Monday, 13 April 2026

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).” [SourceWyrdLight.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.

Saturday, 11 April 2026

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 MaryKentisbeare

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.

Friday, 10 April 2026

Charles Archer and Kate Trevail

St Saviours Church, Pimlico
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/2815323
Picture taken from Chichester Street

Charles Archer (bap. 29 Dec 1861 at St Paul's, Poole, Dorset), son of Charles Archer, Queen's Messenger, and Ellen Briggs, married Kate Trevail (b. 12 Nov 1857 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), daughter of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, at St Saviour's, St George's Square, Pimlico on 10 Apr 1884.

Charles and Kate had three children:
  1. Charles Archer b. 10 Jul 1885 (1885 S Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 422), bap. 10 Sep 1885 at St Saviour's, St George's Square
  2. Ellen Florence Archer b. 23 Sep 1887 (1887 D Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 423), bap. (and thereafter as Florence Ellen) 6 Nov 1887 at St Saviour's, St George's Square.
  3. Eileen Elfrida Trevail Archer b. 19 May 1897 (1897 J Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 450), bap. 18 Jul 1897 at St Gabriel's, Warwick Square
In 1891, Charles Archer (29) Collector, Kate Archer (33), Charles (5), Ellen F (3) and Lizzie Isch (20) General Domestic Servant, were in Chichester Street, Pimlico. (Kate's sister, Olivia and her family, also lived in Chichester Street in 1891.) "Collector" (to disappoint all of us thinking of antiques and curios), in the context of Charles Archer's job, is a Gas Rate Collector, i.e. the bloke who goes round collecting the shillings from the gas meters.

In 1901, still at 8, Chichester Street, Pimlico, were Charles Archer (39) Gas Rate Collector, Kate Archer (43), Charles Archer (15) Mechanical engineer's apprentice, Ellen Archer (13) and Eileen Archer (3).

In 1911, once again at 8, Chichester Street, Pimlico, there were Charles Archer (49) Collector, Kate (53), Ellen Florence (23) Lady clerk, Eileen Elfrida (13) at School and Beatrice Matthews (28) General Domestic Servant.

In 1921, Charles Archer (59) Collector (retired) from Poole, Dorset, was living at 18, Townley Road, Dulwich, Camberwell with Kate Archer (63) and Eileen Elfrida Trevail Archer (24) Music Mistress.

Charles Archer died on 17 Jan 1936 (1936 M Quarter in BUCKLOW Volume 08A Page 270), aged 74.

Kate Archer, as well as Charles Archer Jnr and his wife and Eileen and her husband, were all living in Hale, Cheshire (Greater Manchester) in 1939.

Kate Archer, of Girvan, Leicester Road, Hale, Cheshire, widow, died on 29 Jan 1947 (1947 M Quarter in BUCKLOW Volume 10A Page 176), aged 89, leaving £557 10s to her son Charles Archer.

  1. Charles Archer married Gladys Mary Pardew (b. 24 Aug 1885 in Plymouth, Devon), daughter of John Andrew Pardew and Pricilla Nichols Millard, in Bucklow, Cheshire, in 1920. Their son, Charles John Trevail Archer was born on 17 Oct 1921. In 1939, they were living at 23 Crescent, Hale, Cheshire. Charles Archer died on 31 Oct 1956 in Hale, Cheshire. Gladys Mary Archer died in Buckinghamshire, in 1961. Charles John Trevail Archer FFARCS died in St. Marylebone, London, in 1974.
  2. Florence Ellen Archer married John Leonard Ravenhill (b. 29 Dec 1881 in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey), son of Henry Ravenhill and Hannah Street, at St Saviour's, St George's Square, Pimlico, in 1911. They had two children: Eileen Nellie Trevail Ravenhill b. 1912 and Harry Kenneth Trevail Ravenhill b. 27 Jan 1917. In 1939 they were at 17 Townley Road, Dulwich, London. Florence Ellen Ravenhill died on 30 Nov 1952 in East Dulwich. John Leonard Ravenhill died in Surrey, in 1970.
  3. Eileen Elfrida Trevail Archer married Frank Marsden (b. 13 Jul 1887 in Dukinfield, Cheshire), son of John Marsden and Maria Hallas, in Camberwell, London, in 1927. Frank was a widower at the time of his marriage to Eileen and had a daughter, Joan Doreen Marsden b. 16 Dec 1919, from his previous marriage to May Chadderton, who had died in 1925. Frank and Eileen added a son, John Charles Marsden b. 22 Dec 1927. In 1939, they were living at Girvan, Leicester Road, Hale, Cheshire and Frank Marsden's occupation was Managing Director, Iron Foundry. Eileen Elfrida Trevail Marsden died in Northamptonshire, in 1976.

