Great x3 Aunt Ellen Trigger (nee Edworthy)

My Great x3 Aunt Ellen (1858 - 1934), was a housewife, mother of twelve, and a younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

Ellen was born in Oct/Nov/Dec 1858 in East Worlington, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 37), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 34).

On 2nd Janurary 1859, Ellen was baptised in East Worlington.

Ellen was the seventh 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)

Ellen and her 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: 

On 1st November 1879, Ellen (20 or just 21) married William Isaac Trigger (19 or just 20), an agricultural labourer (and later a farm carter), in her native East Worlington. Her younger brother, Lewis - a sibling close to her in age - acted as a witness.

(Bride and groom were both able to sign their names on their record of marriage.)

Ellen and William had twelve children (eight sons and four daughters)

• Samuel  1879 -
• James Henry  1882 -
• John  1883 -
• Mary Ann 'Annie'  1885 -
• Ellen Edworthy  1886 -
• William  1887 -
• Jane  1889 -
• Frederick 'Fred'  1892 - 1918 (27 years old)
• Charles  1893 - 
• Frank  1897 - 
• George  1899 -1918 (18 years old)
• Bessie Elizabeth  1900 -

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Ellen's eldest son Samuel, a first cousin of my Great Grandmother Winifred Vernon (nee Edworthy), went on to marry Emily James, the maternal aunt of Winifred's future husband Walter Vernon. 

(So my 1st cousin x3 removed Samuel Trigger married my Great x3 Aunt Emily James)

Ellen's younger son William, also a first cousin of my Great Grandmother Winifred Vernon (nee Edworthy), went on to marry Edith Vernon, the sister of Winifred's future husband Walter Vernon.

(So my 1st cousin x3 removed William Trigger married my Great Great Aunt Edith Vernon)

Emily Trigger (nee James) and Edith Trigger (nee Vernon), aunt and niece, with their marriages to the Trigger brothers, became sisters-in-law.

I wonder if it was due to these family connection that my great grandparents, Walter and Winifred Vernon met, with Winifred's first cousins, Samuel and William Trigger, being Walter's Uncle Samuel (by marriage) and brother-in-law respectively. 

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Ellen and William brought up their older children in Sandford, Devon.

The village of Sandford will always have a place in my heart, for it was where my maternal grandparents, George and Bette Sandford, lived. The church, where they prayed every Sunday, and where their funerals took place, was the same space where over a hundred years before several of the Trigger babes, my cousins, were christened.

The cottages where the young Trigger family lived (as shown on the 1881 and 1891 censuses) - Meadow's End [Cottage] and Lower Bagbourough [Cottage] - are still there to this day.

1881 Census:

1891 Census:

In the late 1890's, Ellen, William and their young family moved from Sandford to Dadmouth Cottage, in Kennford.

1901 Census:

Around 1902, Ellen and William's second son James (4009), aged about twenty, joined the Coldstream Guards, as a private. He is recorded as 'On Supp Roll 10/10/1902' meaning he might have joined after the end of the Second Boer War, which had ended in the May of 1902. It seems likely James, an experienced soldier, would have been called up to fight in the First World War, regardless of being a little older (at about thirty two at the start of that war); or he may have still been serving, and served into the First World War. He is still recorded as being in the Coldstream Guards, nine years after signing up, on the 1911 Census; however, the census also shows he as being at home in Devon, with his family. Though he may have simply had a few days leave that coincided with the day the census was taken.

1911 Census:

WWI...

It seems six of Ellen and William's eight sons served in the First World War (the two brothers that didn't serve were likely Samuel and John, who were older (in their early thirties) when the war began, and had no military experience). Sadly their son Charles was wounded; and two other sons, Fred and George, both died right at the war's end. 

Their third youngest son Charles (formerly 2395, a private in the Royal North Devonshire Yeomanry) (345741), a lance/acting corporal, in the Devonshire Regiment, was wounded in the war (reported 10/01/1918).

Their youngest son George (29490) was a private in the 7th Battalion, the Somerset Light Infantry. He was reported missing on 30th May 1918. He died, as a prisoner of war in Germany, on 11th July 1918, aged only eighteen. 

It seems to have been some months before Ellen and William learnt of their youngest son's death (indeed the war itself may have already ended). It is reported in November 1918, that only a fortnight after being informed of George's death, they were informed that their middle son Fred (554433), a private in the 4th Wessex Brigade, R.H.A (according to a local newspaper) (and/or a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery, according to Devon Heritage, and Labour Corps, according to Forces War Records (1267)), had also died overseas. Fred died of pneumonia, at Jalandhar (erstwhile Jullundur), India, on 1st November 1918, aged twenty-seven.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 29th November 1918:

George and Fred Trigger are honoured at the War Memorial in Kenn.

