7 Sep 1806 at St Mary’s Church, Kentisbeare), daughter of Thomas Stone and Dorothy Carpenter, at Cove Chapel, Cove, Devon on 9 Sep 1827. Witnesses were Thomas Venting and Philip Chave.

Their marriage will have taken place in the old Cove Chapel that was demolished in the 1850s, as An Act for legalizing certain Marriages solemnized in Cove (PDF) dated 13 Mar 1873, explains that, "in or about the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six the ancient consecrated chapel called Cove Chapel, situate in Pitt Portion in the parish of Tiverton in the county of Devon [...] was wholly taken down, in consequence of its dilapidated condition, and rebuilt on different site within the ancient chapel yard belonging thereto, but such new chapel was not consecrated or licensed for the solemnization of marriages ..." The oversight left this clarification.

Thomas and Elizabeth Chilcott had nine children:

1. Henry Chilcott b. 16 Nov 1828, bap. 30 Nov 1828 at St Peter's, Tiverton. Died at 6 mts, and was buried 30 April 1829, at St Peter's.
2. Love Chilcott b. 18 Apr 1830, bap. 2 May 1830 at St Peter's, Tiverton.
3. James Chilcott b. 1 Oct 1831, bap. 23 Oct 1831 at St Peter's, Tiverton. Died at 5 weeks and was buried on 6 Nov 1831 at St Peter's.
4. William Chilcott b. 27 Feb 1834, bap. 13 Apr 1834 at St Peter's.
5. John Chilcott b. 27 Oct 1835, bap. 11 Nov 1835 at St Peter's, Tiverton.
6. Maria Chilcott b. 1 May 1837, bap. 29 Jun 1837 at St Peter's, Tiverton.
7. Emma Chilcott b. 19 Jun 1839 (1839 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 243), bap 8 Feb 1840 at St Peter's.
8. Thomas Chilcott b. 30 Dec 1841 (1842 M Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 291), bap. 27 May 1844 at St Peter's
9. Elizabeth Chilcott b. 5 Feb 1844, bap. 28 May 1844 at St Peter's

On Henry and Love's baptisms, Thomas Chillcott's occupation is listed as Labourer. On James, William, John and Maria's baptisms, it's Cordwainer (a skilled artisan who makes new shoes from new leather, distinct from a cobbler who traditionally repairs existing footwear.) And on Emma's, Thomas' and Elizabeth's baptisms, Thomas' occupation is listed as Shoemaker.

In 1841, living in Bridewell Lane, Tiverton, Devon, were Thomas Chilcott (~35) Ag Lab; Elizabeth Chilcott (35); Love Chilcott (10); William Chilcott (7); John Chilcott (4); Maria Chilcott (3) and Emma Chilcott (1). (There's no Bridewell Lane in Tiverton now, but I assume it was off St Andrew's Street, because The Tiverton Town Bridewell, House of Correction, was situated on St Andrew's Street. Bridewell House, St Andrew Street, Tiverton, a former police station, built in 1846, is now converted to flats Bridewell Court.)

In 1851, living in St Andrew Street, Tiverton, Devon, were Thomas Chilcott (48) Pauper; Elizabeth Chilcott (44) born in Kentisbeare; William Chilcott (17) Lace hand; John Chilcott (15) Lace hand; Maria Chilcott (13) Lace hand; Emma Chilcott (10); Thomas Chilcott (8) and Elizabeth Chilcott (6).

The family do not appear to be listed anywhere on the 1861 Census.

By 1871, Thomas Chilcott (~71); Elizabeth Chilcott (~69) and son Thomas (27) Mason's Labourer, were living at Little Silver, Tiverton, Devon.

Elizabeth Chilcott (née Stone) died on 24 Mar 1875 (1875 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B 8Page 371). The announcement in the Tiverton Gazette read: "CHILCOTT: - March 24, at Little Silver, Tiverton, Elizabeth Chilcott, aged 72." Though this was over-estimated as she was only 69. 

