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 x4 Grandmother Mary Manning (nee Westcott)

My Great x4 Grandmother Mary (c 1796 - 1840's) was a housewife and mother of eight.

Mary was born around 1796 in Devon.

On 14th November 1821, Mary (about 25) married William Manning (about 26), an agricultural labourer, in Alphington, near Exeter. Both left only their mark, implying neither could write. Mary was about six weeks pregnant when they married - their first child Samuel being born on 27th June 1822.

Mary and William had eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• Samuel  1822 -
• Eliza  1823 - 1824 (1 year old)
• Harriot  1825 -
• Mary Ann  1826 -
• Benjamin  1828 -
• William  1830 -
• Thomas  1831 -
• Eliza  1834 -

Mary, William and their young family lived in the area of Alphington, Holcombe Burnell and Longdown (there is only a few miles between them). Their abode is listed as Longdown Cottage on the baptism record of their eldest son Samuel, who was baptised in Holcombe Burnell on 8th July 1822. Whilst the 1823 baptism record of their second child, Eliza, lists their abode as Longdown End, Alphington. Eliza was also baptised in Holcombe Burnell, on 12th October 1823.

Around 1824, they moved around five miles south-west to Dunsford. Their second child, Eliza, sadly passed, aged abour only thirteen months old. She was buried on 5th November 1824, in Dunsford. On her burial record, the family's abode is listed as North Midwinter. This unusual name was likely the name of their cottage, as my research has found there was also a South Midwinter Cottage in Dunsford at the time.

The family lived at Midwinter for about three years, from 1824 to 1827. Their abode is listed as such on the baptism records of their next two children, Harriot (born 1825) and Mary Ann (born 1826). Both girls were baptised in Holcombe Burnell.

Aroun 1828, Mary and her young family moved around ten miles north-west, making the return to her husband William's native Spreyton. Their next child, Benjamin, was baptised there on 12th October 1828. The couple's last three children were also baptised in Spreyton, showing the family remained in the village, throughout the early 1830's.

Sadly the 183 baptism record of their youngest child, Eliza, lists the family's abode as the Poor House. Thankfully by the time of the 1841 Census, seven years later, their abode is no longer listed as the Poor House, but simply Spreyton Village.

1841 Census:

Two key things happened to the Manning family in the 1840's: firstly, at some point, Mary passed away, in her late forties or early fifties, as her husband William is listed as a widower on the 1851 Census; also the family, at some point, moved from Spreyton about sixteen miles east to Exeter.

Great x4 Grandfather William Manning

My Great x4 Grandfather William (1795 - after 1881) was an agricultural labourer and father of eight.

William was born around 1795 in Spreyton, Devon, to Thomas and Grace Manning.

William was baptised on 26th April 1795 in Spreyton, Devon.

William was the second of three sons:

• William  1792 - 1794  (about 14 months)
• William  1795 -
• George  1797 -

William was the second of his name. His elder brother of the same name passed away, aged about fourteen months old, in January 1794. He was buried on 21st January 1794 in Spreyton.

On 14th November 1821, William (about 26), an agricultural labourer, married Mary Westcott (about 25) in Alphington, near Exeter, some sixteen miles east of his native Spreyton. Both left only their mark, implying neither could write. Mary was about six weeks pregnant when they married - their first child Samuel being born on 27th June 1822.

William and Mary had eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• Samuel  1822 -
• Eliza  1823 - 1824 (1 year old)
• Harriot  1825 -
• Mary Ann  1826 -
• Benjamin  1828 -
• William  1830 -
• Thomas  1831 -
• Eliza  1834 -

William, Mary and their young family lived in the area of Alphington, Holcombe Burnell and Longdown (there is only a few mile between them). Their abode is listed as Longdown Cottage on the baptism record of their eldest son Samuel, who was baptised in Holcombe Burnell on 8th July 1822. Whilst the 1823 baptism record of their second child, Eliza, lists their abode as Longdown End, Alphington. Eliza was also baptised in Holcombe Burnell, on 12th October 1823.

Around 1824, they moved around five miles south-west to Dunsford. Their second child, Eliza, sadly passed away, aged about only about thirteen months old. She was buried on 5th November 1824, in Dunsford. On her burial record, the family's abode is listed as North Midwinter. This unusual name was likely the name of their cottage, as my research has found there was also a South Midwinter Cottage in Dunsford at the time.

