Great x3 Uncle Lewis Edworthy

My Great x3 Uncle Lewis (1861 - 1943), was a farm/agricultural labourer, domestic gardener, father of eleven, and a younger brother of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

Lewis was born on 9th January 1861 in East Worlington, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 41), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 37).

On 27th January 1861, Lewis was baptised in East Worlington.

Lewis was the eighth of eleven children (four daughters and seven sons):

• Ann  1841 - 1882  (41)
• John  1844 - 1910  (65)
• Elizabeth  1849 - 1917  (about 68)
• William  1852 - 1911  (about 59)
• George  1854 - 1876  (22)
• Samuel  1856 - 1920  (64)
• Ellen  1858 - 1934  (75)
• Lewis  1861 - 1943  (82)
• Frederick  1863 - 1943  (79)
• Frank  1866 - 1929  (63)
• Mary Harris  1869 - 1939  (69)

Lewis and his siblings grew up at Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage, thatched cob cottage built in the early 1600s, in East Worlington.

(You can read more about the structure of the property here.) 

Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage

1861 Census: 

1871 Census: 

As a young man, Lewis lived with and worked as a indoor farm servant for the Burrow family, headed by Richard Burrow - a farmer of 100 arces - at Wilsdon, East Worlington.

1881 Census:

On 28th March 1885, Lewis (24), a farm labourer, married Eliza Saunders (20), in East Worlington.

Lewis and Eliza had eleven children (seven daughters and four sons)

• Alice Mary  1886
• Francis George  1888  
• Henry  1889
• Eva  1891  
• May  1893  
• Lewis  1895 - 1896 (13 months) 
• Amy  1897 - 1904  (7 years old)
• Ernest John  1899 - 1941  (42 years old)
• Winifred  1902  
• Muriel  1904  
• Gladys Lily  1909  

1891 Census:

Lewis and his young family lived at his childhood home of Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage. Lewis' widowed father William also lived with them, as seen on the 1891 Census.

In the mid 1890's, Lewis and his family moved to Newton St Cyres.

Sadly, Lewis and Eliza's son Lewis passed away at only 13 months. Little Lewis was buried on the 7th June 1896 in Newton St Cyres.

1901 Census:

On the 3rd July 1904, Lewis and Eliza's daughter Amy, just turned seven, died suddenly of convulsions. On Saturday morning, little Amy complained of feeling unwell. Her mother gave her some medicine and put her to bed. On Sunday morning, it was found that Amy had taken worse and a doctor was called for, but before the doctor arrived, Amy passed away.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 8th July 1904:

From the Western Times of 11th July 1904:

Around 1907, the family moved to Crediton.

Coincidentally, for around three months, from late 1907 to early 1908, youngest son Ernest, my 1st Cousin x3 Removed, attended Crediton Hayward School alongside my Great Great Uncle Frank Vernon.

Around 1910, Lewis began working as a gardener at Queen Elizabeth School in Crediton. He would go on to work there for 28 years. My mum would attend the same school in the 1970's.

1911 Census:

According to local newspaper report on their 1935 Golden Wedding anniversary, all three of Lewis and Eliza's surviving sons, Francis, Henry and Ernest, served in WWI.

Youngest son Ernest (D/K 26352) joined the navy, on 17th May 1915. Ernest lied about his age. He gave his date of birth as 6th April 1897, claiming to be eighteen when he signed up. He was in fact only just turned sixteen, born on 6th April 1899.

His service record gives a brief physical appearance: Ernest was 5'7''/5'8'', he had fair hair that darkened to light brown as he got older, had blue eyes, and a fair/fresh complexion. 

Ernest originally signed up for a period of twelve years, but in fact served well beyond. He continued to serve through WWI, as a stoker and then chief stoker, all the way through the 1920's and 1930's and into WWII. 

Lewis' youngest son Ernest, on board a ship, c 1940

Lewis' youngest son Ernest, c 1940, taken in Hong Kong

Edworthy Family, c 1930

Back Left to Back Right: Francis George, May, Gladys Lily, Winifred, Ernest John
Front Left to Front Right: Alice, Lewis' wife Eliza, Lewis himself and Eva

(Unfortunately one of the woman in the back row isn't named,
but I would assume is another daughter Muriel)

1921 Census:

On 28th March 1935, Lewis and Eliza's Golden Wedding anniversary (50 years!).

From the Western Times of 29th March 1935:

On 28th July 1939, Lewis' wife Eliza died, aged 75. She was buried on 1st August 1939 at Crediton cemetery. Eliza was described as "well known and held in much esteem". 

From the Western Times of 4th August 1939:

Come the start of the Second World War, a retired Lewis lived with his married youngest daughter Gladys and her husband at 20 Landscore, Crediton.

