Wednesday 24 April 2019

Great Great Half Uncle Archibald John Weeden Yeo

My Great Great Half Uncle Archibald (1893 - 1899) was the older half brother of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Yeo (1902 - 1976).


Archibald was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1893, in Okehampton, Devon, the illegitimate son of Annie Yeo (25), a domestic servant on a farm.

Archibald was baptised on 15th September 1893 in Okehampton.

Archibald was the third of three illegitimate children born to Annie (two girls and one boy) :


  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria (or Beatrice Florence Victoria)  1885 - 1973 (87 years)
  • Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W  1888 - after 1927  (at least 39 years)
  • Archibald John Wedden  1893 - 1899  (6 years old)


Whilst Florrie's father was one John Worth, a labourer, the father/s of Beattie and Archibald are unknown.

Sadly, Archibald was life was short. In Oct/Nov/Dec 1899, he passed away, aged six, in the district of Exeter. Archibald was buried on 14th December 1899, in North Tawton.

Two years after his death, his mother Annie married. From this marriage, Archibald would have gained five younger half siblings (three half brothers and two half sisters):


  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976  (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904  (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906  (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909  (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927  (15 years)


Poignantly Annie would name two more sons Archibald. Sadly both died as young babies. Her surviving son Len would name his oldest son Archibald, after his brothers. This Archie would live to see the dawn of the 21st century.

Saturday 13 April 2019

Great Great Half Aunt Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W Matthews (nee Yeo)

My Great Great Half Aunt Florence 'Florrie' (1888 - 19??) was a domestic cook and housemaid, housewife, mother of one, and the older half sister of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Yeo (1902 - 1976).




Florrie was born in the first half (school record says 6th April) of 1888, in the workhouse in Okehampton, Devon, the illegitimate daughter of John Worth, a labourer, and Annie Yeo (19 or 20), a domestic servant on a farm.

Florrie was baptised on 23rd July 1888 in Okehampton.

Florrie had one older half sister - another illegitimate daughter of Annie - :

  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria  1885 - 1973 (87 years)

And one younger half brother - another illegitimate child of Annie - :

  • Archibald John Weedon  1893 - 1899 (6 years)

A report in the British Medical Journal on the conditions of Okehampton workhouse in the 1890s noted the female ward, which held "fourteen beds", where Annie herself likely gave birth to Beattie in 1885 and Florrie in 1888, and its adjoining dayroom appeared "comfortless and bare". The dayroom "was warmed by an oven stove which smoked persistently". The report continued:

"the walls are whitewashed, and without any attempt at decoration, unless the dado of matchboarding in the dayroom may be considered such; the roofs are pitched, with transverse beams, and from there are suspended some temporary bed-pulls made with cords and a bit of wood. We were struck by the absence of armchairs; there might have been one or two, but many of the patients were seated on a bench against the wall. There were no pictures, no plants, nothing to relieve the weary monotony.

The bedsteads are narrow (33 inches) and low; the bedding is chaff, changed twice a year, or oftener if necessary. It was sufficient, and quite clean.

The ward is heated by an open fireplace at one end. The ventilation is by means of the windows, which are swung sashes, and there are some apertures in the roof, but we suspected that these were blocked by an accumulation of dust and dirt"

Photograph of Okehampton Workhouse

Another Photograph of Okehampton Workhouse

It was into these surroundings that Florrie and her older sister Beattie were born.

Whilst Beattie's father is unknown, we know Florrie's father was one John Worth, a labourer from Germansweek, who twenty-year-old Annie bravely summoned to court for child maintenance.

From the Western Times of 10th August 1888:


It seems Annie stove to support her daughters and keep them together. The 1891 Census shows Annie continued to work as a servant on a farm, whilst Florrie, two, and her older sister Beattie, five, stayed with widow Elizabeth Stratford and her two daughters in East Street, Okehampton. Elizabeth's maiden name was Yeo, so she may have been related somehow to Annie.

1891 Census:


In 1893, Beattie's mother Annie gave birth to a third illegitimate child, a son called Archibald John Weedon Yeo, in Okehampton. Archibald was baptised on 15th September 1893 in Okehampton. Annie is once more described as living in Okehampton. Sadly in 1899, Archibald passed away, aged only six, in North Tawton. Archibald was buried on 14th December 1899, in North Tawton. 

In the late 1890s, Florrie and Beattie attended Okehampton County Primary School. Under the column 'name and address of parent or guardian', no parent's name is given, and their address is sadly given as the workhouse in Okehampton.

