Great x3 Uncle Francis Robert James

My Great x3 Uncle Francis (1886 - 1962) was a cow boy, rabbit dealer, farm carter, step father of 1, father of 2, and a younger brother of my Great x2 Grandmother Lucy Vernon (nee James) (1868 - 1897).

Francis was born on 30th August 1886 in Morchard Bishop, Devon, to Henry James (about 49), an agricultural labourer, and Louisa James (nee Edwards) (about 37), a housewife.

Francis was the seventh of eight children (four daughters and four sons):

• Lucy  1868 - 1897  (29 years old)
• Bessie  1869 - 1945 or 1956  (77 or 86 years old)
• Edwin  1875 - 1896  (21 years old)
• Louisa  1878 - 1966  (87 years old)
• Emily Maude  1880 - 1967  (86 years old)
• Charles  1883 - 1965  (82 years old)
• Francis Robert  1886 - 1962 (76 years old)
• Gilbert 1889 -

Francis and his siblings grew up in Morchard Bishop.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

As a teenager, Francis worked with cattle on a farm, meaning he is amusingly recorded in the 1901 Census as a cow boy. 

As a young man, Francis was working as a rabbit dealer. His older brother Charles - the sibling closest to Francis in age - worked as a rabbit trapper/catcher/dealer his whole life. I wonder if Charles inspired Francis to follow him in his work and/or trained up Francis in catching rabbits.

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1910, Francis (about 23), a rabbit dealer, married young single mother of one Mary Squire(s) (about 20), in the district of Torrington.

Mary was only seventeen and an inmate of Crediton Workhouse, when she gave birth to her illegitimate son, Henry Harris Squire(s) in 1907. The father was one Joseph Noyes, a stableman, whom she summoned to court for child maintenance. Though Noyes failed to appear - purportedly working away in Hampshire - he was ordered to pay '2s a week, and payment of the usual expenses, in addition to advocate's fee'.

By the time of the 1911, the young couple, with three-year-old Henry, were living at Bolts [farm or cottage?] in Ashreigney. Francis dealing in rabbits, Mary looking after her young son.

1911 Census:

With Francis, Mary had two more children (one son and one daughter):

• Charles  1915 -
• Margaret E  1931 -

By 1939, Francis had changed job and was now working as a farm carter.

1939 Census:

Francis' stepson Henry Harris Squire served as a seaman in the navy. He enlisted, aged eighteen, in 1925, for a period of twelve years. His service records gives a brief physical description: as a young man, Henry was 5'7'', with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His character is repeatedly given as 'very good'. He served until 1938, but was either called up to serve again or volunteered to serve in the Second World War. He was a Petty Officer Telegraphist, when he was killed at sea, on 8th June 1940, aged thirty-two, when the ship he was serving on - HMS Glorious - was lost to enemy action.

Francis passed away in Oct/Nov/Dec 1962, in the district of Barnstaple, aged seventy-six.

His wife Mary outlived Francis by two years, passing away in Oct/Nov/Dec 1964, in the district of Barnstaple.

Great x3 Aunt Sarah Ann Ware (nee Vernon)

My Great x3 Aunt Sarah Ann (1860 - 1901) was a housewife, mother of eight, and an elder sister of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Sarah Ann was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1860, in the district of Torrington, Devon, to William Vernon (about 31), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 27), a housewife.

Sarah Ann was the fourth 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 -
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 -
• 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)

1861 Census:

1871 Census:

Unfortunately I can't find Sarah Ann on the 1881 Census, when she would have been a young woman.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1882, a twenty-two year old Sarah Ann gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, whom she called Mary Ann, in the district of Crediton. In the same quarter, Sarah Ann (about 22), a ?, married William Henry Ware (about 18) (often known by Henry or Harry), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, also in the district of Crediton. It seems likely William was the father of Sarah Ann's daughter - on later censuses he is certainly listed as Mary Ann's father.

