Robert Hawkins and Ann Shewbrooks

Richard Huish Homes
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Neil Owen - geograph.org.uk/p/3630521
One of Taunton's leading merchants of old, Richard Huish left money for the establishment of homes 'for 13 poor, needy, maimed, impotent and aged men'. The buildings were completed in 1615, the year Huish died; during the nineteenth century, much rebuilding was carried out. 

Robert Hawkins (b. 3 May 1803, bap. 29 May 1803 in Taunton, Somerset), son of Robert Hawkins and Mary Summerhays, married Ann Shewbrooks (bap. 31 Jul 1791, in Taunton), daughter of Edward Shoebrooks and Mary Sparke, at St Mary Magdalene (Taunton Minster), on 23 May 1824.

Robert and Ann had one daughter:

1. Mary Hawkins bap. 13 Jul 1828 at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton.

On Mary's baptism, Robert's occupation is listed as Bricklayer and their address given as Paul Street, Taunton.

In 1841, Robert Hawkins (37) Journeyman Mason, Ann Hawkins (49) and Mary Hawkins (12) were living in High Street, Taunton.

In 1851, we find Robert Hawkins (48) Mason and Ann Hawkins (60).

In 1861, at 3 Tailer Court, High Street, are Robert Hawkins (59) Bricklayer and Ann Hawkins (70) Glover (leather).

Ann Hawkins died at 72, in 1862 J Qtr in TAUNTON Vol 05C Page 279.

In 1871, Robert Hawkins (67) Widower, Mason was at Huishs Almshouse.

In 1881, Robert Hawkins (80) Widower, Mason, was still living at Huish Alms Houses (now Huish Homes), 2, Magdalen Street, Taunton.

Robert Hawkins died in 1886 D Qtr in TAUNTON Vol 05C Page 260.

John Jerred and Frances Ann Orchard

Thorverton: Cherry Tree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/404160

John Jerred (bap. 15 Feb 1835 in Thorverton) son of Joseph Jerred and Sarah Elsworthy, married Frances Ann Orchard (bap. 3 Jul 1831 in Dulverton, Somerset), daughter of James Orchard and Elizabeth How, on 20 May 1862, at the Parish Church of St Thomas a Becket, Thorverton, Devon, as both resided in the parish. John's occupation was listed on marriage as Cooper.

John and Frances Orchard had two children:

1. Lewis Jerrad (sic) b. 19 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 434) in Silverton, Devon
2. Frances Mary Jerrad (sic) b. 3 May 1869 (1869 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 66)

In 1871, at Bishops Court Lodge, Sowton Village, St Thomas, Devon, were John Jerrad (sic) (35) Gardener (Bishop’s Court) from Thoverton, Devon; Frances A Jerrad (39) Ag keeper from Dulverton; Louis Jerrad (8) from Silverton, Devon and Frances M Jerrad (2) born in Heavitree, Devon.

In 1881, at Church Cottage, Halberton were John Jerred (46) Agricultural Labourer; Frances A Jerred (49), Frances M Jerred (11) and George Davey (14) from Uplowman, Devon, Lodger. Louis Jerred (18) was Baker's Apprentice in Angel Hill, Tiverton, to George Hannabus, Master Confectioner from Cadbury, Devon (shoulda named his business after his village). 

In 1891, John Jerred (56), still working as an Ag Lab, and Frances Ann Jerred (59) were living at Court Cottage, Corner, Halberton. Frances Mary Jerred (24) was Servant to Alfred T Gregory in Alsa Terrace, Tiverton.

In 1901, John (66), once more working as a gardener, and Frances Ann (69), had moved into the centre of Tiverton to 12, Hammetts Square. Frances Mary Jerred (31) was working as a Cook for Rev. Donald M Owen, Clergyman in the Church of England, at 25, Bampton Street, Tiverton. (That address is now an ugly modern building in use as the Royal Mail Tiverton Delivery Office.)

In 1911, John Jerred (78) and Frances Jerred (79), were living at 1 The Fords Homes, Old Blundells, Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon. (Alms Houses?) This confirmed they'd been married 49 years and had two children, both still living.

John Jerred died, aged 78, in 1911 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 263.

Frances Ann Gerrod (sic) died at 87 in 1919 M Qtr Vol 05B 693.

James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish

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

James Wood (bap. 2 Aug 1857 in Kentisbeare), son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Ann Melhuish (b. ~1864) on 20 May 1883 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare. The spaces for Mary Ann's father are left blank on the marriage certificate who consistently said she was born in Clayhidon, Devon. (There was a Mary Ann Melhuish born illegitimately to an Elizabeth Melhuish, on 12 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 445), but that birth was in Hemyock.) Were they connected to Mary Jane Melhuish, who James' elder brother Henry had married.

