William Hambling PEPPERELL

Other Events:

• Education: 1871, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; Scholar
• Occupation: 1881, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; Solicitor's Clerk
• Residence: 1901, 36, Alma Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
• Occupation: 1901, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; Brewer's Traveller

Notes:

(Research):FreeBMD indexes have no entry for the marriage of a William Hambling Pepperell (phoenetic search on surname).
The first marriage of a Wm H was not until 1911 - Kingsbridge RD, and none in Bristol or Clifton RD, so it seems probable that William did not marry.

Birth:
GRO ref: Pepperell, William Hambling; q4 1864 Clifton RD 6a 115; GRO online index shows mother's maiden name as Hambling

Residence:
William was living with his mother (who was head of household) and a boarder (25 year old Edward Parker, a Railway Porter, born in Botley, Hants.)

Died:
GRO ref: PEPPERALL, William q4 1909 Bristol 6a 100 aged 44
The above seems the most likely death for this William (not the William H Pepperell, who died in Gloucester RD in 1922 as the GRO online index shows his middle name was Henry)

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1871, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England; Inspector (Board of Health)

Notes:

Birth:
From 1871 census where shown as aged 47

Died:
between 1871 and 1881 from censuses
GRO ref: Pepperell, George q3 1873 aged 49 Clifton RD 6a 89

George married Elizabeth Baker HAMBLING on 17 Oct 1852 in St. James’ Church, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. Elizabeth (daughter of Clerk William Bartlett HAMBLING and Elizabeth BAKER) was born in 1825 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was christened on 25 Dec 1825 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England; died on Dec Q 1909 in Bristol Reg Dist, Gloucestershire, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1851, 10, York Buildings, Exeter, Devon, England; House servant
• Residence: 1871, 29, Alma Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
• Residence: 1881, 30, Alma Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
• Residence: 1901, 36, Alma Street, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England

Notes:

(Research):There were several other children born in Bristol or Clifton RDs in the period 1852 - 1874 who could be the children of George and Elizabeth, viz:
Harry b q3 1860, probably the Harry who died q1 1861;
Georgina b q2 1861, d the same quarter;
George, probably a twin of Georgina, prob the George who died q3 1863;
Mary E, a 7 year old, died q4 1866;
Frank b q4 1867, d q3 1868;
George b q3 1869, d q1 1870.
However, there were other Pepperell families in the area so I am not suggesting that all of these were the offspring of George and Elizabeth.

Occupation:
to Toby family (name spelt Hamlyn)

Residence:
Mary was living with her husband and founr children

Residence:
Elizabeth is shown in the 1881 census as daughter to one John Franklin, when she clearly wasn't.
Could have been daughter-in-law, but since her husband's name was Pepperell, only if George was illegitimate. But with George being born in Torcross and John Franklin in Bristol this doesn't seem likely. Elizabeth was first entered as house-keeper, but this was crossed out - would make more sense that she was a domestic to John Franklin, or maybe she was living as his wife, but pretending to be his daughter to cover up this irregularity. John was about 23 years older than Elizabeth so old enough to be her father. Two of Elizabeth's children were still "at home" - Elizabeth and William, while Selina was married and living at no. 28.

Residence:
Elizabeth, "living on own means", was living with her son and a boarder (25 year old Edward Parker, a Railway Porter, born in Botley, Hants.)

Died:
GRO ref: Pepperell, Elizabeth; q4 1909 Bristol RD 6a 106, aged 86
I'd be happier if the index had a middle initial or name, but this seems the most likely death of Elizabeth. Age not perfect but close.
There was also the death of an Elizabeth Pepperell reg in Bristol in 1910, age given as 80.

Notes:

Married:
GRO ref: Hambling, Elizabeth Baker to Pepperell, George q4 1852 Bristol RD 6a 19
Details from transcribed data - place on FamilySearch, and date from FMP, citing FamilySearch.
Since 17 Oct 1852 was a Sunday this may refer to a reading of the banns, and not the actual marriage ceremony.

