farmer

Oct

2020

The Mortimers of Drewsteignton

Nicholas Mortimer of Drewsteignton (1604-aft.1640)

Nicholas was born in Tedburn St Mary, the second surviving son of John Mortimer (1569-1641). He was bap. 27 Mar 1604, Tedburn St Mary. Nicholas m. Ann Wallen, 23 Apr 1632 Drewsteignton and they had the following children. He died at an unknown date after 1640, perhaps during the English Civil War. Ann his wife was bur. in 1677, Drewsteignton.

1. Joan 1633-1633, bap. 10 Feb, bur. 19 Feb 1632/3.

2. George Mortimer 1634-1705, bap. 16 Feb 1633/4. He m. Elizabeth c. 1660, and they had the following children. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 23 Apr 1704, Drewsteignton. George was bur. 27 Mar 1705.

i. Ann 1662-1694, bap. 15 Jun 1662, bur. 8 Nov 1694, Drewsteignton.

ii. Rose 1664-1732, bap. 25 Jan 1663/4, m. John Weeks 9 Aug 1693 Drewsteignton, bur. 1732 Drewsteignton.

iii. Elizabeth 1665-1666, bap. 27 Dec 1665, bur. 28 Jan 1665/6.

iv. Elizabeth 1667, bap. 10 Mar 1666/7 Drewsteignton.

v. Joseph 1669- ?, bap. 28 Mar 1669, who perhaps died young.

vi. John 1671-, bap. 28 May 1671, who may have been the same as John m. 1691 Moretonhampstead.

vii. George 1673-

viii. Mary 1676-1680, bur. 27 Mar 1676, bur. 5 Feb 1779/80.

ix. Thomas Mortimer of Drewsteignton (1679-1711), bap. 16 Mar 1678/9, m. Susanna Gove 14 Apr 1700 Drewsteignton, bur. 15 Nov 1711. Susanna his widow was bur. 27 Feb 1741/2, Drewsteignton. They had the following four children.

1. Ann, bap. 16 Jan 1700/1 Drewsteignton.

2. Elizabeth, bap. 23 May 1704.

3. George Mortimer 1707-1769, bap. 4 Dec 1707, m. Elizabeth Small 6 Nov 1737 Drewsteignton, bur. 23 Jul 1769. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 1767, Drewsteignton. They had one daughter.

i. Elizabeth 1739- , who either d. 1754 or m. 1767 Drewsteignton.

4. Thomas 1711-1711, bap. 10 Jun, bur. 13 Aug 1711.

3. Sampson Mortimer

4. William bef.1638-1638, bur. 9 Aug 1638 Drewsteignton, presumably a son of Nicholas and Ann.

5. James Mortimer c.1640-1687, who was presumably a son of Nicholas Mortimer. He m. 1. Ann Woodley (c.1644-1675), 28 Jun 1670, Drewsteignton, who was bur. 31 May 1675 Drewsteignton. James m. 2. Mary Dicker in 1683, Drewsteignton. He was bur. 8 Oct 1687, Drewsteignton. Mary his widow was bur. 11 Jun 1716. James and his first wife Ann had the following children.

i. William Mortimer, b. 11 Sep 1670 Drewsteignton. He was perhaps the same William Mortimer of Bovey Tracey, bur. 20 Mar 1694/5 Hennock, Will proved 1695.

ii. Joan 1672-1684, b. 18 Feb 1671/2, bur. 9 Jun 1684, Drewsteignton.

iii. Mary, b. 13 May 1674 Drewsteignton.

Sampson Mortimer of Drewsteignton (1636-1712)

Sampson was born in Drewsteignton, the second son of Nicholas Mortimer and Ann Wallen. He was bap. 6 Nov 1636. Sampson married Elizabeth Paunsford (c.1644-1721), 13 Sep 1664 Drewsteignton, who was of an ancient family long situated at Drewsteignton. They had the following eleven children. Sampson Mortimer died in 1712, leaving a will dated 15 Mar 1711/2, mentioning his wife Elizabeth, sons John and Sampson, and daughters Elizabeth, Ann, Mary wife of Mark Cumbe, (and her daughter Sarah), Sarah, Susan, and Joan wife of William Seaward. Also the children of son John Mortimer; John, Sampson, James, Edward and Thomasin Mortimer. Also his grandson William Mortimer. Sampson died approximately 22 Mar and was bur. 24 Mar 1711/2. His will was proved 2 May 1712. Elizabeth his widow was bur. 30 Dec 1721, Drewsteignton.

1. Elizabeth 1665, bap. 2 Jul 1665 Drewsteignton.

2. John Mortimer

3. William 1669-1689, bap. 25 Sep 1669, bur. 18 Aug 1689, Drewsteignton.

4. Mary 1672, bap. 4 Feb 1671/2 Drewsteignton.

5. Sampson Mortimer II 1673-1745, bap. 16 Dec 1673 Drewsteignton, who m. Prudence Fawt, 23 Sep 1717 Drewsteignton. They had no issue. Sampson and Prudence his wife featured in the 1723 Oath Roll for Drewsteignton. Sampson died without leaving a will and was bur. 27 Nov 1745, Honeychurch. Prudence his widow was bur. 24 Oct 1748.

