Group C13 (Swimbridge)

• 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. (Data supplied by Patricia Nicholas, great granddaughter of James & Mary Kate Taylor)
• 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. See Group C14
• 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. In 1911 census still at 24 Richard St, North Skelton, as head, 68, widower, Back Overman Ironstone Miner, underground worker; living with Isabelle Maude, 30, widow, housekeeper, born North Skelton, and her daughter Florence Elizabeth, 8, school, born Grangetown, Yorks. In 1921 census at Warren Hill, Briton Ferry, Glam, living with his sister Ellen and Charles Woolacott, her husband: James 78yrs 6mths; foreman iron works (retired). Death regd Neath, Mar 1925, age 87
• GEORGE: Baptised Swimbridge 12 Oct 1845. At home in 1851, 1861 censuses, plough boy. Married:
  (1) 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). Not found in 1871 census. Newspaper story #41 about threats to his sister Jane (see below). In 1881 and 1891 censuses George and Sabina are together in Swimbridge Village, married, both aged 34 (1881), 35 (1891). 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 probably the one mentioned in newspaper reports #24 and #25. Sabina's death regd Barnstaple Dec 1907, age 61. (gravestone). In 1921 census George is a boarder at 16a East Street, South Molton (home of William & Joan Flew): age 75yrs 9mths; widower; old age pensioner, retired general gardener
• 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.) Winifred Kezia Smale, age 4, is with her grandparents George & Mary Ann Somerwill in the 1911 census.
• 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. Newspaper report #25 mentions her playing harmonium at Wesleyan Sunday School. 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

George married (2) MARY ANN BARNES, regd Barnstaple Sep 1908. Together in 1911 census at Swimbridge Village (5 rooms): George 65, tanner's labourer, worker; Mary Ann 63, married 5 years, no children, household duties, born South Molton. George and Mary Ann became caretakers of South Molton Nursing Home. Mary Ann died 19 Jan 1914 - see newspaper stories #107. Death of George regd Barnstaple Dec 1932, age 87.

• JANE: Baptised Swimbridge 11 Mar 1849. At home in 1851,1861 censuses. Newspaper story #36 about stealing apples 1866. In 1871 census at Tower, Swimbridge, servant of William Venn, farmer. Newspaper story #41 about quarrel with George & Sabina (see above). 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. Newspaper notice #87 of marriage to Charles Woolacott 16 Nov 1878 at Thorne Memorial Baptist Chapel. Marriage 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] In 1921 census at Warren Hill, Briton Ferry, Glam: Charles 64yrs 8mths; labourer at Briton Ferry Iron Works, Baldwins & Co; Ellen 68yrs 11mths; domestic duties.
• BETTY: Born Swimbridge c. 1859. At home, age 2, in 1861 census