The Mortimers of Bridford

Origins

The Mortimers of Bridford were closely related to both the Mortimers of Tedburn St Mary and Dunsford. The first identifiable ancestor of the family was Humphrey Mortimer of Bridford c.1546-1592, who may have been a son of the following John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop.

John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop (c.1505-1558)

John Mortimer was perhaps born around 1505/15 and was presumably connected to the Mortimers of Tedburn St Mary. He paid tax on an income of £5 in goods in the 1543 lay subsidy. He was a different individual to John Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary fl.1524-43. His will was dated 1558 but sadly no copy or abstract survives. His only children recorded in the parish register were those children who died in the 1640s; Wilmot d.1542, John d.1544, Alice d.1546, Robert d.1546, Richard d.1546. John Mortimer may have had two sons:

1. Humphrey Mortimer

2. Edmund Mortimer (c.1547-aft.1594), was presumably a younger son of John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop d.1558. He named his eldest son John, perhaps after his father. Edmund was probably a husbandman, he married an unknown woman and had the following children in Cheriton Bishop:

1. Joan, b. 17 Aug 1578 Cheriton Bishop.

2. John, 1579-79, who died in infancy; b. Nov bur. 21 Nov 1579, Cheriton Bishop.

3. Eleanor, b. 8 Nov 1580, who m. William Minor, 10 Jun 1611 Cheriton Bishop

4. Henry Mortimer of Dunsford 1585-aft.1642, b. 9 Mar 1584/5, he m. sometime before 1611, and lived in Dunsford; he had the following children; born between 1613-1621. He possibly also had older children. Either Henry or his son of the same name featured in the 1642 Protestation Oath in Dunsford. Another Henry Mortimer lived in Moretonhampstead in 1642, as well as a John Mortimer.

(i). Andrew, b. 3 Oct 1613 Dunsford, who presumably d. young. Due to the parish register starting soon before, he was probably not the eldest son. No further evidence is found of him surviving to adulthood.

(ii). Mark? Mortimer of Okehampton (c.1615-aft.1666), ancestor of the Mortimers of Chagford, who was possibly a son of Henry Mortimer of Dunsford. Mark Mortimer’s origins are particularly obscure. He could conceivably have belonged to either the Bow/ Nymet Tracey or Crediton Mortimer families. He could have been born in the gap between Andrew 1613 / Henry II 1618, sons of Henry. Mark moved to Okehampton, where he m. 1. Joanna Drew 4 Aug 1639, who presumably died c.1645. Mark Mortimer was absent from the 1642 Protestation Return in Okehampton, though the name Mark Mortimer does appear in Crediton. Mark m. 2. Agnes Bovecombe, 18 Aug 1647 Okehampton. He was a labourer in Okehampton, which suggests that he was either the son of a labourer or a younger son of a farmer. He was bur. 23 Jan 1665/6 Okehampton. Agnes his wife died at an unknown date after 1666.

iv. Henry Mortimer II 1618-aft.1642? , b. 23 Aug 1618, who may have been the same as Henry Mortimer of Moretonhampstead, in the 1642 Protestation Oath.

v. Joan, b. 18 Oct 1621

vi. Ann, b. 1 Aug 1624

5. John Mortimer 1587, bap. Jan 1586/7, he may have been the same John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop d.1664, or perhaps the same as John Mortimer of Hennock.

6. Robert Mortimer of Dunsford 1591-1646, bap 11 Aug 1591, m. Ursula Worthilake by marriage licence dated 27 Aug 1616, Exeter, they had no children. He was a church warden of Dunsford parish in 1642. He died intestate and his widow Ursula was granted administration of his estate in 1646.

7. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford 1594- , b. 10 Mar 1593/4, who presumably lived in Dunsford alongside his brothers. He married Margery Bowden in 1620, Dunsford and they had two children; Elizabeth 1623-1623 Exeter and James 1625-1625, Dunsford. He was one of the two different Thomas Mortimers living in Dunsford in the 1642 Protestation Oath. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford was also mentioned as a good friend in the will of Edward Mortimer of Bridford, 1650, though this was presumably his uncle Thomas c.1577 son of (Humphrey d.1592).

