Origins
North Bovey is situated on the eastern edge of Dartmoor. The Mortimer family of North Bovey descend from Walter Mortimer, the eldest son of John Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary. Here the Mortimers lived as yeoman farmers, husbandmen and labourers.
Walter Mortimer of North Bovey (1601-1672)
Walter was born in 1601 and baptised 20 Jan 1600/1 in North Bovey, the eldest surviving son of John Mortimer. He had two younger brothers, Nicholas Mortimer and Matthew Mortimer, who both left Tedburn St Mary and lived in nearby parishes. In 1606 he was mentioned as “cousin Walter” in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth Mortimer. Cousin in that day was another term for a kinsman or relative, and was also used to refer to grandchildren. Grandparents would often stand as godparents to their grandchildren upon baptism and so it is possible in this instance that Walter was also Elizabeth’s godson. Godchildren would often be remembered in a will in such a way. Walter Mortimer married Richord Croot (c.1606-1679) 24 Oct 1631, North Bovey, and they had at least five children. He lived as a yeoman in North Bovey with his wife and family. He made a will dated 16 Apr 1672, mentioning his sons John, Thomas and Walter Mortimer, and daughter Richord Mortimer. His residue was left to his wife Richord who was sole executrix, who proved the will on 2 Apr 1672 at Exeter. He was bur. 28 Apr 1672, North Bovey. His widow Richord made her will 5 Nov 1678, mentioning her daughter Thomasin Langdon, son Thomas Mortimer and his son John, her son John Mortimer and his son John, her son Walter Mortimer, grandson William Mortimer, and her daughter Richord White. Her son Thomas was sole executor, who proved the will 26 Jul 1679 at Exeter. She died and was bur. 10 Jun 1679, North Bovey.
1. Thomas Mortimer of North Bovey (1633-1681), bap. 13 Jan 1632/3 North Bovey, who married Elizabeth Walling 31 Mar 1668, North Bovey. They had one son, John Mortimer c.1670. Thomas was the executor of his mother Richord’s will in 1678. He died in 1681 and was bur. 30 Mar 1681. His widow Elizabeth died in 1700 and was bur. 19 Sep, North Bovey.
i. John Mortimer c.1670-aft.1704?, mentioned in the will of his grandmother Richord in 1678. He was presumably still alive at the time of his father’s decease in 1681, at which point he would have been aged about 11. His mother Elizabeth died in Sep 1700. John can perhaps be identified as John Mortimer m. Elizabeth Hammett, 6 Sep 1691 Moretonhampstead. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 29 Mar 1704 Moretonhampstead, and John died sometime after that date. They had the following children in Moretonhampstead.
1. John c.1692-1692, bur. 25 Sep 1692 Moretonhampstead.
2. Katherine 1695, b. 24 Mar 1694/5.
3. Alice 1699, b. 26 Feb 1698/9.
4. Elizabeth 1702, m. Thomas Barter 4 Feb 1727/8 Manaton
2. Richord 1635-1700, bap. 29 Sep 1635, who married Henry White (c.1640-1711), 13 Aug 1677, Chagford. She was bur. 10 May 1700, Chagford. Her husband was bur. 18 Jun 1711, Chagford.
3. John Mortimer of North Bovey (1641-1679), who was bap. 27 Jun 1641, North Bovey. He married Isett Wills, 2 Aug 1670. He was bur. 12 Jun 1679, North Bovey, and administration was granted to his widow Isett later the same year. They had five children.
i. John b. 28 May 1671, bur. 14 Sep 1671 North Bovey.
ii. John Mortimer b. 25 Aug 1672, mentioned in the will of grandmother Richord Mortimer in 1678. He can perhaps be identified with John Mortimer of Bovey Tracey, who m. Mary Cook, 1 Nov 1696 Bovey Tracey. John was bur. 11 Apr 1716, Bovey Tracey. Mary his widow was bur. 8 Oct 1722. They had the following children.
1. Richard Mortimer of Bovey Tracey c.1697-c.1730. John’s son Robert was born in 1697, though this is possibly a mistake for Richard, who is later noted in Bovey Tracey. He m. Julian Spray, 6 Dec 1724, Bovey Tracey. They had issue, one daughter Mary. Richard died around the year 1730. Julian was bur. 13 Apr 1733, Bovey Tracey, and was presumably a widow then.
i. Mary 1725, bap. 1725 Bovey Tracey, possibly m. 1745 Chagford to Samuel Dicker.
2. Mary 1700
3. Ann 1703
4. Thomas 1707-1717
Otherwise, he may have been the John Mortimer of Crediton, who had daughters Elizabeth and Isett.
iii. Henry b. 28 Sep 1674, bur. 3 Apr 1676.
iv. Isett, b. 5 Sep 1676.
v. Henry Mortimer, posthumous son, bap. 6 Jul 1679, North Bovey, bur. 15 Aug 1711, Tedburn St Mary.