Thursday, 9 April 2026

Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley

St Mary the Virgin, Chigwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bikeboy - geograph.org.uk/p/4190925

Robert Fuller (bap. 23 Jun 1811 in Woodford, Essex), son of Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Bass, married Elizabeth Ann Bradley (b. 29 Oct 1814 in Woodford), daughter of Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson, on 9 Apr 1832, at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Chigwell, Essex. 

Robert and Elizabeth Ann had 13 children: 
  1. Eliza Fuller b. ~1832 (only ever mentioned on 1841 census)
  2. James William Fuller bap. 16 Mar 1834 in Chigwell, Essex
  3. Emma Elizabeth Fuller bap. 29 Jan 1837 in Chigwell, Essex
  4. Ann Fuller b. ~1837 (Died, at 10, in 1847 M Qtr in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 264,  buried on 14 Feb 1847 in Woodford, Essex)
  5. Emily Fuller bap. 7 Apr 1839 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford, Essex
  6. Samuel Thomas Fuller b. 1841 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 271, bap. 25 Jul 1841, in Woodford, Essex
  7. Elizabeth Ann Fuller b. 1843 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 281, bap. 8 Oct 1843, in Woodford, Essex
  8. William Robert Fuller b. 1845 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 272, bap. 21 Dec 1845, in Woodford, Essex
  9. Robert Fuller (No GRO birth registration), bap. 19 Mar 1848 in Chigwell
  10. George Fuller bap. 19 Jan 1851 at St Mary the Virgin, Woodford, Essex
  11. Anne Fuller b. 1853 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 31, bap. (as Annie) on 23 Jan 1853, in Woodford, Essex
  12. Jane Ann Fuller b. 1855 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 36, bap. 1 Apr 1855 at Woodford Bridge. (Died, aged 5, in 1860 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 26 and was buried on 11 May 1860 in Woodford, Essex)
  13. Mary Ann Fuller b. 1858 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 39 (mother's maiden name mis transcribed as BEADLEY), bap. 12 Sep 1858 (as Maryann) in Woodford, Essex
In 1841, living at Woodford Bridge Flant, were Robert Fuller (25) Ag Lab, Elizabeth (25), Eliza (9), James (7), Ann (4) and Emily (2).

In 1851, at Winn Bridge, Woodford, West Ham, we find Robert Fuller (39) Ag Lab, Elizabeth (36), James Fuller (17) Ag Lab, Emma (12), Samuel (9), Elizabeth (7), William (5), Robert (3) and George (0).

In 1871, in Woodford Bridge, West Ham, were Robert Fuller (59), Elizabeth Ann (56), George (20), Ann (18), Mary Ann (12) and Emily Eliza (2). Emily Eliza was listed on that census as a "Daughter" of the head of the household, but her birth certificate clearly shows that her mother was Annie Fuller, then of Nightingale Place, Wanstead. No father's name is listed, so it's obvious she was an illegitimate child, being brought up by the grandparents. 

By 1881, they had moved to 1 Essex Cottages, Maynard RoadWalthamstow. Robert Fuller (70) still an Agricultural Labourer, Elizabeth Fuller (66) Laundress, Mary Ann (22), Ada Fuller (9) Granddaughter (this will be Annie's second illegitimate daughter) and Charles Berwick (23) Boarder. 

