Sommerwill - a Devon Family: Group C19

Group C19 (Marwood / Swansea / Braunton) Summerwill/Summerwell

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Lydia?

Possibly Lydia.
Taken by A. Nelson, photographer,
Durham, Ontario

Mary Jane

Mary Jane Ingram,
nee Summerwill, taken in London

Sarah Anne?

Possibly Sarah Anne
Taken in Barnstaple

Lidia Anne?

Possibly Lydia Anne
Taken in Barnstaple

William Thomas & Elizabeth
Click picture to enlarge

John/James?

Possibly John or James
Taken in Canada

John Henry Smith, husband of Lydia Ann,
at Bernard Lake farm, with a shot lynx.
Click picture to enlarge

Laura - Click picture to enlarge

My Dear Brother
hope you are quite well
as it leaves us all at present.
I am so sorry to keep you waiting so long for
a answer. but I will write a letter to follow.
do you know this Ugly mug. after nearly
breaking the Camara Eh What
So all for this time
With fondest love
from us all
loving Sis:
Laura xxxxxxxxxx

Postcard posted Barnstaple
28 April 1916, addressed to:
Pte. J.Summerwill
R.M.L.I. No 8332 C.Coy.
No 11 Room.
R.M. Barrack's.
Devonport. Plymouth.

Easter Ground House
Home of George & Lydia for a time

GEORGE: Baptised Marwood 29 Jun 1798, son of Thomas and Jane (see Group C16). Agricultural labourer. Married MARY KIDWELL, Fremington, 12 Oct 1822. Mary born Tawstock . Lived together at Woodland in Fremington parish around 1823-5, then at Combrew around 1828-32. In 1841 census at Widdon, Marwood. In 1851 census (index) at Kinnacott, Marwood, age 50 (George), 51 (Mary). George is a farmer of 10 acres. In 1871 census at Middle Marwood. Mary’s death regd Barnstaple 1876, age 82. In 1881 census George is living at Caen Street, Braunton, widower, age 88, pauper, with unmarried son James. George buried Braunton 17 Jun 1884, age 90; death regd Barnstaple Jun 1884. George's and Mary's ages seem to have been exaggerated as they got older.

JANE: Baptised Fremington 2 Feb 1823. Buried Fremington (‘of Westleigh’), 2 Sep 1844, age 21
JAMES: Baptised Fremington 14 Aug 1825. At home in 1851 census (index), unmarried, age 25, agricultural labourer. In 1871 census with parents in Middle Marwood, unmarried, age 40, labourer. In 1881 census at Caen Street, Braunton, with father, unmarried, age 50, labourer.
GEORGE: Baptised Fremington 25 May 1828. In 1841 census with parents in Widden, Marwood, age 10. Married LYDIA THOMAS, Marwood, 26 Mar 1851. (George a bachelor, labourer, age 22; Lydia a spinster, servant, age 20; Lydia signed, George made his mark.) Lydia’s parents: William Thomas married Jane, daughter of Henry and Mary Passmore, Bratton Fleming, 11 Oct 1818. Jane Passmore baptised Chittlehampton 16 Jan 1781 (IGI). Lydia's birth at Bratton Fleming is recorded in the register of the Particular Baptist Chapel, Brayford (Charles parish), 18 Aug 1831 (IGI). George & Lydia were living at Kingsheanton, Marwood, in 1851 census, George being an agricultural labourer. Children’s baptisms show they lived at Heanton Punchardon 1855-1860. In 1861 at Easter Ground House (farm cottage) in West Down, farmer of 15 acres. In 1871 back at Kingsheanton, farm labourer. In 1881 census George, aged 52, married, invalid, living at Instow with son William Thomas; 1891 census, widower, labourer, age 63, living with son William Thomas at Fremington. George’s death regd South Molton Mar 1899 age 69. It appears that Lydia emigrated to Canada in 1872, taking the three youngest children. According to Canadian family tradition George was a drunken abuser. Lydia tied him up in the barn when he was asleep and emigrated. She claimed that she was from a wealthy family but had been cut off for marrying one of the servants. That is not supported by the evidence above, which shows she was a servant, the daughter of an agricultural labourer, at the time of her marriage.