4. Thomasin 1643-1700, who was bap. 7 Jan 1643/4, and married an unknown Langdon. She presumably had a daughter Thomasin Langdon, m. John Northcott, 8 Mar 1697/8, who had a daughter Thomasin Northcott b. 1707.
5. Walter Mortimer II
Walter Mortimer II of North Bovey (1646-1703)
Walter was bap. 26 Aug 1646, and married Wilmot Langman, 28 Apr 1670, North Bovey, they had the following children. In the 1674 hearth tax he was taxed on two hearths in North Bovey, where he presumably lived as a yeoman farmer. He died in 1703 without leaving a will, and was bur. 7 Feb 1702/3. His widow Wilmot was bur. beside him 14 Dec 1714, North Bovey churchyard.
1. Wilmot 1671-1704, who was b. 7 Mar 1670/1, m. Andrew Harvey (1670-1732), 8 Mar 1697/8 North Bovey, she was bur. 19 Jul 1704, Manaton.
2. William Mortimer of Moretonhampstead 1673-aft.1722, b. 27 Apr 1673, was the eldest son of Walter Mortimer. He m. firstly Elizabeth Brook, 21 Apr 1702, Moretonhampstead, she died in 1703. He m. secondly Ann Bridgman, 5 Feb 1705/6 Moretonhampstead. William and Ann had the following children in Moretonhampstead. William and his family were early non-conformists and their children were baptised in the Moretonhampstead independent meeting chapel. Both William and Ann his wife died at an unknown date in Moretonhampstead, after the year 1722, they were presumably bur. in the independent chapel cemetery.
i. Walter 1707-1707, named after his grandfather, died in infancy; b. 6 Jul, bur. 8 Jul 1707 Moretonhampstead.
ii. William Mortimer II 1709-1749, b. 30 Nov 1709, m. Elizabeth Pinston (1716-1783?), 8 Jan 1739/40 Moretonhampstead. He may have died in 1749, Moretonhampstead. Elizabeth his wife may have died in 1783. They had two daughters
1. Elizabeth b. 1740, bap. 4 Jan 1740/1 Newton Abbot; Wolborough St. Independent Chapel
2. Mary b. 1743, bap. 13 Feb 1742/3 Moretonhampstead, who perhaps m. William Holman in 1768, Dunchideock.
iii. Elizabeth, b. 8 Jun 1712.
iv. Mary, b. 7 Jan 1721/2.
3. John b. 6 Dec 1675, bur. 13 Apr 1676 North Bovey.
4. Maxamillion c.1677- who was presumably a sister of William Mortimer, Walter Mortimer and George Mortimer, all of Moretonhampstead. She m. John Major 22 Jun 1701, Moretonhampstead.
5. Walter Mortimer III
6. George Mortimer II of Moretonhampstead (c.1684-1746), was presumably a son of Walter Mortimer, perhaps born in Moretonhampstead in the 1680s, at which time there was a parish register gap. His brother Walter Mortimer’s baptism record is also missing. George may instead have been born in 1673, Drewsteignton, son of George Mortimer. He m. Elizabeth, whose last name is unknown, and they had the following children in Moretonhampstead. George was bur. _ Jan 1745/6, Elizabeth his widow survived him by 12 years and was bur. _ 1758, Moretonhampstead.
i. George Mortimer II 1710-1766, bap. 18 Jun 1710 Moretonhampstead, m. Mary Perriman (1715-1791) 13 Jan 1742/3, Moretonhampstead, bur. 7 Dec 1766, Lustleigh. Mary his widow was bur. 18 Aug 1791. They had the following children in Lustleigh.
1. John Mortimer 1743, bap. Dec 1743, Moretonhampstead, perhaps died in childhood.
2. Susanna 1748-1819, bap. 14 Aug 1748 Lustleigh, bur. 7 Dec 1819, aged (72).
3. George Mortimer III 1753-1839, bap. 17 Jun 1753 Moretonhampstead, bur. 3 Mar 1839 Lustleigh, aged 85.
4. Elizabeth 1760-1841, bap. 27 Jan 1860 Lustleigh, bur. 13 Jan 1841, aged (81).
ii. Elizabeth 1712, bap. 8 Jun 1712 Moretonhampstead.
iii. Walter Mortimer of Kingsteignton 1716-c.1760, a contemporary of Walter Mortimer of Lustleigh (c.1720-1776). He m. Grace Tar (c.1724-1806) 8 Apr 1751 Teigngrace, and they had at least two children. Walter died at an unknown date after 1755. Grace his wife was bur. 1 Apr 1806 Kingsteignton, aged 82.