Robert Fuller died, aged 72, in 1882 M Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 118.

In 1891, widow, Elizabeth Ann Fuller (78) Retired Laundress, was living alone at 13 Brunswick Street, Walthamstow. (Although, separately, there appear to be two other households also living at the same address.)

Elizabeth Ann Fuller died, aged 84, in 1898 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 175.

Francis Stone and Frances Mary Jerred

Cottages, High Street, Halberton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/1177578
44 High Street, Halberton, is the blue cottage in the centre

Francis Stone (Frank) (b. 1 Feb 1867) son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married Frances Mary Jerred (b. 3 May 1869), daughter of John Jerred and Frances Ann Orchard, always known to my father as "Aunt France", although if we were being pedantic, she was his father's aunt, his great-aunt. The couple married at St Peter’s Church Tiverton on 9 Apr 1902. Witnesses were the bride's father, John Jerred and a Bessie Louisa Corrick. Francis and Frances, at 34 and 33, respectively, married late by the standards of the day, and this may have been a factor toward the couple not having children.

In 1911, Frank Stone (42) Farm Labourer and Frances Mary Stone (42) were living at Middle Pitt, Sampford Peverell. 

In 1921, still at Middle Pitt Westleigh, Wellington, Sampford Peverell, Devon were Francis Stone (53) Farm Carter and Frances Mary Stone (52).

Francis Stone, of Middle Pitt Cottage, Sampford Peverell, died on 18 Nov 1937, aged 70 (1937 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 502), leaving £517 13s 11d to his widow, Frances Mary Stone. 

In 1939, Frances Mary Stone, Old Age Pensioner, was living at 2 Sunnidale, Willand, Devon.

Frances Mary Stone, of 44 High Street, Halberton, Devon died on 11 Aug 1962 at the ripe old age of 93. She didn't have much money left (~£75). 

Francis and Frances are buried together in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Grave of Francis Stone and Frances Mary Jerred in Uplowman Churchyard

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

William Beckford Evans and Esther Gabbaday

St George In The East
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Raymond E Hawkins - geograph.org.uk/p/510487

William Evans (b. 18 Sep 1772 in Rotherhithe, bap. 10 Oct 1772 at St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe), bachelor, son of Edward Evans and Ann Tring, married Esther Gabbaday (b. 16 Feb 1775, bap. 18 Mar 1775 at St Anne, Limehouse), spinster, daughter of John Gabbdey and Elizabeth Travally, at the church of St George in the East, Cannon Street Road, on 8 Apr 1792. The bridegroom wasn't yet 20 and the bride was just 17. Witnesses to the marriage were Edward Penfold, the bride's step-father, and Esther Travally, her aunt.

William and Esther Evans appear to have had at least six children:

  1. Esther Elizabeth Evans b. 20 Jan 1793, bap. 20 Feb 1793 (31 days old), daughter of William, Boat Builder and Esther, at St Anne's Limehouse
  2. Ann Evans b. Thursday, 1 Dec 1796, bap. 30 Dec 1796 (at 29 days old), daughter of William, Boat Builder and Esther at St Dunstan's, Stepney
  3. Edward Evans b. 6 Feb 1801, bap. 2 Apr 1806 at St Dunstan's, Stepney, son of William, Boatbuilder of Poplar, and Esther.
  4. George Evans b. 3 Jun 1803, bap. 2 Apr 1806 at St Dunstan's, Stepney, son of William, Boatbuilder of Poplar, and Esther.
  5. Charles James Evans b. 1 Oct 1805, bap. 2 Apr 1806 at St Dunstan's, Stepney, son of William, Boatbuilder of Poplar, and Esther.
  6. Eliza Jane Evans b. 11 Dec 1807, bap. 21 Jan 1816 in the Hamlet of Poplar (the Parish Church of Poplar was Poplar Chapel at that date, not All Saints, Poplar as the transcript claims, which was then not yet built), daughter of William, Boatbuilder of Poplar, and Esther.
The Last Will and Testament of William Beckford Evans of Limehouse Hole in the Hamlett (sic) of Poplar in the County of Middlesex, Boat Builder, "First I desire my just Debts to be paid as soon as Convenient. I leave and bequeath my Dear wife Esther Evans all my Household Furniture, linen, china, etc., with all my Stock in Trade, Book Debts, Moneys and every thing whatsoever I am in possession of at the Hour of my Death ... I likewise leave and bequeath unto my wife the Lease of my House and Premises situate at Limehouse Hole. I appoint my Dear Wife my sole Executrix." The Will was dated 5 Oct 1810 and had four witnesses to William's very shaky signature, so I have to assume he was very ill. William Evans otherwise William Beckford Evans the testator was late of Limehouse Hole in the Hamlet of Poplar in the Parish of St Dunstan Stepney in the County of Middlesex and died [at 38] on 9 Nov 1810. William Beckford Evans' Will was proved in London on 10 Dec 1810 and his estate valued at £600 (equivalent in purchasing power to about £61K today).

