Morchard Bishop

06
Oct
2023
The Mortimers of Sandford (Part 2)

The Mortimers of Sandford (Part 2)

Part 2 – Mortimer family branches in Sandford

The Mortimer family of Sandford is too numerous to detail in one post. Here is a continuation of the Mortimer family tree in Sandford as discussed in Part 1.

By the late 17th century, the Mortimer family had departed from the farms they originally owned and separated into many different branches.

The following is an interpretation of the Mortimer family branches in Sandford from the late 17th century to the first census, in 1841. This page is split into three parts:

  • The first details the descendants of Thomas Mortimer (1673-1755).
  • The second details those descendants of Benjamin Mortimer (c.1650-1718) who on the whole stayed in Sandford.
  • The third and last part details the family of Simon Mortimer of Sandford (c.1690-1763), who was a son of Francis Mortimer of Down St Mary (c.1658-1707).

Thomas Mortimer of Sandford (1673-1755)

Thomas Mortimer was presumably the son John and Dewnes Mortimer of Ashridge, though he was not mentioned in John Mortimer’s will. He was bapt. 19 Mar 1672/3 Sandford. Thomas married firstly Joan Ellacott (1674-1700), 30 Apr 1700 Sandford, they had one son, Thomas b.1700. Joan was bur. 12 Nov 1703 Sandford.

1. Thomas Mortimer (1700-1723?) b. 23 Dec 1700, may have died in 1723 and bur. 4 Jul 1723 Sandford. Perhaps m. Elizabeth, who m.2. Samuel Maine 16 Sep 1724 Colebrooke, and bur. Mar 1774 Colebrooke.

Thomas married secondly Emmelin Wilcocks (1679-1754), 19 Sep 1704 Sandford, and they had eight children. Emmelin his wife was bur. 23 Jan 1754, Thomas was bur. 28 Sep 1755 Sandford. There do not seem to be burial records in the parish for some of the children.

2. John bapt. 8 Jul 1705 Sandford, presumably died young.

3. Roger b. 23 Feb 1706/7 Sandford, presumably died young.

4. John b. 12 Feb 1709/10 Sandford, presumably died an infant.

5. John Mortimer (1712-1775), continued below.

6. Joan b. 17 Apr 1715

7. Roger Mortimer 1718-1784, b. 10 May 1718, m.1. Mary Ellacott (1706-1780) 1 Dec 1747 Sandford, Mary was bur. 24 Mar 1780, Sandford. Roger m.2. Ann Davie, 25 Nov 1781 Sandford, Roger Mortimer was bur. 26 Sep 1784, Sandford, aged 66. Ann m.2. John Delbridge of Sandford (d.1792) 26 Dec 1784 and m.3. John Sharland of Upton Hellions (d.1805), 12 Dec 1797.

8. Mary 1721-1803, b. 23 Apr 1721 Sandford, m.1. Charles Morrish (c.1720-c.1759), 20 Nov 1750 Sandford, m.2. Lawrence Langmead (c.1730-1793), 23 Mar 1761 Sandford. She was bur. 22 Jan 1803, Sandford, aged 81.

9. William, bapt. 13 Dec 1724 Sandford, perhaps died 1725.

John Mortimer (1712-1775)

John was born in 1712, the son of Thomas Mortimer and Emmelin his wife. He was bapt. 1712 Sandford. John m. Frances Frost, 4 Aug 1736, and they had the following children. Frances was bur. 16 Mar 1754/5 and John was bur. 22 Aug 1775, reckoned to be 65 years old at the time.

1. Frances bapt. 11 Jul 1738 Sandford. No m/d.

2. Mary bapt. 6 Jan 1741/2 Sandford, m. William Champion of Crediton, 9 Jul 1762 Exeter Holy Trinity.

3. Jane bapt. 17 Feb 1744/5 Sandford, presumably bur. 5 Dec 1747 Sandford.

4. John Mortimer bapt. 28 Dec 1747 Sandford, m. Ann Davy 16 Apr 1771 Tiverton. They had one son:

i. John Mortimer of Heavitree (1771-1814), bapt. 25 Aug 1771 Sandford, m. Mary Rew, 22 Apr 1800 Heavitree, bur. 19 Apr 1814 Heavitree, aged 42. Mary his wife was bur. 8 Sep 1846. They had the following children:

1. Mary bapt. 19 Feb 1801 Heavitree.

2. Ann bapt. 24 Apr 1803 Heavitree.

3. Frances bapt. 26 Feb 1806 Heavitree.

4. Betty, b. 18 Nov 1807, bapt. 17 Feb 1808 Heavitree.

5. William Mortimer, b. 23 Jun 1810, bapt. 31 Mar 1811 Heavitree. fl. 1841 Heavitree, ag lab.

6. John bapt. 18 Apr 1813 Heavitree. fl. 1841 Pinhoe, worsted weaver.

5. George Mortimer (1750-1838), continued below.

6. Robert Mortimer of Sandford (c.1752-1818), whose baptism record is missing, but he may have been a son of John and Frances, born between George (1750) and Thomas (1755). Robert m. Betty Elstone, 25 Feb 1778 Sandford, and bur. 31 May 1818 Sandford, apparently aged 69 (ages stated in burial records were sometimes inaccurate). Robert and Betty had the following children:

i. Sarah bapt. 24 Jan 1779 Sandford, m. John Middleweek 1806 Colebrooke.

ii. Betty (1781-aft.1850) bapt. 12 Aug 1781, m. John Brealy (1776-1852) 28 Sep 1802 Sandford.

iii. John Mortimer (1783-aft.1815), bapt. 26 Dec 1783 Sandford, of the South Devon Militia, m. Mary Morrish (1784-1818) 22 Dec 1811 Sandford, who was bur. 7 Jan 1818 Sandford. John was a labourer, of Sandford, and died after 1814/5:

1. William Mortimer of Newton St Cyres (1815-aft.1851), bapt. 2 Jul 1815 Sandford, m. Mary Parker or Bond alias Ash, 1847 Sandford, and fl. 1841/51 Newton St Cyres, ag lab.

iv. Mary (1786-1851) bapt. 16 Jul 1786 Sandford, fl. 1841 Sandford, never married and bur. 5 Jan 1851 Sandford.

v. Robert Mortimer of Crediton (1789-1857) bapt. 14 Jun 1789 Sandford, m. Mary Lamping (c.1790- ) 8 Mar 1812 Crediton, fl.1841/51 Crediton, ag lab., d. 1857 Crediton. Robert and Mary Mortimer had issue:

1. Elizabeth (1812-1817), bapt. 12 Jul 1812 and bur. 14 Aug 1817 Crediton.

2. John Mortimer bapt. 25 Sep 1814 Crediton.

3. George Mortimer (1816-1874), bapt. 13 Oct 1816 Crediton, m. Elizabeth, fl. 1861 Crediton, 1871 Colebrooke, ag lab., d. 1874 Crediton.

4. Mary Ann (1819-1852), bapt. 14 Mar 1819 Crediton, m. James Southcott (1815-1885) 15 Mar 1846 Crediton, bur. 23 Dec 1852 Crediton, aged 33.

5. William Mortimer (1822-1875), bapt. 17 Mar 1822 Crediton, m. Mary _, fl. 1841 Crediton, 1851 Stockleigh Pomeroy, ag lab., d. 1875 Crediton.

6. James Mortimer of Exmouth (1824-1887), bapt. 8 Feb 1824 Crediton, m. Sarah Ann Marchant (1827-1914), fl. 1851/61 Withycombe Raleigh, a shoe maker, 1871 Exmouth, 1881 Withycombe Raleigh, died aged 63 and bur. 17 Dec 1887, Littleham, Exmouth.

vi. Ann (1793-1818), bapt. 6 Jan 1793 and bur. 15 Nov 1818 Sandford, aged 25.

7. Thomas (1755-1758), bapt. 5 Sep 1756, bur. 24 Feb 1758 Sandford.

George Mortimer (1750-1838)

George was born in 1750, second surviving son of John and Frances Mortimer. He was bapt. 18 Nov 1750 Sandford, m. Betty Morrish, 8 May 1774 Sandford and they had the following children. Betty his wife died either 1823 or 1824 Sandford. George died aged 87 resident at Sandford New Buildings, and was bur. 23 Jun 1838, Sandford.

1. Jenny, bapt. 21 Nov 1774 Sandford, m. Thomas Davy 27 Mar 1796 Sandford, they had three daughters.

2. John Mortimer (1777-1807), bapt. 30 Jan 1777 Sandford, bur. 21 Apr 1807 Sandford, aged 30.

3. Roger Mortimer of Exeter (1779-1860), bapt. 5 Apr 1779 Sandford, Elizabeth Davy 4 May 1807, Morchard Bishop, moved to Exeter between 1810/1812. Fl. 1851 Exeter St Lawrence, shoeing smith master empl. 1 man. He died 7 Aug 1860 Exeter, and probate was granted 28 Jul 1863. Roger and Elizabeth Mortimer had the following children:

i. Agnes bapt. 1 Aug 1808 Sandford, m. John Tozer 3 Sep 1832 Exeter St Lawrence.

ii. John Mortimer bapt. 18 Mar 1810 Morchard Bishop.

iii. Elizabeth (1812-1882) bapt. 23 Aug 1812 Exeter St Mary Major, m. George Snow Mar 1838 Exeter St Lawrence, died aged 70 at South Molton, and bur. 12 May 1882 South Molton.

iv. George Mortimer bapt. 18 Oct 1814 Exeter St Mary Major.

v. Georgiana bapt. 26 Jan 1817 Exeter St Lawrence, d. unmarried, 1871 Exeter.

vi. William (1818-c.1820) bapt. 11 Oct 1818 Exeter St Lawrence, died in childhood.

vii. Eliza Ann bapt. 3 Feb 1822 Exeter St Lawrence.

viii. Caroline Amelia (1823-1892), bapt. 22 Dec 1823 Exeter St Lawrence, m. Alfred John Brodley (1826-1895) 27 Oct 1845 St Alfred Bryanston Square London, fl. 1851 Exeter Holy Trinity, 1861 Exeter St Thomas, 1871/81 and 1891 Exeter St Mary Steps, d. 1892 Exeter.

ix. William Mortimer (c.1826-1855), fl. 1851 Exeter St Lawrence, son of Roger Mortimer. Presumably bur. 25 Mar 1855 Exeter Holy Trinity, aged 29.