The family lived at Midwinter for about three years, from 1824 to 1827. Their abode is listed as such on the baptism records of their next two children, Harriot (born 1825) and Mary Ann (about 1826). Both girls were baptised in Holcombe Burnell.

Around 1828, William and his young family moved around ten miles north-west, making the return to William's native Spreyton. Their next child, Benjamin, was baptised there on 12th October 1828. The couple's last three children were also baptised in Spreyton, showing the family remained in the village, throughout the early 1830's.

Sadly the 1834 baptism record of their youngest child, Eliza, lists the family's abode as the Poor House. Thankfully by the time of the 1841 Census, seven years later, their abode is no longer listed as the Poor House, but simply Spreyton Village.

1841 Census:

Two key things happened to the Manning family in the 1840's: firstly, at some point, William's wife Mary passed away, in her late forties or early fifties, as he is listed as a widower on the 1851 Census; also the family, at some point, moved from Spreyton about sixteen miles east to Exeter.

The 1851 Census shows the family living on Smythen Street in Exeter's poor West Quarter. The homes of Smythen Street were mainly late medieval timber-fronted buildings, beautiful in their time, but by the Victorian era long-weathered and their inhabitants poor.

The top part of Smythen Street was known as Butchers' Row, where one side of the street was lined with many butchers' shops. The opening of the Lower Market in 1836, a purpose built space for the butchers of Exeter, marked the beginning of the end for Butchers' Row; however the 1851 Census shows that when William and his family lived there, some fifteen years after the opening of the Lower Market, many of their neighbours were still butchers.

1851 Census:

Neighbouring households were quite small, with only families, but the labouring Manning family appear to have been part-letting their home or running a lodging house, for they have ten persons listed as lodgers, including two small families, the Prideauxs and the Belworthys.

Unfortunately I cannot find William on the 1861 Census. It seems likely he remained in Exeter, working as a labourer.

In the 1850's and 1860's, his youngest sons William and Thomas served as privates in the army, likely serving in the Crimean War.

By the time of the 1871 Census, an elderly William lodged with his son Thomas, a wagoner, and his Irish wife Ann, a charwoman, at their home at 2 Old Brewery Place, Haven Banks, near Exeter's quay.

1871 Census:

In his very old age, William stayed living with his son and daughter-in-law. By the time of the 1881 Census, they lived on Eneings Street, St Mary's Steps, Exeter.

1881 Census:

I cannot find a record of death or burial for William; however, we know he lived a long life, surviving into his late eighties or even nineties.

Great x3 Grandfather William Manning

My Great x3 Grandfather William (1830 - 1895) was a soldier, general labourer and father of nine.

William Manning was born around 1830 in Spreyton, Devon, to William Manning (between 34 and 38 years old), an agricultural labourer, and Mary Manning (nee Westcott) (about 34).

William was baptised on 18th April 1830 in Spreyton.

William was the sixth of eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• Samuel  1822 -
• Eliza  1823 - 1824 (1 years old)
• Harriot  1825 -
• Mary Ann  1826 -
• Benjamin  1828 - 
• William  1830 -
• Thomas  1831 -
• Eliza  1834 -

Times were for a while tough: unlike her older sibling's baptism records, the 1834 baptism record of William's young sister Eliza gives their abode as alas the poor house. Hopefully the family, including little William, were not there long. By the time of the 1841 Census, seven years later, they are shown as not living in the poor house, but simply Spreyton village.

1841 Census:

Two key things happened to teenage William and his family in the 1840's: firstly, at some point, his mother Mary passed away, as his father is listed as a widower on the 1851 Census; also William and his family, at some point, moved from his native Spreyton about sixteen miles east to Exeter.

The 1851 Census shows the family living on Smythen Street in Exeter's poor West Quarter. The homes of Smythen Street were mainly late medieval timber-fronted buildings, beautiful in their time, but by the Victorian era long-weathered and their inhabitants poor.

The top part of Smythen Street was known as Butchers' Row, where one side of the street was lined with many butchers' shops. The opening of the Lower Market in 1836, a purpose built space for the butchers of Exeter, marked the beginning of the end for Butchers' Row; however the 1851 Census shows that when William and his family lived there, some fifteen years after the opening of the Lower Market, many of their neighbours were still butchers.

1851 Census:

Neighbouring households were quite small, with only families, but the labouring Manning family appear to have been part-letting their home or running a lodging house, for they have ten persons listed as lodgers, including two small families, the Prideauxs and the Belworthys.