Though we have evidence she stayed for some time at East Street with the Stratford family, did Florrie and Beattie otherwise live at the workhouse? If so it would have been under these conditions (again from the above mentioned report):

"The nursery is... a small room with [a] fireplace and two windows, a boarded floor, and some most antiquated wooden boxes on rockers, the remains of the ancient cradles which in the old days were placed on a frame against the walls... Here, as elsewhere, we noted with regret the absence of toys or picture books for the little ones, nor did we see any children's chairs or low seats for their use...

The children in this workhouse seem badly housed; they are sent to the village school, but have no satisfactory playroom when in the house."

In 1901, when Florrie was thirteen, her mother Annie married carter Mark Sandford.

Annie and Mark would have five children - Florrie's younger half siblings - :


  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)


Sadly four out of five of Florrie's little half siblings passed away young.

At some point, as a teenager or very young woman, Florrie moved from her native Devon up to south Wales.

The 1911 Census shows Florrie, at twenty-two years old, working as a domestic cook and housemaid for widowed landlady Sarah Johnson and her two lodgers - schoolmaster George Riding and motor engineer George Phillips - at 10 Clive Place, in the town of Penarth, which is about four miles southwest of the city of Cardiff.

1911 Census:


In Mar/Apr/May 1912, Florrie (23 or just 24), a domestic cook and housemaid, married William G Matthews, in the district of Cardiff, Wales. Florrie was either heavily pregnant when she married, or had just had a baby, for Florrie and William's only son Donald Yeo Matthews was also born in Mar/Apr/May 1912, in the district of Cardiff. Did Florrie and William only marry because she was pregnant? Certainly it seems they didn't have any other children.

My grandfather, George Leonard Sandford, Florrie's half nephew, remembers his older half cousin Donald as always remaining friendly and childlike. It appears he may have been in some way mentally disabled. It was my grandfather who also remembered that his half aunt was known to the family as Florrie.

Unfortunately I don't know much about Florrie's later life. I only know she attended the funeral of her half niece Barbara Sandford in 1927, in Zeal Monachorum, along with her son Donald.

Friday 12 April 2019

Great Great Half Aunt Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria Easterbrook (nee Yeo)

My Great Great Half Aunt Beatrice 'Beattie' (1885 - 1973) was a domestic servant, cook, housekeeper, housewife, mother of one or two, and the older half sister of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Sandford (1902 - 1976).




Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria Yeo was born on 11th December 1885 in the union workhouse in Okehampton, Devon, the illegitimate daughter of teenaged orphan servant Annie Yeo (seventeen or eighteen years old). We don't know who Beattie's father was. Beattie was baptised on 15th January 1886 in Okehampton as 'Beatrice Mary Yeo', however her middle names vary on later documents.

In 1889, when Beattie was two, her mother Annie gave birth to another illegitimate daughter called Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W Yeo. Though Florrie was also born in Okehampton workhouse, Annie's residence was listed as Northlew, which is seven miles north of Okehampton.

A report in the British Medical Journal on the conditions of Okehampton workhouse in the 1890s noted the female ward, which held "fourteen beds", where Annie herself likely gave birth to Beattie in 1885 and Florrie in 1888, and its adjoining dayroom appeared "comfortless and bare". The dayroom "was warmed by an oven stove which smoked persistently". The report continued:

"the walls are whitewashed, and without any attempt at decoration, unless the dado of matchboarding in the dayroom may be considered such; the roofs are pitched, with transverse beams, and from these are suspended some temporary bed-pulls made with cords and a bit of wood. We were struck by the absence of armchairs; there might have been one or two, but many of the patients were seated on a bench against the wall. There were no pictures, no plants, nothing to relieve the weary monotony.

The bedsteads are narrow (33 inches) and low; the bedding is chaff, changed twice a year, or oftener if necessary. It was sufficient, and quite clean.

The ward is heated by an open fireplace at one end. The ventilation is by means of the windows, which are swung sashes, and there are some apertures in the roof, but we suspected that these were blocked by an accumulation of dust and dirt"

Photograph of Okehampton Workhouse

Another Photograph of Okehampton Workhouse

It was into these surroundings that Beattie and her little sister Florrie were born.

Whilst Beattie's father is unknown, Florrie's father was one John Worth, a labourer from Germansweek, who twenty-year-old Annie bravely summoned to court for child maintenance.