6. Joan 1676, bap. 2 Feb 1675/6, m. William Seaward 11 Dec 1705 Drewsteignton.

7. Ann 1678, bap. 30 Jan 1677/8, bur. 28 Dec 1730 Drewsteignton.

8. Mary 1679-1679, bur. 27 Dec 1679.

9. Mary 1680, bap. 25 Jan 1679/80, m. Mark Cumbe/ Combe?

10. Sarah 1681, bap. 21 Dec 1681.

11. Susanna 1684, bap. 5 Nov 1684 Drewsteignton, m. Thomas Langworthy 1710 Bridford.

John Mortimer of Drewsteignton (1667-1736)

John was bap. 17 Nov 1667, Drewsteignton, the eldest son of Sampson and Elizabeth Mortimer. He married Thomasin Hill, 27 Aug 1693, Drewsteignton and they had the following eight children. John left a will dated 30 Apr 1734, mentioning his sons William, John, Sampson, James and Edward Mortimer, and daughter Thomasin, giving them a bequest “in addition to the bequests made by their grandfather”- referencing the will of Sampson Mortimer, 1712. He also mentioned his grandson John son of John Mortimer with residue to wife Thomasin, sole executrix. He died two years later and was bur. 26 Aug 1736, Drewsteignton. His will was proved by Thomasin his wife who outlived him one year; she was bur. 4 May 1737.

1. William Mortimer 1694-1767, bap. 27 Mar 1694 Drewsteignton, m. Mary c.1714, who predeceased him; she presumably died in 1750. He made a will dated 18 Sep 1763, mentioning his daughters Mary Frost, widow, Joan Houdg [sic], Thomasin wife of John Buard and grandson John Buard. Residue went to his son William Mortimer, sole executor. He was bur. 19 Mar 1767 Drewsteignton and the will proved 30 Mar. William and Mary had the following children.

i. John Mortimer 1716-1725, named after his grandfather, bap. 24 Dec 1716, presumably bur. 14 Sep 1725, Drewsteignton, not mentioned in his father’s will.

ii. Mary, bap. 21 Mar 1721, m. William Frost 9 Jul 1753 Gidleigh, and fl. 1763.

iii. Joan, bap. 3 Feb 1724/5, m. John Hodge 9 Dec 1747 North Tawton, fl. 1763.

iv. Thomasin, named after her grandmother, bap. 20 Apr 1729, m. John Buard, perhaps prev. m. James Browning 15 Feb 1756, Drewsteignton.

v. William Mortimer 1734-1812?, only surviving son of William and Mary. He was mentioned as grandson in the will of John Mortimer, 1734. In 1763 he was appointed executor of his father’s will and proved the will in 1767. In 1776 he took William Loram on as an apprentice. He married Thomasin Mortimer his cousin, in 1781 Drewsteignton, though they had no issue. At the time of the marriage William was living in Dunsford. In 1798 he paid tax on land in Drewsteignton. He was bur. 18 Aug 1812, Drewsteignton. Thomasin his widow was bur. 23 Apr 1829, aged 87.

2. John Mortimer III

3. Mary 1699-1702, who died young; bap. 29 Jan 1698/9, bur. 29 Dec 1702, Drewsteignton.

4. Sampson Mortimer 1700-1776, bap. 18 Dec 1700 Drewsteignton, m. Joan Browning, 1 Dec 1724 Exeter, bur. 18 Aug 1776 Drewsteignton. He made a will dated 22 Jan 1776, mentioning his daughters Elizabeth and Thomasin; to her a silver spoon with initials S.M. (presumably a former possession of his grandfather Sampson Mortimer 1636-1712). His son James Mortimer was sole executor, who proved the will 5 Jan 1777. Sampson and Joan had the following children in Drewsteignton.

i. Elizabeth 1725, bap. 29 Mar 1725, Drewsteignton.

ii. James Mortimer of Dunsford (1729-1816), bap. 26 Jan 1728/9, m. 1. Mary Langworthy (1725-1770) 12 Apr 1748, Drewsteignton, who died in 1770 and was bur. 16 Apr 1770, Drewsteignton. James m. 2. Betty Cann 25 Apr 1780, Drewsteignton. In 1781 Edward Ponsford (Paunsford) was apprenticed to Mr James Mortimer, John Parr was also apprenticed in 1782. James lived at Dunsford as a farmer, and died intestate in 1816, aged (90). He was bur. 10 Nov 1816, in his home parish of Drewsteignton. James and his first wife Mary had the following children.

