Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Sunday 21 March 2021

John Stone: Attempting to ravish and carnally know

Hockworthy: Hockford Cottage
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/164609

John Stone, the third of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway's children, born in Ashbrittle, Somerset, in 1858, may have been a bit of a rogue. 

In 1861, John (3), like his older brothers, was at home with his parents at Court Place, Ashbrittle. I've not been able to locate him in 1871, when he will have been around 13, but he'd already left his parents' home. Undoubtedly employed as a farm labourer, his employer probably didn't know much about him, so he may well appear on the census, but with details they guessed.

In 1873, aged 15, John Stone, was arrested and taken to the Devon County Prison, on 2 Jun, accused of "Attempting to ravish and carnally know Maria Disney on the 28th May, 1873, at Hockworthy." The committing magistrate was J. C. New, Esq., of Cullompton, but John wasn't tried: the bill was ignored for assault with intent to ravish, indecent assault and assault. No further details or clues as to why the case did not proceed, but as Peter Calver of Lost Cousins suggested, securing a conviction was difficult in those times.

On the 1871 census, Mariah Disney (then 12, so 14 at the time of the alleged assault), daughter of John Disney, farm labourer, was living at Hockford Barton, Hockworthy. We may assume she was the young lady in question. 

[NOTE: John's sister, Harriet Stone, married their first cousin, James Ridgway. James Ridgway's mother was Ann Tooze, who's own mother was Eliza Disney, so there's no doubt that John was also "keeping it in the family"!]

Widening the area of search, I eventually found John Stone on the 1881 census living in the household of Henry Payne, Railway Tunnel Miner, at Railway Hut, Hurst Green, Oxted, Godstone, Surrey. Living there were Henry Payne (31), his wife, four children aged 5 to 11, as well as nine men, all boarders, all railway tunnel labourers. And at the bottom of the long list was John Stone (22), Tunnel Miner's Labourer, born in Somerset.

The Oxted Tunnel - on the Oxted line, which passes under the North Downs in two tunnels, and then splits into two branches at Hurst Green, adjoining Oxted in Surrey - opened in 1884. It doesn't take much imagination, therefore, to work out what John must have been working on in 1881. Living in what must have been horrendous conditions, with so many people crammed into an undoubtedly overcrowded space, lacking in facilities will have been a perfect environment for transmitting infectious diseases ...

Because one year later, John Stone, "Labourer on Railway", died, aged just 24, on 27 Aug 1882, in Uplowman. His sister, Mary Ann Prescott, was present at his death. Wondering if he'd been killed in an accident or even a revenge attack, I'd ordered his death certificate, but John had, in fact, died of the all-too-common at that time, Phthisis (Tuberculosis). 

John Stone was buried, on 3 Sep 1882, in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Grave of John Stone and his parents, Mary and Henry Stone, in Uplowman Churchyard

William Stone and Hannah Westcott

Whipples Farm, Holcombe Rogus
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/2803479

William Stone (bap. 1 Apr 1821 at St Peter's ChurchLangford Budville), eldest son of William Stone and Mary Thorne and thus oldest brother of my 2x great grandfather, Henry Stone, married Hannah Westcott in the third quarter of 1850, in the registration district of Wellington, Somerset. 

Hannah Westcott (10) was living at Tone Wharf, Wellington Somerset with her parents, Thomas and Ann Westcott, in 1841. She was born on 8 Feb 1831 and baptised Anna Westcott (due to pronunciation, probably) on 19 Jun 1831, at the The Lower Meeting Independent Formerly Presbyterian, Wellington, Somerset.

Tracking down the children of this marriage has been proving difficult, with no birth records for half of them, but include the following six: 
  1. William Stone b. 1851 in Devon (listed on 1861 census)
  2. Mary Ann Stone b. 1854 in Ashbrittle, Somerset (on 1861 census)
  3. Hannah Maria Stone b. 1861 Q3 in PONTYPOOL Vol 11A Page 122
  4. Thomas Stone b. 12 Aug 1864 in Usworth, Durham 
  5. Edith Ellen Stone b. 1866 Q4 in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A Page 42
  6. Isabella Stone b. 1870 Q3 in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A Page 479
Those I could find at the GRO, the mother's maiden name is listed as Westcott.

In 1851, William Stone (28), Agricultural Labourer, was living at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, with wife Anah (21). Whipples Farmhouse, Tracebridge, is a Grade II Listed Building. Living at Whipples also was Henry Tremlett, a Dairyman, for whom William was presumably working. 