1. Joan 1752-1800, bap. 21 Jan 1751/2 Kingsteignton, m. Richard Knowling 21 Jul 1776 Kingsteignton.
2. Richard Mortimer b.1755, of whom nothing further is known.
iv. Mary 1718-1719
v. John Mortimer 1721, who perhaps m. Susanna Mardon 10 Oct 1742, Moretonhampstead.
vi. Mary 1723-1738, bur. 27 Apr 1738 Moretonhampstead
vii. Wilmot 1726-1752, bap. 3 Nov 1726, bur. 1752 Moretonhampstead, daughter of Elizabeth Mortimer. Elizabeth her mother presumably died in 1758.
7. Elizabeth b. 6 Mar 1686/7, presumably bur. 19 Jun 1687, North Bovey.
Walter Mortimer III of North Bovey (c.1684-1753)
Walter was presumably the son of Walter and Wilmot Mortimer of North Bovey. He was born in a gap between the baptisms of his siblings John Mortimer in 1675, and Elizabeth in 1687. The wide gap leaves open the possibility there were other unrecorded children of Walter and Wilmot Mortimer. He m. Joan Nosworthy, 18 Apr 1710, Manaton, and they had the following seven children. Walter was a yeoman in North Bovey, as stated in his will dated 1754, which mentioned his wife Joan, eldest son George, daughter Agnes wife of John Boone and her children, daughter Mary, and son in law Richard Honeywill. The residue was left to his sons Walter and Nicholas Mortimer, joint executors. The will was proved on 8 May 1754. He died and was bur. 21 Jul 1753, in his home parish. His widow Joan died in 1759.
1. Agnes 1711, b. 3 Apr 1711 North Bovey, m. John Boone, 28 May 1732, Manaton. Their children were named in the will of her father George Mortimer; Joan, Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Susan Boone.
2. Joan 1714-1742, b. 2 May 1714 Manaton, m. Richard Honeywell 18 Apr 1737, Widecombe in the Moor. She was bur. 11 Apr 1742 Widecombe in the Moor. Richard Honeywill remarried the following year to Elizabeth Smerdon 12 Apr 1743, they had a son Jonas Honeywill (1749-1820), bap. 18 Oct 1749 Buckland in the Moor, who m. Margaret Nosworthy 26 Mar 1786, Manaton, their daughter was Susanna Honeywill b. 1792 Ilsington, who married William Mortimer (c.1786-1867) in 1819, Ilsington (see below).
3. George Mortimer of North Bovey (1717-1787), b. 24 Apr 1716/7 North Bovey, m. firstly Ann Leyman 10 Jun 1746, North Bovey, his first wife died in 1758, he married secondly Mary Soper, 8 Jun 1762, North Bovey. She died in 1777. He made a will dated 13 May 1786, North Bovey. The Combe estate was divided between his four daughters, in fee simple. His son in law Richard Easterbrook was a trustee. The residue went to his daughters Mary and Joan who were joint executrixes. The will was proved 1 Nov 1787. George Mortimer had issue by his first wife Ann only.
i. Ann b. 3 Nov 1747 North Bovey, m. William Smale.
ii. Mary b. 17 Oct 1749, m. Gabriel German.
iii. Joan b. 11 Jun 1753, marriage unknown.
iv. Elizabeth b. 16 Oct 1755, contemporary of Elizabeth Mortimer b. 1753 daughter of Walter (below).
4. Walter Mortimer IV, of whom next
5. Mary 1726, b. 9 May 1726 North Bovey, m. Ambrose Nosworthy (1725-1783) presumably a relative of mother Joan, 11 Apr 1748, Widecombe in the Moor. She was described as a resident of N. Bovey in the m. record. She presumably died in 1784 and was bur. 23 May 1784 Widecombe in the Moor.
6. Nicholas Mortimer, of whom second.
7. William 1733-1733, bap. 18 Sep 1733, died young, bur. 14 Dec 1733.
Walter Mortimer IV of North Bovey (1720-1776)
Walter was b. 17 Jan 1719/20. He m. Mary Hill, 9 May 1742, Lustleigh and they had the following nine children. He died in 1776, and was bur. 14 Apr 1776, Lustleigh. His two eldest grandson were both born in 1776.
1. George Mortimer of Denbury 1743-1783. George was presumably born in 1743, North Bovey. He was perhaps a yeoman farmer, and moved away from his home parish. He married Mary Rolston (1742-1824), 24 May 1769, Denbury. He died and was bur. in 1783, Denbury. They had four daughters, all of whom were baptised in Denbury; Ann 1770, Eliz 1772, Mary 1775 and Susan 1779.
2. John Mortimer of North Bovey 1745-1795, bap. 15 Apr 1745, North Bovey. John may have instead been bapt. in 1743 Lustleigh, the son of George. However his connection to N. Bovey is without a doubt. He married Mary Sims (1749-1836), 11 Aug 1774, Lustleigh, at which time he was living in North Bovey. He may have died in 1795, North Bovey. His wife was presumably bur. in 1836, North Bovey, aged 87. His occupation is unknown but judging by the occupations of his children, he was probably an ag lab. John and Mary had the following children.
i. John Mortimer II 1776-1791, bap. 2 Jun 1776 Lustleigh, bur. 3 Nov 1791 North Bovey, aged (16).
ii. Walter Mortimer of Lustleigh 1778-1846, bap. 1778, m. Mary Plumshole, 4 Apr 1805, North Bovey. In 1841 he was an ag lab in N. Bovey. He died in 1846, Lustleigh. Walter and Mary had issue:
1. Walter Mortimer 1805
2. Elizabeth 1809
iii. Mary 1779-1780, bap. 1779 Moretonhampstead, presumably d. young before the birth of her sister Mary in 1786.
iv. George Mortimer of Marldon, 1781-1860, contemporary of George Mortimer of Moretonhampstead below. He was bap. 27 May 1781 North Bovey, and m. 1. Elizabeth Tozer (1778-1814) 14 Jun 1805, Marldon, m. 2. Mary Hawkins (1787-1867) 12 Jun 1825, Marldon. In 1841 he was occupied as an ag lab in Marldon. He died in 1860, and was bur. 8 Jan 1860, Marldon. George and his first wife Elizabeth had four children, all of whom were baptised in Marldon.
1. Mary b. 20 Oct 1805, bap. 3 Nov 1805 Marldon, who d. young, bur. 10 Nov 1805.
2. George Mortimer II b. 30 Dec 1806, bap. 11 Jan 1807
3. Susanna b. 19 Aug 1809, bap. 3 Sep 1809
4. John Mortimer of Greenwich (1811- bef.1884), b. 14 Aug 1811, bap. 25 Aug 1811. John m. Marina Tribble 1 Dec 1846, St Mary Magdalene Bermondsey, who was also born in Devon. They afterwards lived in Greenwich where John Mortimer worked as a hair dresser. They lived at 5 North Terrace Trafalgar Rd., Greenwich. John died and was bur. 13 Apr 1881, Greenwich, and Marina his wife was bur. 7 Nov 1884. They had the following children.
i. Elizabeth Ellen 1848-1882, bap. 12 Mar 1848 Woolwich St Mary Magdalen, Kent, m. Robert Whetstone, 8 Jan 1870, Christchurch, Greenwich. She was bur. 27 Sep 1882, Kensington and Chelsea.
ii. Marina 1853
iii. Amelia Louise 1855-1949, bap. 10 Apr 1857 Greenwich St Alphege, m. Charles Leeds Stocks, 10 Dec 1883, St George the Martyr.
iv. George John Mortimer 1857-, b. 25 Nov 1857. He joined the Royal Navy in 1877. He m. Cassandra Stevenson (1859-1944) 19 Dec 1880, St John Deptford, and they had at least two sons.
v. James Frederick Mortimer 1861-1937, bap. 1 Dec 1861 Greenwich St Alphege. He m. Hannah Matilda Bowman (c.1855-1926), 26 Oct 1884, St Luke Deptford. They lived in Cann Hall, Essex and had children, at least two sons. He died 31 May 1937, London.
vi. Arthur Philip Mortimer 1865-1944, b. 1 May 1865, bap. 1 Feb 1871 Christchurch, Greenwich. He m. Henrietta Buss (1867-1940) 27 Jun 1886 St Philip Deptford, London. They had at least five sons.
v. William Mortimer of Staverton, 1783-1841, bap. 16 Feb 1783, Moretonhampstead. He was apprenticed to John Atwill of Broadhempston, mason 21 Apr 1807. He m. Margaret Dodd (1785-aft.1841), 13 Oct 1808, Buckfastleigh. Between 1821/25 he was occupied as a husbandman in Staverton. By 1841, he was working as an ag lab in Broadhempston. He died sometime after, presumably before 1851. William and Margaret had the following ten children.
1. John Mortimer of Totnes 1809- , bap. 13 Aug 1809 Buckfastleigh, he m. Jane before 1881. He was occupied as a quarryman, and fl. 1851 Buckfastleigh, 1871/81/91 Totnes. By 1881 he had evidently retired from work when he was described as lately a labourer.
2. Mary bap. 12 Apr 1812 Buckfastleigh.
3. William Mortimer II bap. 9 Oct 1814 Staverton
4. James Mortimer bap. 20 Oct 1816, m. Mary Ann French (1821-1906), Jan 1841 Broadhempston. Their children were:
i. Harriet c.1842
ii. William Mortimer 1844-1921
iii. Elizabeth c.1846-1880, m. 1864 to Arthur Bradley Bowden (1843-1881).
iv. Ann French M. c.1849-1925, m. Henry Binmore (1846-1921), in 1866, Newton Abbot reg. district.
5. Susanna 1819-c.1824, bap. 31 Jan 1819, d. young before birth of younger sister Susanna.
6. Elizabeth bap. 15 Apr 1821
7. George 1823-c.1825, bap. 1823 Staverton, date unrecorded. He d. young before birth of younger brother George.
8. Ann bap. 1 May 1825
9. George 1827-1827, bap. 13 May 1827
10. Susanna 1828-1832
vi. Susanna 1785, bap. 20 Feb 1785 North Bovey, presumably so named after her aunt Susanna Mortimer, who was sadly convicted in 1787 at the age of 27 and transported to Australia for the rest of her life (see below). Susanna perhaps married George Baker in 1810, Exeter St Thomas the Apostle.
vii. Mary 1786-1857, bap. Christmas Day 1786, m. Thomas Stillman, 21 Mar 1809, Moretonhampstead. They lived in Exeter St David parish, 1851. She died in 1857 and was bur. 8 Apr 1857, Exeter St David, aged (73).
3. Walter Mortimer V 1748-1813, bap. 2 Feb 1747/8, North Bovey. He m. Susanna Dodd, 1775, North Bovey. He was bur. 9 Jul 1813, North Bovey, aged (66). Susanna his wife died in 1823. They had the following children.
i. William Mortimer of Manaton 1776-1828, bap. 21 Jul 1776 North Bovey, m. Joan Leyman (1772-1839) in 1802, Manaton. He lived in Higher Langdon, Manaton in 1814 and worked as a labourer, according to his daughter Mary’s baptism record. William was bur. 10 Feb 1828, North Bovey, aged 51, of Rendon. William and Joan had the following four children.
1. Elizabeth bap. 26 Dec 1805 Manaton.
2. John Mortimer of Ilsington 1808- , bap. 22 May 1808. He m. Elizabeth in c. 1831, and they had the following nine children. They lived in Ilsington 1841, Bickington 1851, and Ilsington again in 1861, where he worked as an ag lab.
i. Maria Ann 1833, Ilsington
ii. John Mortimer II 1840
iii. Thomas Mortimer 1841-1913
iv. Emma 1844
v. Ann 1845
vi. Elizabeth 1847
vii. Alice c. 1849 Ilsington
viii. Henry 1853 Bickington
ix. Alice 1858, Bickington.
3. Ann, bap. 16 Jun 1811
4. Mary, bap. 13 Nov 1814.
ii. Elizabeth 1778- , bap. 21 Apr 1778 North Bovey, m. Thomas Lee 24 Jul 1806 Stoke Damerel. She lived in Stoke Damerel in 1851.
iii. Wilmot 1780, b. 5 Mar 1780, m. William Holloway 20 Nov 1803 North Bovey.
iv. Susanna 1781, b. 18 Nov 1781, m. Richard Westington 14 Oct 1804 North Bovey.
v. George Mortimer of Moretonhampstead, 1786-, contemporary of George Mortimer of Manaton (1781-1860) above. He was bap. 29 Jan 1786 North Bovey. He m. Margaret Osbourne 6 Nov 1813, Stoke Damerel. They lived in Bere Ferrers where he was occupied as a husbandman, followed by Moretonhampstead, where he worked as an ag lab. They had the following children.
1. George Mortimer 1814- c.1818, bap. 3 Apr 1814 Bere Ferrers, who d. young, before the birth of younger brother George in 1820.
2. Henry Mortimer bap. 18 Aug 1816 Bere Ferrers
3. George Mortimer II b. 1820 Moretonhampstead
4. Grace Osbourne b. 1821 Beer Alston, bap. 4 Feb 1821 Bere Ferrers, who had a son George Mortimer b. 1849
5. Emma bap. 21 Jan 1827 North Bovey
6. William Mortimer bap. 8 Feb 1829
7. Margaret Louisa bap. 18 May 1834
vi. John Mortimer of Sampford Spiney 1787-1855, bap. 23 Dec 1787 North Bovey. He served in the First Regiment of Foot (Grenadier Guards from 1814, and fought in the Napoleonic Wars in both Canada and Europe. He was released from service before 1826, at which point he was a Chelsea Pensioner. He m. Elizabeth Sherrell 7 Dec 1825, Newton Ferrers, they had no issue. They lived in Sampford Spiney, in 1841, when he was an ag lab, and 1851, at which point he was reliant on his Chelsea Pension. He died before 1861.
vii. Walter Mortimer VI 1790-1853, bap. 4 Jul 1790, North Bovey. He m. Sarah Shears 15 Mar 1812 North Bovey, and they had the following children in North Bovey where he worked as an ag lab.
1. Mary 1815, bap. 20 Aug 1815 North Bovey, m. John Bond, and they lived in Torquay.
2. Susanna 1818-1870, bap. 5 Jul 1818, m. Henry Zaple in 1841, Newton Abbot reg.
3. Phoebe 1821-1872, bap. 11 Feb 1821, lived in Chagford as a servant in 1841, m. John Pethybridge (1820-1882) in 1844, Newton Abbot reg., they lived in Tormoham, where she died in 1872.
4. Ann 1824, bap. 15 Feb 1824, m. James Dolbear in 1841, North Bovey. This may have instead been Ann b. 1823 N. Bovey daughter of Edward Mortimer.
5. Walter Mortimer VII 1826, bap. 13 Aug 1826, who joined the Royal Navy and became a seaman. He m. Mary Popham (c.1835-1869) in 1853, Plymouth. They had three daughters, Elizabeth c.1859, Esther c.1864 and Belinda c.1867.
6. Eliza 1830, bap. 3 Jan 1830
7. William Mortimer 1831, bap. 1 May 1831
8. Maria 1835, bap. 28 Jun 1835, who lived with her sister Susanna and family in 1851.
viii. Nicholas Mortimer of North Bovey 1792-1866, who was bap. 2 Dec 1792. He m. Mary Elliot, which marriage was witnessed by Thomas Elliot. They lived in North Bovey, where he worked as an ag lab, as detailed in the baptism records of his children and the 1841-61 census returns. Nicholas and Mary Mortimer had the following children in North Bovey, where the lived next to his brother Walter Mortimer.
1. John Mortimer 1815, bap. 12 Mar 1815 North Bovey, m. Sarah (c.1821- ). They lived in North Bovey in 1841/51/61.
i. Mary Ann c.1847-1918
ii. Sarah c.1850
iii. Deborah c.1852
iv. William Mortimer c.1855
v. Nicholas Mortimer c.1858
vi. Elizabeth c.1860
2. Deborah 1817-1904, bap. 28 Sep 1817, m. William Routerby 1840
3. William Mortimer 1820-1900, bap. 26 Mar 1820, m. Susan Parker. He enlisted in the army and served as a private in the 90th Regiment of Foot. He was discharged before 1849 after which point he was a Chelsea Pensioner. William and Susan lived in North Bovey and had three children.
i. Leah 1861-1885, who m. Ananias Frost (1855-1924) in 1880, Newton Abbot reg.
ii. Edward Thomas Elliott (Tom) Mortimer 1864-1899, a servant in 1881, North Bovey, who became a Royal Navy merchant seaman, and emigrated to Australia where he died in 1899.
ii. Mary Kate 1868-1943, b. 2 Jan 1868, who m. John Garrish (1868-1949), 14 Apr 1894 North Bovey.
4. Thomas Mortimer 1822, bap. 8 Sep 1822, joined the Royal Navy and gained rank of Colour Sergeant. He m. Julia Newman in 1848, East Stonehouse. They had no issue.
5. Walter Mortimer 1825, bap. 6 Mar 1825
6. George Henry Mortimer 1828, bap. 16 Mar 1828
7. Mary Ann 1831, bap. 10 Jul 1831
8. Susan 1834-1910, bap. 26 Jan 1834, m. Henry Bishop (1828-1894) in 1856, Newton Abbot reg. Henry Bishop was born in Crediton, where by coincidence another Mortimer family lived)
9. Nicholas Mortimer II 1838, bap. 18 Feb 1838, m. 1860 Newton Abbot reg., who perhaps died in 1873, Portsea.
4. Mary 1750, bap 27 Feb 1749/50, Lustleigh. She may have married John Ash, 15 Jul 1771, Moretonhampstead.
5. Elizabeth 1753, bap. 8 Jul 1753, contemporary of Elizabeth Mortimer b.1755 daughter of George (above). She possibly m. James Richards, 12 Jan 1775 North Bovey. Otherwise this was Elizabeth b. 1755.
6. Wilmot 1756-1767, bap. 15 Aug 1756, bur. 22 Mar 1767 Lustleigh.
7. Richard 1759-1759, bap. 1 Apr 1759, died young, bur. 1 May 1759 Lustleigh.
8. Susanna Mortimer (1761-1846)*. Susanna was bap. 14 Jun 1761 in North Bovey. In Aug 1787, Susanna Mortimer aged 26 of Lustleigh, was accused of sheep stealing at Moretonhampstead. She absconded but was arrested in Southampton. She was convicted and sentenced to transportation for seven years. She was transported to Australia aboard the all female convict sheep Lady Juliana in 1788. After arrival in the colony, she was sent to Norfolk Island, Tasmania, with 194 other convicts, aboard the Surprize. In 1791 she married Thomas O’Brien, an Irish First Fleet marine officer, who had retired to take up a land grant on Norfolk Island. They lived in Glenorchy, and had children together, with many descendants in Australia. She died 31 Dec 1846 in Glenorchy, Tasmania.
9. William Mortimer 1764, bap. 3 Jun 1764, whose date of death is unknown, but who may have died young.
Returning to the family of Nicholas Mortimer, younger brother of Walter Mortimer IV:
Nicholas Mortimer of Bovey Tracey 1729-1795
Nicholas was bap. 8 Apr 1729, youngest surviving son of Walter and Joan Mortimer, and the younger brother of Walter Mortimer above. He m. Grace French (1729-1796), 15 Jan 1754, Manaton. The family evidently lived in Bovey Tracey; when his son George married in 1783 he was residing at Bovey Tracey. Nicholas was bur. 18 May 1795, Bovey Tracey. His widow Grace was bur. beside him 31 Oct 1796. They had the following children.
1. George Mortimer of Ilsington 1754-1827, contemporary of George Mortimer 1753-1839, (see above). George was bap. 28 Oct 1754 North Bovey, and m. Joan Shilston (c.1762- ) 5 Sep 1783, Lustleigh. At the time of their marriage, George Mortimer lived in Bovey Tracey, which was obviously his home parish, and where both his parents were buried. The marriage was witnessed by George Mortimer and John Arscott. The witness George Mortimer was possibly his uncle, George Mortimer of North Bovey, yeoman, d. 1787, or his relative George Mortimer of Lustleigh (both mentioned above). George and Joan lived in Ilsington and had nine children. George was bur. 16 Mar 1827, Ilsington, aged (67). His age at death given in the burial record is probably inaccurate, as no other George Mortimer born c.1759 is known from contemporary sources (George Mortimer b.1761 Ideford belongs to a different family unconnected to Bovey Tracey). Their children were all baptised in Ilsington. George’s wife Joan’s date of death is unknown, and it appears she was not buried in Ilsington.
i. John Mortimer 1784, bap. 4 Jul 1784 Ilsington, of whom nothing further is known.
ii. William Mortimer of Ilsington c.1786-1867, was born around the year 1786 in Ilsington, presumably the son of George and Joan Mortimer. His baptism is probably unrecorded, though he may have been bap. in 1787 Morchard Bishop. He m. Susanna Honeywill, 12 Aug 1819, Ilsington, who was a distant relative and a granddaughter of Richard Honeywill (above). and they had the following children. George was a small farmer, in 1841 he was a farmer of 74 acres, employing 1 labourer. He died in 1867, Ilsington.
1. Mary Honeywill, b. 15 Dec 1819, bap. 31 Jan 1820, Ashburton Independent Meeting House.
2. William Mortimer II 1823-1901, bap. 1 Jan 1824, Ilsington.
3. Elizabeth 1825, bap. 22 Sep 1825 Ilsington.
4. John Mortimer 1831, bap. 1831 Ilsington
5. Susan 1838, bap. 19 Sep 1838.
iii. Jane 1786-1860, bap. 10 Apr 1786 Ilsington, possibly m. Edward Wyatt 1809 Gidleigh, and bur. 21 Jun 1860 Trusham aged (70).
iv. George Mortimer II 1788-1871, bap. 14 Oct 1788, Ilsington, married his cousin Elizabeth Mortimer b. 1793 (see below), 27 May 1819 Ilsington. They had the following daughters, all of whom were baptised in the Ashburton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. In 1851 he was living in Ilsington, as a farmer of 90 acres employing 2 labourers. He died in 1871, Ilsington. Two of his daughters married Kingwell family members. His contemporary was George Mortimer of Walkhampton who also m. an Elizabeth and had children baptised in the Ashburton Wesleyan Circuit in the same time period.
1. Eliza b. 1820
2. Mary 1822, b. 12 Jan 1822, bap. 12 Feb 1822, who m. Joshua Berry.
3. Susan 1827, b. 4 Jun 1827, bap. 1 Jul 1827, who m. William Abbott (1828-1908) in 1854, Newton Abbot reg.
4. Elizabeth b. 1830, visiting her sister Mary Berry in 1851. She m. _ Barter and emigrated to the US.
5. Harriet 1831, b. 10 Nov 1831, bap. 5 Jan 1832
6. Anna 1833, b. 27 Sep 1833, bap. 20 Jan 1834
v. Mary Ann 1791, bap. 17 May 1791, m. John Kingwell 10 Nov 1814 Ilsington.
vi. Thomas 1794, bap. 16 Jan 1794 Ilsington. Of him nothing further known.
vii. Susan 1795, bap. 17 Dec 1795 Ilsington, m. Thomas Kingwell, Christmas Day 1816 Ilsington.
viii. Nicholas Mortimer 1798-1883, bap. 14 Jun 1798, m. Judith Ash 2 Dec 1824 Ilsington, they lived in Ilsington 1851, Hennock 1861, Chudleigh Knighton 1871, and Hennock 1881. He died in 1883.
ix. Josiah Mortimer 1804-1876, who never married. Josiah lived with his brother Nicholas in 1851. He d. 16 Dec 1876.
2. John Mortimer of Ilsington 1757-1830, who was bap. 10 Aug 1757 North Bovey, second son of Nicholas and Grace Mortimer of Bovey Tracey. In 1780, he may have fathered an illegitimate child with Elizabeth Rich; James Mortimer, b. 1780 Hennock. He m. Elizabeth Hill (1766-1806), 26 Apr 1791 in Teigngrace, at which point he lived in Bovey Tracey. After their marriage, John and Elizabeth lived in Ilsington and Hennock, where John was occupied as a farmer (as stated in the m. record of his son George in 1839). They had the following children, all baptised in neighbouring Hennock. He died in 1830, Ilsington at the age of 72, and was bur. 1 Jun 1830, Asburton.
i. John Mortimer II 1792, bap. 2 Aug 1792 Hennock, who m. Elizabeth Taylor, 17 May 1823 Teigngrace. John was a farmer of Narrowcombe Farm, Ilsington, as stated in the baptism records of his children in Bovey Tracey baptist chapel. John and his family emigrated to America in 1846, sailing from London to New York aboard the ship Prince Albert on 25 Jun 1846. The family then lived in Lawrence, Mercer, New Jersey as shown in the 1850 US Census.
1. John Mortimer III 1823 Ilsington, bap. 4 Oct 1823 Bovey Tracey baptist chapel, sailed to New York in 1846
2. George Mortimer 1825, bap. 21 Mar 1825
3. Elizabeth 1827, bap. 21 Feb 1827
4. William Mortimer 1829, bap. 18 Dec 1829
5. Henry Mortimer 1832, bap. 20 Nov 1832
ii. Elizabeth b. 1793, Ilsington, bap. 3 Sep 1793, Hennock, m. her cousin George Mortimer (above), 27 May 1819, Ilsington. The census records confirm her birthplace as Ilsington.
iii. Mary 1795, bap. 11 Jun 1795, Hennock, m. William Staddon, 6 Dec 1821, Ilsington.
iv. William Mortimer of Tormoham 1797-1861, saddler, bap. 29 Jun 1797 Hennock, who was apparently born in Hennock according to the 1851 census. He m. Ann Cleave, 2 Apr 1839, Kenn, and they had the following two children. They afterwards lived in Tormoham, Torquay, where he died 8 Mar 1861.
1. William 1841-1855
2. Anna Maria c.1844
v. George Mortimer of Ilsington 1799-c.1876, miller, bap. 16 May 1799 Hennock, m. Mary Ann Knowling, 26 Sep 1833, Ilsington. They lived in Ilsington throughout 1851/61/71. He died before 1881.
- James Mortimer of Plymouth (1780-1856) was an illegitimate son of John Mortimer and Elizabeth Rich. He was bap. 9 Apr 1780, Hennock. He m. Ann and was a porter in Plymouth, living on Westwell St. He died in 1856 aged (80), and was bur. 10 Jul 1856 Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. James and his wife Ann had one daughter, Eliza.
3. Mary 1760, bap. 3 Oct 1760, North Bovey, m. William Barber, 28 Mar 1788, Bovey Tracey. Her date of death is unknown.
4. Joan 1763-1840, bap. 22 May 1763 Lustleigh, m. William Dymont (1763-1832), 15 Feb 1785, Bovey Tracey, bur. 28 Dec 1840, Bovey Tracey, aged (80). Her age at death given in the burial record appears to be inaccurate by a few years.
5. William Mortimer of Bovey Tracey 1765-aft.1841, bap. 21 Nov 1765 Bovey Tracey, m. Catherine Lethbridge (1776-1865), 14 Feb 1802, Bridford. Catherine his wife was born in 1776, Tedburn St Mary. They lived in West Teignmouth in 1813, at which point William was a husbandman. They both lived in Alphington in 1841, and William died sometime after that year. They had the following children.
i. Mary Ann 1803, bap. 17 Feb 1803 Bovey Tracey.
ii. William Mortimer II 1805- , bap. 1 Oct 1805 Tedburn St Mary
iii. Harriet 1808-1822, bap. 16 Jun 1808 and bur. 12 Oct 1822, Tedburn St Mary
iv. Catherine 1813-1888, bap. 6 Jul 1813 West Teignmouth, who m. John Rice before 1841.
v. George Mortimer 1813, bap. 6 Jul 1813 West Teignmouth, who possibly m. 1838 Newton Abbot reg. district.
6. Susanna 1768-1805, bap. 25 Feb 1768 Bovey Tracey, m. Nicholas Lamacraft of Bridford, 28 Mar 1798, Bovey Tracey. Susanna was bur. in 1805, Manaton.
7. Grace 1774-1851, bap. 17 Nov 1774 Hennock, m. Nicholas Lamacraft 6 May 1800, Moretonhampstead, bur. 1 Jan 1852 Exeter St Thomas, aged (77).