Thomas Chilcott died on 19 Oct 1878 (1878 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 318). The announcement in the Tiverton Gazette, read: "CHILCOTT: - October 19, at Little Silver, Tiverton, Thomas Chilcott, aged 77." Again, there was a slight over-estimation in his age, as he will have been 75.

William Tooze and Sophia Disney

St Andrew's Church, Halberton, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Wayland Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/6557083

William Tooze (bap. 3 Apr 1809) son of Thomas Tooze and Joan Potter, married Sophia Disney at St Andrew's Church, Halberton, Devon, on 8 Sep 1831. Sophia was most likely born around 1805 - census records place her birth anywhere between 1803 and 1808 - and she is consistently listed as being born in Thorne St Margaret, Somerset, as was Eliza Disney (b. 1807), wife of William's elder brother, Richard Tooze. Baptisms for that parish are not freely available online, so I haven't seen baptism records for either, but I imagine there's a good chance that the two could have been sisters.

William and Sophia had three children:

1. Thomas Tooze bap. 10 Feb 1833 in Holcombe Rogus
2. Edward Tooze bap. 29 Nov 1835 in Holcombe Rogus.
   Died, aged 7, and was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1843.
3. Eliza Tooze bap. 20 Jun 1838 in Burlescombe. Died, aged 4 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1842. (No GRO registrations)

William's occupation listed on all the baptisms was Thatcher.

In 1841, William Tooze (30), Sophia Tooze (35), Thomas (8), Edward (5) and Eliza (3) were living at Ridgeway Gate, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1851, William Tooze (40) Thatcher; Sophia Tooze (43) and Thomas Tooze (18) Thatcher were again living at Ridgeway, Pound Hill, Holcombe Rogus.

In 1861, William Tooze (59) Thatcher; Sophia Tooze (58) and Sophia Tooze (7) Granddaughter, were again listed at Ridgeway Gate, Holcombe Rogus.

William Tooze died, aged 60, in 1869 M Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 297.

In 1871, Sophia Tooze (67) Widow, Gardenwoman, and granddaughter, Sophia Tooze (17) Fancy Worker, were still at Ridgeway Gate.

Sophia Tooze died in 1875 J Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 274, aged ~70. She was buried in Holcombe Rogus on 4 Jun 1875.

Charles Francis Stone and Ivy Elizabeth Sweeney

Hand coloured photo of the wedding of Frank Stone & Ivy Sweeney

Charles Francis Stone (Frank) (b. 17 Jul 1923 in Devonport, Plymouth), 22, Batchelor, RAF, of 117 Corisande Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, only son of Charley Stone and Ellen Jones, married Ivy Elizabeth Sweeney (b. 5 Mar 1924 in Shoreditch, East London), 21, Spinster, War Worker, of 47 Glanville Drive, Hornchurch, Essex, only daughter of Job Thomas Sweeney and Elizabeth Fuller at St Andrew's Church, Hornchurch, 80 years ago, on 8 Sep 1945.

Witnesses were W J [William Joseph] Wilson, the bride's uncle (pictured), who was best man, and P [Peggy] Kinchin, one of the bridesmaids. The other bridesmaid I only know as 'Lily from Louth' and I don't know which one was which. My mother often mentioned that her bouquet was of Piccadilly roses, described as "Bright, bold and just a teeny bit brassy, Piccadilly is a cheerful hybrid tea rose". (She wouldn't have liked even a "teeny bit brassy".)

St Andrew, High Street, Hornchurch - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2825789

Hornchurch church, with the famous horned bull's head on the east end of the chancel, was designated as a Grade I listed building by Historic England in 1955. The huge East window behind the altar wouldn't have been there at the time of their marriage, as it dates from 1954. It replaced the original medieval window which was destroyed during the second world war. [Source]

The bridal party with the addition of both sets of parents

The couple had one daughter, myself, so I'll leave out the details, except to mention that I was christened at St Luke’s Church, Kingstanding, Birmingham, which hails its "modern Catholic tradition of the Church of England". Those who know, will understand why I find that slightly amusing. Safe to say, my mother cannot have known that the church uses the word 'Catholic'.

