Bristol

Nov

2022

The Mortimers of Crediton

Origins in Crediton

The Mortimer family were recorded in the parish of Crediton as early as 1524 in the Devon lay subsidy, and this branch of the family also lived in Sandford, though the precise nature of the link is hard to pin down.

Walter? Mortimer (c.1525-c.1560)

The Military Survey of 1569 records two Mortimers in Crediton, John and Richard Mortimer, both arquebusiers. Lawrence Mortimer brother of Richard was not recorded in the same document, perhaps because he was under age. Their father may have been Walter Mortimer, who was recorded in Crediton in the 1543 Lay Subsidy and assessed for a value of £1 in goods. Intriguingly, Richard, son of Walter and Margaret Mortimer was baptised 21 Jan 1552/3 in Ashton, but no other Mortimers were recorded in the register until the 17th century. Perhaps Walter Mortimer had to travel around and settle in different parishes to find work?

Walter(?) Mortimer had two sons:

1. Richard Mortimer (c.1551-1590)

Richard would have been at least 16 years old when he was listed in the 1569 military survey in Crediton. Richard Mortimer married Joan, possibly Joan Pine, 16 Nov 1574 Tiverton. His father in law was Robert Keene of Crediton. The children of Richard and Joan Mortimer of Crediton almost coincide with the marriage in 1574, Tiverton, while no burial record can be traced for either of Richard and Joan Mortimer in Tiverton.

Richard Mortimer and Joan his wife had the following children who were all baptised in Crediton, though it is possible earlier children were born before the start of the parish register.

i. Robert Mortimer of Trobridge (c.1575-1637), may have been a son of Richard and Joan Mortimer. He was born about 20 years earlier than Robert Mortimer c.1594- son of Roger Mortimer of Crediton (d.1614). Robert Mortimer (the elder) married Thomasin Millford (1577-1634), 10 Jan 1597/8 Crediton and they had the following children. He was bur. 4 Oct 1637, Crediton, Thomasin his wife was bur. 15 Oct 1634.

1. Mary 1598, bapt. 11 Apr 1598 Crediton, m. John Cleeve 4 Nov 1622, Crediton.

ii. Joan 1578-c.1579, bapt. 25 Dec 1578 Crediton, presumably died young. A Joan Mortimer was bur. 1579 Colebrooke, presumably a different family member.

iii. Thomas Mortimer (1579-1624)

iv. Joan, bapt. 11 Jul 1581 Crediton, presumably m. Robert Elston, 30 Oct 1598 Crediton. Robert Elston was perhaps bur. 1602.

v. Agnes bapt. 2 Dec 1583 Crediton, [An Agnes Mortimer dau of Richord Mortimer wid., was bur. in 1590, Crediton, must relate to a different Agnes].

vi. Rebecca, bapt. 8 Apr 1586, bur. 27 Sep 1590 Crediton, the same day as her father Richard Mortimer.

vii. William, born bef. 1588, bur. 29 Oct 1588, Crediton.

viii. William Mortimer of Crediton (1589-c.1645), bapt. 2 Sep 1589 Crediton, m. Alice Wonston, 18 Apr 1629 Crediton, resided in Crediton in 1641/2 Protestation return. Alice his wife was bur. 21 Oct 1644. William died some time after 12 Dec 1644, when the burial of Jane his daughter is recorded. William and Alice Mortimer had the following children:

1. Rebecca, bapt. 6 Jun 1630, bur. 19 Jan 1638/9 Crediton;

2. John, bapt. 9 Nov 1631, bur. 11 Jan 1645 Crediton;

3. Samuel, bapt. 24 Mar 1632/3, bur. 4 Aug 1633 Crediton;

4. Gregory Mortimer, bapt. 10 Aug 1634 Crediton, bur. 12 Mar 1645/6 Exeter St Mary Major, where he had presumably been apprenticed. Both his parents may have died by then;

5. Mary, bapt. 25 Sep 1636: [unknown marriage or burial dates];

6. Jane, bapt. 10 Nov 1639, bur. 12 Dec 1644, Crediton.

2. Lawrence Mortimer (c.1555-1623), the younger brother of Richard Mortimer. He married Lucy, and made a will as follows. The gift of a pair of looms suggests he may have been occupied as a weaver.

He leaves to John his son, his best pair of lombes, & his great chest
He gives to Luce his wife for life, with reverson to Walter his son, his leasehold cottage, it is charged with £3 per annum, after the death of his wife, to the sd. John his son, and Johane, Mary & Thomasyn, his daughters.
Residue to his said wife who is sole executrix.
2 Trustees. Nathaniel Lee, & Robt Hooke
Proved 30 Oct 1623
Sum £18 16s. 8d.

i. Robert Mortimer 1583, bapt. 5 Oct 1583 Crediton, the eldest son.

ii. Walter Mortimer 1585-1666, bapt. 23 Oct 1585, m.1. Mary Lane 20 Oct 1633, m.2. Grace Bishop 8 Aug 1653 Crediton, and bur. 19 Dec 1666, no issue.

iii. Joan 1589-1590, bapt. 17 Jun 1589, bur. 23 Oct 1590 Crediton.

iv. Thomas 1590-1590, bapt. 31 Oct 1590, bur. 16 Nov 1590 Crediton.

v. Giles 1592-1592, bapt. 4 Apr 1592, bur. 22 Aug 1592

vi. Joan 1593, bapt. 14 Jun 1593, m. Michael Diggon 21 Dec 1621 Exeter St Martin.

vii. Nathaniel Mortimer 1596-1658, bapt. 22 Apr 1596, m. Wilmot Marles 14 May 1633, and they had the following children. He was bur. 21 Sep 1658 Crediton.

1. Wilmot 1633, bapt. 12 May 1633 Crediton

2. Mary 1634-1634, bapt. 12 Jan 1633/4 bur. 20 Feb 1633/4 Crediton.

3. George 1634-1635, bapt. 1 Jan 1634/5 bur. 22 Jan 1634/5

4. John Mortimer of Dunsford 1635-1704, bapt. 6 Nov 1635, m.1. Mary bef. 1662, who was bur. 7 Jun 1668, Crediton, when John Mortimer was a miller. He m.2. Joan, but they had no issue. John was bur. 14 Mar 1703/4, Dunsford. Joan his wife survived him and was bur. 27 Dec 1704 Dunsford. John Mortimer made a will 20 Apr 1702:

His leasehold estate in said parish to wife Johan for life.
Legacies to grandchildren, sons and daughters of daughter Mary wife of Robert Harris of Crediton, and their children John, Robert, Henry, William, Joseph, and Mary Harris.

Residue to said daughter, Mary Harris, sole executrix.
Proved 24 May 1704.

John Mortimer and Mary his first wife had the following children:

i. Mary (1664-1707), bapt. 27 Jun 1664, m. Robert Harris. She was bur. 6 Apr 1707, Crediton.

ii. Grace, bapt. 17 Apr 1666 Crediton, presumably the same daughter of John bur. 31 Dec 1671 Crediton.

5. Nathaniel Mortimer II 1637, bapt. 23 Apr 1637

6. Joan 1640, bapt. 8 Mar 1639/40

viii. Thomas Mortimer of Sandford c.1598-1650, perhaps son of either Robert or Lawrence Mortimer of Crediton. His wife’s name is unknown. Thomas Mortimer had children:

1. Thomas bapt. 7 May 1626 Crediton.

2. Grace bapt. 4 Apr 1630 Crediton.

ix. Mary c.1601, perhaps m. John Conibie 22 Sep 1624 Shobrooke, and bur. 11 Dec 1671 Shobrooke.

x. Thomasin c.1603-1664, m. Christopher Knight 8 May 1625 Crediton, and was bur. 21 Dec 1664 Crediton.

xi. John Mortimer of Crediton (c.1605-1652), mentioned as son in the will of Lawrence Mortimer 19 Jul 1623; presumably bapt. _ Oct 1605, Crediton, an unnamed son of Lawrence. John Mortimer m. Mary Hooper, 12 Jun 1627 Crediton. He was listed in the Crediton protestation return, 26 Feb 1641/2. John Mortimer of “Venny Tedburn” was bur. 14 Feb 1651/2 Crediton. Mary his widow m. Gilbert Frost, 10 Aug 1657, Crediton. Mary Frost alias Mortimer was cited to exhibit the will of John Mortimer of Crediton in 1669, but it is unclear whether a record of the will survived. Gilbert Frost was bur. 18 Aug 1678, and had a son also named Gilbert Frost b.1645. Mary his widow died in 1692, and was bur. 29 Oct 1692 Crediton. John and Mary Mortimer had issue:

1. Catherine, bapt. 30 Sep 1627 Crediton.

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1579-1624), weaver

Thomas was the son of Richard Mortimer and Joan his wife. He was bapt. 4 Mar 1578/9 Crediton. He m. Joan Slee 3 May 1610, Crediton, who was born in 1585, the daughter of Nicholas Slee. He was presumably the same Thomas Mortimer, weaver, bur. 17 Jul 1624, Crediton. Thomas and Joan Mortimer had issue:

1. Nicholas Mortimer (1611-1689), the eldest son, perhaps named after his grandfather Nicholas Slee.

2. Richard Mortimer (c.1615- ), perhaps son of Thomas; m. Ann Worth 6 Jun 1642, had children recorded in Crediton. He may have been the same Richard Mortimer of Plymouth (c.1615-c.1670), whose wife was named Ann.

i. Richard bapt. 17 Sep 1643 Crediton

ii. Ann (1645-1646) bapt. 4 Jan 1645/6, bur. 2 Apr 1646 Crediton

3. Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1624-c.1679), contemporary of Thomas Mortimer b.1626, and of Thomas Mortimer of Sandford b.1615. He was bapt. 18 Mar 1623/4, and m. Ann Fowler 21 Oct 1643 Crediton. He may have been bur. 1679 Crediton. They had the following children:

i. Dorothy 1644, bapt. 22 Dec 1644, of whom nothing further is known.

ii. Catherine 1647, bapt. 13 Jun 1647, m. Philip Wreford, 14 Feb 1673/4 Crediton, may have m.2. Robert Crankling 30 Nov 1685, and bur. 28 May 1729 Crediton.

iii. Thomas Mortimer (1650-1670?), bapt. 17 Nov 1650, presumably died before brother Thomas Mortimer was born in 1663/4, but may have been the same Thomas Mortimer m. Joan Lyde, 1 May 1670 Crediton. Thomas Mortimer, servant of Thomas Lyde, was bur. 1670 Crediton, perhaps the same person.

iv. Roger bapt. 8 May 1653 Crediton, perhaps the same unnamed child of Thomas Mortimer, bur. Mar 1657 Crediton.

v. Ann (1655-1656), bapt. 18 Mar 1654/5 and bur. 12 Aug 1656 Crediton.

vi. Joan bapt. 24 Mar 1660/1, m.

vii. Thomas Mortimer (1664-c.1706) b. 1664, m.1. Joan Philip 12 Jan 1686/7 Crediton, bur. 1691 Crediton, around this time the marriage records disappear; Thomas m.2. Joan (c.1670-1705) bur. Jul 1705 Crediton; m.3. Sarah (c.1677-c.1726) bef. 1706. Thomas had three children with Joan his second wife and one child with Sarah. Thomas may have been the unnamed Mortimer bur. 9 Dec 1706 Crediton. Sarah may have remarried 9 Dec 1713 Crediton to Robert Wilcox (c.1677-1723).

Thomas and his first wife Joan had one son:

1. Thomas Mortimer (1689-c.1696), bapt. 11 Sep 1689 Crediton, presumably bur. 2 Dec 1696.

Thomas and his second wife Joan Mortimer had children:

2. Ann (1698-c.1699); bapt. 27 Dec 1698 Crediton, died before 1702.

3. Thomas (1700-1701), bapt. 1 Apr 1700, bur. 26 Apr 1701 Crediton.

4. Ann (1702-c.1713), bapt. 8 Feb 1701/2, perhaps bur. 1713 or 1717 Crediton.

Thomas and Sarah Mortimer had one child:

5. William Mortimer (1706- ), bapt. May 1706 Crediton, son of Thomas and Sarah Mortimer. Perhaps bur. 17 Apr 1756 Crediton.

viii. Richard Mortimer (1666-1670) bapt. 16 Dec 1666 Crediton son of Thomas and Anne, the youngest child, perhaps named after Richard Mortimer c.1615. He was presumably the unnamed child of Thomas Mortimer bur. 11 Oct 1670 Crediton.

Nicholas Mortimer of Crediton (1611-1689)

Nicholas was the eldest son of Thomas Mortimer and Joan Slee, and bapt. May 1611, Crediton. Nicholas Mortimer was listed in Crediton Protestation return of 26 Feb 1641/2. He m.1. Joan Ley, 18 May 1641 Crediton and they had one son Thomas b. 1642. Joan was bur. 12 Nov 1642.

Nicholas Mortimer m.2. Alice Mortimer, 22 Jun 1644 Crediton. She may have been related to Thomas Mortimer of Ranscombe, as both Thomas Mortimer and Nicholas were parties of a deed dated 1679. Nicholas Mortimer was listed among the poor of Crediton in the 1674 Hearth Tax, with just one taxable hearth. He was bur. 18 Aug 1689, Crediton. Alice his widow was bur. 29 May 1692 Crediton.

Nicholas and Joan had one son:

1. Thomas Mortimer (1642-1695) detailed next.

Nicholas and Alice Mortimer had the following children:

2. John (1644-1644) bapt. 30 Jun 1644, bur. 14 Aug 1644 Crediton.

3. Benjamin Mortimer (c.1647-1718), who had 14 children including Benjamin Mortimer (1674-1719), detailed after Thomas (1642-1695).

4. Mary (1649-1695?), bapt. 15 Jul 1649 Sandford, perhaps bur. 12 Aug 1695, although this record may instead relate to her niece Mary b.1692 daughter of Benjamin Mortimer, above.

5. William Mortimer of Crediton (c.1651-1711) perhaps the same William Mortimer m. Elizabeth Harding 12 Jun 1677, and bur. 17 May 1711 Crediton, as William Mortimer senior.

6. Sarah 1656-1676, bapt. 1656, bur. 7 Feb 1675/6 Crediton.

7. Peter Mortimer (1661-1692) bapt. 14 Feb 1660/1 Crediton, m. Margaret. He was bur. 16 Oct 1692, Crediton. Margaret his widow m. William Nicks of Crediton (1651-1715), 26 Nov 1700 Shobrooke. Margaret was bur. 18 Apr 1725 Crediton.

i. Elizabeth, bapt. 19 Jul 1682 Crediton.

ii. William Mortimer, bapt. 10 Jan 1684/5 Crediton, perhaps m.1. Blanche Coles (b.1692), 23 Sep 1710 Crediton, who was bur. 18 Apr 1711 Crediton; m.2. Mary _, and had the following children. Mary his wife may have been bur. either 5 Jul 1740 or 5 Feb 1751/2 Crediton. Their children were:

1. William 1712-1713, bapt. 17 Oct 1712, bur. 3 May 1713 Crediton.

2. Sarah 1714-1717, bapt. 24 Jan 1713/4.

3. Elizabeth 1715, bapt. Jan 1715/6.

4. William Mortimer 1717- , bapt. 15 Nov 1717 (perhaps the same William Mortimer of Crediton, Captain’s clerk, bur. 4 Feb 1770), who nominated his friend John Boyes of Portsmouth, merchant, sole executor.

