Great x3 Grandmother Anna Maria Mutters (nee Havill)

My great x3 grandmother Anna Maria (1826 - 1897) was a farm servant, lacemaker, housewife, and mother of six.

Anna Maria's name varies on different records. It should be noted that, in England prior to the 20th century, Maria was commonly pronounced as the modern Mariah.

She was baptised Mary Anne in 1826, listed as Maria in the 1841 and 1851 census, Anna Maria in her 1851 marriage record, Maria on her three daughters' baptism records from 1852, 1854 and 1857, Anna on her son John's 1859 baptism record, was Anna Maria again in the 1861 census, Maria on her sons William and George's baptism records from 1862 and 1865, Anna on the 1871 census, Maria on the 1881 and 1891 census, and Hannah Maria on her death and burial record.

During this post, I will refer to her as Anna Maria.

Anna Maria Havill was born around 1826 in Aylesbeare, Devon to John Havill (27), a farm labourer, and Mary Havill (nee Parker) (27), a laundress.

Anna Maria was baptised on 29th October 1826 in Aylesbeare.

Anna Maria was the second of nine children (four daughters and five sons):

• Jane  1822 -
• Anna Maria  1826 -
• Elizabeth  1829 - 1829 (1 week old)
• George  1830 -
• James  1833 -
• William  1836 -
• Robert  1838 -
• Henry  1840 -
• Elizabeth  1843 -

Sadly in 1829, when Anna Maria was two years old, her younger sister Elizabeth passed away, aged only one week old.

As a teenager, Anna Maria worked as a servant for the Hill family at Bridge Farm, in Stoke Canon, which is about ten miles west of her native Aylesbeare.

In her twenties, Anna Maria worked as a servant for the Ashford family at Vernmore Farm in Woodbury.

1851 Census:

Anna Maria's future husband, George Mutters, also worked as a servant at Venmore Farm in the 1840s. It seems likely that Anna Maria and George met whilst working there together.

Photograph of (Higher) Venmore Farm, Woodbury

On 22nd October 1851, Anna Maria (25), a servant, married George Mutters (26), an agricultural labourer, in Woodbury. Anna Maria was about four months pregnant when she married.

On their record of marriage, George was able to sign his name, but Anna Maria left only her mark, implying she could not write.

Anna Maria and George married in the presence of Anna Maria's elder sister Jane.

Anna Maria and George had six children (three daughters and three sons):

• Mary Jane  1852 - after 1871  (at least 19 years old)
• Elizabeth Ann  1854 - 1856  (18 months old)
• Sarah Ann  1857 - 1928  (70 years old)
• John Thomas  1859 - after 1871  (at least 11 years old)
• William George  1862 - 1864  (15 - 18 months old)
• George  1868 - 1918  (52 years old)

All six children were born in Exton, but baptised in Woodbury.

Sadly two of their children, Elizabeth Ann and William George, passed away in infancy. As well as an agricultural labourer, Anna Maria's husband George was a sexton at Woodbury Church. A part of a sexton's duties was digging graves, so it seems likely George dug the graves for his two young children.

George may have named their daughter Elizabeth after his young sister Elizabeth, as the former was born soon after the latter passed away. Anna Maria may have also wished to honour her younger sister Elizabeth who passed away in infancy.

The tragic death of Anna Maria and George's daughter Elizabeth Ann was reported in the Western Times on 3rd May 1856:

How traumatic her infant daughter's death must have been to Anna Maria. She's washing - such a normal domestic situation - and her attention is off her infant for but a moment, but in that moment, that live-changing moment, her daughter manages to pull the tub of boiling water over herself. Imagine the screams, the cries.

1861 Census:

In the 1860s, Anna Maria and her family moved about two miles east from Exton back to Woodbury.

On 1st November 1870, when Anna Maria was about forty-three, her father John passed away, aged seventy-two, in Exeter Hospital. His death was the result of a road accident. He fell off a wagon that turned a tight corner too quickly.

1871 Census:

In May 1874, when Anna Maria was about forty-seven, her husband George was accused of stealing the shawl of a Mrs Sarah Street, who had left the shawl at the church where he was sexton. Though the shawl was later found at his home, he was found not guilty. Anna Maria claimed she had taken the shawl away to look after it until the owner could be found.

Articles about the incident describe George's character:

"The Rev J.L. Fulford, Vicar of the parish [Woodbury] was called, and he stated that he had known the prisoner [George Mutters] for twenty-eight years, and he had always found him an honest man." - Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 15th May 1874

"The prisoner [George Mutters] received an excellent character from the rector of her parish" - Western Daily Mercury, 2nd July 1874

In 1875, when Anna Maria was bout forty-eight, her mother Mary passed away, aged seventy-six, in Aylesbeare.

