Mortimer family tree

31
Jul
2020
The Mortimers of Coedmore

The Mortimers of Coedmore

Life on the frontier

While the Mortimers of Wigmore were tearing through Wales as part of King Edward’s invasion of the late 13th century, another branch of the Mortimers had taken up residence in the far West of Welsh lands. This was an area settled by many such Marcher families, so beginning the annexation of Pembrokeshire which is reflected in a language border that can still be observed. The Mortimers gained an estate called Coedmore near Cardigan, building their chief residence at the New House, Coedmore. This branch of the Mortimers have male line descendants who continue to live in Wales to this day, one of the few Mortimer families who can definitively trace their heritage back to the Middle Ages. Moving west from Herefordshire, the Anglo-Norman Mortimers of Coedmore eventually naturalised as Welsh, intermarrying with Welsh families, choosing Welsh names for their children, and adopting the Welsh language.

Coedmore is now an estate in the parish of Llangoedmor, Cardiganshire, and the place name originally means Great Wood in old Welsh, from “mawr” large and “coed” – a wood or forest. The Coedmore estate is overlooked by the magnificent ruins of Cilgerran castle, which was rebuilt in stone by William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, son of the famous knight Sir William Marshall (1147-1219). Ralph Mortimer served in the first Earl Marshall’s household, and was evidently granted land for his feudal service. The Coedmore Mortimers took an active role in local affairs, and were successive constables of Cardigan castle. The associated between the Mortimers and Earl Marshall is reflected in the close proximity of Coedmore and Cilgerran. Coedmore was rebuilt in the 1700s and is now a hotel, while Cilgerran castle is owned by the National Trust and indeed well worth a visit.

The ancestor of the Mortimers of West Wales was Henry Mortimer, whose life remains shadowy. In 1241/2, Henry Mortimer was owed a debt by the heirs of Amauri de St Amand for lands in Herefordshire and Wales. Later, the Wigmore cartulary recorded that the bishop of St David’s granted to Sir Roger son of Henry son of Henry de Mortemer lands in Lyspraust and Isheylyn, which were probably in Wales somewhere. Henry would have been a younger son, but was unrecorded in the family chronicle of Wigmore Abbey, Fundatorum Historia, written in the 13th century.

The connection between the Wigmore Mortimers and the Mortimers of Cardigan, Wales was later affirmed sometime around 1290, when Maud widow of Roger de Mortimer released a portion of her dower lands to Roger Mortimer of West Wales, presumably son of the above Henry. In 1330, this Roger’s grandson Roger Mortimer of Coedmore was named within a petition as a “kinsman” of the Earl of March.

The arms of the two families of Mortimers, those of Wigmore and Coedmore, differ remarkably. The Mortimer of Coedmore arms were variously described as two lions rampant armed and langued, with the colours of the field and charges differing by source. However, difference in heraldry during this time period should not be taken as supporting no connection between the families, as many such armigers changed their coats of arms in the 13th century, including the Mortimers of Bec, who were related to the Mortimers of Richard’s Castle.

Roger Mortimer of West Wales was given land in the commote of Gene’r-Glyn, confirmed by royal charter in 1284. He lived at Is Coed Is Herwen, now known as Coedmore, in a residence known as the New House. He was said in some sources to have been a constable of Newcastle Emlyn Castle and fought against Rhys ap Maredudd as one of Tibetot’s officers. [This is worth researching further]

Roger married a Welsh lady called Nest, and had a son Llewelyn who succeeded him, the first Mortimer to be given a Welsh name. Llewelyn was perhaps a younger son, whose older brother predeceased his father. He was brought up with a mixed identity and presumably learnt Welsh from his mother. Llewelyn arguably inherited a joint Norman English and Welsh identity, common to many who were descended from the conquerors of Wales. English nobles settled Wales following defeat of the last Welsh Prince Llewelyn and subjugation of the Welsh by Edward I. Llewelyn sold the estate at Gene’r-Glyn to Geoffrey Clement. The family home would later become the New House at Coedmore

Coedmore was ultimately only acquired by the Mortimers through slight of hand, which details are recorded in a charter dated 1330. Originally leased to Roger Mortimer for life, after Roger’s death his heir Llewelyn Mortimer took possession of Coedmore and barred the original leasor’s heirs from entering. He sold half the moiety to Hugh de Cressingham, clerk of the king, and upon his death Coedmore reverted to the crown. The apparent original heir Eynon ap Gwilym sued and obtained writ of inquiry to the Justice of Wales in 1313, but Sir Roger Mortimer of Wigmore was Justiciar and apparently refused him justice, granting the estate instead to his “kinsman” Roger Mortimer.

A main source for assessing the ancestry of the Mortimers of Wales is the Heraldic Visitation of 1588, compiled by Lewis Dwynn. However, because it was made so long after the early individuals in the family tree had lived, and by that time many historical records had already been lost, several mistakes were made in the genealogy which now have proved very difficult to disentangle. These include missing generations, incorrect names, confusion between multiple individuals of the same name and confusion of spouses. References must be made to individuals who appear in the pedigree, whose floriat can be accurately determined. Only then will it be possible to pin down which generation married which partner.

The Mortimers of Coedmore had less wealth and power than the main line of Mortimers of Wigmore. It seems Roger Mortimer, aforementioned kinsman of the 1st Earl of March, was a missing link in the Visitation pedigree compiled in 1588. He had a son, Edmund Mortimer, who’s heir was Roger Mortimer.

The younger Roger Mortimer was probably born in 1350, and owned Coedmore in 1383, when he acquired letters of protection to serve in the Calais garrison. References to his life are sparing. In 1396 he witnessed a gift of land in Cardigan, and served as Mayor of Cardigan in 1418, assuming it was the same Roger after a gap of nearly twenty years. He died in 1424, at which point he held half a knight’s fee in Coedmore. Roger was succeeded by his son Owain Mortimer.

Owain was probably born in the 1380s, or slightly later. He served as a man at arms in the Agincourt campaign of 1415, in the company of John ap Rhys. Like his father, he went on to serve as mayor of Cardigan three times from 1421. Evidently enjoying success as mayor, he was made Constable of Cardigan in 1441. He received a pardon for all offences committed in 1446, and leased the lordship and manor in 1454 to William Rede, clerk.

After Owain Mortimer, the 1588 pedigree loses its way and becomes unintelligible. Owain likely died around the mid 15th century, after which point there was another thirty years before the next evidence emerges of Mortimers active in Cardiganshire. Richard Mortimer, alleged son of Owain according to the pedigree, was mayor of Cardigan in 1480, and his children were also born around this time. Richard himself was probably born around or after the time of Owain’s death when he was already old, meaning there is another gap in the generations. Richard was obviously related to Owain, but was more likely a grandson, whose father perhaps predeceased Owain Mortimer, which might explain why such an individual is missing from the pedigree.

Unfortunately, the following generation is also hard to determine. Richard married firstly to Margaret daughter of Owain ap Rhys and had two sons, James and John. John was mayor of Cardigan in 1525, and died before 1542, fathering two daughters.

Richard married secondly Elizabeth daughter of Griffith ap Owain. In 1503, he made a settlement on his second wife, perhaps to guarantee her property after the children from his first marriage inherited.

James Mortimer was lord of Coedmore in 1542. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Rydderch ap Rhys, lord of Towyn (fl. 1483-1515). James might have been son of John Mortimer, d. bef.1542, and his eldest son was John, which might support the suggestion. If James was the eldest son of Richard, he would have been very old when he died, perhaps 80 years old.