4. Mary bapt. 26 Nov 1781 Sandford, m. Peter Rock Nov 1803, Plymouth Charles the Martyr.

5. George Mortimer (1784-1856), bapt. 30 Jan 1784 Sandford, m. Agnes Davy 1 Jun 1807 Morchard Bishop, fl. 1841 and 1851 Sandford, carpenter, d. 1856 Sandford. Agnes his wife d. 1859, Sandford. They had the following children:

i. John bapt. 6 Jan 1808 Morchard Bishop.

ii. William Mortimer of Crediton (1810-1888), bapt. 8 Apr 1810 Sandford, married presumably Elizabeth Back 27 May 1835 Exeter St Mary Major, fl. 1851 Sandford, a servant, 1861 Crediton, mason’s lab., 1871, lab., 1881 Crediton, widower. Bur. 11 Dec 1888 Crediton. Note. 1861 census records he was born in Crediton, but 1851/71 and 1881 records he was born in Sandford. Easily confused with William Mortimer b. 1811 Crediton son of William.

iii. Roger Mortimer (1812-1893), bapt. 9 Aug 1812 Sandford, m. Mary Ann Churchill 25 Nov 1837 Cheriton Fitzpaine; fl. 1871 Wolverhampton, 1881 Exeter St David, 1891 Exeter St Sidwell, died aged 81 and bur. 27 Sep 1893 Exeter St Sidwell.

iv. George Mortimer (1815-1888), bapt. 8 Jan 1815 Sandford, m. Mary _, fl. Sandford, ag lab., 1851/61 Sandford New Buildings near William Mortimer, carpenter. Fl. 1871 Sandford, ag lab., fl. 1881 Newton St Cyres. He died aged 73 and was bur. 9 Sep 1888 Newton St Cyres.

v. Thomas Mortimer, bapt. 18 Feb 1817 Sandford.

vi. Frances bapt. 28 Aug 1819 Sandford, m. _ Brown, lived in Whitechapel, London.

vii. Elizabeth, bapt. 16 Jan 1822 Sandford,

viii. Tryphena, b. c.1824, fl. 1851 Sandford, m. Thomas Vinecombe Aug 1852 Sandford, fl.1871/81 and 1891 Sandford. d. aged 87 and bur. 22 Dec 1911 East Worlington.

ix. James Mortimer, bapt. 7 Jan 1827 Sandford, fl. 1841 Sandford.

6. Betty bapt. 11 Jun 1786 Sandford, m. James Lee, 19 Jan 1807 Sandford, both minors, they married with consent of their parents. George Mortimer was a marriage witness.

7. William Mortimer of Sandford (1789-1840), bapt. 26 Feb 1789 Sandford, m. Mary Fisher, 8 Sep 1811 Sandford, witnessed by brother-in-law James Lee. Mary Fisher, a minor, married with the consent of her parents. William was occupied as a carpenter and lived at New Buildings, Sandford; he died in 1840, and was bur. 9 Sep 1840, Sandford. Mary his widow fl.1841, died aged 50 and bur. 13 Jan 1842, Sandford. William and Mary Mortimer had the following children:

i. Jane bapt. 30 Mar 1812 Sandford.

ii. William Mortimer of Sandford (1816-1890), bapt. 30 Jan 1816 Sandford, m. Sarah Down daughter of George Down, farmer, 3 Nov 1840 Nymet Rowland, fl.1851/61/71/81 Sandford, a carpenter and wheelwright, and d.1890, Sandford. William and Sarah Mortimer had the following children:

1. James Mortimer, bapt. 19 Apr 1841 Sandford, bur. 25 Nov 1855 Cheriton Fitzpaine.

2. Mary Ann bapt. 3 May 1842 Sandford, fl.1851/61/71 Sandford.

3. Charlotte bapt. 13 Jan 1844 Sandford, m. Samuel Maunder 1871 Crediton.

4. William Mortimer bapt. 11 Aug 1846 Sandford, fl.1851/61/71 Sandford.

5. George Mortimer bapt. 28 Feb 1850 Sandford, fl.1851/61/71 Sandford.

iii. Mary bapt. 1820 Sandford.

iv. James Mortimer (1822-1906), bapt. 1 Dec 1822 Sandford, m. Susan Holding, 1853 Crediton, fl.1841 Sandford, 1851/61 Crediton, 1871 Uton, 1881 Crediton, 1891 Upton Hellions, 1901 Crediton, variously a servant, or ag lab., a pauper in 1901, d. 1906 Crediton.

v. Elizabeth bapt. 18 Jan 1825 Sandford.

vi. Ann, bapt. 5 Oct 1828 Sandford, fl. 1841 Sandford, 1851 Crediton.

vii. Maria bapt. 1831, bur. 6 Jun 1838 Sandford.

viii. George Mortimer (1834-1910), emigrant, bapt. 4 May 1834 Sandford, m. Harriet Newell Colbath 30 Mar 1858, Bedford, Monroe, Michigan, United States, and d. 22 Jan 1910 Monroe, Michigan.

8. Fanny (1791-1815), bapt. 22 May 1791 and bur. 21 Feb 1815 Sandford.

9. Thomas Mortimer (1796- ), bapt. 25 Jan 1796 Sandford, m. Mary Bond Jun 1843 Exeter Holy Trinity. fl. 1851 Exeter St Mary Major, fl. 1861 Exeter St George, a carter and hawler empl. 1 man.

Benjamin Mortimer of Sandford (c.1647-1718)

Another progenitor of the Mortimer family in Sandford was Benjamin Mortimer, presumably a native of the parish. Though his baptism record is missing, he was probably born in Sandford, in the middle of the 17th century. He may have been an unrecorded son of Nicholas Mortimer (1611-1689), as he named one of his sons Peter, perhaps after Peter Mortimer (1661-1692) son of Nicholas. Another prospect is a relationship to Benjamin Mortimer of Morchard Bishop who died in 1686.

Benjamin m.1., Joan (c.1652-1688) whose maiden name is unknown as there is no surviving record of their marriage. Joan was bur. 16 Sep 1688 Sandford, and Benjamin m.2. Katherine Lowdon (1664-1746), 7 May 1689 Sandford. and Benjamin Mortimer bur. 29 Apr 1718 Sandford. Katherine his widow was bur. 25 Feb 1745/6 Sandford.

Benjamin and his first wife Joan had the following children. His eldest son settled in Crediton but the majority of the family seemed to stay in Sandford:

1. Benjamin Mortimer of Crediton (1674-1719), whose descendants are detailed in the Mortimers of Crediton.

2. Henry Mortimer of Sandford (1676-1745), bapt. 7 Mar 1675/6 Sandford, m. Elizabeth Rogers 22 Apr 1701 Sandford, and bur. 9 Jan 1744/5 Sandford. Henry and Elizabeth Mortimer had the following children:

i. Elizabeth (1701-1726) bapt. 17 Mar 1701/2 Sandford, m. Lewis Conisbeare (1700-1745) 11 Apr 1726 Sandford, bur. 13 May 1726 Sandford.

ii. John bapt. 30 May 1704 Sandford.

iii. Robert bapt. 1 Jan 1706/7 Sandford.

iv. Mary bapt. 13 Feb 1708/9 Sandford, d. before 1720

v. William bapt. 29 Apr 1712 Sandford, perhaps bur. 1726.

vi. Henry Mortimer of Crediton (1714-1741), bapt. 26 Dec 1714 Crediton, m. Elizabeth Chanter 16 Oct 1737, Crediton. He was bur. either 27 Mar 1741 or 11 Apr 1744 Crediton. Elizabeth his wife was presumably bur. 18 Dec 1741 Crediton. Henry and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Mary bapt. 5 Nov 1738 Crediton, m. Edward Bennett, 5 May 1766 Crediton.

2. Henry bapt. 2 May 1740 Crediton, presumably bur. either 27 Mar 1741 or 11 Apr 1744 Crediton.

vii. Mary (720-1720) bapt. 24 Jul 1720 Crediton, bur. 6 Aug 1720 Crediton, an infant.

3. Alice bapt. 20 Aug 1678 Sandford.

4. William (1681-1681) bapt. 18 Jun 1681, bur. 5 Jul 1681 Sandford.

5. Peter (1682- ), bapt. 8 Aug 1682 Sandford, no marriage/ burial record is extant.

6. Joan (1686-1687), bapt. 1 Jun 1686, bur. 28 Aug 1687 Sandford.

Benjamin and his second wife Katherine had the following children:

7. William Mortimer of Sandford (1690-1753) continued below.

8. Mary bapt. 26 Jan 1691/2 Sandford, either bur. 12 Aug 1695 Crediton or m. John Lendon 3 Aug 1720 Colebrooke.

9. John 1694-1700?, bapt. 10 Apr 1694 Sandford. [Note that the John son of Benjamin Mortimer bur. 23 Jul 1700 Crediton could have been a son of Benjamin Mortimer the younger].