Other Events:

• Residence: From 1814 to 1829, Torcross, Stokenham, Devon, England
• Occupation: From 1814 to 1816; Labourer
• Occupation: From 1819 to 1841, Torcross, Stokenham, Devon, England; Fisherman

Notes:

Added Samuel and his family because I suspect they were related to my Slapton Pepperell ancestors (son George would be on my tree anyway as husband of my 4 x great aunt Elizabeth Baker HAMBLING)

Baptised:
"Samuel the son of George & Jenny Pepperell"

Residence:
when his children were baptised

Occupation:
when his daughter Ann and son Philip were baptised

Occupation:
when dau Hannah, son Geo was bapt (1823) and in 1841 census

Buried:
shown as aged 55, abode Torcross

Samuel married Susanna YABSLEY on 8 Jan 1811 in St. Michael and All Angels’ Church, Stokenham, Devon, England. Susanna was born between 1791 and 1796; died after 1851. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1851, The Village, Strete, Blackawton, Devon, England

Notes:

Probably the daughter of Roger Yabsley who was living with Susan and Samuel at the time of the 1841 census (aged 80, an ag lab)

Birth:
From the 1841 where rounded down age given as 45

Residence:
Head of a household, with her were just a servant (male, aged 13) and 7 year old William Goodyear, described as a 'lodger', but who appears to be her grandson.

Died:
in the census that year

Notes:

Married:
Bachelor and Spinster, married by Banns, Samuel signed, Susanna made her mark, witnesses: George Pepparall and Ambrose Patey

Other Events:

• Occupation: From 1814 to 1864, Blackawton, Devon, England; Gunsmith
• Occupation: From 1821 to 1852, Blackawton, Devon, England; Bell founder
• Occupation: From 1829 to 1864, Blackawton, Devon, England; Parish Clerk
• Occupation: From 1 Jul 1837 to 1864; Registrar for Blackawton sub district
• Tithe Apportionments: 1839, Blackawton, Devon, England
• Occupation: From 1846 to 1864, Blackawton, Devon, England; Sub-postmaster
• Will: 18 Oct 1849; Written
• Miscellaneous: 1855, Torquay, Devon, England; Librarian of Torquay Mechanics' Institute
• Guardian: From 1862 to 1864
• Obituary: 4 Mar 1864
• Probate: 29 Oct 1864, Exeter, Devon, England; Calendar entry

Notes:

10 yr old g.dau. Amelia Hurrell (dau of Mary) staying (visitor) at time of 1861 census (born London)

Occupation:
Recorded as gunsmith at the baptisms of 10 of his twelve children (1814 - 1835), in the 1841 census, in his will (written 1849), gun maker and registrar (1851 census), registrar, Post Master and gun maker (1861 census),  and gunsmith on his death certificate and probate calendar entry (both 1864).

The two children's baptisms that don't show William as a gunsmith were his 1st child, William Baker, baptised 1812 when no occupation was given and his 3rd, John, baptised 1815 when he was recorded as a blacksmith.

Occupation:
The dates shown here are those when the church bells known to have been his work were made. He may have made school and chapel bells etc. at an earlier or later date.

Occupation:
The burial register entry for William shows he was Parish Clerk for 35 years.
Since his obituary in the local paper shows a new Parish Clerk needed to be appointed after his death he clearly cotinued as Clerk until his death (as was the norm).
I suspect he may actually have been Parish Clerk for about 38 years rather than 35.
The previous Parish Clerk was one Thomas Hyne; the last marriage entry he signed was on 21 March 1826. On 27 March a Susanna Hyne signed - was she deputising for Thomas? He was buried on 7 April, having died aged 84.  A Thomas Hyne was witness at nearly all marriages when the new format for recording marriages was first used in 1754, but as this Thomas would only have been aged about 12 it was probably his father. I know of no relationship to this Thomas Hyne, so the office does not appear to have stayed in the family.
William appears to have been appointed Parish Clerk on the death of Thomas Hyne, first signing a marriage entry after Thomas's death on 2 May 1826. Checking PR entries up to 16 April 1837 shows that he signed a third. His father, James, seems to have helped out initially, signing as a witness at three 1826 marriages, one with William, but is not found subsequently.     (A booklet about Blackawton describes William as clerk to the Parish Council; this is impossible, and must be a mis-understanding of the term Parish Clerk, as he died 30 years before this other sort of Parish Clerk came into being)

Occupation:
I have seen William Bartlett Hambling shown as the registrar for family events (births, marriages and deaths) in Blackawton, Stoke Fleming and Slapton.
Registration only started in the middle of 1837 so he can't have taken this on before then; I think he probably took on the role in 1837. His obituary implies he remained in the role until his death.