Including Mary Ann, Sarah Ann and Henry had eight children (four daughters and four sons):

• Mary Ann  1883 -
• William  1884 -
• John  1886 - 1887  (17 months old)
• Emily  1887 -
• Edwin John  1890 - 1890  (0 - 6 months old)
• Annie  1891 -
• Edith 'Alice' Alice  1895 -
• Henry 'Charles' Charles  1900 -

Sadly, the couple's third child, John, passed away, at only seventeen months, in 1887. He was buried on 20th March 1887 in Crediton. They would give their next born son, Edwin, the middle name of John, perhaps after his older brother. Sadly, Edwin too passed away young. He passed away, aged between zero to six months, in 1890.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1901, Sarah Ann passed away, aged only about forty, in the district of Exeter. She left behind a husband, and six surviving children, the eldest about seventeen and youngest not yet one.

That motherless baby would go on to serve in the Royal Navy at the end of the First World War. Charles enlisted less than a month after he turned eighteen. He joined as a stocker on 14th August 1918. Though he originally signed up for a period of twelve years, he was invalided out on 6th October 1920, serving two years. He served on several ships, including: Vivid II, Apollo, Columbine and Impregnable. His character is repeatedly given as very good, his ability satisfactory. As brief physical description is also given of Charles as a young man: he was only 5'2 1/2'', had light brown hair, blue eyes, and a fresh complexion. I wonder if he resembled his mother is any way.

Great x3 Uncle William Robert Vernon

My Great x3 Uncle Robert (1859 - 1939) was a farm servant and labourer, father of six, and an elder brother of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Robert was born around 1859, in Ashreigney, Devon, to William Vernon (about 30), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 26), a housewife.

Robert's birth doesn't seem to have been registered by his parents; nor can I find record of any baptism. According to censuses, he seems to have gone by his middle name of Robert.

Robert was the third 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 -
• Silas  1862 -
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 -
• 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)

1861 Census:

Before the age of twelve, Robert had left his family home to live with and work as an indoor farm servant for the Harris family, headed by farmer William Harris, at Higher Coldharbour, still in his hometown of Ashreigney.

1871 Census:

By the time of the 1881 Census, Robert was back living with his parents and younger siblings. The family had moved from Ashriegney to Zeal Monachorum. Robert must have made a good impression upon the Harris family, for different members of it would later employ his children.

1881 Census:

On 24th September 1883, Robert (about 24), a agricultural labourer, married Elizabeth Ann Westacott (about 22), in Nymet Rowland, Devon. Robert and Elizabeth Ann left only their marks, implying they could not write - not even their own names. Robert's younger brother Silas acted as a witness. Elizabeth Ann was between six and eight months pregnant with their eldest child, when they married.

Robert and Elizabeth Ann had six children (four daughters and two sons):

• Emma  1883 -
• Bessie  1886 -
• Elizabeth Ann 'Annie'  1888 -
• Robert 'William' William  1891 -
• Eva  1893 - 1919  (25 years old)
• John  1895 - 1916  (about 20 years old)

In the mid 1880's, Robert and his young family move from Zeal Monachorum (where Emma in born in 1883) to Coldridge (where the rest of the children are born, 1886 onwards). By the 1891 Census, Robert's widowed mother-in-law was living with the family in their cottage.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1903, when Robert was about forty-three, his mother Martha passes away, aged about sixty-nine, in the district of Crediton. Alas a short time later, on 10th July 1903, Robert's youngest brother Ernest, aged twenty-five, was tragically killed by a train at Stafford level crossing, a few miles from Exeter.

In the 1900s, Robert and Elizabeth, now in their forties, appear to take in their granddaughters, Minnie (born 1903) and Florence (born 1909), likely the illegitimate daughters of one or other of their own elder daughters.