WILLIAM THOMAS: Born Marwood 8 Jul 1851; birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1851; baptised Marwood 3 Aug 1851 (father a labourer). In 1861 census with parents in West Down, age 9, scholar. In 1871 farm servant, tenant in cottage at Beecot, Stoke Rivers, unmarried, age 20. Married ELIZABETH SLADE, Register Office Barnstaple 22 May 1878. Elizabeth born Fremington 17 Oct 1854, daughter of John Slade, labourer (baptised Fremington 9 Jan 1831, son of James and Elizabeth Slade, New House, Fremington, labourer), and Fanny Slade, glover (baptised (Elizabeth) Tawstock 3 Feb 1828, daughter of William and Ann Gregory, Tawstock, labourer). Together in 1881 census in Instow, William age 28, head, agricultural labourer; Elizabeth age 27; in 1891 census at Rookbear, Fremington, William age 41, general labourer, Elizabeth age 40(?). At Bickleton, Instow, when children were baptised. In 1901 census at South Hill Cottage, Bishop's Nympton: William age 51, ordinary agricultural labourer; Elizabeth age 48. William, who had a club foot, caused by a horse treading on him during ploughing, later worked as a ganger on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, and finally as a gardener to a doctor at South Molton. Played the concertina. Death regd South Molton Mar 1932, age 80. Funeral service at South Molton Methodist Church. Elizabeth died in Swansea while visiting her daughter (death regd Swansea Dec 1933). Buried in South Molton.

LUCY: Born Fremington about 1875. At home in 1881 census, age 6; 1891 census, age 16, servant. Married Phillip Greenwood. In 1901 census at 186 Bessborough Road, East Ham, Essex: Phillip age 29, railway porter, born Poona, East Indies; Lucy age 25; daughter Ada M.M. age 2, born London, Middx.
WILLIAM JOHN: Born 1879. Married FLORENCE HAYES.
FREDERICK: Born 1881. Married EMILY FAULKNER.
ALICE EDITH: Born Fremington; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1887; baptised Instow 18 May 1887. At home in 1891 census, age 4, and 1901 census, age 13. Marriage (as Edith Alice) to William Philip Middleton regd South Molton Sep 1905; lived in Rhondda.
LAURA: Birth regd Barnstaple June 1891; at home in 1901 census, age 9; married John Sanders (regd South Molton June 1907). Daughters: Lily, Evelyn, Ivy

MARY JANE: Born Heanton Punchardon; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1854; with parents in 1861 census, age 6, scholar. Married Henry Ingram and lived 277 Cann Hall Rd, Leytonstone, Essex. In 1901 census at 11 Trumpington Road, Cann Hall, Leyton, Essex: Henry Ingram age 45, journeyman baker; Mary age 45 (born Marwood); son Henry age 15 and daughter May age 12, both born Whitham, Essex.
SARAH ANNE: Born Heanton Punchardon; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1858; with parents in 1861 census, age 4. In 1871 census domestic servant, age 13 (born Marwood), at home of Charles L. Clarke, house decorator, master employing 3 men and 1 apprentice, 27 Boutport St, Barnstaple. Married Henry Newcombe. In 1901 census at Exeter Inn, Heaton Punchardon: Henry age 43, farmer on own account, born Heanton Punchardon; Sarah age 43; plus 12 children, six born at Braunton and six at Heanton Punchardon: Charles 21, grocer's assistant; Henry 19, farmer's son; Florence 16, dressmaker; Minnie 14; Bertie 12; Frank 10; Louise 9; Ernest 7; May G. 6; Eva 4; John 2; Edna A. 4 m
JOHN: Born Heanton Punchardon; birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1860; with parents in 1861 census, age 11 months; in 1871 census at Metcombe, farm servant, age 12. Emigrated with his mother to Canada in 1872 (according to 1901 Canada census). Possibly went to USA
JAMES: Born 8 Oct 1862 (source: Mark Elliott), baptised Marwood 2 Nov 1862; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1862. At home in 1871 census. age 7, scholar. Emigrated with his mother to Canada in 1872. Married MARY JACK See Group C19a
LYDIA ANNE: Born Marwood; birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1865. At home in 1871 census, age 5, scholar. Emigrated with her mother to Canada in 1872 . Married (1) George Marshall 22 Dec 1890 in McMurrich Township. George born c 1862 (source: Mark Elliott); died in an accident drawing in hay in July 1893, leaving no children. (2) 17 Oct 1894 at South River, Ontario, Lydia married John Henry Smith, age 29, of Sundridge, Ontario. John was born Canada 1852. Had six children by his first wife, who died 1893 or 1894. Lydia and John lived Whitehall, Ontario, and had further children: Son born and died 1900; Rita Lydia, 1896-1995, m. William m Robert Mandley 1918, Frederick William Toynbee 1952; Ruby Flora, 1901-, m. William Thomas Battrick 1921, divorced 1945, m. John R. Andrews 1946; Trevor George Henry, 1906-1986, m. Evelyn Rheubottom 1939. Lydia died 25 Aug 1923 after a long illness while living with her daughter Ruby. Gravestone in Strong Community Cemetery (Sundridge, South River area) has the inscription: 'Lydia A. Summerville, wife of John H. Smith, born 1865 - Died 1923. John H. Smith, Born 1852 - Died 1938.' Family tradition says Lydia maintained an excellent flower garden on the 'farm' at Bernard Lake, near Sundridge. (Information from Murray J. Mandley, grandson. Other information from Gwen Clark.)