From the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 31st October 1919:

Ellen and William's second youngest son Frank (WR/21880 and/or 225581), a sapper, in the 309th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers, was awarded the Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives (en Bronze) (Gazette Issue 31150, Gazette Page 1455, Gazette Date 28 or 29/01/1919). This was awarded by France/the Allied Powers to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. This Decoration was conferred by the President of the French Republic.

...

On 12th July 1932, Ellen's husband William passed away, aged seventy-two, in Kennford. Sadly Ellen was unable to attend his funeral, but most of their married adult children did attend.

About a year and half later, in Jan/Feb/Mar 1934, Ellen herself passed away, aged seventy-five, in the district of St Thomas, Devon.

Great x3 Aunt Bessie Davey (nee James)

My Great x3 Aunt Bessie (1869 - 1946 or 1956) was a housewife, mother of nine, and a younger sister of my Great x2 Grandmother Lucy Vernon (nee James) (1868 - 1897).

Bessie was born on 16th October 1869 in Morchard Bishop, Devon, to Henry James (about 32), an agricultural labourer, and Louisa James (nee Edwards) (about 23), a housewife.

Bessie was the second of eight children (four daughters and four sons):

• Lucy  1868 - 1897  (29 years old)
• Bessie  1869 - 1946 or 1956 (77 or 86 years old)
• Edwin  1875 -
• Louisa  1878 -
• Emily Maude  1880 -
• Charles  1883 -
• Francis Robert  1886 -
• Gilbert 1889 -

Bessie and her siblings grew up in Morchard Bishop.

In 1871, they lived at Birchenbeer Cottage, Morchard Bishop.

1871 Census:

By 1881, they had moved to Whatcombe, also in Morchard Bishop. I cannot find a place called Whatcombe in or near Morchard Bishop; however, there is a Watcombe Farm today in Morchard Bishop. Was this where Lucy and her family lived? Or at a nearby cottage of the same name?

1881 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1891, Bessie (21) married George Henry Davey (22), an agricultural labourer and later a farm carter, in the district of Crediton.

When first married, the young couple lived at Rose Cottage at Cruwys Morchard.

1891 Census:

Bessie and George had nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William Henry  1892 -
• Walter 'George' George  1894 -
• Hettie Marion  1896 -
• Albert Edward  1899 - 1918  (19 years old)
• Ivy Henrietta B  1900 -
• Hilda 'Queenie' Alice Irene  1903 -
• Frances Constance  1905 -
• Edith B  1911 -
• Leonard J  1913 -

The Davey family lived at Kennerleigh from around 1894 to 1900 - there middle children George, Hettie, Albert and Ivy were before -; before moving to Sandford around 1901.

1901 Census:

The family remained at Sandford until least 1903 - daughter Hilda was born in the village that year. But by 1905, they had moved to Lapford, where younger children Frances, Edith and Leonard were born, and where the family could be found on the 1911 Census.

1911 Census:

Bessie and George's eldest three sons, William, George and Albert, all served in the First World War.

Whilst William and George survived the war, younger son Albert (Service Number: 48543) was sadly killed in action. He served as a private in the 5th Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales' Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was missing from 25th May 1918, and later presumed killed in action - most likely during the First Battle of Bapaume (24th - 25th March) during 'The First Battles of the Somme, 1918'. His name appears on the Lapford War Memorial, as well as the Pozieres Memorial (Panel 56 and 57) in the Somme, France.

From the Western Times of 12th July 1918:

On a personal note. When I first saw the small photo portrait of my young cousin (1st Cousin 3 times removed) Albert, two thoughts followed swiftly one after another: first, we not a family that has many photo from far back in our family, and it always feels like catching a rare butterfly, when I am suddenly face-to-face with an never-seen-before relative; secondly, bless the young man but he was handsome, and he had my eyebrows - with one eye/eyebrow higher than the other - or should I say I have his? I can truly see a resemble to myself. And I then thought if I had a brother, he might look like Albert. And then oh to feel that heart-hurting uncertainty of Bessie and the immediate family for the fate of their missing son and brother; and then the eventual acceptance that he was gone before his time.

At the time of their son's disappearance and death in 1918, Bessie and George dwelt at Comminses (or Comins) Cottage in East Worlington. By 1936, the couple were living at Horns Court in Chawleigh.

