Sommerwill - a Devon Family: Group C13

Group C13 (Swimbridge)

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Additional data supplied by Patricia Nicholas, great granddaughter of James & Mary Kate Taylor

ROBERT: Baptised Swimbridge 3 Oct 1811, son of Robert and Mary (Jewell), see Group C12. Married CATHERINE BUCKINGHAM, Swimbridge 16 Jun 1832. Catherine born Swimbridge c.1807. In 1841 and 1851 censuses together at Swimbridge Town. Robert was a farmer’s labourer. Catherine was buried Swimbridge 28 Nov 1858, age 51. In 1861 census Robert is a widower, age 49, farmer. Robert buried Swimbridge 7 Dec 1871 (‘of Barnstaple’), age 61 (civil register) or 63 (parish register)

ROBERT: Baptised Swimbridge 16 Dec 1832. At home, age 8, in 1841 census. In 1851 census cabinet maker’s apprentice, unmarried, age 18, living at Boutport Street, Barnstaple with his Aunt Nancy (named as Anne in the census) and uncle Philip Symons (see Group C12). Possibly emigrated: see Unused Information
WILLIAM: Baptised Swimbridge 8 Feb 1835. Buried 5 Apr 1836, age 1
MARY JANE: Baptised Swimbridge 18 Jun 1837. At home in 1841,1851,1861 censuses. Married George Taylor (born Swimbridge 29 Oct 1839) at Baptist Chapel Barnstaple ("according to the Rites of the Wesleyan Methodists); marriage regd Barnstaple Mar 1865: George age 28, widower, mason, Swymbridge, son of John Taylor, deceased, mason; Mary age 30, spinster, of Swymbridge, daughter of Robert Somerwill, tanner. Children: four children of George's previous marriage (to Elizabeth Snell, 1861) - John (Dec 1861), George (joiner, born Jul 1863), Elizabeth Ann (born Jul 1865), Mary Ann (born Oct 1867); children of George and Mary Jane: Alfred (1871, Swimbridge), Clara Jane (born 1873 Swimbridge), Ellen (born Neath 1876, married Henry Headon), James (born Neath 18 Oct 1877; married Mary Kate Freethy), Ada (born c.1882). George & Mary Jane moved to Neath, Glamorgan, c.1873-77; living 11 Osborne St, Neath, in 1881 and 1891 censuses. In 1851 census George Taylor Snr is a farm servant living with Thomas Buckingham at Landkey village.

BESSEY: Illegitimate daughter of Mary Jane. Born Swimbridge 3 Apr 1859; birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1859; baptised Swimbridge 12 Jun 1859. (Bessie) marriage regd Barnstaple Jun 1878

WILLIAM: Baptised Swimbridge 19 Jan 1840. Farm labourer, living with parents in 1841, 1851 censuses. Married BETSY CARTER at Swimbridge 25 Mar 1860. Betsy was born at Yarnscombe c.1841. William and Betsy are together in 1861 census at Bidford House, Swimbridge, aged 21 and 20 respectively. In 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 censuses together in Swimbridge; William is a labourer at the tannery. In 1891 at Turnpike Road; in 1901 at Mill Lane. William's death regd Barnstaple March 1914, age 74. Betsy's death regd Barnstaple March 1918, age 76. See Group C14 for children
JAMES: Baptised Swimbridge 4 Dec 1842. At home in 1851, 1861 censuses, agricultural labourer. In 1871 census lodger in Swimbridge, unmarried, age 29, labourer in tannery. In 1881 census lodger at home of Mary Cottle, 24 Richard Street, Skelton in Guisbrough, Yorkshire, unmarried, age 38, iron miner. (Many Devonians and people from all of the country were living at Skelton, working in the iron mine). Marriage to ELIZABETH A. REES (born Briton Ferry, Glamorgan, c.1851) regd Guisbro' Dec 1882. In 1901 census still with Mary Cottle at 24 Richard Street, Skelton: James, son-in-law, age 58, deputy overman ironstone miner below ground; Elizabeth A., daughter, age 50; Mary Cottle, nurse (monthly), 77, born Molton, Devon. Elizabeth is not in the 1881 census as Elizabeth Cottle; she may have had a previous marriage. (Is this the James who died at Neath, Mar 1925, age 87? Did he marry the Elizabeth who died at Swansea, Mar 1924, age 81?)
GEORGE: Baptised Swimbridge 12 Oct 1845. At home in 1851, 1861 censuses, plough boy. Married SABINA MILLAR (dau of John Millar, agricultural labourer, born Winkleigh c.1801, and Elizabeth Millar, born Bishop's Tawton c.1807; living at Congrem Row, Bishop's Tawton in 1851 census. Sabina born Bishop's Tawton according to this census.). In 1881 census George and Sabina are together in Swimbridge Village, married, both aged 34. In 1891 census together in Swimbridge Village, both aged 45. Sabina was born in Chittlehampton c.1846 according to these censuses. In 1901 census at Churchyard Cottage, Swimbridge: George age 54, tanner's labourer; Sabina age 54. Sabina's death regd Barnstaple Dec 1907, age 61 (gravestone). Death of George regd Barnstaple Dec 1932, age 87.

