Great x3 Uncle Ernest Vernon

My Great x3 Uncle Ernest (1878 - 1903) was a farm servant, wagoner and carter for a corn dealer and forage merchant, father of four, and the younger brother of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Ernest was born around July 1878, in the district of Crediton, Devon, to William Vernon (about 49), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 45), a housewife.

Ernest was the youngest of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur 'John' John  1865 - After 1881  (At least 16 years old)
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1871 - 
• Louisa  1872 - 1874  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

1881 Census:

1891 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1899, Ernest (20), a carter for a corn and forage dealer, married Elizabeth Morrish (25), in Exeter.

Ernest and Elizabeth had four children (three sons and one daughter):

• Ernest 'Reggie' Reginald 1900 -
• Albert 'John' John  1901 -
• Charles Percy  1902 - 1903  (14 months)
• Dorothy Jane  1904 -

1901 Census:

At the turn of the 20th century, the young family could be found living at 3 Mary Arches Street, Exeter. Ernest' older brother Sam also lived on Mary Arches Street - only three doors down at no. 6. Sam was the sibling closest in age to Ernest. The brothers may well have been close.

By July 1903, Ernest, Elizabeth and their three infant sons had moved to 11 Artizan's Dwellings, Rack Street. Ernest and Elizabeth must have been working hard to save up, for it was reported that, rather than renting, they owned their new home. Alas only a few days after moving in, a tragedy struck...

On 10th July 1903, Ernest was sent from Exeter to fetch a delivery of vetches for his boss - Mr Horwill, a corn dealer and forage merchant - from farmer John Osmond at Woodrow Farm, Brampford Speke. Going the nearest way, he had to pass the level crossing at Stafford Bridge, about 200 yards off the Stoke Canon road. Ernest arrived safely at the farm, but not finding Mr Osmond at home, had left the waggon there, and walked back to the crossing.

Ernest soon came across Mr Osmond, and spoke to him about the vetches he had to sent to collect. As they conversed, Ernest continued to walk along the railway line, towards a nearby gate. Mr Osmond, who was not on the line, realised a train was coming that way and shouted out to Ernest to warn him. Ernest either heard the warning, or at least heard Mr Osmond speak to him, for he replied - his last words - 'All right, Master'. But Ernest, if he did hear the warning, either believed the oncoming train to be on the other line, or that he had more time to cross the line that he and the train were both on to get to the nearby gate. For a second later, Mr Osmond saw Ernest's straw hat fly into the air, as the train struck the poor young father. Ernest was killed instantly, struck in the head - his arms were also badly injured. If there was any mercy, it was that he didn't suffer long. He was just twenty-five years old.

From the Western Times of 11th July 1903:

From the Western Times of 13th July 1903:

Ernest's brother, Sam, cycled from Exeter to Brampford Speke to identify his baby brother's body. Four days later, on 14th July 1903, Ernest was buried in St Mary Major, Exeter. Another older brother, Harry, would name his next born son Ernest after his late brother.

Suddenly without their breadwinner, though grieving, pregnant and with three/four very young children to care for, Elizabeth worked as a charwoman to support her family. 

Alas only three months after Ernest was killed, Elizabeth suffered another lost. Their youngest son, Charles, passed away, aged only fourteen months, in October 1903. He was buried on 29th October 1903, in St Mary Major, Exeter.

Elizabeth must have fallen pregnant with her and Ernest's youngest child - daughter Elizabeth - just before he passed, for Dorothy was born around March 1904, about eight months after her father's passing. Elizabeth may have not even known she was pregnant when Ernest was killed (What with there being no pregnancy tests and all. She may have missed a period - but that's no guarantee of pregnancy. She may have just known - some women say their body feels different - but did Ernest know? He never met his little girl, but did he know he/she were on their way?)