In 1861, however, William Stone (40), married, Pitman from Holcombe, Devon was a lodger in the house of Elizabeth Archer (50), widow at Nailers Shops, New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham. While Hannah Stone (29) from Wellington, Somerset was living at Garndiffath, Trevethin, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales with son William Stone (10) born in Devon, England and daughter, Mary Ann Stone, born in Ashbrittle, Somerset. 

There is no sign of any of them in 1871.

Mary Ann Stone (18) married Miles Handy in Chester Le Street, in 1872.

William Stone (55) died in the 3rd quarter of 1875, also in Chester Le Street.

In 1881, Hannah Stone (49) widow, mother-in-law, was living in the household of Miles Handy (35) Coal Miner from Wallsend, Northumberland and his wife, Mary A Handy (27) from Somerset. Also in the household were Thomas Stone (16) Coal Miner (putter) born in Usworth, Durham, brother-in-law and Isabella Stone (10) born in Washington, Durham, sister-in-law and William Handy (25) Coal Miner, boarder, also from Wallsend, Northumberland, Miles' brother.

Thomas Stone married Polly Beaty in 1888, in Chester Le Street. Edith Ellen Stone married in Chester Le Street, in 1889, but [as yet], I don't know who she married. And Isabella Stone married John Robert Brack, also in Chester Le Street, in 1890. (In 1881, John Brack had been staying with his uncle, Christopher Chambers, Colliery overman, from Killingworth, Northumberland.)

In 1891, Hannah Stone (59), widow, was living on her own means in the household of William Handy (34) Coal Miner at New Rows, Little Usworth, Chester Le Street - her home, but he presumably becomes head as a man. In the household also were Hannah's daughter, Isabella Brack (20) and her husband John Brack (23) from Byker, Northumberland, Coal miner deputy.

In 1901, Hannah Stone (70), widow, mother-in-law, from Wellington, Somerset, was living in the household of John Robert Brack (34) Coal deputy overman and Isabella Brack (30), who by this time had five children, at 10, New Rows, Washington, Great and Little Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham.

Hannah Stone died, aged 78, in Chester Le Street, in 1909.

Saturday 27 February 2021

Hugh Tapp and Harriet Middleton

Twitchen : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/7465149
The first church in Twitchen was erected in medieval times and
was rebuilt in 1844 by John Tapp, Churchwarden.

Hugh Tapp (bap. 22 Apr 1832 in Twitchen, Devon), son of Hugh Tapp and Ann Yendell, married Harriet Middleton (bap. 4 May 1834, in Knowstone, Devon), daughter of Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker, at St Peter's Church, Twitchen, on 10 Nov 1858, 'legitimising' their eldest at the same time.

At home with his parents at Marledge in 1841, Hugh Tapp was then eldest of three surviving children: Hugh (9), John (5) and William (2). His grandparents, Hugh (77) and Joan (84) also lived at Marledge. By 1851, Hugh Tapp (17) was one of the labourers employed by Roger Buckingham, Farmer Of 70 Acres 2 Laborers, in Twitchen. James Buckingham, Hugh Buckingham, William and Roger Buckingham, as well as a John Tapp and a William Tapp, were all listed as farmers in Twitchen in WHITE'S DIRECTORY OF 1850. At that time, Harriet Middleton (16) was employed as a general servant by George Gilliard at Sandyway, Exmoor, on the Devon & Somerset border.

Hugh and Harriett Tapp had eight children:
  1. John Tapp Middleton b. 1858 (Registered at the GRO as John Meddleton (sic) in 1858 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 429) and bap. 10 Nov 1858 at St Peter's Church, Twitchen
  2. Hugh Tapp b. 1860 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 432 bap. 16 Dec 1860 at St Peter's Church, Twitchen
  3. Mary Ann Tapp b. 1863 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 457 bap. 22 Nov 1863 at Twitchen
  4. William Tapp b. 1866 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 443, bap. 8 Apr 1866 at St Mary's ChurchMolland (Died aged 4 in 1870 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 380)
  5. James Tapp b. 1868 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 449, bap. 25 Dec 1868 at St Mary's Church, Molland
  6. William Henry Tapp b. 1870 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 431, bap. 27 Nov 1870 at St Mary's Church, Molland
  7. Harriet Jane Tapp b. 7 Apr 1873 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 446. (No baptism record found.)
  8. Willie Tapp b. 1875 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 439. (No other records of any kind found.)
From Hugh onwards the mother's maiden name is quoted as MIDDLETON.