In the early hours of 7th July 1936, Bessie and George, by then in their sixties, were suddenly woken from their sleep by their married daughter Hilda - also known as Queenie. She was soaking wet. Her husband, George Tilbury, she said, had pushed her down a well! 

The younger couple had not been getting on since she became pregnant and gave birth to their second child - this second child, born a decade after their first, was unplanned and unwanted. The couple felt overworked and had been having arguments - a notable one about chapel, which when raised again in the cow shed, resulted in Hilda fearing George was going to lock her inside the cow shed; she thus went to hit his hand away from the lock with a plank of wood, but ended up striking not his hand but his head. They had previously spent short times separated - him staying elsewhere, or her staying with her parents - and after their argument over chapel had so escalated and ended with his having a sore head, George had even gone to a solicitor, and a letter asking for an official separation soon arrived for Queenie. Yet they soon seemed to reconcile - the disagreement over chapel deemed not worth separating over - with George telling Queenie to forget about the letter and it being burnt in the fire.

They were up and about, at just gone 3am that morning, trudging through the field at the back of their cottage, in their wellington boots, because one of their cows was calving; and somehow Queenie ended up down the well. Queenie said it was George's doing; George denied this. There was a suggestion she may have tripped and fallen into the well in the dark - its lid had been left off and the well was open - but Queenie denied this.

Queenie, her clothes wringing wet, her wellies full of water, and fearing not just for her life but for those of her children, managed to climb out of the well and ran to her parent's house for help. She had to abandon her water-filled wellies, so ran most of the way bare-foot, in the pitch black, fearing her husband was either following her or had gone to get their children to throw them into the well after her. When she could not gain access to her parent's house, she smashed a lower window without a flowerbox and scrambled up the stairs to their bedroom.

Bessie and George, what a thing for them to have been woken up to - their Queenie at their bedside, water running from her clothes, her hair all over her face and streaming with water, and oh so fearful.

George Tilbury was put on trial for the attempted murder of his wife, but later found not guilty; and the couple appeared to want to reconcile again. They may have for a time, but a decade later saw them divorce, with both remarrying other parties within six months.

By 1939, Bessie and George had moved from Chawleigh to Knowle Lake in Copplestone.

1939 Census:

On 14th October 1943, two days before Bessie's seventy-fourth birthday, her husband George passed away, aged seventy-five. His funeral took place on 18th October 1943 at Chawleigh.

From the Western Times of 29th October 1943:

I have found two possible records of death for Bessie. Both are of Bessie Daveys, born around 1869/1870, both passed away in the district of Devon Central, the first in Oct/Nov/Dec 1946, the second in Apr/May/Jun 1956. Without ordering the records, I cannot presently work out which is our Bessie's. But we know she lived a long life - into her late seventies, if not her mid eighties - and passed away in Devon.

Great Great Aunt Alice 'Allie' Brownscombe Gale (formerly Squire; nee Easterbrook)

My Great Great Aunt Allie (1904 - 1981) was a housewife, verger, mother of three, and the younger sister of my Great Grandmother Dinah Bessie Sandford (formerly Luxton; formerly Batchelor; nee Easterbrook).

Allie was born on 9th August 1904, in Black Torrington, Devon, to Ezekiel Herd Easterbrook (65), a blacksmith and farrier, and Alice Brownscombe Easterbrook (nee Fisher) (35), a housewife and former housekeeper.

Allie was baptised on 31st March 1907, in Broadwoodkelly. She was named for her mother.

Allie was the second of two daughters:

• Dinah Bessie  1902 - 1976
• Alice 'Allie' Brownscombe  1904 - 1981

By 1907, Allie and her family had moved to Henwood Cottage in Broadwoodkelly.

By 1909, they had moved to Park View, also in Broadwoodkelly.

1911 Census:

Allie was ten when the First World War began.

In Apr/May/Jun 1920, when Allie was fifteen, her father Ezekiel passed away, aged eighty. At the time, Allie's older sister Dinah was seventeen, unmarried, and between three and five months pregnant with her first child. Family legend says that Dinah was kicked out by her parents for falling pregnant before marriage.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1924, Allie (19 or 20) married George Squire (21 or 22), a mason, in the district of Torrington.

Allie and George had three children:

• Yvonne 'Vonnie' P  1925 -
• Keith  1926 -
• Monica Joan  1928 -

All three children were born in the district of Crediton.