James and Mary Ann had 11 children:

1. Robert Wood b. 1883 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 404, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare (Baptised at 18 months old.) 
2. Sarah Ann Wood b. 1885 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 405, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare
3. Edith Maud Wood b. 24 Jul 1887 (1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421), bap. 14 Aug 1887 in Kentisbeare
4. Harriet Mary Wood b. 23 Nov 1888 (1889 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 419), bap. 13 Jan 1889 in Kentisbeare
5. George Wood b. 30 Aug 1890 (1890 D Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 13), bap. 5 Oct 1890 in Broadhembury
6. Unnamed male Wood b. 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 16 (Died 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14)
7. Eldred James Wood b. 15 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14), bap. 1 Apr 1894 in Broadhembury. 
8. Mabel Wood b. 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 385, bap. 8 Aug 1896, marked P.B. Private Baptism, presumably at home. (Died at 21 days old (1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 257), buried 23 Aug 1896, also in Kentisbeare)
9. Roland Ashford Wood b. 25 Jan 1898 (1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 384), bap. 13 Mar 1898 in Kentisbeare
10. Reginald Leonard Wood b. 8 May 1901 (1901 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378), bap. ? 1901 in Blackborough
11. Mabel Frances Wood b. 1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 380 (Died at 26 days old (1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307), buried 17 Jan 1904 in Blackborough)

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

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

In 1911, at Cobblers Hall, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (53), Mary Ann (49), Sarah Ann Wood (25) Servant Cook, and Reginald Leonard Wood (9). They confirm on this census that they had 11 children during their 28 years of marriage, with 8 still living and 3 had died. Harriet Mary Wood (23) from Kentisbeare, Devon was Cook in the household of James Browning Young (63) Retired Captain Royal Navy at Wimborne Minster, Dorset.

James Wood died at 61 on 11 Nov 1918 (1918 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 833) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

In 1921, Mary Ann Wood (58) Widow, was living at Downlands, Kentisbeare, Devon with Roland Ashford Wood (23) & Reginald Leonard Wood (20) Farm Labourers; Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8) Grandson; Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) Grandson; Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) Granddaughter and Robert Wood (37) Visitor (eldest son).

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

Mary Ann Wood died ~91 on 6 Jan 1955 (1955 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A Page 1000) and buried with her late husband at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.

• George Wood died on 29 Dec 1953 and is buried at St Mary's, Kentisbeare, with his brother Reginald and niece, Connie Edmond.
• Eldred James Wood served in the Devonshire Regiment during World War I and married Margaret Evans in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales in 1916. Eldred James Wood died on 19 Aug 1967 in Weymouth, Dorset and was buried back at St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare. Margaret Wood died on 8 Jul 1975 and was buried with her late husband.
• Roland Ashford Wood married Cicely Butt in 1939. That year they were living at Bodmiscombe Wood, where Roland was a Farmer. Roland Ashford Wood died on 28 Feb 1975. Cicely Wood died on 23 Oct 1981. They are buried together at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
• Reginald Leonard Wood of 15 Blaydon Cottages, Blackborough, 53, died on 18 Jun 1954 (1954 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 725) at Tiverton and District Hospital. As he left his effects to his widowed mother, he probably hadn't married. 

William Thompson Wykes and Ada Doe

The Church of St. Nicholas, Deptford Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Lunn - geograph.org.uk/p/508224

William Thompson Wykes (b. 1869), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Ada Doe (b. 26 May 1867 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk), daughter of George Doe and Susannah Gates, at St Nicholas Church, Deptford Green on 17 May 1894. Ada was born at Garland Street, Bury St Edmunds (PDF), where the family still lived in 1871, and was baptised on 20 Sep 1868 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (parish church of St James).

William and Ada had three children:

1. William Thompson Wykes b. 1895 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1073, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford
2. Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes b. 15 Jan 1897 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1097
3. Ada Florence Wykes b. 17 May 1905 J Quarter in SAINT OLAVE BERMONDSEY Volume 01D Page 232

All of the GRO birth registration have the mother's maiden name DOE.

In 1901, William Wykes (31) Light plater iron work, was at 5, Abinger Road, Deptford with Ada Wykes (33), William Wykes (6) and Daisy Wykes (4).

In 1911, William Wykes (41) Light iron worker was living at 12 Neckinger Street, Dockhead, Bermondsey with Ada Wykes (43), William Wykes (16) Printers layer on; Daisy Wykes (14) and Ada Wykes (5). 

William Thompson Wykes died, aged just 45, in 1915 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1586.