8. William Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop 1597-aft.1642, bap. 20 Feb 1596/7, who married Mary in 1618. They had one son. He was presumably one of the two William Mortimers living in Cheriton Bishop in the 1642 Protestation Oath record. William Mortimer of Bow, who had children from 1627 onwards, was a contemporary of unknown relationship to William of Cheriton.

i. Humphrey 1621-1645, b. 3 Jun 1621 and bur. 26 Feb 1644/5 Cheriton Bishop.

Returning to Humphrey Mortimer, brother (?) of Edmund:

Humphrey Mortimer of Bridford (c.1549-1592)

Humphrey Mortimer was most likely born in the 1540s, presumably in either Cheriton Bishop or Tedburn St Mary. He was perhaps a a brother of Edmund Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop, for both named their eldest sons John and had a close connection to Dunsford. Humphrey featured in the 1569 muster roll for Bridford and he married shortly afterwards to Amy. They had the following children together, who were presumably born in either Bridford or Dunsford. He left a will dated 1592, with place name unrecorded, and which sadly no abstract or copy survives. His widow Amy had an illegitimate daughter born about the 1593. Amy Mortimer made a nuncupative will dated 24 Jun 1618, mentioning her sons John Mortimer of Bridford and Thomas Mortimer, and her daughter Joan Hedgland. Thomas Mortimer was the sole executor, who proved the will 11 Jul 1618, Exeter.

1. John Mortimer

2. Thomas Mortimer (of Dunsford) c.1577-aft.1650?, who may have been the Thomas Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary d.1619, (father of Nathaniel Mortimer 1610-1688), considering the later association and intermarriage between the two families (see below). In the will of Edward Mortimer of Bridford in 1650, Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford was mentioned as a “good friend” and named an overseer. Since Thomas was not his brother, he was presumably called a friend because he was either an uncle or close cousin. He may have been the Thomas Mortimer m. 1620 Dunsford, though this seems more likely to be Thomas Mortimer b.1594 (see above)

3. Edward Mortimer c.1580-1615, who was bur. 10 Apr 1615 Dunsford.

Other possible children, not mentioned in the above will:

• Humphrey Mortimer c.1577, had a daughter Margaret b.1598 Exeter
• Matthew Mortimer c.1583-1610, m. Elizabeth Stabbe 4 May 1606 Exeter St Paul, father of Robert 1606 and Humphrey Mortimer (1610-1687)
• Grace c.1593- m. Andrew Kemp 3 Nov 1617 Moretonhampstead.
• Amy c.1594-1627, m. Edmund Martin 1618 Moretonhampstead, bur. 27 May 1627 Moretonhampstead.

Note. Grace and Amy Mortimer are hard to place within the family; both may have been born after 1592, and were perhaps daughters of William Mortimer b.1561 and his wife Margery, fl.1606. John and Henry Mortimer are both noted in Moretonhampstead, 1642, but afterwards disappeared from all records.

Amy Mortimer, widow, also had an illegitimate daughter, Joan c.1593, who she mentioned in her will as her “natural daughter”. She married John Hedgland 12 Oct 1612 Dunsford, and they had two children in Hennock. Both John and Joan his wife died in 1623, Dunsford.

John Mortimer of Bridford (1575-1637)

John was born in Bridford and was a son of Amy Mortimer d.1618. He m. Wilmot Amery 13 Jun 1601 Bridford. They had issue in Bridford. Wilmot his wife was bur. Oct 1635, Bridford. John was bur. in Mar 1637 Bridford. John Mortimer was a husbandman. He made a will dated 1637, mentioning his sons Edward and Gilbert Mortimer. Residue was to his sons John and Simon Mortimer, the joint executors, who proved the will, 28 Apr 1637.

1. Edward Mortimer

2. George 1604-1604, b. 26 Sep, bur. 20 Dec 1604 Bridford.

3. Gilbert Mortimer 1607-1685, bap. 1607 Bridford, m. 1. Mary Comyns 2 Feb 1638/9 Exeter St Thomas, who was bur. 5 Feb 1638/9 Dunsford. He m. 2. Mary before 1643. Gilbert Mortimer and Mary his wife featured in the 1660 Poll Tax lists for Exeter St Thomas. Gilbert Mortimer was charged on 1 hearth in the 1664 Hearth Tax for Exeter St Thomas. Mary his wife was bur. 14 Nov 1677, Exeter St Thomas. They had no issue. Gilbert died in 1685 Exeter and was bur. in 1685, Dunsford. His will was dated 1685.

