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Sommerwill -a Devon Family: Private Group C10a

Group C11 (Ashford/Pilton) Somerfield

Additional information provided by Carol Wilson and David Watkins. Click on the pictures to enlarge them

WILLIAM (Somerfield): Son of John & Grace (see Group C8); baptised Heanton Punchardon 25 Sep 1796; married MARY CROCOMBE , Ashford 20 Sep 1814. Daughter’s marriage certificate shows that William was sexton at Ashford in 1844. Mary born Countisbury c.1790; daughter of James and Rebecca Crocombe; baptised Countisbury 7 Jan 1793. In 1851 census (index) at Courtices, Ashford, William age 55, agricultural labourer, Mary age 57 (?). Mary buried Ashford 25 Dec 1867, age 77; death regd Barnstaple Dec 1867. William’s death regd Barnstaple 1875.

JOHN (Somerwille/Summerfield): Baptised 12 Feb 1815 at Brendon, ‘son of William, husbandman, and Mary of Ashford’. Married Marwood 29 Nov 1840: ‘John Somerfield, labourer of Marwood, and MARY ANN PARSONS, servant, of Marwood (Parents: William Somerfield, labourer; Thomas Parsons, labourer’ (John signed, Mary made her mark). Marriage regd Barnstaple Dec 1840. Mary baptised Marwood 8 Nov 1818, though later censuses indicate birth at Bittadon or East Down, which are neighbouring parishes. In 1841 census they are at Marsh, Braunton, and he is an agricultural labourer. In 1851 census (index) at Mud Lane, Ashford, John age 35, agricultural labourer, Mary Ann age 30, born Bittadon. In 1861 census at 5 Rolles Quay, Pilton: John 46, labourer, Mary 42, born Bittadon. In 1881 census at Rolle Quay, Barnstaple, John age 65, labourer in coal stores, Mary 62, born East Down. John buried Pilton 10 Sep 1894. Burial of Mary Ann regd Barnstaple Jun 1889

ELIZABETH: Born Pilton 1841. At home, age 3 weeks, in 1841 census. At home, age 9, scholar, in 1851 census (index), born Braunton. In 1861 census at Boutport Street, Barnstaple, servant, unmarried, age 20; married John Henry Featherstone, wheelwright of Bishop’s Tawton, at Pilton, 25 May 1862; marriage regd Barnstaple Jun 1862. In 1881 census their daughter Rosa Featherstone, 18, dressmaker, is with grandparents John and Mary. In 1901 census John and Elizabeth are at Village Street, Bishop's Tawton: John, carpenter, 61, born Wear Gifford; Elizabeth 59; daughter Henrietta age 30; Elizabeth's sister Mary with them.
JOHN: Born Ashford, baptised Ashford 13 Nov 1842. At home in 1851 census (index), age 8, scholar. Emigrated to Australia. Married JANE JEMIMA HOOK, Auburn, South Australia, 1862. Jane born Payneham, South Australia, 1844; died Toora watchie, SA, 1896. John died Mt Gambier, SA, 1923.
MARY: Born Pilton, baptised Ashford 8 Jun 1845. At home in 1851 census (index), age 5, scholar. In 1861 census at Boutport St, Barnstaple, domestic servant to Hugh Ballment, shipowner & timber merchant. At home in 1881 census, age 35, unmarried, dressmaker; in 1901 census single, age 54, with sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law at Bishop's Tawton
WILLIAM: Born Ashford 21 Dec 1847. At home in 1851 census (index), age 3, and in 1861, age 14, labourer. Emigrated to Australia. Married ROSE ANN DERWIN. See Group C11a
JAMES: Baptised Ashford 16 Jun 1850, ‘son of John and Mary Anne of Pilton’. At home in 1851 census, age 10 months, and in 1861, age 10, scholar. Married ROSE LANGDON (born Williton, Somerset, c.1849, daughter of John Langdon, sawyer, and Mary Langdon) at Williton, 22 Mar 1874: John bachelor, age 24, kitchen range fitter; Rose spinster, age 25); marriage regd Williton Mar 1874. Together in 1881 census lodging at Long St, Williton, Somerset, James (Somerfield) age 30, smith & grate fitter, born Barnstaple, Rose age 30. In 1891 at Long Street, Williton: James 41, ironmonger's smith & fitter; Rose 42. In 1901 census at Long Street, Williton: James age 50, ironfitter; Rose age 52. In 1911 census at Long Street, Williton (4 rooms): James 60, hot water engineer, worker; Rose 59; married 37 years; 6 children born alive, 4 surviving. Death of James regd Williton Jun 1912, age 62
- HERBERT JOHN: Baptised Williton 31 Jul 1874; birth regd Williton Sep 1874

EDITH MARY: Baptised Williton 2 Nov 1877; at home in 1881 census, age 3; at home in 1891 census, age 13, scholar