Private William Thompson Wykes 1st/22nd Bn London Regiment was killed in action, presumed on or since 30 Dec 1915 and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, located near the commune of Loos-en-Gohelle, in the Pas-de-Calais département of France. The memorial lists 20,610 names of British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who were killed in the area during and after the Battle of Loos, which started on 25 Sep 1915.

In 1921, Ada Wykes (53) Bath Attendant for Bermondsey Council was living at 35, St James's Road, Bermondsey, with Ada Wykes (16) Millinery and her brother, George Doe (51) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Out of Work. 

In 1939, Ada Wykes, Money Taker (Retired) (assume cashier, not criminal LOL) and Ada F Longhurst, Shop Assistant, were living at 23 Sylvan Grove, Peckham, with Stephen Mason in the household, presumably a lodger.

Ada Wykes died, aged 73, in 1940 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 1299.

• Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes married Frank George Collins (b. 10 Mar 1887 in Rotherhithe), son of Thomas Dederick Collins and Amelia Martha Roberts, in Southwark, in 1920. They had three children: Frank William Collins b. 1 Oct 1920; William Thomas Collins b. 6 Feb 1923 and Joan Emily Collins b. 1926. In 1939, Frank G Collins, Paint Warehouseman; Daisy A E Collins, Frank William Collins and William T Collins were living at 76 Harp Road, Ealing, where the couple remained for the rest of their lives. Frank George Collins died on 10 Aug 1973 and Daisy Ann Elizabeth Collins, on 17 Sep 1975.
• Ada Florence Wykes married Frederick Richard Longhurst (b. 1 Feb 1912), son of Frederick William Longhurst and Hannah Eliza Warner, in Deptford, London, in 1935. In 1939, Ada F Longhurst was living with her mother, in Peckham, while Frederick Richard Longhurst was serving in the Royal Artillery. They had one son, born in 1941. Frederick Richard Longhurst died, in Lambeth, in 1992. Ada Florence Longhurst died, also in Lambeth, in 2002.

William George Beamer and Elsie May Carver

HMS Impregnable in the Hamoaze off Devonport Dockyard

William George Beamer (b. 4 Jan 1886 in East Stonehouse), son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Elsie May Carver (b. 22 Nov 1894, bap. 16 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity Church), daughter of Charles Frederick Carver from Clerkenwell, London and Frances Rundle, native of Plymouth, at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, which church was located in Southside Street/Friars Lane, Barbican, Plymouth, on 17 May 1916. (This church no longer exists because it was was destroyed in the Second World War.)

At 16, in 1901, William George Beamer had been a member of the crew of HMS Impregnable 1st Rate (Training Ship For Boys), in the Hamoaze, Devonport off Maker, St Germans, Cornwall. (HMS Impregnable became the Royal Navy's second boys' training ship at Devonport in 1862.)

Having signed up for a further 12 years in the Royal Navy, on 4 Feb 1903, William was discharged, invalided, on 8 Jun 1905. Then on 9 Sep 1905, he enlisted in the British Army in the Devonshire Regiment. One wonders what condition was classed as invalid for the Navy, but still fit for the Army.

Next we find William George Beamer (26), in 1911, with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, stationed at Saint Georges Barracks, Malta. (Part of the Pembroke Army Garrison, at Pembroke, Malta, near St. Julian's.)

William George Beamer was the recipient of a Silver War Badge, having been discharged from the Machine Gun Corps on 30 Mar 1917, under King's Regulation 392 (xvi) “No longer physically fit for war service". "He has a Ministry of Pensions record card which shows him as 22105 MG, residing at 13 Walsdon Rd, Plymouth. He was discharged on 30.3.17. Cause - deafness. He was entitled to the Silver War Badge number 197170." (The Silver War Badge was designed to be worn on civilian clothes after early discharge from the army. The accompanying certificate will have read, "Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on ...")

Elsie's younger brother, Charles Frederick Carver (b. 1898), 5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment, son of Charles F. and Frances Carver, of 5, Artizan's Dwellings, Notte St., Plymouth, was killed in action on 20 Jul 1918 and is buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, France.

In 1921, William George Beamer (35) General Labourer for the Admiralty, and Elsie M Beamer (25) were living at 13, Wolsdon Street, Plymouth.

In 1939, William G Beamer, Skilled Labourer HM Dockyard, wife Elsie M Beamer and John F Carver (b. 1902), Road Repair Labourer (Elsie's brother), were still living at 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, Plymouth - buildings in that street were destroyed in the Second World War and demolished.

William George Beamer, of 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, died on 1 Jan 1956 (1956 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 834).

Elsie May Beamer died in the 4th quarter of 1973, aged 79.