10. Thomas Mortimer (1696-1780), bapt. 4 Feb 1695/6, never married, bur. 4 May 1780 Sandford, aged 84.

11. Joan bapt. 22 Nov 1698 Sandford.

12. Ann bapt. 13 Apr 1701 Sandford.

13. Nathaniel Mortimer of Sandford (1703-1764), bapt. 2 Jan 1703/4 Sandford, m. Ann Welsh (1710-1751) 31 Dec 1738 Crediton. Ann his wife was presumably bur. 8 Jan 1745/6 Crediton, as no children were recorded after 1743. Nathaniel died aged 60 and was bur. 20 Sep 1764 Sandford. They had two children:

i. Ann (1741-1791), bapt. 19 May 1741 Crediton, m. Philip Melhuish (1747-1791) 28 Nov 1773 Crediton. She was bur. 1791 Tedburn St Mary.

ii. Nathaniel Mortimer of Tavistock (1743-1808), bapt. 4 May 1743 Crediton, m. Grace Kellow (1749-1816) 1777 Tavistock. Nathaniel died aged 65 and was bur. 27 Jul 1808 Tavistock. Grace his widow was bur. 1816 Tavistock. They had three children:

1. Anna Maria 1779, bapt. 22 May 1779 Tavistock.

2. Grace 1782, bapt. 29 Jun 1782 Tavistock.

3. Nathaniel Mortimer (1784-1859), bapt. 15 Jul 1784 Tavistock, m. Betty Cudlip (1795- ), 13 Feb 1819 Tavistock, fl.1841/51 Tavistock, ag lab., d. 21 Jul 1859 and bur. 27 Jul 1859, Tavistock. Nathaniel and Betty Mortimer had the following children:

i. Mary bapt. 18 Jul 1820 Tavistock.

ii. Nathaniel bapt. 27 May 1823 Tavistock.

iii. Elizabeth bapt. 16 Apr 1825 Tavistock.

iv. Ann bapt. 27 Oct 1827 Tavistock.

v. Jane bapt. 17 Apr 1830 Tavistock, m. James Martin Cock (1827-1885) fl.1841/51/61/71/81 Tavistock; d. 25 Apr 1906 Birmingham, probate granted 30 May 1906.

vi. John bapt. 26 Nov 1832 Tavistock.

vii. William Mortimer bapt. 31 Oct 1833 Tavistock, fl. 1841/51 Tavistock.

viii. Mary Ann bapt. 17 Aug 1836 Tavistock.

14. Augustin Mortimer (1707- ), bapt. 3 Jun 1707 Sandford, presumably d. young as there is no further record.

William Mortimer (1690-1753)

William was born in 1690, the eldest son of Benjamin and Katherine Mortimer. He was bapt. 26 Feb 1689/90 Sandford. William m.1. Martha Webb (1685-1741) 22 May 1711 Sandford, who was bur. 14 Apr 1741 Sandford. William m.2. Mary Davie nee Webb (1691-1767) widow of Thomas Davy (1689-1740) 10 Jul 1746 Sandford. William Mortimer was bur. 21 Jul 1753 Sandford, Mary his widow died aged 75 and was bur. 16 Jan 1767 Sandford. William and his first wife Martha had the following children:

1.

2. Alice (1714-1799), bapt. 20 Apr 1714 Sandford, m. John Sprigg (1714-1777) 10 Aug 1736 Sandford; bur. 12 May 1799 Sandford, aged 85.

3. Peter Mortimer of Sandford (1716-1739) bapt. 14 Oct 1716 Sandford, m. Grace Sowdon (1716-c.1741), 29 Sep 1737 Sandford; bur. 1739 Sandford. Grace his wife was bur. 18 May 1741 Sandford. They had two orphaned children:

i. Peter Mortimer (1738-1779) bapt. 16 Jul 1738 Sandford; bur. 5 Mar 1779 Kingsbridge.

ii. Grace (1739-1833) bapt. 4 Oct 1739, m. William Oliver 16 Oct 1764 Shobrooke; bur. 21 Sep 1833 Shobrooke.

4. Mary (1719-1788), bapt. 6 Jan 1718/9 Sandford, m. Lewis Gifford (1719-1757) 24 Sep 1744 Exeter St Lawrence, bur. 26 Jan 1788 Cheriton Fitzpaine.

5. Thomas 1722-1726, bapt. 25 Sep 1722 and bur. 27 Oct 1726 Sandford, aged 4.

6. Margaret (1724-1804), bapt. 27 Oct 1724 Sandford, m. Samuel Reed (1725-1799) 4 Sep 1746 Sandford, bur. 16 Feb 1804 Sandford, aged 79.

7. Thomas (1728-1728) bapt. 28 Dec 1728, presumably bur. 1728.

Henry Mortimer of Sandford (1712-1785)

Henry Mortimer was bapt. 3 Feb 1711/2 Sandford, m.1. Elizabeth Linscott (1714-1765) 5 May 1739 Upton Hellions, who was bur. 25 Aug 1765 Sandford. Henry Mortimer m.2. Ann Greenslade (1727-1791) 3 Mar 1766 Sandford. Henry was bur. 28 Aug 1785, Ann his widow bur. 4 Dec 1791 Sandford, aged 64. They had one child.

Henry and his first wife Elizabeth had the following children:

i. ? John Mortimer of Sandford (c.1740-1784), presumably son of Henry and Elizabeth Mortimer.

ii. Thomas Mortimer of Sandford and Exeter (1743-1805), bapt. 26 Jun 1743 Sandford, m.1. Sarah Manley (1745-1783). They moved from Sandford to Exeter between 1777/1780. Sarah was bur. 24 Jul 1783 Exeter St Mary Major. Thomas m.2. Catherine Hammett (1754-1824) 25 Aug 1783 Exeter St Mary Major. Thomas died aged 61 and was bur. 26 Aug 1805 Sandford. Catherine his widow was bur. 10 Nov 1824 Sandford.

Thomas and his first wife Sarah had the following children:

1. Betty (1771-1834) bapt. 11 Aug 1771 Sandford, bur. 30 Nov 1834 Sandford aged 63.

2. Thomas Mortimer of Exeter (1773-1850), bapt. 12 Dec 1773 Sandford, a horse shoe smith m. Frances Picket (1791-1870) 11 Dec 1812 Exeter St Sidwell. Lived at Stepcote Hill, Exeter in 1816, and Coombe Street in 1821. Thomas Mortimer fl. 1841 Exeter St Mary Major, a labourer, and was bur. 9 Jun 1850 Exeter St Mary Major. Frances his widow fl. 1851 Huxham, 1861 Exeter St Thomas, and d. 1870 Exeter. Thomas and his wife Frances had seven children:

i. George Thomas Mortimer bapt. 31 Mar 1816 Exeter St John.

ii. Mary Ann Mortimer bapt. 13 Apr 1817 Exeter St Sidwell.

iii. Frances Mortimer bapt. 17 Oct 1819, bur. 21 May 1820 Exeter St Mary Major.

iv. Thomas Mortimer bapt. 18 Mar 1821 Exeter St Mary Major, fl. 1841 Exeter.

v. William Mortimer bapt. 2 May 1824 Exeter St Mary Major, died in childhood.

vi. Jane 1829, bapt. 8 Feb 1829 Exeter St Mary Major, fl. 1841 Exeter, and 1851 Clerkenwell, Middlesex.

vii. William bapt. 18 Aug 1832 Exeter St Mary Major.

3. Martha (1776-1777), bapt. 18 Feb 1776, bur. 6 May 1777 Sandford.

4. Sarah bapt. 9 Jul 1780 Exeter St Mary Major.

Thomas and his second wife Catherine had the following children:

5. Sally (1784-1788), bapt. 31 May 1784 bur. 24 Nov 1788 Exeter St Mary Major.

6. William Mortimer * (1786- ), bapt. 5 Feb 1786 Exeter St Mary Major, perhaps the same William Mortimer, of Bristol, m. Elizabeth Webster 4 Apr 1808 Gloucester St Nicholas, fl.1841 Bristol Temple, carpenter.

7. John Mortimer of Langford Budville and Sandford (1787-1873), bapt. 30 Sep 1787 Exeter St Mary Major, a labourer, m. Susanna Cording 27 May 1822 Langford Budville, Somerset; fl. 1841/51/61/71 Sandford, ag lab. John died in 1873 Sandford. Susanna his wife died in 1869. John and Susanna Mortimer had the following children:

i. Thomas Mortimer of Leominster and Croydon (1822-aft.1901) bapt. 13 Oct 1822 Langford Budville, m. Mary Ann 1 Sep 1854 Exeter St Edmund; fl. 1871/81 Leominster, fl. 1901 Croydon.

ii. Ann bapt. 15 Aug 1824 Langford Budville.

iii. John Mortimer (1827- ), bapt. 13 Apr 1827 Langford Budville, of the Royal Navy, m.1. Mary Jane, fl. 1871 St Mary Church, m.2. Sarah and fl. 1891 Dawlish.

iv. George Mortimer bapt. 26 Apr 1829 Langford Budville

v. Henry Mortimer of St Mary Church (1831-1911), bapt. 23 Oct 1831 Langford Budville, fl. 1851 Sandford, m. Sarah Howard 29 Mar 1852 Exeter St Thomas; fl. 1861/71/81/91/1901/1911 St Mary Church.

vi. Hannah b. 1833 Sandford, m. George Garrish 1863 Chagford.

vii. Mary bapt. 22 May 1839 Sandford, m. James Stoneman, fl. 1851 Sandford, 1861 Exeter St Olave.

8. Ann bapt. 27 Sep 1789 Exeter St Mary Major, m. Frederick Beer 26 Dec 1826 Sandford, fl. 1841/51/61/71 Sandford.

9. Mary Ann bapt. 1 Jan 1792 Exeter St Mary Major.

10. George 1794-1794, bapt. 5 Jul 1794 Exeter St Olave, bur. 6 Jul 1794 Exeter St Mary Major.

iii. Elizabeth (1748- ), bapt. 2 Feb 1747/8 Sandford, m. William Smale of Exeter, 16 Apr 1770 Exeter St Mary Major.

iv. Martha (1750-1832), perhaps named after her grandmother, bapt. 8 Apr 1750 Sandford, m. John Packer (1753-1830) 8 Jun 1777 Sandford, died aged 82 and bur. 4 Apr 1832 Sandford.

v. George Mortimer bapt. 8 Sep 1754 and bur. 28 Dec 1754 Sandford.

vi. Ann bapt. 11 Oct 1757 Sandford.

Henry and his second wife Ann had one son:

vii. Henry Mortimer (1770-bef.1841), bapt. 16 Apr 1770 Sandford, m. Agnes Newcombe (1772- ), 30 Apr 1794 Sandford. Henry and Ann had two children:

1. William Mortimer (1795-1804), bapt. 7 Apr 1795 and bur. 29 Oct 1804 Sandford.

2. John Mortimer (1797-1798) bapt. 7 Apr 1797, and bur. 27 May 1798 Sandford.

John Mortimer of Sandford (c.1740-1784)

John Mortimer’s baptism record is missing, but he may have been a son of Henry and Elizabeth for the following reasons:

  • John Mortimer died in 1784 aged 44 but his reported age at death does not correlate to a baptism record.
  • Henry and Elizabeth married in 1739, and their first recorded child, Thomas, was only baptised in 1743.
  • John would not have been a son of John and Frances as they had a son John born in 1747.
  • John’s son Thomas may have been named after Thomas Mortimer b. 1743 son of Henry, who lived in Sandford and Exeter.

