Moretonhampstead

28
Oct
2020
The Mortimers of Bridford

The Mortimers of Bridford

Origins

The Mortimers of Bridford were closely related to both the Mortimers of Tedburn St Mary and Dunsford. The first identifiable ancestor of the family was Humphrey Mortimer of Bridford c.1546-1592, who may have been a son of the following John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop.

John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop (c.1505-1558)

John Mortimer was perhaps born around 1505/15 and was presumably connected to the Mortimers of Tedburn St Mary. He paid tax on an income of £5 in goods in the 1543 lay subsidy. He was a different individual to John Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary fl.1524-43. His will was dated 1558 but sadly no copy or abstract survives. His only children recorded in the parish register were those children who died in the 1640s; Wilmot d.1542, John d.1544, Alice d.1546, Robert d.1546, Richard d.1546. John Mortimer may have had two sons:

1. Humphrey Mortimer

2. Edmund Mortimer (c.1547-aft.1594), was presumably a younger son of John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop d.1558. He named his eldest son John, perhaps after his father. Edmund was probably a husbandman, he married an unknown woman and had the following children in Cheriton Bishop:

1. Joan, b. 17 Aug 1578 Cheriton Bishop.

2. John, 1579-79, who died in infancy; b. Nov bur. 21 Nov 1579, Cheriton Bishop.

3. Eleanor, b. 8 Nov 1580, who m. William Minor, 10 Jun 1611 Cheriton Bishop

4. Henry Mortimer of Dunsford 1585-aft.1642, b. 9 Mar 1584/5, he m. sometime before 1611, and lived in Dunsford; he had the following children; born between 1613-1621. He possibly also had older children. Either Henry or his son of the same name featured in the 1642 Protestation Oath in Dunsford. Another Henry Mortimer lived in Moretonhampstead in 1642, as well as a John Mortimer.

(i). Andrew, b. 3 Oct 1613 Dunsford, who presumably d. young. Due to the parish register starting soon before, he was probably not the eldest son. No further evidence is found of him surviving to adulthood.

(ii). Mark? Mortimer of Okehampton (c.1615-aft.1666), ancestor of the Mortimers of Chagford, who was possibly a son of Henry Mortimer of Dunsford. Mark Mortimer’s origins are particularly obscure. He could conceivably have belonged to either the Bow/ Nymet Tracey or Crediton Mortimer families. He could have been born in the gap between Andrew 1613 / Henry II 1618, sons of Henry. Mark moved to Okehampton, where he m. 1. Joanna Drew 4 Aug 1639, who presumably died c.1645. Mark Mortimer was absent from the 1642 Protestation Return in Okehampton, though the name Mark Mortimer does appear in Crediton. Mark m. 2. Agnes Bovecombe, 18 Aug 1647 Okehampton. He was a labourer in Okehampton, which suggests that he was either the son of a labourer or a younger son of a farmer. He was bur. 23 Jan 1665/6 Okehampton. Agnes his wife died at an unknown date after 1666.

iv. Henry Mortimer II 1618-aft.1642? , b. 23 Aug 1618, who may have been the same as Henry Mortimer of Moretonhampstead, in the 1642 Protestation Oath.

v. Joan, b. 18 Oct 1621

vi. Ann, b. 1 Aug 1624

5. John Mortimer 1587, bap. Jan 1586/7, he may have been the same John Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop d.1664, or perhaps the same as John Mortimer of Hennock.

6. Robert Mortimer of Dunsford 1591-1646, bap 11 Aug 1591, m. Ursula Worthilake by marriage licence dated 27 Aug 1616, Exeter, they had no children. He was a church warden of Dunsford parish in 1642. He died intestate and his widow Ursula was granted administration of his estate in 1646.

7. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford 1594- , b. 10 Mar 1593/4, who presumably lived in Dunsford alongside his brothers. He married Margery Bowden in 1620, Dunsford and they had two children; Elizabeth 1623-1623 Exeter and James 1625-1625, Dunsford. He was one of the two different Thomas Mortimers living in Dunsford in the 1642 Protestation Oath. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford was also mentioned as a good friend in the will of Edward Mortimer of Bridford, 1650, though this was presumably his uncle Thomas c.1577 son of (Humphrey d.1592).

8. William Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop 1597-aft.1642, bap. 20 Feb 1596/7, who married Mary in 1618. They had one son. He was presumably one of the two William Mortimers living in Cheriton Bishop in the 1642 Protestation Oath record. William Mortimer of Bow, who had children from 1627 onwards, was a contemporary of unknown relationship to William of Cheriton.

i. Humphrey 1621-1645, b. 3 Jun 1621 and bur. 26 Feb 1644/5 Cheriton Bishop.

Returning to Humphrey Mortimer, brother (?) of Edmund:

Humphrey Mortimer of Bridford (c.1549-1592)

Humphrey Mortimer was most likely born in the 1540s, presumably in either Cheriton Bishop or Tedburn St Mary. He was perhaps a a brother of Edmund Mortimer of Cheriton Bishop, for both named their eldest sons John and had a close connection to Dunsford. Humphrey featured in the 1569 muster roll for Bridford and he married shortly afterwards to Amy. They had the following children together, who were presumably born in either Bridford or Dunsford. He left a will dated 1592, with place name unrecorded, and which sadly no abstract or copy survives. His widow Amy had an illegitimate daughter born about the 1593. Amy Mortimer made a nuncupative will dated 24 Jun 1618, mentioning her sons John Mortimer of Bridford and Thomas Mortimer, and her daughter Joan Hedgland. Thomas Mortimer was the sole executor, who proved the will 11 Jul 1618, Exeter.

1. John Mortimer

2. Thomas Mortimer (of Dunsford) c.1577-aft.1650?, who may have been the Thomas Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary d.1619, (father of Nathaniel Mortimer 1610-1688), considering the later association and intermarriage between the two families (see below). In the will of Edward Mortimer of Bridford in 1650, Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford was mentioned as a “good friend” and named an overseer. Since Thomas was not his brother, he was presumably called a friend because he was either an uncle or close cousin. He may have been the Thomas Mortimer m. 1620 Dunsford, though this seems more likely to be Thomas Mortimer b.1594 (see above)

3. Edward Mortimer c.1580-1615, who was bur. 10 Apr 1615 Dunsford.

Other possible children, not mentioned in the above will:

  • Humphrey Mortimer c.1577, had a daughter Margaret b.1598 Exeter
  • Matthew Mortimer c.1583-1610, m. Elizabeth Stabbe 4 May 1606 Exeter St Paul, father of Robert 1606 and Humphrey Mortimer (1610-1687)
  • Grace c.1593- m. Andrew Kemp 3 Nov 1617 Moretonhampstead.
  • Amy c.1594-1627, m. Edmund Martin 1618 Moretonhampstead, bur. 27 May 1627 Moretonhampstead.

Note. Grace and Amy Mortimer are hard to place within the family; both may have been born after 1592, and were perhaps daughters of William Mortimer b.1561 and his wife Margery, fl.1606. John and Henry Mortimer are both noted in Moretonhampstead, 1642, but afterwards disappeared from all records.

Amy Mortimer, widow, also had an illegitimate daughter, Joan c.1593, who she mentioned in her will as her “natural daughter”. She married John Hedgland 12 Oct 1612 Dunsford, and they had two children in Hennock. Both John and Joan his wife died in 1623, Dunsford.

John Mortimer of Bridford (1575-1637)

John was born in Bridford and was a son of Amy Mortimer d.1618. He m. Wilmot Amery 13 Jun 1601 Bridford. They had issue in Bridford. Wilmot his wife was bur. Oct 1635, Bridford. John was bur. in Mar 1637 Bridford. John Mortimer was a husbandman. He made a will dated 1637, mentioning his sons Edward and Gilbert Mortimer. Residue was to his sons John and Simon Mortimer, the joint executors, who proved the will, 28 Apr 1637.

1. Edward Mortimer

2. George 1604-1604, b. 26 Sep, bur. 20 Dec 1604 Bridford.

3. Gilbert Mortimer 1607-1685, bap. 1607 Bridford, m. 1. Mary Comyns 2 Feb 1638/9 Exeter St Thomas, who was bur. 5 Feb 1638/9 Dunsford. He m. 2. Mary before 1643. Gilbert Mortimer and Mary his wife featured in the 1660 Poll Tax lists for Exeter St Thomas. Gilbert Mortimer was charged on 1 hearth in the 1664 Hearth Tax for Exeter St Thomas. Mary his wife was bur. 14 Nov 1677, Exeter St Thomas. They had no issue. Gilbert died in 1685 Exeter and was bur. in 1685, Dunsford. His will was dated 1685.