1911 Census:

Florence's school record of 1913, when she was yet to turn four, lists her parent or guardian as Robert Vernon - likely her grandfather. She joins the school in the January, but leaves in the October. The reason for leaving is recorded as 'going to Crediton', as her 'mother [is] going into the workhouse'. Robert's eldest daughter Emma, a domestic servant, is already listed as a resident of Crediton workhouse on the 1911 Census, so she may well have been the mother of Florence and Minnie.

Both of Robert's two sons, William and John, served in the First World War.

In 1913, Robert and Elizabeth's youngest son, John (Service Number K17328), joined the Royal Navy as a stoker, for serve for a period of thirteen years. Though his service record gives his date of birth as 23rd August 1894, thus making him nineteen when enlisting, the 1901 and 1911 Censuses imply he was born around 1896; and a likely record of birth puts his birth around Oct/Nov/Dec 1895, meaning he was probably seventeen when he signed up. The country was not yet at war, but it seems John was eager to serve, as he likely lied about his age. 

John served on only two ships: the HMS Vivid II from 27th January to 16th June 1913; then on the HMS Indefatigable from 17th June 1913 to 31st May 1916. Sadly on 31st May 1916, John was killed in action, aged about twenty. His character was given as 'good' or 'very good' and his ability improved from 'satisfactory' to 'superior'. His name appears on both the Coldridge and Eggesford War Memorials.

John's elder brother William (Service Number 228429) enlisted as private in the army reserve in December 1915, aged twenty-four. Though briefly in the 330th Road Construction Company of the Royal Engineers, he was soon transferred to Class W Army Reserve. He was 'Home' from 1st February to 10th March 1917; then went to France on 11th March 1917.

John's service record gives a physical description of him as a young man: he was 5'5'', had dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. I wonder if he resembled his father. William's service record doesn't give much of a physical description, beyond stating he was only 5'2'' - he was shorter than me (5'3'')!

On 1st October 1917, when Robert was about fifty-eight, his father William passed away, aged eighty-eight, at home in Chawleigh, his eldest child - Robert's eldest sister - Susan at his side. The cause of death was senile decay.

Then in Apr/May/Jun 1919, Robert and Elizabeth's youngest daughter Eva, a servant, also passed away aged only twenty-five, in the district of Crediton.

All four of Robert and Elizabeth's daughters worked as domestic servants on farms, whilst their two sons worked as horsemen on farms, before going into the forces. 

Around September 1939, Robert himself passed away, aged about eighty. Though his death was recorded in Oct/Nov/Dec 1939; Elizabeth is listed as a widow in the 1939 Census, which was taken at the end of September 1939, meaning Robert must have passed away around the start of the Second World War. Elizabeth would outlive her husband by eight years, passing away, aged about eighty-six, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1947.

Great x3 Uncle Thomas Vernon

My Great x3 Uncle Thomas (1857 - 1916) was a farm servant and labourer, copper smelter, father of ten, and an elder brother of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Thomas was born around 1857, in Ashreigney, Devon, to William Vernon (about 28), an agricultural labourer, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 24), a housewife.

Thomas' birth doesn't seem to have been registered by his parents; nor can I find record of any baptism.

Thomas was the second of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 - 1916  (about 59 years old)
• William Robert  1859 -
• Sarah Ann  1860 -
• Silas  1862 -
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 -
• 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)

1861 Census:

By a teenager, Thomas had left his family home to work as a farm servant for the Shillson family, headed by farmer William Hill Shillson, at Barton [Farm], Spreyton.

1871 Census:

By 1880, in his early twenties, Thomas had moved from his native Devon to Swansea in Wales. Though he returned Okehampton in Devon to marry.

On 16th November 1880, Thomas (about 23), a farm labourer, married Sarah Ann Chammings (about 19), in Okehampton, Devon. Though Sarah Ann signed their record of marriage, Thomas left only his mark, implying he could not write - even his own name. Sarah Ann's father Thomas acted as witness.

Thomas and Sarah Ann would settle in Wales. There, Thomas would change occupation from a farm labour to a copper smelter.

1881 Census:

Thomas and Sarah Ann had ten children (seven sons and three daughters):

• William Thomas  1882 -
• Sydney  1883 - 1884  (7 - 9 months old)
• Alice Hannah  1885 - 1892  (6 years old) 
• Samuel James  1887 -
• Richard 'Frank' Francis  1889 -
• Albert  1892 - 1893  (9 - 15 months old)
• Ivor  1893 - 1893  (0 - 6 months old)
• Emily Areta  1895 - 1897  (17 - 23 months old)
• Bertie Caleb  1898 - 1898  (0 - 6 months old)
• Gladys May  1901 - 1901  (0 - 6 months old)

Sadly seven of Thomas and Sarah Ann's ten children passed away young, including their second and all of their youngest five children as babies.

The second child Sydney passed away aged between 7 - 9 months in Jul/August 1884, in the district of Swansea, Glamorganshire. He was buried on 4th August 1884 in Llangyfelach, Glamorganshire. The third child, and first born daughter Alice passed away aged six in Jul/Aug/Sep 1892, in the district of Swansea. The sixth child Albert passed away between 9 - 15 months old in Apr/May/Jun 1893, in the district of Swansea. The seventh child Ivor passed away between 0 - 6 months in Oct/Nov/Dec 1893, in the district of Swansea. Their eighth child, a daughter Emily, passed away aged between 17 - 23 months old, in Apr/May/Jun 1897, in Swansea. Their ninth child Bertie passed away aged between 0 - 6 months old, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1898, in Swansea. And their tenth and youngest child Gladys passed away aged between 0 - 6 months old, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1901, in Swansea.

Losing seven out of their ten children, six as babies, even for the time this a poor infant mortality rate. Poor Thomas and Sarah Ann. There surviving children were three of their older sons: William, Samuel and Frank.

On the 1891 Census, the person walking from door to door, compiling the census, misheard Alice Hannah's name and recorded her as another son by the name of Alexander. They may have simply seen some of the young sons running around, as their mother opened the door and with a Devonshire accent listed the names of her children - likely dropping the H of Hannah - presumed or misheard an Alexander - rather than Alice Hannah - was another of those young children. Indeed Alice and her older bother William may have not been at home at the time, being by then of school age. I have corrected the name of the census below. 

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

Thomas, Sarah and their children lived for many years at their home of 292 Neath Road, a two-up two-down, in Swansea.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1914, when Thomas was about fifty-seven, his wife Sarah Ann passed away, aged about fifty-three, in the district of Swansea. In Jan/Feb/Mar 1916, Thomas himself passed away, aged about fifty-nine, also in the district of Swansea.

Great x3 Aunt Susan Palmer (nee Vernon)

My Great x3 Aunt Susan (1854 - 1930) was a farm servant, housewife, mother of ten, and the eldest sister of my Great Great Grandfather Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (1869 - 1934).

Susan was born in Oct/Nov/Dec 1854 in Dolton, Devon, to William Vernon (about 25), a husbandman, and Martha Vernon (nee Dyment) (about 21), a housewife.

Susan was baptised on 28th January 1855 in Dolton.

Susan was likely named after her maternal aunt, Susan/Susanna Dyment, who alas passed away, aged only eighteen, in 1853 (the year before the younger Susan was born).

Susan was the eldest of twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1854 - 1930  (75 years old)
• Thomas  1857 -
• William Robert  1859 -
• Sarah Ann  1860 -
• Silas  1862 -
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 -
• 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)

1861 Census:

By sixteen, Susan had left her family home to work as a general servant for the large Raymont family, headed by farmer Richard Raymont, at Barwisk Farm, Iddlesleigh.

1871 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1874, when Susan was nineteen, her younger sister, Louisa, passed away, at only sixteen months, in Hatherleigh.

On Christmas Day 1875, Susan (about 21), a farm servant, married Samuel Palmer (23), an agricultural labourer, in Hatherleigh. 

