John Rookley and Mary Ayres

Kentisbeare : Priest Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3707225

John Rookley married Mary Ayres on 24 May 1820 in Kentisbeare, Devon. 

Baptism records in Kentisbeare, suggest John and Mary had 12 children:

1. Mary Ann Rookley bap. 8 Oct 1820 (Residence: Picksey Pool)
2. John Rookley Jnr b. 1822 (No baptism found)
3. Jane Ayres Rookley bap. 18 Jan 1824 (Residence: Little Silver)
4. James Rookley bap. 20 Aug 1826 (Residence: Crosses)
5. Elizabeth Ruckley (sic) bap. 13 Feb 1831
6. William Rookley bap. 3 Feb 1833 (Residence: Town)
7. Sarah Ruckley (sic) bap. 24 May 1835 (Residence: Little Silver)
8. Henry Ruckley (sic) bap. 18 Jun 1837 (Residence: Crosses)
9. Thomas Rookley b. 1839 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 257 bap. 14 Apr 1839.
10. Thomasin Rookley b. 1841 M Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 258 bap. 28 Feb 1841
11. Eliza Rookley b. 1843 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 250 bap. 30 Apr 1843
12. Anna Rookley b. 1845 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 266 bap. 1 Jun 1845

All Civil Birth registrations list the surname as Ruckley (doubtlessly, as a result of illiteracy and the Devon accent - on William's baptism the curate has written "Rookley, or as they say Ruckley") and the mother's maiden name as Ayres. On the baptisms of Mary Ann, Jane Ayres and James, John Rookley's occupation is described as a Husbandman (a person who cultivates the land; a farmer), obviously employed casually, but on those of Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Henry, Thomas, Thomasin, Eliza and Anna, he is a Labourer.

In 1841, John Ruckley (45), closely agrees with his age given at other times, is languishing in the Devon County House Of Correction, in St David's, Exeter. He had earned a 6 month holiday at Her Majesty's pleasure for Larceny. Mary and the children do not appear anywhere on this census that I can find.

We find the family in 1851, when they are listed, unhelpfully, as living in "Village, Kentisbeare". John Rookley (56) is a Farmer of 22 Acres, with the household consisting wife Mary (52), William (19) and Henry (12) Employed on the farm; Thomas (10), Thomasin (8), Eliza (6) and Hannah (Anna) (4).

Mary Rookley died, age given as 59, in 1859 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 282 and was buried on 27 Apr 1859 in Kentisbeare churchyard.

In 1861, listed as John Rockley (sic) (67), widowed, Retired Farmer, was living at Gaddford Hills, Kentisbeare, Devon.

In 1871, John Rookley (78), Farm Labourer, was living at "Moor, Kentisbeare" (Kentis Moor) in the household of James and Thomasin Ridgeway. 

John Rookely died, aged 78, and was buried on 14 May 1871.

Thomas Goodman and Mary Ann Pluck

The Deanery Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Bocking Churchstreet, Braintree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/2607258

Thomas Goodman (b. 7 Jan 1791, bap. 13 Feb 1791), son of William Goodman and Elizabeth Turner, married Mary Ann Pluck (bap. 12 Mar 1790 at St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden), daughter of John James Pluck and Elizabeth Coe, at St Mary the Virgin, Bocking, on 22 Jan 1813.

Thomas and Mary Ann Goodman had eight children:

1. Ann Goodman bap. 9 Nov 1814 at St. Michael's Church, Braintree
2. William Goodman bap. 16 Jul 1815 at St Mary the Virgin, Bocking
3. Mary Ann Goodman bap. 3 Aug 1817 in Bocking, Essex. Died Feb 1824 at Scott Street, Bethnal Green. Buried on 15 Feb 1824 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town (aka Globe Road Memorial Garden).
4. George Goodman b. 29 Apr 1819 (presumably born in Essex), bap. 25 Dec 1822 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green
5. Eliza Goodman bap. 16 Dec 1821 at St. Andrew's Church, Halstead
6. Phebe Goodman b. 6 Dec 1823, bap. 9 May 1824 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green. Died May 1824 at Scott Street, Bethnal Green. Buried 23 May 1824 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town.
7. Thomas Alfred Goodman b. 2 Mar 1825, bap. 25 Dec 1825 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green. Died July 1826 at Tent Street, Bethnal Green. Buried on 3 Jul 1826 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town.
8. Louisa Goodman b. 26 Feb 1827, bap. 18 Mar 1827 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green.