On 31st May 1909, nearly six years after Ernest's passing, Elizabeth (36) remarried, and young Reggie, John and Dorothy gained a step-father in London-born general/fish dealer, Thomas Griffin (29); followed by two younger step-siblings - twins Violet May and Hilda Maud Griffin - in 1910. The older siblings kept their father's surname of Vernon. The Griffin/Vernon family could be found living on (the often photographed) Stepcote Hill (no. 26) in Exeter, around 1911. 

Alas delving further into newspaper and prison records showed Thomas in a less than wholesome light. We won't hold the fact he had one leg against him, though it was a surprise to discover. Though the greater surprise was the lengthening list of crimes to his name: stealing eggs, stealing a wheel, stealing rabbit skins, stealing money, arson (setting fire to a stack of hay), leaving his horse unattended, driving his steam wagon without a number plate, and - most tragically in relation to the Vernon family - barely two years into his marriage, adultery and child neglect.

From Thomas' 1905 Prison Record:

By 1912, Elizabeth and Thomas were living apart. What contrasting figures: she 'hard-working', he 'lazy'. Thomas was constantly in and out of prison - in fact the last time he was arrested, he had been 'stood outside the workhouse gates, his arm around a woman's waist'. His old excuse for his every crime: he struggled to find work because he only had one leg. He was cohabiting with a woman not his wife and had an illegitimate child. Every penny Elizabeth had earned, Thomas wasted. I can't blame her for not wanting him back. She said she would maintain her older children, she only asked for financial support for the twins, her children by Thomas. Though he threatened, she took him repeatedly to court. Meanwhile she worked her socks off: she ran their fried fish shop, let lodgings, went out and found additional work as a charwoman (like she did after Ernest passed). She was respected as 'a hard-working woman, who did the best for her children'.

From the Western Times of 5th January 1912:

From the Western Times of 4th June 1912:

By 1913, once more out of prison, Thomas promised the court to pay Elizabeth 5s a week. When proved in court one month later, he had so far done as promised, 'the police were satisfied that the defendant meant to look after his family in the future' and the case was dismissed. I can only pray they were right to be satisfied and that Thomas kept his promise. Certainly I can't find any later records for Elizabeth taking him to court again, which I suppose is promising.

From the Western Times of 28th January 1913:

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 28th January 1913:

Elizabeth outlived Ernest by three and half decades. She passed away, aged sixty-five, on 12th January 1939, in Exeter, mourned by her children.

From the Express and Echo of 12th January 1940:

Great x3 Uncle Samuel 'Sam' Reuben Vernon

My Great x3 Uncle Sam (1875 - 1918) was a coachman, carman grocer, commercial traveller, father of four, and a younger brother of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Sam was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1875, in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to William Vernon (46), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 42), a housewife.

Sam was the eleventh of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons:

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur 'John' John  1865 - after 1881  (at least 16 years old)
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1870 - 1947  (76 years old)
• Louisa  1872 - 1874  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 - 1918  (43 years old)
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

Unlike most of his older siblings, who could not write - not even their own name -; Sam - as proved later by his marriage certificate - could sign his name. Young Sam likely benefitted the 'Sandon Act' of 1876, which 'imposed a legal duty on parents to ensure that their children were educated', and the Elementary Education Act of 1880, which 'required school boards to enforce compulsory attendance from 5 to 10 years'. Sam himself would have just turned - or just have been able to turn - five years old, when this second important act came in.

1881 Census:

As a teenager, Sam went to live with and work as a farm servant for the Luxton family at Barton House in Brushford.

1891 Census:

At some point as a young man, Sam made the move from the Devon countryside into the city of Exeter. On 7th October 1897, Sam (22), by then a coachman, married Kate Charlotte Cox (26), a mantle maker, in St Mary Arches, Exeter. 

I ponder which form of 'mantle', Kate made. At the time, her father was a stone mason, so she may have been assisting him in carving stone mantlepieces? Or, as she was recorded as a dressmaker come the 1911 Census, she may have been cutting and sewing ladies' mantles (a cloak or cape-like piece of apparel). If I had to put money on it, I would guess the latter - a more traditional occupation for a woman.