Though Samuel left his signature on their record of marriage, Susan left only her mark, implying she could not write. Thomas and Sarah Ann Vernon acted as witnesses to the marriage - these were likely Susan's younger siblings. Again they left only their marks. I know my Great Great Grandfather Harry, their younger brother, couldn't read or write. I daresay none of the older Vernon children were ever taught to read or write. They may have never even attended school, as school attendance was only made compulsory in England and Wales until the age of ten in 1880. Susan's youngest four siblings - Martha, Louisa, Sam and Ernest - may then have attended school, as they were the only Vernon siblings of this generation who would have been under ten years old in 1880.

Susan and Samuel had ten children:

• Mary Jane  1876 -
• ?
• ?
• Robert William S  1881 -
• Henrietta 'Etta'  1883 -
• Frederick John  1884 -
• Ellen  1887 - 1895  (8 years old)
• George  1889 - 1895  (6 years old)
• Lucy  1890 - 1892  (12 - 18 months)
• Emily Martha  1893 -

The 1911 Census confirms that Susan and Samuel had ten children born alive (five at that point still alive). I have discovered the names of the above eight Palmer children, with a gap between 1877 and 1880. Unfortunately I cannot find the family on the 1881 Census which might have helped to fill the gap. The two following children, who alas passed away in infancy, are the two most likely missing Palmer children. Both were born and died in the district of Crediton. Ordering their birth certificates would confirm the identities of their parents (and I may do this at some point).

Their possible other two children:

• Male  1878 - 1878  (0 - 3 months)
• Ernest  1879 - 1881  (12 - 18 months)

The couple's possible second child, a boy, was not named. However, he must have been born alive to receive records of birth and then death. He may have lived only a few hours or days.

Apart from their eldest daughter, Mary Jane, who was born in the district of Okehampton, the rest of Susan and Samuel's children were born in the district of Crediton. The couple didn't have any of their children christened (at least I cannot discover any baptism records for the ten children).

According to the 1891 Census, their middle children - Robert, Etta, Frederick and Ellen (born 1881 to 1887) were born in Lapford. Susan and her family must have lived in Lapford for the majority of the 1880's, before moving to Chawleigh around 1889 (her next born children, George, was born in Chawleigh in 1889). The family would live at Rodgements, Chawleigh, from around 1889 to at least 1901.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1903, when Susan was forty-eight, her mother Martha passed away, aged about sixty-nine, in the district of Crediton. Alas a short time later, on 10th July 1903, Susan's youngest brother Ernest, aged twenty-five, was tragically killed by a train at Stafford level crossing, a few miles from Exeter. This must have been a sad time for the family.

Sometime in the 1900's, Susan's widowed father William moved in with her and her husband, and their youngest daughter, at their new home of Hollow Tree, near Chawleigh.

1911 Census:

On 1st October 1917, when Susan was about sixty-three, her father William passed away, aged eighty-eight, at their home of Hollow Tree, Susan at his side. The cause of death was senile decay.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1919, when Susan was about sixty-five, her husband Samuel passed away, aged sixty-six, in the district of Crediton.

In August 1930, Susan passed away, aged seventy-five, at Hollow Tree. She was buried on the afternoon of Monday 25th August 1930 at Chawleigh parish churchyard.

From Western Times of 29th August 1930:

Great x4 Grandmother Sarah Vernon (nee Prout)

My Great x4 Grandmother Sarah (1802 - 1868) was a housewife and mother of eight.

Sarah Prout was born around 1802 in South Molton, Devon, to William and Margarett Prout.

Sarah was baptised on 30th May 1802 in South Molton.

Unfortunarely, beyond her baptism giving the names of her parents, Sarah's childhood remains a mystery. I can neither find a likely marriage record for her parents, nor baptisms of any likely siblings. We are left with several possibilities: Sarah may have been an only child; records may have been lost or events (such as births of siblings) may not have been recorded in the first place; her parents may not have been native to South Molton and records of their marriage or baptisms of other children may be further afield. We cannot say for certain. But we can say Sarah either remained in South Molton from her earliest years, or soon returned there, for there she married as a young woman.