1. Thomasin, bap. 14 May 1749 Drewsteignton.

2. John Mortimer (of Ashton) 1750-1835, bap. 19 Aug 1750, Dunsford, who presumably died in 1835; bur. 1 May 1835 Ashton, aged (85).

3. Mary, bap. 23 Feb 1751/2 Dunsford.

4. Elizabeth, bap. 13 Oct 1754 Dunsford.

5. William Mortimer of South Tawton (1756-1822), a contemporary of William Mortimer of Drewsteignton (see below). He was bap. 18 Jan 1756, Dunsford, and m. Jane Arscott (1755-1822), 7 Mar 1784, South Tawton. The marriage witnesses were William Fervins and Richard Drew. William Mortimer and Jane both lived in South Tawton, where they both passed away in 1822. William died aged (67) and was bur. 14 Mar 1822 South Tawton, Jane his widow died aged (67) and was bur. 3 Jun 1822. William and Jane had the following six children.

i. Mary 1785, bap. 27 Feb 1785 South Tawton, who m. John Combe 3 Aug 1807 South Tawton.

ii. Thomas Mortimer 1786-aft.1841, bap. 31 Dec 1786, who m. Mary Way 31 Mar 1811 South Tawton. They had a son John. Mary remarried in 1858, South Tawton at the age of 68.

1. John Mortimer 1711- South Tawton.

iii. William 1788-1789, bap. 28 Dec 1788, bur. 22 Nov 1789 South Tawton.

iv. William Mortimer II 1790-1864, bap. 28 Nov 1790 South Tawton, m. Mary Wedlock (1792-1847) 8 Sep 1819 South Tawton. He worked as an ag lab. in South Tawton. Mary his wife died at the age of (55) and was bur. 21 Nov 1847, South Tawton. William died aged 73 and was bur. 11 Sep 1864 South Tawton. William and Mary had the following nine children in South Tawton.

1. Mary Ann 1820, bap. 27 Feb 1820 South Tawton, m. Silas Brimblecome 25 Jun 1845 South Tawton.

2. Elizabeth 1821-1846, bap. 6 Jan 1822, bur. 14 Jan 1846 South Tawton, aged 24.

3. Jane 1824, bap. 7 Mar 1824, who m. John Holman 6 Apr 1847 South Tawton.

4. Susanna 1826-1826, bap. 19 Mar 1826, bur. 25 Mar 1826 South Tawton, infant.

5. William Mortimer III 1828-1907, bap. 13 Jan 1828, m. Elizabeth Cooper 20 Mar 1856 South Tawton. William was bur. 12 Jun 1907 South Tawton, aged 79.

6. Susanna 1831, bap. 20 Feb 1831

7. Eliza 1833-1839, bap. 1 Sep 1833, bur. 30 Dec 1839 South Tawton, aged 6.

8. George Mortimer 1836, bap. 14 Dec 1836, bur. 8 Jan 1837 South Tawton, infant.

9. Harriet 1838-1901, bap. 11 Feb 1838, m. Joseph Millman 26 Oct 1862 South Tawton.

v. John 1793-1794, bap. 25 Aug 1793, bur. 23 Nov 1794 South Tawton.

vi. Elizabeth 1795, bap. 6 Sep 1795, m. John Wedlake 12 May 1819, South Tawton.

6. James 1760-1762, who died young; bap. 8 Jun 1760, bur. 11 Jun 1762, Dunsford.

iii. William Mortimer of Moretonhampstead (c.1737-1816), who presumably fits into the family here as an unrecorded son of Sampson Mortimer, presumably born in the gap between James b.1729 and Thomasin b.1742. William married Mary Soper (1736-1793), 2 Oct 1757, Lustleigh. The couple lived firstly in North Bovey where they had four children. Their eldest son presumably married Susanna Bremblecome in 1783, Drewsteignton, and William perhaps acted as a witness. Mary his wife was bur. 16 Jun 1793, Moretonhampstead. William died at the age of (77) and was bur. 18 Mar 1816.

1. William Mortimer of Drewsteignton (1758-1787), contemporary of William Mortimer of South Tawton d.1822 (see above). William was bap. 22 Jul 1758 North Bovey and he m. Susanna Bremblecome alias Clark (1759-1797) in 1783 Drewsteignton, by marriage licence. Witnesses to the marriage were William Mortimer (perhaps his father) and William Browning. Susanna was born in 1759, Cheriton Bishop. They lived in Bere Ferrers from 1786, where William died in 1787. He was bur. 27 Oct 1787, Bere Ferrers churchyard. It seems that William died in suspicious circumstances, for in 1788, Susanna his widow was accused of poisoning him. She was later acquitted of his murder. In a 1788 Poor Settlement record, it was noted that Susanna and her late husband were formerly of Drewsteignton but afterwards legally settled at Bere Ferrers. Susanna returned to Drewsteignton after her husband’s death, though she remarried to James Harris in 1790, Bere Ferrers. James Harris died in 1794, and Susanna outlived her husband by only three years, dying in Jun 1797. She was bur. 14 Jun 1797, Bere Ferrers churchyard. William and Susanna had two surviving children, who were orphaned in 1797.