At the time of their marriage, both bride and groom resided at 6 Mary Arches Street, which was the Cox family home. Sam's younger brother Ernest also lived on Mary Arches Street - only three doors down at No. 3. Ernest was the sibling closest in age to Sam. The brothers may well have been close.

Sam's signature, 1897

Sam and Kate had four children:

• Henry James William  1898 -
• Emma Ruby Vera  1904 - 1907  (2 years old)
• Vera Ruby Emma  1908 -
• Cecelia Eunice Olive  1909 -

1901 Census:

In the summer of 1903, tragedy struck Sam and his family. On 10th July, Sam's baby brother Ernest, aged only twenty-five. was killed - struck by a train at Stafford level crossing, a few miles from Exeter. Bless him - Sam himself had to cycle to the site to identify Ernest's body. 

Four years later, in 1907, Sam mourned again, when his second child and only daughter Emma passed away, aged only two. Sam and Kate would name their next born child, another daughter, after Emma, though they reordered the names.

1911 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1918, Sam passed away, aged 43, in Exeter. Sam was buried on 26th September 1918, in Exeter Cemetery. He left behind a widow, in Kate, and three children, Henry (about 20), Vera (about 10) and Cecilia (about 9).

Electoral Registers show Kate and her children remained living at 6 Mary Arches Street until at least the late 1920's (if not beyond). 

However, by the time of the 1939 Census, Kate, by then in her late sixties, lived with her married youngest daughter Cecilia and her family at 76 Buddle Lane, in St Thomas, Exeter.

1939 Census:

Kate outlived Sam by over forty years. She passed away, aged ninety-one, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1962, in Exeter.

Great x3 Aunt Louisa Vernon

My Great x3 Aunt Louisa (1872 - 1874) was a younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Louisa was born in Oct/Nov/Dec 1872, in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to William Vernon (about 43), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 39), a housewife.

Louisa was the tenth of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur 'John' John  1865 - After 1881  (At least 16 years old)
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1870 - 1947  (76 years old)
• Louisa  1872 - 1874  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

Sadly Louisa's life was a short one. In Jan/Feb/Mar 1874, Louisa passed away, at only sixteen months old, in the district of Okehampton. She was buried on 1st March 1874, in Hatherleigh.

Great x3 Aunt Martha Morrish (nee Vernon)

My Great x3 Aunt Martha (1870 - 1947) was a domestic servant, housewife, mother of seven, and younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Martha was born on Boxing Day (26th Dec) 1870 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to William Vernon (about 42), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 38), a housewife.

Martha was named for her mother.

Martha was the ninth of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur 'John' John  1865 - After 1881 (at least 16 years old)
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1870 - 1947  (76 years old)
• Louisa  1972 - 1974  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

1871 Census:

1881 Census:

As a young woman, Martha lived with and worked as a domestic servant for the Brooks family, headed by farmer William Brooks, at Lower Rewe, Brushford.

1891 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1897, Martha (27 or 28), a domestic servant, married James Henry Morrish (about 25), a farm labourer in the district of Crediton, Devon. 

At the time, Martha may have been a few months pregnant with their eldest son, William, as he was born in September 1897, approximately 6 - 9 months after his parents' marriage. Either that or Martha fell pregnant pretty much straight away after getting marriage.

James and Martha had seven children (five sons and two daughters):

• William James Henry  1897 - 
• Frank John  1901 -
• ? John  1903 - 1903  (0 - 6 months old)
• Alice Eva Jane  1904 - 
• Herbert Dunscombe  1907 - 
• Elsie Gladys  1912 - 
• Sidney George  1915 - 

The 1911 Census confirms that by that year, Martha and James had had five children born alive, but sadly one had passed away in infancy. Birth and death records suggest this child was most likely a son called John, who was both born and passed away in Jul/Aug/Sep 1903, in Crediton.