On 26th September 1824, Sarah (about 22) married William Vernon (about 30), a labourer, in South Molton. On the record of their marriage, whilst William was about to sign his name, Sarah left only her mark, implying she could not write. They are both described as native to the parish of South Molton.

Sarah and William had eight children (five sons and three daughters):

• John  1827 - 1855 (28 years old)
• William 1829 -
• Mary 1831 - 1845 or 1847 (13 - 16 years old)
• James  1833 -
• Henry  1835 -
• Elizabeth  1839 -
• Thomas  1841 -
• Sarah Bray  1843 -

Records of baptism of their eldest sons, John and William, list the young family as residing on East Street in South Molton in the late 1820s.

Around 1830, Sarah, William and their two infant children moved from South Molton, about twelve miles south west, to Ashreigney. Sadly, they resided for some time in the poorhouse there. Their children, Mary and James, were born in Ashreigney poorhouse.

It seems the family managed to leave behind the poorhouse by the mid 1830s. The 1835 baptism record of their next and sixth child Henry lists their abode of Hayes. Hayes was likely around today's Little Hayes Plantation, a wooded and laked area, and Hayes Moor, both just to the south west of Ashreigney.

The 1841 baptism record of Sarah and William's son Thomas shows the family were back living on East Street up in South Molton. William had lots of family living on East Street.

The couple's eldest daughter Mary passed away as a teenager in either 1845 or 1847 in South Molton. (There are records of death for a Mary Vernon in South Molton in both years, and there isn't a way to find out which is our Mary, as there is no age given, unless I purchase the documents)

By the time of the 1851 Census, Sarah and her family were back living in Hayes, which is then described as a hamlet, and their home called Clarkes Hayes. Though not back in the workhouse, the family were alas again struggling. William and their eldest son John were described as paupers, their middle sons were away from home working as servants and labourers on farms (and were maybe sending money home), bu the only individual bringing in money at home seems to have been Sarah's young daughter, twelve-year-old glover Elizabeth.

1851 Census:

In 1855, Sarah's eldest son John passed away, aged twenty-eight, in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash. He was buried on 25th March 1855, in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash. Sadly his abode was listed as Torrington Union Work House.

Sarah's husband William passed away, in his mid sixties, in 1860. He was buried in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash on 25th November 1860.

Soon after William's death, the 1861 Census shows Sarah, a widow, remained at Hayes with her two youngest children: her son Thomas, a labourer, and daughter Sarah, a glover. As different records show Sarah's daughters Elizabeth and Sarah both worked as glovers as teenaged girls, I wonder if they learnt this trade from their mother. Also living with the family at the time was three-year-old Elizabeth Ann, the illegitimate daughter of one of Sarah's daughters. It's nice she stayed with the family.

1861 Census:

Sarah herself passed away, aged about sixty-six, in 1868. She was buried in Ashreighney or Ring's Ash on 21st August 1868.

Great x4 Grandfather William Vernon

My Great x4 Grandfather William (1794 - 1860) was a labourer, husbandman, pauper, and father of eight.

William Vernon was born around 1794 in South Molton, Devon to William Vernon (about 22), a labourer and gardener, and Mary Vernon (nee Bray) (about 22).

William was baptised on 16th March 1794 in South Molton. William's parents had only married three months earlier on New Years Day 1794, implying Mary was pregnant with William when she married. William, being the couple's firstborn son, was named for his father.

William was the eldest of seven children (five sons and two daughters):

• William  1794 -
• Elizabeth  1799 -
• Arthur  1803 -
• James  1806 - 1841 (34 years old)
• John  1809 -
• Henry  1813 -
• Mary  1815 -

All seven children were baptised in South Molton.

On 26th September 1824, William (about 30), a labourer, married Sarah Prout (about 22) in South Molton. On the record of their marriage, whilst Sarah left only her mark, implying she could not write, William was able to sign him name. They married in the presence of William's younger brother Arthur Vernon.

