Great x4 Grandmother Mary Havill (nee Parker)

My Great x4 Grandmother Mary (1799 - 1875) was a laundress and mother of nine.

Mary Parker was born around 1799 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, to John Parker, an innkeeper and maltster (about 28), and Betty Parker (nee Hill) (about 24).

Mary was baptised on 12th May 1799 in Wiveliscombe.

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

• Mary  1799 -
• James  1802 -
• Betty  1804 - 1806  (about 18 months)
• Betty  1806 -
• Maria  1809 -
• Jane  1813 -
• John  1816 -

In 1806, when Mary was about seven, her younger sister Betty passed away, aged only about eighteen months.

Sometime as a girl or young woman, Mary moved about twenty-six miles south from Wiveliscombe to Aylesbeare, Devon.

On 24th March 1822, Mary (22) married John Havill (23), a farm labourer, in Aylesbeare. On their record of marriage, neither could sign their name.

Also in 1822, Mary's mother Betty passed away, aged about forty-seven, in Wiveliscombe. She was buried on 6th September 1822.

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

• Jane  1822 -
• Anna Maria  1826 -
• Elizabeth  1829 - 1829 (about one week old)
• George  1830 -
• James  1833 -
• William  1836 -
• Robert  1838 -
• Henry  1840 -
• Elizabeth  1843 -

In 1829, when Mary was about thirty, her third daughter, Elizabeth, passed away, aged about only one week, in Aylesbeare.

1841 Census:

1851 Census:

1861 Census:

The Censuses show Mary and John took in Thomas, the illegitimate son of their eldest daughter Jane, and Walter, the illegitimate son of their youngest daughter Elizabeth.

On 1st November 1870, when Mary was seventy-three, her husband John passed away, aged seventy-two, in Exeter Hospital. His death was the result of a road accident. He fell off a wagon that turned a tight corner too quickly. He was buried on 9th November 1870, in Aylesbeare. After her husband's death, Mary moved in with her youngest daughter Elizabeth and her family.

1871 Census:

In 1875, Mary herself passed away, aged seventy-six, in Aylesbeare. She was buried on 13th May 1875, in Aylesbeare.

Great x4 Grandfather John Havill

My Great x4 Grandfather John (1798 - 1870) was a farm labourer and father of nine.

John Havill was born in 1798 in Aylesbeare, Devon, to John Havill, a labourer, and Elizabeth Havill (nee ?).

John was baptised on 4th November 1798 in Aylesbeare.

John was the second of five children (two daughters and three sons):

• Elizabeth  1796 -
• John  1798 -
• James  1801 - 1901 (about nine months old)
• James Russell  1807 -
• Mary Ann 1814 -

In 1801, when John was about three years old, his younger brother James passed away, aged only about nine months old.

On 24th March 1822, John (23), a labourer, married Somersetian Mary Parker (22), in his native Aylesbeare. Neither could sign their name on their record of marriage, but left their mark.

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

• Jane  1822 -
• Anna Maria  1826 -
• Elizabeth  1829 - 1829 (about one week old)
• George  1830 -
• James  1833 -
• William  1836 -
• Robert  1838 -
• Henry  1840 -
• Elizabeth  1843 -

In 1829, when John was about thirty-one, his third daughter Elizabeth passed away, aged bout only one week old, in Aylesbeare.

1841 Census:

1851 Census:

1861 Census:

The Censuses show John and Mary took in Thomas, the illegitimate son of their eldest daughter Jane, and Walter, the illegitimate son of their youngest daughter Elizabeth.

On 1st November 1870, John passed away, aged seventy-two, in Exeter Hospital. His death was the result of a road accident. He fell off a wagon that turned a tight corner too quickly.

The accident was reported in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams of 5th November 1870:

John was buried on 9th November 1870, in Aylesbeare.

Great x4 Grandmother Mary Mutters (nee Marks)

My Great x4 Grandmother Mary (1797 - 1869) was a lacemaker and mother of five.

Mary Marks was born around 1796 in Woodbury, Devon, to Thomas Marks (about 24), a husbandman, and Mary Marks (nee Pearse) (about 29).

Mary was baptised on 4th January 1797 in Woodbury.

Mary was the third of nine children (three sons and six daughters):

• William  1792 - 1792 or 1806 (1 week or 14 years old)
• Sarah  1793 - 1810 (17 years old)
• Mary  1797 -
• Elizabeth  1799 -
• Maria  1803 -
• Thomas  1805 -
• Jemima  1807 - 1808 (11 months old)
• William  1809 -
• Sarah  1815 -

Three of Mary siblings passed away in childhood.

On 9th October 1825, Mary (28), a lacemaker, married John Mutters (20), a carpenter and sexton at Woodbury Church, in Woodbury. Mary was about eight months pregnant when she married.

Mary and John had five children (two sons and three daughters):

• George  1825 -
• Elizabeth  1827 - 1854  (26 years old)
• Mary Ann  1930 - 1848  (18 years old)
• William  1831 -
• Thomas Marks  1834 - 1838  (4 years old)

Mary's youngest son Thomas passed away in infancy, aged four years old. Her daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Ann, passed away as young women.