In 1861, at Hough, Twitchen were Hugh Tapp (27) Agricultural Labourer; Harriett Tapp (26), John Tapp (2) and Hugh Tapp (4 mts).

In 1871, at Brimley, Molland were Hugh Tapp, Ag Lab and Harriet Tapp - who both inexplicably gave their ages as 31 - with John Tapp (13), Mary Tapp (8), James Tapp (3) and William H Tapp (3 mts).

Hugh Tapp died at just 45 and was buried on 3 Jul 1877 in Molland.

Widow Harriet Tapp married Henry Blackford in South Molton, in 1879. 

In 1881, Henry Blackford (62) Ag Lab; Harriet Blackford (48), [William] Henry Tapp (10) and Jane Tapp (8), were living at Headgate, Twitchen. John Tapp (22) and James Tapp (13) were both Farm Servants for James Buckingham (55) Farmer at Pulsworthy, Twitchen. Mary [Ann] Tapp (18) was a General Servant to William May (48) Farmer at Popham Farm, North Molton.

Henry Blackford died, aged 66, in 1883 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 267 and was buried on 16 Jul 1883 in Twitchen.

In 1891, Harriet Blackford (56) Widow, was employed as a female servant in the household of Charles Purchase in North Hensley, North Molton

Then in the first quarter of 1894, Harriet Blackford married for the third time, to William Palfreman (bap. 15 Aug 1830 in Molland, Devon). 

William Palfreman then died at 69 in 1899 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 314 and was buried on 12 Feb 1899 in Molland.

In 1901, Harriet Palfreman (67) Mother-in-Law, Widow, was living in the household of Eli James Jones - who had married Harriet Jane Tapp in 1899 - at 11 Volis Cottages (Volis Farm), Kingston St Mary, Taunton, Somerset.

In 1911, Harriet Palfreman (77) Mother-in-Law, Widow, Old Age Pensioner, was still living with her son-in-law and daughter at Ivy Cottage, Parkersfield, North Petherton. (The "Old Age Pension" was introduced in 1909 in the United Kingdom with the Old-Age Pensions Act 1908. Pensions were means-tested and a pension of 5 shillings per week (25p), was payable to persons with an income below £21 per annum. The qualifying age was 70.)

Harriet Palfreman died, at 80, in 1915 J Qtr in BRIDGWATER Vol 05C 425.

Friday 26 February 2021

Robert Middleton and Mary Pyke

The Square, North Tawton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2768080

Robert Middleton (bap. 4 Jun 1826 in Knowstone), son of Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker, and elder brother of Jane Middleton, married Mary Pyke (bap. 1 Feb 1829), daughter of Hugh Pyke a Cordwainer, in the town of North Tawton in Devon and his wife, Elizabeth Ellis, in 1855. The marriage may well have taken place at her parish of St Peter's, North Tawton
A cordwainer is a shoemaker who makes new shoes from new leather. The cordwainer's trade can be contrasted with the cobbler's trade, according to a tradition in Britain that restricted cobblers to repairing shoes.
At home with her parents in Oakhampton Street, North Tawton, in 1841, Mary was the third of five children: John Pyke (15), Jane Pyke (14), Mary Pyke (11), Samuel Pyke (9) and Sarah Pyke (6). There was a further sister, Elizabeth Pyke, two years younger than Sarah. At that time, Robert Middleton, then 15, was already out working, as an Ag Lab, for William Follett at Bransford, Knowstone. 

Unable to find the couple in 1861, by the time we catch up with them in 1871, living in Sampford Courtenay, Robert was still employed as an Ag Lab, and in 1881, in Brightley, Okehampton, when Robert has become a Railway lab - Packer, we find they've been a bit busy. They have at least 7 children: 
  1. James Middleton born 1860  
  2. Thomas Middleton born 1862
  3. Sarah Ann Middleton born 1864
  4. Robert Middleton born 1867
  5. Mary Middleton born 1870
  6. William Middleton born 1873
  7. John Middleton born 1874
Robert Middleton died, aged 63, and was buried on 20 Jul 1889, in Okehampton. In 1891, the widowed Mary had moved into the household of her now married daughter, Mary, and her husband, John Lang, in Oakhampton and stayed with them for the rest of her life. In 1901, aged around 70, Mary was described as a Monthly nurse. Mary died in 1912, aged 84.