John m. Elizabeth Gallon (or Galling), 1 Jan 1765 Sandford, and they had eleven children, but less than half survived to adulthood. By 1789, the family were reliant on parish relief. He was bur. 7 Dec 1784 Sandford, reportedly aged 44 according to the register. His posthumous son William was born after his death.

1. Thomas (1765-1766), bapt. 10 Dec 1765 bur. 18 Jan 1766 Sandford.

2. Elizabeth bapt. 14 Dec 1766 Sandford.

3. John Mortimer (1768-1809), continued further below.

4. Martha (1770-1773), bapt. 29 Jan 1770 bur. 19 Mar 1773 Sandford.

5. Ann (1772-1777), bapt. 17 Mar 1772 bur. 19 Jan 1777 aged 4, at Sandford.

6. William (1774-1776), bapt. 20 Feb 1774 bur. 25 Dec 1776 Sandford.

7. Thomas (1775-1776), bapt. 10 Dec 1775 bur. 18 Dec 1776 Sandford.

8. Nancy (1777-1857), bapt. 3 Nov 1777 Sandford, m.1. Joshua Osmond (1763-1817), m.2. Edward Vicary 8 May 1820 Sandford, fl. 1851 Sandford and d. 1857.

9. Mary (1780- ), bapt. 6 Aug 1780 Sandford, presumably m. John Taylor, 26 Jan 1801 Sandford.

10. George (1782-1789), bapt. 28 Jul 1782 bur. 5 Sep 1789 Sandford.

11. William Mortimer (1785-1840), bapt. 16 Jan 1785, m. Agnes Moore (1786-1818) 14 Dec 1807 Sandford. Agnes his wife was bur. 6 Dec 1818 aged 32, William Mortimer was bur. 6 Apr 1840 Sandford, aged 55. He was a contemporary of William Mortimer of Sandford (1789-1840) who married Mary Fisher.

12. Jane? Mortimer (c.1786-1841), m. Roger Webb (1798-1831) bur. 16 Dec 1841 Sandford aged 63, had an illegitimate daughter:

i. Maria Mortimer born c.1816 Witheridge, whose father was William Jocelyn, and m.

John Mortimer of Sandford, Exeter and Dover (1768-1809)

By 1800, the Mortimer family in Sandford was increasingly fragmented and hard to follow. John was presumably the son of John and Elizabeth Mortimer, and was bapt. 28 Mar 1768 Sandford. His close contemporary, John Mortimer b. 1771 Sandford son of John and Anne, probably ended up in Heavitree. John b. 1768 was presumably a travelling labourer, moving variously between Sandford, Crediton and Exeter in Devon and Dover in Kent. He m. Betty Evans 20 Mar 1792 Kenton. Both were reportedly sojourners in Kenton, though Betty was born there in 1772. Their youngest child, Nancy, presumably named after Nancy Mortimer b.1777, was born in 1808, Dover, where John died the same year. He was bur. 3 Nov 1809 in Dover. Elizabeth his widow presumably returned to Devon thereafter, for Elizabeth Evans Mortimer married Joseph Cain, 13 Nov 1826 Exeter St Sidwell. John and Elizabeth Mortimer had the following children:

1. John Mortimer (1793-1879) bapt. 3 Feb 1793 Kenton, apparently born in Exeter judging by the census returns, married Elizabeth (c.1795-1866) – perhaps Elizabeth Haydon, 28 Aug 1815 Portsea – first lived in Sandford but thereafter moved to Plymouth between 1824/28: fl. 1851 Plymouth Charles the Martyr, 1861/71 East Stonehouse, a mason’s labourer, died 1879 Plymouth. John and Elizabeth had issue:

i. Ann (1817-1821), bapt. 9 Mar 1817 Sandford, bur. 1821.

ii. John Mortimer of Brixham (1818-1880), bapt. 12 Apr 1818 Sandford, never married, fl. 1851 Brixham, an ag lab., fl. 1861/71 when he resided in Brixham with his aunt Nancy, died in 1880 aged 62 and bur. 7 Jan 1880, Brixham.

iii. Charlotte (1820-1820), bapt. 9 Jul 1820 bur. 1 Nov 1820 Sandford.

iv. Philip Mortimer (1822-aft.1841), bapt. 3 Feb 1822 Sandford, fl. 1841 Sandford.

v. Samuel bapt. 2 Aug 1824 Sandford.

vi. William Mortimer (1828-aft.1861), bapt. 11 Feb 1828 Plymouth St Andrew, fl.1851/61 Brixham, a sailor, and lodger with brother John (1818-1880).

vii. James, bapt. 10 Oct 1830 Plymouth St Andrew.

2. Samuel Mortimer of Crediton (1795-1870), bapt. 28 Jun 1795 Exeter St David, m.1. __ (perhaps m. Ann Lewis 1820 Chippenham). A widower, Samuel m.2. Mary Rundle, widow, (1777-1861) 11 Jun 1832 Crediton, witnessed by William Amery and James Warren. Samuel fl. 1841 Crediton, ag lab., and was convicted for larceny on 2 Jan 1844 and imprisoned for 12 months; fl. 1851 Crediton, an ag lab., by 1861 was a pauper, at Crediton. Mary his wife was bur. 17 Nov 1861 Crediton. Samuel died in 1870 aged 75 and was bur. 11 Oct 1870, Crediton.

3. Betty (1800-? ), bapt. 21 Sep 1800 Sandford, perhaps m. John Moxey 18 Mar 1821 Crediton.

4. William Mortimer (1802?-1871), was reportedly born in Dover if the 1861 census can be relied upon. He was presumably bapt. 20 Dec 1802 Exeter St David, third son of John and Elizabeth. William m.1. Ann Pryor 3 Mar 1828 Plymouth St Andrew, and they had four children, and settled in Bodmin before 1839. Ann died in 1851. William thereafter began an affair with Mary Ann Climo, they eventually married in 27 Apr 1864, Bodmin. William fl.1841 Bodmin, as a tinman; convicted of stealing in 1849, when he was apparently aged 42, and imprisoned at Bodmin. William fl.1851 Bodmin (as William Climo), 1861 Bodmin, a tin plate worker, and 1871 Bodmin, a tinman. William was bur. 2 Jul 1871 Bodmin. The five children of William Mortimer and Mary Climo were named Mortimer Climo.

5. Nancy (1808-1873), bapt. 1 Apr 1808 at Dover, Kent, m. Simon Dunn or Down (1804-1855) 4 Jul 1831 Stoke Damerel, fl.1861/71/81 Brixham, and bur. 24 Jan 1873 Brixham, aged 64. Her nephews John and William Mortimer lodged with her in Brixham.

Simon Mortimer of Sandford (c.1690-1763)

Simon Mortimer was presumably a son of Francis Mortimer (c.1658-1707), and was born in Down St Mary, a parish neighbouring Sandford. His baptism is unrecorded, but he was mentioned as a son in Francis Mortimer’s will dated 21 Jul 1705; he m.1. Elizabeth Gorford (c.1690-1726), 13 Jun 1715 Sandford, and m.2. Sarah Brown, 7 Oct 1727 Sandford (1702-1766). Simon was bur. 24 May 1763 and Sarah his widow bur. 27 Dec 1766, Sandford.

Simon and his first wife Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Ann (1716-c.1722), bapt. 13 Nov 1716 Sandford, d. young, before b. of sister Ann in 1726.

2. Susanna (1719-1779), bapt. 15 Feb 1718/9 Sandford, m. George Lock (1717-1780) 27 Oct 1745 Sandford, and bur. 17 Jul 1779 Sandford.

3. Simon Mortimer II (1722-1785), bapt. 4 Mar 1721/2, the eldest son of Simon Mortimer. He m. Elizabeth Davey, 13 Jan 1756 Sandford, d. aged 63 and bur. 8 May 1785, Sandford. Elizabeth his wife was bur. in 1803, Sandford.

Simon (II) and Elizabeth Mortimer had six children:

i. John (1758- ), bapt. 11 Oct 1758 Sandford.

ii. William (1761- ), bapt. 28 Jun 1761.

iii. Simon Mortimer (1765-1799), bapt. 13 Jan 1765, bur. 4 Feb 1799, Sandford, aged 34, never married.

iv. Mary (1768- ), bapt. 4 Apr 1768

v. Ann (1771- ), bapt. 17 Feb 1771

vi. Sarah (1774-1813), bapt. 13 Mar 1774, m. William Mullis of Sidmouth, 15 Jan 1804, Sandford, bur. 1 Oct 1813 Sandford, aged 39.

vii. Susanna (1777- ), bapt. 17 Aug 1777, m. William Drake (1774-1844) 22 Oct 1799, Sandford.

4. Ann (1726- ), bapt. 29 Jan 1725/6 Sandford, no further record is known.

Simon and his second wife Sarah had seven children:

5. Elizabeth (1728-c.1740), bapt. 11 Aug 1728, d. young, before birth of sister Elizabeth in 1745.

6. Mary (1731- ), bapt. 7 Feb 1730/1, perhaps m. William Ford in 1756, Cruwys Morchard.

7. John Mortimer (1733-1783)

8. Ann (1736- ), bapt. 4 Apr 1736

9. Martha (1738-1801), bapt. 18 Jun 1738, m. Giles Tozer 27 Feb 1763 Exeter St Mary Major. She died in 1801 and was bur. in Exeter All Hallows on the Wall.

10. George (1741- ), bapt. 28 Mar 1741, who may have d. young.

11. Elizabeth (1745- ), bapt. 19 May 1745, contemporary of Eliz b. 1747/8 daughter of Henry Mortimer.

John Mortimer of Sandford (1733-c.1783)

John was presumably the second son of Simon Mortimer of Sandford. He was bapt. 15 Apr 1733 Sandford, and as such was a contemporary of John Mortimer (c.1740-1784), also of Sandford. John m. Mary Hagley/ Hagleigh 4 Dec 1771 Sandford, who was born in 1738. He may have died in 1783, Exeter, but this is uncertain.