The 1929, 1930 and 1931 electoral registers shows Allie and George living at Mill Lane in Sandford. On the 1930 register they are shown living with John and Lucy Squire - likely close relatives of George. Also their next-door neighbour on all three registers is a Henry Squire - likely another relation.

By 1939, the family had moved over the border to Bridgetown in Somerset.

1939 Census:

By the Second World War, Allie's marriage was unhappy. Though the 1939 Census shows the family together, a newspaper article states George 'frequently stayed away from home' and 'a few years after marriage he left her [Allie] and asked to be divorced'.

A divorce from George was granted to Allie on 27th November 1942 on the grounds that he had committed adultery. 'In September 1941, she heard that he was going about with a girl and she now alleged that he committed adultery in that year at Bampton'. The divorce was made absolute in June 1943. Allie was granted custody of the youngest child - Monica, who would have been fourteen at the time her parents divorced. I wonder if the middle child - Keith, sixteen at the time - was considered an adult, alongside eldest child - Vonnie, seventeen at the time - and thus custody of them wasn't granted to either parent.

From the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser of 5th December 1942:

From the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser of 26th June 1943:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1943, Allie (38 or 39) married Archibald 'Archie' Cornelius Gale (41), a lorry driver for a corn mill and former private in the 1st Battalion of Somerset Light Infantry (1920 - 1921), in the district of Taunton, in Somerset.

Archie had been dismissed as permanently unfit from the army back in 1921, aged only eighteen, due to congenital cataracts in both eyes, which he had had since infancy. His army records give a physical description: as a young man, Archie was 5' 7 1/2'', with a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes.

Allie's niece Bette looked up to her Auntie Allie, in a way that she didn't look up to her own mother, Allie's older sister Dinah.

In many senses, Allie was quite old-fashioned. For example, Bette would make sure she wasn't wearing trousers, but a dress or skirt, when she visited her favourite and only aunt. My mother, Bette's youngest daughter Julie, also recalls Auntie Allie always served bread and butter (real butter) at tea-time. If Julie couldn't make it, when her parents visited, Allie would send home her bread and butter.

My mother has fond memories of visiting her great aunt, whom she called Auntie Allie. She also referred to her as her as 'my thin granny', as apposed to her 'fat granny' - her own grandmother, Allie's older sister Dinah. A young Julie could sit on her thin granny's lap, but couldn't fit on her fat granny's lap due to her large belly.

Julie, like her own daughters, was a polite, quiet child. Her Auntie Allie was an avid reader - had large bookshelves full of books, including lots of Agatha Christie - and encouraged her quiet great niece to read. Julie was encouraged to use her home like a library: every time she visited and started a book, she was allowed to take it home to finish it and bring it back next time she visited with her parents. If Auntie Allie gave a gift, it would be a book.

As well as reading, Allie enjoyed embroidering. I was fortunate enough to be handed down my grandparents' dining room table, along with a couple of pretty embroidered table clothes, which my Auntie Janet believes were likely made by Allie. Also a framed embroidery of cat, which I believe was handed down to one of my Auntie Anita's daughters, hung for years on my grandparent's living room wall - my mother informed me today that it was made by Allie.

Photograph of Auntie Allie's Cat Embroidery, 2019

Julie remembers that Allie was left-handed, like herself. She can picture Allie, even to this day, whipping up the cream for a trifle, left-handed. After which she would let let Julie lick the spoon.

Julie remembers Auntie Allie living in Wiveliscombe. Her home was a traditional two-up two-down, with an extension at the back, where the bathroom was, and in which she even had a knitted lady loo roll cover. Her pretty garden was on the other side of the lane. Julie remembers once when a young girl, she and her older sister Anita made up afternoon tea, in Auntie Allie's tea set, and carried it out on a tray, across the country lane, and had it in the summerhouse with the grown-ups.

Though in many ways quite traditional - being a housewife, who enjoyed reading, embroidering and baking, who served afternoon tea and bread and butter -; in other aspects, Allie was non-traditional and had, to quote my mother, 'something about her'. Firstly, her seeking and obtaining a divorce back in the 1940's was quite something. She also drove. And was an active member of her community, acting for many years as verger in the church opposite her home in Wiveliscombe.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1976, when Allie was seventy-two, her husband Archie passed away, aged seventy-four, in the district of Taunton Dean, Somerset.

Very early in January 1981, Allie passed away, aged seventy-six, in the district of Taunton Dean, Somerset. She didn't get to open all her niece Bette's twelve days of Christmas gifts she had given her.