4. John Mortimer 1610-1643, bap. 22 Jan 1609/10 Bridford, jointly executed the will of his father John in 1637 with Simon Mortimer his brother. John Mortimer made a nuncupative will in 1643; to his brother Gilbert 1s, with residue to his brothers Edward and Simon Mortimer, the sole executors. The will was witnessed by Mary wife of Gilbert Mortimer. John was bur. 13 Dec 1643, and his will was proved on 29 Dec. His contemporary John Mortimer of Ashton also died in 1643, but earlier in the year.

5. Simon Mortimer 1611-1675, bap. 27 Dec 1611 Bridford, m. Eleanor Berry 13 Apr 1637 Bridford. They had six children. He jointly executed the will of his father John Mortimer with his brother John in 1637. Simon was living in Dunsford in 1642 and was listed in the Protestation Return. He executed the nuncupative will of his brother John in 1643 with Edward his brother. Simon and his wife featured in the 1660 poll tax. He was also taxed on 2 hearths in Dunsford in the 1664 Hearth Tax. Simon made a will mentioning his sons Thomas and Simon Mortimer, daughter Mary Mortimer and brother Gilbert Mortimer, son in law George Mortimer, and sister in law Amy Mortimer and grandson George Mortimer. The residue was left to his Eleanor, sole executrix. Simon was bur. 13 Mar 1674/5 and his will was proved 24 Mar 1674/5. Since the will mentioned his grandson George it must have been written between 1668/1672. Eleanor his widow was bur. 28 Feb 1687/8. Simon and Eleanor had the following children.

i. Gilbert Mortimer 1639-1664, b. 11 May 1639 Bridford, presumably apprenticed to his uncle Gilbert Mortimer in Exeter, who was perhaps his godfather. He died in Dunsford and was bur. 1664, Exeter. His will was dated 1664.

ii. Wilmot 1641, b. 18 Apr 1641 Dunsford, Wilmot Mortimer, and Thomas Mortimer, child were entered into the records of the 1660 Poll Tax, Dunsford. She m. her distant relative George Mortimer, 14 May 1667 Dunsford. George was the son of Nathaniel Mortimer (1610-1688). Wilmot survived only two years after the marriage, and was bur. 28 Mar 1669 Dunsford. They had one son who died in infancy; George Mortimer 1668-1672; bap. 14 Apr 1668, bur. 3 Sep 1672 Dunsford.

iii. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford 1643-1690, b. 29 Mar 1643 Dunsford, Thomas Mortimer, child, was entered into the records of the 1660 Poll Tax in Dunsford, immediately after Wilmot Mortimer his sister. He m. 1. Katherine Smallridge, 3 Feb 1668/9 Dunsford, they had one daughter who died in infancy; Katherine 1669-1671; b. 26 Jan 1668/9, bur. 15 Sep 1671 Dunsford. Thomas Mortimer and his wife were taxed in Dunsford in 1670. Katherine died in 1672 and was bur. 14 Feb 1671/2. Thomas m. 2. Mary Towills (c.1648-1727), 12 Aug 1673 Bridford, and they lived in Dunsford. He died between 1684/1695, when his wife Mary was a widow. Mary presumably died in 1727, Dunsford. They had the following four daughters.