After their marriage, they went to live with Frank's parents at 117 Corisande Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham for the next 5 years. My mother hated that.

In 1950 they bought their first home at 68 Delhurst Road, Great Barr, Birmingham. The house apparently came complete with the previous owners' black cat, who my mother gave the indignity of the same name as that of Dambuster Guy Gibson's dog (a racial slur). Every day, the cat would know exactly when to go down the garden and along the back lane, which gave access to the garages, to meet my father coming home from work; the cat was infamous for launching himself across the lino to catch a ball and for wrapping himself around my father's shoulders and stealing food off his fork on the way from plate to mouth - although, I'm sure my father simply let him. My infant school, which was directly opposite, has been demolished, but you can still see the outline of the grassed area around which was the semi-circular driveway to the main entrance (forbidden to us kids) that provided a wonderful 'racetrack' around which I rode my tricycle.

In the mid 1960's - around the same time as Birmingham's first Bull Ring Centre opened - we left the city and moved to 41 Pinewood Road, Hordle, Hampshire and around 18 months later to 11 Claremont Avenue, Sunbury-on-Thames. In 1985, my parents retired to 7 Blair Close, New Milton.

Charles Francis Stone, Chartered Electrical Engineer (retired), died on 21 Feb 2001 (DOR Q1/2001 in NEW FOREST (4941A) Reg 4A Entry Number 250) at 7 Blair Close, New Milton, the cause of death given as Bile Duct Carcinoma. And it was only today, while researching for this post that I learned that this condtion, "Cholangiocarcinoma is rare in the Western world."

My mother was admitted to Royal Bournemouth Hospital on 17 Aug 2011, suffering from 'a virus' (we both caught this severe 'tummy bug' that the GP said was 'going around', but were never given a name for it). Ivy Elizabeth Stone died on 6 Sep 2011 (DOR Q3/2011 in BOURNEMOUTH (427-1D) Entry Number 505484751) at Royal Bournemouth Hospital from I (a) Sepsis - Unknown Origin; (b) Immune Compromise Secondary to Chemotherapy (chemotherapy that she was ADAMANT she wasn't having) and II CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia), diagnosed a decade or so earlier. Shortly afterwards, while it was fresh, I wrote about the Funerary Fiascos that had ensued. It's not pleasant reading, but it's what happened. The relationship I had with my mother was, at best, strained, but we have her to thank for this research, mainly because she had strenuously attempted to deter me from doing it and would get angry and really quite nasty at the suggestion. I still haven't completely worked out why, because I've encountered a lot of incredibly interesting ancestors who I'm proud to have discovered. 

William Watson and Mary Ann White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

William Watson (bap. 9 Jul 1833 in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk), son of Mark Watson and Lydia Maria Fox, married Mary Ann White (bap. as Marianne, 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 7 Sep 1856, at St Margaret's Church, Norwich. On the marriage certificate, both parties are listed as 21, whereas Mary Ann was actually 30.

William and Mary Anne had four children:

1. Sarah White b. 20 Feb 1852, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
2. Mary Ann Watson b. 25 Aug 1857 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 183, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
3. William Watson b. 1859 S Qtr in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 189
4. James Francis Watson b. 1862 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 125

Sarah was baptised as White, but was listed as Watson on Census.

In 1861, in King Street, St Julian, Norwich, were William Watson (27) General Labourer; Mary Ann Watson (34) from Mattishall; Sarah Watson (9), William Watson (1), William White (27) Market Gardener, Brother-in-Law (Mary Ann's brother); Susan White (32) (William White's wife) and Alice White (4). Second daughter, Mary Ann Watson (4) was staying with her grandfather, Mark Watson (60) at May Green, Little Ryburgh.