Great Great Half Uncle Ernest Isaac Vernon

My Great Great Half Uncle Ernest (1904 - 1997) was an innkeeper, taxi driver, father of one, and the younger half brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Ernest was born on 10th January 1904 in Upton Pyne, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (34), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Ellen Vernon (nee Tonkins) (27), a former domestic servant and now a housewife.

Ernest was baptised on 7th August 1904 in Upton Pyne. At the time of his baptism, the family resided at Nettacott, Upton Pyne.

Ernest was named for his uncle of the same name, who was tragically killed at an accident at a level crossing, in July 1903.

Ernest had four older half siblings (one half sister and three half brothers) - the children of his father Harry and his first wife Lucy James - :

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971  (79)
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73)
• William John 1894 - 1895 (1)
• Frank 1896 - 1897 (6 months)

And nine full siblings (seven brothers and two sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1993  (94)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Harry like his father, or Henry)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)

Ernest's earliest months were spent in Upton Pyne. However, the family soon moved about seven miles north-west to Sandford. From 25th June 1904, Ernest's older siblings Fred, Mabel and George attended Sandford School. On their school record, their address is given as Priorton Mill (a mile north of Sandford). They stayed at the school for three years, till July 1907, when the family moved about three miles to Crediton. There Mabel and George attended Crediton Hayward School, as their older half siblings had done before them.

Then from February 1908, Fred, Mabel and George began attending Dunsford County Primary School, which is about nine miles south of Crediton where they last lived. They left the school only five months later, in July 1908, when the family moved again - this time, five miles east, to Holcombe Burnell ,where they again attended the local school.

Around 1909, Mabel, George, Ernest and Harry attended school in Longdown (only a mile west of Holcombe Burnell where they previously attended), before the family moved about ten miles to Hittisleigh - the children attended the school there from September 1910. At the time they lived at Beer or Beara Cottage, which was seemingly about half way between Hittisleigh and Cheriton Bishop.

The family were still there a year later at the time of the 1911 Census:

In November 1911, George, Ernest and Harry began attending Drewsteignton Primary School (Drewsteignton is only about four miles from their previous home in Chariton Bishop). At the time, the family lived at Tenants Piece (or Tenantspiece) Cottage in Drewsteignton. They left the school in May 1912, when they moved to Whiddon Down, a hamlet just to the west of Drewsteignton.

Around 1912 to 1915, the family lived at Turnpike Gate or Toll Bar House in Whiddon Down. A toll-house, which often had a gate across the turnpike toad, was a cottage on which the charges for the turnpike road were often displayed.

Ernest was ten, when the first world war began. His older half brother Walter and older brother Fred both served in the war. Whilst Walter, an experience soldier, survived; teenage Fred was not so lucky. He was killed on Thursday 30th September 1915, during (or just after) the Battle of Loos, aged only eighteen. His name appears on the Men of Dunsford war memorial.

On 27th March 1926, Ernest (22) married Blanche Murch (25) in Exeter.

Ernest and Blanche had one son:

• Frederick 'Freddie' Ernest 1928 -

Touchingly: did Ernest name his only son Frederick for his elder brother who died in the First World War?

The Express & Echo of 27th March 1996 reports that Ernest "in 1928 cut the first tuft at Exeter Golf and County Club".

1939 Census:

When my father started his family tree research in the mid 1990's, it was his Great Half Uncle Ernest, though by then in his nineties, who answered his letters with kind words, invitations and information about the family. It is personally touching to read the two men discuss "the baby", for that baby was me!

An extract from a letter by Ernest of 12th August 1995 (three months before I was born):

"We [Ernest and Blanche] are so pleased that everything is going alright with Julie [my mother] and the baby [me]. The baby seemed to be very strong - a very good sign. She [my mother] must not do any lifting, and, as you say, rest all she can. Whether it is a boy or a girl, they all bring their love. We often wish we had had a second one. Hoping it would have been a girl as well for Aunt Blanche. We think everyone who has a boy and a girl are very lucky."

On 27th March 1996, Ernest and Blanche celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary! Such made the Express & Echo of 27th March 1996. Of their marriage, Ernest said:

"People expect too much from married life. We have always seen what we could put into our marriage, whereas others seem to see what they could get out of it. We have had our ups and downs, but throughout it all we shared and cared and that is what it is about."

Ernest and Blanche, in their nineties, 1996

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1997, Ernest passed away, aged ninety-three, in the district of Honiton. His wife Blanche passed away in the same quarter, aged ninety- six.