John Mortimer of Coedmore (c.1525-1596)

James Mortimer’s son and heir John was probably born around 1525, and became Sheriff of Cardiganshire in 1576. He married Eva Lewis, daughter of Lewis ap David Maredydd, and they had at least eleven children:

1. Ellen c.1552

2. Richard Mortimer c.1554-1609

3. Elizabeth c.1556

4. David Mortimer c.1558-c.1605, who in 1584 held a lease of land in Castle Maelgwyn. He married Ann Thomas, daughter of William ap Thomas and they had seven sons:

i. John c.1580

ii. Roger Mortimer of Llechryd, gent., c.1581-aft.1609

iii. Richard c.1582

iv. Thomas Mortimer, of St. David’s c.1584- , who had two sons:

1. Edmund Mortimer of St. David’s, gent., c.1608-1666, who had the following children:

i. Thomas Mortimer c.1645, named after his grandfather.

ii. Lettice c.1650

iii. James Mortimer c.1655, named after his uncle

iv. Mary c.1656

v. Benjamin c.1659

2. James Mortimer c.1610-aft.1666

v. William c.1586, who probably married Lleukie Harvey and had issue Ann and James.

vi. George c.1590

vii. Rowland c.1592

5. Thomas Mortimer c.1559-c.1602

6. Joan c.1560

7. Pernel c.1561

8. Philip Mortimer c.1562

9. Mary c.1564

10. Owen Mortimer c.1566-1638

11. Ann c.1567

Richard Mortimer (c.1554-1609)

Richard was mayor of Cardigan in 1602. He married Catherine daughter of Rowland Meyrick, Bishop of Bangor. They had children James, Rowland, John and Lettice. Both James and John appear to have died before 1613, and Rowland inherited Coedmore.

Later generations

Rowland Mortimer married Cecil daughter of James Lewis of Abernant, 20 Mar 1617, and in that year sold Coedmore to his brother in law John Lewis. Rowland and Cecil has a son John Mortimer, of Laugharne, who married Catherine Pugh. Their son was Rowland Mortimer (c.1646-1691). He married Rachel and had sons Roger and John. Roger married another Rachel and their only child and heir was Jane Mortimer, c.1697. Many descendants of the Mortimers are living today, including through the younger sons of John Mortimer d.1596).

Posted by David Mortimer in Medieval Mortimers, Mortimer family tree, 0 comments
13
May
2020
The Mortimers of Powderham

The Mortimers of Powderham

Mark Mortimer of Mamhead 1638-

The first Mortimer to live near Powderham was Mark Mortimer, who was born in 1638 in Exbourne, the youngest son of Thomas Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop, husbandman, and his wife Frances. His mother died while he was a child, and his father died in 1654, leaving his son Mark £44 in his will. This was enough money to enable Mark to start working his own farm. He moved down to Powderham, on the Exe estuary.

He married Margery Ware, 26 Sep 1667 Mamhead, and together they had one son, Mark. He died sometime after 1670. He featured in a document dated 22 Jun 1670 in Exeter archives.

Mark Mortimer II (1670-1727)

Mark was the only son of Mark and Margery Mortimer. He was born 21 Nov 1670 and bapt. 8 Dec 1670. He married Dorothy Cook, 6 Nov 1692 Powderham. He was a yeoman and left a will dated 1727, which divided his goods between his wife and children:

1. William Mortimer 

2. Mary 1695, who m. Samuel Ware

3. Elizabeth 1696, who m. William Davy

4. Mark 1698-1705

5. Esther 1699, who m. John Row

6. John Mortimer 1701

7. Dorothy 1703, who m. William Row, 2 Mar 1721/2 Exeter Cathedral

8. Mark Mortimer 1705

William Mortimer of Powderham (1693-1736)

William was baptised 26 Sep 1693 at Powderham. He married in the mid 1720s to Mary and they had at least two sons born in Powderham. He was bur. 14 Apr 1736, Mary his wife was bur. 18 Sep 1741, in Powderham.

1. Mark Mortimer 

2. John Mortimer b. 1735, who may have lived in Bishopsteignton.

Mark Mortimer of Kenton (c.1725-1775)

Mark was born before 1727 and named after his grandfather. As a child, he was mentioned in the will of his grandfather Mark Mortimer in 1727. He married Jane Saunders 14 Feb 1746/7 in Kenton, and they had 8 children. As a yeoman in Kenton, he took on an apprentice on 11 May 1775. He made a will in 1775 and died that year. He was bur. 3 Dec 1775 in Powderham.

1. Thomas Mortimer 1747, married Mary Evans, 1772 Kenn.

2. Mark Mortimer II 1748-1791, who married Grace Thomas, 14 May 1775 Kenton. He was bur. 17 Jun 1791 Kenton.

3. James Mortimer 1752-1793, bur. 18 Oct 1793.

4. Martha 1754

5. Jane 1756-58, bur. 21 Mar 1758

6. Richard Mortimer 1760-1781, bur. 19 Nov 1781.

7. Jane 1764

8. William 1767-68

 

 

28
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Silverton

The Mortimers of Silverton

Origin of the Mortimers of Silverton

The Mortimers of Silverton begin with Gilbert Mortimer (c.1624-c.1680). He was born before the start of the Silverton parish records, but may have been born outside Silverton. He married Wilmot before 1653, when they appeared in a Chancery record Jerman v. Jerman.

Philip Jerman brought a case against a group of defendants; Robert Jerman, Richard Jerman, Thomas Jerman, William Sellacke and Mary Sellacke his wife and Gilbert Mortimer and Wilmott Mortimer his wife. The association with the Jerman family suggests a connection with Thomasin Mortimer m. Richard Jerman, 9 Nov 1617 Exeter St Mary Major. The record suggests Gilbert and Wilmot Mortimer were living in Bradninch in 1653, but there is no clear connection to the previous Mortimer family at Bradninch, who had lived there since c.1500.

Family

In 1674 Gilbert Mortimer paid tax on one hearth in Silverton, though there is no further record of him. He presumably died some time after this date, and was perhaps buried in Bradninch. He married around 1651 to Wilmot, and they had the following children:

1. Gilbert Mortimer

2. Michael Mortimer 1656-1697, who had the following children:

i. Mary 1691-1692

ii. Agnes 1692

iii. Mary 1697, who m. Edward Martin, 22 Oct 1722 Silverton.

3. John Mortimer 1657-1694, who married Rebecca Chowne (1670-1712), and had a son. John died in 1694. in 1699 Rebecca remarried to Robert Pasmore of Cullompton, husbandman (d.1707) and had two daughters, Mary and Rebecca Pasmore.

i. John Mortimer 1693-1737 of Silverton, bapt. 1 Jun 1693, bur. 28 Aug 1737. He married Mary and had a daughter Joan 1715-1715, and possibly a son, John Mortimer of Cullompton c.1717.

4. Mary 1659-1701, married Samuel Chowne (1657-1705), 13 Jun 1687 Silverton and had children.

5. Elizabeth 1661, married Roger Tucker, 14 Jun 1692 Silverton.

6. Sarah 1663

7. William 1665

Gilbert Mortimer II 1654-1701

Gilbert was bapt. 28 Feb 1653/4 and was the earliest known son of Gilbert senior. He lived in a time of intermittent parish records. While he had children, their baptism dates are unknown. Mary, the wife of Gilbert Mortimer died in Jul 1689, and may have been the wife of the younger Gilbert, if Gilbert senior had already died by then. Gilbert II was presumably father of the following. It is possible all of the following sons were born in Bradninch, which would explain why their baptism dates have eluded research.