5. Sarah, bapt. 21 Dec 1719 Crediton.

iii. John Mortimer of Crediton (c.1688- ), perhaps fits in the tree here. A close contemporary of John Mortimer b.1669, his exact parentage is unknown but he was presumably born in Crediton. There is no obvious baptism record that relates to him; he may have been the son of Peter and Margaret Mortimer.

John married Mary (whose maiden name is unknown), and Mary was presumably bur. 14 Jul 1714, as no further children are recorded after this date. They had one son:

1. John Mortimer bapt. 6 Jan 1713/4, perhaps the same John Mortimer junior bur. 12 Jun 1715 Crediton.

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1642-1695)

Thomas was the eldest son of Nicholas and Joan Mortimer, and presumably named after his grandfather Thomas Mortimer. He m.1. 11 Feb 1665/6 Crediton, but his wife’s name was not stated in the marriage record. Thomas Mortimer may have m. secondly Joan Hart, 5 May 1670 Crediton. There is also a marriage record between Thomas Mortimer & Elizabeth Heywood, 9 May 1688 Crediton.

Thomas Mortimer, labourer, was bur. 5 May 1695 Crediton. Thomas whose son Nicholas was born in 1678 was still alive in 1685, as evidenced by the parish register.

Thomas had the following children.

1. Sarah bapt. _ Nov 1666 Colebrooke, who had an illegitimate daughter:

i. Susanna bapt. 11 Nov 1686 Colebrooke.

2. John Mortimer of Crediton (1669- )

3. Joan bapt. 8 Jul 1673 Colebrooke.

4. Nicholas Mortimer (1678-1685), bapt. 23 Jun 1678 Colebrooke, bur. 25 Oct 1685 Crediton, as son of Thomas Mortimer.

Elizabeth Mortimer, perhaps widow of Thomas d.1695, had a child baptised the following year. She perhaps remarried shortly afterwards, when there is a marriage register gap.

5. Walter Mortimore (1696-?) bapt. 3 Apr 1696 Crediton, son of Elizabeth, of whom there is no further record.

John Mortimer of Crediton (1669- )

The number of different John Mortimers in Crediton in the early 1700s has the potential to cause a great deal of confusion. Owing to the lack of detail in the parish register, it is virtually impossible to construct a reliable pedigree of the family without further information. John was presumably the son of Thomas Mortimer, and bapt. 9 Mar 1668/9 Colebrooke, where Thomas was resident in 1678, when his son Nicholas was baptised, although Nicholas was bur. in Crediton in 1685. John may instead have been born in 1668, the son of John Mortimer of Dunsford, (1635-1704), but he left the residue of his estate solely to his daughter Mary, so this seems unlikely.

John Mortimer may have been buried in Crediton 21 May 1736, 10 Mar 1737/8, or 22 Apr 1741 Crediton (it is hard to distinguish between him and his son John in the parish register). His contemporary was John Mortimer (c.1672-c.1738), who m. Ann Perryman in 1703, Crediton. John m. Ann may have been born in 1672 North Bovey, his family is covered on the Mortimers of North Bovey.

John lived in Crediton, and married there to Elizabeth Tucker, 24 Nov 1695. They had a number of children, as follows. Elizabeth may have been bur. 19 May 1721 Crediton, but it seems more likely this applies to Elizabeth the younger, whose daughter Elizabeth was born in 1721. John Mortimer m.2. Ann Burridge (c.1680- ) in 1722 Crediton, perhaps the widow of Walter Burridge of Crediton (c.1680-1720). Ann may have been bur. 19 Jul 1751 Crediton. The burial record for Ann Mortimer 8 Jan 1745/6 Crediton may apply instead to Ann Welsh, wife of Nathaniel Mortimer of Crediton, who had no further children after 1743.

1. John Mortimer of Crediton (1696-c.1741), bapt. 9 Feb 1695/6 Crediton, m.1. Elizabeth (whose surname is unknown); the John and Elizabeth Mortimer fl.1696 and 1721 presumably represent successive generations, due to the 25 year gap between them. Elizabeth Mortimer was presumably bur. 19 May 1721 Crediton, and John m.2. Margery (c.1695-1756) c.1722. Margery was bur. 21 Dec 1756. John perhaps was bur. 22 Apr 1741 Crediton.

John and Elizabeth Mortimer (the younger) had two children:

i. John Mortimer (1719-c.1766), bapt. 7 Aug 1719 Crediton,

John Mortimer m.1. Mary White (1721-1757) 12 Apr 1746 Crediton. Mary Mortimer was perhaps bur. 5 Feb 1751/2 Crediton.

John Mortimer m.2. Mary White 3 May 1754 Crediton. Mary was presumably bur. 30 May 1757 Crediton, as John Mortimer married the following year.

Both wives named Mary White could have been born in 1717 Crediton, daughters of either William or Giles White.

John Mortimer m.3. Mary Dale 24 Dec 1758 Crediton, which bears a similarity to John Mortimer of Bradninch (fl.1733-aft.1764) who also married Mary. Mary may have been bur. 21 Jan 1760 Crediton, as no children of John and Mary were recorded after 1758 in Crediton.

In 1777, John Mortimer acted as witness to the marriage between Stephen Northcott and Mary Mortimer, who may have been born in 1754 daughter of Titus Mortimer.

John Mortimer and his first wife Mary had one daughter:

1. Elizabeth (1748-1831), bapt. 5 Aug 1748 Crediton, m. William Chappell (1757-1837) 5 Nov 1789 Newton St Cyres, and bur. 7 Aug 1831 Newton St Cyres, apparently aged 84.

ii. Elizabeth (1721-1778), bapt. 22 Aug 1721 Crediton, m. John Berry 19 Jul 1752 Sandford, bur. 13 Jan 1778 Sandford, aged 57.

John possibly m.2. Margery (c.1694-1756) possibly Margery Isaack bapt. 24 Jan 1693/4 Great Torrington, whose brother was named Titus Isaack. Margery was bur. 21 Dec 1756 Crediton. John and Margery Mortimer had the following children:

iii. Margery (1723-aft.1760), bapt. 10 Dec 1723 Crediton, had an illegitimate son John in 1751. She m. William Arnold 4 Sep 1760 Crediton.

1. John Mortimer (1751-1752?), bapt. 29 Nov 1751 Crediton, named after his grandfather, and perhaps bur. 30 Jan 1752. A John Mortimer of Great Torrington was born around the same time.

iv. Joseph (1726-1731), bapt. 24 Apr 1726 and bur. 7 Feb 1730/1 Crediton, perhaps named after Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1779).

v. Titus Mortimer (1728-1756), may have been named after an uncle on his maternal side; Titus bapt. 26 Jul 1728 Crediton, m. Mary Woolcott 4 Dec 1752. Titus Mortimer was bur. 4 Oct 1756 Crediton. Mary his wife was perhaps bur. 19 Apr 1807 Crediton aged 75 (it is difficult to distinguish between Mary Woolcott and Mary White above).

1. Mary (1754-1760?) bapt. 20 Feb 1754 Crediton.

2. Titus (1756-?) bapt. 16 Apr 1756 Crediton.

vi. James Mortimer (1732-1761), bapt. 23 Apr 1732 Crediton, m. Martha Lee (1735-aft.1775) 27 Dec 1756 Crediton. James Mortimer was bur. 27 Nov 1761 Crediton, Martha Mortimer wid. m. George Thomas 3 Jun 1775 Crediton. James and Martha had two children:

1. Mary (1757-1757?) bapt. 23 Sep 1757 Crediton, perhaps bur. 30 Nov 1757 Crediton.

2. Martha (1759- ), bapt. 31 Oct 1759 Crediton, of whom there is no marriage/ burial record.

vii. Ann (1734- ), bapt. 22 Sep 1734 Crediton, had an illegitimate daughter Elizabeth b. 1752, m.1. Richard Foxall 8 Oct 1761 Crediton, later of Tavistock, m.2. Roger Mare 3 Mar 1771 Plymouth St Andrew.

1. Elizabeth (1752-1822), bapt. 5 Jul 1752 Crediton, m. Thomas Hobbs, shipwright, 15 Mar 1788 Stoke Damerel, bur. 8 Jan 1822 Stoke Damerel, aged 70.

2. George Mortimer (1698-1763), bapt. 14 Sep 1698 Crediton, m.1. Joan Tozer (c.1705-1741) 15 Sep 1730 Crediton, who was bur. 25 Oct 1741 Crediton; m.2. Martha Stanman (c.1709-1785) widow of William Courtis d.1744, 15 Feb 1748/9, when both were widowed. George Mortimer was bur. 13 Apr 1763 and Martha his widow bur. 25 Apr 1785 Crediton. George and his first wife Joan had children:

i. George Mortimer (1732-1759), bapt. 1 May 1732, m. Betty (c.1738-1820), whose surname is unknown, and who may have been bur. 11 Jun 1820 Exeter St Sidwell. George Mortimer had issue:

1. William Mortimer (1759-c.1810), bapt. 1 Mar 1759 Exeter St Sidwell, m. Betty Lock, 21 Nov 1784 Exeter St David, may have predeceased, as Betty Mortimer m. John Totton 28 Jun 1812 Exeter St David, may have been Betty his widow.

ii. Joan (1737-1748), bapt. 29 May 1737 Crediton, perhaps bur. 1748.

iii. Elizabeth (1740-1741), bapt. 8 Jun 1740 Crediton, perhaps bur. 18 Dec 1741 Crediton.

3. Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1779)

4. Elizabeth (c.1705-1710), bapt. 24 Feb 1704/5, same day as sister Isett, daughters of John and presumably Elizabeth, as Elizabeth Mortimer junior was bur. 9 Mar 1709/10 Crediton.

5. Isett (1705-aft.1736), bapt. 24 Feb 1704/5 Crediton, same day as sister Elizabeth, m. Nicholas Croot of Moretonhampstead, 20 Feb 1725/6 Crediton; died after 1736, no burial was recorded.

6. Ann (1713- ), bapt. 20 Oct 1713, had an illegitimate daughter, Mary Mortimer in 1730. She m. Matthew Lipson 18 Jun 1749 Crediton.

i. Mary Mortimer bapt. 1 May 1730, m. John James 9 Feb 1751 Crediton.

Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1779)

Joseph was bapt. 10 Dec 1701 Crediton, third son of John and Elizabeth Mortimer. He m.1. Grace Salter (c.1700-1744) 30 Aug 1726 Crediton, she was perhaps the widow of John Salter (m.1718). Grace was bur. 27 Nov 1744 Crediton. Joseph m.2. Grace Belworthy (1734-1816) 21 Jun 1767 Crediton. A carpenter, he was bur. 25 Apr 1779 Crediton. Grace his widow was bur. 17 Nov 1816 Crediton, apparently aged 91, but she was more likely born in 1734, Tedburn St Mary. Joseph and his first wife Grace had six children.

1. James Mortimer of Crediton (1727-1776), bapt. 18 Oct 1727 Crediton, m. Gertrude Penny (1731-1763) who was bur. 13 Feb 1763 Crediton. James Mortimer was presumably bur. 28 Jul 1776 Crediton.

i. Grace Mortimer (1754-1828), perhaps named after grandmother Grace nee Salter, and bapt. 15 Apr 1754 Crediton, m.1. Richard Bright (1755-1792) 26 Mar 1781 Crediton, m.2. George Badcock of Newton St Cyres (1777-1839) 15 May 1799 Crediton. Rather scandalously, Grace, a 45 year old widow was heavily pregnant and George Badcock, evidently her lover, was aged 22. Her youngest child, Sarah was born in July the same year. Grace was bur. 12 Nov 1828 Crediton, allegedly aged 79 but she was in fact 74. George Badcock was bur. 11 Mar 1839 aged 62.

ii. James Mortimer (1756-c.1788), bapt. 8 Sep 1756 Crediton, m. Mary Drake 1 Apr 1783 Crediton, when his brother in law Richard Bright was a marriage witness. James was presumably bur. 2 Dec 1788 Crediton, although he may have died the following year (bur. 2 Jul 1789). Mary his wife was presumably bur. 17 May 1786 Crediton, as no further children were recorded after 1786:

1. Mary (1784-1841?) bapt. 19 Jun 1784 Crediton, perhaps remained unm. and bur. 21 Feb 1841 Crediton aged 58.

2. Gertrude bapt. 31 Mar 1786 Crediton, of whom there is no marriage/ burial record.

iii. Mary (1760- ), bapt. 26 May 1760 Crediton, m. William Martin 14 Dec 1782 Crediton.

2. Francis (1730- ), bapt. 5 Nov 1730 Crediton, no marriage/ burial.

3. Grace (1733-1808), bapt. 26 Mar 1733 Crediton, m. John Hutchings 5 Nov 1757 Crediton, witnessed by Joseph Mortimer. She was bur. 13 Sep 1808 Crediton.

4. Elizabeth (1737-c.1777), bapt. 19 Jan 1736/7 Crediton, m. Edward Hutchings (c.1732-1809) 11 Dec 1759 Crediton, bur. either 1768 or 1777 Crediton.

5. Joseph Mortimer (1740-1816)

6. John Mortimer (1744-1751?), bapt. 26 Mar 1744 Crediton, perhaps bur. 18 Feb 1750/1 Crediton.

Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1740-1816)

Joseph was born in 1740, the third son of Joseph and Grace Mortimer, and bapt. 21 Dec 1740 Crediton. Joseph m. Grace Chilton (1744-1787), 6 Jan 1771 Crediton, and as such represented the second successive partnership of a Joseph and Grace Mortimer in the parish. They had seven children. Grace his wife was bur. 7 Mar 1787 Crediton, Joseph was bur. 18 Dec 1816 Crediton allegedly aged 78 (he was 76 years old).

1. Sarah bapt. 18 Nov 1771 Crediton

2. Grace (1773-1796), named after grandmother and mother, bapt. 27 Dec 1773 m.1. William Bradford (c.1773-1796) 15 Aug 1794 Crediton, m.2. Richard Gillard 16 Jun 1796 Cadeleigh, and bur. 5 Nov 1796 Cadeleigh.