i. William Mortimer 1784-1787, bap. 20 Jun 1784 Drewsteignton, bur. Aug 1787 Bere Ferrers.

ii. Mary Clark Mortimer 1786-1805, bap. 11 Sep 1786 Bere Ferrers. She was apprenticed to John Bremblecome in 1794, Beer Alston, and died in 1805. Mary was bur. in 1805, Bere Ferrers.

iii. William Mortimer II 1788-1845, posthumous son of William Mortimer, born five months after his father’s death. He was bap. 6 Apr 1788 Drewsteignton. He later settled at Bere Ferrers and m. Elizabeth Hutchins (1785-1862) in 1811. He lived the rest of his life in Bere Ferrers, where he worked as a husbandman and later as an ag lab. He died at the age of (59) and was bur. 30 Sep 1845 Bere Ferrers. Elizabeth his widow died in 1862. They had the following children in Bere Ferrers.

1. Mary Clark Mortimer 1812, bap. 3 Jan 1813 Bere Ferrers

2. William Mortimer III 1814, bap. 4 Sep 1814, who lived in Beer Ferris; he m. Mary and they had at least three daugters: Mary c.1844, Jane c.1847 and Ann c.1849.

3. Richard Mortimer 1817, bap. 26 Jan 1817

4. Jane 1821, bap. 24 Jun 1821

5. Ann 1826, b. 18 Sep, bap. 29 Sep 1826 Beer Ferris Independent Meeting Chapel, Beer Alston.

6. Sarah 1830, b. 21 Aug, bap. 17 Sep 1830, Beer Ferris Independent Meeting. Sarah m. Thomas Kessell 3 Oct 1850, Bere Ferrers.

6. Elizabeth 1832, b. 25 Dec 1832, bap. 8 Jan 1833, Beer Ferris Independent Meeting.

2. Elias Mortimer 1761-1832, bap. 13 Dec 1761, North Bovey. Elias was apprenticed to John Brimblecome of Drewsteignton, butcher on 10 Dec 1782 (perhaps the same John Bremblecome who m. Thomasin Mortimer b.1726 below, and possibly a relative of Susanna wife of William Mortimer d.1787 above). Elias m. Mary Southcott (1765-1853), 4 Jun 1790, South Tawton, and they had the following six children. Elias died aged (71) and was bur. 16 Sep 1832, Moretonhampstead.

i. Elizabeth 1791, bap. 13 Feb 1791 North Tawton.

ii. William Mortimer of Sydney (1793- ), born in Devon, who emigrated to Sydney, Australia. William was bap. 17 Mar 1793, North Tawton. He m. Joanna Blackall, and they had the following children. In 1841, the family lived in St Mary Magdalen, Sussex, and they sailed to Australia shortly thereafter, where they lived in Sydney. William and Joan had four daughters born in England, and two sons born in Sydney:

1. Matilda c.1830 Sussex

2. Eliza c.1832

3. Joanna c.1834

4. Mary c.1836

5. William b. 7 May 1843, bap. 9 Jul 1843, Sydney St Andrew, d.1843

6. Albert b. 30 Aug 1846, bap. 12 Oct 1846 Sydney St Andrew

iii. Mary 1796, bap. 31 Jan 1796 Moretonhampstead.

iv. John c.1798-1801, bur. 19 Apr 1801, Woodland.

v. Ann c.1800, m. _ Eggbeare.

vi. Elias Mortimer II 1807-aft.1836, bap. 11 Oct 1807 Woodland. He joined the army as a private and served in the 85th Regt of Foot until his discharge in 1836. He was thereafter a Chelsea out-pensioner. He married Jane in some foreign country, and they had the following children; at least three sons. The family lived in Hastings St Clement in 1841, where Elias was a police constable. He died at an unknown date after 1841. The family perhaps emigrated.

1. George Mortimer c.1836, born in Scotland or Ireland.

2. Elias William Mortimer 1837-1905, bap. 14 Jun 1837, Hastings St Clement, Sussex. He emigrated to Minnesota, US, in 1854. Elias died 6 Aug 1905. He fought in the Civil War on the Union Side, in a Minnesota Regt. After the Civil War he worked for a railroad co. He m. Altanice Helena Hayford, 20 Jan 1875, Minnesota, and they had issue.