4. John Mortimer 1610-1643, bap. 22 Jan 1609/10 Bridford, jointly executed the will of his father John in 1637 with Simon Mortimer his brother. John Mortimer made a nuncupative will in 1643; to his brother Gilbert 1s, with residue to his brothers Edward and Simon Mortimer, the sole executors. The will was witnessed by Mary wife of Gilbert Mortimer. John was bur. 13 Dec 1643, and his will was proved on 29 Dec. His contemporary John Mortimer of Ashton also died in 1643, but earlier in the year.

5. Simon Mortimer 1611-1675, bap. 27 Dec 1611 Bridford, m. Eleanor Berry 13 Apr 1637 Bridford. They had six children. He jointly executed the will of his father John Mortimer with his brother John in 1637. Simon was living in Dunsford in 1642 and was listed in the Protestation Return. He executed the nuncupative will of his brother John in 1643 with Edward his brother. Simon and his wife featured in the 1660 poll tax. He was also taxed on 2 hearths in Dunsford in the 1664 Hearth Tax. Simon made a will mentioning his sons Thomas and Simon Mortimer, daughter Mary Mortimer and brother Gilbert Mortimer, son in law George Mortimer, and sister in law Amy Mortimer and grandson George Mortimer. The residue was left to his Eleanor, sole executrix. Simon was bur. 13 Mar 1674/5 and his will was proved 24 Mar 1674/5. Since the will mentioned his grandson George it must have been written between 1668/1672. Eleanor his widow was bur. 28 Feb 1687/8. Simon and Eleanor had the following children.

i. Gilbert Mortimer 1639-1664, b. 11 May 1639 Bridford, presumably apprenticed to his uncle Gilbert Mortimer in Exeter, who was perhaps his godfather. He died in Dunsford and was bur. 1664, Exeter. His will was dated 1664.

ii. Wilmot 1641, b. 18 Apr 1641 Dunsford, Wilmot Mortimer, and Thomas Mortimer, child were entered into the records of the 1660 Poll Tax, Dunsford. She m. her distant relative George Mortimer, 14 May 1667 Dunsford. George was the son of Nathaniel Mortimer (1610-1688). Wilmot survived only two years after the marriage, and was bur. 28 Mar 1669 Dunsford. They had one son who died in infancy; George Mortimer 1668-1672; bap. 14 Apr 1668, bur. 3 Sep 1672 Dunsford.

iii. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford 1643-1690, b. 29 Mar 1643 Dunsford, Thomas Mortimer, child, was entered into the records of the 1660 Poll Tax in Dunsford, immediately after Wilmot Mortimer his sister. He m. 1. Katherine Smallridge, 3 Feb 1668/9 Dunsford, they had one daughter who died in infancy; Katherine 1669-1671; b. 26 Jan 1668/9, bur. 15 Sep 1671 Dunsford. Thomas Mortimer and his wife were taxed in Dunsford in 1670. Katherine died in 1672 and was bur. 14 Feb 1671/2. Thomas m. 2. Mary Towills (c.1648-1727), 12 Aug 1673 Bridford, and they lived in Dunsford. He died between 1684/1695, when his wife Mary was a widow. Mary presumably died in 1727, Dunsford. They had the following four daughters.

1. Katherine 1675-1736, b. 16 Feb 1674/5 Dunsford, m. Robert Shilston 8 Jul 1705 Dunsford, bur. 12 Aug 1736 Dunsford.

2. Mary 1677-1743, b. 19 Jun 1677, m. Henry Mortimer 7 Sep 1708 Dunsford. She was bur. 7 Jun 1743.

3. Wilmot 1680-1695, b. 14 Sep 1680, bur. 20 Jan 1695 Dunsford, at which point her mother Mary was a widow.

4. Elizabeth 1684, b. 18 Sep 1684 Dunsford. She was mentioned in the will of her uncle Simon in 1687.

iv. Simon Mortimer II 1645-1687, b. 17 Oct 1645 Dunsford, m. Agnes Payne 11 Sep 1673 Dunsford. Agnes his wife was bur. 14 Sep 1679. His will was dated c.1687, which mentioned his nephew Simon son of Abraham Shilston, sister Mary wife of William Shilston, niece Elizabeth daughter of brother Thomas Mortimer, his brother in law Nicholas Payne, with residue to daughters Eleanor and Dorothy, joint executrixes. his will was proved 11 Nov 1687. Simon and Agnes had the three daughters.

1. Eleanor 1674, b. 9 Jul 1674, m. George Cordishe 4 Oct 1692 Exeter St Thomas,

2. Elizabeth 1676-1677, b. 2 Jun 1676, bur. 13 Feb 1676/7 Dunsford.

3. Dorothy 1677-1746, b. 9 Dec 1677 Dunsford, married at the age of 17 to Acquilla Welch, 16 Jun 1695 Holcombe Burnell. She was bur. 15 May 1746 Dunsford.

v. Elizabeth c.1648-1673, possibly an unrecorded daughter of Simon Mortimer, m. John Ponsford 11 Feb 162/3 Dunsford, died less than two months after, bur. 6 May 1673 Dunsford.

vi. Mary c.1650, m. William Shilston 9 Sep 1675 Dunsford, bur. 19 May 1691 Dunsford. Mary wife of William Shilston was mentioned as a sister in the will of Simon Mortimer, 1687.

vii. Rebecca? Mortimer c.1655- , who may have been an unrecorded daughter of Simon Mortimer, owing to the connection of Thomas Mortimer m. Katherine Smallridge. She m. 1. John Smallridge 15 Jan 1683/4 Holcombe Burnell, and m. 2. James Moxsey 4 Jun 1691 Dunchideock.

Edward Mortimer of Bridford (1601-1650)

Edward was the eldest son of John Mortimer and Wilmot Amery, and was born four months after his parents marriage. He was bap. 22 Oct 1601, Bridford, and m. Elizabeth Wills (1608-1666) 19 Apr 1631 Bridford. He jointly executed his father’s will in 1643 with his brother John Mortimer. He made a will dated 3 Aug 1650 Bridford, mentioning his Edward, Abraham, Nathaniel and Gilbert Mortimer. Thomas Mortimer of Dunsford and Gilbert Mortimer of St Thomas were his overseers and mentioned as “good friends”. Since Gilbert was his brother, Thomas of Dunsford was presumably his uncle or cousin. He was bur. 7 Aug 1650, and his will proved 6 Sep 1650. The total sum of his inventory came to £247 12s 4d., meaning he was presumably a husbandman. Edward and Elizabeth had the following children.

1. Priscilla 1632-1632, b. 20 Apr bur. 30 May 1632 Bridford.

2. Thomasin 1633-1675, b. 12 Jun 1633 Bridford, m. Nicholas Conant 7 Apr 1651 Bridford, bur. 21 Feb 1674/5 Dunsford.

3. Edward Mortimer II 1636-1683, b. 6 Mar 1635/6 Bridford, in the 1664 Hearth Tax he was taxed on 1 hearth. He m. 1. Mary c.1666, who was bur. 3 Aug 1667 Dunsford. He m. 2. Dorothy? d.1695. Edward died intestate and was bur. 21 Aug 1683 Bridford. Edward and his second wife had the following children.

i. William 1669-1672, b. 24 Oct 1669 Dunsford, bur. 11 Nov 1672 Bridford.

(ii). Edward c.1670-1672, bur. 14 Nov 1672 Dunsford, who may instead have been a son by the previous marriage to Mary.

iii. John 1672, b. 28 Mar 1672 Bridford, perhaps the same as John Mortimer of Bovey Tracey (m.1696, d.1716 Bovey Tracey).

iv. Elizabeth (of Bridford) 1676-aft.1709, b. 11 Jun 1676 Bridford, m. Ambrose Wills 7 May 1701 Bridford, they had issue Elizabeth 1701, Susanna 1702 and Ann 1709.

4. Abraham Mortimer 1638-1665, b. 9 Dec 1638, bur. 19 Jan 1664/5 Bridford. He lived in Bovey Tracey and made a will proved 1665.

5. Nathaniel Mortimer of Bridford 1641-1703, b. 18 Sep 1641 Bridford, m. Susanna Sanford 20 Jun 1663 Christow. He died intestate in 1703. Administration was granted to his widow Susanna 3 Feb 1702/3, with William Mortimer of Bridford as a bondsman (presumably his son). Nathaniel and Susanna had the following children, though most of their children died in infancy. No burial record has been found for him.

i. Susanna 1667, b. 22 Nov 1667 Bridford, m. George Crispin (c.1666- )10 Dec 1691 Bridford. They had seven children; Geo II 1692, Agn 1694, Jno 1697, Mary 1701, Wm 1703, Susan 1707 and Joan 1710.

ii. John Mortimer 1670-? , b. 20 Feb 1669/70 Bridford, presumably d. before 1702/3 Bridford.

iii. Richard 1672-1679, b. 10 Mar 1671/2, bur. 12 May 1679.

iv. Nathaniel 1674-1674, b. 10 Jan, bur. 7 Feb 1673/4.

v. Agnes 1675-1678, b. 14 Feb 1674/5 bur. 26 Nov 1678.

vi. Nathaniel 1677-1685, b. 9 Sep 1677, bur. 12 May 1685 Bridford.

vii. William Mortimer of Ashton (1679-1724)

viii. Christian 1681, b. 22 Dec 1681 Bridford.

ix. Elizabeth (of Doddiscombsleigh) 1683-1736, b. 25 Feb 1682/3 Bridford, had an illegitimate son William Mortimer b.1703 Doddiscombsleigh. She m. Richard Caseley in 1721 Doddiscombsleigh, and was bur. 29 Jul 1736.