3. John Mortimer of Crediton (1776-1812), bapt. 25 Sep 1776 Crediton, m. Mary Tapp (1774-1861) 19 Jan 1803 Colebrooke, bur. 29 Jun 1812 Crediton, aged 35. Mary his widow was recorded in 1851 Sandford, 1861 Crediton, was bur. 17 Nov 1861 Crediton. They had one daughter:

i. Ann (1809-1871), bapt. 20 Jan 1809, never married, recorded 1841/51/61/71 Crediton, bur. 21 Nov 1871 Crediton.

4. Mary bapt. 30 Nov 1778 Crediton: either Mary b.1777 daughter of William and Joanna or Mary b. 1778 daughter of Joseph and Grace m. William Moore, 1799 Crediton.

5. Joseph Mortimer (1781-1845), bapt. 7 Feb 1781 Crediton, m. Mary Lucas (1782- ) 18 Jan 1801 Crediton, fl. 1841 Upton Hellions, ag lab., bur. 10 Jun 1845 Crediton. They had two children:

i. William Mortimer of Exeter (1801-1855), bapt. 26 Aug 1801 Crediton, m. Elizabeth Lucas (c.1801- ) 3 Nov 1822 Crediton, fl. 1851 Exeter St Mary Major, ag lab., died c.1855.

ii. Joseph Mortimer of Exeter (1803-1859), bapt. 23 Oct 1803 Crediton, m. Grace Gribble 12 Dec 1825 Crediton, fl. 1851 Exeter St Sidwell, a blacksmith. Grace his wife was bur. 11 Jul 1858 and Joseph Mortimer was bur. 10 Apr 1859, Exeter St Sidwell.

6. James Mortimer (1783-1789?) bapt. 9 Jun 1783 Crediton, presumably died young, perhaps bur. 2 Jul 1789 Crediton (see also James Mortimer 1756-c.1788).

7. William Mortimer of Crediton (1785-1863), bapt. 27 Nov 1785 Crediton, m. Elizabeth Gregory (1787-1816) 24 Jan 1809 Sandford, and they had two daughters, fl. 1851 Sandford and 1861 Crediton, a joiner, bur. 20 Mar 1863 Crediton aged 77. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 15 Sep 1816 Crediton.

i. Mary bapt. 18 Feb 1810 Crediton, fl. 1841 Crediton.

ii. Jane bapt. 24 Nov 1811 Crediton, m. William Hellier (c.1823- ) 30 Apr 1848 Crediton, and fl. 1851 Crediton.

Benjamin Mortimer of Crediton (1674-1719)

Benjamin, the eldest son of Benjamin Mortimer and Joan his first wife above, appears to be the only family member to stay in Crediton. His siblings all lived in Sandford, and are detailed in Mortimers of Sandford Part 2.

Benjamin was bapt. 19 May 1674 Sandford, m. Grace Fry (1671-1724) 20 Jul 1695 Crediton, and bur. 22 Mar 1718/9 Crediton. Grace his widow was bur. 11 Nov 1724 Crediton. They had the following children:

1. Elizabeth (1695-1695), bapt. 24 Nov 1695 and bur. 29 Dec 1695 Crediton.

2. John (1697-1700), perhaps the same “child of Benjamin Mortimore” bapt. 2 Apr 1697 Crediton, John son of Benjamin Mortimer was bur. 23 Jul 1700, Crediton.

*. Alice? c.1698- perhaps m. Henry Prouse (1697-1757). They had no children and she was bur. 6 Sep 1734 Crediton. Henry her husband remarried the following year, with issue.

3. Joan (1699- ) bapt. 12 Mar 1698/9 Crediton, perhaps the child of Benjamin Mortimer, bur. 6 Oct 1704 Crediton.

4. Benjamin Mortimer (1701-1777)

5. Elizabeth? (c.1703-1741), no baptism, m. James Parker (1701?-1746) 23 Dec 1723 Crediton, and bur. 29 Jul 1741 Crediton.

6. Roger Mortimer (1705- ), bapt. 7 Dec 1705 Crediton, no marriage/ burial record.

7. Grace (1708-1783?) bapt. 1 Feb 1707/8 Crediton, perhaps the same Grace resided in Puddington, had an illegitimate son William bapt. 28 Sep 1746, and bur. there, 27 Jul 1783.

8. William, bapt. 3 Dec 1710 Crediton, perhaps the same William Mortimer of South Pool (c.1710-1773), m. Grace Edwards (1711-1793) 22 May 1746 South Pool, had issue. William was bur. 10 Feb 1773 and Grace his widow bur. 4 Aug 1793 South Pool.

i. Mary (1747-1747) bapt. 12 May 1747 bur. 17 Jun 1747 South Pool.

ii. Grace (1749-1803), bapt. 12 Mar 1748/9 South Pool, m. Peter Kellond 5 Jun 1774 South Pool and bur. _ 1803 South Pool.

iii. William Mortimer of East Portlemouth (1750-1830), bapt. 9 Sep 1750 South Pool, m. Grace Gunn (1751-1810) 15 Oct 1776 Chivelstone, bur. 2 Jul 1830 East Portlemouth, of Horse Pool Cottage aged 79. Grace his wife was bur. 25 Nov 1810 East Portlemouth.

1. John Mortimer of Plympton (1777-1830), bapt. 12 Oct 1777 East Portlemouth, m. Rosanna Cumming (1776-1850) 6 Jul 1801 South Pool; bur. 19 Dec 1853 Plympton St Mary, of Ridgeway, aged 53. Rosanna his widow was bur. _ 1850 Plympton St Mary.

i. John Nicholas (1801-1805), bapt. 6 Jun 1801 bur. 5 Feb 1805 South Pool.

ii. Eleanor (1805-1807), bapt. 22 Sep 1805 bur. 4 Jan 1807 South Pool.

iii. Mary (1808- ), bapt. 31 Dec 1808 South Pool.

iv. John Mortimer (1811- ), bapt. 18 Aug 1811 South Pool.

2. Grace (1782- ), bapt. 1 Dec 1782 Chivelstone, m. William Adams 5 Aug 1808 East Portlemouth.

3. William Mortimer of East Portlemouth (1789-1852), bapt. 22 Nov 1789 East Portlemouth, m.1. Mary Randle (1793-1822) 25 Mar 1817 East Portlemouth, who was bur. 16 Sep 1822 East Portlemouth, aged 29; m.2. Mary Ann Edwards (1791-1861) 2 Jan 1825 East Portlemouth, fl. 1841/51 East Portlemouth, ag lab., bur. 27 Oct 1852 East Portlemouth, aged 62. Mary Ann his widow was bur. 4 Jul 1861 East Portlemouth, aged 70.

William and Mary his first wife had one daughter:

i. Grace (1818-1871), bapt. _ 1818 East Portlemouth, m. William Podger 1845 Stoke Damerel, fl.1851 East Portlemouth, 1861 Charles, 1871 Rochdale Lanc, d. 1871 Rochdale.

William and his second wife Mary Ann had two children:

ii. John Mortimer (1826- ) fl. 1841 East Portlemouth

iii. Sarah Jane (1831-1839), bur. 17 Nov 1839 East Portlemouth, aged 8.

4. Ann (1792-1829), bapt. 22 Apr 1792 East Portlemouth, m. Roger Cranch 6 Aug 1823 East Portlemouth and bur. 23 Oct 1829 East Portlemouth.

iv. Robert Mortimer of Allington (1752-1821), bapt. 5 Jul 1752 South Pool, d. unm., bur. 28 Feb 1821 Chivelstone, aged 68.

Benjamin Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1777)

Benjamin, the eldest son of Benjamin and Grace Mortimer, was bapt. 10 Aug 1701 Crediton. He was presumably named after his paternal grandfather Benjamin Mortimer of Sandford (c.1647-1718) Benjamin Mortimer m.1. Mary Palmer (1706-1737) 10 Aug 1726 Crediton. Mary was bur. 12 Oct 1737 Crediton. Benjamin m.2. Susanna Potter (1717-1795) 3 Jun 1739 Crediton and was bur. 27 May 1777 Crediton. Susanna his widow died of old age, and was bur. 21 Sep 1795 Crediton after being found dead in a meadow.

Benjamin and his first wife Mary had issue:

1. Elizabeth (1727- ), bapt. 13 Jan 1726/7 Crediton.

2. Grace (1728-1810), bapt. 23 Oct 1728 Crediton, m. Duke Buckingham (1726- ) 8 Apr 1851 Crediton, bur. 5 Jun 1810 Crediton allegedly aged 84 (she was 81).

3. Benjamin Mortimer of Rockbeare (1730-1790), the eldest son and presumably named after his paternal grandfather; bapt. 6 Oct 1730 Crediton, m. Sarah Board (1730-1786) 29 Oct 1758 Rockbeare, and they had five children. Benjamin was bur. 6 Feb 1790 Rockbeare, Sarah bur. 6 Oct 1786.

i. Thomas bapt. 4 Jun 1759 Rockbeare.

ii. Betty bapt. 4 Jun 1759 Rockbeare, had a daughter Ann bapt. 1780, m. James Connet 8 Oct 1778 Rockbeare.

1. Ann (c.1778- ) bapt. 1 Dec 1780 Rockbeare, had an illegitimate son with John Tapley:

i. John Tapley Mortimer (1796-aft.1871), bapt. 22 May 1796 Broadclyst, son of Ann, m.1. Mary Acland (1800-1854) _ 1819 Withycombe Raleigh, fl. 1841/51 Colaton Raleigh, ag lab., Mary his wife d. 1854 Colaton Raleigh, John m.2. Sophia Cove 1855 Exeter St Edmund, fl.1861/71 Withycombe Raleigh.

John and his first wife Mary had issue:

1. William Tapley Mortimer (1821-1858), b. 29 Oct 1821 Withcyombe Raleigh, m. Abigail Maria Abbott 4 Jan 1846 St Martin in the Fields, Middlesex, fl. 1851 Hendon, Middlesex, a letter carrier, and bur. 27 Mar 1858 St Paul, Mill Hill, Middlesex. William and Abigail had at least four children.

2. John Mortimer (1827-aft.1851) bapt. _ 1827 Colaton Raleigh, m. Caroline Hutchings 1848 Exeter, fl. 1841/51 Withycombe Raleigh, ag lab.

3. Mary Ann (c.1833-aft.1891), m. Frederick Gard (c.1822-1893) 9 Aug 1855 Exeter St Mary Steps, fl. 1841/51 Colaton Raleigh, 1861 Westbury on Trym, 1871 Bristol St Paul, 1891 Westbury on Trym.

iii. Nancy bapt. 4 Jan 1761 Rockbeare.

iv. Ann (c.1761-1836), perhaps the same as Nancy above, of Lympstone in 1786; m. William Short of Littleham (1764-1846) 5 Nov 1786 Lympstone, bur. _ 1836 Lympstone.

v. Sarah (1763-1799?) bapt. 6 Mar 1763 Rockbeare, perhaps bur. _ 1799 Littleham, Exmouth.

4. Thomas (1733-1736), bapt. 12 Oct 1733 bur. 5 Jan 1735/6 Crediton.

5. Thomas Mortimer (1737-1798)

Benjamin and his second wife Susanna had issue:

6. Henry Mortimer of Crediton (1743-1809), bapt. 31 Jan 1742/3 Crediton, m. Mary Backwill _ 1777 Crediton, bur. 20 Jun 1809 Crediton aged 66. Mary his wife presumably bur. either 19 Nov 1780 or 30 Oct 1781 Crediton.

i. Elizabeth bapt. 18 Feb 1778 Crediton, perhaps bur. 2 Nov 1781, 24 Apr 1786, 13 May 1787 or 10 Apr 1793 Crediton, but any of these records could also apply to Elizabeth wife of Thomas Mortimer (1737-1798).

ii. Mary bapt. 28 Dec 1779, Crediton, perhaps bur. 19 Nov 1780 or 30 Oct 1781 Crediton, although any one of these records could also relate to her contemporary Mary b. 1777 daughter of William and Joanna and Mary b. 1778 daughter of Joseph Grace.

7. Susanna (1748-1749) bapt. 21 Aug 1748 bur. 8 Sep 1749 Crediton.

8. Sarah (1750-1814), bapt. 13 Feb 1749/50 Crediton, had an illegitimate son William Mortimer b.1781; m. Thomas Herd (1747-1799) 9 Aug 1789 Crediton, bur. 7 Apr 1814 Crediton.

i. William Mortimer of Crediton (c.1774-1832), bapt. 13 Jul 1781 Crediton, m. Sarah Yeoman (1787-1849) 28 Jul 1810 Crediton, fl. 1821 Crediton, a labourer, was bur. 2 Sep 1832 Crediton, allegedly aged 58 (which would make him about 7 years old when baptised). Sarah his wife fl. 1841 Crediton, widow, and died in 1849. William and Sarah Mortimer had issue:

1. William Mortimer (1811-?) bapt. 23 Aug 1811 Crediton, contemporary of William b. 1810 Sandford son of George and Agnes.

2. John Mortimer bapt. 20 Feb 1814 Crediton.

3. Mary Ann bapt. 22 Feb 1815 Crediton.

4. Elizabeth (1821- ) bapt. 12 Jun 1821 Crediton, fl. 1841 Crediton, when she resided with her mother Sarah.

5. Maria (1829-aft.1871), bapt. 26 Aug 1829 Crediton, fl.1841/51/61/71 Crediton, a servant, probably never married.

9. William Mortimer of Crediton (1752-1818), bapt. 17 Jul 1752 Crediton, m. Joanna White (1755-1805) 9 Feb 1777 Crediton, bur. 3 Jan 1819 Crediton aged 66. Joanna his wife was bur. 29 May 1805 Crediton. They had five daughters:

i. Mary (1777- ), bapt. 31 Mar 1777 Crediton: either Mary b.1777 daughter of William and Joanna or Mary b. 1778 daughter of Joseph and Grace m. William Moore, 1799 Crediton.

ii. Elizabeth (1779-1851?) bapt. 5 Apr 1779, presumably m. John Earland (1781-1852) 24 Nov 1805 Crediton and bur. 6 Apr 1851 Crediton, aged 72, although this may instead have been Elizabeth bapt. 18 Feb 1778 daughter of Henry and Mary Mortimer.

iii. Grace (1782-1855) bapt. 23 Jun 1782 Crediton, m. James Steer (1783-1840) 30 Sep 1804 Crediton fl. 1841/51 Crediton, d. 1851.

iv. Susanna (1788-aft.1851) bapt. 28 Sep 1788 Crediton, m.1. William Holsgrove (1785-1818) 26 Dec 1810 Crediton, m.2. James Lee (1797-1857) 1 Oct 1821 Crediton, fl. 1851 Sandford.

v. Jane (1794-1864) bapt. 20 Apr 1794 Crediton, m. Thomas Lavis (1788-1868) 24 Oct 1819 Crediton, fl. 1841/51 Tedburn St Mary and 1861 Crediton, bur. 12 Sep 1864 Crediton.