LILLY: Birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1871. In 1881 census at home, age 9, scholar, born Swimbridge
KERZIA: Born Warkleigh. Birth regd (as Kezia) Barnstaple Sep 1872. In 1881 census at home, age 8, scholar. In 1891 census at ‘Woodlands’, Orchard Hill, Northam, age 18, general servant domestic of Samuel Fuller. Probably the 'Kate' age 27 who is an asylum nurse at Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster, in 1901 census (see sister Annie). Married Orlando John Smale (regd Barnstaple Dec 1906). Kerzia died Swimbridge 2 Apr 1907, age 35 (according to gravestone, though actually 34), the day after Orlando registered the birth of their daughter Winifred Kezia Smale, who had been born on 2nd March 1907. Orlando was an attendant at Devon Lunatic Asylum, living at Village, Swimbridge, and later a senior nurse. (Information from Anna Howard, daughter of Winifred.)
SABINA: Birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1875. In 1881 census at home, age 5, scholar. In 1891 census at 47 Mill Street, Bideford, age 15, general servant domestic, visiting Edmund Ellis. Married George Rendell (born Swimbridge 1880, son of William Rendell, gardener) at Swimbridge 25 Dec 1899
ANNIE: Born Swimbridge; birth regd Barnstaple June 1877. In 1881 census at home, age 3, scholar. In 1891 census at home, age 13, occupation illegible. In 1901 census asylum nurse, single, age 23, at Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster (see sister Kerzia). Married William Henry Curnes (born 1879, thatcher from Kenton, son of Henry Curnes, thatcher) at Swimbridge 10 Oct 1906

JANE: Baptised Swimbridge 11 Mar 1849. At home in 1851,1861 censuses. Marriage to John Buzzacott regd Barnstaple Mar 1873. In 1881 census at Swimbridge Village: John age 29, labouring tanner, born Satterleigh; Jane age 32; children: Thomas 7, Hannah 5, James 2, Mary 3 months, all born Swymbridge. In 1901 census John and Jane remain in Swimbridge; son James, age 23, railway engine stoker, is lodging with James and Elizabeth Pearson in Neath. [Patricia Nicholas]
ELLEN: Born Swimbridge c.1852. At home in 1861 census. In 1871 at Newland, Landkey, general servant, unmarried, age 19. Marriage to Charles Woolacott regd Barnstaple Dec 1878. In 1881 census at Newlands, Swimbridge: Charles age 23, tanner's labourer, born Landkey; Ellen age 27; daughter Catherine, age 1, born Landkey. In 1901 census at 35 The Warren, Briton Ferry, Neath, Glam: Charles age 43, labourer in blast furnace; Ellen 47; children: Catherine 21, tin plate worker; Maud 18 (born Swimbridge); John 16 (born Swimbridge), mason's labourer. [Patricia Nicholas]
BETTY: Born Swimbridge c. 1859. At home, age 2, in 1861 census

Memorial Inscriptions in Swimbridge Churchyard
IN LOVING MEMORY OF SABINA THE BELOVED WIFE OF GEORGE SOMERWILL WHO DIED DECEMBER 2ND 1907 AGED 61 YEARS. “Blessed are the pure in heart For they shall see God.”	IN LOVING MEMORY OF KERZIA WIFE OF ORLANDO SMALE AND DAUGHTER OF GEORGE AND SABINA SOMERWILL WHO DIED APRIL 2ND 1907 AGED 35 YEARS. “Blessed are the peacemakers For they shall be called the children of God.”

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