6. Gilbert Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary 1644-1698, b. 23 Jun 1644 Bridford, m. 1. Alice Bickley 16 Nov 1666 Exeter Holy Trinity. Alice was bur. 28 Jan 1670/1 Bridford. He m. 2. Elizabeth Preston 2 Oct 1679 Tedburn St Mary. He was bur. 3 May 1698 Tedburn St Mary. Elizabeth his widow was bur. 14 Jun 1698 Tedburn St Mary. Gilbert and his first wife Alice had one son.

i. Abraham Mortimer 1668-1706, named after his uncle who died two years before his birth. He was bap. 3 Sep 1668 Tedburn St Mary. Abraham m. 1. Elizabeth Blisse (1670-1702) 10 Jun 1694 Chudleigh, and they had the following children. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 1 Jul 1702 Chudleigh.

1. Elizabeth 1695-1697, b. 5 May 1695, bur. 30 May 1697 Chudleigh.

2. Mary 1697, b. 26 Sep 1697, m. James Hore 26 Nov 1721 Chudleigh.

3. Abraham Mortimer 1701-1746, b. 6 Jul 1701, bur. 19 May 1746 Chudleigh.

Abraham Mortimer m. 2. Margaret Stamp (1677-1752) 15 Aug 1703 Chudleigh, and they had the following children. He was bur. 20 Aug 1706 Chudleigh.

4. Elizabeth 1704- , b. 7 Mar 1703/4 Chudleigh, m. James Prance 15 Jul 1730 Chudleigh

5. Samuel 1706-1709, b. 17 Aug 1706 Chudleigh, bur. 10 Apr 1709 Chudleigh.

Gilbert Mortimer (1644-1698) and his second wife Elizabeth had two daughters.

ii. Susanna 1680, b. 17 Sep 1680 Tedburn St Mary, m. Arthur Kellaway 11 Aug 1701 Crediton.

iii. Thomasin 1682, b. 1 Feb 1681/2 Tedburn St Mary, m. Ralph Major 1 Oct 1706 Bridestowe.

William Mortimer of Ashton (1679-1724)

William was probably born in Bridford, the son of Nathaniel Mortimer. He was bap. 20 Apr 1679 Bridford, and had eight siblings though he was perhaps the only son to survive to adulthood. In the administration record of Nathaniel Mortimer in 1702/3, he was presumably the William Mortimer who joined the bond. He moved to Ashton before 1714, and m. Jane Edwards 29 Mar 1714 Ashton. He was perhaps the William Mortimer of Chudleigh who took the loyalty oath at Chudleigh Market House, 22 Aug 1723. William died the following year and was bur. 31 Jul 1724 Ashton. After his death his widow Jane remarried to John Vinnicombe, 30 Oct 1735 Ashton. William and Jane Mortimer had the following children.

1. Elizabeth 1715-1731, bap. 31 Mar 1715, bur. 2 Feb 1731/2 Ashton.

2. Mary 1717, bap. 16 May 1717 Ashton, m. William Crispin (c.1703-1770) 23 Feb 1741/2 Ashton, who was perhaps her first cousin, and son of Susanna Mortimer m. George Crispin, 1691 (see above). They had the following children; Zac 1748, Robt 1750, Jane 1754. Mary died aged (82) and was bur. 13 Mar 1798, Ashton.

3. Ann 1719, bap. 16 Oct 1719 Ashton.

4. William Mortimer II of Dawlish (1723-1759), b. 26 Feb 1722/3 Ashton, m. Elizabeth Taylor 20 Jan 1749/50 Dawlish, they had five children. William was bur. 3 Jul 1759, Dawlish. He named his eldest two children William and Jane, supporting the connection with the previous generation. Elizabeth his widow remarried to Robert Back (c.1724-1769) 12 Oct 1766 Kenton, and died in 1768. Elizabeth was bur. 27 Apr 1768, Dawlish. Robert Back died in 1769.

i. William Mortimer III

ii. Jane 1752-1809, b. 18 Nov, bap. 10 Dec 1752 Dawlish, m. Samuel Salter (c.1742-1819) 3 Sep 1775 Mamhead (banns publ. 13 Aug). She died in 1809, Mamhead.

iii. John Mortimer 1755-? , b. 4 Jan, bap. 19 Jan 1755, of whom nothing further is known.

iv. Elizabeth 1757, b. 30 May, bap. 12 Jun 1757

v. Mary 1759, b. 22 Oct, bap. 11 Nov 1759, presumably m. 1782 to either Wm Bond or Wm Sanford.

William Mortimer III of North Tawton (1750-1818)

William was born in Dawlish, the son of William and Elizabeth Mortimer. He was born 4 Nov 1750, and bap. 18 Nov 1750 Dawlish. His father died in 1759 when he was 9, and his mother died in 1768 when he was 17. Around this time, William moved away from Dawlish to the vicinity of North Tawton. He married Frances Crispin, 28 Feb 1774 Zeal Monachorum, and they had eleven children. His family featured in the North Tawton inhabitant list composed in 1801. He was bur. 19 Apr 1818 North Tawton, aged 67. Frances his wife was bur. 11 Jun 1820 aged (69). They had the following children.

1. John Mortimer 

2. William Mortimer 1777-1818? , bap. 18 May 1777 Zeal Monachorum, perhaps the same as William Mortimer m. Elizabeth Webb, 7 Apr 1800 Exeter St David and bur. 19 Jul 1818 Exeter St David. They had the following children.

i. John Mortimer of Exeter 1800-1871, brush manufacturer. He was bap. 16 Jul 1800 Exeter St David, married 1. Dorothy Wall (1803-1843), they had the following children. John Mortimer m. 2. Melony Ellard, they had one son, Charles b.1845.

1. Thomas Webb Mortimer 1823-

2. John Mortimer b.1826-

3. William Mortimer 1828- (d. young)

4. George Stephen Mortimer of Melbourne (1830-1897), bapt. 4 Jul 1830 Exeter St David, m. Caroline Saunders, 1854, Exeter. George Mortimer emigrated to Australia. He died 20 Oct 1897 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

5. Elizabeth Lydia 1832- (d. young)

6. William Henry Mortimer 1834-

7. Edward Mortimer 1838-

8. Elizabeth Dorothy 1840-

9. Charles Mortimer 1845-1918

ii. William Mortimer II 1803, bap. 23 Jan 1803 Exeter St David,

iii. Thomas Mortimer 1807, bap. 30 Mar 1807 Exeter St David.

3. Betty 1780, b. 9 Apr 1780 Zeal Monachorum, who had an illegitimate son John Mortimer b. 1800 Winkleigh

i. John Mortimer of Newport, Barnstaple 1800-1887, bap. 23 Feb 1800 Winkleigh, m. Grace. He died in 1887, Barnstaple. John and Grace had the following children.

1. Thomas Mortimer 1834

2. Ann 1839

3. Maria 1841

4. Mary 1783, b. _1783 North Tawton.

5. Robert Mortimer 1785-1866, husbandman, bap. _1785 North Tawton. He lived in North Tawton in 1801 as an apprentice. He m. Mary Cann (c.1785- ), 1808, Colebrooke. They had the following children. He lived in Colebrooke in 1841, as an ag lab., and Exeter St Sidwell in 1861. He was strangely absent from the 1851 census. He died in 1866, Exeter. Robert and Mary had the following children.

i. William Mortimer 1808, presumably named after William Mortimer of N. Tawton (above). He was b. 1 Nov and bap. 4 Nov 1808.

ii. Samuel Mortimer 1810, b. 4 Jan, bap. 28 Jan 1810 Colebrooke.

iii. John Mortimer of Thorverton 1811y, b. 16 Nov, bap. 8 Dec 1811 Colebrooke.

iv. Robert Mortimer 1814, bap. 2 Jan 1814.

v. Charlotte Cann 1816, bap. 8 Jun 1816.

vi. Thomas Mortimer 1818-1897, bap. 22 Nov 1818.

vii. James Mortimer 1821, bap. 23 Jan 1821.

viii. Mary Ann 1823, bap. 12 Oct 1823.

ix. Henry 1826-1826, bap. 5 Jun, bur. _1826.

x. Herman 1828, bap. 30 Mar 1828.