10. Susanna (1757- ), bapt. 12 Apr 1757 Crediton, m. Samuel Bright 26 Mar 1784 Crediton.

11. Mary (1763-1808?) bapt. 9 Sep 1763 Crediton, same date as sister Elizabeth. Presumably bur. 16 Oct 1808, aged apparently 43, but more likely she was 45.

12. Elizabeth (1763-1844), bapt. 9 Sep 1763, same date as sister Mary. Presumably m.1. Aaron Cook (1762-1806) 15 May 1785 Crediton, m.2. Robert Lendon (1755-1824) 9 Sep 1817 Crediton, bur. 18 Dec 1844 Crediton, apparently aged 80. [It is worth noting that Elizabeth Mortimer b.1765 daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth was born about the same time, but may have married slightly later (1787)].

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1737-1798)

Thomas was born in 1737, the second son of Benjamin and Mary Mortimer. He was bapt. 2 Feb 1736/7 Crediton, and m. Elizabeth Southcott (1737- ).

Thomas was bur. 16 Dec 1798 Crediton. Elizabeth his wife was perhaps bur. 2 Nov 1781, 24 Apr 1786, 13 May 1787 or 10 Apr 1793 Crediton, but any of these records could also apply to Elizabeth b.1778 daughter of Henry Mortimer (1743-1809). Thomas and Elizabeth Mortimer had six children:

1. Thomas (1764-1764) bapt. 5 Sep 1764 bur. 22 Nov 1764 Crediton.

2. Elizabeth (1765-aft.1799), bapt. 13 Oct 1765 Crediton, presumably m. Samuel Stephens, 28 May 1787 Crediton. Their youngest child was born in 1799. [Note that Elizabeth Mortimer b.1763 daughter of Benjamin and Susanna Mortimer was born about the same time, but may have married slightly earlier (1785)].

3. William Mortimer (1768-abt.1774) bapt. 13 Nov 1768 Crediton, bur. 4 Feb 1770 Crediton.

4. George Mortimer (1770-1821), bapt. 16 Dec 1770 Crediton, m. Elizabeth Matten (c.1771- ) 16 Oct 1793 Crediton, bur. 14 Dec 1821 Crediton, aged 51, presumably an ag lab.

i. Sally (1794- ), bapt. 18 Jun 1794 Crediton.

ii. Thomas Mortimer of Pilton (1797-1872), bapt. 12 Feb 1797 Crediton, m.1. Ann Voysey c.1799-c.1845) 29 Dec 1820 Crediton, fl.1841 Pilton, m.2. Jane Smith 1851 Tiverton; fl. 1851/61/71 Tiverton, occupied as a foreman. Thomas Mortimer died in 1872. Thomas and Ann Mortimer had issue:

1. Thomas Mortimer (c.1820-aft.1871) m. Martha Pitts (1819-1874) fl.1841 Pilton, 1851 Bridgewater, occupied as a smith; fl.1861/71 Barnstaple.

2. Elizabeth (c.1824- ) fl. 1851 Tiverton.

3. John Mortimer (c.1830- ) fl. 1841 Pilton, 1851 Tiverton.

4. Henry Mortimer (c.1834-aft.1861) fl. 1841 Pilton, 1851/61 Tiverton, m. Lucy Holmes 1856 Tiverton.

5. John (1773- ) bapt. 2 Jan 1774 Crediton, perhaps apprenticed to a baker in Exeter, 1786.

6. William Mortimer of Exeter (1778-1854), b. 17 Nov 1778 bapt. 3 Jan 1779 Crediton, m. Ann Prickman (1781-1856) 18 Nov 1804 Crediton, fl. 1841/1851 Exeter St Edmund, a baker, bur. 25 Jul 1854; Ann his widow died about 1856 Exeter.

i. William (1805-1806) bapt. 24 Jul 1805 bur. 5 Jan 1806 Crediton.

ii. William Mortimer of Luton (1807-1869) bapt. 8 Jun 1807 Crediton, m. before 1861, Elizabeth (c.1827), fl. 1851 Luton, 1861 Leeds, bur. 1 Jan 1869 Leeds Beckett Street Cemetery.

iii. George Mortimer of Chudleigh (1809-1870), b. 22 Apr 1809, bapt. 14 May 1809 Crediton; m. 1 Mar 1835 Chudleigh, fl. 1841 Chudleigh, shoemaker, 1851 Chudleigh, a baker, bur. 7 Nov 1870 Chudleigh. They had eight children:

1. Sarah Jane (c.1838- )

2. George Mortimer (1840- ), bapt. 31 Jan 1840 Chudleigh.

3. Elizabeth Tuckett Mortimer (1841- ), bapt. 24 Oct 1841 Chudleigh.

4. Thomas Tuckett Mortimer (1843- ), bapt. 1 Oct 1843 Chudleigh.

5. Harriet (1845- ), bapt. 4 May 1845 Chudleigh.

6. Mary Ann (1847- ), bapt. 25 Apr 1847 Chudleigh.

7. Caroline (1849- ), bapt. 2 May 1849 Chudleigh.

8. Charlotte Prickman Mortimer (1851- ), bapt. 20 Apr 1851 Chudleigh.

9. Thomas Tuckett Mortimer (1855- ), bapt. 7 Oct 1855 Chudleigh.

iv. Mary Ann (1811- ) b. 18 Jul 1811 bapt. 27 Aug 1811 Crediton.

v. John Mortimer (1813- ) bapt. 12 Dec 1813 Crediton.

vi. James Mortimer (1815- ) bapt. 27 Aug 1815 Crediton, m. Jemima Rundle 29 Sep 1841 Exeter St Mary Steps, fl. 1851/61/71 Exeter St Sidwell, tailor.

vii. Elizabeth (1820- ), bapt. 22 Sep 1820 Crediton, fl. 1851 Exeter St Edmund.

viii. Francis Mortimer (1825-1877), bapt. 5 Nov 1825 Crediton, arrested on suspicion of arson and acquitted 27 Jul 1843, fl. 1851/61 Exeter St Edmund, baker, fl.1871 Wolborough, bur. 26 Aug 1877 Wolborough.

John Mortimer of Great Torrington, surgeon (c.1751-1791)

John was perhaps connected with the above family. He may have been born 1751, son of Margery b.1723, whose mother Margery was presumably born in Great Torrington.

John Mortimer of Great Torrington was appr. 11 Aug 1765 to Thomas Cookesley of Torrington, surgeon, and m. Ursula Williams (1753-1834) 19 Jun 1774 Great Torrington, resided there and left a will proved in 1791. John was bur. 11 Jun 1791 Clannaborough, the only Mortimer to be buried there. Ursula his widow was bur. 4 Jan 1834 at Alverstoke, Hampshire, aged 81.

i. Ursula bapt. 7 Apr 1775 Great Torrington.

ii. John (1778-1779), bapt. 17 Feb 1778 bur. 1 Oct 1779 Great Torrington.

iii. Charlotte (1780-1810), bapt. 3 Jan 1780, m. Alexander Masters (1762-1825) 30 Sep 1801 Clannaborough, bur. 18 Apr 1810 Bristol St Stephen.

iv. John Mortimer of Alverstoke (1783-1856), bapt. 10 Mar 1783 Great Torrington, trained as a surgeon; a surgeon at the Battle of Trafalgar 21 Oct 1805. He travelled widely round the world as a surgeon, and later became an inspector of hospitals. John m. Elizabeth Freke, 21 Jun 1806 Clannaborough, who died before 1841. Recorded in Alverstoke in the 1841/51 censuses. John Mortimer died c.1856 leaving a will proved in 1856 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

v. Ursula Gordon Mortimer (1785-1806), b. 14 Nov 1785 bapt. 12 Apr 1786 Great Torrington, appr. in London 23 Sep 1802 to Mary Smith. She died unm. and was bur. 5 Nov 1806 Great Torrington.

vi. Harriet (1786-1809), bapt. 12 Apr 1786 and bur. 26 Mar 1809 Great Torrington.

vii. Frances (1793- ), bapt. 6 Aug 1793 Great Torrington, of whom nothing further is known.

Aug

2022

The Mortimers of Trowbridge

A brief history

Trowbridge is a small market town on the western edge of Wiltshire, situated on the river Biss, a tributary of the Avon. The Mortimer family of Trowbridge came from humble origins to become the most prosperous people in the town. Trowbridge history is closely interwoven with the development of the cloth industry, and it was in clothing trade that the Mortimers made their fortune. It may seem surprising then that these Mortimers originally came from Fyfield, near Marlborough, 21 miles away. They were presumably related to other Mortimer families in Wiltshire.

Richard Mortimer of Fyfield in Overton (c.1605-1670)

Richard was born about 1605, perhaps the son of William Mortimer (c.1575- ). m. Susanna Benger 26 Apr 1630, Wilsford near Pewsey. He died intestate in 1670, administration of his estate was granted to his widow They had issue:

1. Edward Mortimer of Trowbridge (1636-1704)

2. Susanna Mortimer of Ogbourne (c.1640- ), m. Anthony Elton of Yatesbury 20 May 1661, Preshute.

3. John Mortimer of Fyfield in Overton (c.1642-1678), m. Ruth Pile 31 Jul 1670, Amesbury, presumably the same John Mortimer witnessed the grant of administration of the estate of Richard Mortimer, 27 Aug 1670. His will was dated 2 Feb 1677/8; to daughter Mary, all goods, who is sole exor. He appointed his brothers in law Richard Pile and John Pile as overseers. His will was proved 3 Oct 1678. Ruth his widow died in 1692; her will mentioned daughters Mary and Ruth. John and Ruth Mortimer had four daughters, two who survived to adulthood:

i. Mary 1671-1673, bapt. 29 Jul 1671 Amesbury, bur. 31 Jul 1673 Fyfield in Overton

ii. Margaret 1673-1673, bapt. 24 Jul 1673 Fyfield, d. abt 1673

iii. Mary 1675- , bapt. 15 Dec 1675 Durnford Magna, was made sole exor. in the will of her father, 2 Feb 1677/8, despite her infancy.

iv. Ruth 1678-1764, bapt. 8 Feb 1677/8 Fyfield, m. Nicholas Temple (1681-1744) 14 Aug 1704 Trowbridge; had a son, John Temple b. 1706, m. Eleanor Mortimer (1701-1783) 26 Oct 1738 Trowbridge.

4. Eleanor c.1644- mentioned in the will of her grandmother, Margaret Benger (c.1585-1661).

Edward Mortimer of Trowbridge (1636-1704)

Edward Mortimer was the first of the family to settle in Trowbridge. He was presumably a younger son, and he was born into a typical farming family who had lived as husbandmen and yeomen farmers for generations. He was born in 1636, the son of Richard Mortimer and Susanna nee Benger (who married in 26 Apr 1630), and he was baptised 13 Jan 1635/6. Edward probably had as many as four brothers, named William (presumably the eldest), John, George, and Thomas. Edward was presumably apprenticed in Trowbridge, and learnt the skill of cloth work, eventually becoming a master clothier himself. In 1665, his brother William Mortimer died in Fyfield, Edward Mortimer of Trowbridge was concerned in the trust for maintaining William’s infant son John.

It was perhaps about the mid 1660s that Edward married Katherine Houlton; they had six children. By the time Edward died in 1704, Trowbridge, he had built up quite some property, he made a will describing his occupation as that of gentleman, providing for his wife Katherine, son John, and grandson Edward, who would all succeed him in the cloth trade. His will also mentioned his daughter Ann Shepherd, and son John’s three daughters, Katherine, Ann and Jane. He had a son Edward, but his will made no mention of himperhaps he had already been provided for. His widow, Katherine, featured in a 1714 document assigning the mortgage of the house lately built at Trowbridge. Edward and Katherine had the following issue:

1. Katherine c.1666-1667, bur. 20 Aug 1667 Trowbridge

2. Joan 1667, bapt. 2 Apr 1667, m. Samuel Watts 17 Dec 1686 at Canterbury, Kent

3. John Mortimer c.1668-1715

4. Ann 1669, bapt. 27 Aug 1669, married _ Shepherd [Note. the Shepherd family were prominent in Frome and the surrounding area]

5. Katherine 1670, bapt. 27 Sep 1670

6. Edward Mortimer II 1678-c.1718, who is detailed further below.

John Mortimer of Trowbridge (1669-1715)

John was born in 1669, the eldest son of Edward and Katherine Mortimer. He was bapt. 29 May 1669, Trowbridge. He married twice, firstly Katherine (maiden name unknown), about 1689, and they had four children. John Mortimer married secondly, Sarah Hayward, 4 Nov 1697 Devizes, Wiltshire. He was bur. 16 Sep 1715, Trowbridge. Sarah his widow was bur. 1 Jun 1750, Trowbridge.

Children of John Mortimer and Katherine:

1. Edward Mortimer Esq (1690-1744), bap. 2 Sep 1690 Trowbridge, m.1. Ann Smith, 27 Feb 1711/2 Frome St John, had issue a daughter Ann. Edward Mortimer m.2. Ann Dampier, 1 Jan 1716/7, at Tintinhull, Somerset, they had three children.

i. Ann 1712-1799, b. 12 Dec 1712 Trowbridge, died unm. 1799, Clifton, Bristol, bur. 22 Jan 1799 Clifton; her will was proved in 1799.

ii. Mary 1718- , bap. 3 Sep 1718 Trowbridge, m. Isaac Elton 20 Feb 1734/5 Trowbridge. They had one son, Edward Elton of Greenway b.1742. Isaac Elton died in 1776.

iii. Edward 1719 (d. young), bur. 25 Aug 1720.

iv. Edward Mortimer Esq c. 1720-1755, born about 1720, son of Edward Mortimer, gent. Matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford, in 1736, aged 16; m.1. Anne Gibbs, 23 Aug 1744 Trowbridge. Anne his wife died about 1750, Edward m.2. Hannah Deadman, 13 Jun 1753, Wingfield, Wiltshire. Edward died in 1755, and was bur. 26 Feb 1755, Trowbridge. In his will he mentioned his brother in law Isaac Elton, and uncles Nathaniel and Joseph Mortimer. Hannah his widow m.2. James Concannen, 6 Sep 1756.

2. Katherine 1692- , bapt. 18 Mar 1691/2, m. Edward Coles 28 May 1713 Corsham.

3. Ann c. 1693-1757, no bapt. record, lived in Trowbridge, her will was dated 1757, and mentioned sister Katherine Coles, and Ann dau of late brother Edward Mortimer Esq.