1. Katherine 1675-1736, b. 16 Feb 1674/5 Dunsford, m. Robert Shilston 8 Jul 1705 Dunsford, bur. 12 Aug 1736 Dunsford.

2. Mary 1677-1743, b. 19 Jun 1677, m. Henry Mortimer 7 Sep 1708 Dunsford. She was bur. 7 Jun 1743.

3. Wilmot 1680-1695, b. 14 Sep 1680, bur. 20 Jan 1695 Dunsford, at which point her mother Mary was a widow.

4. Elizabeth 1684, b. 18 Sep 1684 Dunsford. She was mentioned in the will of her uncle Simon in 1687.

iv. Simon Mortimer II 1645-1687, b. 17 Oct 1645 Dunsford, m. Agnes Payne 11 Sep 1673 Dunsford. Agnes his wife was bur. 14 Sep 1679. His will was dated c.1687, which mentioned his nephew Simon son of Abraham Shilston, sister Mary wife of William Shilston, niece Elizabeth daughter of brother Thomas Mortimer, his brother in law Nicholas Payne, with residue to daughters Eleanor and Dorothy, joint executrixes. his will was proved 11 Nov 1687. Simon and Agnes had the three daughters.

1. Eleanor 1674, b. 9 Jul 1674, m. George Cordishe 4 Oct 1692 Exeter St Thomas,

2. Elizabeth 1676-1677, b. 2 Jun 1676, bur. 13 Feb 1676/7 Dunsford.

3. Dorothy 1677-1746, b. 9 Dec 1677 Dunsford, married at the age of 17 to Acquilla Welch, 16 Jun 1695 Holcombe Burnell. She was bur. 15 May 1746 Dunsford.

v. Elizabeth c.1648-1673, possibly an unrecorded daughter of Simon Mortimer, m. John Ponsford 11 Feb 162/3 Dunsford, died less than two months after, bur. 6 May 1673 Dunsford.

vi. Mary c.1650, m. William Shilston 9 Sep 1675 Dunsford, bur. 19 May 1691 Dunsford. Mary wife of William Shilston was mentioned as a sister in the will of Simon Mortimer, 1687.

vii. Rebecca? Mortimer c.1655- , who may have been an unrecorded daughter of Simon Mortimer, owing to the connection of Thomas Mortimer m. Katherine Smallridge. She m. 1. John Smallridge 15 Jan 1683/4 Holcombe Burnell, and m. 2. James Moxsey 4 Jun 1691 Dunchideock.

Edward Mortimer of Bridford (1601-1650)

Edward was the eldest son of John Mortimer and Wilmot Amery, and was born four months after his parents marriage. He was bap. 22 Oct 1601, Bridford, and m. Elizabeth Wills (1608-1666) 19 Apr 1631 Bridford. He jointly executed his father’s will in 1643 with his brother John Mortimer. He made a will dated 3 Aug 1650 Bridford, mentioning his Edward, Abraham, Nathaniel and Gilbert Mortimer. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford and Gilbert Mortimer of St Thomas were his overseers and mentioned as “good friends”. Since Gilbert was his brother, Thomas of Dunsford was presumably his uncle or cousin. He was bur. 7 Aug 1650, and his will proved 6 Sep 1650. The total sum of his inventory came to £247 12s 4d., meaning he was presumably a husbandman. Edward and Elizabeth had the following children.

1. Priscilla 1632-1632, b. 20 Apr bur. 30 May 1632 Bridford.

2. Thomasin 1633-1675, b. 12 Jun 1633 Bridford, m. Nicholas Conant 7 Apr 1651 Bridford, bur. 21 Feb 1674/5 Dunsford.

3. Edward Mortimer II 1636-1683, b. 6 Mar 1635/6 Bridford, in the 1664 Hearth Tax he was taxed on 1 hearth. He m. 1. Mary c.1666, who was bur. 3 Aug 1667 Dunsford. He m. 2. Dorothy? d.1695. Edward died intestate and was bur. 21 Aug 1683 Bridford. Edward and his second wife had the following children.

i. William 1669-1672, b. 24 Oct 1669 Dunsford, bur. 11 Nov 1672 Bridford.

(ii). Edward c.1670-1672, bur. 14 Nov 1672 Dunsford, who may instead have been a son by the previous marriage to Mary.

iii. John 1672, b. 28 Mar 1672 Bridford, perhaps the same as John Mortimer of Bovey Tracey (m.1696, d.1716 Bovey Tracey).

iv. Elizabeth (of Bridford) 1676-aft.1709, b. 11 Jun 1676 Bridford, m. Ambrose Wills 7 May 1701 Bridford, they had issue Elizabeth 1701, Susanna 1702 and Ann 1709.