6. Elizabeth 1788, bap. 20 Jul 1788 North Tawton, listed in the 1801 North Tawton inhabitant list.

7. Samuel 1791-1796, bap. 13 Feb 1791, bur. 29 Jun 1796 North Tawton.

8. Thomas Mortimer c.1793-1838, bap. 9 Feb 1794, listed in the 1801 North Tawton inhabitant list. He died aged 45 and was bur. 5 May 1838 North Tawton.

9. John 1793-1794, bap. 15 Sep 1793 Moretonhampstead, bur. 23 Nov 1794 North Tawton. John was not listed in the North Tawton inhabitant list and presumably died young.

10. Mary 1796, bap. 24 Jan 1796 Moretonhampstead.

11. Fanny 1798-1871, bap. 21 Oct 1798 Moretonhampstead, m. Robert Wilkins 1819 Alphington. She lived in Sidmouth 1841, 1851, and Withycombe Raleigh 1861. She died in 1871.

John Mortimer of Sidmouth (1775-1858)

John was born in Zeal Monachorum, the son of William and Frances Mortimer, and was bap. 5 Jun 1775 Zeal Monachorum. The family moved to North Tawton before 1785.

According to a Settlement Examination made in 1800, John Mortimer was apprenticed aged 8 to a William Knapman in North Tawton. At the age of 16, he moved to Kingsteignton then Chudleigh, before working in Trusham.

John married firstly, Thomasin Wyatt, their first child was Frances, who was born before they married. Soon after their marriage they relocated to Kenton, where they had two other daughters, Mary 1798 and Ann 1799. Thomasin his wife died in 1801, and was bur. 12 Feb 1801, Kenton.

1. Frances 1796

2. Mary 1798

3. Ann 1799

John Mortimer married secondly, Sarah Barrett, 28 Aug 1804 Exeter Holy Trinity, at which point he lived in Upton Pyne. The family afterwards lived in Sidmouth, where he worked as a gardener. He was recorded as resident in Sidmouth in 1841/51. John died in 1858 and was bur. 2 May 1858 Sidmouth. John and Sarah had the following children.

4. William Mortimer 1805-1888, b. 5 May 1805 Upton Pyne, m. Ann. They had the following children. William died in 1888, Sidmouth.

i. Elizabeth 1832

ii. Edwin Mortimer of Croydon 1834-1930, born in Sidmouth 1834, lived in Sidmouth 1841/51. He m. 1. Abigail Smith 30 Jul 1863 Harrow, lived in Croydon Surrey 1871. Abigail died in 1878. He m. 2. Ada Jackman 4 Aug 1879 Croydon. He lived in Croydon 1891, Brighton, Sussex 1901, Preston Sussex 1911. He died in 1930. Edwin and his first wife Abigail had one son.

1. William Samuel Mortimer 1867-1917, b. 1867 Croydon, lived in Croydon 1871/81, Banstead Surrey 1891, m. Rose Thatcher (c.1870-1944) in 1894 , they had the following children.

i. Edwin James Mortimer 1895-1974

ii. William Robert Mortimer 1896-1953

iii. Alfred George Mortimer 1901-1987

iv. Leonard Samuel Mortimer 1903-1960

v. Kathleen Dorothy 1905-1989

iii. William Mortimer 1837, b. 1837 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51.

iv. Ellen 1854

5. George Mortimer 1807-1872, b. 1807 Sidmouth, m. Ann Sharland 1 Jun 1828 Exeter St Sidwell, they had issue.

i. Elizabeth 1829

ii. Catherine 1831

iii. Fanny 1837-1873

iv. Joseph Sharland Mortimer 1838-1917, b. 1838 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51/61. He m. Mary Ann Cosway, 1880 East Stonehouse reg. district, they had two children.

1. James Cosway Mortimer 1881-1953

2. Elizabeth Emma 1881-1938, b. 1881 Sidmouth, d. 11 Apr 1953 Plymouth.

6. John Mortimer II 1809-1887, b. 1809 Sidmouth, m. Maria.

7. Samuel Mortimer 1812-1896, b. 1812 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51. He m. Anna Matilda Carslake, they had the following children. Samuel Mortimer lived in Sidmouth in 1861/71/81/91, where he died 1896.

i. Samuel Mortimer II 1839-1891, b. 22 Dec 1839 Sidmouth, lived there 1841/51. Joined the Royal Navy before 1861. He m. Charlotte in 1863. Samuel was at Naples in 1871. After discharge from the navy Samule and his wife moved to Cheshire, and they lived in Tranmere, Cheshire in 1881. He died in 1891, Birkenhead. Samuel and Charlotte had the following children.

1. Samuel George Mortimer 1866-1938, b. 1866 Torpoint, Cornwall, bap. there 4 Feb 1866. Lived in Moretonhampstead 1871, Tranmere Cheshire 1881/91, Poulton cum Seacombe 1901/11. Samuel G. m. Rachel. He d. 31 Dec 1938 Cheshire.

2. Lewis Arthur Mortimer 1873-1911, b. 1873 Tranmere, and bap. there 1873. He lived in Tranmere 1881/91, Birkenhead 1901, m. Grace Coker 1908 Birkenhead. They lived in Poulton with Seacombe 1911. He d. 28 Oct 1931 Cheshire.

3. Frank John Mortimer 1876-1951, was b. 1876 Sidmouth. He lived in Tranmere 1881/91, Birkenhead 1901/11. He died 22 Dec 1951 Birkenhead.

ii. William Henry Mortimer 1842-1917, b. 1842 Sidmouth, lived there 1851. He joined the Royal Navy before 1861. In 1861 he was an ordinary seaman. He married Anne, they lived in Sidmouth 1871/81/91/1901/11. William H. and Anne had two children.

1. Samuel Henry Mortimer 1872-1946, b. 6 Jan 1872 Sidmouth, lived there with parents in 1881/91. He m. Sarah Ellen Eveleigh 1894. They lived in Sidmouth 1901/11. He died 24 Jan 1946, Sidmouth.

2. William Ford Mortimer 1874, b. 1874 Sidmouth, lived there with parents 1881/91. He m. Susan in 1894. They lived in Sidmouth 1901/11.

iii. Isaac John Mortimer 1844

iv. Charles Edward Mortimer 1846-1926

v. Theophilus Carslake Mortimer 1850-1922

21
Oct
2020
The Mortimers of Drewsteignton

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.

21
Oct
2020
The Mortimers of North Bovey

The Mortimers of North Bovey

Origins

North Bovey is situated on the eastern edge of Dartmoor. The Mortimer family of North Bovey descend from Walter Mortimer, the eldest son of John Mortimer of Tedburn St Mary. Here the Mortimers lived as yeoman farmers, husbandmen and labourers.

Walter Mortimer of North Bovey (1601-1672)

Walter was born in 1601 and baptised 20 Jan 1600/1 in North Bovey, the eldest surviving son of John Mortimer. He had two younger brothers, Nicholas Mortimer and Matthew Mortimer, who both left Tedburn St Mary and lived in nearby parishes. In 1606 he was mentioned as “cousin Walter” in the will of his grandmother Elizabeth Mortimer. Cousin in that day was another term for a kinsman or relative, and was also used to refer to grandchildren. Grandparents would often stand as godparents to their grandchildren upon baptism and so it is possible in this instance that Walter was also Elizabeth’s godson. Godchildren would often be remembered in a will in such a way. Walter Mortimer married Richord Croot (c.1606-1679) 24 Oct 1631, North Bovey, and they had at least five children. He lived as a yeoman in North Bovey with his wife and family. He made a will dated 16 Apr 1672, mentioning his sons John, Thomas and Walter Mortimer, and daughter Richord Mortimer. His residue was left to his wife Richord who was sole executrix, who proved the will on 2 Apr 1672 at Exeter. He was bur. 28 Apr 1672, North Bovey. His widow Richord made her will 5 Nov 1678, mentioning her daughter Thomasin Langdon, son Thomas Mortimer and his son John, her son John Mortimer and his son John, her son Walter Mortimer, grandson William Mortimer, and her daughter Richord White. Her son Thomas was sole executor, who proved the will 26 Jul 1679 at Exeter. She died and was bur. 10 Jun 1679, North Bovey.

1. Thomas Mortimer of North Bovey (1633-1681), bap. 13 Jan 1632/3 North Bovey, who married Elizabeth Walling 31 Mar 1668, North Bovey. They had one son, John Mortimer c.1670. Thomas was the executor of his mother Richord’s will in 1678. He died in 1681 and was bur. 30 Mar 1681. His widow Elizabeth died in 1700 and was bur. 19 Sep, North Bovey.

i. John Mortimer c.1670-aft.1704?, mentioned in the will of his grandmother Richord in 1678. He was presumably still alive at the time of his father’s decease in 1681, at which point he would have been aged about 11. His mother Elizabeth died in Sep 1700. John can perhaps be identified as John Mortimer m. Elizabeth Hammett, 6 Sep 1691 Moretonhampstead. Elizabeth his wife was bur. 29 Mar 1704 Moretonhampstead, and John died sometime after that date. They had the following children in Moretonhampstead.