1. Gilbert Mortimer III c.1677, who married Elizabeth Mogford (c.1675-1746), 30 Apr 1697 Silverton. Their daughter Mary was born in December and sadly died the following January, at which point Gilbert was described as Gilbert Mortimer, junior in the burial record. It is possible that generations here are duplicated and that this Gilbert has been confused with Gilbert b. 1653, but that would not adequately explain the appearance of Philemon and Henry Mortimer [below] in the following generation. Gilbert and Elizabeth had the following children, of whom at least three died in infancy. The burial records for both Gilbert senior and his youngest son Gilbert are missing. Elizabeth his wife was buried 26 Apr 1746 Silverton. 

i. Mary 1697-1698, bapt Dec 1697, bur. 9 Jan 1698/9.

ii. William Mortimer 1698-1698

iii. William Mortimer 1699-1729

iv. John Mortimer 1704-1707

v. John Mortimer 1708-1710

vi. Gilbert Mortimer (IV) 1711- ?

2. Philemon? Mortimer c.1681-1733, probably a younger son, married Joan Bussell, 20 Sep 1706 Exeter St Sidwell. In 1723 he took the loyalty oath in Silverton, but died sometime afterwards. Both Philemon and his brother Henry may have been sons of a currently unknown Mortimer who lived in Bradninch.

3. Henry? Mortimer, of whom next

Henry Mortimer of Silverton (c.1684-1748)

Henry Mortimer’s birth year remains unknown, and though his parentage is uncertain, he was presumably the brother of Philemon Mortimer, and both may have been sons of Gilbert Mortimer II (above). He married Rebecca Horden (c.1687-1745), 28 Aug 1710 Silverton. He died in 1748, was buried the 11 Feb 1747/8, Silverton. Henry and Rebecca had the following children:

  1. William? Mortimer 
  2. Philemon Mortimer 1715-1779, who was named after Philemon Mortimer m.1706. On 17 May 1737, William Mortimer of Bradninch, yeoman and Philemon Mortimer of Silverton were bound over to appear at the assizes to answer a charge of assault. They were later acquitted. On 10 Apr 1771, Philemon witnessed the marriage of Thomas Hodge to Mary Furser. On 13 Mar 1772, Philemon made his will, mentioning his brother Richard Mortimer, and Richard’s children William, Thomas, John, Betty and Ann. Also his sister Joan wife of Thomas Heard, Mary Parser, nephew Richard Mortimer, and Jenny daughter of brother Henry Mortimer, deceased. Mary Purser was sole exor.
  3. John? Mortimer of Cullompton c.1717- who possibly relates to this family. See Mortimer of Cullompton and Exeter under Miscellaneous branches.
  4. Joan c.1719, who m. Thomas Heard.
  5. Henry Mortimer II c.1720-1760, of Silverton, who was perhaps a younger son. On 25 Jan 1751, he was convicted at the assizes for swearing. He married Joan Channon 26 Feb 1759 Silverton, and had an only daughter, Jenny (1761-1774). He died in 1760, and was bur. 4 Dec 1760. His daughter Jenny was mentioned as a niece in the will of his brother Philemon, 1772.
  6. Richard Mortimer c.1722-c.1780 of Silverton, who was presumably the younger brother. in 1757 he stood surety for Zachariah Maine, and in 1764 was described as yeoman, of Bradninch. In 1774 he was a party in a lease concerning land in Bradninch. He died sometime after this date, perhaps around 1780. He married Mary Heard, 5 Apr 1749, and had the following children:

i. Richard Mortimer (II) 1752-1789, who was a nephew of Philemon Mortimer. He was probably the elder son, as he was mentioned apart from his siblings in the will of Philemon Mortimer in 1772. Richard II married Susanna Reynolds (1759-1820) 5 Jun 1781 Broadclyst, and had the following children. He died intestate, in 1789. Administration was granted to his widow Susanna Mortimer. Bondsmen were William Mortimer and John Reynolds of Pinhoe, presumably his brother and brother in law.

      1. Mary Reynolds Mortimer 1782, m. Edward Moggridge
      2. Susanna 1784
      3. Salome 1786-1859
      4. Richard Mortimer III of Cullompton, 1788, whose father died when he was an infant. Richard was born 16 Oct 1788, and bapt. 30 Dec 1789 at Silverton. By 1819, he had moved to Cullompton, a centre of growth and industry. He married Harriet Anning, 16 Feb 1819 Cullompton, and had children:

i. Harriet R Mortimer 1825

ii. Richard Mortimer IV 1827-1875

iii. Salome R Mortimer 1829-1916

ii. William Mortimer c.1755-1821, who married Mary Row (1757-1830), 19 Sep 1780, at which point he was living in Bradninch. In 1784, William Mortimer made an undertaking to indemnify Hugh Pullem from rent and other expenses in Bradninch. He also acted as bondsman in the administration of Richard Mortimer’s estate, in 1789. William was a freeholder of Silverton in 1798. He died in 1821, Silverton. William and his wife Mary had an only daughter, Mary Ann Mortimer b.1780.

iii. Elizabeth 1758

iv. Mary 1760

v. Thomas Mortimer 1762-1831

vi. John Mortimer 1764

vii. Ann 1765

 

William Mortimer, (c.1712- ), of Bradninch

William Mortimer’s baptism record is also missing. He named one of his sons Philemon, and was related to the above family. He may have been either a son of Philemon the elder or a brother of Philemon the younger, although was not mentioned in his will. On 17 May 1737, both William Mortimer of Bradninch and Philemon Mortimer were bound over at the assizes. William perhaps he died before Philemon Mortimer’s will in 1772. He married Mary, in the late 1730s. They were probably parents of the following children:

  1. Thomas Mortimer
  2. Joan c.1742, m. Henry Hayman
  3. Henry c.1744-1806, m. Elizabeth Drew, Elizabeth Linsey and Ann Moggridge.
  4. Philemon c.1746-1748
  5. John Mortimer c.1747, m. Sarah Hayman
  6. Sarah c.1750, m. Henry Chown
Thomas Mortimer 1739-1779

Thomas was bapt. 5 Dec 1739 Silverton, and was probably the eldest son of William and Mary. He married Elizabeth Waters (c.1741-1779), 14 May 1768 Alphington, and they had the following children.

  1. Thomas Mortimer 
  2. William Mortimer of Plymtree (1773-1821), who m. firstly Betty Dilling, 25 Mar 1801 Silverton, and secondly, Maria Linley, 1812 Cullompton. He was bur. 28 Jan 1821 Plymtree, aged 48. The children by his second marriage were:

i. Maria 1815-1833

ii. William II 1820-

3. Elizabeth 1776

Thomas Mortimer II of Silverton (1769-1831)

Thomas was bapt. 26 May 1769, the eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth. He married Mary Comer, 9 Apr 1792 Newton St Cyres, and together they had the following children:

  1. Thomas Mortimer III 1793, who lived in Silverton as a yeoman. As a farmer of 400 acres, he farmed the largest amount of land of any Mortimer in 1851, and represented perhaps the most prosperous branch of the family in Devon after the Mortimer family of Bideford.
  2. Richard Mortimer 1794
  3. Mary Comer Mortimer 1796-1850
  4. Elizabeth 1799
  5. William Mortimer, of Camberwell (1800-1857), not closely related to the other William Mortimer of Camberwell (c.1799- ), b. in Barnstaple.
  6. Jane 1802
  7. Ann 1807
  8. John Mortimer 1809
  9. Thomas Mortimer 1810
22
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Kingsteignton

The Mortimers of Kingsteignton

Origins

The story of the Mortimers of Kingsteignton begins in Hennock, with John Mortimer, who was born in the mid 1530s. He was probably a younger son of Richard Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary, as he named his eldest children Richard and Joan. His youngest son, William Mortimer, moved to Bovey Tracey and was the father of John Mortimer of Kingsteignton. Later in the 18th century, the Mortimers moved down river to Ringmore in Shaldon, opposite Teignmouth on the mouth of the river Teign. One branch of the family became successful dyers in Plymouth.