1881 Census:

1891 Census:

In 1896, when Anna Maria was about sixty-nine, her husband George passed away, aged seventy, in Woodbury. George was buried on 13th February 1896 in Woodbury.

In 1897, Anna Maria passed away, aged seventy or seventy-one, in Woodbury. She was buried on 13th November 1897 in Woodbury.

Great x3 Grandfather George Mutters

My great x3 grandfather George (1825 - 1896) was a farm servant, farm labourer, sexton, and father of six.

George Mutters was born in 1825 in Woodbury, Devon, to John Mutters (20), a carpenter, and Mary Mutters (nee Marks) (28), a lacemaker.

George was baptised on 6th November 1825 in Woodbury.

George's parents married less than a month before George's birth. His mother Mary was about eight months pregnant with George, when she married his father John.

George was the eldest of five children (three sons and two daughters):

• George  1825 -
• Elizabeth  1827 - 1854 (26 years old)
• Mary Ann 1830 - 1848 (18 years old)
• William  1831 -
• Thomas Marks  1834 - 1838 (4 years old)

In 1838, when George was twelve, his youngest brother Thomas passed away, aged only four years old.

As a teenager, George worked as a servant for the Ashford family at Venmore Farm, Woodbury.

1841 Census:

George's future wife Anna Maria Havill also worked as a servant at Venmore Farm in the 1840s. It seems likely they met there.

Photograph of (Higher) Venmore Farm, Woodbury

When George was in his twenties, both his sisters, Elizabeth and Mary, passed away as young women.

Meanwhile, George worked as a farm labourer for the White family at Clare's Farm, Woodbury.

On 22nd October 1851, George (26), an agricultural labourer, married Anna Maria Havill (25), a servant, in Woodbury. Anna Maria was about four months pregnant when they married. The couple married n the presence of Anna Maria's elder sister Jane. On their record of marriage, Anna Maria left only her mark, but George was able to sign his name:

George Mutters' Signature, 1851

George and Anna Maria had six children (three daughters and three sons):

• Mary Jane  1852 - after 1871  (at least 19 years old)
• Elizabeth Ann  1854 - 1856  (18 months old)
• Sarah Ann  1857 - 1928  (70 years old)
• John Thomas  1859 - after 1871  (at least 11 years old)
• William George  1862 - 1864  (15 - 18 months old)
• George  1868 - 1918  (52 years old)

All six children were born in Exton, but baptised in Woodbury.

Sadly two of their children, Elizabeth Ann and William George, passed away in infancy. As well as an agricultural labourer, George was sexton at Woodbury Church. A part of a sexton's duties was digging graves, so it seems likely George dug the graves for his two young children.

George may have named his daughter Elizabeth after his younger sister Elizabeth, as the former was born soon after the latter passed away.

The tragic death of George's daughter Elizabeth Ann was reported in the Western Times on 3rd May 1856:

1861 Census:

In 1862, when George was thirty-six, his father John passed away, aged fifty-seven, in Woodbury. George had followed his father John in being sexton at Woodbury Church.

Photographs of St Swithun's Church, Woodbury, c 1895, when George was sexton in the 1860s and 1870s

From the Western Times on 16th January 1863:

In 1869, when George was forty-four, his mother Mary passed away, aged seventy-three, in Woodbury.

1871 Census:

In May 1974, when George was forty-eight, he was accused of stealing the shawl of a Mrs Sarah Street, who had left the shawl at church. Though the shawl was later found at his home, George was found not guilty. George's wife Anna Maria claimed she had taken the shawl away to look after it until the owner would be found.

Articles about the incident describe George's character:

"The Rev J.L. Fulford, Vicar of the parish [Woodbury] was called, and he stated that he had known the prisoner [George Mutters] for twenty-eight years, and he had always found him an honest man." - Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 15th May 1874

"The prisoner [George Mutters] received an excellent character from the rector of the parish" - Western Daily Mercury, 2nd July 1874

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette on the 15th May 1874:

From the Western Daily Mercury on 2nd July 1874:

1881 Census:

Woodbury began an annual flower show in 1881. In 1881, George won first prize for his spring-sown onions. In 1883, George won third prize for best cultivated cottage garden. In 1884, George won joint third prize for best cultivated cottage garden.