1. John c.1692-1692, bur. 25 Sep 1692 Moretonhampstead.

2. Katherine 1695, b. 24 Mar 1694/5.

3. Alice 1699, b. 26 Feb 1698/9.

4. Elizabeth 1702, m. Thomas Barter 4 Feb 1727/8 Manaton

2. Richord 1635-1700, bap. 29 Sep 1635, who married Henry White (c.1640-1711), 13 Aug 1677, Chagford. She was bur. 10 May 1700, Chagford. Her husband was bur. 18 Jun 1711, Chagford.

3. John Mortimer of North Bovey (1641-1679), who was bap. 27 Jun 1641, North Bovey. He married Isett Wills, 2 Aug 1670. He was bur. 12 Jun 1679, North Bovey, and administration was granted to his widow Isett later the same year. They had five children.

i. John b. 28 May 1671, bur. 14 Sep 1671 North Bovey.

ii. John Mortimer b. 25 Aug 1672, mentioned in the will of grandmother Richord Mortimer in 1678. He can perhaps be identified with John Mortimer of Bovey Tracey, who m. Mary Cook, 1 Nov 1696 Bovey Tracey. John was bur. 11 Apr 1716, Bovey Tracey. Mary his widow was bur. 8 Oct 1722. They had the following children.

1. Richard Mortimer of Bovey Tracey c.1697-c.1730. John’s son Robert was born in 1697, though this is possibly a mistake for Richard, who is later noted in Bovey Tracey. He m. Julian Spray, 6 Dec 1724, Bovey Tracey. They had issue, one daughter Mary. Richard died around the year 1730. Julian was bur. 13 Apr 1733, Bovey Tracey, and was presumably a widow then.

i. Mary 1725, bap. 1725 Bovey Tracey, possibly m. 1745 Chagford to Samuel Dicker.

2. Mary 1700

3. Ann 1703

4. Thomas 1707-1717

Otherwise, he may have been the John Mortimer of Crediton, who had daughters Elizabeth and Isett.

iii. Henry b. 28 Sep 1674, bur. 3 Apr 1676.

iv. Isett, b. 5 Sep 1676.

v. Henry Mortimer, posthumous son, bap. 6 Jul 1679, North Bovey, bur. 15 Aug 1711, Tedburn St Mary.

4. Thomasin 1643-1700, who was bap. 7 Jan 1643/4, and married an unknown Langdon. She presumably had a daughter Thomasin Langdon, m. John Northcott, 8 Mar 1697/8, who had a daughter Thomasin Northcott b. 1707.

5. Walter Mortimer II

Walter Mortimer II of North Bovey (1646-1703)

Walter was bap. 26 Aug 1646, and married Wilmot Langman, 28 Apr 1670, North Bovey, they had the following children. In the 1674 hearth tax he was taxed on two hearths in North Bovey, where he presumably lived as a yeoman farmer. He died in 1703 without leaving a will, and was bur. 7 Feb 1702/3. His widow Wilmot was bur. beside him 14 Dec 1714, North Bovey churchyard.

1. Wilmot 1671-1704, who was b. 7 Mar 1670/1, m. Andrew Harvey (1670-1732), 8 Mar 1697/8 North Bovey, she was bur. 19 Jul 1704, Manaton.

2. William Mortimer of Moretonhampstead 1673-aft.1722, b. 27 Apr 1673, was the eldest son of Walter Mortimer. He m. firstly Elizabeth Brook, 21 Apr 1702, Moretonhampstead, she died in 1703. He m. secondly Ann Bridgman, 5 Feb 1705/6 Moretonhampstead. William and Ann had the following children in Moretonhampstead. William and his family were early non-conformists and their children were baptised in the Moretonhampstead independent meeting chapel. Both William and Ann his wife died at an unknown date in Moretonhampstead, after the year 1722, they were presumably bur. in the independent chapel cemetery.

i. Walter 1707-1707, named after his grandfather, died in infancy; b. 6 Jul, bur. 8 Jul 1707 Moretonhampstead.

ii. William Mortimer II 1709-1749, b. 30 Nov 1709, m. Elizabeth Pinston (1716-1783?), 8 Jan 1739/40 Moretonhampstead. He may have died in 1749, Moretonhampstead. Elizabeth his wife may have died in 1783. They had two daughters

1. Elizabeth b. 1740, bap. 4 Jan 1740/1 Newton Abbot; Wolborough St. Independent Chapel

2. Mary b. 1743, bap. 13 Feb 1742/3 Moretonhampstead, who perhaps m. William Holman in 1768, Dunchideock.

iii. Elizabeth, b. 8 Jun 1712.

iv. Mary, b. 7 Jan 1721/2.

3. John b. 6 Dec 1675, bur. 13 Apr 1676 North Bovey.

4. Maxamillion c.1677- who was presumably a sister of William Mortimer, Walter Mortimer and George Mortimer, all of Moretonhampstead. She m. John Major 22 Jun 1701, Moretonhampstead.

5. Walter Mortimer III

6. George Mortimer II of Moretonhampstead (c.1684-1746), was presumably a son of Walter Mortimer, perhaps born in Moretonhampstead in the 1680s, at which time there was a parish register gap. His brother Walter Mortimer’s baptism record is also missing. George may instead have been born in 1673, Drewsteignton, son of George Mortimer. He m. Elizabeth, whose last name is unknown, and they had the following children in Moretonhampstead. George was bur. _ Jan 1745/6, Elizabeth his widow survived him by 12 years and was bur. _ 1758, Moretonhampstead.

i. George Mortimer II 1710-1766, bap. 18 Jun 1710 Moretonhampstead, m. Mary Perriman (1715-1791) 13 Jan 1742/3, Moretonhampstead, bur. 7 Dec 1766, Lustleigh. Mary his widow was bur. 18 Aug 1791. They had the following children in Lustleigh.

1. John Mortimer 1743, bap. Dec 1743, Moretonhampstead, perhaps died in childhood.

2. Susanna 1748-1819, bap. 14 Aug 1748 Lustleigh, bur. 7 Dec 1819, aged (72).

3. George Mortimer III 1753-1839, bap. 17 Jun 1753 Moretonhampstead, bur. 3 Mar 1839 Lustleigh, aged 85.

4. Elizabeth 1760-1841, bap. 27 Jan 1860 Lustleigh, bur. 13 Jan 1841, aged (81).

ii. Elizabeth 1712, bap. 8 Jun 1712 Moretonhampstead.

iii. Walter Mortimer of Kingsteignton 1716-c.1760, a contemporary of Walter Mortimer of Lustleigh (c.1720-1776). He m. Grace Tar (c.1724-1806) 8 Apr 1751 Teigngrace, and they had at least two children. Walter died at an unknown date after 1755. Grace his wife was bur. 1 Apr 1806 Kingsteignton, aged 82.

1. Joan 1752-1800, bap. 21 Jan 1751/2 Kingsteignton, m. Richard Knowling 21 Jul 1776 Kingsteignton.

2. Richard Mortimer b.1755, of whom nothing further is known.

iv. Mary 1718-1719

v. John Mortimer 1721, who perhaps m. Susanna Mardon 10 Oct 1742, Moretonhampstead.

vi. Mary 1723-1738, bur. 27 Apr 1738 Moretonhampstead

vii. Wilmot 1726-1752, bap. 3 Nov 1726, bur. 1752 Moretonhampstead, daughter of Elizabeth Mortimer. Elizabeth her mother presumably died in 1758.

7. Elizabeth b. 6 Mar 1686/7, presumably bur. 19 Jun 1687, North Bovey.

Walter Mortimer III of North Bovey (c.1684-1753)

Walter was presumably the son of Walter and Wilmot Mortimer of North Bovey. He was born in a gap between the baptisms of his siblings John Mortimer in 1675, and Elizabeth in 1687. The wide gap leaves open the possibility there were other unrecorded children of Walter and Wilmot Mortimer. He m. Joan Nosworthy, 18 Apr 1710, Manaton, and they had the following seven children. Walter was a yeoman in North Bovey, as stated in his will dated 1754, which mentioned his wife Joan, eldest son George, daughter Agnes wife of John Boone and her children, daughter Mary, and son in law Richard Honeywill. The residue was left to his sons Walter and Nicholas Mortimer, joint executors. The will was proved on 8 May 1754. He died and was bur. 21 Jul 1753, in his home parish. His widow Joan died in 1759.

1. Agnes 1711, b. 3 Apr 1711 North Bovey, m. John Boone, 28 May 1732, Manaton. Their children were named in the will of her father George Mortimer; Joan, Mary, Benjamin, Elizabeth and Susan Boone.