Great Great Half Uncle George Henry Vernon

My Great Great Half Uncle George (1901 - 1973) was the younger half brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

George was born on 20th September 1901 in the Thorverton, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (31), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Ellen Vernon (nee Tonkins) (24), a former domestic servant and now a housewife.

George and his older brother Fred were baptised together on 5th April 1903 in Brampford Speke. George was likely named for his older brother of the same name, who had passed away, aged only zero to three months old, the year before George Henry was born.

George had four older half siblings (one half sister and three half brothers) - the children of his father Harry and his first wife Lucy James - :

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971  (79)
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73)
• William John 1894 - 1895 (1)
• Frank 1896 - 1897 (6 months)

And nine full siblings (seven brothers and two sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1993  (94)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months old)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Harry like his father)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)

At some point between 1901 and 1904, the family moved to Upton Pyne, for there George's older half siblings Edith and Walter attended school for a time; and George's next younger brother Ernest was born in Netticott, Upton Pyne, in January 1904.

From 25th June 1904, George, with his older siblings Fred and Mabel, attended Sandford School. On their school record, their address is given as Priorton Mill (a mile north of Sandford). They stayed at the school for three years, till July 1907, when the family moved about three miles to Crediton. There George and Mabel attended Crediton Hayward School, as their older half siblings had down before them.

Then from February 1908, George, along with Fred and Mabel, began attending Dunsford County Primary School, which is about nine miles south of Crediton where they last lived. They left the school only five months later, in July 1908, when the family moved again - this time, five miles east, to Holcombe Burnell, where they again attended the local school.

Around 1909, Mabel, George, Ernest and Harry attended school in Longdown (only a mile west of Holcombe Burnell where they previously attended), before the family moved about ten miles to Hittisleigh - the children attended the school there from September 1910. At the time they lived at Beer or Beara Cottage, which was seemingly about half way between Hittisleigh and Cheriton Bishop.

The family were still there a year later at the time of the 1911 Census:

In November 1911, George, Ernest and Harry began attending Drewsteignton Primary School (Drewsteignton is only about four miles from their previous home in Cheriton Bishop). At the time, the family lived at Tenants Piece (or Tenantspiece) Cottage in Drewsteignton. They left the school in May 1912, when they moved to Whiddon Down, a hamlet just to the west of Drewsteignton.

Around 1912 or 1913, the family moved about three miles east to South Tawton. There, at their home of Turnpike Gate, George's younger brother Sidney was born in April 1913. But the family had moved back towards Whiddon Down, within a few years: in February 1915, George's youngest brother Percy was born at their home of Toll Bar House in Whiddon Down. On a second look, they might not have moved at all, for a toll-house, which often had a gate across the turnpike road, was a cottage on which the charges for the turnpike road were often displayed. Also Whiddon Down is within the district of South Tawton.

During my father in his family tree research of the 1990's, he met with George's younger siblings, by then old men, he Great Half Uncles Sid and Percy. Sifting through some his research now, I just found scribbled that Sid (and presumably George and the rest of the siblings also) was "brought up at Barnstaple Cross, near Crediton".

George was twelve when the First World War began. His older half brother Walter and older brother Fred both served in the war. Whilst Walter, an experienced soldier, survived; teenage Fred was not so lucky. He was killed on Thursday 30th September 1915, during (or just after) the Battle of Loos, aged only eighteen. His name appears on the Men of Dunsford war memorial.

Alas I know next to nothing of George's adult life. My father's research puts his death year as 1973 (though I cannot confirm where he got this information from). There was a George Henry Vernon who married, had children, and then died in Staffordshire in 1973 (born around 1901); however, there was also a George Henry Vernon born in Staffordshire in 1901, so the death is more likely of this George and not ours.

Our George may well not have stayed in Devon or perhaps he didn't get married or have any children, meaning he comes up less frequently in records.

Great Great Half Aunt Mabel Ellen Harris (nee Vernon)

My Great Great Half Aunt Mabel (1898 - 1993) was a housewife, mother of two, and the younger half sister of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Mabel was born on 25th November 1898 in Tolleys, Crediton Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (29), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Ellen Vernon (nee Tonkins) (22), a former domestic servant and now a housewife.

Mabel was baptised on 19th February 1899 in Thorverton.

Mabel had four older half siblings (one half sister, and three half brothers) - the children of her father Harry and his first wife Lucy James - :

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971  (79)
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73)
• William John 1894 - 1895 (1)
• Frank 1896 - 1897 (6 months)

And nine full siblings (eight brothers and one sister):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1993  (94)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months old)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Harry like his father)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)

The fact that the family moved around mid-Devon a lot, likely as Harry sought farm work, is revealed in the children's different places of birth and their attending different schools...