3. Richard Mortimer c.1839 Hastings.

3. Mary 1763, bap. 14 Aug 1763, North Bovey.

4. Joanna 1768-1820, who was bap. 10 Apr 1768, North Bovey. She was perhaps the mother of William Mortimer b. 1787, Morchard Bishop. If William was her son he may have been the William Mortimer m. 1820, Moretonhampstead. Joanna married William Hawker, 4 May 1790 Moretonhampstead. They later lived in Modbury, and Joanna died at the age of 52. She was bur. 30 Apr 1820, Modbury churchyard. William her husband was bur. 1835, Modbury.

iv. Thomasin Mortimer, named after her grandmother, bap. 8 Jun 1742 Drewsteignton, who married her cousin William Mortimer II in 1781, Drewsteignton.

5. Edward Mortimer 1703-1707, bap. 6 Jan 1703/4, bur. 31 Aug 1707 Drewsteignton.

6. Thomasin Mortimer 1705-1755, named after her mother, bap. 17 Oct 1705 Drewsteignton.

7. James Mortimer 1707-aft.1734, bap. 17 Aug 1707 Drewsteignton, he was living at the time of his father’s will in 1734.

8. Edward Mortimer of Drewsteignton, 1711-1765, bap. 9 Oct 1711 Drewsteignton, m. Frances Pooke, 28 Feb 1741/2 Moretonhampstead. They had one son who died in infancy; John Mortimer 1742-1742; bap. 15 Jul, bur. 19 Jul 1742, Chagford. Frances his wife died in 1742; she was bur. 16 Sep 1742 Exeter Holy Trinity. Edward Mortimer was bur. 17 Mar 1765, Drewsteignton.

John Mortimer II (1696-1777)

John was born in Drewsteignton, the second son of John Mortimer and Thomasin his wife. He was bap. 30 Nov 1696. John married Philippa, whose maiden name is unknown; she may have been Philippa Rewe, b. 5 Sep 1698 Drewsteignton. They married around 1819, and had nine children. Philippa died in 1760 and was bur. 21 Nov 1760, Drewsteignton. John Mortimer was bur. 19 Feb 1777. They had the following children.

1. John Mortimer III

2. William Mortimer 1724-1783, bap. 28 Apr 1724, m. Mary Baker 6 Jan 1750/1 Drewsteignton, bur. 1783 Drewsteignton. Mary his widow was bur. 31 Dec 1792, Drewsteignton. They had four children.

i. Mary 1753, bap. 9 Mar 1752/3, m. William Combe 23 Jul 1775 Drewsteignton.

ii. John Mortimer 1753-?, bap. 11 Nov 1753, contemporary of John Mortimer IV (below). Either individual was presumably the same as John Mortimer of Wells (1753-1813).

iii. Betty 1757-1759, bap. 30 Jan 1757, bur. 19 Feb 1759 Drewsteignton.

iv. Susanna 1760-1765, bap. 13 Jan 1760, bur. 21 May 1765 Drewsteignton.

3. Thomasin Mortimer 1726-1785, bap. 29 Nov 1726, m. John Bremblecome 6 Jun 1746. A Thomasin Clark witnessed the marriage of William Mortimer of Dunsford and Thomasin Mortimer in 1781, Drewsteignton, (see above), which individual can perhaps be identified as her. John and Thomasin had the following children in Drewsteigton; John Brimblecome 1747, Thomas Brimblecome 1749, Ann Brimblecome 1765. Thomasin died in 1785, Drewsteignton.

4. Mary 1729, bap. 29 Jul 1729 Drewsteignton.

5. Sampson 1732-1733, bap. 15 Feb 1731/2, bur. 1733, Drewsteignton.

6. Sampson Mortimer 1735-1775, bap. 26 Jan 1734/5, bur. 6 Feb 1775 Drewsteignton.

7. Joanna 1737, bap. 27 Nov 1737.

8. Elizabeth 1740, bap. 13 Aug 1740.

9. Susanna? who may instead have been a daughter of John and Susanna m. 1742 (see above). She was bap. 21 Nov 1742 Drewsteignton, and m. William Tapper 14 Aug 1774 Moretonhampstead.

John Mortimer III of Moretonhampstead (1720-1787)

John was the eldest son of John Mortimer of Drewsteignton and Philippa his wife, and was bap. 10 Jan 1720/1 Drewsteignton. He was mentioned in the will of his grandfather John Mortimer in 1734, as as John son of John Mortimer. He later lived in Moretonhampstead, where he married Ann Underhill, 28 Apr 1751. They had eight children in Moretonhampstead. John died without leaving a will and was bur. 16 Sep 1787, Moretonhampstead. Ann his widow was bur. 5 Oct 1794.