John and Mary Mortimer had four children:

1. James Mortimer of Exeter (1772-1845), bapt. 17 Mar 1772 Sandford, a priv. in the 57th Regiment of Foot, served in the Peninsular War and fought at Roncesvalles, Valenciennes and Waterloo. James m. Joanna Tucker (1776- ) 26 Oct 1817 Exeter St Edmund, and was a baker and resident of Exeter in 1819. Fl. 1841 Exeter Holy Trinity, baker and former soldier, Chelsea out-pensioner, he died in 1845 aged 73 and was bur. 4 Jun 1845 Exeter. James and Joanna had one son:

i. James John Mortimer (1819-1857)

2.

3.

4.

28
Sep
2020
The Mortimers of Down St Mary

The Mortimers of Down St Mary

Origins

The Mortimers of Down St Mary descend from Francis Mortimer, born c. 1655, and were presumably connected to the Mortimers at Morchard Bishop, where later family members lived as tenant farmers. Francis Mortimer was presumably born in the neighbouring parishes of  either Morchard Bishop or Sandford. He was occupied as a husbandman, and married Elizabeth Datheridge otherwise called Doddridge in 1682. The exact nature of his connection to other Mortimers in the area remains uncertain. He may have been a brother of Roger Mortimer who married Mary Comyns in 1673, Morchard Bishop, though this Roger might have been the same as Roger b.1653 Sandford, son of John Mortimer.

Francis Mortimer (c.1655-1706) of Down St Mary

Francis date of birth is estimated from the date of his marriage, which marks the first known record about him. He m. Elizabeth Datheridge 22 Nov 1682 in Zeal Monachorum, Devon. He made a will dated 21 Jul 1705, which extract follows:

Francis Mortimer of Down St Mary, husbandman, leaves eastern house to son John, and western house to children Roger, Francis, Elizabeth, after wife’s death, on condition that wife Elizabeth remains a widow. To children Simon and Hannah, 20s. Residue to wife Elizabeth, sole executrix. Proved 16 Oct 1706. 

Francis and Elizabeth Mortimer had the following children, the first four being born before the start of the extant parish register:

1. John Mortimer

2. Roger Mortimer c.1687-, who m. Elizabeth Howard, 21 Jul 1722, Down St Mary. They had the following children:

i. Mary 1724, b. 26 Sep 1724, m. William Howard (presumably a relative of mother Elizabeth Howard) 31 Mar 1746, Morchard Bishop. They had six children in Morchard Bishop; Eliz 1746, Eliz 1749, Mary 1751, Gra 1756, Wm 1759-1761, & Wm 1763.

ii. Roger Mortimer II 1728, b. 19 Mar 1727/8, who m. firstly Mary Kingwell 30 Jan 1753, Morchard Bishop, they had the following children:

1. John 1753-

2. Patience 1756-1813, b. 1 Feb 1756, m. Roger Bibbins, 12 Jun 1780, Zeal Monachorum. They had seven children in Zeal Monachorum; Mary 1781-1781, John 1782, Roger 1785, Mary 1788, Ann 1791, Patience 1794, Jane 1798. Patience was bur. in 1813, Zeal Monachorum.

3. Elizabeth 1760-?, b. 24 Fe 1760, who presumably d. young, before 1776.

4. Mary 1763, b. 29 May 1763.

5. Roger b. 1 Jan 1766, d. before 1841.

Roger Mortimer m. secondly, Ann Bond, in 1770, Down St Mary. They had three children:

6. Ann b. 22 May 1773, bap. 23 Jun 1773 Chudleigh, Devon.

7. Elizabeth 1776-c.1777, b. 16 Sep 1776, d. young, before 1778

8. Elizabeth b. 11 Oct 1778

iii. John Mortimer 1730-1773? Ideford, b. 1 Dec 1730 Down St Mary. He m. Mary Towill, 8 May 1757, Bishopsteignton. He was possibly bur. 1773, Ashcombe near Chudleigh, Devon, the same parish where his brother Francis Mortimer lived. He died after 1771, and may have been bur. in 1773 Ashcombe, although alternatively this may have been John Pudner Mortimer b.1770 Ashcombe, whose life details are unknown. John and Mary had the following children in Ideford:

1. George 1761-c.1763, b. 17 Jul 1761, who presumably d. young.

2. Elizabeth 1764, b. 2 Dec 1764.

3. John Mortimer II 1767-1840, b. 21 May 1767. In 1794, he witnessed the m. of William Mortimer d.1815. He m. Elizabeth Gale (1763-1843), 1 Nov 1794, Ideford, signing his name. His occupation at the time was a labourer. The marriage was witnessed by William Smallridge and Thomas Wilking. He died and was bur. 11 Aug 1840, Ideford, aged (74), at the time of his death he lived at Ugbrook, Chudleigh. John and Elizabeth had the following children baptised in Ideford:

i. John 1795-1795, b. 30 Aug 1795, bur. 4 Oct 1795.

ii. John 1796-1797, b. 17 Nov 1796, bur. 26 Mar 1797.

iii. William Mortimer of Wolborough 1798-c.1867, who was b. 26 Aug 1798, and m. Sarah Hole, 25 Mar 1827, Chudleigh. He worked as an ag lab. in Kingsteignton, then Wolborough, and died between 1861/71. William and Sarah his wife had the following children.

1. John Mortimer 1829

2. Elizabeth 1830

3. William Mortimer 1833

4. Charles Mortimer 1835

iv. John Mortimer III 1801-c.1886, b. 18 Oct 1801, Ideford. He m. Sarah, and lived in Chudleigh and Kingsteignton. He died between 1881/91. John and Sarah had the following children.

1. William Mortimer c.1827-1918, who m. Ellen. They had one son.

i. John Mortimore c.1893-1914, born in Ugbrooke, near Chudleigh, Devon, the only son of William and Ellen Mortimer. He served in the First World War in the Coldstream Guards. He fell 22 Dec 1914 and was bur. at Le Touret Cemetery, Richebourg-l’Avoué, Pas-de-Calais, France.

2. Mary c.1829

3. Elizabeth c.1831

4. John Mortimer IV c.1833-1904

5. James Mortimer c.1835-1916

6. Stephen Mortimer c.1838-1911

7. Sarah Ann c.1840

8. Lucy c.1842-1898

9. Alban Mortimer c.1845

10. Henry Mortimer c.1848-1938

v. Mary Ann 1804, b. 5 Aug 1804, m. Stephen White, 8 Feb 1831, Chudleigh. At the time of her marriage she was living in Totnes. They had a daughter, Matilda b. 1832.

4. Ann 1769

5. William Mortimer of Chudleigh c.1771-1815, whose baptism record is missing. He m. Ann Cornish (b.1772), 5 Oct 1794, Bishopsteignton. The m. was witnessed by John Mortimer, whose signature matches that of John Mortimer m. 1 Nov 1794 to Elizabeth Gale (see above). William was bur. 24 Mar 1815, Bishopsteignton, aged (43), of Chudleigh. William and Ann Mortimer had the following children. He may have been occupied as a stonemason, as two of his sons followed this profession.

i. William Mortimer II of West Teignmouth 1796-1867, b. 15 May 1796 Ideford, who m. Ann Cole 26 Dec 1815, East Teignmouth. He worked as a stonemason in West Teignmouth. He died in 1867. William and Ann had a son:

1. Charles Mortimer c.1831, who married and had at least two sons, and four daughters.

ii. John Mortimer 1799-1879, b. 13 Jan 1799, who m. Keziah Lee (c.1791-1874), 29 Sep 1819, East Teignmouth. He worked as a stonemason in West Teignmouth. John and his wife had a daughter:

1. Mary Ann Mortimer, b. 1825 West Teignmouth.

iii. Mary 1801

iv. Ann 1803

v. Elizabeth 1805

vi. Thomas Mortimer 1807

vii. Charles Mortimer 1809, who m. Jane, and they had the following children in Tormoham, Torquay.

1. Louisa c.1841

2. Noah Mortimer 1843-1923, who emigrated to the USA.

3. Elizabeth c.1848

iv. Francis Mortimer 1733-1770, b. 16 Jan 1732/3 Down St Mary. He m. Ann Pudner, 29 Aug 1759, Ashcombe. He was bur. 8 Apr 1770, Ashcombe. His wife’s son John was born 8 months afterwards. They had two older children:

1. Roger Mortimer, b. 3 May 1761, Aschcombe, possibly bur. 1785, Down St Mary.

2. Francis Mortimer II 1763-1847, b. 27 Feb 1763, m. Mary Ridaway, 31 May 1798, Highweek. Both bride and groom were described as sojourners in the parish, and Francis Mortimer lived in Down St Mary at the time. He was an ag lab., and died in 1847, Newton Abbott Workhouse. He was bur. 15 Oct 1847, Highweek parish churchyard, near Chudleigh. His wife Mary d. in 1843 and was bur. in the same location. They had the following children baptised in Combeinteignhead.

i. Elizabeth 1798, b. 21 Oct 1798 Highweek.

ii. John Mortimer, b. 25 Dec 1801.

iii. William Mortimer, b. 9 Apr 1805.

iv. Mary Ann, b. 29 May 1808.

v. James Mortimer, b. 30 Aug 1812.

Ann widow of Francis Mortimer had sons

3. John Pudner Mortimer, who may have been illegitimate. He was bap. 9 Dec 1770 Ashcombe. He was a near contemporary of John Mortimer of Sandford (1768-1809), who m. Betty Evans.

4. Thomas Mortimer 1773-1849, b. 4 Jul 1773 Ashcombe, who moved to Plymouth as a mariner. He m. Elizabeth Vivan, 30 Jul 1801, Plymouth.

5. William Mortimer 1776-1824, b. 29 Oct 1776 Ashcombe, who like his brother probably also moved to Plymouth. He was bur. 15 Jul 1824 Stoke Damerel, aged (45).

v. Elizabeth 1736, b. 18 Jan 1735/6, who m. John Kensbeer in 1761 Down St Mary. They had three children; John 1764-c.1766, Elizabeth 1767, & John 1773.