1841 Census:

1851 Census:

In 1862, when Mary was sixty-five, her husband John passed, aged fifty-seven, in Woodbury. He was buried on 14th September 1862, in Woodbury.

In 1869, Mary passed away, aged about seventy-two, in Woodbury. She was buried on 26th December 1869, in Woodbury.

Great x4 Grandfather John Mutters

My Great x4 Grandfather John Mutters (1804 - 1862) was a carpenter, sexton, and father of five.

John Mutters was born around 1804 in Woodbury, Devon, to George Mutters (about 41) and Grace Mutters (nee Fley) (about 41).

John was the couple's only child. He was baptised on 18th November 1804 in Woodbury.

On 9th October 1825, John (20), a carpenter, married Mary Marks (28), a lacemaker, in Woodbury. Mary was about eight months pregnant when she married.

John and Mary had five children (two sons and three daughters):

• George  1825 -
• Elizabeth  1827 - 1854  (26 years old)
• Mary Ann  1830 - 1848  (18 years old)
• William  1831 -
• Thomas Marks  1834 - 1838  (4 years old)

John's youngest son Thomas passed away in infancy, aged four years old. His daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Ann, passed away as young women.

In 1827, when John was twenty-two, his mother Grace passed away, aged about sixty-four, in Woodbury. She was buried on 4th October 1827.

In 1836, when John was thirty-one, his father George passed away, aged seventy-three, in Woodbury. He was buried on 5th June 1836.

1841 Census:

As he was the village carpenter, John likely made the coffins of his parents and three children who died young. As well as the village carpenter, John was sexton at Woodbury Church. A sexton's roles included digging graves, so he may have dug their graves as well.

Old Print of St Swithun's Church Woodbury. John was sexton here in the 1840's and 1850's.

In 1846, a new vicar came to Woodbury called Rev. Fulford. Fulford caused upset in the village as he preached the new Tractarianism (which later developed into Anglo-Catholicism) and not Church of England Protestantism.

An article in the Western Times from 22nd January 1848 shows John, here described as "respectable", standing up to Fulford by refusing to hand over the church keys.

1851 Census:

In 1862, John passed away, aged fifty-seven. He was buried on 14th September 1862, in Woodbury.

Great x4 Grandmother Hannah Gliddon (nee Hill)

My Great x4 Grandmother Hannah (1803 - 1888) was a midwife and mother of eight.

Hannah Hill was born around 1803 in Northlew, Devon, to John Hill, a labourer, and Elizabeth Hill (nee ?).

Hannah was baptised on 20th April 1803 in Northlew.

It looks likely Hannah was one of several siblings. Unfortunately there were at least two couples called John and Elizabeth Hill having children in Northlew around 1800, and it is impossible to work out which children belong to which couple.

On 25th August 1828, Hannah (25) married Joseph Gliddon (21), an agricultural and quarry labourer, in Northlew. Hannah was about three months pregnant when she married.

Hannah and Joseph had eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• John  1829 -
• Mary  1831 -
• Elizabeth  1834 - 1836 (2 years old)
• Ann  1839 -
• Henry  1842 -
• William  1843 -
• Harriet  1846 -
• Thomas  1850 -

All eight children were baptised in Northlew.

Around 1830, Hannah and her family moved about seven miles south east from Northlew to her husband Joseph's native Okehampton.

In 1836, Hannah's second daughter Elizabeth passed away in infancy, aged only two years old.

1841 Census:

Around 1851, Hannah and her family moved again. They moved about three miles south west from Okehampton to Meldon. There Joseph worked as a labourer at Meldon lime quarry.

1851 Census:

1861 Census:

In her fifties, having had eight children herself, Hannah was a midwife. Did Hannah help at the birth of her grandson Joseph, her daughter Ann's illegitimate son?  The 1861 Census shows Hannah and Joseph took in Ann and her young son. After Ann married, young Joseph stayed with his grandparents.

1871 Census:

In 1881, when Hannah was about seventy-seven, her Joseph passed away, aged seventy-three, in Okehampton.

1881 Census:

In 1888, Hannah herself passed away, aged eighty-five, in Okehampton. She was buried on 11th May 1888 in Okehampton.

Great x4 Grandfather Joseph Gliddon

My Great x3 Grandfather Joseph Gliddon (1807 - 1881), was a farm and quarry labourer, and father of eight.

Joseph Gliddon was born in 1807 in Okehampton, Devon, to Joseph Gliddon (about 42), and Elizabeth Gliddon (nee Smale).

Joseph was named for his father. He was baptied on 3rd May 1807, in Okehmapton.

Joseph was the third of four children (two daughters and two sons):

• Betty/Betsy  1797 -
• John  1803 -
• Joseph  1807 -
• Agnes  1810 -

On 25th August 1828, Joseph (21), an agricultural labourer, married Hannah Hill (25), in Northlew. Hannah was about three months pregnant when she married.