It seems Annie strove to support her young daughters and keep them together. The 1891 Census shows Annie continued to work as a servant on a farm, whilst Beattie, five, and her little sister Florrie, two, stayed with widow Elizabeth Stratford and her two daughters in East Street, Okehampton. Elizabeth's maiden name was Yeo, so she may have been related somehow to Annie.

The 1891 Census gives Beattie's full name as 'Beatrice Florence Victoria Yeo'.

1891 Census:


In 1893, Beattie's mother Annie gave birth to a third illegitimate child, a son called Archibald John Weedon Yeo, in Okehampton. Archibald was baptised on 15th September 1893 in Okehampton. Annie is once more described as living in Okehampton. Sadly in 1899, Archibald passed away, aged only six, in North Tawton. Archibald was buried on 14th December 1899, in North Tawton. 

In the late 1890s Beattie and Florrie attended Okehampton County Primary School. Under the column 'name and address of parent or guardian', no parent's name is given, and their address is sadly given as the workhouse in Okehampton.

Though we have evidence she stayed for some time at East Street with the Stratford family, did Beattie and Florrie otherwise live at the workhouse? If so it would have been under these conditions (again from the above mentioned report):

"The nursery is... a small room with [a] fireplace and two windows, a boarded floor, and some most antiquated wooden boxes on rockers, the remains of the ancient cradles which in the old days  were placed on a frame against the walls... Here, as elsewhere, we noted with regret the absence of toys or picture books for the little ones, nor did we see any children's chairs or low seats for their use...

The children in this workhouse seem badly housed; they are sent to the village school, but have no satisfactory playroom when in the house."

After leaving school, teenage Beattie followed in her mother's footsteps and went to work as a domestic servant on a farm. The 1901 Census shows Beatrice, aged fifteen, working for the Morris family on Binneford Farm in Stockleigh English, which is about twenty miles north-east of her native Okehampton.

1901 Census


Later in 1901, Beattie's mother Annie married carter Mark Sandford, and settled in Bow.

Annie and Mark would have five children - Beattie's younger half siblings - :

  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)

Sadly four out of five of Beattie's little half siblings passed away young.

By the time of the 1911 Census, when my great grandfather Len was about nine, his older half sister Beattie was working as a domestic cook for farmer John Hing at Paschoe House near Bow. John Hing and his wife had five live-in servants, so they must have been quite well off. For Beattie, having been born in the workhouse, the illegitimate daughter of a teenage servant; then worked herself as a teenager as a general domestic servant on a small farm - notably the only servant in a household with four infant children - ; to become a cook in a large house, surrounded by other servants, would have been a big step up. Beattie must have been a good worker to have achieved this. As there seems to have been no butler or housekeeper, as the cook, Beattie, though only twenty-five, would have been considered the senior servant. Today Pashoe House is a hotel - I must make sure to visit it one day.


Modern Photograph of Paschoe House

Though the name given on the census is 'Mary Yeo' we can be sure that it is our Beattie, for the age and place of birth, I have checked, only fit her - and her name often changes slightly on records anyway.

1911 Census:


By the time of the First World War, it seems Beattie had left Paschoe House behind. In January 1917, Beattie (30 or just 31), formerly a domestic cook, married Sidney James Easterbrook, who was in the army, in the district of Crediton. On their record of marriage, Beattie's full name is given as 'Beatrice Mary Victoria Yeo' - I told you it changes around a bit. The couple settled in Coleford.

A newspaper article says that Beattie and Sidney had two children; however, I can only find record of one:

  • Pamela B  1919 -

Their marriage was seemingly a happy one for two years, until in early 1919 letters started to arrive at their home. The sight of the first, though addressed to Sidney, made a pregnant Beattie curious, for it was written in a woman's hand. When she spotted kisses on the back of the envelope, she had to open it. She found it was from a young woman asking Sidney what he intended to do about their child. When confronted by Beattie, Sidney denied being the father and she, it is reported, believed him. Yet at some point in 1919, Sidney moved out of the family home to Woolwich. Also in mid 1919, Beattie gave birth to their daughter Pamela. Later in 1919, further letters arrived from a second woman, with whom Sidney had at some point been living in Chiswick. After a brief correspondence with her, Beattie discovered this woman was under the impression that Sidney was a single man. Beattie had save £30 and put it into the bank in Sidney's name; he had then took out all these savings and reportedly spent them on this woman at Chiswick. From Woolwich, Sidney then wrote several times to Beattie that he would not live with her again as they could not agree. He was also failing to send child maintenance, thus why Beattie brought him to court and this case was reported upon.