2. Joan 1714-1742, b. 2 May 1714 Manaton, m. Richard Honeywell 18 Apr 1737, Widecombe in the Moor. She was bur. 11 Apr 1742 Widecombe in the Moor. Richard Honeywill remarried the following year to Elizabeth Smerdon 12 Apr 1743, they had a son Jonas Honeywill (1749-1820), bap. 18 Oct 1749 Buckland in the Moor, who m. Margaret Nosworthy 26 Mar 1786, Manaton, their daughter was Susanna Honeywill b. 1792 Ilsington, who married William Mortimer (c.1786-1867) in 1819, Ilsington (see below).

3. George Mortimer of North Bovey (1717-1787), b. 24 Apr 1716/7 North Bovey, m. firstly Ann Leyman 10 Jun 1746, North Bovey, his first wife died in 1758, he married secondly Mary Soper, 8 Jun 1762, North Bovey. She died in 1777. He made a will dated 13 May 1786, North Bovey. The Combe estate was divided between his four daughters, in fee simple. His son in law Richard Easterbrook was a trustee. The residue went to his daughters Mary and Joan who were joint executrixes. The will was proved 1 Nov 1787. George Mortimer had issue by his first wife Ann only.

i. Ann b. 3 Nov 1747 North Bovey, m. William Smale.

ii. Mary b. 17 Oct 1749, m. Gabriel German.

iii. Joan b. 11 Jun 1753, marriage unknown.

iv. Elizabeth b. 16 Oct 1755, contemporary of Elizabeth Mortimer b. 1753 daughter of Walter (below).

4. Walter Mortimer IV, of whom next

5. Mary 1726, b. 9 May 1726 North Bovey, m. Ambrose Nosworthy (1725-1783) presumably a relative of mother Joan, 11 Apr 1748, Widecombe in the Moor. She was described as a resident of N. Bovey in the m. record. She presumably died in 1784 and was bur. 23 May 1784 Widecombe in the Moor.

6. Nicholas Mortimer, of whom second.

7. William 1733-1733, bap. 18 Sep 1733, died young, bur. 14 Dec 1733.

Walter Mortimer IV of North Bovey (1720-1776)

Walter was b. 17 Jan 1719/20. He m. Mary Hill, 9 May 1742, Lustleigh and they had the following nine children. He died in 1776, and was bur. 14 Apr 1776, Lustleigh. His two eldest grandson were both born in 1776.

1. George Mortimer of Denbury 1743-1783. George was presumably born in 1743, North Bovey. He was perhaps a yeoman farmer, and moved away from his home parish. He married Mary Rolston (1742-1824), 24 May 1769, Denbury. He died and was bur. in 1783, Denbury. They had four daughters, all of whom were baptised in Denbury; Ann 1770, Eliz 1772, Mary 1775 and Susan 1779.

2. John Mortimer of North Bovey 1745-1795, bap. 15 Apr 1745, North Bovey. John may have instead been bapt. in 1743 Lustleigh, the son of George. However his connection to N. Bovey is without a doubt. He married Mary Sims (1749-1836), 11 Aug 1774, Lustleigh, at which time he was living in North Bovey. He may have died in 1795, North Bovey. His wife was presumably bur. in 1836, North Bovey, aged 87. His occupation is unknown but judging by the occupations of his children, he was probably an ag lab. John and Mary had the following children.

i. John Mortimer II 1776-1791, bap. 2 Jun 1776 Lustleigh, bur. 3 Nov 1791 North Bovey, aged (16).

ii. Walter Mortimer of Lustleigh 1778-1846, bap. 1778, m. Mary Plumshole, 4 Apr 1805, North Bovey. In 1841 he was an ag lab in N. Bovey. He died in 1846, Lustleigh. Walter and Mary had issue:

1. Walter Mortimer 1805

2. Elizabeth 1809

iii. Mary 1779-1780, bap. 1779 Moretonhampstead, presumably d. young before the birth of her sister Mary in 1786.

iv. George Mortimer of Marldon, 1781-1860, contemporary of George Mortimer of Moretonhampstead below. He was bap. 27 May 1781 North Bovey, and m. 1. Elizabeth Tozer (1778-1814) 14 Jun 1805, Marldon, m. 2. Mary Hawkins (1787-1867) 12 Jun 1825, Marldon. In 1841 he was occupied as an ag lab in Marldon. He died in 1860, and was bur. 8 Jan 1860, Marldon. George and his first wife Elizabeth had four children, all of whom were baptised in Marldon.

1. Mary b. 20 Oct 1805, bap. 3 Nov 1805 Marldon, who d. young, bur. 10 Nov 1805.

2. George Mortimer II b. 30 Dec 1806, bap. 11 Jan 1807

3. Susanna b. 19 Aug 1809, bap. 3 Sep 1809

4. John Mortimer of Greenwich (1811- bef.1884), b. 14 Aug 1811, bap. 25 Aug 1811. John m. Marina Tribble 1 Dec 1846, St Mary Magdalene Bermondsey, who was also born in Devon. They afterwards lived in Greenwich where John Mortimer worked as a hair dresser. They lived at 5 North Terrace Trafalgar Rd., Greenwich. John died and was bur. 13 Apr 1881, Greenwich, and Marina his wife was bur. 7 Nov 1884. They had the following children.

i. Elizabeth Ellen 1848-1882, bap. 12 Mar 1848 Woolwich St Mary Magdalen, Kent, m. Robert Whetstone, 8 Jan 1870, Christchurch, Greenwich. She was bur. 27 Sep 1882, Kensington and Chelsea.

ii. Marina 1853

iii. Amelia Louise 1855-1949, bap. 10 Apr 1857 Greenwich St Alphege, m. Charles Leeds Stocks, 10 Dec 1883, St George the Martyr.

iv. George John Mortimer 1857-, b. 25 Nov 1857. He joined the Royal Navy in 1877. He m. Cassandra Stevenson (1859-1944) 19 Dec 1880, St John Deptford, and they had at least two sons.

v. James Frederick Mortimer 1861-1937, bap. 1 Dec 1861 Greenwich St Alphege. He m. Hannah Matilda Bowman (c.1855-1926), 26 Oct 1884, St Luke Deptford. They lived in Cann Hall, Essex and had children, at least two sons. He died 31 May 1937, London.

vi. Arthur Philip Mortimer 1865-1944, b. 1 May 1865, bap. 1 Feb 1871 Christchurch, Greenwich. He m. Henrietta Buss (1867-1940) 27 Jun 1886 St Philip Deptford, London. They had at least five sons.

v. William Mortimer of Staverton, 1783-1841, bap. 16 Feb 1783, Moretonhampstead. He was apprenticed to John Atwill of Broadhempston, mason 21 Apr 1807. He m. Margaret Dodd (1785-aft.1841), 13 Oct 1808, Buckfastleigh. Between 1821/25 he was occupied as a husbandman in Staverton. By 1841, he was working as an ag lab in Broadhempston. He died sometime after, presumably before 1851. William and Margaret had the following ten children.

1. John Mortimer of Totnes 1809- , bap. 13 Aug 1809 Buckfastleigh, he m. Jane before 1881. He was occupied as a quarryman, and fl. 1851 Buckfastleigh, 1871/81/91 Totnes. By 1881 he had evidently retired from work when he was described as lately a labourer.

2. Mary bap. 12 Apr 1812 Buckfastleigh.

3. William Mortimer II bap. 9 Oct 1814 Staverton

4. James Mortimer bap. 20 Oct 1816, m. Mary Ann French (1821-1906), Jan 1841 Broadhempston. Their children were:

i. Harriet c.1842

ii. William Mortimer 1844-1921

iii. Elizabeth c.1846-1880, m. 1864 to Arthur Bradley Bowden (1843-1881).

iv. Ann French M. c.1849-1925, m. Henry Binmore (1846-1921), in 1866, Newton Abbot reg. district.

5. Susanna 1819-c.1824, bap. 31 Jan 1819, d. young before birth of younger sister Susanna.

6. Elizabeth bap. 15 Apr 1821

7. George 1823-c.1825, bap. 1823 Staverton, date unrecorded. He d. young before birth of younger brother George.

8. Ann bap. 1 May 1825

9. George 1827-1827, bap. 13 May 1827

10. Susanna 1828-1832

vi. Susanna 1785, bap. 20 Feb 1785 North Bovey, presumably so named after her aunt Susanna Mortimer, who was sadly convicted in 1787 at the age of 27 and transported to Australia for the rest of her life (see below). Susanna perhaps married George Baker in 1810, Exeter St Thomas the Apostle.

vii. Mary 1786-1857, bap. Christmas Day 1786, m. Thomas Stillman, 21 Mar 1809, Moretonhampstead. They lived in Exeter St David parish, 1851. She died in 1857 and was bur. 8 Apr 1857, Exeter St David, aged (73).

3. Walter Mortimer V 1748-1813, bap. 2 Feb 1747/8, North Bovey. He m. Susanna Dodd, 1775, North Bovey. He was bur. 9 Jul 1813, North Bovey, aged (66). Susanna his wife died in 1823. They had the following children.

i. William Mortimer of Manaton 1776-1828, bap. 21 Jul 1776 North Bovey, m. Joan Leyman (1772-1839) in 1802, Manaton. He lived in Higher Langdon, Manaton in 1814 and worked as a labourer, according to his daughter Mary’s baptism record. William was bur. 10 Feb 1828, North Bovey, aged 51, of Rendon. William and Joan had the following four children.

