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.