John Mortimer of Hennock (c.1535-1587)

John Mortimer married firstly, Joan, 10 Jun 1559, Hennock and they had two children.

  1. Joan b. 29 Feb 1559/60, who m. Thomas Ford, 20 Jun 1579.
  2. Richard Mortimer b. 30 Oct 1561.

John’s wife Joan died in 1563, and was bur. 9 Jan 1562/3. John married secondly, in around 1570, to a woman whose name is unknown, and had the following children:

3. Frisset c.1573, m. Christopher Potter 26 Jan 1595/6.

4. Thomasin c.1576, m. William Pinsent 24 Oct 1597.

5. Joan 1578-79, b. 16 Dec 1578, bur. 14 Mar 1579/80.

6. Joan b. 25 Feb 1582/3, the youngest daughter.

7. William Mortimer

John was bur. 17 Mar 1587/8. His will was dated 1587, but unfortunately does not survive, and exists only as a listed entry. It would have most likely mentioned his wife and children, and maybe more distant relatives, perhaps in Tedburn. John might have been the father of John Mortimer, c.1584, who had children Martha b.1609 and John b.1612, Hennock. However, since these two children were born in the gap in christenings of children of John Mortimer of Tedburn, between 1607-1616, they perhaps belonged to the family in Tedburn.

William Mortimer of Bovey Tracey (1587-1616)

William was baptised, 13 May 1587, the youngest son of John Mortimer. His father died when he was ten months old. He married Joan, around the year 1611, and they lived in Bovey Tracey. They had a daughter, Joan, and his wife was pregnant with another child when William made a nuncupative will on 29 Aug 1616. William made his wife sole executrix and residuary legatee, and he died the same day. He was buried in his home parish of Hennock, the following day, probably beside his parents. Their child, a son, was born in September. He was named John, perhaps after William’s father, and he was baptised at Kingsteignton church, 20 Sep 1616. Joan proved her late husband’s will, 9 Nov 1616. Two generations of the Mortimers had now lost their fathers in infancy.

  1. Joan c.1613
  2. John Mortimer
John Mortimer of Kingsteignton (1616-1687)

John was bapt. 20 Sep 1616, the posthumous only son of William Mortimer. He married Catherine Fursland, 16 Sep 1641 in Exeter St Edmund. Catherine was the daughter of Walter Fursland. In 1664, John Mortimer and his wife Catherine featured in a final concord, with Francis Calmady and Joan his wife, and Andrew Holwell and Honora his wife. The women were three sisters, and the daughters of Walter Fursland. They were to convey land in Hennock, Knighton and Knighton Heathfield to Sir John Stowell. In 1674, John Mortimer paid tax on two hearths in Kingsteignton, and in 1680 acted as churchwarden in the parish. He died at the age of 61 years and was bur. 29 Nov 1687 at Kingsteignton. John and Catherine had the following children:

  1. Joan 1643-1706?, who may have died and was bur. in 1706, Kingsteignton. Alternatively, this record could relate to a wife of William, below.
  2. William Mortimer 
  3. Andrew Mortimer c.1650-1724, who became a husbandman in Kingsteignton but had no children. He left a will dated 10 Mar 1723/4, detailing his family members. He mentioned his brother William Mortimer, and John Mortimer, who was presumably the grandson of William. Also his brother in law, John Lange, and the three children of his niece Mary Lange, deceased, by Samuel Holman, who had since remarried. He mentioned the children of his nephew John Skeen, deceased. He also made a bequest to Mary Colman and the families of Humphrey Milton (husband of great-niece) and Richard Prowse. The residue was to John Mortimore and Joan Redstone, joint executors. Andrew died soon after, and was bur. 15 Mar 1723/4. His will was proved in Jun 1724.
  4. Mary c.1654, who married John Lang (c.1655- ), 6 Jan 1679/80 Kingsteignton, and had two daughters. She was bur. in Apr 1696, Kingsteignton.

i. Mary Lang 1681-bef.1720

ii. Joan Lang 1684-1688

5. Rebecca c.1657-1710, who married Thomas Skearns, 4 May 1683 Highweek. They had a son, John Skearns (1686-1721), whose children were mentioned in the will of Andrew Mortimer, above. She was bur. in 1710, Kingsteignton.

6. Elizabeth c.1660-1675, who died before reaching adulthood.

William Mortimer (c.1644-1730)

William was born in the mid 1640s, during the turmoil of the English Civil War, and was the eldest son of John. He was most likely a yeoman, and married in the late 1660s. William was mentioned as a brother in the will of Andrew Mortimer, husbandman d.1724. He was bur. in 1730, Kingsteignton. William survived his son William who died in 1716. His wife may have been Joan who died in 1706. Together they had the following children in Kingsteignton:

  1. John 1669-1672, the eldest son, named after his grandfather, but died in childhood.
  2. William Mortimer II
  3. Andrew Mortimer (c.1672-c.1704), named after his uncle. He married Margaret Norrell, 15 Jan 1696/7 Exeter St Thomas. He died before 1710, when his wife Margaret died a widow. In her burial record it was stated that she was the widow of Andrew Mortimer. This must have been Andrew Mortimer junior, for Andrew Mortimer c.1650 was still alive.
William Mortimer II (c.1671-1716)

William was born between the births of John b.1669 and Andrew b.1672, and was probably the second son of William d. 1730. William was so named after his father, but predeceased him. He was a nephew of Andrew Mortimer d.1724. He married Joan Cose (c.1675-1736), 7 May 1695 Highweek. They had the following children:

  1. Mary 1695, who married Humphrey Milton, 31 Jan 1720 Kingsteignton. Her eldest two children were mentioned in the will of her great uncle, Andrew Mortimer in 1724.
  2. John Mortimer, of whom next.
  3. Andrew Mortimer 1698, of whom nothing further is known.
  4. William Mortimer of Combeinteignhead (1699-1780), a contemporary of William Mortimer of Bishopsteignton (1703-1763). He married in 1728 Grace Pool (1700-1773). They had the following children, and he was bur. 1 Mar 1780.

i. Mary 1729

ii. William 1731-1732

iii. John Mortimer (1733-1796), married Rose Terry (1740-1780), 24 Jan 1764 Combeinteignhead and had the following children:

    1. John Mortimer of Plymouth (1768-1825), bapt. 9 Sep 1768 Combeinteignhead. He was a fuller and dyer, and moved from Combeinteignhead to Plymouth. He married firstly Patience Hammick (1769-1814), 1790 Plymouth. He married secondly in 1820, Mary Rew (1769-1854), who was born in South Molton. The children by his first marriage were:

i. Elizabeth 1792-1875

ii. Rose 1794, obviously named after her grandmother Rose Terry.

iii. John Mortimer II (1797-1834), also a dyer. He was born 23 Aug 1797, and bapt. 8 Jan 1798 Devonport. He married Rachel Brimble, or Bramble (c.1795- ), 21 May 1823 Plymouth. They had two children:

        1. Rachel Bramble Mortimer 1825-1894
        2. John Forrester Mortimer 1827- 

iv. Ann 1799

v. William 1801-1803

vi. William 1804-1807

vii. Samuel Mortimer 1806-1832, who died unmarried.