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

Martha's eldest son William served in the First World War. On 22nd Sep 1915, just turned eighteen-year-old William enlisted as a Second Cook's Mate in the Royal Navy. William was promoted to Cook in 1919. William served on many ships, including: Vivid I, Active, Stock Force, Suffock Coast and Revenge. His character was consistently given as 'very good' and his ability as 'satisfactory'. Though he originally signed up to serve a period of twelve years, he appears to have been discharged in December 1919. 

William's Service Record also supplies us with a brief physical description of him as a young man. He was 5' 3 1/2'', had red hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. First reading this information, its novelty brought a smile to my face: this is the first person with ginger hair I have knowingly come across in my family. The red hair gene may well have come from his father's - the Morrish - side of the family, rather than my Vernon side, but who can say? Still, I can say my Cousin William had red hair.

By the mid 1930's, Martha and her husband James, both in their sixties, were living at Ratcliffe Cottage, at Raddon, Thorverton. James unfortunately suffered a long illness in his latter years, from which he eventually passed, but he 'bore it with great fortitude' and 'was a general favourite'. On Monday 18th May 1936, James passed away, aged sixty-four, at Raddon, Thorverton. His funeral, which took place on Saturday 23rd May 1936, at Thorverton, was reported in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 29th May 1936:

A year later and James was still very much in Martha and their children's hearts. From the Western Times of 29th May 1937:

Martha and James' youngest two children, Elsie and Sidney, each married in the late 1930's. Newspaper announcements from the time give their widowed mother's address as 5 Jericho Street, Thorverton.

1939 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1947, having outlived a husband by a decade, Martha passed away, aged seventy-six, in the district of Tiverton.

Great x3 Uncle Arthur John Vernon

My Great x3 Uncle Arthur (1865 - after 1881), was a farm servant and an older brother of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Arthur was born in Jul/Sep/Oct 1865, in the district of Torrington, Devon, to William Vernon (about 36), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 32), a housewife.

Arthur was the seventh of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur 'John' John  1865 -
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1871 - 
• Louisa  1872 - 1874  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

1871 Census:

As a teenager, Arthur lived with and worked as a farm servant for the Kingdon family at East Leigh Farm House, Coleridge.

1881 Census:

Unfortunately I am presently unable to find Arthur on any later records. The 1881 Census indicates he might have gone by his middle name of John - a very common name. He may well have moved from Devon (perhaps abroad?).

Great x3 Aunt Mary 'Jane' Jane Davey (nee Vernon)

My Great x3 Aunt Jane (1864 - 1930) was a domestic servant, assistant to her shepherd husband, housewife, mother of six, and an older sister of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Jane was born in Jan/Feb/Mar 1864, in the district of Torrington, Devon, to William Vernon (about 35), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 31), a housewife.

Jane was the sixth of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons)

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William 'Robert' Robert  1859 - 1939  (about 80 years old)
• Sarah Ann  1860 - 1901  (about 40 years old)
• Silas  1862 - 1933  (71 years old)
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 - 1930  (66 years old)
• Arthur John  1865 -
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 - 1934  (65 years old)
• Martha  1871 -
• Louisa  1872 - 1874  (16 months old)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903  (25 years old)

As a young woman, Jane lived with and worked for the May family, headed by farmer George May, as a domestic servant. Her younger brother Harry also lived and worked there.

1881 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1887, Jane (23), a domestic servant, married Richard Davey (about 25), an agricultural labourer (and later a shepherd), in the district of Crediton.

Jane and Richard had six children (four boys and two girls):

• Frederick 'Fred' William  1888 -  
• Ernest Henry  1890 -  
• Sidney Richard  1892 - 
• Laura Jane  1893 -  
• Elsie May  1896 -  
• Frank  1899 -  

1891 Census:

In the late 1890s, the Davey family moved around one and half miles, from Kennerleigh to Woolfardisworthy, where youngest child Frank was born in 1899.

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1930, Jane passed away, aged sixty-six, in the Crediton district.