The Parish records of St Dunstan Stepney show that William Evans of Poplar was buried, at Poplar, on 16 Nov 1810. Listed as being buried at Poplar means he was buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church), built by the East India Company. William Beckford Evans was buried there just one day after John Perry, shipbuilder, who owned the Blackwall Yard, had also been buried in that same chapel. Esther's uncle, William Dalton, certainly worked for Perry and was witness at the marriage of John Perry's youngest sister (to one of mine and Esther's cousins). Living in Limehouse Hole, St Anne's Limehouse might have been a more logical choice, geographically, so with burial at Poplar Chapel and these connections, it seems likely to me that William Evans may well have been supplying boats for Perry's ships.

Esther Evans of Limehouse died, at 42, and was buried on 3 Apr 1817 in the Parish of Poplar. The transcript at Ancestry claims she was buried at All Saints, Poplar, but that's impossible because the church wasn't built until 1821-3, so she must also be buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias).

Limehouse Hole - Charles Napier Hemy (1841–1917)
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)

Richard Rowland and Caroline Tooze

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Taunton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/3157603

Richard Rowland (bap. 25 Dec 1819 in Upottery), son of William Rowland and Betty Hill (m. 11 Mar 1802 in Upottery, Devon), married Caroline Tooze (bap. 22 Feb 1829 in Holcombe Rogus), daughter of Richard Tooze and Eliza Disney, at St Mary MagdaleneTaunton (now Taunton Minster) on 8 Apr 1856. The witnesses were Samuel Tooze and Robert Dyer.

Richard and Caroline had eight children, none were baptised:
  1. Alfred James Rowland b. 1857 S Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 369. Died, aged 6, in 1864, and was buried in Nynehead, Somerset.
  2. Emma Jane Rowland b. 1859 M Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 427. Died at 26, in 1885 in Wellington.
  3. Alfred Richard Rowland b. 1860 D Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 368. Registered as Alfred Richard, but appears to have been known as Francis.
  4. Ann Rowland b. 1863 J Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 440. Died at 8, in 1871 J Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Vol 05C Page 252.
  5. Rosa Rowland b. 1865 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 378
  6. Emily Rowland b. 1867 J Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 386. Died, aged 10, in 1877, in Wellington.
  7. Alfred Rowland b. 1869 S Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 355
  8. Walter Rowland b. 1872 in Wellington, Somerset.
In 1861, Richard Rowland (34) Shepherd from Upottery, Devon was living at Haywood Cottage, Nynehead, Somerset with wife Caroline Rowland (32) from Holcombe Rogus, Devon; Alfred (3) and Emma Jane (2) born in West Buckland, Somerset; Francis Rowland (5 months) [must be the child registered as Alfred Richard] born in Nynehead and James Tooze (21) Chairmaker, Lodger (this is Caroline's younger brother).

In 1871, living in Payton, Wellington, were Richard Rowland (50) Farm Labourer, Caroline Rowland (40), Francis (10), Anne (8), Rosa (6), Emily (4) and Alfred (2) - the last two having been born in Langford, Somerset.

Caroline Rowland died, age estimated to 48, in 1876 D Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 238.