1891 Census:

On 12th February 1896, George passed away, aged seventy, in Woodbury. He was buried the next day. His death was announced in the Western Times on 28th February 1896:

Great x3 Grandmother Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon)

My great x3 grandmother Ann (1839 - 1873) was a farm servant, housewife, and mother of seven.

Ann was born in 1839 in Okehampton, Devon, to Joseph Gliddon (32), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Hannah Gliddon (nee Hill) (36).

Ann was the fourth of eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• John  1829 -
• Mary  1831 - 
• Elizabeth  1834 - 1836 (2 years old)
• Ann  1839 -
• Henry  1842 -
• William   1843 -
• Harriet  1846 -
• Thomas  1850 -

All eight siblings were born in Okehampton, but baptised in Northlew.

Before Ann was born, her older sister Elizabeth passed away, aged two years old, in 1836.

1841 Census:

Around 1851, young Ann and her family moved about three miles south west from Okehampton to Meldon.

1851 Census:

In 1860, aged twenty or twenty-one, Ann gave birth to an illegitimate son called Joseph, who it seemed she named after her father. After Ann married, Joseph stayed with her parents, his maternal grandparents.

1861 Census:

On 26th March 1862, Ann (24), a farm servant, married George (27), an agricultural labourer, in Okehampton. They married in the presence of Ann's brother John Gliddon.

On their record of marriage, George was able to sign his name, but Ann left only a mark, implying she couldn't write.

Ann and George had six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

1871 Census:

Sadly, in October or November 1872, Ann's second daughter Emily Ann passed away, aged only five years old. She was buried on the 8th November 1872, in Okehampton.

About three months later, Ann's husband George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in early 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton.

And about three months after that, Ann herself passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four years old. She was buried on 30th April 1873, in Okehampton.

I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease.

Unless relatives took them in, George and Ann's remaining five childre (aged 0 to 9) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the 1881 Census, Ann's youngest daughters Ellen and Harriet can be found at Okehampton Union Workhouse.

Great x3 Grandfather George Yeo

My great x3 grandfather George (1834 - 1873) was a farm servant, quarry labourer, and father of six.

George Yeo was born in 1834 in West Down, Devon, to Thomas Yeo (38), a husbandman and farm labourer, and Mary Yeo (nee Manning) (34), a dressmaker.

George was baptised on 2nd June 1834 in West Down.

George was the sixth of seven children:

• James  1822 -
• William  1825 -
• Marianne  1827 - 1838 (10 years old)
• Emma  1830 -
• Thomas  1832 -
• George  1834 -
• Anne  1836 -

All seven siblings were born in West Down.

In 1838, when George was three years old, her older sister Marianne alas passed away, aged ten, in West Down.

1841 Census:

As a teenager, George worked as a farm servant for the Menhinnit family in Braunton, which is about four miles south of his native West Down.

1851 Census:

On 26th March 1862, George (27), an agricultural labourer, married Ann Gliddon (24), a single mother of one, in Okehampton. They married in the presence of Ann's brother John Gliddon.

On their record of marriage, Ann left only her mark, but George was able to sign his name:

George Yeo's Signature, 1862

George and Ann had six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

George and Ann lived with their young family at Chichacott Cross, Okehampton. There George worked as a quarry labourer.

1871 Census:

In the Western Times on 2nd December 1871, George was described as 'a poor man':

Sadly, in October or November 1872, George's second daughter Emily Ann passed away, aged only five years old. She was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton.

About three months later, George himself passed away, aged thirty-nine, in early 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton.

And about three months after that, George's wife Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four years old. She was buried on 30th April 1873, in Okehampton.

I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease.

Unless relatives took them in, George and Ann's remaning five children (aged 0 to 9) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the 1881 Census, George's youngest daughters Ellen and Harriet can be found at the Okehampton Union Workhouse.

Great x3 Grandmother Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis)

My Great x3 Grandmother Sarah Ann (1840 - 1897) was a lacemaker and mother of seven.

Sarah Ann Willis was born in 1840 in Colyton, Devon, to James Willis (31), a blacksmith, and Mary Willis (nee Richards) (about 27), a lacemaker.

Sarah Ann was baptised on 29th December 1840 in Colyton.