4. Abraham Mortimer 1638-1665, b. 9 Dec 1638, bur. 19 Jan 1664/5 Bridford. He lived in Bovey Tracey and made a will proved 1665.

5. Nathaniel Mortimer of Bridford 1641-1703, b. 18 Sep 1641 Bridford, m. Susanna Sanford 20 Jun 1663 Christow. He died intestate in 1703. Administration was granted to his widow Susanna 3 Feb 1702/3, with William Mortimer of Bridford as a bondsman (presumably his son). Nathaniel and Susanna had the following children, though most of their children died in infancy. No burial record has been found for him.

i. Susanna 1667, b. 22 Nov 1667 Bridford, m. George Crispin (c.1666- )10 Dec 1691 Bridford. They had seven children; Geo II 1692, Agn 1694, Jno 1697, Mary 1701, Wm 1703, Susan 1707 and Joan 1710.

ii. John Mortimer 1670-? , b. 20 Feb 1669/70 Bridford, presumably d. before 1702/3 Bridford.

iii. Richard 1672-1679, b. 10 Mar 1671/2, bur. 12 May 1679.

iv. Nathaniel 1674-1674, b. 10 Jan, bur. 7 Feb 1673/4.

v. Agnes 1675-1678, b. 14 Feb 1674/5 bur. 26 Nov 1678.

vi. Nathaniel 1677-1685, b. 9 Sep 1677, bur. 12 May 1685 Bridford.

vii. William Mortimer of Ashton (1679-1724)

viii. Christian 1681, b. 22 Dec 1681 Bridford.

ix. Elizabeth (of Doddiscombsleigh) 1683-1736, b. 25 Feb 1682/3 Bridford, had an illegitimate son William Mortimer b.1703 Doddiscombsleigh. She m. Richard Caseley in 1721 Doddiscombsleigh, and was bur. 29 Jul 1736.

6. Gilbert Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary 1644-1698, b. 23 Jun 1644 Bridford, m. 1. Alice Bickley 16 Nov 1666 Exeter Holy Trinity. Alice was bur. 28 Jan 1670/1 Bridford. He m. 2. Elizabeth Preston 2 Oct 1679 Tedburn St Mary. He was bur. 3 May 1698 Tedburn St Mary. Elizabeth his widow was bur. 14 Jun 1698 Tedburn St Mary. Gilbert and his first wife Alice had one son.

i. Abraham Mortimer 1668-1706, named after his uncle who died two years before his birth. He was bap. 3 Sep 1668 Tedburn St Mary. Abraham m. 1. Elizabeth Blisse (1670-1702) 10 Jun 1694 Chudleigh, and they had the following children. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 1 Jul 1702 Chudleigh.

1. Elizabeth 1695-1697, b. 5 May 1695, bur. 30 May 1697 Chudleigh.

2. Mary 1697, b. 26 Sep 1697, m. James Hore 26 Nov 1721 Chudleigh.

3. Abraham Mortimer 1701-1746, b. 6 Jul 1701, bur. 19 May 1746 Chudleigh.

Abraham Mortimer m. 2. Margaret Stamp (1677-1752) 15 Aug 1703 Chudleigh, and they had the following children. He was bur. 20 Aug 1706 Chudleigh.

4. Elizabeth 1704- , b. 7 Mar 1703/4 Chudleigh, m. James Prance 15 Jul 1730 Chudleigh

5. Samuel 1706-1709, b. 17 Aug 1706 Chudleigh, bur. 10 Apr 1709 Chudleigh.

Gilbert Mortimer (1644-1698) and his second wife Elizabeth had two daughters.

ii. Susanna 1680, b. 17 Sep 1680 Tedburn St Mary, m. Arthur Kellaway 11 Aug 1701 Crediton.

iii. Thomasin 1682, b. 1 Feb 1681/2 Tedburn St Mary, m. Ralph Major 1 Oct 1706 Bridestowe.