In 1881, Richard Rowland (68) Agricultural Labourer from Upottery, was an Inmate in Wellington Union Workhouse. Wellington Workhouse was the first to be built after the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which ordered that every area in England and Wales should have a purpose built place to house the poor. [Source] Also Inmates, in a different section from their father, were Alfred Rowland (13) Scholar (pauper) born in Langford Budville, Somerset and Walter Rowland (9) Scholar (pauper), born in Wellington, Somerset. There was a Rose Rowland (16) Woolen Feeder, living in Wellington as head of the household, living with her was Mary A Stevens (14) Lodger.

In 1891, Richard Rowland (age estimated to 75) Widower, Agricultural Labourer was still an Inmate of Wellington Union Workhouse. Rose Rowland married Tom Winter in 1887 and they were living in Rockwell Green. Alfred Rowland (21) Assistant Butcher, Servant, born in Langford, Somerset was in the household of James Moorish (29) Butcher, at 27 Rockwell Green.

Richard Rowland died, at 73, in 1892 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 252.

Joseph Hill Adcock and Martha Naseby

St Andrew's Church, Rugby
G-13114, CC BY-SA 4.0


Joseph Hill Adcock (b. 1842 in Stamford, Lincolnshire), son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Martha Naseby (b. 1850 in Rugby, Warwickshire), daughter of William Naseby and Eliza Thompson at St Andrew's Church, Rugby on 8 Apr 1869. Although the pair were not blood relatives, they were still 'keeping it in the family', because Joseph's father, James Adcock was the brother of Mary Adcock, wife of Daniel Thompson, who was the brother of Eliza Thompson, Martha's mother. Don't worry if you're still confused.

Joseph and Martha had four children: 
  1. George Hill Adcock b. 1870 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 452, bap. 9 Oct 1870 at St Andrew's, Rugby
  2. James William Adcock b. 1875 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 532, bap. 11 Jul 1875 at St Andrew's
  3. Mary Elizabeth Mobbs Adcock b. 1877 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 612, bap 29 Apr 1877 at St Matthew's, Rugby
  4. Louisa Cox Adcock b. 1880 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 514, bap. 26 Dec 1880 at St Matthew's, Rugby
In 1871, living in Rugby, we find Joseph H Adcock (29), Gardener from Stamford, Lincs; Martha Adcock (21) and son George H Adcock (0).

In 1881, living at Cemetery Lodge, Clifton Road, Rugby, Joseph Hill Adcock (39) was Cemetery Lodge Keeper. Living with him were wife Martha (31), George Hill (10), James William (5), Mary E (4) and Louisa C (0).

In 1891, in Clifton Road, Joseph Adcock (49) was Cemetery Manager. Listed also were Martha (41), George (20), William (15), Mary (14) and Louisa (10). 

By 1901, living in Oxford Street, Rugby, Joseph Adcock (59) was a Shop Keeper, Green Grocer - perhaps working for or with his father-in-law, William Naseby - with wife Martha (51) and James Bazely (15) Errand Boy.

Joseph Hill Adcock died on 25 Aug 1903, aged 61 (1903 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 307). Probate was granted on 5 Oct 1903 with Martha Adcock being the sole beneficiary. 

Martha Adcock died, aged 58, in 1908 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 301 and was buried, on 1 May 1908, at Newbold-on-Avon.

Rugby-Clifton Road Cemetery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Rob - geograph.org.uk/p/749760

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

William John Northcott and Emma Jane Wood

Tiverton : Fore Street, Thursday, 2 June, 2022
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William John Northcott (b. 24 Nov 1867 in Branscombe, Devon), son of John Northcott and Sarah Ann Collins, married Emma Jane Wood (b. 15 Aug 1871 in Kentisbeare, Devon), daughter of Henry Wood and Mary Jane Melhuish, at the Register Office in the District of Tiverton, on 7 Apr 1896. The Tiverton Registration District covered a wide area including Bampton, Cullompton, Uffculme, and Silverton. In 1896, the register office for the Tiverton Registration District was located in the Town Hall on Fore Street in Tiverton, opened in 1864, replacing an earlier 1615 edifice. Witnesses were Henry Wood, Emma's father and Alice Mary Wood, her younger sister.