In 1871, William Watson (38) Farm Labourer from Little Ryburgh; Mary Ann Watson (44) from Mattishall; William Watson (11) and James F Watson (8) were living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew (as were Mary Ann's sister, Hannah and her husband). Sarah Watson (19) was staying with her Aunt Ann Martyn in in Lothian Street, Norwich, while Mary Ann Watson (13) was staying with her grandparents, William White and Ann Francis. 

In 1881, we find Mary Ann Watson (54) Laundress, listed as Married (Not located William) living at Rowena Buildings, Thorpe Next Norwich with Mary Ann Watson (23) Laundress and James Francis Watson (18) Labourer.

In 1891, listed as Mary Wilson (sic) (64) from Mattishall, Mary Ann was living with her brother-in-law and sister, George and Maria Woods, in Ipswich Road, Norwich. Mary was again listed as married, but no sign of William.

In 1901, Mary Ann Watson (74) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk was living in the household of her youngest child, James Francis Watson (38) Telegraph Foreman (railway) at 62, Glenny Road, Barking, Romford, Essex.

Mary Ann Watson died, at 75, in 1902 M Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A 304.

John Hurley Coombe and Mary Jane Southcott

East side of St Peter's Church, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/6219976

John Hurley Coombe (b. 1845 in Tiverton, Devon), son of James Coombe and Sarah Hurley, married Mary Jane Southcott (b. 1854 in Tiverton), daughter of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, on 7 Sep 1869. On the marriage certificate both are listed as being of 'full' age, however, Mary Jane, registered in the 2nd quarter of 1854, may have been 15. Witnesses to the marriage were James Coombe and Mary Bawden.

John and Mary Jane had six children:

1. John William Southcott Coombe b. 1869 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439. (Died at 7 in 1876 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 270)
2. Sarah Jane Coombe b. 7 Nov 1871 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 133, bap. 19 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Hoxton. (Died aged 5, in 1876 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 89, and was buried on 19 Sep 1876 at Victoria Park Cemetery, Hackney.)
3. Fanny Maria Coombe b. 1874 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 125
4. Frederick Coombe b. 1876 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 127
5. Charles Henry Coombe b. 1878 D Qtr in HOLBORN Vol 01B P 677
6. James Coombe b. 1883 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 659 (Died 1884 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 435)

In 1871, John H Coombe (24) Tailor, Mary J Coombe (18) and John H S Coombe (1) were living in Kiddles Court, Tiverton, Devon, with his father, James Coombe, who married Mary Jane's mother, Temperance, in 1866.

In 1881, John Hurley Coombe (35) Journeyman tailor from Tiverton, Devon, Mary Jane Coombe (28), Fanny Maria Coombe (7), Frederick Coombe (5) and Charles Henry Coombe (3) were at 10, Green Street, St Andrew Holborn. 

Then Mary Jane Coombe (née Southcott) died, aged 33, in 1887 J Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 408.

In 1891, John H Coombe (45) Widower, was in Leigh Street, Holborn, with Fanny Maria Coombe (17) Packer soap factory, Frederick Coombe (14) Printer's boy and Charles H Coombe (12).

In 1901, John H Coombes (sic) (55) Tailor Journeyman was living in Great Queen Street, Bloomsbury, London, with Frances Maria Coombe (26) Packer in soap factory; Fredrick Coombe (24) Porter Hotel kitchen and Charles H Coombe (22) Tailor journeyman.

In 1911, John Coombe (68) Tailor, Widowed was an Inmate of Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey. (Dining Hall, Holborn Union Workhouse)

John Hurley Coombe died in 1913 J Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 469.