2. William Mortimer of Plymouth (1773-1822), who was a dyer like his brother John. Both William and John moved from Combeinteignhead to Plymouth. He married Mary Giles (1775-1816) and had two children:

i. William Mortimer II (1809-1877), Plymouth, who continued the family dying business.

ii. Mary Mortimer, 1811, who wrote a letter in around 1830/1 to her cousin John’s wife, Rachel.

iv. William Mortimer IV (1736-1812)

v. Frances 1737

vi. Jane 1740-1756

5. Joan 1701-1767, bapt. 4 Dec 1701, married firstly, John Lang (1699-1726), 26 Mar 1722/3 Exeter Cathedral, who was probably a distant relative of John Lang m. 1680 to Mary Mortimer. She married secondly, James Codnor (1701-1754), 22 Jun 1727 Exeter St Martin. In 1763 Joan Codnor was mentioned as a sister in the will of John Mortimer of Kingsteignton. She survived both her husbands and was bur. 29 Mar 1767 Wolborough.

John Mortimer of Kingsteignton, and Ringmore in Shaldon (1697-1763)

John was bapt. 10 Sep 1697 Kingsteignton, the eldest son of William Mortimer II of Kingsteignton (c.1671-1716). He married Mary Crabb (1699-1737), 17 Dec 1730 Kingsteignton. He made his will on 10 Sep 1763, and died the following year, aged 67. He was bur. 24 Jul 1764 and his will proved a month later, 22 Aug 1764. John was a yeoman and owned property in both his hometown Kingsteignton and Ringmore in Shaldon. John and Mary had the following children:

  1. Joseph Mortimer 
  2. John Mortimer II (1732-1796), an exact contemporary of John Mortimer of Combeinteignhead (above). In 1763 he was mentioned in his father’s will, with his children. He married Ann Way (1727-1817), 8 Feb 1755 Kingsteington, and had the following children:

i. John Mortimer III of Teignmouth, b.1756, who married Mary Gibson (1763-1826), 3 Jan 1790 Highweek, and had the following children in West Teignmouth:

      1. Elizabeth 1791-1865, who married John Orchard (1778-1827), 15 Dec 1818 Lustleigh. The marriage record states Elizabeth was residing in Lustleigh at the time. She was perhaps working there as a servant. The later 1851 and 1861 census records confirm Elizabeth was born in Teignmouth.
      2. George Mortimer of Teignmouth, 1792-1864, a thatcher by trade, married Ann.
      3. John Mortimer II 1795
      4. Mary 1797
      5. Susanna 1800
      6. Thomas Mortimer 1804-1879, a gardener.
      7. Ann 1808

ii. Ann 1758, who married William Langley.

iii. Mary 1759, who married John Langdon.

iv. William Mortimer 1761

v. James Mortimer 1764

vi. Catherine 1766

vii. Betty 1768-1791

3. Hannah 1735, who married John Drew

4. William Mortimer 1737-1784, bapt. 4 May 1737 Kingsteignton. He married firstly Grace Lang (1738-1762), 31 Jan 1761 Ringmore in Shaldon, but she died the following year. They had a daughter:

i. Elizabeth (1762-1838), who married her first cousin, John Mortimer of Ringmore in Shaldon (1763-1805) – see below.

William married secondly 11 Nov 1769 Kingsteignton, to Diana nee Watts (1734-1793), widow of Richard Langley (1724-1765). William died at the age of 46 and was bur. 27 Mar 1784 Ringmore in Shaldon. He was survived by his wife Diana, who died and was bur. 20 Nov 1793 Ringmore in Shaldon. They had two children:

ii. Mary 1773

iii. William Mortimer II 1774

Joseph Mortimer of Ringmore (1731-1777)

Joseph was bapt. in 1731 Kingsteignton, the eldest son of John Mortimer, yeoman, and Mary his wife. He married Elizabeth Lang (1732-1779), 17 Jan 1753 Exeter St Martin. He was bur. 10 Mar 1777, Ringmore in Shaldon. Joseph and Elizabeth had the following children:

  1. Joseph Mortimer II 1753-1816, bur. 9 Nov 1816, Ringmore in Shaldon, aged 62.
  2. John 1758-1759
  3. William 1760-1760
  4. Mary 1761-1761
  5. John Mortimer of Ringmore in Shaldon (1763-1805), was bapt. 1 May 1763 Ringmore in Shaldon. He married his cousin, Elizabeth Mortimer (1762-1838), 19 Dec 1784, at which point John Mortimer was living in Stokeinteignhead. They had the following children, the eldest son and daughter were presumably named after John’s parents:

i. Elizabeth 1786

ii. Joseph Mortimer 1791

iii. Mary 1794-1796

iv. John 1796-1796

v. Edward Mortimer of London (1798-1887)

6. Mary 1764

7. Thomas? Mortimer c.1766- , whose baptism record is missing, but presumably belongs in this family. He married Mary Harris (1763-1842), 29 Mar 1789 Ringmore in Shaldon, and they had the following children:

i. Thomas Mortimer II 1789

ii. William Mortimer of West Teignmouth (1791-1836), married Sophia Gilpin (1795-1854), 1821 Ringmore in Shaldon, and had the following children:

        1. William Mortimer II 1822
        2. Elizabeth 1823-1826
        3. John 1825-1827
        4. Elizabeth Susan 1827
        5. Sophia 1830-1914
        6. Mary Ann 1833

iii. Ann 1793

iv. George Mortimer of Ringmore in Shaldon, 1795-1844

v. Edward Mortimer of Ringmore in Shaldon, 1801-

8. Charlotte 1767

Related families

Read about the related Mortimer families in Devon

External Links

The Mortimer family of Plymouth – a blog which explores the Mortimers of Plymouth in more detail.

20
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Newton St Cyres

The Mortimers of Newton St Cyres

Origins

The Mortimers of Newton St Cyres were presumably closely related to the Mortimers of Stockleigh and Sandford. The first known ancestor of the family was John Mortimer. 

John Mortimer of Newton St Cyres (c.1500-c.1550)

John was born before 1503, but is difficult to distinguish from his contemporaries of the same name. In the first half of the sixteenth century alone, there were John Mortimers in Woolfardisworthy (Emlett), Sandford, Tedburn St Mary, Cheriton Bishop, Rewe, Bradninch and Upton Pyne. It is possible that some of these John Mortimers owned land in more than one parish, meaning they would have appeared multiple times in the lay subsidies for the same year. John Mortimer was presumably born near Newton St Cyres, then moved there upon reaching his majority.

John Mortimer lived in Newton St Cyres in 1524 when his income was assessed at £3 in the lay subsidy. However, by the time of the 1543 subsidy his income had increased to £7. The reason for this increase is unknown. The two entries presumably relate to the same person, as no other Mortimer was assessed in Newton St Cyres in either subsidy. However, there were at least three Mortimers of the following generation resident in the parish by the 1560s, who were presumably all children of the above John. Either John II or Robert were the eldest, which fits with the family of Stockleigh who also favoured the names John and Robert.

John Mortimer II (c.1528-1596)

John was the namesake and probable son of the first John Mortimer of Newton St Cyres. He was probably born soon after 1524, by which point the first John had settled in the parish.

 

19
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Bradninch

The Mortimers of Bradninch

Origins

The Mortimers appear to have settled in Bradninch at an early point, perhaps around the turn of the 15th century. They are unique among the Devonshire Mortimers in that they seem to have either used or claimed a coat of arms- the same used by the Wigmore Mortimers;

Mortimer heraldry

Mortimer coat of arms in stained glass

Barry of six or and azure an inescutcheon argent in chief a pale of the first between two gyrons of the second (Source: Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries Vol. 6; p. 36). Right: The Mortimer coat of arms in stained glass at a different location

The first Mortimer of Bradninch may have died before 1524, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, who lived in Silverton. Unfortunately the name of this Mortimer is presently unknown but it may have been John, for his eldest grandson was also called John. English naming tradition was for the eldest to be named after his paternal grandfather. Often it would be the eldest son who would inherit land, meaning that popular first names would repeat down generations of the same family.