Sarah Ann was the fifth of fourteen children (four sons and ten daughters):

• William Richards Needs  1831 -
• John Needs  1833 -
• Clara Elizabeth  1834 -
• Mary Ann  1839 -
• Sarah Ann  1840 -
• James  1843 -
• Keziah  1845 -
• Judith Maria  1846 -
• Susan Armenia  1848 -
• Leah  1850 - 1850 (2 weeks old)
• Emily  1851 - 1852 (1 year old)
• Eliza Ann  1854 -
• Catherine  1856 -
• Philip Henry  1856 - 1857 (8 months)

Sadly three of Sarah Ann's young siblings died in infancy. In 1850, when Sarah Ann was nine, her younger sister Leah passed away, aged only two weeks; in 1852, when Sarah Ann was eleven, her younger sister Emily passed away, aged only one years old; and in 1857, when Sarah Ann was sixteen years old, her youngest son Philip Henry passed away, aged only eight months.

Sarah Ann and her many siblings grew up in and around Colyton and Shute.

1841 Census:

1851 Census:

By the 1860s, Sarah Ann, a young woman, was living with her elder married sister Mary Ann and her family in Kilmington.

1861 Census:

Photograph of Silver Street, Kilmington, c 1960

Sarah Ann lived here 100 years earlier, around 1860, with her elder sister Mary Ann and her family

In the 1860s, Sarah Ann had two illegitimate children:

• William  1864 -
• Mary  1868 -

William and Mary lived with Sarah Ann's parents. By 1871, Sarah Ann was also living back at home, in Colyton, with her parents. Sarah's future husband, George Anley Sandford, lodged with Sarah Ann and her family, before they married.

1871 Census:

On 7th May 1871, Sarah Ann (30), a lacemaker and single mother of two, married George Anley Sandford (27), a farm labourer, in Colyton.

Sarah Ann and George had five children:

• Mark  1872 -
• Jane Mary  1873 -
• Alice  1877 -
• Susan  1882 -
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 -

The family moved gradually west. Around 1880, they moved from the Colyton area around fourteen miles west to the Payhembury area.

1881 Census:

The family soon moved again. First in the early 1880s from Payhembury around 26 miles west to Zeal Monachorum.

They moved again in the late 1880s from Zeal Monachorum east five miles to Morchard Bishop.

1891 Census:

In 1897, Sarah Ann passed away aged fifty-six, in the district of South Molton.

Great x3 Grandfather George Anley Sandford

My Great x3 Grandfather George (1843 - 1917) was a farm labourer and father of five.

George Anley Sandford was born in Apr/May/June 1843 in Woodbury, Devon to William Broom Sandford (29), a tanner and farm labourer, and Sophia Anley Sandford (nee Brice) (22) a lacemaker.

George was baptised on 10th June 1843 in Woodbury, Devon.

George was the second of nine children (six sons and three daughters):

• John Brice  1841 - 1842 (6 months old)
• George Anley  1843 -
• Jane Mary  1847 -
• Job/Jobe  1850 -
• Mark  1852 -
• Mary Jane  1855 -
• Kate  1857 -
• Thomas 'Tom'  1859 -
• Harry  1862 -

Sadly before George was born, his elder brother John passed away at only six months.

George's childhood was spent in his native Woodbury.

1851 Census:

Sometime in the 1860s, when George was in his teens or twenties, he and his family moved about 18 miles east from Woodbury to Colyton. There George lodged with his future wife Sarah Ann Willis and her family.

1871 Census:

On 7th May 1871, George (27), a farm labourer, married Sarah Ann Willis (30), a lacemaker and single mother of two, in Colyton.

George and Sarah had five children (two sons and three daughters):

• Mark  1872 -
• Jane Mary  1873 -
• Alice  1877 -
• Susan  1882 -
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 -

The family moved gradually west. Around 1880, they moved from the Colyton area around fourteen miles west to the Payhembury area.

1881 Census:

The family soon moved again. First in the early 1880s from Payhembury around 26 miles west to Zeal Monachorum.

They moved again in the late 1880s from Zeal Monachorum east five miles to Morchard Bishop.

1891 Census:

Interestingly, another Great x3 Grandfather of mine, William Nott, can be found only a page later on the 1891 Census, meaning George and William lived very close to each other and likely knew each other! It's all the more interesting for I am descended from George by my mother, and I am descended from William by my father. These two old agricultural labourers, chatting together in the 1890's, they couldn't have dreamt a great great grandchild of each would marry each other one hundred years later, and that they would share two great x3 grandchildren.

In 1897, when George was about fifty-three, his wife Sarah passed away, aged fifty-six, in the district of South Molton.

In the late 1890's, George moved about five miles south from Morchard Bishop to Bow, to live with his widowed step-daughter Mary Gill (nee Willis), her young children, and his youngest child Harry.

1901 Census:

In the 1900s, George moved with Mary and her family about eight miles north from Bow to Eggesford.

1911 Census:

In 1917, George passed away, aged seventy-four, in the Crediton district.