Surprising, under oath, Sidney produced a very different story. He claimed he himself had written the letters so Beattie could divorce him.

From Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 29th September 1919:


From then on it seems Beattie and Sidney lived separate lives. Come the 1939 Census, twenty years later, Beattie was back working a cook. Now she was cook and housekeeper to Mr and Mrs Studholme at Perridge House in Holcombe Burnell. Interestingly her status is listed as married, implying she and Sidney did not divorce.

An Old Sketch of Perridge House

Whilst Beattie was a bride of the First World War, her daughter Pamela was a bride of the Second World War. In 1940, Beattie's daughter Pamela (21) married Corporal Charles C Haines (R.A.F).

Pamela and Charles had two sons (Beattie's grandsons):


  • Antony Charles 1941 -
  • Michael J  1944 -


Alas I know little of Beattie's later life, other than its close. In Jul/Aug/Sep 1973, Beattie passed away, aged eighty-seven, in the district of Plymouth.

Though her names changes around a little on records, it was her half nephew, my grandfather, George Leonard Sandford, who remembered her as always being known to himself and the family as 'Auntie Beattie'. Beattie, though not brought up with her mother's later legitimate children, was not hidden away as some illegitimate children were, but was considered a member of the family. A local newspaper article from the time shows she was a mourner at the funeral of her youngest half sister Barbara Sandford in 1927 - and most notably the newspaper lists her as her sister - ; and, as stated, she was always an aunt to her younger half brother Len's sons.

Wednesday 10 April 2019

Great Great Aunt Barbara May Yeo Sandford

My Great Great Aunt Barbara (1912 - 1927) was the youngest sister of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Sandford (1902 - 1976).



Barbara May Yeo Sandford was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1912 in the district of Crediton, Devon, to Mark Sandford (40), a horseman and farm labourer, and Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (44), a charwoman.

Barbara had three older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria (or Beatrice Florence Victoria)  1886 - 1973 (87 years old)      
  • Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W  1888 - after 1927  (at least 39 years old)                    
  • Archibald John Weedon  1893 - 1899  (6 years old)

Barbara was the youngest of five children (three boys and two girls) born to Mark and Annie:

  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)

Sadly the three siblings born before Barbara passed away as babies. Barbara was ten years younger than her only surving sibling, her older brother Len. How much of a relief it must have been to Annie's parents and brother when she survived infancy.

Tragically, though Barbara survived infancy, her life was marred by poor health and she did not reach adulthood. On 8th August 1927, Barbara passed away, aged fifteen, at Osborn Cottages in Bow. On her death certification the causes of death are recorded as anorexia, marasmus (lack of nourishment causing low weight) and intestinal infantilism. Intestinal infantilism is today known as coeliac disease - a chronic intestinal disorder caused by sensitivity to gluten.

Her funeral was highly attended by family. Schoolfriends even acted as her pallbearers.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette on 19th August 1927:


A year after Barbara's passing, her family's bereavement was still acutely felt. To them she was "our darling sister" and "our darling Barbara", loved by them so much.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette on 19th August 1928:

Great Great Aunt Pearl May Yeo Sandford

My Great Great Aunt Pearl (1909 - 1909) was a younger sister of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Sandford (1902 - 1976).



Pearl May Yeo Sandford was born in July 1909 in the district of Crediton, Devon, to Mark Sandford (37), a horseman and farm labourer, and Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (41), a charwoman.

Pearl had three older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria (or Beatrice Florence Victoria)  1886 - 1973 (87 years old)      
  • Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W  1888 - after 1927  (at least 39 years old)                    
  • Archibald John Weedon  1893 - 1899  (6 years old)

Pearl was the forth of five children (three boys and two girls) born to Mark and Annie:

  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)

Sadly, on 17th August 1909, Pearl passed away, at only one month old, at Buttparks in Bow. The cause of death was premature infant inanition. Four of Mark and Annie's five children passed away in childhood, which is a strikingly high amount.

Great Great Uncle Archibald Arthur Yeo Sandford (2nd of his name)

My Great Great Uncle Archibald (1906 - 1906) was the second younger brother of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Yeo Sandford (1902 - 1976).



Archibald Arthur Yeo Sandford (2nd of his name) was born on 14th April 1906 in the district of Crediton, to Mark Sandford (34), a horseman and farm labourer, and Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (38), a charwoman.