John? Mortimer of Bradninch seems to have been a well off yeoman and must have owned property in Bradninch. A birth year in the 1470s perhaps seems reasonable. He was presumably related to the Mortimers of Stockleigh English or Sandford, and may even have represented the senior branch of the family that goes back to John Mortimer of Stockleigh, c.1420-1470. Constructing the early generations of the Bradninch family is fraught with challenges however, due to the absence of supporting information from either wills or land records in the early 16th century. It is also unknown how the Mortimers of Bradninch relate to the Mortimers of Newton St Cyres, despite the geographical proximity.

Family tree

The above Mortimer of Bradninch senior, married Elizabeth, but died before 1524, leaving his wife property in Silverton. In the 1524 Lay subsidy Elizabeth Mortimer’s value was assessed at £3 in goods, making her eligible to pay the tax. Elizabeth appears to have died before the next tax assessment in 1543, by which time her son John Mortimer’s income in Bradninch had increased by the same amount, presumably inheriting her property. Together, (John?) and Elizabeth had the following sons in Bradninch:

  1. John Mortimer, presumably the eldest son, was probably born just before the 1500s. In 1524 he had an income of £7, slightly more than Richard Mortimer in the same parish. By 1543, he had presumably inherited his mother’s dower estate, increasing his income to £10. This gave him the income expected of a well off yeoman.
  2. Richard Mortimer, who had an income of £6 in 1524. He was presumably the younger son. He appears to have died or moved away before the 1543 subsidy, at which point he was absent from Bradninch. The name Richard was chosen for the eldest son of Thomas Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary, so may have also been popular in other branches of the family. Another contemporary of Richard Mortimer of Bradninch was Richard Mortimer of Poughill, who was present in the 1524 lay subsidy but about whom little is known.

Either the above John or Richard Mortimer fathered the following son:

John Mortimer (c.1520-1575)

John appeared in the 1543 Lay subsidy for Bradninch with income of £2, at which time he was described as John Mortimer junior. He was presumably born around 1520, the son of either John or Richard who lived in Bradninch in 1524. John was possibly unmarried in 1543, as his sons weren’t born until a few years later. It was presumably John Mortimer who was mayor of the Borough of Bradninch in 1561, which date appears in a stained glass window of the Mortimer Coat of Arms in Bradninch church (see coat of arms above). In the 1569 Muster Roll, he appears as a harquebusier with his son, but died in the 1570s. He married, presumably Joan, who was a widow in 1581, and had the following sons:

  1. Richard Mortimer (c.1547-1597), of Bradninch, who featured in the 1569 Muster Roll for Bradninch as a harquebusier, along with his father John. Since his brother didn’t feature in the Muster Roll, Richard was presumably the elder son. He married Alice around the early 1570s, and had several children. He left a will in 1597, which was proved in the PCC, mentioning his wife Alice and their children. Alice Mortimer, widow, left a will proved in 1608.

i. Thomas Mortimer (c.1578-aft.1596), presumably the eldest son, who inherited the residue of his father’s goods. He may have been the same as Thomas Mortimer of Silverton d.1651, who married Emme d.1653. They had two sons, Hugh c.1605-aft.1674 and Anthony c.1609-1657, and two daughters, Ruth m. Roger Slee and Elizabeth m. John Bailiff. They had no male grandchildren in the male line.

ii. Elizabeth c.1579

iii. William Mortimer

iv. Wilmot c.1586, who married John Wright of Cullompton, by marriage licence at Exeter dated 18 Sep 1612. The marriage licence states Wilmot was of Bradninch, differentiating her from her contemporary Wilmot Mortimer of Rewe and Great Torrington, who m.1610 to Humphrey Beaple.

v. Joan c.1590

2. George Mortimer (c.1552-1608), who left a will dated 1608. His wife may have been Elizabeth d.1610.

William Mortimer (c.1583-1636)

William was a younger son of Richard Mortimer of Bradninch, who left the residue of his estate to his son Thomas. Thomas died after 1597, and William acquired the farm in Bradninch. He married Joan, and they had a son, Thomas. William left a will dated 31 Jul 1635, leaving a tenement called Bollam in Tiverton to his son Thomas, and the residue to his wife Joan. He died before 3 Mar 1635/6, when his will was proved by Joan his widow.

Thomas Mortimer (c.1610-1671)

Thomas was presumably the son of either Thomas Mortimer c.1573 or William Mortimer c.1580-1636. In 1642, he was living in Bradninch when he took the Protestation oath. He is known to have had at least two daughters. With Thomas, the line of Mortimers in Bradninch was presumably extinguished, until 50 years later, when another Mortimer family arrived.

  1. Mary c.1640, who married Thomas Harding, with whom she had children John, Joan, and Richard Harding.
  2. Elizabeth c.1648, who married William May, but may first have married a Venn, with whom she had children Thomas, Agnes, and Amos Venn.

Note

It is still unknown how the above family relate to later Mortimers in Silverton and Bradninch. The Bradninch parish records have yet to be examined, since they have not yet been indexed by LDS, digitised or published online. Since the parish register extends back to the late 1500s, the records should be incredibly useful in the study of the Mortimer family.

 

19
Apr
2020
Miscellaneous Mortimer families

Miscellaneous Mortimer families

Unconnected Mortimers

This page of the Mortimer tree is for Devonshire Mortimers whose connection to the wider Mortimer family remains unknown, possibly subject to further research. Some of these Mortimer families lived in Exeter, and presumably moved there from the countryside for work, or were apprenticed there when young. Some of these Mortimers were possibly involved in the cloth industry, as Exeter was an important centre for both the wool and cloth trade. One interpretation could be that such branches originate with younger sons from farming families, as often only the eldest son of a yeoman of husbandman would keep the farm, while younger sons became ag labs or learnt a trade elsewhere.

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18
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Witheridge

The Mortimers of Witheridge

Origins

The line of Mortimers at Witheridge began with Joseph Mortimore of Witheridge (c.1722-1794). He was presumably born somewhere nearby but no baptism record has been found for him. The family does not appear to have any relationship with the Mortimer alias Tanner family of Witheridge, who by this time had dropped the name Mortimer. It is more likely that Joseph was connected with the Mortimers at Lapford or Morchard Bishop, who later moved to Chulmleigh and Thelbridge. He was perhaps born in the nearby parish of East Worlington, as John Mortimer was living there in 1723, when he signed the Oath of Loyalty. The matter is complicated by the fact there are no surviving wills of the family. None of them seemed to own any land, and it seems unlikely that they had any personal wealth.

Joseph Mortimer (c.1722-1794)

Joseph married Elizabeth Vaughan, 25 Apr 1749 Witheridge. Elizabeth’s family can be traced back only a few generations before this date. Vaughan is a traditional Welsh name and derives from the personal name of Fychan or Vychan, so perhaps the Devonshire Vaughans were originally from Wales. In medieval times, the West Country, in particular Cornwall had a strong connection with Wales, and there was substantial cross migration between the two regions. This is attested by the prominence of Welsh names in Cornwall such as Morgan and Parry. Joseph Mortimer’s occupation is unknown. It seems likely that he was either a weaver or an agricultural labourer, going by the occupations of his descendants.