William and Emma's children (not necessarily together) had included:
  1. Frederick James Wood b. 1891 S Qtr in HONITON Vol 05B Page 21, bap. 8 Jun 1892 in Kentisbeare, clearly listed as the son of Emma Jane, Single Woman. Died at 20 months in 1893 M Qtr in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 318 and was buried on 9 Mar 1893 in Kentisbeare
  2. Maud Wood, Emma's illegitimate daughter, b. 19 Dec 1893 (registered 1894 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 397), bap. 19 Feb 1895, at 14 months old, in Kentisbeare. (Not seen after 1901.)
  3. William Henry Northcott b. 8 Mar 1897 (1897 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 381) (Not found again after 1912)
  4. Arthina Northcott b. 14 Oct 1898 (1898 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 362), bap. 2 Nov 1898 in Cullompton
  5. Elizabeth Northcott b. 1900 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 389 (Died in the same quarter 1900 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 354) and is buried in Cullompton Cemetery
  6. Charles John Northcott b. 23 Feb 1902 (1902 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 368), bap. 23 Mar 1902 in Cullompton
  7. Albert James Northcott b. 30 Aug 1903 (1903 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 361), bap. 16 Sep 1903. (Died aged 5 mts in 1904 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 308) and buried in Cullompton Cemetery
  8. Florence Northcott b. 25 Oct 1907 (1907 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 353), Emma's illegitimate daughter
With respect to the paternity of Emma's first child, The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 15 Sep 1891 had reported that at the Cullompton Sessions, "Emma Wood, a domestic servant of Kentisbeare, sought an order against Frederick Selley, a young carter, of the same place ..." This appeared to be the 2nd time that the defendant had failed to appear in this matter, so "An order to contribute 2s 6d weekly for 13 years was made upon Selley", although this requirement will undoubtedly have died along with the child. However, The Western Times of 1 Sep 1891 had identified the putative father as Frederick Sully (21), who it appears was born in Hockworthy (1869 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 480). He died, listed as Frederick Sulley, aged 25, in 1894 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 266.

Maud Wood was registered at school in Cullompton in 1897 as Maud Northcott, but that may have been simply because her mother had married, and not necessarily because William Northcott was her biological father. 

The mother's maiden name on the births from William Henry onwards is WOOD. Dates of birth are those listed on their school registrations. 

In 1901, William Northcott (listed as 31) Blacksmith Journeyman from Branscombe, Devon, 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 (listed as 33) died on 11 May 1904 (1904 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 256) at Crow Bridge, Cullompton, from "Phthisis pulmonalis exhaustion". This is an archaic medical term for death caused by the severe wasting and fatigue associated with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Historically used on death certificates, it described patients whose bodies completely gave out from the chronic infection, coughing, and inability to breathe. William's death was registered by E. J. Northcott, Widow of the Deceased. He was buried on 15 May 1904, in Cullompton Cemetery

In 1905 Charles John Northcott was at Cullompton school. His date of leaving that school was 13 Dec 1907 with reason given 'left Cullumpton'. 

The Tiverton Gazette of 1 Oct 1907 reported, "RATE EXEMPTON FOR A WIDOW. Emma Northcott, widow, of Cullompton, was summoned for the non-payment of rates amounting to 4s 4d. The Assistant Overseeer (Mr Baker) said defendant had been repeatedly asked to appear before the Court and apply for an exemption from payment of the rates, but until that day she had (despite frequent promises) failed to do so. Asked by the Chairman why she had not appeared before, defendant replied that she did not like to come into Court. She was unable to pay the rates on account of sickness of herself and family. The Chairman told defendant if she paid the cost of the summons (2s) within a fortnight, she'd be exempt in future from paying rates.

However, on 13 Jan 1908, Charles John Northcott was registered at Elmore School, in Tiverton, with his address listed as Elmore Workhouse and his mother's simply as 'Workhouse' (Belmont Road, Tiverton).