4. Jane 1695- , bapt. 18 Aug 1695

Children of John Mortimer and Sarah Hayward:

5. Sarah b. 25 Mar 1698, m. Benjamin Horlock (1699-1731); one son, Isaac Horlock b.1728

6. Elizabeth b. 30 Jul 1699

7. Eleanor 1701-1783, b. 28 Jul 1701 Trowbridge, m. John Temple 26 Oct 1738 Trowbridge. Her will was dated 24 Nov 1781, Trowbridge, in which she mentioned Joseph son of her brother Joseph Mortimer. She died before 1783 when her will was proved.

8. John Mortimer 1704-1738, bapt. 16 Jan 1703/4, he was apprenticed to his uncle, Edward Mortimer, clothier, 5 Feb 1717/8 at Trowbridge. John died without issue and was bur. 16 Feb 1737/8.

9. Nathaniel Mortimer 1706-aft.1755, bapt. 26 Feb 1705/6, was apprenticed to John Jacobs, apothecary of Bristol, 8 Feb 1719/20, he trained as an apothecary and thereafter lived in Bristol. Nathaniel Mortimer m. Esther Taylor, 20 Feb 1727/8 Bristol St Nicholas. He was mentioned as uncle in the will of his nephew Edward Mortimer Esq in 1755. He had no known issue.

10. Samuel Mortimer of Devizes 1708-1739, bap. 19 Aug 1708 Trowbridge, apprenticed to Robert Cloper, a wool stapler of Devizes, 4 Feb 1722/3, evidently learning the trade. Samuel Mortimer m.1. Elizabeth Still, 26 Sep 1729, Devizes, they had issue two sons, John b. 1730 and Samuel c.1733. Samuel m.2. Susanna, c.1736, they had one daughter, Susanna Mary Mortimer b.1739. Samuel Mortimer’s will was dated 1739, when he was described as a wool comber. He mentioned his mother Sarah and property in Trowbridge, also his late wife Elizabeth and current wife Susanna. He was presumably bur. in Devizes.

i. John Mortimer of Trowbridge 1730- b. 2 Sep 1730 Devizes, apprenticed 5 Jun 1744 to Jeffrey Everett of Tytherington, wool comber, and learnt the trade. John Mortimer m.1. Elizabeth Culverhouse 25 Jul 1752 Trowbridge. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 14 Jul 1760 North Bradley. John m.2. Elizabeth Vine 14 Sep 1762 Trowbridge. Elizabeth died in 1766, administration of her assets was granted to John Mortimer her husband. John Mortimer’s family were mentioned in the will of Joseph Mortimer.

Issue of John Mortimer and Elizabeth Culverhouse:

1. Edward Mortimer of Westbury c.1753-1815, born about 1753, m.1. Elizabeth Batten (1751-1784), 11 Oct 1777 North Bradley, they had one son, Henry Batten Mortimer bapt. 22 May 1778, Westbury, Wiltshire. Elizabeth was bur. 2 Jul 1784 North Bradley, in the register named as Elizabeth wife of Edward Mortimer of Westbury. He was mentioned as a clothier at Westbury in 1780. Edward m.2. Maria Cockle, 15 Apr 1790, Dilton, Wiltshire. He was bur. 22 Aug 1815, Corsley, aged 63. Maria his widow was bur. 22 Jan 1828, Corsley, her will was proved 22 Jun 1828, in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

2. Elizabeth (c.1757? )

Issue of John Mortimer and Elizabeth Vine:

3. Sarah c.1763

4. Samuel Mortimer c.1764

5. John Mortimer c.1765

6. Joseph Mortimer c.1766

11. Joseph Mortimer Esq 1710-1776, b. 21 Sep 1710 Trowbridge, m. Ann Smith 27 Jul 1731 Trowbridge, was a clothier and gentleman landowner. Joseph Mortimer and Ann his wife had the following issue:

i. Joseph 1733-1733, b. 26 Apr 1733, bur. 30 Dec 1733 Trowbridge

ii. Ann 1735, b. 14 Oct 1735, m. James Dowding 25 Aug 1760

iii. Mary 1738-39, b. 13 Jun 1738, bur. 1 Feb 1739/40

iv. Joseph Mortimer 1741-1789, b. 10 Feb 1740/1, m. Frances Greene 30 Jun 1767 Trowbridge, they had the following issue. Joseph died in 1789, Trowbridge; Frances his widow died in 1799.

1. Frances 1768, b. 11 Apr 1768, bapt. 31 Oct 1769, Trowbridge, m. John Jones 23 Apr 1792, Clifton.

2. Joseph Mortimer 1769, b. 7 Aug 1769, bapt. 31 Oct 1769, on the same day as sister Frances; died before 1776 when Joseph Mortimer was born.

3. Anna Maria 1772-1848, b. 23 Apr 1742, bapt. 21 Oct 1780 Trowbridge, m. John Whittaker (1771-1831) 4 May 1796 Trowbridge. She was bur. 3 Oct 1848 Westbury, Wiltshire.

4. Lucia 1774-1820, b. 16 Sep 1774, bapt. 21 Oct 1780, Trowbridge, died before 1820, when her will was proved.

5. Joseph Mortimer Esq 1776-1833, b. 3 Jul 1776, bapt. 21 Oct 1780, Trowbridge, m. Caroline Elizabeth Bedingfeld (1779-1848) 30 Jan 1800, St George, Hanover Square, London. He died in 1833 aged 57 and was bur. 5 Sep 1833 at All Souls, Kensal Green. His widow died in 1848, and was buried 15 Jun 1848 in the same parish.

6. Edward Mortimer Esq 1779- b. 14 Dec 1779, bapt. 21 Oct 1780, Trowbridge, had a distinguished military career; served in the 20th Dragoon Guards, 1804-1809, and the Life Guards from 1809, during the Napoleonic Wars. He m. Agatha Rosa Papallardo, 12 Jul 1814 St Marylebone, London. It is unknown whether they had children.

7. Harriet 1782-aft.1841, b.22 Aug 1782, bapt. 27 Sep 1785 Trowbridge, never married.

v. Elizabeth 1747, b. 21 Apr 1747 Trowbridge

vi. Edward 1747-1749, b. 21 Apr 1747, bur. 18 Jan 1748/9 Trowbridge

vii. Edward Horlock Mortimer 1750-1803, m. Elizabeth Bythesea 29 Jan 1784, they had the following issue. Edward Mortimer was bur. 26 Dec 1803; Elizabeth his wife died in 1826 aged 63, and was bur. 21 Nov 1826, Trowbridge.

1. Edward Horlock Mortimer Esq 1786-1857, b. 18 Apr 1786, bapt. 11 Jan 1787 Trowbridge, matric. Brasenose College, Oxford 17 Apr 1804, aged 18, m. Frances Lardner 1809 Harpford, Devon. Lived in Clifton, Bristol in 1841, Marylebone, London in 1851, died 15 Nov 1857, Kensal Green, London. Edward Horlock Mortimer and Frances had issue, including: Edward Horlock Mortimer 1809-1866.

3. Thomas Bythesea Mortimer Esq 1787-1836, b. 1 Sep 1787, bapt. 30 Sep 1787 Trowbridge, was bur. 21 Jul 1836 at Bangor, Caernarvonshire.

2. Joseph Mortimer Esq 1788-1861, b. 28 Sep 1788, bapt. 22 Mar 1791 resident at Melcombe Regis, 1841, 1851, as a gentleman. Joseph Mortimer died 11 Mar 1861, bur. 18 Mar 1861 Wyke Regis. His will was proved 2 May 1861.

4. Octavia Mortimer 1796-1864 b. 23 Jun 1796, bapt. 23 Oct 1796, died unm. in 1864, aged 68, was bur. 30 Jul 1684 Leckhampton, Gloucestershire.

Edward Mortimer II of Trowbridge (1678-c.1718)

Edward was the younger son of Edward Mortimer and Katherine his wife, and was bapt. 26 Feb 1677/8 Trowbridge. Edward m. Eleanor Axford, 7 Nov 1699, Earl Stoke, Wiltshire. He was occupied as a clothier at Trowbridge, and his nephew John Mortimer became his apprentice in 1718. However, he died shortly after this date, as noted in the apprenticeship record of his son William, in 1719. Edward obviously helped find his sons careers, and all three of them were apprenticed. Eleanor his widow died in 1752, and was bur. 10 Jun 1752, Earl Stoke, she appointed son Joseph as the executor of her will. Edward and Eleanor had the following issue:

1. Eleanor 1701- b. 16 Sep 1701 Trowbridge, m. William Still, 6 Jun 1721, Devizes.

2. Edward Mortimer (III) 1703-1756, bapt. 26 Aug 1703 Trowbridge, apprenticed to John Ball, clothier of Bristol, 22 Jul 1716. Presumably the same Edward Mortimer m. Ann Wood, 31 Jul 1753 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, and was listed as Mayor’s Officer in 1754, Bristol St James. Edward Mortimer was bur. 24 Nov 1756, as registered in the records of the Baptist Meeting in Bristol. There is no burial entry for his wife Ann Mortimer.

3. William Mortimer of Devizes 1705-c.1762, bapt. 16 Oct 1705, Trowbridge. William, son of Edward Mortimer deceased was apprenticed to Peter Clark of Devizes, baker, 23 May 1719. William Mortimer and Sarah Adlam were married 7 Jan 1731/2 Devizes, and they had four children. He became a master baker in Devizes, as shown in apprenticeship records dating from 1728, 1744, 1750 and 1757. His will was proved in 1762. Sarah, his widow, was bur. 5 Dec 1764, Devizes.

i. John 1733-1740, bap. 4 Jan 1733/4, bur. 3 Aug 1740 Devizes.

ii. Ann c.1737-1801, b. about 1737, married Samuel Adlam 13 May 1759, Devizes, was bur. 10 Aug 1801, Devizes. Samuel Adlam was bur. 18 May 1811, same parish.

iii. William Mortimer II c.1740-1769, born about 1740, whose baptism appears to be missing; he died without issue; made his will, 18 Mar 1769, as William Mortimer of Devizes, currently residing in Bath. The will mentions his sisters Sarah Mortimer and Ann, wife of Samuel Adlam. He was bur. 24 Mar 1769, Devizes.

iv. Sarah 1749-1781, bapt. 15 Feb 1748/9 Devizes, after a gap of 14 years from the baptism of her elder brother John in 1734. Sarah m. William Salmon, 24 Jun 1773, Devizes.

4. Joseph Mortimer of Earl Stoke (1707-1753), bap. 10 Sep 1707 Trowbridge, a contemporary of his cousin, John Mortimer Esq (1710-1776). He was apprenticed 9 Jan 1723/4 to Richard Smith, wool stapler of Devizes. Mr Joseph Mortimer and Mrs Elizabeth White were m. 16 Sep 1735, Heytesbury. They had six sons and four daughters. Joseph evidently became a wool stapler at East Coulston, Wiltshire, as detailed in an apprenticeship record dating from 1737. He died intestate in 1753; administration of his estate was granted to his widow Elizabeth. Joseph and Elizabeth Mortimer had the following issue:

i. Joseph Mortimer b. 26 Nov 1736, East Coulston

ii. Hannah, b. 1 Jan 1737/8 East Coulston, m. Henry Jennings 6 Jul 1765, Bath St James.

iii. Benjamin Mortimer b. 29 Jun 1739, appr. 9 May 1752 to Joseph White of Devizes, barber.

iv. William Mortimer, bapt. 1741 Earl Stoke, bur. 1 Feb 1813, Walcot, aged 74, m. Mary d. 1778 Walcot, issue:

1. Jebbey 1766

2. William 1772-1776

3. William Mortimer 1777-1846, lived in Bristol.

v. Mary bapt. 25 Nov 1743 Earl Stoke, m. Richard Warren, 19 Dec 1769, Bath Abbey.

vi. Elizabeth b. abt 1747, bapt. 31 Jul 1758 Earl Stoke, m. Charles Wheeler, 16 Jul 1780, Bath Abbey.

vii. John Mortimer b. abt 1749, bapt. 26 Jul 1757, Earl Stoke

viii. Peter Mortimer c.1751-1823, b. abt 1751, bapt. 26 Jul 1757, Earl Stoke, m.1. Jane Burton 11 Feb 1774, St Mary le Bow, London. Jane was bur. 27 Nov 1782, St George Hanover Square. Peter m.2. Ann Selfe, 8 Apr 1784, Trowbridge. He was bur. 8 Mar 1823, All Hallows, Barking By the Tower, aged 71. Peter and Jane Mortimer had issue:

1. William Mortimer bapt. 11 Jun 1775 St George Hanover Square,

2. John Mortimer b. 22 Aug 1776, bapt. 21 Oct 1776

3. Mary b. 23 Aug 1776, bapt. 21 Oct 1776, m. James Golden 15 Feb 1802

4. Elizabeth b. 19 Dec 1777

ix. Edward Mortimer of Bristol (c.1754-1844), born about 1754, bapt. 26 Jul 1757 Earl Stoke, was apprenticed 26 Aug 1771 to James Norton of Bristol, stationer and bookbinder. Edward clearly finished his training and became a stationer, later an accountant, as listed in the Bristol trade directories. He resided in Bristol Castle precinct. Edward Mortimer m. Mary Martin 29 Jul 1790, Bristol St James, and they had seven children. Edward was mentioned as brother in the will of Peter Mortimer, 1821. He was bur. 11 Dec 1844, Bristol Temple, apparently aged 90. His wife Mary perhaps died in 1806, was bur. in Bristol Temple parish. They had the following children:

1. Mary 1792-aft.1861, b. in Castle precinct, bapt. 25 Mar 1792 Bristol St James, m. Joseph Barnard (1803-1855) 25 Dec 1823 Bedminster; they had five children. She resided in Southwark, Surrey in 1861 as a widow, died sometime after that date.

2. Ann 1793, bapt. 14 Jul 1793 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob, m. Cornelius Quinlan (1789-1840) 3 Oct 1819, Bristol St Philip and St Jacob, with no known children.

3. Edward Blanning 1794, bapt. 21 Sep 1794 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob, of whom nothing further is known.

4. Sarah 1797, bapt. 9 Jul 1797 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob, m. Charles Parker 30 Oct 1817 Bristol St John the Baptist.

5. Richard Mortimer of Keynsham 1797-1880, bapt. 9 Jul 1797 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob, m. Mary Thorn (1800-1853) 20 Nov 1821, Bristol Temple, had issue four children. He was occupied as a brass manufacturer at at Keynsham, five miles south east of Bristol, where they lived until 1871. He died in 1880, Mary his wife died in 1853

i. Edward Nelson Mortimer 1823-aft.1891, bapt. 16 Feb 1823 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob

ii. John Mortimer 1825-aft.1871 bapt. 25 Dec 1825, m. Mary Ann Smith 29 Dec 1851 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

iii. Thomas c.1827-1831, bur. 25 Mar 1831 Bristol Temple, of Keynsham ps., presumably a son of Richard and Mary.

iv. Sarah c.1829-1901, never married.