Tithe Apportionments:
When the tithes were apportioned in 1839 there was one entry for William Bartlett. He was shown as both the owner and occupier of just over half an acre of land.
This is surprising - I thought he owned property at Milcombe but was living in the village. I need to see the tithe map to see what this was.

Occupation:
Post Master (1850, William White's Directory etc.)

Miscellaneous:
"HAMBLING, W.B. Librarian. Appointed librarian of Torquay Mechanics' Institute EFP 19/4/1855 8b." - this Wm or his son?
Not only were there only 3 W Hamblings in the 1851 census for Devon  with the middle initial B, this Wm, his son and grandson, but the FreeBMD index only shows births / deaths for a couple of other William B Hamblings, neither of which were in Devon, and no deaths of anyone else old enough to have been the librarian.

This William lived in Blackawton i.e. about 18 miles from Torquay by road, about 13 if it was possible to cross the Dart at or near Dittisham. His son was in Totnes, only 9 miles from Torquay, so better placed to take on the duties. The ingenuity of this William, venturing into bell founding, he could well have had an interest in the Mechanics' Institute and with his taking on the varied duties of Postmaster, Registrar and Parish Clerk suggests the sort of character that might well have been librarian. From what I know of his son William this is less obvious, but it may be that he had inherited similar a character. It may have been poor health of himself and his family, and the changing times (the industrialization of gun making) that let to his lack of success in life.

Guardian:
William became guardian to the 3 surviving children of his son William Baker Hambling (Charles, Sarah and Caroline) on the death of the latter in 1862.

Obituary:
In the Western Times, 4 March 1864:

Blackawton. - Clerk Hambling in Memoriam.
- On Monday last, the remains of Mr. Bartlett Hambling
were interred in a grave near his father's. The deceased's
life is worthy of mention, he was usually known as Clerk
Hambling, having held that office for 38 years, was also
registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, and Post-mas-
ter nearly 30 years ; in early years he recast many church
bells, his brass castings for machines could not be ex-
celled ; and as a gun-maker his name will long be re-
membered by the sporting world - in fact a man of his
talents, as a mechanic, is rarely to be met with in a rural
district. He was 75 years of age ; has left a widow and 11
children. A knell was rung after the funeral, in the usual
able manner by the ringers of Blackawton ; the rev. in-
cumbent is most actively canvassing in direct opposition
to the views of most of the parishioners, to elect some
other person to fill the office of Clerk and Registrar
instead of Mr. Henry Hambling who has been deputy to
his late father for many years.

Probate:
HAMBLING, William Bartlett. Effects under £100.
29 October. The Will of William Bartlett Hambling late of Blackawton in the County of Devon Gunsmith deceased who died 24 February 1864 at Blackawton aforesaid was proved at Exeter by the oath of Elizabeth Hambling of Blackawton aforesaid Widow the Relict the sole Executrix.

Died:
GRO ref: HAMBLING, William Bartlett q1 1864 Kingsbridge RD 5b 169; GRO online index shows age at death as 75

Cause of death: Apoplexy, 7 hours. Registered by Peggy Trout, present at the death, who made her mark. His son Henry was the registrar.