Signature of William Vernon, 1824

William and Sarah had eight children (five sons and three daughters):

• John 1827 - 1855 (28 years old)
• William  1829 -
• Mary  1831 - 1845 or 1847 (13 - 16 years old)
• James  1833 -
• Henry  1835 -
• Elizabeth  1839 -
• Thomas  1841 -
• Sarah Bray  1843 -

Records of baptism of their eldest sons, John and William, list the young family as residing on East Street in South Molton in the late 1820s.

Around 1830, William, Sarah and their two infant children moved from South Molton, about twelve miles south west, to Ashreigney. Sadly, they resided for some time in the poorhouse there. Their children, Mary and James, were born in Ashreigney poorhouse.

It seems the family managed to leave behind the poorhouse by the mid 1830s. The 1835 baptism record of their next and sixth child Henry lists their abode as Hayes. Hayes was likely around today's Little Hayes Plantation, a wooded and laked area, and Hayes Moor, both just to the south west of Ashreigney. Interestingly, William and Mary baptised baby Henry in an independent church (rather then a Church of England church) in nearby Chumleigh. Does this baptism show a shift in their Christian belief?

Perhaps not, for the couple baptised their younger children once more in C of E churches. The baptism record of their next son Thomas, from January 1841, interestingly shows that the family were back living on East Street up in South Molton. The 1841 Census shows William's parents and younger sister Elizabeth living on East Street; also further up the street were William's younger brother Henry and his wife Ann; however, I cannot find William and his family there on the 1841 census.

When William was about forty-seven, his younger brother James passed away, aged thirty-four, in January 1841. He was buried on 31st January 1841 in South Molton. His abode was also listed at East Street. East Street in South Molton seems to have been a real base for the Vernon family from at least the 1820s through into the 1850s.

Colourised Photograph of East Street, South Molton, c 1900

William's eldest daughter Mary passed away as a teenager in either 1845 or 1847 in South Molton. (There are records of death for a Mary Vernon in South Molton in both years, and there isn't a way to find out which is our Mary, as there is no age given)

By the time of the 1851 Census, William and his family were back in Hayes, which is then described as a hamlet, and their home called Clarkes Hayes. Though not back in the workhouse, the family was alas again struggling. William and his eldest son John were described as paupers, William's middle sons were away from home working as servants and labourers on farms (and were maybe sending money home), but the only individual bringing in money at home seems to have been William's young daughter, twelve-year-old glover Elizabeth.

1851 Census:

William's relationship, or rather lack of, with his father of the same name is hinted to in the latter's 1854 will. William is left by his father "the sum of five pounds, to be paid by my executors hereinafter named, six months after my decease; likewise I give unto my son William all my wearing apparel except my watch, to be delivered after my funeral." After William's widow mother Mary's death, remaining unnamed items were written to be sold and the money raised to be divided between the children with one exception: "share and share alike, except my son William who shall have nothing therewith to do." Whilst William's younger surviving three brothers, Arthur, John and Henry, were left, along with household items, each a dwelling house with a garden, and named as executors, pauper William was left very little. Why?

In 1855, William's eldest son John passed away, aged twenty-eight, in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash. He was buried on 25th March 1855, in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash. Sadly his abode was listed as Torrington Union Work House.

William's younger brother Henry emigrated to Australia. Henry's Australian descendant Norman did a great deal of research on the Vernon family tree in the 1980s, and was in correspondence with my father in the 1990s. Each shared their research with the other; and Norman even shared a small photograph of Henry. I wonder: did brothers Henry and William look alike?

Photograph of William's younger brother Henry

William passed away, in his mid sixties, in 1860. He was buried in Ashreigney or Ring's Ash on 25th November 1860.

Great x3 Grandfather William Vernon

My great x3 grandfather William (1829 - 1917) was a farm apprentice, husbandman, agricultural labourer, and father of twelve.