1. Elizabeth bap. 26 Dec 1805 Manaton.

2. John Mortimer of Ilsington 1808- , bap. 22 May 1808. He m. Elizabeth in c. 1831, and they had the following nine children. They lived in Ilsington 1841, Bickington 1851, and Ilsington again in 1861, where he worked as an ag lab.

i. Maria Ann 1833, Ilsington

ii. John Mortimer II 1840

iii. Thomas Mortimer 1841-1913

iv. Emma 1844

v. Ann 1845

vi. Elizabeth 1847

vii. Alice c. 1849 Ilsington

viii. Henry 1853 Bickington

ix. Alice 1858, Bickington.

3. Ann, bap. 16 Jun 1811

4. Mary, bap. 13 Nov 1814.

ii. Elizabeth 1778- , bap. 21 Apr 1778 North Bovey, m. Thomas Lee 24 Jul 1806 Stoke Damerel. She lived in Stoke Damerel in 1851.

iii. Wilmot 1780, b. 5 Mar 1780, m. William Holloway 20 Nov 1803 North Bovey.

iv. Susanna 1781, b. 18 Nov 1781, m. Richard Westington 14 Oct 1804 North Bovey.

v. George Mortimer of Moretonhampstead, 1786-, contemporary of George Mortimer of Manaton (1781-1860) above. He was bap. 29 Jan 1786 North Bovey. He m. Margaret Osbourne 6 Nov 1813, Stoke Damerel. They lived in Bere Ferrers where he was occupied as a husbandman, followed by Moretonhampstead, where he worked as an ag lab. They had the following children.

1. George Mortimer 1814- c.1818, bap. 3 Apr 1814 Bere Ferrers, who d. young, before the birth of younger brother George in 1820.

2. Henry Mortimer bap. 18 Aug 1816 Bere Ferrers

3. George Mortimer II b. 1820 Moretonhampstead

4. Grace Osbourne b. 1821 Beer Alston, bap. 4 Feb 1821 Bere Ferrers, who had a son George Mortimer b. 1849

5. Emma bap. 21 Jan 1827 North Bovey

6. William Mortimer bap. 8 Feb 1829

7. Margaret Louisa bap. 18 May 1834

vi. John Mortimer of Sampford Spiney 1787-1855, bap. 23 Dec 1787 North Bovey. He served in the First Regiment of Foot (Grenadier Guards from 1814, and fought in the Napoleonic Wars in both Canada and Europe. He was released from service before 1826, at which point he was a Chelsea Pensioner. He m. Elizabeth Sherrell 7 Dec 1825, Newton Ferrers, they had no issue. They lived in Sampford Spiney, in 1841, when he was an ag lab, and 1851, at which point he was reliant on his Chelsea Pension. He died before 1861.

vii. Walter Mortimer VI 1790-1853, bap. 4 Jul 1790, North Bovey. He m. Sarah Shears 15 Mar 1812 North Bovey, and they had the following children in North Bovey where he worked as an ag lab.

1. Mary 1815, bap. 20 Aug 1815 North Bovey, m. John Bond, and they lived in Torquay.

2. Susanna 1818-1870, bap. 5 Jul 1818, m. Henry Zaple in 1841, Newton Abbot reg.

3. Phoebe 1821-1872, bap. 11 Feb 1821, lived in Chagford as a servant in 1841, m. John Pethybridge (1820-1882) in 1844, Newton Abbot reg., they lived in Tormoham, where she died in 1872.

4. Ann 1824, bap. 15 Feb 1824, m. James Dolbear in 1841, North Bovey. This may have instead been Ann b. 1823 N. Bovey daughter of Edward Mortimer.

5. Walter Mortimer VII 1826, bap. 13 Aug 1826, who joined the Royal Navy and became a seaman. He m. Mary Popham (c.1835-1869) in 1853, Plymouth. They had three daughters, Elizabeth c.1859, Esther c.1864 and Belinda c.1867.

6. Eliza 1830, bap. 3 Jan 1830

7. William Mortimer 1831, bap. 1 May 1831

8. Maria 1835, bap. 28 Jun 1835, who lived with her sister Susanna and family in 1851.

viii. Nicholas Mortimer of North Bovey 1792-1866, who was bap. 2 Dec 1792. He m. Mary Elliot, which marriage was witnessed by Thomas Elliot. They lived in North Bovey, where he worked as an ag lab, as detailed in the baptism records of his children and the 1841-61 census returns. Nicholas and Mary Mortimer had the following children in North Bovey, where the lived next to his brother Walter Mortimer.

1. John Mortimer 1815, bap. 12 Mar 1815 North Bovey, m. Sarah (c.1821- ). They lived in North Bovey in 1841/51/61.

i. Mary Ann c.1847-1918

ii. Sarah c.1850

iii. Deborah c.1852

iv. William Mortimer c.1855

v. Nicholas Mortimer c.1858

vi. Elizabeth c.1860

2. Deborah 1817-1904, bap. 28 Sep 1817, m. William Routerby 1840

3. William Mortimer 1820-1900, bap. 26 Mar 1820, m. Susan Parker. He enlisted in the army and served as a private in the 90th Regiment of Foot. He was discharged before 1849 after which point he was a Chelsea Pensioner. William and Susan lived in North Bovey and had three children.

i. Leah 1861-1885, who m. Ananias Frost (1855-1924) in 1880, Newton Abbot reg.

ii. Edward Thomas Elliott (Tom) Mortimer 1864-1899, a servant in 1881, North Bovey, who became a Royal Navy merchant seaman, and emigrated to Australia where he died in 1899.

ii. Mary Kate 1868-1943, b. 2 Jan 1868, who m. John Garrish (1868-1949), 14 Apr 1894 North Bovey.

4. Thomas Mortimer 1822, bap. 8 Sep 1822, joined the Royal Navy and gained rank of Colour Sergeant. He m. Julia Newman in 1848, East Stonehouse. They had no issue.

5. Walter Mortimer 1825, bap. 6 Mar 1825

6. George Henry Mortimer 1828, bap. 16 Mar 1828

7. Mary Ann 1831, bap. 10 Jul 1831

8. Susan 1834-1910, bap. 26 Jan 1834, m. Henry Bishop (1828-1894) in 1856, Newton Abbot reg. Henry Bishop was born in Crediton, where by coincidence another Mortimer family lived)

9. Nicholas Mortimer II 1838, bap. 18 Feb 1838, m. 1860 Newton Abbot reg., who perhaps died in 1873, Portsea.

4. Mary 1750, bap 27 Feb 1749/50, Lustleigh. She may have married John Ash, 15 Jul 1771, Moretonhampstead.

5. Elizabeth 1753, bap. 8 Jul 1753, contemporary of Elizabeth Mortimer b.1755 daughter of George (above). She possibly m. James Richards, 12 Jan 1775 North Bovey. Otherwise this was Elizabeth b. 1755.

6. Wilmot 1756-1767, bap. 15 Aug 1756, bur. 22 Mar 1767 Lustleigh.

7. Richard 1759-1759, bap. 1 Apr 1759, died young, bur. 1 May 1759 Lustleigh.

8. Susanna Mortimer (1761-1846)*. Susanna was bap. 14 Jun 1761 in North Bovey. In Aug 1787, Susanna Mortimer aged 26 of Lustleigh, was accused of sheep stealing at Moretonhampstead. She absconded but was arrested in Southampton. She was convicted and sentenced to transportation for seven years. She was transported to Australia aboard the all female convict sheep Lady Juliana in 1788. After arrival in the colony, she was sent to Norfolk Island, Tasmania, with 194 other convicts, aboard the Surprize. In 1791 she married Thomas O’Brien, an Irish First Fleet marine officer, who had retired to take up a land grant on Norfolk Island. They lived in Glenorchy, and had children together, with many descendants in Australia. She died 31 Dec 1846 in Glenorchy, Tasmania.

9. William Mortimer 1764, bap. 3 Jun 1764, whose date of death is unknown, but who may have died young.

 

Returning to the family of Nicholas Mortimer, younger brother of Walter Mortimer IV:

Nicholas Mortimer of Bovey Tracey 1729-1795

Nicholas was bap. 8 Apr 1729, youngest surviving son of Walter and Joan Mortimer, and the younger brother of Walter Mortimer above. He m. Grace French (1729-1796), 15 Jan 1754, Manaton. The family evidently lived in Bovey Tracey; when his son George married in 1783 he was residing at Bovey Tracey. Nicholas was bur. 18 May 1795, Bovey Tracey. His widow Grace was bur. beside him 31 Oct 1796. They had the following children.