William's younger brother Thomas soon joined the army. He enlisted as a private on 6th February 1852, aged about twenty-one. He served in the Northamptonshire Regiment - 48th and 50th Foot. After thirteen years of service, most likely including the Crimean War, on 31st October 1865, he was found unfit for further service, due to suffering from abdominal aortic aneurysm (a painful enlargement of the body's main artery).

His record of dismissal describes his character and appearance...

"His character is good. Is in possession of the good conduct badge. [But] His name appears four times in regimental defaulters' book. He has been tried twice by court martial."

He was 5'9'', had a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. After scars or marks, it says he had the "letter D", most possibly tattooed somewhere upon his body. Did William look like his brother?

It seems William later joined the army too. He was in the South Devon Militia, before joining the 17th Reg of Foot. He enlisted as a private on 7th June 1858, aged about twenty-eight. After seven years of service, on 24th July 1865, he was found unfit for further service, due to suffering from all the signs of phthisis pulmonalis (tuberculosis).

His record of dismissal also describes his character and appearance...

"His character is good. Is not in possession of any good conduct badges. Was six times in the regimental defaulters' book. Was once tried by court martial."

He was 5'5'', had a fair complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. Like his younger brother, he also had a mark of the 'letter D'. What did this D mean to them? Did it perhaps stand for Devon? Interestingly, William's listed intended place of residence after leaving the army is not his native Devon, but randomly in Bradford, Yorkshire. However, after leaving the army, he does not seem to have ended up in Bradford, but soon back down in Devon.

So William, suffering from tuberculosis, returned to his home county, in his mid thirties, in the mid 1860's. Soon he started a family. Interestingly, I cannot find a marriage certificate for William, who after the army worked as a labourer, and his laundress wife Mary Ann Manning (nee Ireland), but by mid 1864 they were certainly together, for by April 1865 (9 months later) their first child, Emma, was born in Exeter. Record of her baptism the next month in Exeter lists both parents.

William and Mary Ann had nine children (five daughters and four sons):

• Emma  1865 - 1866 (11 months)
• William  1868 -
• Mary Ann 'Polly'  1869 -
• Kate  1871 -
• Rose  1875 - 1877 (2 years old)
• Samuel  1877 - 1877 (11 weeks old)
• James  1879 - 1887 (7 or 8 years old)
• Unnamed Daughter  1880 - 1880 (0 years old)
• Frederick John  1882 - 1882 (6 weeks old)

Very sadly six (two thirds) of William and Mary Ann's children passed away in infancy. Their eldest child Emma passed away aged eleven months in 1866; over the next few years, they then had three children that survived into adulthood - William, Polly and Kate -; their fifth child Rose (two years old) and sixth child Samuel (eleven weeks old) both passed away in 1877; their seventh child James made it through his earliest years, but passed away aged seven or eight in 1887; their eighth child, an unnamed daughter, was born after a six months pregnancy in 1880 and passed away soon after; and their ninth and youngest child Frederick passed away at six weeks old in 1882.

Why did so many of William and Mary Ann's children pass away so young? My initial gut theory was syphilis, which can cause poor pregnancy outcomes. The mother can have many children, but few survive, as is the case here. However, William was dismissed from the army for showing signs of tuberculosis. Did his illness affect the survival of his children? Did he pass it on to them?

Most persons with tuberculosis in the 1800's did not live long with the disease; however, after showing signs in his mid thirties in the mid 1860's, William went on to have nine children, and live for another thirty years, into his mid sixties. I wonder: did he indeed have tuberculosis and was the anomaly who lived long with it? Or was he misdiagnosed and suffered after another condition from which he recovered and lived for many years, or could more likely survive with for many years? Yet, even back then, tuberculosis was well known and easily diagnosed.

Later censuses list William as a labourer, however the females in his family - his wife, mother in law, and daughters - are often listed as laundresses or laundry maids. Was it in fact the females' work that supported the family, whilst ill William did the little labour he could?

1871 Census:

1881 Census:

Jubilee Street, where the family lived, was at the bottom of Weirfield Road in Exeter, and consisted of rows of slum terraced houses, close to the River Exe. Sometime in the 1880's, William and his surviving family moved from Jubilee Street just around the corner to 4 Colleton Grove.

1891 Census:

The 1891 Census lists William's teenage daughter Kate as deaf.

In 1895, William passed away, aged sixty-five, in Exeter. He was buried on 9th March 1895 in Exeter.