1. John Mortimer 1753-1813? contemporary of John son of William b.1753 (see above). Either individual was presumably the same as John Mortimer of Wells (1753-1813), since his brother Sampson was a paper maker in Bradninch and Wells, it seems more likely that John Mortimer of Wells belonged to this family. John Mortimer, paper maker, was the subject of a bastardy order in 1797, Bradninch. He later moved to Wells and married Anne Watch, 23 Oct 1803, Wells St Cuthbert. He was presumably working at the Wells St Cuthbert paper mill. John Mortimer was buried 5 Dec 1813 Wells St Cuthbert. John and Ann had two sons.

i. William Mortimer of Wells 1804-1858, paper maker and journeyman. William was b. 12 Nov and bap. 9 Dec 1804 Wells St Cuthbert, and lived with his uncle William Watch in 1851. He was bur. 11 Jul 1858, Bathford Somerset, aged 53.

ii. John Mortimer (V?) 1807-1868, emigrant to America. John was b. 28 Sep 1807 and bap. 17 Jan 1808, Wells St Cuthbert. He m. Elizabeth c.1830, and they had two children. John and Elizabeth lived in Bradninch, Devon in 1851, where he worked as a carter. At some point before 1861 the family emigrated to the US and settled in Massachussetts. He died 28 Jan 1868, Russell, Hampden, Massachussetts. Elizabeth his widow d. 30 Apr 1879 also at Russell. John and Elizabeth had the following two children.

1. Ann 1831-1903, b. 14 Jul 1831 Bradninch. She also went with her family to the US.

2. William J. Mortimer 1835-1913, b. 9 Apr 1835 Bradninch. He also emigrated with his family to Russell, Hampden where he married and had a family.

2. Elizabeth 1754-1783, bap. 12 May 1754, bur. 24 Dec 1783, Moretonhampstead.

3. William 1757-1757, bap. 15 May 1757 bur. 12 Jun 1757.

4. Ann 1760-1760, bap. 10 Jan, bur. 12 Jan 1760.

5. Ann 1761-1765, bap. 19 Jul 1761, bur. 4 Jul 1765, passed away the same time as her sister Mary

6. Mary 1764-1765, bap. 15 Jul 1764, bur. 4 Jul 1765, passed away the same time as her sister Ann.

7. Sampson Mortimer 1766-1818, bap. 14 Dec 1766 Moretonhampstead, m. Sarah Gwillym 7 Jul 1788, Woolaston, Glos. Sampson worked as a paper mill at Woolaston Mill. Sampson Mortimer had to travel widely across the country to find work, labouring at various locations over the next decade, including Cornwall 1791, Wells 1794, and Maidstone in 1796. He returned to his home parish of Moretonhampstead some time after with his wife Sarah, though none of their children can be definitively traced back to Devon. He died in 1818, aged (65), the parish register entry for his age is obviously inaccurate. Sampson was bur. 27 Apr 1818, Moretonhampstead. Sarah his widow was bur. 1 Apr 1823, aged (70). This age is also likely inaccurate, as she was presumably b. 18 Jul 1756, Awre, Glos. Sampson and Sarah had the following children.

i. Edward Mortimer 1788- ?, bap. 20 Sep 1788, Woolaston.

ii. Mary Ann Mortimer, bap. 31 Jul 1791 St Kenwyn, Cornwall.

iii. William Mortimer, bap. 1794 Wells St Cuthbert, perhaps m. Maria Hutchins (1800-1820), 16 Apr 1819 Moretonhampstead. Maria his wife did not survive long after their wedding for she was bur. _1820, Moretonhampstead. William was perhaps bur. _1850, South Tawton, aged (53).

iv. Elizabeth bap. 14 Feb 1796, Bearsted, Kent.

8. Edward Mortimer 1770-1838?, bap. 22 Apr 1770 Moretonhampstead, who fathered an illegitimate child with Susanna Rattenbury, 1797, Moretonhampstead. Edward’s occupation was as a mariner in 1797, and he perhaps died in Newark, New Jersey in 1838.

Apr

2020

The Mortimers of Bradninch

Origins

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

Mortimer coat of arms in stained glass

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

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

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

Family tree

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

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

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

John Mortimer (c.1520-1575)

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

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

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

ii. Elizabeth c.1579

iii. William Mortimer

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

v. Joan c.1590

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

William Mortimer (c.1583-1636)

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

Thomas Mortimer (c.1610-1671)

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

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

Note

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

Apr

2020

The Mortimers of Dunsford

The surrounds of Dunsford

Dunsford is a scenic village 8 miles west of Exeter, situated on the north eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park. The village retains an air of idyllic charm, creating the impression of time that has stood still. Many Mortimers lived in Dunsford and the nearby village of Bridford from the late 16th century onwards.

Nathaniel Mortimer (1610-c.1688)

Nathaniel founded the branch of the Mortimer family who were millers in Dunsford, and who still live as farmers near the area today. He was presumably b.1610 Tedburn St Mary, the third son of Thomas Mortimer. As a younger son, he didn’t inherit property in Tedburn St Mary and presumably had to move to a different parish. He married, around 1642, Letitia (c.1619-1682) whose maiden name is unknown, as no marriage record survives. They had the following children:

1. John Mortimer of Dunsford (1644-1704) who in 1668 was a miller at Dunsford. He left a will dated 20 Apr 1702, leaving his leasehold in Dunsford to his wife, and legacies to his grandchildren, which will was proved 24 May 1704. He was buried 14 Mar 1703/4 Dunsford. He married firstly, Mary (d.1668) in around 1662 with whom he had the following children:

i. Mary 1664-1707, m. Robert Harris,

ii. Grace 1666-1671

iii. John Mortimer II (1668-1694) who may have predeceased his father, as he was not mentioned in his will.