William Mortimer of Ashton (1679-1724)

William was probably born in Bridford, the son of Nathaniel Mortimer. He was bap. 20 Apr 1679 Bridford, and had eight siblings though he was perhaps the only son to survive to adulthood. In the administration record of Nathaniel Mortimer in 1702/3, he was presumably the William Mortimer who joined the bond. He moved to Ashton before 1714, and m. Jane Edwards 29 Mar 1714 Ashton. He was perhaps the William Mortimer of Chudleigh who took the loyalty oath at Chudleigh Market House, 22 Aug 1723. William died the following year and was bur. 31 Jul 1724 Ashton. After his death his widow Jane remarried to John Vinnicombe, 30 Oct 1735 Ashton. William and Jane Mortimer had the following children.

1. Elizabeth 1715-1731, bap. 31 Mar 1715, bur. 2 Feb 1731/2 Ashton.

2. Mary 1717, bap. 16 May 1717 Ashton, m. William Crispin (c.1703-1770) 23 Feb 1741/2 Ashton, who was perhaps her first cousin, and son of Susanna Mortimer m. George Crispin, 1691 (see above). They had the following children; Zac 1748, Robt 1750, Jane 1754. Mary died aged (82) and was bur. 13 Mar 1798, Ashton.

3. Ann 1719, bap. 16 Oct 1719 Ashton.

4. William Mortimer II of Dawlish (1723-1759), b. 26 Feb 1722/3 Ashton, m. Elizabeth Taylor 20 Jan 1749/50 Dawlish, they had five children. William was bur. 3 Jul 1759, Dawlish. He named his eldest two children William and Jane, supporting the connection with the previous generation. Elizabeth his widow remarried to Robert Back (c.1724-1769) 12 Oct 1766 Kenton, and died in 1768. Elizabeth was bur. 27 Apr 1768, Dawlish. Robert Back died in 1769.

i. William Mortimer III

ii. Jane 1752-1809, b. 18 Nov, bap. 10 Dec 1752 Dawlish, m. Samuel Salter (c.1742-1819) 3 Sep 1775 Mamhead (banns publ. 13 Aug). She died in 1809, Mamhead.

iii. John Mortimer 1755-? , b. 4 Jan, bap. 19 Jan 1755, of whom nothing further is known.

iv. Elizabeth 1757, b. 30 May, bap. 12 Jun 1757

v. Mary 1759, b. 22 Oct, bap. 11 Nov 1759, presumably m. 1782 to either Wm Bond or Wm Sanford.

William Mortimer III of North Tawton (1750-1818)

William was born in Dawlish, the son of William and Elizabeth Mortimer. He was born 4 Nov 1750, and bap. 18 Nov 1750 Dawlish. His father died in 1759 when he was 9, and his mother died in 1768 when he was 17. Around this time, William moved away from Dawlish to the vicinity of North Tawton. He married Frances Crispin, 28 Feb 1774 Zeal Monachorum, and they had eleven children. His family featured in the North Tawton inhabitant list composed in 1801. He was bur. 19 Apr 1818 North Tawton, aged 67. Frances his wife was bur. 11 Jun 1820 aged (69). They had the following children.

1. John Mortimer 

2. William Mortimer 1777-1818? , bap. 18 May 1777 Zeal Monachorum, perhaps the same as William Mortimer m. Elizabeth Webb, 7 Apr 1800 Exeter St David and bur. 19 Jul 1818 Exeter St David. They had the following children.

i. John Mortimer of Exeter 1800-1871, brush manufacturer. He was bap. 16 Jul 1800 Exeter St David, married 1. Dorothy Wall (1803-1843), they had the following children. John Mortimer m. 2. Melony Ellard, they had one son, Charles b.1845.

1. Thomas Webb Mortimer 1823-

2. John Mortimer b.1826-

3. William Mortimer 1828- (d. young)

4. George Stephen Mortimer of Melbourne (1830-1897), bapt. 4 Jul 1830 Exeter St David, m. Caroline Saunders, 1854, Exeter. George Mortimer emigrated to Australia. He died 20 Oct 1897 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

5. Elizabeth Lydia 1832- (d. young)

6. William Henry Mortimer 1834-

7. Edward Mortimer 1838-

8. Elizabeth Dorothy 1840-

9. Charles Mortimer 1845-1918

ii. William Mortimer II 1803, bap. 23 Jan 1803 Exeter St David,

iii. Thomas Mortimer 1807, bap. 30 Mar 1807 Exeter St David.