Tuesday 23 February 2021

James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock and James Marsh

Ashbrittle Village with Court Place Farm (foreground left)
Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0)

James Ridgeway (bap. 22 Oct 1809 in Seaton & Beer), son of Jacob Ridgway and Jane Bray, married Mary Ann Lock (bap. 7 May 1809 in Ashbrittle), daughter of John Lock and Mary Nott, a pair of my 3rd great-grandparents, married, on 29 Apr 1833, at the Church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle. Witnesses to this marriage were Henry Vickery and Elizabeth Webber.

Mary Ann Lock, it appears, also had an illegitimate daughter prior to her marriage, Elizabeth Lock b. around 1830. There is no baptism record for her, however, I have DNA matches as half-relatives through three of Elizabeth Lock's sons, giving Mary Ann Lock as the common ancestor of all of us.

The couple appear to have seven children, with records existing only for the baptisms of first two children; Mary in 1833 and James in 1835. Once civil registration had been introduced (in 1837), there are no more baptism records for the subsequent five children, but neither are there civil registrations for most (only for the sixth child, John, in 1847), just listings on the census.
  1. Mary Ridgeway bap. 28 Dec 1833 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
  2. James Ridgeway bap. 25 Oct 1835 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
  3. Jane Ridgeway b. 1839
  4. Harriet Ridgeway b. 1841 
  5. Thomas Ridgeway b. 1844
  6. John Ridgeway b. 1847 (Died aged 4, buried 6 Aug 1851 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle)
  7. William Ridgeway b. 1850 (Died aged 29, see below.)
In 1841, James Ridgway (32) and Ann Ridgeway (33), were living in Ashbrittle Village, with children; Mary (7), James (5), Jane (2) and Harriot (0). 

And in 1851, still living in Ashbrittle Village, we find James (45) and Ann (45), with Harriot (10), Thomas (7), John (4) and William (1). Mary (19) was a Servant of William Sweet at Appley Court, Appley, Stawley; James (15) had also left home and was working as a Servant in the household of Robert Venn at Little Tadbeer Farm, Ashbrittle; while Jane Ridgeway (12), was a Servant in the household of Robert Johns of Kittisford at Stawley, Somerset. 

James Ridgeway died in 1854, said to be aged around 44, and was buried on 18 Jun 1854 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle

In 1859 there are banns of a marriage, in Kittisford, between James Mash (sic) and Mary Ann Ridgway (sic). The banns read in Tiverton correctly identify the bridegroom as James Marsh and bride as Mary Ann Ridgeway

James Marsh, son of Richard and Mary Marsh, bap. in Bampton, Devon on 31 Jul 1814, had married Mary Cruwys - also a widow - in Morebath, on 22 Mar 1840. They had one child, Mary Marsh, born 1841 and that year were living at Exbridge, Morebath, along with three children from Mary's previous marriage. In 1851, they were still there with Mary (9) and three more children Elizabeth (7), Martha (5) and James (2). Mary Marsh died in 1858. 

In 1861, James Marsh (46), Anne [Mary Ann] Marsh (51) and William Ridgeway (11) were living at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton'. By 1861, Thomas Ridgeway (18), was employed as a Carter at Holcombe Barton, Holcombe Rogus. (Holcombe Barton Farm was part of the Manor of Holcombe Rogus of Holcombe Court, "the finest Tudor house in Devon.")

In 1871, still at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton', were James Marsh (60) and Mary Ann Marsh (62). William Ridgeway (21) Postman, was a lodger in Ashbrittle, in the household of William Cude (64) Carpenter & Builder. 

James Marsh died and was buried on 3 Jul 1871, in Bampton.

Mary Ann's son, William Ridgeway died, aged 29, and was buried on 15 Mar 1879, in Uplowman. "Administration of the Personal Estate of William Ridgway (sic) late of Uplowman in the County of Devon Letter Carrier a Batchelor who died 9 Mar 1879 at Uplowman was granted at Exeter to Mary Ann Marsh of Uplowman Widow the Mother and only Next of Kin."

In 1881, Mary Ann Mash (sic) (74), Widow, was living with her son, Thomas Ridgeway, in Whitnage, Uplowman, listed as his mother. 

In 1891, Mary A Marsh (83), was living with her daughter, Harriet Were (sic) (50), in Chettiscombe.

Mary Ann Marsh died, in 1894, at the age of 86.