3. Simon Mortimer of Sandford (c.1690-1763), detailed in Mortimers of Sandford, Part 2.

4. Hannah (c.1693- ), who m. Peter Easterbrook, 31 Mar 1719 Sandford. Either Hannah died in Feb 1730/1 Sandford, or she died in 1754 (Hannah Easterbrook Mortimer was bur. in 1754, Sandford). Her husband died in 1778.

5. Elizabeth 1697-c.1702, who died young, b. 25 May 1697, d. before 1704.

6. Francis 1700-aft.1723, b. 29 Apr 1700, perhaps the same Francis Mortimer who lived in Cadbury at the time of the 1723 Oath Roll.

7. Mary 1701-1703, who died young, b. 17 Jun 1701, bur. 17 Oct 1703.

8. Elizabeth 1704, who m. Francis Cove, 25 May 1724, Down St Mary.

John Mortimer of Down St Mary (1685-1730)

John was presumably the eldest son of Francis Mortimer, husbandman. He was left the “eastern house” in the will of Francis Mortimer, and stayed in Down St Mary his whole life. He was presumably also a husbandman like his father. He married Ann Dain, 2 May 1715 Down St Mary, and they had four children; two daughters and two sons, both of whom lived in Morchard Bishop. He made a will proved by his wife in 1730.

1. Ann b. 13 Feb 1715/6 Down St Mary, who m. Robert Steer, 7 Feb 1743/4 Down St Mary. They had one son, Nathaniel b. 1744. An Ann Steer later m. John Mortimer in 1757, though this Ann was more likely related to Faith Steer b. 1733, as the name Faith is used for the first time in the following generation.

2. John Mortimer, was bap. 17 Jan 1718/9, the eldest son of John and Ann Mortimer of Down St Mary. He m. Ann Heywood, 26 Oct 1742 in Morchard Bishop, and they had at least seven children. Both John Mortimer and George his brother married into the Heywood family.

i. Ann b. 2 May 1743 Morchard Bishop

ii. George Mortimer, the eldest son, was b. 6 Feb 1744/5. He m. Elizabeth Pope, 30 Dec 1768 in Morchard Bishop. They had eight children, half of whom survived to adulthood.

1. William Mortimer 1769-1841, who was b. 18 Jun 1769 Morchard Bishop. He lived all his life in his home parish, where he worked as a shoemaker. Neither William or any of his sisters ever married, and they all lived together in the same house in 1841.

2. Betty 1771-c.1777, b. 15 Apr 1771, d. young before 1777.

3. Ann 1776-1854, b. 16 Jun 1776, d. 1853/1854 or 1859. She never married and lived with her brother and sisters in Morchard Bishop all her life.

4. Elizabeth 1770-c.1780, b. 30 Sep 1777, d. young before 1784.

5. Mary 1781-c.1784, b. 28 Jan 1781, d. young before 1791

6. Betty 1784-1868, who was b. 18 Jul 1784. She never married and lived with her brother and sisters in Morchard Bishop all her life.

7. John Mortimer 1787-c.1790, b. 9 Apr 1787, presumably died young, there being no further record of him.

8. Mary 1791-1874, the youngest and last surviving child. She was b. 7 Aug 1791 and bap. 7 Oct 1791. She never married and lived with her brother and sisters in Morchard Bishop all her life. Mary died in 1874 at the age of 83.

iii. Mary b. 27 Jul 1747, who m. Samuel Tozer, 24 Jul 1768 Zeal Monachorum. They had eight children; Eliz 1769, Mary 1771, Giles 1773, Giles 1778, Nancy 1780, Mary 1783, Ann 1785, & Joan 1789.

iv. Susanna b. 5 Mar 1749/50, bur. 4 Dec 1752

v. Betty b. 17 Oct 1752, m. John Pike 8 Apr 1776 Morchard Bishop

vi. Susanna b. 7 Oct 1755, m. Edward Conybeer 8 Feb 1784 Morchard Bishop.

vii. John Mortimer 1758 / or Thomasin Mortimer 1758, b. in different months of the same year. One was presumably the child of John and Ann m. 1741/2, the other the child of John Mortimer and Ann Steer m. 1757.

3. George Mortimer 1721-1799, was the second son of John and Ann Mortimer. Unusually, even though he was the second son, it seems to be his branch of the family who managed a farm in Morchard Bishop, while the heir of his brother John Mortimer was a shoemaker. He m. Elizabeth Heywood, 2 Feb 1751/2, and they had seven children. George was a yeoman, as stated in his will dated 1799, in Morchard Bishop.

i. Mary b. 23 Oct 1752

ii. John Mortimer 1756-1814, b. 20 Apr 1756, eldest son of George and Elizabeth Mortimer. He m. Mary Philpe in Morchard Bishop, and was bur. 9 Sep 1814, aged 58. They had the following children.

1. Frances b. 2 Oct 1778, who m. Robert Sage 25 Jul 1809 Morchard Bishop.

2. Betty 1780, who m. Richard Southcott, 15 Jan 1810, Morchard Bishop.

3. Thomasin b. 9 Mar 1783

4. William Mortimer 1786-1858, b. 27 Aug 1786, m. Mary Sage 27 May 1817. They had the following children. He lived in Birchinbeer, Morchard Bishop between 1817-1819. By 1820 he had moved to Lower Town, in the same parish. He was occupied as a broadweaver in Morchard Bishop. William and Mary had two daughters.

i. Frances 1817-1819

ii. Elizabeth 1825

5. George Mortimer 1788-1856, b. 7 Sep 1788, who m. Elizabeth Scott c.1820. In 1841 he lived in Higher Knightstone, Morchard Bishop where he was a hand loom weaver and pauper. George and Elizabeth his wife had two children in Morchard Bishop.

i. John Mortimer 1821-1869, b. 10 Jun 1821 Morchard Bishop, m. Grace Mitchell, 1851, Crediton. He was bur. 7 Jun 1869, Cruwys Morchard, aged 48. They had two children.

1. John Mortimer II 1854

2. George 1857-1861

ii. Grace 1825, bap. Christmas Day 1825, Morchard Bishop.

iii. George Mortimer 1758-1818, b. 24 May 1758, m. Elizabeth Gibbins (1765- ) 26 Dec 1792 Morchard Bishop. He was a yeoman farmer in Morchard Bishop, as stated on the marriage record of his son, Thomas. George was bur. 15 Dec 1818, aged 61. George and Elizabeth had the following seven children.

1. Thomas Mortimer 1793-1858, b. 16 Jul 1793 Morchard Bishop, m. Elizabeth Gibbins, 27 Feb 1845 Morchard Bishop. Thomas was a yeoman and resided at Wigham Farm, Morchard Bishop. In 1851 he farmed 71 acres and employed 5 labourers. He died and was bur. in 1858. Thomas and his wife Elizabeth had the following children.

i. Thomas Mortimer II 1846-1916

ii. Ann 1848

iii. Elizabeth 1850

2. Mary 1795-1871, b. 24 Feb 1795, m. John Pope of Knathorne, Morchard Bishop, 24 Mar 1817. They had ten children; Simon Mortimer Pope 1819, John 1820, William Wreford P. 1822, George 1824-c.1830, Philip Henry P. 1826-c.1830, Eliz 1826, Charlotte 1828, Mary 1831, George 1833-1900, Philip Henry P. 1838.

3. William Mortimer of Morchard Bishop 1797-1831, whose contemporary William Mortimer was also b. 1795, son of John and Ann Mortimer. He was bap. 2 Apr 1797, and bur. 1831, Morchard Bishop, aged 34.

4. George Mortimer of Bristol 1799-1867, b. 20 Aug 1799, Morchard Bishop. He m. Elizabeth McGregor, 8 Mar 1838 Bristol Temple parish. He was occupied in Bristol as a licensed victualler and publican, and lived at Quay St., Bristol. He died and was bur. 19 Apr 1867, Totterdown, Somerset, aged (69). George and Elizabeth had two children.

i. Isabella 1839-1916

ii. William Mortimer 1840

5. Elizabeth 1801, was b. 30 Dec 1801. She m. John Somerwill, 2 Jun 1827, Morchard Bishop. They had the following children; Mary Ann 1829, Prudence 1831, John 1835, Emma 1837, George 1838, Ellen 1842, and Thomas 1844.

6. John Mortimer of Bristol 1804-1877, b. 3 Apr 1804, m. Emma Dorchester (1823-1895), 3 Apr 1849, Bedminster, Somerset. They had one son, John Mortimer II b. Oct 1849. The elder John Mortimer died in 1877, Hallen, Gloucestershire.

7. Ann 1806, b. 29 Oct 1806, who m. John Ford of Exeter (1805-1884) 21 Jan 1828, Morchard Bishop. They had the following children; George Mortimer Ford 1829, William Henry F. 1831, Thomas Mortimer F. 1833, Ann 1836, Charles 1839, Frederick 1840.

iv. William 1761-1762, b. 21 Jul 1761, bur. 8 Jan 1762.

v. Elizabeth b. 31 May 1763

vi. Nathaniel Mortimer 1766-, b. 20 Jan 1766, who was apprenticed to Richard Challis, butcher 29 Jan 1788, Morchard Bishop. He m. Elizabeth Hill in 1796, Morchard Bishop. They moved to Enmore, Somerset before 1800, and had the following eight children.

1. Grace b. 11 Oct 1796, Morchard Bishop.

2. John Mortimer of Moorlinch 1798-1876, who moved to Somerset. He was bap. 11 Mar 1798, Enmore. He m. Sarah Davis, 25 Apr 1833, Middlezoy, Somerset. He worked as a dairyman in Somerset, and died 24 Sep 1876, Bridgewater. John and his wife Sarah had six children.

i. Elizabeth 1834

ii. George 1835

iii. Jane Elizabeth 1841

iv. William 1842

v. Mary Ann 1843-1875

vi. Elizabeth 1847

3. Nathaniel II b. 11 Mar 1798, was presumably a twin of John Mortimer above. He perhaps fathered an illegitimate child by Ann Webber, in 1827, Morchard Bishop.

4. Elizabeth b. 11 Apr 1800, Enmore.

5. George 1803-1831, b. 27 Feb 1803, Enmore, bur. 25 Jan 1831, Morchard Bishop, aged 27.

6. William 1805-1815, b. 19 May 1805, bur. 4 Jun 1815, Enmore.

7. Thomas Mortimer of Witheridge 1807-1858, b. 12 Jul 1807, Enmore, m. Mary Peck, 1 Aug 1831 Crediton, bur. 1858, Morchard Bishop. They had no children.