ETHEL ELIZA: Birth regd Williton Mar 1880. At home in 1881 census, age 1. In 1891 census, age 11, scholar, with elderly grandparents John & Mary Langdon (80 and 75) in Long Street, Williton. In 1901 census nurse domestic, age 22, at home of Ralph D. Blumenfeld, journalist, Battersea, London. Married Edward Charles Gatrall, Jun 1910, Williton. Emigrated to America. Ethel died New Castle, Pennsylvania, 21 Nov 1947; buried Castle View Cemetery. (Son: David Langdon Gatrall, 1917-1970)
MAY LANGDON: Birth regd Williton Jun 1882; baptised Williton 18 Jun 1886; at home in 1891 census, age 8, scholar, and in 1901 census, age 18. In 1911 census visitor of Charles Stevens at 6 Alexandria Villas, Watchet, Somerset, age 26. Marriage to Francis Stevens, Charles' brother, regd Williton Mar 1913. Francis is with his brother Charles in the 1911 census, 32, single, engine fitter and turner, born Huish Champflower, Somerset.
NORA ELLEN: Birth regd Williton Jun 1887; at home in 1891 census, age 4; death regd Williton Dec 1895, age 8
BESSIE KATE: Birth regd Williton Jun 1890; at home in 1901 census, age 11. With parents in 1911 census, 21, single, dress maker at home on own account

THOMAS SAMUEL : Born Ashford, baptised 21 Nov 1852; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1852. At home in 1861 census, age 8, scholar. Married SARAH ANN. See Group C11b
GEORGE: Twin of Richard. Baptised Pilton 2 Dec 1855; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1855. At home in 1861 census, age 5, scholar. At home in 1881 census, age 25, joiner, married (but wife not present). Marriage to ELIZABETH DAVIS regd Barnstaple Dec 1879. In the 1881 census Elizabeth is a patient at North Devon Infirmary, age 21, born Barnstaple. George died 1895. In 1901 census Elizabeth is at 7 Rolle Quay, Pilton, widow, age 40. In 1911 census with daughter Mary and son-in-law Fred Passmore at 4 Rolle Quay, Barnstaple (4 rooms): Elizabeth 50, widow, assisting relative in greengrocery. In 1921 census still at same address with Mary & Fred; age 60yrs 11mths; green grocer on own account at 23 Vicarage Street Barnstaple.

MARY ANN ('Polly'): Born Barnstaple c.1880. With grandparents and George & Richard in 1881 census, age 1. In 1901 census wih widowed mother Elizabeth, age 21, single, collar factory hand. Marriage to Fred Passmore regd Barnstaple Dec 1903. Together at 4 Rolle Quay, Barnstaple in 1911 census (5 rooms): Fred 34, house painter; Mary 31; plus children Lilian 6, Susan 4, Georgina 2, and mother-in-law Elizabeth Somerfield, age 50. Same address in 1921 census.

RICHARD: Twin of George. Baptised Pilton 2 Dec 1855; birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1855. At home in 1861 census, age 5, scholar. Married (1) ELIZABETH JANE JURY Regd Barnstaple Dec 1876. Death of Elizabeth regd Barnstaple Dec 1878, age 23. Richard is with parents in 1881 census, age 25, civil service, widower.
(2) HANNAH MARY BUMBY (born Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland about 1857) regd Bideford June 1883. In 1891 census together at 15 Victoria Street, Pilton, Richard age 35, posting clerk and telegraphist, Hannah age 34. In 1901 census at 16 Victoria Street, Richard age 45, Civil Service sorting clerk and telegraphist; Hannah age 44. In 1911 census at Post Office, Honiton (6 rooms): Richard 55, postmaster, Post Office; Hannah Mary 54; married 27 years; 2 children born and alive

ALBERTA: Born Bishop’s Tawton about 1885; at home in 1891 census, age 6; in 1901 census, age 16
JOHN N.: Born Barnstaple c.1900; at home in 1901 census, age 1. With parents in 1911 census, 11, at school

CHARLES: Born Pilton c.1859. Pilton parish register records baptism of James (sic), son of John & Mary Anne Sommerfield, 12 Jun 1859. Probably an error in entry. Charles at home in 1861 census, age 1. At home in 1881 census, age 21, unmarried, tailor. Married ELIZA HILL. See Group C11c

MARY (Somerfield): Born c.1821 Shirwell (?). In 1841 census at High Street, Barnstaple, domestic servant. Married at Ashford 18 Feb 1844 to William Eames of Ashford, labourer (son of William Eames, labourer). Mary is of Ashford, spinster (Parent: Wm. Somerfield, sexton); regd Barnstaple Mar 1844
ELIZABETH (Somerfield): Baptised Ashford 19 Jan 1823; married at Ashford 24 Dec 1843 to Richard Tucker, Ashford, bachelor, labourer, son of Wm. Tucker, labourer; regd Barnstaple Dec 1843.
WILLIAM (Somerfield): Baptised Ashford 1 Jul 1827. Married ELIZABETH; marriage regd Barnstaple Dec 1850. In 1851 census (index) at Rolles Quay, Pilton, William age 24, agricultural labourer, Elizabeth age 24, born Burrington. In 1861 census at Quay, Barnstaple: William age 32, smith (‘mechanic’ on daughter’s baptism record); Elizabeth age 32, laundress, born Barnstaple. In 1871 census at 32 Bitte (?Battle?) Lane, Barnstaple: William age 39, railway porter; Elizabeth age 40, born Chittlehampton. Despite the differences in stated ages and Elizabeth's birthplace (Burrington is next to Chittlehampton), the identification does seem to be correct. William’s death regd Barnstaple Sep 1879, age 53. Elizabeth’s death regd Barnstaple Mar 1880, age 53. (Possible children Elizabeth A. 1853, Georgina 1857)

ELLEN: Baptised Pilton 22 Sep 1853; buried Pilton 24 Sep 1853, age 9 months