Buried:
Gravestone "In affectionate remembrance of William Bartlett
Hambling who died February 24th 1864 aged 75 years "what I say
unto you say unto all: watch" "
Date of burial from South Hams website, accessed 23 Jan 2012

William married Elizabeth BAKER on 14 Jan 1812 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Elizabeth (daughter of James BAKER and Sarah LAVERS) was born about 1794 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was christened on 30 Jan 1794 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England; died on 1 Nov 1880 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 8 Nov 1880 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Occupation: From 1864 to 1880, Blackawton, Devon, England; Post Mistress

Notes:

I expect caring for her 3 orphaned grandchildren fell to Elizabeth when her son William died in 1862; initially her husband became guardian but he died 2 years later.

Although minors they were aged about 13, 16 and 18 when orphaned so shouldn't have need much practical care, though having lost their parents and 6 siblings they may well have need emotional support. (Unusually for child deaths of the period, the children died mostly in their teens / early twenties rather than in infancy) Sadly two more were to predecease their grandmother - Caroline aged about 17, and Charles aged about 23, 2 years after he married. 

Occupation:
After being widowed (1871 census and noted as "keeper of Post Office" in her burial register entry).
I suspect that in practice Elizabeth had been running the post office before William died, even though he was officially the post master. It seems to have been the norm to appoint / list the husband where a married couple were involved.

Died:
GRO ref: Hambling, Elizabeth q4 1880 aged 86 Kingsbridge RD 5b 137

Died of "old age".
Her death was registered by her daughter-in-law Emmeline (present at the death), wife of the registrar Henry Hambling!

Buried:
In grave with husband; on gravestone "Also Elizabeth Hambling
relict of the above who died November 14th 1880 aged 86 years"
Burial register shows abode as Post Office, age as 86. (Source: SH website)

Notes:

Married:
both signed, James Hambling witnessed

Notes:

Buried:
shown as aged 61, abode Torcross

George married Jenny MARDON on 16 Apr 1784 in All Saints’ Church, Combeinteignhead, Devon, England. Jenny and died. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
"George of the parish of Stokenham and Jane Mardon of this same parish ... Banns ... " - both signed, witnesses: Elizabeth Berry and Stepn Crispin, both signed.
Was Jane of Combinteignhead or of Stokenham? - after Harwicke's act so you would expect one to be "of this parish", is that a rogue 'same' that seems to say that she was of the same as George? And if she was, it should be 'the same' not 'this same' - unclear.

Other Events:

• Occupation: Blackawton, Devon, England; Blacksmith and Gunsmith
• Property: From 4 Dec 1784, Peekes House, Blackawton, Devon, England; Lease

Notes:

Birth:
Age given as 23 when lease was arranged in 1784.

Occupation:
James described himself as a Gunsmith in his will and was referred to as such when a notice of his wife's death appeared in the papers.

On the front page of the Sherborne Mercury - Monday 20 July 1789:

"Whereas I John Bickford, of the parish of Blackauton, in the county of Devon, blacksmith, do hereby acknowledge that I have maliciously (and without any cause or provocation) slandered James Hambling, of the said parish and county, blacksmith, with bad actions and things of dishonesty, which I cannot prove; and James Hambling having threatened to prosecute me, has consented to stay proceeding thereon my making this public acknowledgement, witness my hand,
The mark X of John Bickford

Witness,
John Hole,
John Roope.
Blackauton, July 10, 1789."

There may not have been any reasonable cause, but there surely must have been some reason. Was John Bickford an older man, fearing the competition from James - a younger (27 at this time) and maybe better blacksmith? Was he disgruntled because some who had formerly taken work to him were now turning to James? Did he suspect James of behaving unfairly in persuading them to use him? Or was he young man, just starting out, and trying to build up a clientele?  I will try to find out more about John Bickford.

Property:
Date of Lease: 1784 Dec^r 4
Lessor: William Cholwich
Lessee: James Hambling the younger
Name or description of property: Messuage or Tenement called Peekes House
Parish where situate: Ditto [Blackawton]
Term: 99 " [years]
Lives: Lessee, Age: 23
Lives: Ann Hambling, Age: 26
Lives: Nancy Hambling, Age: 1
Yearly Rent: 4/-

Most leases like this were on three lives, but a few others in the schedule, the later ones like this, were just on a single life.