He married secondly, Joan, who was living in 1704, when she proved her husbands will.

1. George Mortimer (c.1646-1695)

2. Wilmot 1653-1693

3. Henry Mortimer 1655-1686, who married firstly Rose Payne, 21 Jul 1681 in Dunsford. They had three children;

i. Nathaniel 1682-1695

ii. John 1684-1685

iii. Henry Mortimer II 1686-1711, who m. Mary Mortimer, 7 Sep 1708 in Dunsford. They had two daughters;

1. Wilmot 1708-1715

2. Mary 1711-1713

4. Simon Mortimer 1657-1698. His first wife is unknown. Simon m. secondly to Thomasin Seaward, 24 Jun 1696, Dunsford, and they had one daughter; Thomasin b.1697. The children of Simon and his first wife:

i. Simon 1687-1688

ii. Nathaniel Mortimer 1689-1762, of Whitestone. He m. firstly Elizabeth Hill (1689-1763) on 8 Jun 1724, Exeter St Thomas, and they had issue;

1. Nathaniel Mortimer II 1725-1804, tailor, of Exminster. He m. firstly Susanna Macey/ Massey, 2 Aug 1752, Exeter All Hallows’ Goldsmith St. He m. secondly, Rebecca Hore (c.1733-1788), 4 May 1773, Kenn. He was bur. in 1804, Kenton. Nathaniel and his first wife had the following children:

i. John Mortimer 1753-1782, bap. 11 Jun 1753 Shillingford St George, was a mariner who served aboard HMS Royal George, who made a will dated 2 May 1780, which made his father Nathaniel Mortimer of Exminster, Devon, tailor, sole beneficiary and executor. His will was proved in 1783. John Mortimer presumably died in the unfortunate loss of HMS Royal George on 29 Aug 1782, while undergoing hull repairs at Portsmouth.

HMS Royal George sailed under the command of John Bourmaster, and took part in the attack on the Caracas convoy on 8 Jan 1780, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent on 16 Jan 1780, and the successful relief of Gibraltar three days later. On 29 Aug 1782, HMS Royal George was undergoing routine repairs while anchored near Portsmouth, as part of the preparation to sail to Gibraltar. Most of the crew’s compliment were aboard the ship; crew leave had been cancelled so 200-300 relatives were also on board. The ship was intentionally rolled for hull maintenance, but the roll became unstable and out of control, and the ship took on water and sank. More than 800 lives were lost, making it one of the worst maritime disasters in British territorial waters.

ii. Mary 1756-1789, bap. 18 Jan 1756 Shillingford St George, who m. William Sandford (1755-1812) 22 Nov 1782 Kenton. She was bur. Jun 1789, Kenton.

iii. Elizabeth 1759, bap. 25 Mar 1759. She perhaps married James Conant, 24 Nov 1780, Exeter St Thomas.

iv. Nathaniel Mortimer 1762, bap. 5 Nov 1762, who married Marguerite Esther Ousqué, 19 Nov 1781, Jersey St Helier. At the time of the marriage Nathaniel Mortimer was described as sojourner, of St Thomas, Exeter, Devon. Marguerite his wife was bur. 1 Feb 1814, Nathaniel died in 1825 was bur. 14 Sep 1825, Jersey St Helier. They had the following children, all bapt. in Jersey St Helier:

1. John (Jean) Clement Mortimer 1784, bap. 28 Jan 1784 Jersey St Helier, presumably d. before 1790.

2. Mary (Marie) 1785, bap. 14 Dec 1785.

3. Nicholas Mortimer 1787, bap. 26 Dec 1787.

4. John (Jean) Mortimer 1790, bap. 18 Apr 1790, m. Elizabeth Hocquard 15 Jun 1811, Jersey St Helier. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 3 Aug 1825, Jersey St Helier. They had a daughter Elizabeth Marguerite Mortimer b. 1817, and bap. 30 Mar 1817, Jersey St Helier.

5. Frederick (Fredéric) 1793, bap. 20 Mar 1790, presumably d. before 1800

6. Joseph (Josué) Mortimer 1796-1877, bap. 26 Aug 1796, bur. 9 Jun 1877, Jersey St Helier.

7. Nathaniel Mortimer IV 1798-1846, bap. 20 Mar 1798, d. 31 Mar 1846, bur. 3 Apr, Jersey St Helier.

8. Frederick (Fredéric) Mortimer 1800-1839, bap. 23 Apr 1800. He m. Jane Romeril, 31 Dec 1831 Jersey St Helier. Joseph was bur. 9 Jan 1839 Jersey St Helier.