Henry Gabbedy and Ann Stewart (née Causton)

The east end of St. Katharine's Church, founded by Queen Matilda in 1150

Henry Gabbedy (b. Wednesday, 19 Sep 1705, bap. 7 Oct 1705 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), then from the parish of St Anne's Limehouse, Ship's Carpenter, son of Henry Gabbedy and Hannah Peters, married Anne Stewart, at the Collegiate Church of St Katherine By the Tower, City of London on 6 Sep 1737. (St Katharine by the Tower on map c. 1720. This church was demolished in 1825 to make way for St Katharine Docks, which were named after it.) The marriage record erroneously calls her Mary and Henry's occupation on the licence I'm sure is wrong and should say Ship's Caulker. The rest is true. Crucially, the record of their marriage and the licence make it clear that Henry was a widower, aged 32 and Ann was a widow, aged 30.

Born Ann Causton (b. 1707, bap. 15 Jan 1711 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, aged 5 years), she was the daughter of James Causton and Parthenia Clarke. ("Parthenia" is a Greek word meaning "virginity" or "maidenhood." It's derived from the Ancient Greek word "parthénos" (παρθένος), which means "virgo" or "virgin". Parthenia is sometimes used as a given name for girls, particularly those with Greek heritage.) Further proof of this link: Ann's sister, Parthenia Quick, left £5.00 in her will to her nephew, John Gabbaday. (It has been claimed that Ann had previously married at St Andrew, Holborn on 31 Oct 1727, however that marriage can be discounted, because Charles Stewart had, in fact, married Ann Barnes, Spinster.) The correct previous marriage, I believe, is that between James Stewart and Ann Coston (sic) at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's (more about this church here) - this church is also in the right area, where Holborn isn't - on 15 Jan 1729. It hasn't been possible to tell if the couple had children, nor to find James' death.

Henry Gabedey (sic) of the Parish of St Dunstan's, Stepney, Bat[chelor], had previously married Bridget Ward (said to be b. 1705, daughter of William Ward) of the same, Sp[inster], at St Botolph's Aldgate, on 22 Sep 1728.

Henry and Bridget Gabbedy had two sons:

1. Thomas Gabbedey b. Monday, 15 Sep 1729, son of Henry Gabbedey, Caulker, & Bridget, bap. 13 Oct 1729 (aged 28 days) at St Dunstan's
2. Henry Gabedy (sic) b. Sunday, 16 May 1731, son of Henry Gabedy (sic) of Pop[lar], Caulker, & Bridget, bap. 6 Jun 1731 (at 21 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney

As Henry and Ann later name another son Thomas and, as these are not mentioned in Henry's will, I have to assume that both died in infancy.

Bridget Gabeday was buried, in Stepney, on 2 Jul 1731.

Henry and Ann Gabbedy then went on to have a further seven children:

3. Henrietta Gabday (sic) b. Wednesday, 18 Apr 1739, daughter of Henry Gabday, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway and Anne, bap. 11 May 1739 (at 23 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. Henrietta, daughter of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, was buried 16 May 1739 at St Anne's Limehouse
4. Jane Gabedey b. Saturday, 27 Sep 1740, daughter of Henry Gabedey, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway and Anne was bap. 19 Oct 1740 (at 22 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
5. James Gabedey b. Wednesday, 10 Mar 1742, son of Henry Gabedy, Caulker, L.H. Causeway & Anne was bap. 4 Apr 1742 (at 25 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
6. Thomas Gabedey b. Tuesday, 23 Aug 1743, son of Henry Gabedey, Caulker of L.H. Causeway & Anne, bap. 18 Sep 1743 (at 26 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. Thomas, son of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, Rotherhithe, Drowned, buried 30 Aug 1749 at St Anne's Limehouse.
7. John Gabdey (sic) b. Saturday, 20 July 1745, son of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, Limeh[ouse] Causeway & Anne, was bap. 11 Aug 1745 (at 22 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
8. George Gabedey b. Wednesday, 21 Jan 1747, son of Henry Gabedey, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway & Anne, bap. 14 Feb 1747 (at 24 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. George, son of Henry Gabedey of Limehouse Causeway, buried 1 Mar 1747 at St Anne's Limehouse
9. Anne Gabady (sic) b. Wednesday, 23 Aug 1749, Anne of Henry & Anne Gabady, bap. 2 Sep 1749 (at 10 days old) at St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe. Not found burial, but presume died as an infant.