1939 Census:

On 11th April 1941, Lewis' youngest son Ernest died at sea, on board the H.M.Y Yorkshire Belle, five days after his forty-second birthday. He had married only the previous year.

In December 1943, Lewis died, aged 82, at 3 New Cut, Crediton.

"He was also a staunch Liberal, widely-known and held in high esteem."

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 10th December 1943:

Great x3 Aunt Elizabeth Spear (formerly Edworthy; nee Edworthy)

My Great x3 Aunt Elizabeth (1848 - 1917), was a child's maid, charwoman, housewife, mother of eight, step mother of five, and an elder sister of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

Elizabeth was born around December 1848 in Coldridge, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 28), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 25).

On 19th December 1848, Elizabeth was baptised privately in Coldridge, Devon. At the time of Elizabeth's baptism, the Edworthy family lived at Hawkridge Bridge, Coldridge.

Elizabeth was the third of eleven children (four daughters and seven sons):

• Ann  1841 - 1882  (41)
• John  1844 - 1910  (65)
• Elizabeth  1849 - 1917  (about 68)
• William  1852 - 1911  (about 59)
• George  1854 - 1876  (22)
• Samuel  1856 - 1920  (64)
• Ellen  1858 - 1934  (75)
• Lewis  1861 - 1943  (82)
• Frederick  1863 - 1943  (79)
• Frank  1866 - 1929  (63)
• Mary Harris  1869 - 1939  (69)

1851 Census:

By the age of twelve, little Elizabeth was no longer living at home with her family, but living with and working as a child's maid for the Reed family, headed by Henry Reed, a farmer of 300 acres, at Uppcott in Chawleigh. In 1861, Henry and Jane Reed had seven children, aged between 1 and 18 (Henry 18, Mary Ann 16, Richard 11, John 8, Fanny 6, Thomas 4 and Emma 1). It seems likely Elizabeth helped looked after the younger children, though only a child herself.

1861 Census:

Around December 1868, Elizabeth (about 20) gave birth to an illegitimate child, a son she called John, in East Worlington. Elizabeth brought one Sidney Chard of Thelbridge, the father of her child, to the County Magistate Sessions to apply for child maintenance. An order of 1s per week from the day of sessions was granted, with £1 8s cost.

• John Edworthy  1868 -

On 12th November 1870, Elizabeth (about 21), a servant and single mother of one, married William Edworthy (about 26), a farm labourer, in East Worlington. With the bride and groom having the same surname - Edworthy - they may well have been related, perhaps distant cousins. It seems William brought up Elizabeth's son John as his child (John is recorded as William's son on later censuses).

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

• William Henry  1872 -
• Mary Jane  1873 -
• Emily  1875 -
• Samuel  1878 -
• Eda Ellen  1880 -
• Bessy  1882 -
• Frank  1884 - 1884  (13 days old)

Sadly, young Elizabeth, William and toddler John's address is given on the 1871 Census as the Poor House, West Worlington. 

1871 Census: 

1881 Census:

In 1884, thirty-five-year-old Elizabeth suffered too great losses...

Her husband William passed away, aged thirty-nine, in Crediton. He was buried on 24th February 1884 in Crediton. Now Elizabeth was either gave birth to the couple's youngest child, Frank, either just before or just after her husband's passing. Sadly baby Frank passed away too, at only thirteen days old. He was buried on 7th March 1884, in Crediton.

After their deaths, Elizabeth supported herself and her younger surviving children by working as a charwoman. Her son William also lived with her and brought in money as an agricultural labourer. The 1891 Census also shows Elizabeth had a boarder, Albert Sanders a young gardener. Having a border or two would have brought in a little extra income.

1891 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1896, twelve years after the death of her first husband William Edworthy, Elizabeth (47), a charwoman, widow and mother of seven surviving children, remarried. She married William Spear (about 47), a shepherd and agricultural labourer and himself a widower, in Crediton.

William had five children from a first marriage; thus Elizabeth gained five step-children:

• Alice  1873 -
• Ellen  1875 -
• Mary Jane  1879 -
• Eliza  1881 -
• John  1884 -

1901 Census: 

1911 Census: 

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1917, Elizabeth passed away, aged about 68.

Great x3 Uncle John Edworthy

My Great x3 Uncle John Edworthy (1845 - 1910), was a carter, farm/agricultural labourer, step-father of one, father of ten, and the elder brother of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

John was born in Oct/Nov/Dec 1844 in Lapford, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 24), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 21).

On 22nd December 1844, John was baptised in Lapford.