Archibald had three older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria (or Beatrice Florence Victoria)  1886 - 1973 (87 years old)      
  • Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W  1888 - after 1927  (at least 39 years old)                    
  • Archibald John Weedon  1893 - 1899  (6 years old)

Archibald was the third of five children (three boys and two girls) born to Mark and Annie:

  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)

Sadly, on 18th April 1906, Archibald passed away, at only four days old, in Bow. The cause of death was inanition, which is defined as exhaustion due to lack of nourishment. Archibald had been named by his parents after his elder brother of the same name, who had also passed away as a baby, less two years before this Archibald was born. Sadly, four of the couple's five children passed away in childhood, which is a strikingly high amount.

Over twenty years after Archibald's premature death, the only Sandford sibling who survived into adulthood, Len, perhaps with brief memories of his short-lived younger brothers, would name his first-born son Archibald. Happily, this Archibald, known as Archie, would live to see the next millennia. 

Tuesday 9 April 2019

Great Great Uncle Archibald Arthur Yeo Sandford (1st of his name)

My Great Great Uncle Archibald (1903 - 1904) was the next younger brother of my Great Grandfather George 'Len' Leonard Yeo Sandford (1902 - 1976).



Archibald Arthur Yeo Sandford (first of his name) was born in late April or early May 1903 in the district of Crediton (likely in the village of Bow), Devon, to Mark Sandford (31), a horseman and farm labourer, and Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (35), a charwoman.

Archibald had three older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

  • Beatrice 'Beattie' Mary Victoria (or Beatrice Florence Victoria)  1886 - 1973 (87 years old)      
  • Alberta 'Florrie' Florence W  1888 - after 1927  (at least 39 years old)                    
  • Archibald John Weedon  1893 - 1899  (6 years old)        

Archibald was the second of five children (three boys and two girls) born to Mark and Annie:

  • George 'Len' Leonard Yeo  1902 - 1976 (74 years)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1903 - 1904 (15 - 21 months)
  • Archibald Arthur Yeo  1906 - 1906 (0 - 3 months)
  • Pearl May Yeo  1909 - 1909 (0 - 3 months)
  • Barbara May Yeo  1912 - 1927 (15 years)

Sadly, on 4th November 1904, Archibald passed away, aged only eighteen months old, in Bow. The cause of death was tubercular disease of the lungs. Mark and Annie would name their next born son after Archibald, but sadly he too passed away as a baby. In fact four of their five children passed away in childhood, which is a strikingly high amount.

Over twenty years after Archibald's premature death, the only Sandford sibling who survived into adulthood, Len, perhaps with brief memories of his short-lived younger brothers, would name his first-born son Archibald. Happily, this Archibald, known as Archie, would live to see the next millennia.

Note From Researcher

(This is a bookmark more to myself than anything)

I am taking a break from researching my great x4 grandparents, though I will return to such in the future, for researching people so far back, notably before censuses, and relying on less records and less reliable records, can be like sludging through mud.

Instead I am turning my attention to going across, rather than up, my family tree. I will be looking into the lives of my great etc uncles and aunts. I wonder what I will discover.

Yours Jane x

Monday 8 April 2019

Great x4 Grandmother Ann Harris (nee Rogers)

My Great x4 Grandmother Ann (1792 - after 1841) was a housewife and mother of three.


Ann was born around 1792 in Coldridge, Devon, to William Rogers (about 39) and Ann Rogers (nee Down).

Ann was baptised on 23rd September 1792, in Coldridge.

Ann was the youngest of five children (three daughters and two sons):


  • Grace  1779 -
  • William  1781 -
  • Thomas  1785 -
  • Mary  1788 -
  • Ann  1792 -


On 9th May 1819, Ann (about 27) married John Harris (about 25), an agricultural labourer, in their native Coldridge. On the same day as they married, their son William was also baptised. Might Ann have named her son after her father?

Ann and John had three children (one son and two daughters):


  • William  1819 -
  • Ann  1822 -
  • Mary  1824 -


In 1825, when Ann was about thirty-three, her father William passed away, aged about seventy-one. William was buried on 24th August 1825, in Coldridge.

At some point, Ann and her family moved from Coldridge about four miles east to Lapford, where they can be found living at Cleave Cottage on the 1841 census.

1841 Census:


Ann's two daughters soon married brothers. On 12th June 1841, his eldest daughter Ann married elder brother George Edworthy, who, the 1841 census shows, lived with the Harris family at Cleave Cottage before their marriage; then, a few years later, on 26th September 1843, his youngest daughter Mary married younger brother William Edworthy. A few years earlier, Mary had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, whom she called Ann (likely after her mother and sister), and whose father may well have been William. The 1841 census shows the baby (not yet named at one week old) was part of the family, and seemingly accepted by grandparents Ann and John.

In the 1851 Census, Ann's husband John is shown still living at Cleave Cottage with their married daughter Ann, her husband George Edworthy (George now listed as the head of the household), and their three young daughters. John is still listed as married, but where was Ann? Ann may have passed away in the 1840's, and the census be incorrect on the married front, and John should have been recorded as a widower. Unfortunately Ann Harris is a common name; several Ann Harriss passed away in that general area in the 1840's, and it is impossible to work out which is our, but it is likely one is, as our Ann disappears from records after this time.

Great x4 Grandfather John Harris

My Great x4 Grandfather John (1794 - after 1851) was an agricultural labourer and father of three.



John Harris was born around 1794 in Coldridge, Devon.

There were two John Harris baptised in Coldridge around 1794. Unfortunately it is impossible to work out which is ours, meaning we know little about John's early life.

On 9th May 1819, John (about 25), an agricultural labourer, married Ann Rogers (about 27), in his native Coldridge. On the same day as they married, their son William was also baptised.

John and Ann had three children (one son and two daughters):


  • William 1819 -
  • Ann  1822 -
  • Mary  1824 -


At some point the family moved from Coldridge about four miles east to Lapford, where they can be found living at Cleave Cottage on the 1841 census.

1841 Census:


John's two daughters soon married two brothers. On 12th June 1841, his eldest daughter Ann married elder brother George Edworthy, who, the 1841 census shows, lived with the Harris family at Cleave Cottage before their marriage; then, a few years later, on 26th September 1843, his youngest daughter Mary married younger brother William Edworthy. A few years early, Mary had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, whom she called Ann (likely after her mother and sister), and whose father may well have been William. The 1841 census shows the baby (not yet named at one week old) was part of the family, and seemingly accepted by grandparents John and Ann.

In the 1851 Census, John is shown still living at Cleave Cottage with his married daughter Ann, her husband George Edworthy (George now listed as the head of the household), and their three young daughters. John is still listed as married, but where is his wife Ann? She may have passed away in the 1840's, and the census is incorrect on the married front, and he should have been recorded as widower. Unfortunately Ann Harris is a common name; several Ann Harriss passed away in that general area in the 1840's, and it is impossible to work out which ours, without ordering a massive pile of documents, but it is likely one was our Ann, as she disappears from records after this time.

1851 Census:


Like his wife before him, John simply disappears from record. It seems likely he passed away, in his sixties, sometime in the 1850's, as there are records of several John Harriss passing away in the general area from that time, and one was likely our John.

Great x4 Grandmother Elizabeth 'Betty' Edworthy (nee Ford)

My Great x4 Grandmother Elizabeth 'Betty' (1783 - 1866) was a housewife and mother of seven.


Elizabeth 'Betty' Ford was born around 1783 in Chawleigh, Devon, to John Ford and Anne Ford (nee Lake).

Elizabeth was baptised 'Betty' on 5th November 1783 in Morchard Bishop, which is about five miles south-east of Chawleigh, where later censuses say she was born. Elizabeth's parents had only married in the April, implying her mother Anne was about three months pregnant when she married.

Elizabeth was the eldest of four children (two daughters and two sons):


  • Betty  1783 -
  • John  1784 -
  • William  1785 -
  • Anne 1793 -


All four children were baptised in Morchard Bishop, though later censuses imply they were all born in nearby Chawleigh.

On 3rd October 1810, Elizabeth (about 26) married William Edworthy (about 24), a husbandman and agricultural labourer, in William's native West Worlington.

Elizabeth and William had seven children (two daughters and five sons):


  • Mary 1811 -
  • John  1814 -
  • George  1817 -
  • William  1820 -
  • Anne  1822 -
  • James  1824 -
  • Samuel  1828 -


Alas the 1841 Census shows Elizabeth and William living in the poorhouse in West Worlington. All of their children, including their youngest aged only thirteen, were out working as servants, apprentices and labourers on different local farms.

1841 Census:


Though they were no longer in the workhouse, age was still unkind to Elizabeth and William. In their mid sixties, in the 1851 Census, Elizabeth is recorded as deaf; whilst William seemingly struggled to find work as a farm labourer, and is recorded as a pauper.

1851 Census:


In Jan/Feb/Mar 1860, Elizabeth's husband William passed away, aged about seventy-four in the district of Crediton. Elizabeth, widowed and elderly, was supported by her adult son Samuel.