3. Betty 1780, b. 9 Apr 1780 Zeal Monachorum, who had an illegitimate son John Mortimer b. 1800 Winkleigh

i. John Mortimer of Newport, Barnstaple 1800-1887, bap. 23 Feb 1800 Winkleigh, m. Grace. He died in 1887, Barnstaple. John and Grace had the following children.

1. Thomas Mortimer 1834

2. Ann 1839

3. Maria 1841

4. Mary 1783, b. _1783 North Tawton.

5. Robert Mortimer 1785-1866, husbandman, bap. _1785 North Tawton. He lived in North Tawton in 1801 as an apprentice. He m. Mary Cann (c.1785- ), 1808, Colebrooke. They had the following children. He lived in Colebrooke in 1841, as an ag lab., and Exeter St Sidwell in 1861. He was strangely absent from the 1851 census. He died in 1866, Exeter. Robert and Mary had the following children.

i. William Mortimer 1808, presumably named after William Mortimer of N. Tawton (above). He was b. 1 Nov and bap. 4 Nov 1808.

ii. Samuel Mortimer 1810, b. 4 Jan, bap. 28 Jan 1810 Colebrooke.

iii. John Mortimer of Thorverton 1811y, b. 16 Nov, bap. 8 Dec 1811 Colebrooke.

iv. Robert Mortimer 1814, bap. 2 Jan 1814.

v. Charlotte Cann 1816, bap. 8 Jun 1816.

vi. Thomas Mortimer 1818-1897, bap. 22 Nov 1818.

vii. James Mortimer 1821, bap. 23 Jan 1821.

viii. Mary Ann 1823, bap. 12 Oct 1823.

ix. Henry 1826-1826, bap. 5 Jun, bur. _1826.

x. Herman 1828, bap. 30 Mar 1828.

6. Elizabeth 1788, bap. 20 Jul 1788 North Tawton, listed in the 1801 North Tawton inhabitant list.

7. Samuel 1791-1796, bap. 13 Feb 1791, bur. 29 Jun 1796 North Tawton.

8. Thomas Mortimer c.1793-1838, bap. 9 Feb 1794, listed in the 1801 North Tawton inhabitant list. He died aged 45 and was bur. 5 May 1838 North Tawton.

9. John 1793-1794, bap. 15 Sep 1793 Moretonhampstead, bur. 23 Nov 1794 North Tawton. John was not listed in the North Tawton inhabitant list and presumably died young.

10. Mary 1796, bap. 24 Jan 1796 Moretonhampstead.

11. Fanny 1798-1871, bap. 21 Oct 1798 Moretonhampstead, m. Robert Wilkins 1819 Alphington. She lived in Sidmouth 1841, 1851, and Withycombe Raleigh 1861. She died in 1871.

John Mortimer of Sidmouth (1775-1858)

John was born in Zeal Monachorum, the son of William and Frances Mortimer, and was bap. 5 Jun 1775 Zeal Monachorum. The family moved to North Tawton before 1785.

According to a Settlement Examination made in 1800, John Mortimer was apprenticed aged 8 to a William Knapman in North Tawton. At the age of 16, he moved to Kingsteignton then Chudleigh, before working in Trusham.

John married firstly, Thomasin Wyatt, their first child was Frances, who was born before they married. Soon after their marriage they relocated to Kenton, where they had two other daughters, Mary 1798 and Ann 1799. Thomasin his wife died in 1801, and was bur. 12 Feb 1801, Kenton.

1. Frances 1796

2. Mary 1798

3. Ann 1799

John Mortimer married secondly, Sarah Barrett, 28 Aug 1804 Exeter Holy Trinity, at which point he lived in Upton Pyne. The family afterwards lived in Sidmouth, where he worked as a gardener. He was recorded as resident in Sidmouth in 1841/51. John died in 1858 and was bur. 2 May 1858 Sidmouth. John and Sarah had the following children.