Mabel's birth certificate shows that though she was born in Crediton, her mother Ellen's residence was Shobrooke, which is two miles west of Crediton. At some point, around this time, Mabel's elder half siblings Edith and Walter attended school in Thorverton, which is four and a bit miles east of Shobrooke. Mabel herself was baptised in Thorverton in February 1899.

1899 saw baby Mabel and the family move, about four and a bit miles, this time from the Thorverton area to East Coombe. Whilst the family resided there, Edith and Walter attended nearby Stockleigh Pomeroy Church of England School from the October. 1900 saw them move again: that year from East Coombe, about three miles east, to West Bowley, Cadbury. Edith and Walter attended Cadbury School from the 12th March to the 7th September, when the family left the area.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1900, when Mabel was only twenty to twenty-two months old, her younger brother George passed away as a very young baby - only zero to three months old. Their parents would name their next son George also, likely after their lost child.

The 1901 Census shows the family had moved back to Thorverton:

At some point between 1901 and 1904, the family moved three and a half miles south to Upton Pyne, for there Edith and Walter attended school for a time, before returning to Crediton in 1904.

Did Mabel's older half siblings like apart from their father and step family for a time? Notably, whilst Edith and Walter attended Crediton Hayward School and their address is listed as Chapel Down in Crediton in October 1904; their younger half siblings Fred, Mabel and George began attending Sandford School from 25th June 1904, and their address is given as Priorton Mill (a mile north of Sandford, and three and a bit miles north of Crediton). These three stayed at Sandford School for three years, till the family left the area in July 1907. Also Walter appeared to be staying, neither in Crediton nor Sandford, but with his grandfather in Chawleigh in the summer of 1905, when, aged twelve, he made attempt to steal a silver water and chain. He was soon discovered and sent to an industrial school. This and the army were said to have reformed his character.

The family moved next back to Crediton, where Mabel and George attended Crediton Hayward School, like their older half siblings had done before them. Then from February 1908, they and Fred began attending Dunsford County Primary School, which is about nine miles south of Crediton where they last lived. They left the school only five months later, in July 1908, when the family moved again - this time, five miles east, to Holombe Burnell, where they again attended the local school.

Around 1909, Mabel, George, Ernest and Harry attended school in Longdown (only a mile west of Holcombe Burnell where they previously attended), before the family moved about ten miles to Hittisleigh - the children attended the school there from September 1910. At the time they lived at Beer or Beara Cottage, which was seemingly about half way between Hittisleigh and Cheriton Bishop.

The family were still there a year later at the time of the 1911 Census:

In January 1812, Mabel joined her younger brothers George, Ernest and Harry at Drewsteignton Primary School (Drewsteignton is only about four miles from their previous home in Cheriton Bishop). Whilst the three brothers had begun attending the school in November 1911 and their previous school is listed as Hittisleigh, Mabel for a short time attended school in Whiddon Down, a hamlet to the west of Drewsteignton. Whilst the siblings attended Drewsteignton School, the family lived at Tenants Piece (or Tenantspiece) Cottage in Drewsteignton. They left the school in May 1912, with a return to Whiddon Down.

Mabel was fifteen when the First World War began. Her older half brother Walter and older brother Fred both served in the war. Whilst Walter, an experienced soldier, survived; teenage Fred was not so lucky. He was killed on Thursday 30th September 1915, during (or just after) the Battle of Loos, aged only eighteen. His name appears on the Men of Dunsford war memorial.

On 16th August 1920, Mabel (21) married John 'Jack' Harris (20), a labourer, in Monkton. The young couple married in the presence of Mabel's father Harry and brother Ernest.

Mabel and John had two children:

• Richard H J  1923 -  
• Nancy (adopted)  19?? -

Richard's birth shows the small family in the district of St Thomas in the early 1920's.

Alas I know little of Mabel's long life beyond this point, other than its close.

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1993, Mabel passed away, aged ninety-four, in the district of Teignbridge.

Great x4 Grandmother Jane 'Jenny' Bennett (nee Godsland)

My Great x4 Grandmother Jane (1804 - 1855) was a housewife and mother of eight.

Jane was born around 1804 in Sandford, Devon, to William Godsland and Jane Godsland (nee Maunder).