6. John Martin Mortimer 1799-1864, bapt. 20 Jan 1799, emigrated to New York, d. 18 Feb 1864, Kings, New York.

7. Susanna 1801-1843, bapt. 11 Jan 1801, lived in Bristol Castle precint, had a daughter, Sarah Susanna never married, and was bur. 2 Dec 1843 Bristol Temple.

i. Sarah Mortimer (1821-1886), who m. Henry Augustus Rumley (1823- )

x. Eleanor c.1755-1809, bapt. 26 Jul 1757, witnessed the marriage of her sister Elizabeth White Mortimer in 1780, m. James Bullock (c.1751-1809) 17 Feb 1791, Bath St Michael. They had no children. She was bur. 24 Sep 1809, Batheaston, Somerset.

5. Mary b. 28 Nov 1708, Trowbridge, youngest child of Edward and Eleanor. Sarah m. Thomas Britten 8 Oct 1734, Devizes.

Dec

2020

The Mortimers of Bristol

Origins

The first Mortimers known to live in Bristol arrived in the mid 17th century, perhaps from nearby Almondsbury. This Mortimer family presumably descended from the earlier Mortimers of Olveston, in Gloucestershire. It seems as though the family disappeared in the male line, though some members of the family may have moved away from Bristol and founded offshoot Mortimer family branches elsewhere.

John? Mortimer of Almondsbury (1601-c.1650)

A Mortimer lived in Almondsbury, Gloucestershire in the first part of the 17th century, and had the following children. This may have been John Mortimer b. 1601/2 Olveston. His wife was Mary d.1657, who was bur. 7 Jan 1656/7, Almondsbury.

1. John Mortimer c.1631-1661, born c. 1630s, whose wife is unknown. He died in 1661 and was bur. 24 Oct 1661 Almondsbury. John had the following children.

i. John? c.1655

ii. Mary b.16 May 1656

2. Thomas c.1633-1666, who was b. in the 1630s, he m. c.1654, and they had the following children. Thomas was bur. 27 Mar 1666 Almondsbury; his wife may have been Jane Mortimer bur. 7 Jul 1666.

i. Edward Mortimer of Almondsbury (c.1655-1682), who may have been a son of Thomas Mortimer of Almondsbury. He m. Margaret Hort 14 Nov 1676 Bristol, and they had the following children. Edward was bur. 10 Nov 1682 Almondsbury. Margaret was bur. 1 Apr 1722 Bristol St James.

1. Edward Mortimer II 1677-1740, baker, bap. 2 Oct 1677 Almondsbury, m. Susanna Churchman 27 Jan 1703/4 Bristol St James. Susanna his wife was bur. 13 Jun 1720 Bristol St James. Edward featured in the 1734 and 1739 Bristol poll books, and died some time after the latter date.

i. Thomas Mortimer of Bristol 1707-1758, bap. 22 Sep 1707 Bristol Temple, m. Susanna Retherington, 15 Aug 1730 Bedminster. He was bur. 31 Dec 1758 Bristol. Susanna was bur. 13 May 1770 Bristol. They had no issue.

ii. Mary bap. 4 Aug 1709 Bristol Temple

2. George Mortimer of Aust c.1680- , whose parentage is unknown, but who may have been a son of Edward and Margaret Mortimer of Almondsbury. He m. Sarah Thomas 13 Apr 1707 Henbury, and they had the following children. George Mortimer and Sarah his wife died at an unknown date after 1727.

i. Elizabeth 1708, bap. 15 Feb 1707/8 Henbury

ii. Thomas 1709-1714, bap. 11 Dec 1709 Henbury

iii. Mary 1712, bap. 2 Jun 1712 Aust

iv. George 1714, bap. 31 Oct 1714 Aust

v. John Mortimer of Horsley 1716-1745, bap. 9 Dec 1716 Aust

vi. Thomas 1722, bap. 6 May 1722 Aust

vii. Sarah 1727-1802, bap. 22 Jan 1726/7 Aust, bur. 28 May 1802 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob.

ii. Mary 1659

iii. Nicholas Mortimer

iv. Thomas Mortimer of Bristol c.1665-1737, pin maker, presumably a close relative of the above Nicholas Mortimer, who was also a pin maker in Bristol. Thomas may have been the son of either Thomas or Peter Mortimer, and named one of his sons Peter, supporting the connection. The older Thomas Mortimer died in 1766, and Jane Mortimer died later the same year. If Thomas Mortimer was orphaned, he may have been raised by an uncle, Peter Mortimer (c.1644-1709). Thomas married Mary West 5 Jul 1696 Bristol St James, and they had the following children. Mary was bur. 1724 Bristol; Thomas was bur. 25 Feb 1736/7 Bristol St Stephen.

1. Joseph 1698-1698, b. 9 Oct 1698, bur. 16 Oct 1698 Bristol St Michael.

2. Mary 1699, b. 28 Sep 1699 Bristol St Michael

3. Thomas 1701-1708, b. 8 Feb 1701/2 Bristol St Michael

4. George 1704-1707, b. 12 Oct 1704 Bristol St Nicholas, bur. 7 Dec 1707 Bristol St Michael.

5. Hannah 1706, b. 7 May 1706 Bristol St Nicholas, m. Richard Ponting, 29 May 1729 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

6. Jane 1709-1710, b. 6 Apr 1709 Bristol St Stephen, bur. 19 Jan 1709/10 Bristol St Michael.

7. Peter 1710, b. 8 Jun 1710 Bristol St Stephen, of whom nothing further is known. A Peter Mortimer lived in Plymouth from c.1750s, though this may have been a different person (see Mortimers of Plymouth).

8. William 1713-1714, b. 3 Mar 1712/3, bur. 1 Feb 1713/4 Bristol St Stephen.

3. George Mortimer c.1630, m. Elizabeth Maunsell, 29 Apr 1664 Bristol St Augustine the Less. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 16 Jun 1672 Almondsbury. George was bur. 19 Feb 1673/4. They had two children:

i. George 1665-1665, b. 5 Jan 1664/5, bur. 21 May 1665 Almondsbury

ii. Ann 1672-1722, b. 12 Jun 1672 Almondsbury, orphaned aged 1 year 8 months. Ann m. Nicholas Reede 28 Aug 1691 Bitton, bur. 6 Sep 1722 Bitton.

4. Peter Mortimer c.1644-1709, a tyler, was born in the mid 17th century. He m.1. Jane c.1675, who was bur. 29 Dec 1687 Bristol. Peter m.2. Joan (surname unknown) 20 Oct 1689 Bristol. He died in 1709 and was bur. 3 Feb 1708/9 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob.

Peter and Jane his first wife had the following children:

i. Mary 1677, b. 2 Jun 1677 Bristol St James.

ii. Joseph c.1680-1681, bur. 25 Sep 1681 Bristol St James.

Peter and Joan his second wife had the following children:

iii. Ann 1690-1691, b. 3 Aug 1690 Bristol St Stephen, bur. 10 Mar 1690/1 Bristol St Nicholas.

iv. Joseph 1692-1693, b. 14 Sep 1692 Bristol St Leonard, bur. 30 Nov 1693 Bristol St Nicholas.

Nicholas Mortimer of Bristol (c.1660-1730)

Nicholas was born about the year 1660, presumably near Bristol. He may have been the son of Thomas Mortimer d.1666 Almondsbury, above. Nicholas m.1. Joanna Fett (1660-1701), 6 Apr 1684 Wells, Somerset, and they had eight children. Joanna died about 1701, and Nicholas m.2. Ann James, 1702, Bristol. He featured in the Bristol poll records as Nicholas Mortimer of Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, pin maker, dated 1721. Ann his wife was bur. 17 Nov 1725 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. He was presumably related to Thomas Mortimer, pin maker of Bristol (c.1672-1737). Nicholas was bur. 21 Apr 1730 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. Nicholas and his first wife Joan had the following children.

1. Thomas Mortimer (1686-1732), bap. 10 Jan 1685/6 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, he m.1. Sarah Griffin 22 Jun 1719 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe; Sarah was bur. 5 Aug (1724?) Bristol Temple. Thomas m.2. Margaret Wilson 28 Oct 1725 Bristol St James. Like his father before him, Thomas worked as a pin maker in Bristol. He died in 1732 and was bur. 12 Dec 1732 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob. Margaret his widow was bur. 20 Dec 1737 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. Thomas and Margaret had the following children:

i. Thomas 1725-c.1727, bap. 28 Oct 1725 Bristol St James, d. before 1728.

ii. Thomas Mortimer II 1728-1756, tyler, b. & bap. 3 Mar 1727/8 Bristol St James, m. Ann Bees 16 Sep 1753 Bristol St James. He died in 1755 at St Peter’s Hospital, Bristol and was bur. 13 Jan 1755 Bristol Temple. Ann his widow died in 1776, Bristol.

iii. James 1729-1730, bap. 27 Jun 1729 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, bur. 12 Apr 1730

iv. James 1731-1731, bap. 22 Aug 1731 Bristol St Philip and St Jacob

2. Mary 1688-1744, bap. 31 Jan 1687/8 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

3. Nicholas Mortimer

4. Elizabeth 1691, bap. 25 Oct 1691 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, m. Abraham Jones, the first day of Christmas 1713, Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

5. Ann 1693-1745, bap. 10 Dec 1693, m. Ezekiel Goodman 4 Feb 1721/2 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, she was bur. 15 Dec 1745 the same parish.

6. John 1696-1698

7. Martha 1698-1756, b. 20 Nov 1698, m. Thomas Sartaine 22 Apr 1731 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, bur. 30 Mar 1756 same parish.

8. Sarah 1700, bap. 14 Jun 1700, m. Henry Stannard, Christmas Day 1725 Bedminster St John.

Nicholas Mortimer (1690-1755)

Nicholas was bap. 30 Jan 1689/90 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, mentioned in the 1721 Bristol Poll book as Nicholas Mortimer junior. Like his father and grandfather before him, he worked as a pin maker in Bristol. He m.1. Mary Pitts, Christmas Day 1725 Bristol St James, and they had the following three children. Mary his wife was bur. 22 Oct 1741 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. Nicholas m.2. Christian Bush, widow, 22 Jul 1742 Bristol Cathedral. Nicholas was bur. 28 Oct 1755, Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. Christian his widow d. aged (72) and was bur. 11 Apr 1762 in the same parish.

1. Nicholas Mortimer III 1726-1757, pin maker, bap. 1 Dec 1726 Bristol St James, m. Ann Jones 31 May 1750 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, was occupied as a pin maker in Bristol, 23 May 1754 as recorded in the duties paid for apprentices indentures. He was a non-conformist and died in 1757. He was bur. 6 Feb 1757, Grace Acres Moravian church, Bristol. His will was dated 28 Jan 1757, in which he left his estate to his wife Ann. Nicholas and Ann had the following children:

i. John 1753-1756, b. 6 May 1753, bap. 10 Jun 1753, bur. 25 Feb 1756 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

ii. Elizabeth 1755-1777, b. 2 Jan 1755, bap. 26 Jan 1755 Upper Maudlin St. Moravian church, Bristol. She m. James Lock 16 Jul 1776 Bristol and was bur. 1777 Bristol Cathedral churchyard.

iii. Mary 1757-1757, b. 23 Jan 1757, bap. the same day, Bristol Maudlin St. Moravian church. She was bur. 30 Jan 1757.

2. John Mortimer 1729-1773, pin maker, bap. 16 Nov 1729 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, m.1. Elizabeth Davis 19 Feb 1764 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, Elizabeth his wife died in 1769, John m.2. Elizabeth Linford 10 May 1772. John was bur. 3 Dec 1773 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, Elizabeth his widow was bur. 30 Jul 1775. John and his first wife Elizabeth had two children:

i. Elizabeth 1764-1818, bap. 2 Oct 1764 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, m. John Mayo Tandy (1765-1854) 8 Jul 1786 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, bur. 27 May 1818.

ii. John Mortimer II 1769-aft.1812, bap. 20 Apr 1769 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe, apprenticed aged 16 to William Oldland, haberdasher, 11 May 1785 Bristol. He was listed as a seller of food and drink in the New Bristol Directory, 1792. John m. Ann Curnock 4 May 1793 Frocester. He was resident in Bristol in 1812 when he was occupied as a haberdasher, and died after this date. John and Ann Mortimer had one daughter:

1. Ann Marklove Mortimer, 1797-1798, bap. 3 Aug 1797 Bristol St James, bur. 25 May 1798 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

3. James 1732, bap. 6 Feb 1731/2 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe.

Dec

2020

The Mortimers of Gloucestershire

Origins

The Mortimer story in Gloucestershire begins in the late Middle Ages. The Mortimer Earls of March owned large tracts of land in Gloucestershire in the 1300s and formed a marriage alliance with the Berkeley family, barons of Berkeley, Gloucestershire. It is in Berkeley that the first reference to Mortimers in the Tudor period is found, in the 1522 Military Survey of Gloucestershire and later 1524 Lay Subsidy. John Mortimer lived in the parish of Berkeley in 1522, in a hamlet named Saniger. On the banks of the river Severn, Saniger was originally spelt Swanhangre, meaning a river bank with swans. Being blessed with excellent pasture, Berkeley is a large parish and was home to other historic yeoman families in the 16th century, including the Clutterbucks, Sanigers, and Smiths.

Further south of Berkeley, a William Mortimer also lived in Tockington, Gloucestershire. Given the geographic proximity, John and William Mortimer were perhaps related, maybe as father and son, or more likely as brothers, as there were only two Mortimers in Gloucestershire at the time. A Mortimer family of Devon had existed since at least 1454 (see Mortimers of Devon – The Early Generations). It is possible that the Mortimer family went much further back in Gloucestershire and were distantly connected with the Devonshire Mortimers. DNA studies currently in progress may be able to provide insight into such a question.

It is not known whether John Mortimer of Saniger had any children – though a later John Mortimer later lived in Berkeley in the 17th century, who was presumably related to the following family.