William was born around 1829 in South Molton, Devon to William Vernon (about 35), a labourer and pauper, and Sarah Vernon (nee Prout) (about 27).

William was baptised on 12th April 1829 in South Molton. At the time, the family lived in East Street, South Molton.

William was the second of eight children (five sons and three daughters):

• John  1827 - 1855 (28 years old)
• William  1829 -
• Mary  1831 - 1845 or 1847 (13 - 16 years old)
• James  1833 -
• Henry  1835 - 
• Elizabeth  1839 - 
• Thomas  1841 - 
• Sarah Bray  1843 - 

Around 1830/1831, when William was a baby or toddler, it seems he and his family moved from South Molton to Ashreigney. Sadly, they resided for some time in the poorhouse there. William's younger siblings Mary and James were born in the poorhouse.

Young William, aged only twelve on the 1841 Census, lived with and worked as an apprentice for the Ley family, headed by farmer John Ley, at Redland, Ashreigney.

1841 Census:

By 1851, William, then a young man, lived with and worked for the Tout family as a farm labourer, at Westyard, Ashreigney. His older brother John had worked there previously, appearing at Westyard in the 1841 Census. Whilst William worked for the Tout family, his father and older brother John were alas paupers

1851 Census:

On 20th October 1853, William (24), an agricultural labour, married Martha Dyment (20), a glover, in Martha's native Dolton. Neither William nor Martha was able to sign their name on their marriage certificate, implying neither could write.

William and Martha had twelve children (five daughters and seven sons):

• Susan  1855 -
• Thomas  1857 -
• William Robert  1859 -
• Sarah Ann 1860 -
• Silas  1862 -
• Mary 'Jane' Jane  1864 -
• Arthur John  1865 -
• Isaac 'Harry' Harwood  1869 -
• Martha  1871 -
• Louisa  1872 - 1874 (16 months)
• Samuel 'Sam' Reuben  1875 -
• Ernest  1878 - 1903 (25 years)

1861 Census:

In the late 1860s, William and his family moved from Moorwater, Ashreigney to Fowl House, Iddesleigh.

1871 Census:

Around 1874, the family moved again to Hatherleigh. There, when William was about forty-five, his youngest daughter Louisa passed away, aged only 16 months.

By 1875, when William's son Sam was born, they had moved to Brushford; and by 1878, when his youngest son Ernest was born, they were living in Wembworthy.

Sometime in the late 1870s, they moved again to Stopgate, Zeal Monachorum.

1881 Census:

By 1891, they had moved again to Coldridge. Only William and Martha's youngest child, Ernest, remained at home with his parents. The rest each left home at an early age to work on different farms around mid Devon.

1891 Census:

Soon Ernest too left home, whilst William and Martha remained at Coldridge.

1901 Census:

By 1901, it seems the elderly William was no longer working. How then did the elderly couple support themselves?

In Apr/May/Jun 1903, when William was about seventy-four, his wife Martha passed away, aged about sixty-nine, in the district of Crediton. Alas a short time later, on 10th July 1903, their youngest son Ernest, aged twenty-five, was tragically killed by a train at Stafford level crossing, a few miles from Exeter. What a sad time this must have been for William.

Sometime in the 1900s, William moved in with his eldest daughter Susan and her family at their cottage at Hollow Tree, near Chawleigh.

1911 Census:

On 1st October 1917, William passed away at Hollow Tree, with his eldest daughter Susan at his side. The cause of death was recorded as senile decay. Though on his death certificate, William's age at death was recorded at eighty, we know he was baptised in 1829, meaning he would have been in fact eighty-eight.

Whilst alive, William had been a religious man. My father's family tree research from the mid 1990s says William was "thought to be a minister at Aller Bridge (Allerbeare) Chapel at Coldridge." His son Harry also "used to preach when younger, he knew all the bible references etc... Sidney [son of Harry] thinks these were drummed into him by William".