In 1911, Emma Northcote (sic) (37) Widow, Laundress was living at 7 Rices Court, West Exe South, Tiverton with her four surviving children: William (14) Errand Boy; Arthina (12), Charles (9) and Florence (3). 

From the Tiverton Gazette of 26 Nov 1912, "AMENDMENT PROMISED. Mrs Emma Northcott, widow, of 3 Jarman's Court, pleaded guilty to not sending her son Charles, aged ten, regularly to the Elmore School. Attendance Officer McDermott produced the head teacher's certificate showing that the boy had only made 57 attendances out of a possible 72. Asked if he knew the reason why the boy had been kept home, Mr McDermott replied: A certain amount of idleness, not altogether the fault of the boy himself; he is a nice little fellow. Mr F B Fisher: Is he in ill-health? Mr McDermott: Oh no, he is a fine lad. Defendant admitted that she kept the boy home occasionally, but did not give the reason. She had four children; the two oldest had left school. The Mayor: Do you understand that it is of the utmost  importance that this boy should be sent to school regularly? Defendant (weeping) Yes, sir. The Mayor: If you will undertake to send the boy regularly to school we will adjourn the case for a month. Will you undertake to do that? Defendant: Yes, sir. The Mayor: Then we adjourn it, but if you do not obey the law, we shall be obliged to inflict a penalty when next you appear. Defendant: I'll do it, sir."

The above report confirming that Emma then had four children - the four listed in 1911 - suggests that she had lost her daughter Maud between 1901 and 1911, however I've found no death nor burial record to confirm this.

In 1917, Emma Jane Northcott made a half-rotation and remarried to Arthur Southcott (b. 30 Jul 1883, bap. 9 Aug 1883 at St Peter’s Church Tiverton), 12 years her junior, son of Frederick Southcott and Eliza Harris

The Western Times of 22 Mar 1918 reported, "At Tiverton County Police Court, Tuesday, Charles Northcott, aged 16, labourer, of Bartow's Causeway, Tiverton, for using obscene language at Washfield, was fined 10s."

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

In 1921, Arthur Southcott (39) Married, Private in the Army 4th Defence Battalion Devon Regiment, was at 5, Homefield Place, Fore Street, Exeter. Meanwhile, Emma J Southcott (48) Married, was living at 7 Bartows Causeway, Tiverton with Florence Northcott (13) Daughter; Ivy M Wood (6) Grandchild [for whom I've not found a birth record, but believe she may have been Ivy Maud Wood] and Dorothy F Wood (4) Grandchild - born Dorothy Florence Northcott b. 16 Nov 1916 (1916 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 563), with mother's maiden name Northcott) and I'm presuming they could have been Arthina's illegitimate daughters. There was a Dorothy Evans (23) Married, born in Cullompton, Devon as a Domestic Servant at the Half Moon Hotel, Fore Street, Tiverton (Arthina Northcott had married Ernest F J Evans in 1918 and later uses the name Dorothy); Charles John Northcott (19) Army Private was at Hare Park Camp, Curragh, Ireland.

Arthur Southcott died in 1935 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 503.

In 1939, Emma Jane Southcott, Widowed, was again living at 7 Bartows Causeway, Tiverton with Dorothy A Evans, Laundress, and Dorothy Florence Northcott, who worked at the Lace Factory and one other person. 

Emma Jane Southcott died, at 75, in 1947 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A 713. 

(Dorothy Arthena Evans died, aged 82, in 1980, in Newton Abbot, Devon. The date of birth quoted is consistent as 14 Oct 1898 for Athina Northcott on her school record, on the 1939 Register and upon the record of her death.)

(The 1939 Register also gave us the surnames of Dorothy Florence Northcott husbands. She married Rowland E Jeffries in 1944, in Tiverton and Henry J Kingslan in Haslingden, Lancashire, in 1952. Dorothy Florence Kingslan - with correct DOB - died in Colwyn, Denbighshire, Wales in 1993.)