The Mortimers of Thornbury

(Mr) Mortimer of Thornbury? c.1510-

The Thornbury parish register does not state any relationships in the baptism and burial records, complicating genealogical research. It is here suggested that a Mortimer family progenitor lived in or near Thornbury in the 16th century and was father to the following children.

i. Elizabeth c.1537- , m. John Stinchcombe 27 Nov 1558, Thornbury, who was either a sister or mother of John Mortimer of Thornbury.

ii. John Mortimer

John Mortimer of Thornbury (c.1544-1615)

John Mortimer is the first Mortimer family member to be definitively associated with Thornbury, Gloucestershire, a parish adjacent to both Berkeley and Tockington, where Mortimers lived in 1522/4. As such he may have been related to either family. Elizabeth Mortimer married John Stinchcombe in 1558 Thornbury; she was presumably a relative. John’s contemporary of the same name was John Mortimer of Olveston, who had two sons baptised in Olveston in 1564 and 1566. John Mortimer of Thornbury married firstly, Joanna Dowsell (c.1544-1580) 5 Nov 1565 Thornbury, and they had several children in Thornbury, some of whom died young. John was named an overseer in the will of William Orchard in 1572; he again acted as overseer of the will of John Ellyats in 1576 and John Stambourne in 1577, when he was named as John Mortimer “junior”. John was enumerated in the 16th century lay subsidies. He lived in Falfield, Thornbury when his income was assessed at £3 for the purposes of the tax in 1581, 1585, 1592 and 1595. John’s wife Joanna died in 1580 and was bur. 24 Dec 1580, Thornbury. John and his wife Joanna had the following children in Thornbury

1. John Mortimer II

2. William? bur. 29 Jun 1569 Thornbury.

3. Thomas Mortimer of Falfield c.1568-1627, who was presumably the son of John Mortimer of Falfield. He was mentioned in relation to a debt in the will of William Nelme of Woodford, Berkeley in 1599, and had the following children. Thomas may have died in 1627 and was bur. in Thornbury.

1. Thomas Mortimer II 1615-1627, b. 25 Jun 1615.

2. Mary 1618-1618, b. 23 Aug 1618 Tortworth (daughter of Thomas Mortimer of Falfield), also bapt. the same date in Thornbury.

3. Sarah 1619

4. Agnes? c.1571 m. Richard Cole 11 Oct 1591 Thornbury.

5. Robert? bur. 5 Feb 1571/2.

6. Agnes 1575-1575

7. Catherine 1577-1577

8. Neville 1577-1577, b. 7 Sep, bur. 19 Sep 1577.

9. William? 1578-1579

10. William Mortimer of Thornbury 1580-1626, hooper, b. 7 Jun 1580 Thornbury, m.1. to his first wife whose name is unknown, but who may have been Dorothy, d. 1622. He m.2. Margaret Groome, 21 Apr 1623 Thornbury. Margaret died and was bur. 19 Jul 1626 Thornbury. William made his will the same year, which mentioned his late wife Margaret, daughter Dorothy, son in law Richard Thayer, and younger daughter Ann. He was bur. 1 Sep 1626 Thornbury. William and his first wife had one daughter:

i. Dorothy b. 29 Jan 1604/5 Thornbury, m. Richard Thayer 5 Apr 1624 Thornbury.

William and his second wife Margaret had one daughter:

ii. Ann 1625, bap. 20 Feb 1624/5 Thornbury.

John Mortimer II of Falfield (c.1566-1615)

John was presumably the son of John Mortimer of Falfield m. 1565. John was a yeoman farmer in Thornbury parish. He married Joan Search, 1591 Thornbury, and they had the following children; their eldest son was named William. John Mortimer died in 1615, Morton, Thornbury. Joan his widow remarried to John Howell, 20 Jan 1616/7 Thornbury. An abstract of John Mortimer’s will here follows.

Abstract will of Johannes Mortymere of Morton, Thornbury, yeoman, 19th July 1615

Sick in body etc. desires to be bur. in Thornbury churchyard.

To sons William and Francis M., £10 pounds apiece when they come of age.

To dau. Joan £10 when she comes of age.

Residue to wife Joan sole exec.

Overseer: brother in law John Search. Witnesses: Richard Warner, John Longe? & John Search.

John and Joan Mortimer had the following children.

1. William Mortimer of Thornbury the younger, 1600-c.1650? , yeoman, b. 21 Jan 1599/1600 Tortworth. He m. Joan Mildmay, 20 Oct 1623 Thornbury and they were presumably parents of the following children.

i. William? 1626, b. 3 Dec 1626 Thornbury

ii. Joan 1629-1633, b. 15 Aug 1629, bur. 12 Dec 1630 Thornbury

iii. Ursula 1632-1632, b. 9 Mar 1631/2, bur. 9 Sep 1632

iv. Ann 1638-1639, b. 3 Dec 1638, bur. 10 Jan 1638/9

v. William? 1640-1640, b. 16 Apr 1640,

vi. Elizabeth 1643, b. 15 Jan 1642/3.

vii. Charles? c.1645-1645, bur. 3 Oct 1645

viii. Arthur 1645, b. 29 Sep 1645.

2. Francis Mortimer 1603-1647, shoemaker, b. 2 Jun 1603 Tortworth, m.1. Frances Peasley 7 Oct 1633, m.2. Katherine (Jennings?) between the 9/13 Mar 1633/4, Thornbury, m.3. Mary before 1647, though he had no children. Francis made a nuncupative will before 1647, mentioning his wife Mary, brother in law Andrew Butler, and sister Joan Mortimer alias Butler.

3. Richard 1606-1609, b. 9 Feb 1605/6 Tortworth, bur. 25 Apr 1609 Thornbury.

4. Joan 1608, b. 6 Nov 1608 Tortworth, m. Andrew Butler 4 Jun 1632 Thornbury, mentioned in the nunc. will of her brother Francis c.1647.

The Mortimers of Olveston

The name of the progenitor of this family is unknown, though he may have been called John, and would have been born c.1508, Gloucestershire, perhaps the son of William Mortimer of Tockington fl. 1524. He had at least two sons:

1. John Mortimer

2. Thomas Mortimer c.1537-1593, of Ackeley, Olveston, husbandman, who was presumably born in Olveston and the brother of John Mortimer. He married four times; m.1. to first wife, whose name is unknown, they had three children. Thomas m.2. Margaret Everis, 18 Jan 1571/2 Olveston, Margaret died in the same year, and was bur. 31 May 1572 Olveston. Thomas m.3. to Agnes, in 1573, and they had three children. Agnes died in 1581 and was bur. 31 Aug 1581, Olveston. Thomas Mortimer m.4. Alice Woodshall, 6 Nov 1587 Olveston, and they had the following children. Thomas made a will in 1593, and died that year. He was bur. 13 Aug 1593. Thomas Mortimer’s will mentioned his children Thomas, William, Agnes and George, cousin James Mortimer, sister in law Margaret Woodshall, his wife Alice was sole exec. and residuary legatee. The overseers were John Hollester, William Horte of Tokenton (Tockington) and Thomas Segear. The will was witnessed by Alice Waker.

Children by first marriage:

i. Joan 1563-1564, b. 27 Jul 1563, bur. 8 Nov 1564 Olveston.

ii. John 1566-1566, b. 3 Oct bur. 28 Oct 1566 Olveston.

iii. Joan c.1567-1568, bur. 26 Feb 1567/8 Olveston.

Children by third marriage:

iv. John 1574-bef.1593, bap. 16 Sep 1574 Olveston, d. bef. 1593.

v. George 1576-bef.1593, b. 17 Feb 1576/7.

vi. Ann 1579, b. 6 Sep 1579

Children by fourth marriage:

vii. Thomas Mortimer II 1590-1613

viii. William Mortimer 1593

John Mortimer of Olveston (c.1535-1570)

John was presumably born in the 1530s, the brother of Thomas Mortimer of Olveston (above). Little is known of him. He married and had the following children. John Mortimer died in 1570 and was bur. 14 Oct 1570 Olveston.

1. John? Mortimer of Henbury (c.1559-1581), may have been an older son of John Mortimer of Olveston. He lived in Redwick or Northwick, in the parish of Henbury in 1581 and was his income was assessed at £3 in the subsidy of that year.

2. James Mortimer of Olveston (c.1562-1634), born in the early 1560s, m.1. Joan Watts 13 Jan 1583/4 Olveston, and they had two children, both of whom died young. Joan died in 1586 and was bur. 19 Jan 1585/6 Olveston. James m.2. to Joan (surname unknown) c.1588, and they had six children. He was mentioned as a cousin in the will of Thomas Mortimer, 1593.

Children by first marriage:

i. Elizabeth 1584-1584, b. 11 Jul, bur. 27 Jul 1584 Olveston.

ii. James 1585-1585, b. 7 Sep, bur. 20 Sep 1585 Olveston.

Children by second marriage:

iii. Maurice 1590-1626, b. 29 Aug 1590, bur. 8 May 1597 Olveston.

iv. Thomas 1593- , b. 4 Feb 1592/3.

v. Mary c.1594

vi. Joan 1595, b. 18 Jun 1595

vii. Margaret 1598-1625, b. 13 May 1598

viii. William Mortimer of Henbury 1602- , 28 Apr 1602 Olveston, m. before 1620 and had the following children in Henbury:

1. Maurice 1621, b. 23 Dec 1621 Henbury

2. Edith 1624, b. 30 May 1624

3. John 1625, b. 20 Nov 1625

4. Elizabeth 1629-1635, b. 2 Jun 1629, bur. 23 Mar 1634/5.

3. Henry 1564-1565, b. 3 Sep 1564, bur. 10 Jan 1564/5 Olveston.

4. William Mortimer (1566-1612), b. 3 Oct 1566, bur. Sep 1612 Olveston. He made a will in 1612, mentioned George Mortimer, and his son John, Henry, Joan, Elizabeth, Mary and Christian. Also James Mortimer and his children Thomas, Mary and Margaret. He appointed his brother George Mortimer as executor, and his overseers were Nicholas Franckombe and Richard Yeomans.

5. George Mortimer of Olveston (c.1570-1633), who was the brother of William b.1566, and was perhaps the younger brother. He m. Alice Tasker 13 Nov 1596 Olveston, and they had ten children. He was the executor of his brother’s will in 1612. Alice his wife was bur. 11 May 1625 Olveston. George died in 1633 and was bur. 12 Feb 1632/3 Olveston.

i. Joan 1597-1613, b. 30 0ct 1597 Olveston

ii. Elizabeth 1599, b. 3 Nov 1599, m. Anthony Hollister 21 Aug 1623 Olveston.

iii. John Mortimer (of Almondsbury?), 1601- , b. 3 Jan 1601/2

iv. William c.1603-1603, bur. Mar 1602/3

v. Henry 1604-1625, bur. 24 May 1625 Olveston

vi. James 1606-1609, b. 5 Aug 1606, bur. 23 Nov 1609 Olveston

vii. Mary 1609-1623, b. 25 Mar 1609

viii. Christian 1611, b. 22 Dec 1611

ix. Alice 1614, b. 20 Mar 1613/4, m. Solomon Wasson 2 Aug 1638 Olveston.

x. Ursula 1616, b. 28 Jan 1615/6

Jan

2018

Two Weddings and a Scandal

Early life

My fourth great grandfather was William Mortimore. Both his origins and early life are obscure, but two facts of his life are known. He was probably born into the lower rung of society, and he moved to Bristol for work during the employment troubles caused by the industrial revolution. By trade he was variously described as either a milkman or labourer, and he was perhaps a labourer in a dairy. He moved to Bristol before the age of 30, marrying twice and fathering eleven children. The earliest sign of his arrival in Bristol was his marriage to Jane Moody, a spinster from Wiltshire, on 22 Nov 1819, in the parish of St James Bristol. William was aged over 30 and Jane was aged 22. Both were illiterate and used a mark to sign their names. The register recorded neither their ages nor occupations and no family members attended as witnesses, making it a challenge to trace their families. Both were born in neighbouring counties and had moved to Bristol from the countryside. Jane was born in Nov 1797, North Bradley, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, where coincidentally, an unrelated Mortimer family also lived, derived from the Mortimers of Wiltshire.

William Mortimore & Jane Moody marriage record

Marriage record of William Mortimore and Jane Moody, 1819

View of Bristol from Clifton, c. late 18th century

Marriage to Jane Moody

Bristol St James fair in its hay-day

William and Jane exchanged marriage vows at the parish church of St James, Bristol. The church was originally built as a Benedictine Priory in the 12th century, and became the location of a popular annual fair from 1374. The fair was held in St James’ churchyard, and spilled into the surrounding streets, providing entertainment and merry making for many. In the early 1800’s the fair had become so popular that merchants planned their shipping routes around the fair to supply luxury goods like wine, dyes and exotic fruits or oils.

By the time of William and Jane’s marriage in 1819 the fair had gathered a reputation for frivolous merry making that was in stark contrast to the ideals of the original founding monks! Certain characters of ill repute were said to stalk the streets eager to corrupt the young to a life of low morals. Strident objections from the religious community eventually lead to the fair being banned in 1837. Luckily St James church was one of the few medieval churches that survived the Bristol Blitz largely unscathed and is the oldest building in Bristol to survive near to its original form. After the war it fell into disuse but was eventually saved and restored.

Bristol St James Priory, West Front

Life in Bristol

William Mortimer arrived at a time of great change in Bristol. Across the skyline, the ancient buildings of the medieval city were being demolished to make way for the new architecture of Empire and prestige. Wealthy merchants and financiers, some of whom had made their fortune in the slave trade, wanted to live in modern housing with style and opulence. Whilst the splendid medieval merchant houses of Bristol had previously been a sign of wealth and privilege, by the 1800s these antiquated buildings had lost their appeal and turned into slums, becoming a magnet for disease and malnourishment. The majority of these ancient buildings were home to the poorest of Bristol society, and those who lived there had no other choice. Bristol antiquarians managed to commission engravings of many such buildings before they were lost to history, with some illustrations completed just as the buildings were being pulled down.

Old house on Temple St, Bristol

Lewins Mead, Singular Buildings

House on Bristol Back, demolished 1818

Old house on Baldwin St, demolished 1823

Demolition of an old house on Wine St., c.1820s.

Family life in Bristol and Bedminster

William and Jane had four children together. Their first child was born 2 years after their marriage.

John Edward, bap. 29 Apr 1822 Bristol St James
Matilda, bap. 27 Oct 1822 Bedminster St John the Baptist & Bristol St James
Mary Ann, b. 9 Jul 1827, bap. 17 Jan 1841 Bristol St Philip & St Jacob
James Mortimer, b. c.1833, bap. 17 Jan 1841 Bristol St Philip & St Jacob

After 1822 William and Jane stopped baptising their newborn children, presumably after lapsing into non-religious observance. By 1822 they had moved to Upper Knowle, where their daughters Matilda, Mary Ann and second son James were born. Although it was required to baptise children in the parish where they were born, Mary and James weren’t baptised until 1841. They might even have had more children who did not survive. At this point Upper Knowle would have been at the fringes of the city, as the industrial success of Bristol attracted migrants from rural areas, forcing expansion. By the 1830’s the population had grown over 10 fold since medieval times, the overwhelming majority of the population boom occurring from the industrial revolution.

Unrest in Bristol

William Mortimer and his family lived during a time of great social change. Bristol was a fast growing industrial town, but was still not given the political representation it deserved. Aside from this, only 6 out of 100 Bristolians had the rights to vote. The 1831 Reform Bill which aimed to get rid Parliament of the rotten boroughs and give industrial cities like Bristol greater representation, was defeated in the House of Lords, leading to bitter resentment.

When the local magistrate arrived to open the new assize courts in Bristol, anger towards the establishment boiled over. An angry mob attacked and chased the magistrate to the Mansion House in Queen’s Square, and hundreds of people began rioting. The rioters set fire to several important public buildings, also destroying the Bishop’s Palace and setting free the prisoners from Bristol gaol. The Dragoon Guards were called in to restore order and shot at the rioters to disperse the crowds. Four rioters were killed in the ensuing melee, and several soldiers injured. The city must have seemed akin to something like a way zone, as fighting erupted in the streets and further fires were started.

Queen Square Riots, Bristol 1831

Dragoons open fire on the Bristol Rioters, contemporary illustration

Bristol conflagration on the night of the Queen Square riots, 1831

The fires of Bristol blazed throughout the city centre, and could be seen from many miles away. Many unfortunate residents perished in the inferno, which continued to rage through the night. The following day, Bristol residents were greeted with a scene of devastation, as the Mansion House, Bishop’s Palace and many other buildings on Queen Square were gutted and destroyed. A thick layer of ash fell like snow on the city, and the fire service worked hard to extinguish any remaining small fires. The repercussions of the riots were severe. 114 people were convicted of rioting, of which 31 were executed. The commander of the Dragoons was court martialled for leniency, having ordered the 14th Light Dragoons away from the riots during the heat of the action. He later committed suicide before his trial.

Queen Square, Bristol, the morning after the riots, 1831

Tragedy strikes, 1834

By 1834, the family moved to Bristol Temple parish, in the south part of the city. Sadly, tragedy struck the family in July of that year with the death of Jane Mortimer, at the young age of 36. She probably died from one of the many infectious diseases which ravaged European cities in the 1830’s, like influenza, typhus, typhoid and cholera, which often were worse during the summer. It is impossible to know the exact cause of Jane’s demise, as civil registration of births marriages and deaths only began three years later in 1837. Jane was buried in Bristol Temple church, 27 Jul 1834. Famed for its unusual 15^th century leaning tower, Bristol Temple was bombed during the Bristol Blitz, completely destroying the interior and leaving a hollow shell, which is now an open memorial area. Bristol Temple churchyard continues as an open place of reflection and remembrance.

Second marriage

William Mortimore was left a widower and a single parent, forced to work as a low paid labourer to make ends meet. He remarried in 1835 to Mary Ann Tippins, a woman over 30 years his junior, who worked as a servant in Bristol.

William Mortimore & Mary Ann Tippins marriage

Marriage record of William Mortimore and Mary Ann Tippins, 1835

William was in his late 40s, while Mary Ann was 19, only a few years older than his first child by Jane. Mary Ann was from the Forest of Dean and had a large family there. She was variously called Mary, Mary Ann or just Ann. They were married on 25 March in Bristol St James, and had five children together:

Jane, b. 1836, bap. 14 Feb 1836 Bristol St James
Mary Jane, b. 1838, bap. 18 Nov 1838 Bristol St James
Sarah Jane, b. 17 Mar 1842, bap. 10 Apr 1842 Bristol St Philip & St Jacob
Elizabeth, b. 30 Nov 1844, bap. 25 Dec 1844 Bristol St Philip & St Jacob
William, b. 1850, bap 10 Aug 1850 Bristol St Philip & St Jacob, d. Mar 1851 Bedminster

While devoted to his younger wife Mary Ann, William obviously cherished the memory of Jane, as he continued to name three of his daughters after her. The family were living at 7 Pipe Lane, Bristol Temple by 1838, when Mary Jane was born. Her birth record showed William worked as a milkman. Their eldest child Jane did not survive, as Mary Jane was known just by her middle name until her marriage. Although the children were born south of the river, William and Mary continued to cross the river to baptise their children at St James and then St Philip & St Jacob parish church. Mary Ann and James, children by his earlier marriage to Jane, were both baptised on 17 Jan 1841, they were aged 13 and 8 respectively.

St Philip and St Jacob church, Bristol, from antique engraving

No further happiness – for all hope dies

Though William lost his wife in 1834, his fortunes were sadly not to improve. Both William and his family would have to endure even further heartbreak, that would break even the most tight knit of families. For in 1838 and 1840, the unimaginable happened. Both William’s eldest children, his son John Edward Mortimer and his daughter Matilda, died before their eighteenth birthdays, killed by the hideous diseases that continued to ravage industrial cities. Matilda was doubtless loved by all her siblings, and in the death of poor John, young James no longer had an older brother to look up to. William must have been devastated, for he had always hoped that in his eldest son, his line would continue, and in time his children would be both safe and prosperous. No man could ever recover from such a loss, and William was left a broken stranger to all.

Household in 1841

The Mortimer family, or those who had survived the devastating sickness outbreaks of the 1830’s, continued to live in Bristol, for by then they had no other choice. The year after Matilda’s death, the Mortimers lived in Pipe Lane, Bristol. The first national census was carried out in June 1841. Whilst it is not entirely clear exactly where Pipe lane was, it should not be confused with Pipe Lane, St Augustine parish, which is closer to the city centre. Bristol Temple parish was south of the river Avon and originally in Somerset, but was incorporated into Gloucestershire as part of boundary changes, along with the rest of Bristol city registration district. In the census the family members’ ages were rounded down to the nearest five years and the relationships between the family members were not stated, though the head of the house was written first.

William Mortimer, age 40, born c.1800 outside the county, occupation Labourer

Mary Mortimer, age 25, born c.1815 outside the county

Mary, age 10, born c.1830 Bristol

James Mortimer, age 8, born c.1833 Bristol

Jane, age 2, born c.1839 Bristol

The 1841 census imparted limited but interesting information about the household. William and Mary were both born outside Bristol, while the children were all born in the Bristol area. William worked as a labourer, but only a few years before in 1838 he had been termed a milkman. He either laboured in a dairy, or his milk and dairy work was equivalent to that of a labourer. Both Mary and James were probably working at the time, for the family had lost the income of both John and Matilda Mortimer. It wasn’t until 1876 that school attendance was made compulsory, and the young children of the family’s experience of school would probably have been very limited. James might have received only some schooling, for he was able to sign his name in 1862. Elizabeth Stripling, a washer woman, also lived with the Mortimers in 1841 but was unrelated to the family. Elizabeth was born c.1805 in Minehead, Somerset. It was common for people to cohabit at the time, and many poorer families had to share lodgings. The family probably lived all on one floor of a house.

William Mortimer, Head, married, age 64, Dairyman, born c.1787 Devon South Molton

Ann Mortimer, wife, married, age 34, Laundress, born c.1817 Gloster (sic)

James Mortimer, son, unmarried, age 18, Labourer at a colliery, born c. 1833 Bristol

Sarah Mortimer, dau, age 9, born Bristol

Elizabeth Mortimer, dau, age 6, born Somerset Knowle

Jane Mortimer, dau, age 13, born Bristol

Oddly, William seems to have aged 24 years in just a decade, reflecting the inaccuracy of the census ages! Here is evidence that there was at least a 30 year gap between William and Mary Ann. James Mortimer is recorded in the household, even though he was no longer living with them, having moved to live with his step uncle George Tippins in the Forest of Dean and work as a colliery labourer.

Marital separation and family breakdown

By this point the once close Mortimer family had begun to drift apart, with Mary Ann, William’s eldest daughter, moving to live with Charles James, having a daughter seven years before their marriage in 1852 and James, the only surviving son, moving to the Forest of Dean to live with his Tippins relatives. Sometime between 1851 and 1853, William and Mary Ann separated. What followed the separation though was extraordinary. Mary Ann moved back to the Forest of Dean, taking Elizabeth, her youngest daughter with her. It was there that she remarried in 1853 to Thomas Beach. Whether they had been having an illicit affair and promised to run away together is unknown but it is an interesting thought. Not only that, but William Mortimer was still alive. This was unashamed bigamy at its most blatant and a flagrant violation of Victorian moral values. Thomas and Mary were also breaking the law. Their bigamous marriage was carried out four years before the 1858 Matrimonial Causes Act which legalised divorce through the civil courts.

Mary Ann Tippins second marriage – bigamy!

In this context it is surprising that Mary Ann made no attempts to even conceal her identity or change her name before marrying Thomas. The marriage record follows:

27 Sep 1853, marriage solemnized in the Methodist Chapel of Elwood, Monmouthshire.

Groom: Thomas Beach, age 50, widower, Collier, Breams Eaves West Dean, father: Thomas Beach, collier.

Bride: Mary Mortimore, age 36, spinster, housekeeper at home, Breams Eaves West Dean, father: William Tippins, collier.

Both bride and groom signed their names with a mark (X). The marriage was performed by Nicholas Pascoe and witnessed by William and Ann Jones, who were clearly friends of the couple. Both also signed with a mark. At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the marriage. The couple were from the same area with a similar social background, less than a generation’s age gap between them. Both their fathers worked as colliers in the Forest of Dean. The bride, groom and witnessed all signed with a mark, reflecting the low rate of literacy in the area. What is striking is that Mary stated her status was a spinster, meaning an unmarried woman, yet as her father is William Tippins, Mortimer is clearly not her maiden name. She must have been married or widowed herself and her only grounds for marriage being as a widow, like her fiancee Thomas Beach, yet this detail seems to have passed unnoticed. She presumably pretended that she was an illegitimate daughter of William Tippins by a woman called Mortimer. It is clear why they married far away from Bristol, so to limit the chance of objections to their impending marriage.

Family migrations

In 1861 we find the happily wedded couple living together in Whitecroft, near to where Mary Ann was born herself. Interestingly, her daughter Elizabeth’s name had changed to Elizabeth M Beach, to reflect her new marital status. Presumably the M stood for Mortimer, reflecting her real maiden name. Why Mary Ann Tippins moved from West Dean to Bristol, only to move back again 18 years later and marry Thomas Beach is a mystery and one that will probably never be answered! Being a family of very little substance, they left nothing of value to be handed down the generations that might have enlightened their lives. Eventually all but one of William Mortimer’s surviving children joined her in the forest of Dean, including Mary Ann, James, Mary Jane and Elizabeth. Perhaps they sympathised with Mary Ann’s side. Sarah Jane married and stayed in the Bedminster area before emigrating with her husband to Tuscarawas, Ohio, USA. Mary Ann Beach died in 1370 and was buried 13 Apr 1870 Parkend St Paul church.

Final years

William Mortimore stayed in Bristol but moved to 41 St Thomas St, in the parish of St Thomas Church. Before 1861 he was invalidated and forced to retire. In 1861, William was into old age and approaching the end of his life. At the census, his age was stated as 68 but he was likely older. With none of his family around to care for him, he finally perished of Bronchitis in 1862. Ellen James was present at his deathbed, although she was likely a servant of no connection to Charles James who married his eldest daughter Mary Ann Mortimer. With no possessions or property to speak of, William made no will and there is no record of administration after his death. He was likely buried in the cemetery of Arnos Vale near Totterdown, south of Bristol city. The streets that he lived in throughout his time in Bristol were destroyed during the Blitz and subsequent post war redevelopment. The streets were completely renamed and there is now little to suggest what Bristol might have looked like during William’s time, except a number of churches, sometimes ruinous and a scattered collection of antique engravings.

Jan

2018

My Mortimer Story

The Mortimer family tree

Inspired by medieval history, I began my family tree in 2013. This was exciting for me, as I was the first in my family to truly look into family history and attempt to take the tree back beyond a few generations. After quickly making fascinating discoveries using the Victorian census returns, I soon hit an impasse after researching back to my 4th great grandfather William Mortimore, born about 1787, who it seems was born in Devon but then moved to Bristol before 1819. By profession he was variously described as a dairyman, milkman or labourer, and was presumably from a labouring background. Though William’s name was invariably spelt Mortimore, this is simply a variant spelling of Mortimer, spelling variation common to all names in the past. Mortimore, is how the name was typically spelt in the West Country, perhaps because of the local accent. Further back in time the y was used instead of the i, which was common to all spelling.

The mission to find William Mortimore’s parentage has led me on my own journey of research in documenting the whole Mortimer family of Devon, in order to find the origin of my elusive ancestor. I have closely followed the Mortimers of Bristol and Wiltshire in my research, in order to find more connections, and narrow down the options for William’s parentage. At present, no definitive answer to the dilemma of William’s ancestry has presented itself, but there are several compelling options which are worth exploring further.

In the county of Devon, farming dominated, especially dairy farming. The industrial revolution mechanised the agricultural industry and lead to great social changes, forcing many labourers like William Mortimore to emigrate to cities such as Bristol to find work. This lead to a breakdown of social and community relief structures, and an increased reliance on charity and the state for relief.

The following are stories about the lives of my ancestor William Mortimore and his descendants, complete with family trees and supporting information. The different generations are included on separate pages.

Two Weddings and a Scandal – William Mortimore c.1790-1862

Forest Fuel and Colliery Steam – James Mortimore c.1833-1884

A Panamanian Venture – James Edward Mortimer 1869-1949

Voyage into the Unknown – Hubert James Mortimer

My Mortimer tree is also on ancestry.

See my ancestry profile here.

Family trees

My Mortimer family tree (click to enlarge)

Origins in Crediton

Walter? Mortimer (c.1525-c.1560)

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1579-1624), weaver

Nicholas Mortimer of Crediton (1611-1689)

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1642-1695)

John Mortimer of Crediton (1669- )

Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1779)

Joseph Mortimer of Crediton (1740-1816)

Benjamin Mortimer of Crediton (1674-1719)

Benjamin Mortimer of Crediton (1701-1777)

Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1737-1798)

John Mortimer of Great Torrington, surgeon (c.1751-1791)

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A brief history

Richard Mortimer of Fyfield in Overton (c.1605-1670)

Edward Mortimer of Trowbridge (1636-1704)

John Mortimer of Trowbridge (1669-1715)

Edward Mortimer II of Trowbridge (1678-c.1718)

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Origins

John? Mortimer of Almondsbury (1601-c.1650)

Nicholas Mortimer of Bristol (c.1660-1730)

Nicholas Mortimer (1690-1755)

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Origins

The Mortimers of Thornbury

(Mr) Mortimer of Thornbury? c.1510-

John Mortimer of Thornbury (c.1544-1615)

John Mortimer II of Falfield (c.1566-1615)

Abstract will of Johannes Mortymere of Morton, Thornbury, yeoman, 19th July 1615

The Mortimers of Olveston

John Mortimer of Olveston (c.1535-1570)

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Early life

Marriage to Jane Moody

Life in Bristol

Family life in Bristol and Bedminster

Unrest in Bristol

Tragedy strikes, 1834

Second marriage

No further happiness – for all hope dies

Household in 1841

Marital separation and family breakdown

Mary Ann Tippins second marriage – bigamy!

Family migrations

Final years

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The Mortimer family tree

Family trees

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