9. Elizabeth 1802, bap. 14 Apr 1802. She may have died unmarried in 1873, aged 70, and bur. 21 Jan 1873, Jersey St Helier.

2. Simon Mortimer 1732- , who m. Ann Herdon 3 Feb 1761, Exeter St Paul. They had the following children in Exeter;

i. Simon Mortimer II 1761

ii. John 1764

iii. William 1766

iv. Ann 1768-1768

v. Ann 1769

vi. Elizabeth 1772-1777

vii. Mary 1774

viii. Elizabeth 1779

ix. Parmena 1783-1783

iii. Andrew 1691-1695

iv. George 1695-1695

George Mortimer (c.1646-1695)

George was born during the parish register gap in the English civil war. He married firstly, Wilmot (1641-1670), the daughter of Simon Mortimer, 14 May 1667 Dunsford, indicating a long standing connection between the two families, by whom he had one son, George. George Mortimer senior died and was buried 27 Oct 1695, Dunsford.

1. George Mortimer 1668-1672, who died a child. In 1668 he was mentioned as a son in law in the will of Simon Mortimer. He married secondly, Elizabeth Langman (c.1644-1680) 4 Feb 1672/3 Dunsford, with whom he had the following children:

2. Elizabeth 1673-1689

3. George Mortimer II

4. Nathaniel 1680-1681

George Mortimer II (1675-1738)

George was a miller at Dunsford. He was baptised 6 Sep 1675. In 1723 he took the Loyalty Oath. He married Ann Soper (1677-1741) 20 Oct 1698 at Dunsford. They had the following children:

1. George 1699-1699, died an infant.

2. George 1700-1711, died in childhood.

3. John Mortimer (1702-1790) of Dunsford, who married firstly, Susanna Hutchings (1698-1754), 21 Jan 1728 Exeter St Mary Major, and secondly, Mary Ramsey (1711-1782). He died and was bur. 1 Sep 1790, Dunsford, aged 88.

4. Richard Mortimer

5. Henry 1707-1708

He left a will dated 14 Apr 1733, mentioning his sons, John and Richard, his wife Ann, and his grandchildren George and Elizabeth Mortimer, which will was proved 23 Oct 1738. He died and was buried 23 Sep 1738.

Richard Mortimer (1705-1774)

Richard Mortimer was also a miller. He married Ann Sircombe (1707-1778), 5 May 1731 Dunsford, with whom he had the following children:

1. Elizabeth (1731-1802)

2.George Mortimer

3. Ann (1735-1794)

4. Mary 1737, m. 24 Aug 1756 Dunsford to John Conant.

5. Susanna 1745-1762

He made a will 20 Nov 1768, in which he left his mills to his son George, with bequests to his daughters Elizabeth, Ann, Mary wife of John Conant. His wife Ann was sole executor, and the will was proved 20 Jul 1774. Richard died and was buried 14 Mar 1774.

George Mortimer (1733-1778)

George was baptised 26 Mar 1733, Dunsford. George Mortimer married Ann Berry (1745-1828), 6 May 1767 Dunsford, with whom he had the following children:

1. George Mortimer

2. John Mortimer, of Exeter (1770-1829), a dairyman, who m. Mary Sircombe (c.1771- ), 16 Jan 1794 Dunsford, but had no children. He died and was bur. 8 Feb 1829, Exeter St Thomas.

3. Elizabeth b.1772

4. Richard Mortimer (1775-1833), who appears in the 1821 census for Dunsford. He was bur. 30 Jan 1833, Dunsford, aged 58.

George Mortimer (1768-1851)

George was baptised 14 Feb 1768 Dunsford. In 1798 he held land in Dunsford as a freeholder. In 1829 George and his brother Richard were joint executors of their uncle John Mortimer’s will. In 1841, he lived in Ide, Devon, and was a farmer. He married Mary Tuckett (1770- ), 4 Jul 1793 Stockleigh Pomeroy. George died and was bur. 26 Jan 1851, aged 84. George and Mary had the following children:

1. John Mortimer 1794-1868

2. Elizabeth 1796-1799

3. Mary 1798

4. Elizabeth 1800

5. Richard 1810

John Mortimer (1794-1868) of Exmill

John was baptised 24 Apr 1794. He was a farmer and lived in Exmill, Powderham, in a farm house still occupied by Mortimers. He farmed approximately 350 acres. He married his cousin Mary Ann Tuckett (1797- ), 17 Dec 1818 Bridford, and they had the following children:

1. John Mortimer 1819-1906

2. Mary 1820

3. Harriet 1822

4. George 1824

5. Maria 1826

6. Richard 1828-1903

7. William 1830

8. Charlotte 1832

9. Thomas 1835

10. Samuel Mortimer 1837-1931

11. Nicholas 1840

12. James 1841

farmer