Joseph and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Elizabeth 1750-1800

2. Joseph Mortimer II

3. Mary 1755-1833

4. John Mortimer 1757-1828

5. James Mortimer 1760-1825, who married Ann Davy (1763-1847), 29 Mar 1784 Thelbridge, and had the following daughters. In 1787 he was a day labourer (ag lab), and was in receipt of parish relief in 1792.

i. Grace 1784-1849

ii. Ann 1787-1838

iii. Elizabeth 1789

iv. Sarah 1792

6. George Mortimer 1764-1847, who married Agnes Long (1773-1847), 22 Oct 1792 Witheridge and had the following children. He was bur. 5 Dec 1847 Witheridge, aged 83.

i. Agnes 1793

ii. Mary 1795-1867

iii. Sarah 1798

iv. George Mortimer II 1800-1872

v. Elizabeth? Mortimer of Morchard Bishop c.1803, who was born in Witheridge but whose baptism doesn’t seem to have been entered. Since there is a gap in young Mortimer children between 1800-1808, perhaps Elizabeth was a daughter of George Mortimer.

vi. Susanna 1808

vii. Joseph Mortimer 1810

viii. John Mortimer 1813-1814

ix. Ann 1815

Joseph Mortimer (1753-1838)

Joseph was bapt. 22 Jan 1753 Witheridge. He married Barbara Kingdon (1753-1833) 9 Dec 1776 Witheridge. They had the following children. He was bur. 30 Sep 1838 Witheridge, aged 85.

1. Agnes 1777-1861

2. Joseph Mortimer III

3. James Mortimer 1782-1848

4. William Mortimer 1784

5. Joan Mortimer 1787

6. George Mortimer 1789-1873, who m. Elizabeth Arscott, 1820 Chittlehampton. They had a son:

i. John Mortimer 1824-1907, who emigrated from Devon to the United States.

Joseph Mortimer (1779-1851)

Joseph was the eldest son of Joseph Mortimer and Barbara his wife. He was baptised 5 Sep 1779. He learned the ways of an agricultural labourer, before his first marriage. He married firstly Betty Girney (c.1777-1804) 3 Jun 1799 Witheridge.

At this time, the Napoleonic Wars were in full swing. He joined the Devon and Cornwall militia, later enlisting with the 32nd foot soldiers, Cornwall Regiment as a private. Joseph’s military career, whilst not exceptional, was certainly eventful, and so is certainly worth reproducing in the following paragraphs. In 1803 he was sent to Ireland to help quell the Irish rebellion. The following year, his wife Elizabeth died, but Joseph did not immediately remarry. In 1807, the Regiment was sent abroad again, this time to Denmark. Joseph saw action in the Battle of Copenhagen, when the regiment took control of captured Danish ships. A year later, the regiment joined the major British war effort, in the Peninsula War, Portugal. Joseph fought in the Battle of Rolica, Battle of Vimeiro, and the Battle of Corunna.

In August 1809, the regiment moved north to participate in the Walcheren Campaign, the Netherlands. Joseph managed to survive the deadly sickness known as Walcheren fever. After being reinforced, the Regiment returned to Spain. Joseph fought in the Battle of Salamanca and the Battle of the Pyrenees, as the British forced the French north out of Spain.

The Regiment then joined the pursuit of the French forces into France. By then a seasoned soldier with over ten years of military experience, Joseph fought in the Battle of Nivelle, Battle of Nive and Battle of Orthez.

The war came to a resolution in Belgium two years later. In June 1815, the Regiment arrived at Quatre Bras just in time to halt the French advance. Two days later, Joseph fought in the Battle of Waterloo, when the regiment stood its ground against the main French attack. Later that year, Joseph was awarded the Peninsular medal, having been attested for all the eight major battles of the Peninsular War. In recognition of his services at Waterloo, Joseph was also awarded the Waterloo medal.

Joseph Mortimer was finally discharged from the army in 1819, after twenty years service, in which time he had also achieved the rank of Corporal. He returned to Witheridge, Devon, as a decorated War hero. He married for the second time, to Mary Crocker, a woman over twenty years his junior. They wedded 4 Apr 1821, in Witheridge. Fortunately both of Joseph’s parents were still living at the time, and it is likely they both attended the wedding. Joseph and Mary had the following children:

1. James Mortimer of Plymouth (c.1822-1883), who following in his father’s military footsteps and joined the navy. He relocated to Plymouth, then Tavistock.

2. George Mortimer 1824

3. Ann 1830

4. Mary 1833-1836

5. Maria 1835

6. William Mortimer 1838-1924, who was doubtless one of very few people living in the 1920s who could say their father fought in the Napoleonic Wars.

Currently, the Mortimers of Witheridge are still represented in the main line in the UK, by a branch of the family living in Wales.

Explore the pedigrees of other related Mortimer families:

 

15
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Uplowman

The Mortimers of Uplowman

Origins

The descent of the Mortimers of Hemyock can be traced with confidence back to Hugh Mortimer of Uplowman (c.1600-1685), but before this, the picture is unclear.

The family may trace back to Bow aka Nymet Tracey. Edmund Mortimer was recorded in Bow in the 1543 lay subsidy, assessed on good worth £3. He was presumably the son of William Mortimer of Bow, fl.1524. This was perhaps the same Edmund who moved to Halberton. He married Joan, and both were possibly mentioned in the will of Nicholas Mortimer of Sandford, who gave a bequest to Edward and Joan Mortimer. The names Edward and Edmund might have been seen as interchangeable during the the time period. In 1558, Edmund made his will, dividing his goods between his wife Joan, and children James, William, Mary and Margaret, who were all under the age of sixteen. James was possibly the older son, supporting a link with James Mortimer of Sandford. Though William’s son attained his majority and lived in Halberton, he died in 1588, leaving a will that was listed in the catalogue. It is not clear whether he had issue. It is possible his brother James predeceased him, as he did not feature in 1581 lay subsidy either in Halberton or elsewhere. In the 1570s or later, William, a younger son of John Mortimer of Priorton (c.1518-1559), moved from Sandford to Tiverton. He was perhaps apprenticed there in his early teens, as was the norm with yeoman families. He married Elizabeth, and they had several children including daughters Julian, Mary and a son Edward, who was probably born between 1585-1591. William’s “children”, unnamed, were mentioned in the will of his brother John Mortimer of Priorton in 1605. William’s wife Elizabeth died in 1602, and was buried in Tiverton. Following the death of his brother John, William moved back to Sandford, taking possession of the farm at Priorton before moving to Blackmanscombe. His son, Edward, died in 1612, Uplowman, but was buried in Tiverton, perhaps as he desired to be laid to rest near his mother. It seems likely from the above connections that William Mortimer also had a younger son, Hugh who went on to live at Uplowman. 

Hugh Mortimer (c.1601-1685) of Uplowman

Though it has been previously considered that Hugh was a son of Edward Mortimer of Uplowman d.1612 (le. will, Devon wills catalogue), Edward’s burial at Tiverton in 1612, stated he was a son of William, meaning that Edward’s father was still alive in 1612, and that Edward was probably unmarried. Hugh might instead have been a brother of Edward, both being sons of William Mortimer of Tiverton, then Sandford. Hugh lived in Uplowman before 1626, at which point he married Joan Pring, 8 Feb 1625/6 at Halberton. Hugh and Joan had at least three children. In 1655, he witnessed the marriage of his son Hugh Mortimer to Christian Oatway in Tiverton. He died in 1685 Uplowman, and was obviously of an advanced age by this point. 