Joseph and Hannah had eight children (four sons and four daughters):

• John  1829 -
• Mary  1831 -
• Elizabeth  1834 - 1836  (Two years old)
• Ann  1839 -
• Henry  1842 -
• William  1843 -
• Harriet  1846 -
• Thomas  1850 -

All eight children were baptised in Northlew.

Around 1830, Joseph and his family moved about seven miles south east from Northlew back to his native Okehampton.

In 1836, Joseph's second daughter Elizabeth passed away in infancy, aged only two years.

1841 Census:

Around 1851, Joseph and his family moved again. They moved about three miles south west from Okehampton to Meldon. There Joseph worked as a labourer at Meldon lime quarry.

1851 Census:

1861 Census:

Joseph and Hannah took in their daughter Ann and her young illegitimate son Joseph (likely named after his grandfather). Ann later married, but the younger Joseph stayed with his grandparents.

1871 Census:

In 1881, Joseph passed away, aged seventy-three, in Okehampton.

Great x4 Grandmother Mary Yeo (nee Manning)

My Great x4 Grandmother Mary Yeo (nee Manning) (1799 - 1886) was a dressmaker, laundress, housewife, and mother of seven.

Mary Manning was born around 1799 in West Down, Devon to Hugh Manning (about 32), an agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth 'Betty' Manning (nee Menhinnit) (about 26).

Mary was baptised on 9th August 1799 in West Down.

Mary was the third of five children (three daughters and two sons):

• Mary 1795 - 1796 (1 years old)
• John  1797 -
• Mary  1799 -
• Anne  1802 - 
• William  1805 - 

Mary was the second of her name, being named for her elder sister who had passed away, aged only one years old, in 1796, three years before our Mary was born.

On 31st August 1822, Mary (22), a dressmaker, married Thomas Yeo (26), a farm labourer, in her native West Down. Mary was about five months pregnant when she married.

Mary and Thomas had seven children (four sons and three daughters):

• James  1822 -
• William  1825 -
• Marianne  1827 - 1838  (10 years old)
• Emma  1830 -
• Thomas  1832 -
• George  1834 -
• Anne  1836 -

All seven were born in West Down,

Mary's eldest daughter, Marianne, passed away, aged only ten years old, in 1838, in West Down.

1841 Census:

In 1849, when Mary was about fifty, her father Hugh passed away, aged about eight-four, in West Down. He was buried on 9th September 1849 in West Down.

1851 Census:

It's interesting that Mary and her family's abode in the 1850's was called Manning's House. Manning was Mary's maiden name - perhaps it was her family's home.

The 1851 Census also showed Mary's daughter Emma worked as a dressmaker, like her mother Mary. Did Mary teacher her daughter to sew and dress-make?

In her fifties, Mary began working as a dressmaker for the Huxtable family in Ilfracombe. Her employer, Richard Huxtable, ran a tailors and outfitters.

Mary moved about four miles north from West Down to Ilfracombe in the 1850's to live with and work for the Huxtables. Her husband Thomas and children stayed in West Down.

An advertisement placed in the North Devon Journal in May and June 1854 by Richard Huxtable for his tailors and outfitters. It is likely Mary made or helped make the clothes advertised.

Another advertisement placed by Richard Huxtable for his tailors and outfitters. This one was placed in Bright's Intelligencer and Arrival List, a local Ilfracombe newspaper from June to September 1860.

Another advertisement placed by Richard Huxtable for his tailors and outfitters. This one was placed in Bright's Intelligencer and Arrival List, a local Ilfracombe newspaper, from June to September 1860. The picture shows the building where Mary lived and worked.

1861 Census:

1871 Census:

Mary worked as a dressmaker for Richard Huxtable into her old age.

Interestingly in the 1860's, her husband Thomas, along with their daughter Anne and grandson George (Anne's illegitimate son), moved to Ilfracombe as well. Perhaps to be closer to Mary.

In the 1870's, Mary lived in Montpelier Road only a few streets away from her family in Downs Cottage, Fore Street, Ilfracombe. Mary soon reunited with her husband Thomas and maiden daughter Anne. The couple, in their eighties, settled in Ilfracombe. Yet they still worked - he as a gardener, and she as a laundress. Interestingly, they were able to keep a servant. (Normally my ancestors are the servants)

Meanwhile, in late 1872 and 1873, tragic illness struck Mary and Thomas' son George and his family. First George's daughter Emily Ann passed away, aged only five, around November 1872; followed by George himself in January 1873, and George's wife Ann, around April 1874. Unless relatives or friends took them in, George and Ann's five surviving children (aged 0 to 9) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the 1881 Census, their youngest daughters Ellen and Harriet can be found at the Okehampton Union Workhouse; whilst the older children were out living and working as servants on local farms. Did Mary know about the tragic fate of her son and grandchildren? Could she not help them?

1881 Census:

In 1884, when Mary was eighty-four, her husband Thomas passed away, aged eighty-eight, in West Down. He was buried on 12th May 1884 in West Down.

Two years later, in 1886, Mary herself passed away. She was buried on 4th November 1886 in Ilfracombe.