1861 Census:


In Jan/Feb/Mar 1866, Elizabeth passed away, aged about eighty-two, in the district of South Molton.

Great x4 Grandfather William Edworthy

My Great x4 Grandfather William (1785 - 1860) was a husbandman, agricultural labourer, and father of seven.


William Edworthy was born around 1785 in West Worlington, Devon, to John Edworthy (about 40), a husbandman, and Joan Edworthy (nee Lockyear) (about 38).

William was baptised on New Years Day 1786 in West Worlington.

William was the seventh of ten children (six daughters and four sons):


  • Mary  1773 - 
  • Richard  1775 - 
  • Catharine  1776 - 
  • Ann  1778 - 
  • Elizabeth  1781 -
  • Frances  1783 - 
  • William  1785 - 
  • Joanna  1788 - 
  • John  1789 - 1810 (20 years old)
  • George  1792 - 


In 1808, when William was about twenty-two, his mother Joan passed away, aged about sixty. Joan was buried on 29th May 1808, in West Worlington.

In 1810, when William was about twenty-four, his younger brother John passed away, aged about only twenty. John was buried on 1st May 1810, in West Worlington. William would name his first son John, perhaps after his deceased brother and father.

On 3rd October 1810, William (about 24), a husbandman and agricultural labourer, married Elizabeth 'Betty' Ford (about 26), in his native West Worlington.

William and Elizabeth had seven children (two daughters and five sons):


  • Mary  1811 -
  • John  1814 -
  • George  1817 -
  • William  1820 -
  • Anne  1822 -
  • James  1824 -
  • Samuel  1828 -


In 1820, when William was about thirty-four, his father John passed away, aged about seventy-five. John was buried on 13th June 1820, in West Worlington.

Alas the 1841 Census shows William and Elizabeth living in the poorhouse in West Worlington. All of their children, including their youngest aged only thirteen, were out working as servants, apprentices and labourers on different local farms.

1841 Census:


Though they were no longer in the workhouse, age was still unkind to William and Elizabeth. In their mid sixties, in the 1851 Census, Elizabeth is recorded as deaf; whilst William seemingly struggled to find work as a farm labourer, and is recorded as a pauper.

1851 Census:


In Jan/Feb/Mar 1860, William passed away, aged about seventy-four, in the district of Crediton.

Great x4 Grandmother Susannah 'Susan' Edwards (nee Passmore)

My Great x4 Grandmother Susan (1818 - 1853) was a hand loom weaver (serge), housewife, and mother of seven.


Susannah 'Susan' Passmore was born around 1818 in Morchard Bishop, Devon, to Philip Passmore (about 35) an agricultural labourer, and Anne Passmore (nee Leach) (about 37).

The spelling of Susan's maiden name varies on different records. It appears as Pasmore, Passmore, Pasmoor, Passmoor etc.

Susan was baptised on 22nd March 1818 in Morchard Bishop. The family's residence at the time of her birth is listed as Rolston (otherwise Rollstone Barn) in or near Morchard Bishop.

Susan was the eighth of nine children (five sons and four daughters):

  • Philip  1805 -
  • Jane  1807 -
  • Elizabeth  1809 -
  • Benjamin  1810 -
  • Eleanor  1812 -
  • John  1814 - 
  • George  1816 - 
  • Susannah 'Susan'  1818 - 
  • William  1820 - 

On 16th January 1837, Susan (about 19), a hand loom weaver (serge), married William Edwards (about 23), a stonemason, in St Thomas, Exeter. On their record of marriage, whilst William signed his name, Susan left only her mark, implying she could not write.

It is interesting that though both Susan and William were natives of Morchard Bishop, they went to Exeter to get married, before returning to Morchard Bishop to live. I wonder why they didn't marry in the local church. Perhaps there were familial objections? Certainly it appears no relation stood as witness at the wedding, which is normally the case. Perhaps the following had something to do with it...

The year before the wedding, Susan had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, whom she called Ann Ellen (known as Ellen). Ellen was baptised on 17th July 1836 - six months before Susan and William were married. Was William the father? Certainly on all later records he is listed as the father of Ellen.

Including Ellen, William and Susan had seven children (four girls and three boys):


  • Ann Ellen  1836 -
  • Mary  1837 -
  • Richard  1839 -
  • Henry  1841 - 1843 or 1849 (died as a young boy)
  • George  1843 -
  • Louisa  1845 -
  • Eliza  1849 -


Though their marriage certificate states Susan and William to be of the Exeter parish, they very soon returned to Morchard Bishop, as shown by the records of baptism of their children, as well as censuses.

1841 Census:


Both the 1841 and 1851 Censuses list Susan and her family as living on Church Street in Morchard Bishop.

Photograph of Church Street in Morchard Bishop, c 1955. Though taken some century after the Edwards family lived on the street, I like to think the thatched cottages probably hadn't changed much, even after that length of time.

1851 Census:


In Jan/Feb/Mar 1853, Susan passed away, aged only about thirty-six, in the district of Crediton. She left behind a widower in William and six children - the oldest seventeen, the youngest only four. Sadly, less than five years later, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1858, William too passed away, leaving the children orphans.

Great x4 Grandfather William Edwards

My Great x4 Grandfather William (1813 - 1859) was a mason and father of seven.



William Edwards was born around 1812 or 1813 in Morchard Bishop, Devon to Richard Edwards, a mason, and Mary Edwards (nee ?).

Unfortunately there seem to have been two couples called Richard and Mary Edwards living and having children in Morchard Bishop at the beginning of the 1800's. Both Richards worked as masons. I have found it difficult, if not impossible, to tell which pair is the parents to our William, as both couples have a son called William born around 1812/1813. Either way William would have been one of several children, and William and his brothers followed into the family trade of masonry. Those children not his siblings may well have been cousins.

A first William was baptised on 15th November 1812 and a second on 21st September 1813, both in Morchard Bishop, both to a mason called Richard Edwards and his wife Mary. Normally siblings having the same name implies the eldest child has died before the younger, but in this case I cannot find a record of burial for the older William, implying they were probably not brothers: records imply both William Edwards survived into adulthood, lived in Morchard Bishop and worked as masons. Notably they even married sisters - Eleanor and Susannah 'Susan' Passmore - so they very likely knew each other.

A mason for all his adult life, William likely trained as an apprentice to his father in his youth. In November 1831, when William was about eighteen, his father Richard, aged about fifty-seven, may have passed away in Morchard Bishop. A Richard Edwards, born around 1776, was buried on 10th November 1831, in Morchard Bishop. It seems William may have remained close to and supported his widowed mother Mary, for she can be found on the 1841 Census, a decade after her husband's possible passing, living with William and his young family.

On 16th January 1837, William (about 23), a mason, married Susannah 'Susan' Passmore (about 19), a hand loom weaver (serge), in St Thomas, Exeter. On their record of marriage, whilst Susan left only her mark, implying she was illiterate, William was able to sign his name. His signature appears very neat.

William Edwards' Signature, 1837
 
It is interesting that though both William and Susan were natives of Morchard Bishop, they went to Exeter to get married, before returning to Morchard Bishop to live. I wonder why they didn't marry in the local church. Perhaps there were familial objections? Certainly it appears no relation stood as witness at the wedding, which is normally the case. Perhaps the following had something to do with it...

The year before the wedding, Susan had given birth to an illegitimate daughter, whom she called Ann Ellen (known as Ellen). Ellen was baptised on 17th July 1836 - six months before William and Susan were married. Was William the father? Certainly on all later records he is listed as the father of Ellen.

Including Ellen, William and Susan had seven children (four girls and three boys):

  • Ann Ellen  1836 -
  • Mary  1837 -
  • Richard  1839 -
  • Henry  1841 - 1843 or 1849 (died as a young boy)
  • George  1843 -
  • Louisa  1845 -
  • Eliza  1849 -

Though their marriage certificate states William and Susan to be of the Exeter parish, they very soon returned to Morchard Bishop, as shown by the records of baptism of their children, as well as censuses.

1841 Census:


It seems William's mother Mary passed away in old age in the 1840s or 1850s, in Morchard Bishop. Also in the 1840s, William's son Henry passed away as a young boy.

Both the 1841 and 1851 Censuses list William and his family as living on Church Street in Morchard Bishop.

Photograph of Church Street in Morchard Bishop, c 1955. Though taken some century after the Edwards family lived on the street, I like to think the thatched cottages probably hadn't changed much, even after that length of time.

1851 Census:


In Jan/Mar/Apr 1853, when William was about thirty-nine, his wife Susan passed away, aged about thirty-six, in the district of Crediton.

Less than five years later, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1858, William himself passed away, aged about forty-five, also in the district of Crediton.

His six surviving children - the oldest twenty-two, the youngest only nine - were left orphans.