All of the baptisms specify the child's parents as Thomas and Mary and most also specify that Thomas Goodman's occupation was a Carpenter. They clearly moved into London some time between Eliza's baptism in Essex, on 16 Dec 1821 and that of George, in Bethnal Green, on Christmas Day 1822.

In 1841, in Carlisle Street, Bethnal Green, were Thomas Goodman (50), Mary Goodman (51), William Goodman (25) and Louisa Goodman (14). 

It is my belief that the death of Thomas Goodman, age estimated to 59, who died 1847 D Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 02 Page 25, relates. 

Mary Ann Goodman died, in 1849 in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 02 Page 16.

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 (now 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 Quarter 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 (b. 1833) 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, in the village of Thorverton, Devon, as both of them resided in the parish. John's occupation was listed on marriage as Cooper.

John and Frances had two children:

1. Lewis Jerrad (sic) born in the 2nd quarter of 1863
2. Frances Mary Jerrad (sic) born 3 May 1869, in St Thomas, Exeter

In 1871, the family were living in Sowton, Devon, with John (35) employed as a gardener. But, by 1881, they had moved to Church Cottage, Halberton and John (46) had gone back to being an Agricultural Labourer. Daughter Frances Mary was still at home, but her brother had left home.

In 1891, with both children having flown the nest, John (56), still working as an Ag Lab, and Frances Ann were living at Court Cottage, Corner, Halberton.

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.

In 1911, John (78), with No Occupation, and Frances (79), were living at 1 The Homes, Old Blundell's, Tiverton. (Alms Houses?) This census 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.

I can find no record of the death of Frances Ann Jerred.

James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish

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

James Wood, son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Ann Melhuish on 20 May 1883 at St. Mary’s church, Kentisbeare. 

James' elder brother, Henry Wood, had married a Mary Jane Melhuish, which seems an incredible coincidence. Henry's wife, Mary Jane had said she was from Plymouth, while Mary Ann lists herself as being from Clayhidon. But in neither case can I find a birth for either of them individually, much less find any connection between them. That's another mystery for another day.

James and Mary Ann had 11 children:

1. Robert Wood born 1883, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare (Baptism record notes that he was 18 months old.) 
2. Sarah Ann Wood bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare
3. Edith Maud Wood b. 24 Jul 1887, bap. 14 Aug 1887 in Kentisbeare
4. Harriet Mary Wood b. 23 Nov 1888, bap. 13 Jan 1889 in Kentisbeare
5. George Wood born 30 Aug 1890, bap. 5 Oct 1890 in Broadhembury
6. Unnamed male Wood born Q1 1893 (Died in the same quarter)
7. Eldred James Wood born 15 Mar 1894, bap. 1 Apr 1894 in Broadhembury. 
8. Mabel Wood bap. 8 Aug 1896 in Kentisbeare (Died at 21 days old, buried 23 Aug 1896, also in Kentisbeare)
9. Roland Ashford Wood b. 25 Jan 1898, bap. 13 Mar 1898 in Kentisbeare. 
10. Reginald Leonard Wood b. 8 May 1901, bap. ? 1901 in Blackborough
11. Mabel Frances Wood b. 1904 (Died at 26 days old, 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) Domestic Servant Cook, and Reginald Leonard Wood (9).

James Wood died in 1918, aged around 61.

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 in 1955, aged 91.

1. Eldred J Wood served in the Devonshire Regiment during World War I.
2. Roland A Wood married Cicely Butt in 1939. That year they were living at Bodmiscombe Wood, where Roland was a Farmer on his own account. Roland Ashford Wood died on 28 Feb 1975.
3. Reginald Leonard Wood of 15 Blaydon Cottages, Blackborough, died on 18 Jun 1954 at Tiverton and District Hospital. As he left his effects to his widowed mother, we can probably conclude he had not married.