John was the second of eleven children (four daughters and seven sons) and the eldest son:

• Ann  1841 - 1882  (41)
• John  1844 - 1910  (65)
• Elizabeth  1849 - 1917  (about 68)
• William  1852 - 1911  (about 59)
• George  1854 - 1876  (22)
• Samuel  1856 - 1920  (64)
• Ellen  1858 - 1934  (75)
• Lewis  1861 - 1943  (82)
• Frederick  1863 - 1943  (79)
• Frank  1866 - 1929  (63)
• Mary Harris  1869 - 1939  (69)

1851 Census:

As a young teen, John left the family home to find work. By 1861, he was living with and working as a carter at the 168 acres Coombe Farm, for farmer Thomas White.

1861 Census:

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1870, John (about 26), a carter and agricultural labourer, married Grace Mitchell (about 20), a young single mother of one, in the district of Crediton, Devon.

Grace had one son, born before her marriage, when she was only seventeen:

• William Mitchell  1867 -

John and Grace had ten more children (five sons and five five daughters):

• John 'Jack'  1871 -
• Sydney  1873 - 1874  (3 months old)
• Lucy Ann  1875 - 
• Ruth  1877 - 
• Alice  1879 - 1902  (22 years old)
• Mary Jane 1881 - 
• Charles 'Charlie' James  1887 - 
• Ernest Mitchell  1889 - 1916  (28 years old) 
• Walter  1892 - 1917  (25 years old) 
• Florence Maud  1894 - 

Sadly John and Grace's second(/third) son Sydney passed away, at only three months old. He was buried in February 1874, in East Worlington, Devon.

Their middle daughter Alice also passed away prematurely, aged twenty-two, in 1902. I do not know the cause; however, their youngest daughter Florence, aged nineteen, in 1913, entered the Devon and Cornwall Sanatorium for Consumptives. Her disease had developed in May 1913, she was admitted to the sanatorium in December 1913, and was discharged three months later in March 1914, 'V.M.I [likely very much improved] able to do light work'. What ailed Florence? Well 'consumptives' were individuals who suffered from a wasting disease, especially pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Did her older sister Alice succumb to the same/or a similar disease? 

Their fourth(/fifth) child and second daughter Ruth would go on to marry her first cousin William Gilbert John Edworthy, son of John's younger's brother William.

1871 Census:

In the 1870's, the young Edworthy family added to their income by having boarders. 

1881 Census:

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1910, John passed away, aged sixty-five, in the district of Crediton, Devon.

By 1911, John's widow Grace went to live with their son Charles James, and his wife and young son, in Copplestone, near Crediton.

All of John's surviving adult sons served in the army - three in the First World War. Sadly two were killed in action...

Older son Jack (original service number: 2829. later service number: 3893) enlisted as a private, in the 4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, in January 1894 (his age is given as eighteen; however, he would have been twenty-three). His service record gives a brief physical description: as a young man, Jack was 5' 5'', had a fresh complexion, fair/light brown hair and grey eyes. 

He was appointed as a drummer in October 1897. He transferred to the reserves in August 1902 and was discharged in February 1906. He was too old to re-enlist or be conscripted during the First World War. However, he lead the way for his younger brothers to join the army.

In December 1903, Charlie (service number: 7558), aged nineteen, enlisted as a private, in the 1st Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. His service record gives a brief physical description: as a young man, Charlie was 5' 6 1/2'', had a fresh complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. 

Charlie originally served for a period of three years. He served at 'Home' (eg England) from December 1903 - February 1905. Then in India for two years, from February 1905 - February 1907. In February 1907, he transferred to the reserves. With the outbreak of war, seven years later, in August 1914, Charlie found himself immediately called up, and promoted to Lance Corporal. However, he did not leave 'Home' for France until August 1916, when he was promoted again to Lance Sergeant. He was again promoted, in December 1916, to Sergeant. He served in France for two and half years, from August 1918 to February 1919 (with two furloughs - on in June/July 1918 and another in September 1918). He transferred again to the reserves in 1919; and was finally discharged from the army in 1920.

Next brother, seventeen-year-old Ernest (service number: 4890), a farm labourer, enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion, the Devonshire Regiment. Ernest originally signed up for a term of six years; however, he (or someone else?) purchased his discharge after only three months. Ernest's service record gives a brief physical description: as a young man, Ernest was 5'4 3/4'', had a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes. He either re-enlisted or was conscripted during the First World War. He was killed on 1st July 1916, aged twenty-eight.

Younger brother Walter was a private in the 9th Battalion, the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed on 6th December 1817, aged twenty-five.

The younger Edworthy brothers (my first cousins three times removed on my father's side) are remembered on the Bow War Memorial, alongside my Great x3 Uncle Harry Sandford (from my mother's side of the family). (https://www.devonheritage.org/Places/Bow/BowWarMemorial.htm)

Bow War Memorial honouring my Cousins Ernest and Walter Edworthy and Uncle Harry Sandford

Grace outlived her husband by twenty years. In Apr/May/Jun 1930, Grace passed away, aged eighty-three, in the district of Crediton.

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: