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.