1. George Mortimer of Ilsington 1754-1827, contemporary of George Mortimer 1753-1839, (see above). George was bap. 28 Oct 1754 North Bovey, and m. Joan Shilston (c.1762- ) 5 Sep 1783, Lustleigh. At the time of their marriage, George Mortimer lived in Bovey Tracey, which was obviously his home parish, and where both his parents were buried. The marriage was witnessed by George Mortimer and John Arscott. The witness George Mortimer was possibly his uncle, George Mortimer of North Bovey, yeoman, d. 1787, or his relative George Mortimer of Lustleigh (both mentioned above). George and Joan lived in Ilsington and had nine children. George was bur. 16 Mar 1827, Ilsington, aged (67). His age at death given in the burial record is probably inaccurate, as no other George Mortimer born c.1759 is known from contemporary sources (George Mortimer b.1761 Ideford belongs to a different family unconnected to Bovey Tracey). Their children were all baptised in Ilsington. George’s wife Joan’s date of death is unknown, and it appears she was not buried in Ilsington.

i. John Mortimer 1784, bap. 4 Jul 1784 Ilsington, of whom nothing further is known.

ii. William Mortimer of Ilsington c.1786-1867, was born around the year 1786 in Ilsington, presumably the son of George and Joan Mortimer. His baptism is probably unrecorded, though he may have been bap. in 1787 Morchard Bishop. He m. Susanna Honeywill, 12 Aug 1819, Ilsington, who was a distant relative and a granddaughter of Richard Honeywill (above). and they had the following children. George was a small farmer, in 1841 he was a farmer of 74 acres, employing 1 labourer. He died in 1867, Ilsington.

1. Mary Honeywill, b. 15 Dec 1819, bap. 31 Jan 1820, Ashburton Independent Meeting House.

2. William Mortimer II 1823-1901, bap. 1 Jan 1824, Ilsington.

3. Elizabeth 1825, bap. 22 Sep 1825 Ilsington.

4. John Mortimer 1831, bap. 1831 Ilsington

5. Susan 1838, bap. 19 Sep 1838.

iii. Jane 1786-1860, bap. 10 Apr 1786 Ilsington, possibly m. Edward Wyatt 1809 Gidleigh, and bur. 21 Jun 1860 Trusham aged (70).

iv. George Mortimer II 1788-1871, bap. 14 Oct 1788, Ilsington, married his cousin Elizabeth Mortimer b. 1793 (see below), 27 May 1819 Ilsington. They had the following daughters, all of whom were baptised in the Ashburton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. In 1851 he was living in Ilsington, as a farmer of 90 acres employing 2 labourers. He died in 1871, Ilsington. Two of his daughters married Kingwell family members. His contemporary was George Mortimer of Walkhampton who also m. an Elizabeth and had children baptised in the Ashburton Wesleyan Circuit in the same time period.

1. Eliza b. 1820

2. Mary 1822, b. 12 Jan 1822, bap. 12 Feb 1822, who m. Joshua Berry.

3. Susan 1827, b. 4 Jun 1827, bap. 1 Jul 1827, who m. William Abbott (1828-1908) in 1854, Newton Abbot reg.

4. Elizabeth b. 1830, visiting her sister Mary Berry in 1851. She m. _ Barter and emigrated to the US.

5. Harriet 1831, b. 10 Nov 1831, bap. 5 Jan 1832

6. Anna 1833, b. 27 Sep 1833, bap. 20 Jan 1834

v. Mary Ann 1791, bap. 17 May 1791, m. John Kingwell 10 Nov 1814 Ilsington.

vi. Thomas 1794, bap. 16 Jan 1794 Ilsington. Of him nothing further known.

vii. Susan 1795, bap. 17 Dec 1795 Ilsington, m. Thomas Kingwell, Christmas Day 1816 Ilsington.

viii. Nicholas Mortimer 1798-1883, bap. 14 Jun 1798, m. Judith Ash 2 Dec 1824 Ilsington, they lived in Ilsington 1851, Hennock 1861, Chudleigh Knighton 1871, and Hennock 1881. He died in 1883.

ix. Josiah Mortimer 1804-1876, who never married. Josiah lived with his brother Nicholas in 1851. He d. 16 Dec 1876.

2. John Mortimer of Ilsington 1757-1830, who was bap. 10 Aug 1757 North Bovey, second son of Nicholas and Grace Mortimer of Bovey Tracey. In 1780, he may have fathered an illegitimate child with Elizabeth Rich; James Mortimer, b. 1780 Hennock. He m. Elizabeth Hill (1766-1806), 26 Apr 1791 in Teigngrace, at which point he lived in Bovey Tracey. After their marriage, John and Elizabeth lived in Ilsington and Hennock, where John was occupied as a farmer (as stated in the m. record of his son George in 1839). They had the following children, all baptised in neighbouring Hennock. He died in 1830, Ilsington at the age of 72, and was bur. 1 Jun 1830, Asburton.

i. John Mortimer II 1792, bap. 2 Aug 1792 Hennock, who m. Elizabeth Taylor, 17 May 1823 Teigngrace. John was a farmer of Narrowcombe Farm, Ilsington, as stated in the baptism records of his children in Bovey Tracey baptist chapel. John and his family emigrated to America in 1846, sailing from London to New York aboard the ship Prince Albert on 25 Jun 1846. The family then lived in Lawrence, Mercer, New Jersey as shown in the 1850 US Census.

1. John Mortimer III 1823 Ilsington, bap. 4 Oct 1823 Bovey Tracey baptist chapel, sailed to New York in 1846

2. George Mortimer 1825, bap. 21 Mar 1825

3. Elizabeth 1827, bap. 21 Feb 1827

4. William Mortimer 1829, bap. 18 Dec 1829

5. Henry Mortimer 1832, bap. 20 Nov 1832

ii. Elizabeth b. 1793, Ilsington, bap. 3 Sep 1793, Hennock, m. her cousin George Mortimer (above), 27 May 1819, Ilsington. The census records confirm her birthplace as Ilsington.

iii. Mary 1795, bap. 11 Jun 1795, Hennock, m. William Staddon, 6 Dec 1821, Ilsington.

iv. William Mortimer of Tormoham 1797-1861, saddler, bap. 29 Jun 1797 Hennock, who was apparently born in Hennock according to the 1851 census. He m. Ann Cleave, 2 Apr 1839, Kenn, and they had the following two children. They afterwards lived in Tormoham, Torquay, where he died 8 Mar 1861.

1. William 1841-1855

2. Anna Maria c.1844

v. George Mortimer of Ilsington 1799-c.1876, miller, bap. 16 May 1799 Hennock, m. Mary Ann Knowling, 26 Sep 1833, Ilsington. They lived in Ilsington throughout 1851/61/71. He died before 1881.

  • James Mortimer of Plymouth (1780-1856) was an illegitimate son of John Mortimer and Elizabeth Rich. He was bap. 9 Apr 1780, Hennock. He m. Ann and was a porter in Plymouth, living on Westwell St. He died in 1856 aged (80), and was bur. 10 Jul 1856 Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. James and his wife Ann had one daughter, Eliza.

3. Mary 1760, bap. 3 Oct 1760, North Bovey, m. William Barber, 28 Mar 1788, Bovey Tracey. Her date of death is unknown.

4. Joan 1763-1840, bap. 22 May 1763 Lustleigh, m. William Dymont (1763-1832), 15 Feb 1785, Bovey Tracey, bur. 28 Dec 1840, Bovey Tracey, aged (80). Her age at death given in the burial record appears to be inaccurate by a few years.

5. William Mortimer of Bovey Tracey 1765-aft.1841, bap. 21 Nov 1765 Bovey Tracey, m. Catherine Lethbridge (1776-1865), 14 Feb 1802, Bridford. Catherine his wife was born in 1776, Tedburn St Mary. They lived in West Teignmouth in 1813, at which point William was a husbandman. They both lived in Alphington in 1841, and William died sometime after that year. They had the following children.

i. Mary Ann 1803, bap. 17 Feb 1803 Bovey Tracey.

ii. William Mortimer II 1805- , bap. 1 Oct 1805 Tedburn St Mary

iii. Harriet 1808-1822, bap. 16 Jun 1808 and bur. 12 Oct 1822, Tedburn St Mary

iv. Catherine 1813-1888, bap. 6 Jul 1813 West Teignmouth, who m. John Rice before 1841.

v. George Mortimer 1813, bap. 6 Jul 1813 West Teignmouth, who possibly m. 1838 Newton Abbot reg. district.

6. Susanna 1768-1805, bap. 25 Feb 1768 Bovey Tracey, m. Nicholas Lamacraft of Bridford, 28 Mar 1798, Bovey Tracey. Susanna was bur. in 1805, Manaton.

7. Grace 1774-1851, bap. 17 Nov 1774 Hennock, m. Nicholas Lamacraft 6 May 1800, Moretonhampstead, bur. 1 Jan 1852 Exeter St Thomas, aged (77).