4. William Mortimer 1805-1888, b. 5 May 1805 Upton Pyne, m. Ann. They had the following children. William died in 1888, Sidmouth.

i. Elizabeth 1832

ii. Edwin Mortimer of Croydon 1834-1930, born in Sidmouth 1834, lived in Sidmouth 1841/51. He m. 1. Abigail Smith 30 Jul 1863 Harrow, lived in Croydon Surrey 1871. Abigail died in 1878. He m. 2. Ada Jackman 4 Aug 1879 Croydon. He lived in Croydon 1891, Brighton, Sussex 1901, Preston Sussex 1911. He died in 1930. Edwin and his first wife Abigail had one son.

1. William Samuel Mortimer 1867-1917, b. 1867 Croydon, lived in Croydon 1871/81, Banstead Surrey 1891, m. Rose Thatcher (c.1870-1944) in 1894 , they had the following children.

i. Edwin James Mortimer 1895-1974

ii. William Robert Mortimer 1896-1953

iii. Alfred George Mortimer 1901-1987

iv. Leonard Samuel Mortimer 1903-1960

v. Kathleen Dorothy 1905-1989

iii. William Mortimer 1837, b. 1837 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51.

iv. Ellen 1854

5. George Mortimer 1807-1872, b. 1807 Sidmouth, m. Ann Sharland 1 Jun 1828 Exeter St Sidwell, they had issue.

i. Elizabeth 1829

ii. Catherine 1831

iii. Fanny 1837-1873

iv. Joseph Sharland Mortimer 1838-1917, b. 1838 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51/61. He m. Mary Ann Cosway, 1880 East Stonehouse reg. district, they had two children.

1. James Cosway Mortimer 1881-1953

2. Elizabeth Emma 1881-1938, b. 1881 Sidmouth, d. 11 Apr 1953 Plymouth.

6. John Mortimer II 1809-1887, b. 1809 Sidmouth, m. Maria.

7. Samuel Mortimer 1812-1896, b. 1812 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51. He m. Anna Matilda Carslake, they had the following children. Samuel Mortimer lived in Sidmouth in 1861/71/81/91, where he died 1896.

i. Samuel Mortimer II 1839-1891, b. 22 Dec 1839 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51. Joined the Royal Navy before 1861. He m. Charlotte in 1863. Samuel was at Naples in 1871. After discharge from the navy Samule and his wife moved to Cheshire, and they lived in Tranmere, Cheshire in 1881. He died in 1891, Birkenhead. Samuel and Charlotte had the following children.

1. Samuel George Mortimer 1866-1938, b. 1866 Torpoint, Cornwall, bap. there 4 Feb 1866. Lived in Moretonhampstead 1871, Tranmere Cheshire 1881/91, Poulton cum Seacombe 1901/11. Samuel G. m. Rachel. He d. 31 Dec 1938 Cheshire.

2. Lewis Arthur Mortimer 1873-1911, b. 1873 Tranmere, and bap. there 1873. He lived in Tranmere 1881/91, Birkenhead 1901, m. Grace Coker 1908 Birkenhead. They lived in Poulton with Seacombe 1911. He d. 28 Oct 1931 Cheshire.

3. Frank John Mortimer 1876-1951, was b. 1876 Sidmouth. He lived in Tranmere 1881/91, Birkenhead 1901/11. He died 22 Dec 1951 Birkenhead.

ii. William Henry Mortimer 1842-1917, b. 1842 Sidmouth, lived there 1851. He joined the Royal Navy before 1861. In 1861 he was an ordinary seaman. He married Anne, they lived in Sidmouth 1871/81/91/1901/11. William H. and Anne had two children.

1. Samuel Henry Mortimer 1872-1946, b. 6 Jan 1872 Sidmouth, lived there with parents in 1881/91. He m. Sarah Ellen Eveleigh 1894. They lived in Sidmouth 1901/11. He died 24 Jan 1946, Sidmouth.

2. William Ford Mortimer 1874, b. 1874 Sidmouth, lived there with parents 1881/91. He m. Susan in 1894. They lived in Sidmouth 1901/11.

iii. Isaac John Mortimer 1844

iv. Charles Edward Mortimer 1846-1926

v. Theophilus Carslake Mortimer 1850-1922