Ann Gabedy of Middle Turning [Shadwell] was buried at St Paul's Church, Shadwell (Burial ground. St Paul Shadwell) on 26 July 1753. (Others have suggested this as the burial of their child, but the church records consistently list deceased children as 'son/daughter of ...' and this doesn't, so I'm confident that it's the burial of Ann Gabedey, formerly Stewart (née Causton).

Henry Gabedey of the Parish of St Paul's Shadwell, Caulker, wrote his will on 10 Aug 1753, "being weak of body, but of sound and disposing mind ..." It seemed obvious that Ann had pre-deceased him when he left his estate to be divided equally between his three [surviving] children: Jane Gabedy, James Gabedy and John Gabedy. He appointed his sisters (Ann's sisters, his sisters-in-law) Parthenia Quick and Hester Causton as joint Executrixes.

Henry Gabbedy of Middle Turning was buried at St Paul's, Shadwell on 3 Oct 1753. Whilst there are no details on their causes of death, Ann will have been 46 and Henry 48. Henry "weak of body", was clearly ill. That both died within a short time of each other might point to a common pathogen. Consumption (Tuberculosis) always springs to mind, however, Smallpox was probably the single most lethal disease in eighteenth-century Britain, accounting for approximately 10% of all burials. The London Smallpox Hospital, one of the first of its kind in Europe, [coincidentally] was established in 1753.

"By the mid-eighteenth century, many houses in Shadwell had been rebuilt. "Seamen, watermen and lightermen, coalheavers and shopkeepers, and ropemakers, coopers, carpenters and smiths, lived in small lathe and plaster or weatherboard houses, two storeys and a garret high, with one room on each floor"; the average rent was £2/7/0." - Cox, Jane (November 2013). Old East Enders: A History of Tower Hamlets. [Via] A Land Tax Record in 1753 shows that Henry Gabedey was paying £5.00 in rent, so they were very much at the upper end of the average for the area - until illness struck them down.

There are indications to suggest that Hester took on the care of the children. Jane will have been 13, James 11 and John just 8, when their parents died.

Middle Turning was a narrow lane or alley in Shadwell, which existed in the 1750s or before. You can see it here on the map, running l-to-r between Shakespears Walk and Spring Street, south of the churchyard, below Upper Turning. "In the 1840s, half of the churchyard land was bought by the London Dock Company in a compulsory purchase order, in order to expand Shadwell Basin." [Source] This may mean that Henry and Ann are no longer resting there. Moreover, you can also deduce by comparing to the present day map, that the area they were living in is now under the waters of the basin.

Photo © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Shadwell Basin (with the spire of St Paul's Church, Shadwell behind)

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Thomas Stone and Dorothy Carpenter

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

Thomas Stone (b. ~1766) married Dorothy (Dolly) Carpenter (bap. 15 Jul 1764), daughter of Edward Carpenter and Mary Winter, at St Mary's, Kentisbeare, Devon, on 5 Sep 1787. 

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 died at 72 in 1838 M Qtr in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Vol 10 Page 207 and was buried in Kentisbeare on 26 Jan 1838.

In 1841, Mary Stone (65) was living in "Kentisbeer Village" with her sons Robert Stone (30), John Stone (26) and Thomas Stone (23). 

In 1851, Mary Stone (78), Widow, Pauper, was still living in the village.

Mary Stone, with age estimated to be 84, died in 1857 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 294 and was buried in Kentisbeare.

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?😀

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.