Jane was baptised on 8th January 1804 in Sandford as Jenny, though on all later records she is called Jane. Perhaps the nickname was to differentiate her from her mother of the same name.

Jane was the fifth of six children (two daughters and four sons):

• Ann  1794 -
• Richard  1796 - 1798 (about thirteen months old)
• William 1799 - 1800 (about eleven months old)
• John  1801 -
• Jane 'Jenny' 1804 - 
• William 1808 - 1808 (as a very young baby)

Although the siblings were baptised in Sandford with their surname spelt as Gosland (without the d), on their father's marriage certificate and on Jane's own marriage certificate, father and daughter both spell it as Godsland.

Sadly three of Jane's siblings passed away as babies. Six years before Jane was born, her older brother Richard passed away, aged about only thirteen months old. He was buried on New Years Day 1798. Two years later, Jane's older brother William passed away, aged about only eleven months old. He was buried on 4th May 1800 in Sandford. And in December 1808, when Jane was about four years old, her younger William (second of his name) passed away, as a very young baby. He was buried on 27th December 1808 in Sandford.

On 15th March 1827, Jane (about 23) married John (about 35), a ropemaker, in his native South Molton. Both Jane and John were able to sign their name. They married in the presence of Sarah Bennett (likely a relative of John) and John Godsland (likely Jane's brother).

Signature of Jane Godsland, 1827

Their first child Mary was baptised in August 1827, meaning Jane was about four months pregnant when they married.

Jane and John had eight children (three daughters and five sons):

• Mary  1827 -
• John  1829 -
• Jane  1831 -
• William  1834 -
• Robert  1836 -
• Emma  1839 -
• James  1842 -
• Samuel  1845 -

Around 1828, Jane and her family moved, over twenty miles south, from South Molton to Hatherleigh. Their children John, Jane and William were baptised there. The family moved again, around 1835, about twenty-five miles east, from Hatherleigh to Upton Pyne. Their younger children Robert, Emma, James and Samuel were baptised there.

1841 Census:

1851 Census:

In 1855, Jane passed away, aged about fifty-one, at Upton Pyne. She was buried on 29th April 1855 in Upton Pyne.

Great Great Uncle Frank Vernon

My Great Great Uncle Frank (1896 - 1897) was the younger brother of my Great Grandfather Walter Charles Vernon (1892 - 1965).

Frank was born on 18th August 1896 in Sandford, Devon, to Isaac 'Harry' Harwood Vernon (27), an agricultural labourer and farm carter, and Lucy Vernon (nee James) (28), a former domestic servant and housewife.

Frank was baptised on 13th September 1896 in Sandford, Devon. At the time of his birth, the family resided in Lower Henstill Cottages in Sandford.

Frank was the youngest of four siblings born to Harry and Lucy (one daughter, three sons):

• Edith Ellen  1891 - 1971 (79 years old
• Walter Charles  1892 - 1965  (73 years old)
• William John  1894 - 1895  (1 year old)
• Frank  1896 - 1897 (6 months old)

On 27th December 1895, Frank's older brother, 1-year-old William (recorded on his death certificate as John implying his parents may have called the young boy by his middle name) passed away, in Sandford. He had whooping cough, followed by a convulsive attack.

Baby Frank and his mother Lucy were both ill with pulmonary tuberculosis and passed away from the disease.

On 22nd February 1897, Frank passed away, aged only six months, in Langham, Kennerleigh.

One month later, his mother Lucy passed away, aged twenty-nine, on 25th March 1897, in Kennerleigh. Lucy's death left Harry a widower with three young children under five years old

But before Lucy passed away, it seems Harry may have begun an affair with Ellen Tonkins - her son Fred Tonkins, born Apr/May/Jun 1897, was conceived before Lucy's death and Harry would later recognise him as his son. On New Year's Eve 1897, Harry and Ellen married. Before they married, Harry was described as Ellen's lodger. 

Frank's ten younger half siblings (8 half brothers and 2 half sisters):

• Frederick 'Fred' (born Tonkins, later Vernon)  1897 - 1915  (18)
• Mabel Ellen  1898 - 1994  (95)
• George  1900 - 1900  (0 - 3 months old)
• George Henry  1901 - 1973  (71)
• Ernest Isaac  1904 - 1997  (93)
• Isaac Harry (went by Harry like his father)  1906 - 1964  (58)
• William Harwood  1908 - 1972  (64)
• Florence Emily  1911 - 1993  (82)
• Sidney 'Sid'  1913 - 2004  (91)
• Percy  1915 - 2002  (86)