8. James Mortimer 1809-1890, b. 18 Jun 1809, m. Elizabeth Pitman, 6 May 1839 Bristol St Mary Redcliffe. They had no children. James d. 25 Apr 1890, Weston Zoyland, and was bur. 2 May 1890 in the same parish. His will was proved 27 May 1890.

vii. Grace b. 21 Apr 1767

4. Francis Mortimer 1722-1722, b. 8 Nov and bur. 18 Nov 1722.

 

 

25
Sep
2020
The Mortimers of Morchard Bishop

The Mortimers of Morchard Bishop

Origins

Morchard Bishop is a large parish directly north west of Sandford, Devon. This Mortimer family was presumably related to the Mortimers of Sandford.

Thomas Mortimer of Morchard Bishop (c.1590-aft.1671)

The Mortimers of Morchard Bishop begin with Thomas Mortimer, who was recorded in Morchard Bishop 1620. He was probably related to an earlier John Mortimer who contributed to repairs of Morchard Bishop parish church in 1600, and may have been born in neighbouring Sandford. He was a contemporary of Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (1579-1624), who was occupied as a weaver.

Thomas Mortimer married Mary, whose maiden name is unknown, and they had a son, Simon. On Christmas Day 1620, John Tuckfield leased property in Oldabuurrowe, Morchard Bishop for a term of 99 years to Thomas Mortimer, carpenter, Mary his wife and his son Simon, with consideration of 10s. and a rent of 16d.

Thomas was presumably still living in 1642 at the time of the Protestation Oath, when both Thomas and Simon Mortimer signed the oath in Morchard Bishop.

In the 1671 Hearth Tax, a Thomas Mortimer lived in Morchard Bishop, when he was described as a maimed soldier formerly of Colonel Cooke’s regiment. He could have been a son of Thomas Mortimer fl.1620. This may have been the same Thomas Mortimer who lived in 1642, and he presumably participated in the English Civil War.

In the 1674 Hearth tax, there were two Thomas Mortimers living in the parish, both described as poor with only one hearth, so were exempted from paying the tax.

The Morchard Bishop parish records do not begin until the 1660s, while the Bishop’s Transcripts date back earlier but with many gaps. It will be necessary to examine the original bishop’s transcripts at Devon Record Office for a further insight into the family.

Simon Mortimer of Morchard Bishop (c. 1615-aft. 1662)

Simon was born before 1620, perhaps around 1615, and was presumably the eldest son and heir of Thomas Mortimer. He lived in Morchard Bishop, and featured in the 1642 Protestation Oath in the parish. His daughter Mary was baptised in 1662. Since he reached adulthood before 1642, he presumably had elder children in the parish who were all born before the start of the parish register. Either Simon or a younger Thomas Mortimer may have been father of the following:

  • Thomas Mortimer c. 1644-aft.1674
  • Roger Mortimer c. 1647
  • Benjamin Mortimer c. 1650-1686, whose family remains unknown. He was a contemporary of Benjamin Mortimer II of Sandford c.1647-
  • Elizabeth c.1653
  • Ann c. 1654
  • Francis Mortimer c.1656-1705/6 of Down St Mary
  • Joan c. 1659
18
Apr
2020
The Mortimers of Witheridge

The Mortimers of Witheridge

Origins

The line of Mortimers at Witheridge began with Joseph Mortimore of Witheridge (c.1722-1794). He was presumably born somewhere nearby but no baptism record has been found for him. The family does not appear to have any relationship with the Mortimer alias Tanner family of Witheridge, who by this time had dropped the name Mortimer. It is more likely that Joseph was connected with the Mortimers at Lapford or Morchard Bishop, who later moved to Chulmleigh and Thelbridge. He was perhaps born in the nearby parish of East Worlington, as John Mortimer was living there in 1723, when he signed the Oath of Loyalty. The matter is complicated by the fact there are no surviving wills of the family. None of them seemed to own any land, and it seems unlikely that they had any personal wealth.

Joseph Mortimer (c.1722-1794)

Joseph married Elizabeth Vaughan, 25 Apr 1749 Witheridge. Elizabeth’s family can be traced back only a few generations before this date. Vaughan is a traditional Welsh name and derives from the personal name of Fychan or Vychan, so perhaps the Devonshire Vaughans were originally from Wales. In medieval times, the West Country, in particular Cornwall had a strong connection with Wales, and there was substantial cross migration between the two regions. This is attested by the prominence of Welsh names in Cornwall such as Morgan and Parry. Joseph Mortimer’s occupation is unknown. It seems likely that he was either a weaver or an agricultural labourer, going by the occupations of his descendants.

Joseph and Elizabeth had the following children:

1. Elizabeth 1750-1800

2. Joseph Mortimer II

3. Mary 1755-1833

4. John Mortimer 1757-1828

5. James Mortimer 1760-1825, who married Ann Davy (1763-1847), 29 Mar 1784 Thelbridge, and had the following daughters. In 1787 he was a day labourer (ag lab), and was in receipt of parish relief in 1792.

i. Grace 1784-1849

ii. Ann 1787-1838

iii. Elizabeth 1789

iv. Sarah 1792

6. George Mortimer 1764-1847, who married Agnes Long (1773-1847), 22 Oct 1792 Witheridge and had the following children. He was bur. 5 Dec 1847 Witheridge, aged 83.

i. Agnes 1793

ii. Mary 1795-1867

iii. Sarah 1798

iv. George Mortimer II 1800-1872

v. Elizabeth? Mortimer of Morchard Bishop c.1803, who was born in Witheridge but whose baptism doesn’t seem to have been entered. Since there is a gap in young Mortimer children between 1800-1808, perhaps Elizabeth was a daughter of George Mortimer.

vi. Susanna 1808

vii. Joseph Mortimer 1810

viii. John Mortimer 1813-1814

ix. Ann 1815

Joseph Mortimer (1753-1838)

Joseph was bapt. 22 Jan 1753 Witheridge. He married Barbara Kingdon (1753-1833) 9 Dec 1776 Witheridge. They had the following children. He was bur. 30 Sep 1838 Witheridge, aged 85.

1. Agnes 1777-1861

2. Joseph Mortimer III

3. James Mortimer 1782-1848

4. William Mortimer 1784

5. Joan Mortimer 1787

6. George Mortimer 1789-1873, who m. Elizabeth Arscott, 1820 Chittlehampton. They had a son:

i. John Mortimer 1824-1907, who emigrated from Devon to the United States.

Joseph Mortimer (1779-1851)

Joseph was the eldest son of Joseph Mortimer and Barbara his wife. He was baptised 5 Sep 1779. He learned the ways of an agricultural labourer, before his first marriage. He married firstly Betty Girney (c.1777-1804) 3 Jun 1799 Witheridge.

At this time, the Napoleonic Wars were in full swing. He joined the Devon and Cornwall militia, later enlisting with the 32nd foot soldiers, Cornwall Regiment as a private. Joseph’s military career, whilst not exceptional, was certainly eventful, and so is certainly worth reproducing in the following paragraphs. In 1803 he was sent to Ireland to help quell the Irish rebellion. The following year, his wife Elizabeth died, but Joseph did not immediately remarry. In 1807, the Regiment was sent abroad again, this time to Denmark. Joseph saw action in the Battle of Copenhagen, when the regiment took control of captured Danish ships. A year later, the regiment joined the major British war effort, in the Peninsula War, Portugal. Joseph fought in the Battle of Rolica, Battle of Vimeiro, and the Battle of Corunna.

In August 1809, the regiment moved north to participate in the Walcheren Campaign, the Netherlands. Joseph managed to survive the deadly sickness known as Walcheren fever. After being reinforced, the Regiment returned to Spain. Joseph fought in the Battle of Salamanca and the Battle of the Pyrenees, as the British forced the French north out of Spain.

The Regiment then joined the pursuit of the French forces into France. By then a seasoned soldier with over ten years of military experience, Joseph fought in the Battle of Nivelle, Battle of Nive and Battle of Orthez.

The war came to a resolution in Belgium two years later. In June 1815, the Regiment arrived at Quatre Bras just in time to halt the French advance. Two days later, Joseph fought in the Battle of Waterloo, when the regiment stood its ground against the main French attack. Later that year, Joseph was awarded the Peninsular medal, having been attested for all the eight major battles of the Peninsular War. In recognition of his services at Waterloo, Joseph was also awarded the Waterloo medal.

Joseph Mortimer was finally discharged from the army in 1819, after twenty years service, in which time he had also achieved the rank of Corporal. He returned to Witheridge, Devon, as a decorated War hero. He married for the second time, to Mary Crocker, a woman over twenty years his junior. They wedded 4 Apr 1821, in Witheridge. Fortunately both of Joseph’s parents were still living at the time, and it is likely they both attended the wedding. Joseph and Mary had the following children:

1. James Mortimer of Plymouth (c.1822-1883), who following in his father’s military footsteps and joined the navy. He relocated to Plymouth, then Tavistock.

2. George Mortimer 1824

3. Ann 1830

4. Mary 1833-1836

5. Maria 1835

6. William Mortimer 1838-1924, who was doubtless one of very few people living in the 1920s who could say their father fought in the Napoleonic Wars.

Currently, the Mortimers of Witheridge are still represented in the main line in the UK, by a branch of the family living in Wales.

Explore the pedigrees of other related Mortimer families:

 

02
Apr
2020
The Early Generations

The Early Generations

Founding father

The first known progenitor of the Devonshire Mortimers was John Mortimer, who was sworn to the office of tithingman in Stockleigh, the manor of West Budleigh, before September 1454, as recorded in the manor court roll of West Budleigh. Though this John is known only from a single document, we can infer much about him from surrounding sources. The place known as Stockleigh in the manor records was possibly either Stockleigh English, or Stockleigh Luccombe bear Upham, in the neighbouring parish of Cheriton Fitzpaine. A tithingman acted as the local leader of a tything, a small area of land and subdivision of a hundred. He collected the tithes, a tenth of income which was given to the church and paid in kind. As part of the responsibility, John Mortimer was to maintain law and order in the tything, which often involved reporting petty law breakers. The above entry in the West Budleigh manor court roll states that Mortimer brought to the manor court’s attention that “William Hurde tapped ale by false measures” and that “Hurde, Richard Paulyn, William Roser & Roger at Hole brewed ale & broke the assize.” The assizes were a law based on agreed commercial custom, and breaking it incurred a fine.