THOMAS (Summerwill/Summerwell): Baptised Fremington 2 Sep 1832. At home in 1841 census, age 5. At home in 1851 census (index), age 18, agricultural labourer. In 1861 census (Summerfield) age 27, carter, unmarried, at Wigmoor Farm, East Down. Despite the discrepancies in the ages and places, probably the Thomas in the 1881 and 1891 censuses at Braunton (this family consistently gets its sums wrong!). If so: married PRUDENCE BEER, daughter of James & Mary Beare (marriage regd Barnstaple Mar 1868). In 1881 census Thomas is head of household at West Hill, Braunton, farm labourer, age 40, born Marwood, with Prudence, age 36, born Georgeham, and children. In 1891 census lodging at East Street, Braunton, agricultural labourer, aged 48(?), born Braunton, with Prudence, aged 44, laundress, born Braunton, and children. Thomas buried Braunton 15 Jan 1899, age 63; death regd Barnstaple Mar 1900. In 1901 census Prudence is at East Street, Braunton, head, widow, 60, laundress, with daughter Harriett. Prudence buried Braunton 13 Mar 1914, age 73; death regd Barnstaple Mar 1914

MARY: Born Braunton 25 Nov 1868 ; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1868. In 1871 census at North Street, Braunton, aged 2, with maternal grandparents. At home in 1881 census, age 12, scholar. Marriage to William Alfred North regd Chard Sep 1898
FREDERICK JOHN: Born 15 June 1872 in West Webbery, Alverdiscott; birth regd Torrington Sep 1872 (Summerwill). Better known as FREDERICK JOHN. At home in 1881 census, aged 8, scholar; 1891 census, aged 17, shop outfitter. In 1901 census at 37 Queen St, Rushden, Northants, age 27, clothier (assistant), boarder of Tom Wheeler, master plumber. Married (Summerwell) FRANCES LOUISA WOODCOCK on 2 April 1902 in Kettering; regd Kettering Jun 1902. Living in Barnstaple area in 1905 when son Frederick Lindsay is born. Frederick John became a special constable in Crediton in 1919, where he ran a menswear shop at 129, High Street. Frances Louisa died 1934; Frederick John died 1943, possibly from a traffic accident, both buried in Crediton Cemetery (Information from Heidi Gillard, great-granddaughter)
ELIZA JANE: Born Braunton; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1874. In 1881 census with parents, age 6, scholar. In 1891 census at 6 Pilton Street, Pilton, with aunt Harriet Beer, aged 15, apprentice dressmaker. Buried Braunton 17 Jan 1894, age 18 (actually 19); death regd Barnstaple Mar 1894
HARRIET/HENERETTA: Born Braunton. Birth regd Barnstaple, June 1878, as Harriet. At home in 1881 census, age 3. At home in 1891 census, aged 13, scholar. In 1901 census with widowed mother, single, age 23, laundress. Buried (as Harriett) Braunton 29 Dec 1913, age 34 (actually 35); death regd Barnstaple Mar 1914

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Group C19 (Marwood / Swansea / Braunton) Summerwill/Summerwell

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Possibly Lydia. Taken by A. Nelson, photographer, Durham, Ontario

Mary Jane Ingram, nee Summerwill, taken in London

Possibly Sarah Anne Taken in Barnstaple

Possibly Lydia Anne Taken in Barnstaple

William Thomas & Elizabeth Click picture to enlarge

Possibly John or James Taken in Canada

John Henry Smith, husband of Lydia Ann, at Bernard Lake farm, with a shot lynx. Click picture to enlarge