  1. Catherine b. Apr 1626
  2. James Mortimer of Uplowman 
  3. Hugh Mortimer II (c.1633-1702), who was probably b. in the early 1630s. He married Christian Oatway (1633-1687), 7 May 1655 Tiverton, in the marriage record it states Hugh son of Hugh Mortimer of Uplowman and servant of Michael Osmond of Tiverton, married Christian, daughter of Joan Oatway, widow, of Tiverton, by banns. Witnesses were Hugh Mortimer (the father) and Henry King. Hugh Mortimer II was a contemporary of another Hugh Mortimer of Tiverton, hotpresser, (c.1648-1688), who was son of Humphrey Mortimer of Exeter. Hugh was bur. 17 Feb 1701/2 Tiverton, Hugh Mortimer and Christian had the following children. Hugh senior afterwards married Edith Chilcott, (1641-1707). 

i. George 1656-1660
ii. Joan 1658-1664
iii. James Mortimer, of Tiverton 1661-1713, who married and had daughters in Tiverton: Christian 1687 and Rebecca 1689-1690
iv. Humphrey Mortimer 1663
v. Mary 1665
vi. Elizabeth 1666-1668
vii. Hugh Mortimer III 1669-1724, who married Ann Henley (1670-1730), 6 Dec 1695 Tiverton. They had an only daughter Ann, 1701-1711. Hugh III died and was bur. 15 Feb 1723/4 Tiverton. 
viii. John Mortimer 1671-1691, who was bur. 13 Dec 1691 Tiverton. 
ix. Agnes 1674

James Mortimer (c.1631-1715) of Uplowman

James was presumably the elder son of Hugh Mortimer of Uplowman, as he stayed in Uplowman as a farmer, while Hugh moved to Tiverton, presumably as an apprentice. He married firstly Susanna Courtenay (c.1641-1679), 28 Oct 1663, who was presumably distantly descended from the Courtenays of Tiverton. She was bur. in 1679 Uplowman. He married secondly, 29 Sep 1679, Thamsin Quaint, (1640-1690). By his first wife they had children: 

  1. James 1663-1664
  2. James Mortimer II 1665-1715
  3. John Mortimer 
  4. Hugh 1668-1675
  5. Elizabeth? c.1670, whose baptism record is missing, but was presumably related to the family. 
  6. Susanna 1673
  7. Joan 1675

John Mortimer of Uplowman (1667-1729)

John was presumably the eldest surviving son of James Mortimer, and inherited the farm at Uplowman. He married Joan Waddams, 2 Jul 1688 Silverton, but was unrelated to the other Mortimers of Silverton. They had the following children: 

  1. Richard Mortimer 1688-1713
  2. Susan 1690-1714, presumably named after her grandmother Susanna nee Courtenay. 
  3. Joan? c.1691, whose bapt. record is missing. 
  4. Mary 1694
  5. James Mortimer, of Branscombe (1697-1791), married Ann Caswell 20 Apr 1731 Branscombe. His burial record is detailed, and is worth copying out in full: James Mortimer, a husbandman, aged 97, son of John & Joan Mortimer of Uplowman, was bur. His age is remarkably accurate given he was nearly a century old. It was not unknown for people to exaggerate their ages slightly as they got older. 
  6. John Mortimer 1700-1732, who married Thomasin, and had a son Richard 1729-1730, who died in infancy. Both were bur. in Uplowman. 
  7. Hugh Mortimer
  8. Joan 1707
Hugh Mortimer of Hemyock (1702- )

Hugh was bapt. 17 Jul 1702, Hemyock. He married Grace Daley, 12 Jun 1737 Tiverton. They had twin sons, both baptised 6 Mar 1737/8 Hemyock: 

  1. Hugh Mortimer of Hemyock II 1738-1818, who married Mary Holway, and had two children: 

i. Mary 1768, married Robert Drake

ii. James Mortimer (1774-c.1820) of Sampford Peverell (the residence of Katherine Mortimer c.1544/51). He was bapt. 29 May 1774 Hemyock, and married Jane Osbourne (1771-1847), 16 Feb 1800 Churchstanton, Devon/ Somerset. His burial record is missing, and he presumably died between 1804-1841. James and Jane had the following children: 

      1. John Mortimer (1800-1867) of Churchstanton, farmer.
      2. Hugh Mortimer 1802-1845
      3. James Mortimer II 1804-1883

2. John Mortimer of Hemyock 1738-1831, who married Jane (1739-1831), and had two children: 

i. Betty 1771

ii. Hugh Mortimer 1773-1852, who was bapt. 3 Dec 1773 Hemyock, and named after both his grandfather and uncle. He married Ann Carter 24 Apr 1810 Hemyock. In 1851 he was a farmer of 70 acres employing 3 labourers. He made a will dated 1852 and died that year. A copy of his will survives in the Inland revenue wills collection. 

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14
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Exeter St Edmund

The Mortimers of Exeter St Edmund

This family begins with John Mortimer of Exeter, born c.1660, whose parentage is currently unknown.

John Mortimer (c.1660-1698)

John was born in Devon, and lived in Exeter. His occupation is unfortunately unknown. He married Mary Palmer (c.1660-1698), 27 May 1683 Exeter St Edmund, and had the following children, all baptised in Exeter St Edmund:

1. Susanna 1683

2. John 1686-1686

3. William Mortimer

4. Mary 1689

5. Edward? Mortimer c.1690-1740, who might have been born in Exeter but whose parentage is unknown

William Mortimer (1687-1748)

William was baptised 18 Sep 1687 Exeter St Edmund. In May 1698, William was orphaned when his parents died, his father John was buried on 4 May and his mother Mary died only a few days later. William was their only surviving son and perhaps was taken into the care of relatives. When he was around 21 years of age, he married and had the following children:

1. William 1710

2. John 1711 (perhaps the John Mortimer of Cullompton)

3. George Mortimer

4. Mary 1718

The name of William’s wife is currently unknown. He was bur. 20 Jan 1748/9 Exeter Holy Trinity.

George Mortimer (1714-1796)

George was bap. 11 Feb 1713/4 Exeter St Edmund. He married Elizabeth Dinscombe, 14 Nov 1736 Exeter St Edmund, and they had the following children:

1. William Mortimer

2. George Mortimer 1739-1746, died in childhood

3. Elizabeth 1739-1740

4. Elizabeth 1741

William Mortimer (1737-1823)

William was bap. 6 Nov 1737, and was the only surviving son of George Mortimer. He married Sarah Reeve (1737-1797), 17 Sep 1759 Exeter St Edmund, and had the following children:

1. William Mortimer II

2. Elizabeth 1761

3. John Mortimer 1764-1782

4. Sarah 1768-1769

5. Sarah Reeve 1770-1781

6. Samuel Mortimer (1774-1856), who lived in Exeter St Paul. By 1841, he had achieved a good income and had become a gentleman land proprietor of independent means. He married Elizabeth and had children.

William was bur. 2 Feb 1823 Exeter St Edmund, aged 85.

William Mortimer II (1760-1833)

William was bap. 28 Jan 1760, the eldest son of William Mortimer and Sarah nee Reeve. He married Sarah Hart (c.1760-1801), 2 Sep 1781 Exeter St Edmund. The marriage was witnessed by his father, William Mortimer. With Sarah, he had the following children:

1. Ann Reynell Mortimer 1782

2. William Mortimer III 1784

3. Sarah 1786-1789

4. John 1789-1790

5. Sarah Hart 1797-1798

William was bur. 14 Jul 1833 Exeter St Mary Arches, aged 74. It seems likely that William was a gentleman, like his brother Samuel. The fate of his only surviving son William has not yet been ascertained with confidence.

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