It is certainly fortunate that John was named in the document, as otherwise we may not know of him at all. To act as tithingman, John was presumably of standing in the parish and was perhaps a yeoman or small farmer. While obviously over the age of 21 at this point, John was presumably a mature man in his thirties at least, pointing to a birthdate in the early 1420s. As such he already had young sons who may have began the various branches of the family in Devon.

Whilst the parents of John Mortimer of Stockleigh can only be speculated, he was perhaps a son of John Mortimer of Wantage the juror who bore witness to various grants in Wantage between 1415-1447. John was presumably related to John Mortimer of Bromyard who lived in 1386. John, Robert, Thomas and Richard were all names favoured in the early generations of the family. Ancient English naming tradition dictated that men would name their first born son after their own father, even if it were the same. This was in order to honour their parentage. This naming system was most famously followed by the Mortimer family of Wigmore, who adhered to this naming system strictly, the main line never deviating from this dogma throughout the course of their existence. Whilst the medieval naming system declined over the centuries, by the 19th century becoming completely non existent, it is only reasonable to presume that the naming traditions had some bearing on the names fathers in the Mortimer family chose for their sons from the 15th century into the Tudor era. John was perhaps only distantly related to the Mortimers of Wigmore, Earls of March, who had such an important role in Medieval history.

15th century crisis

As a yeoman, John Mortimer was expected to bear arms when necessary, and he or his ancestors may well have participated in the various conflicts of the 15th century. The wars with France had come to an end in 1453 with French victory over the last remaining English forces at the battle of Castillon. Cannons were used to great effect in battle for the first time, and influence of the English on French soil was finally ended. By this time, the Mortimers had retreated from warfare and public roles, preferring to live peacefully on their estates. However, these were still dark and troubling times. The Hundred Years’ War with France had taken its toll, as French blockades reduced England’s exports. Meanwhile, multiple harvest failures and outbreaks of disease in livestock harmed nationwide agricultural production. England’s important wool trade was seriously reduced as cloth production fell, while cloth exports in the South West were particularly devastated. The impact of the great slump was felt particularly harshly among the poor, and many starved as a result. Merchants survived the disruption only by forming networks, enabling them to create a system of self protection. Taxes had been pushed exhorbitantly high by successive monarchs to fund foreign war, causing widespread dissent and rebellious feeling among the masses. Breakdown of the feudal system began to accelerate, as landlords were no longer able to guarantee protection or wages, meaning many servants became free from servitude but lost work. These factors combined with economic decline lead to the reduction of traditional power centres. In 1454, dangerous conflict was brewing. In Parliament, two factions emerged, one loyal to the ineffectual King Henry VI, and another which supported the Duke of York, Richard, a male line descendent of Edward III who had a strong claim to the throne through descent from the Mortimer family and Philippa Countess of Ulster. Tension eventually spilled over into armed conflict at St Albans in May 1455. The competing factions vying for control would become known as the Houses of Lancaster and York. The dynastic wars which they waged would tear the country apart and divide family loyalties across the entire establishment.

The crime of the century

These events may have felt distant to John but later that year, mid-Devon would feel the gathering storm. It was here in Cheriton Fitzpaine that one of the most notorious crimes in the Middle Ages was committed, that had profound ramifications both in Devon and nationally. One of John Mortimer’s neighbours was the esteemed lawyer Nicholas Radford, who resided in Upcott Barton, Cheriton Fitzpaine. Radford had twice served in Parliament, though having become frail with old age had by 1455 retired to his manor of Upcott. As Justice of the Peace, Radford had amassed a vast fortune, keeping £700 worth of plate and jewels at his town house in Exeter alone. This great wealth made Radford a figure of great respect but also a target in such a jealous society. In his legal work, Radford befriended Sir William Bonville of Shute, a fierce rival of Earl of Devon Thomas Courtenay. Though the Bonvilles had achieved greater social status to the Courtenay’s, they were from a lower background as barons. The Courtenay’s saw themselves as the premier county family and dispensers of county justice, looking down on the Bonvilles as upstarts. The two factions were often in dispute, with disagreements sometimes boiling over into armed conflict. Though Radford had served the Earl in his minority, his relationship with the Courtenays had long since deteriorated, leaving the Courtenay faction increasingly bitter and vengeful towards him. The simmering dynastic feud came to a head on the night of the 23 October, when the Earl’s son Sir Thomas Courtenay brought a group of 90 soldiers to Radford’s house and burnt down the gates. Accepting Courtenay’s word as a knight that he would not be harmed, Radford left the safety of his manor to treat with them. While away, a group of Courtenay’s soldiers ransacked Radford’s house, assaulting his servants and turning his poor wife out of bed, finally leaving with six of Radford’s horses laden with valuables. Satisfied with the theft, Courtenay bid his farewell to Radford but then directed his soldiers to kill him. One of his men ‘glayve smote’ the said Nicholas ‘a hidious dedlye stroke overthwarte the face and felled him to the grounde’, while another ‘yaf him a noder stroke upon his heade behinde that the brayne fell oute of heade’, leaving Radford’s body lying in the dirt. As if this was not enough, Thomas Courtenay’s brother Henry then seized the body and presided over an obnoxious inquest, absolving Thomas Courtenay of blame and directing Radford’s servants to bury him. When they reached the church, Courtenay’s men stripped his body naked and tossed it into the grave, before throwing the prepared tomb stones on top of Radford, completely crushing his body.

Radford’s respectable position as justice of the peace, combined with the devious nature of his killing, made his murder particularly notorious and shocking to even medieval sentiments. The incident was a direct affront to the rule of law, and showed the weakness of royal power in the provinces. Following the murder, open warfare was inevitable. Courtenay and Bonville clashed in battle at Clyst Heath near Exeter, in which Courtenay was victorious, who continued to pillage Bonville’s manor of Shute. The fallout contributed to the further development of the dynastic Wars of the Roses. Radford’s killers were never brought to justice, but Thomas Courtenay was executed following defeat at the battle of Towton six years later. John Mortimer would have witnessed these events from a close perspective as Radford’s neighbour, and may even have supported the side of the Bonvilles following such an affront to law and order. The West Country would be utterly devastated by war, and most members of the Courtenay family were either killed in battle or eventually executed.

It was into these tumultuous times that John Mortimer of Stockleigh’s eldest son, John, was born, around the early 1450s. Very little is known of his life. He lived through the Wars of the Roses, seeing Edward IV crowned after victory at Towton, and John would probably also have known that it was Mortimer ancestry that gave Edward his principal claim. Edward was usurped in 1470 after upsetting the Duke of Warwick, but regained power following decisive victory at the Battle of Tewkesbury. It was in the re-established reign of Edward IV that the first reference to John Mortimer the younger is found, and shows that conflict within the royal family was even reflected in conflict among the Mortimers of Devon. On 24 October 1477, it was alleged by the tithingman for Stockleigh English that John Mortimer attacked Robert Mortimer. Quite why John would turn against his own family member in this way remains a mystery. The two men were probably siblings, sons of the first John Mortimer, and their conflict may have revolved around an issue of inheritance. Despite their grievances, whatever they were, John and Robert presumably reconciled, as John named his son Robert after him around 1480. At the same time as the above feud, Thomas Mortimer was found to owe suit to the office of tithingman. Thomas appears to be the same generation as the above two, so was perhaps another brother. There might have been other brothers too, though their names do not appear in the above manor court roll.

The entire political landscape changed forever in 1485 with the fall of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, an event that was a defining chapter at the close of medieval England. The House of Tudor was now established, which would see many changes take place to governance and the economy. In 1490, Robert Mortimer lived in Stockleigh English, and was sworn to office of tithingman, a role assumed by John Mortimer in 1495, perhaps Robert had either died or moved away by then.

West Country Turmoil

In 1496, Thomas Mortimer, perhaps the same Thomas as owed a debt in 1477, was declared an outlaw. Perhaps this outcome itself resulted from a debt action. An inquisition into his possessions was made by the sheriff, but little else is known about him.

On the other hand, the above Thomas may have participated in rebellion and been outlawed for treason. The new Tudor regime was unpopular in the more remote and conservative areas of England, and was subjected to numerous rebellions and uprisings, the most prominent of these being the Perkin Warbeck rebellion. Perkin Warbeck claimed to be Richard son of Edward IV, the younger of the Princes in the Tower, and contemporary sources claimed he did look much like the prince. The South West was particularly unruly, and many members of the yeomanry were angry with the high taxes of Henry VII. Scotland supported Warbeck’s faction against Henry VII, who decided to raise an army to invade Scotland. Parliament raised a forced loan to fund the army, which Cornwall contributed a disproportionately large share. Anger in Cornwall over the high cost of the tax, combined with the matter having little to do with them anyway, caused the Cornish to rise up in rebellion, joined by many of the leading gentry and yeomen of Cornwall. A large Cornish army began to march towards London unopposed, gathering support in the South West on the way. The Cornish demands were refused and the army defeated by a strong Royalist force at Blackheath. The recriminations on Cornwall would be severe, leading to another uprising only a couple of years later.

Family groups

Around the turn of the 15th century, John Mortimer, who seems to have enjoyed estates at both Woolfardisworthy and Stockleigh, married his son Robert to Joan, the daughter of Henry Sharland of Morchard Bishop, a wealthy yeoman. John agreed to bestow land on Joan as part of the marriage settlement, but by 1503 had failed to fulfill his promise, causing Sharland to sue John in the Court of Chancery. John’s son Robert died before 1524, when the first tax subsidy was enacted. John still lived in Emlett, Woolfardisworthy, with an income of £14. Robert’s widow, Joan, held land in either Sandford or Stockleigh English. Following these events, other Mortimer families sprang up in Devon that may have been related to the earlier Mortimers of Stockleigh. These included the branches in Sandford, Tedburn St Mary, Bradninch, Totnes and Stokenham.

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