From: Mortgage of Estates in the County of Devon by William Thomas Lear Cholwich Esq: to J. Bowes Brown Esquire, for securing £13500 and Interest and further advances up to £20,000, dated 3rd June 1836.
Document now owned by the Blackawton and Strete History Group, many thanks to Bob and Anne Harvey of BASH for allowing me to see this.

Died:
Died of "Visitation of God" on 14th July.
Coroners inquest held by Joseph Gribble - 15th July.

GRO ref: Hambling, James q3 1837 Kingsbridge RD 9 177; GRO online index shows age at death as 75

Buried:
from burial reg: aged 75, resident of "Town"

James married Ann BURGOIN on 16 Jun 1783 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Ann (daughter of William BURGOIN and Mary BELLAMY) was born about 1758; was christened on 25 Feb 1759 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England; died in 1836 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 11 Sep 1836 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Age at time lease was arranged in 1784 given as 26; at time of her death given as 77. If both were accurate then born between 11 Sep and 4 Dec 1758.

Education:
It would appear that Ann had little eduction - she just made her mark when a witness at her sister Mary's wedding

Died:
In the "deaths" section of the Sherborne Mercury - Monday 12 September 1836:
"At Blackawton, Devon; Mrs. Hambling, wife of Mr. J. Hambling, gunsmith."
(unusually, no date was recorded) 

Buried:
from bur register: aged 77, resident of "Town"

Notes:

Married:
Witness George Lavers was probably a friend from childhood, not a relation; he was born the same year as James in Blackawton. He was to become linked by marriage, as James's daughter-in-law Elizabeth Baker's mother was a Lavers. George may have been her first cousin; I'm not certain which of two John Lavers her father was.

Other Events:

• Occupation: Blackawton, Devon, England; Yeoman
• Occupation: 1779, Blackawton, Devon, England; Husbandman

Notes:

(Research):James Baker is obviously quite a common name so why I do think James' parents are the James and Grace shown here?
1. James' appears not to have been baptised in Blackawton so probably came from elsewhere, most likely a neighbouring parish, which Slapton is.
2. James and Sarah seemed to like to use family names - 1st son after James himself (or his father), first daughter after Sarah (or her mother), then, if his mother was Grace, 2nd dau after James' mother.
3. The burial register gives his age as 84. This is consistent with a baptism in 1754, assuming he was a few months old when baptised.

Birth:
Place assumed from baptism, date based on the age given in the burial register and on his gravestone - which say 84, differing from the 80 quoted on the death certificate

Baptised:
From FamilySearch website, accessed 5 Feb 2012
indexing project (batch) number: C05200-1; system origin: England-ODM; source film number: 916936
Parents shown as James and Grace

Occupation:
According to his and his widow's death certificates.
Not only did James die at Woodford but he was living there when he wrote his will the year before. Although he calls himself a yeoman in his will, he may well have retired - he was in his 80s, and in his will only mentions house, garden and orchard, nothing related to farming. This means we can't be certain he farmed at Woodford.

Apprentices:
I am sure that the James Baker referred to must be this James or his son (there were no others in the parish), but I don't know which.

There are indentures of 5 pauper apprentices appointed to James Baker, yeoman as master:
on 3 Apr 1807 - Charlotte Almon, aged 8 years, apprenticed to James Baker of Blackawton  - appointed by the overseers of Halwell Parish
on 25 May 1813 - William Ellis, aged 9 years, apprenticed to James Baker of Blackawton, yeoman   - appointed by the overseers of Halwell Parish:
in 1820 - William Heyman
in 1821 - Mary Slute
in 1823 - George Proute

Some of these, especially those in the 1820s, may have been apprentices to his son rather to this James. I have not yet seen the indentures (all are at the Devon Heritage Centre), but I guess the girls were to study housewifery, and so would really be apprenticed to (working for) the wife of which ever James was the master.

Occupation:
At the time of his marriage

Died:
GRO ref: Baker, James q4 1837 Kingsbridge RD 9 194; GRO online index shows age at death as 80

The death was registered by Woodford farmer Reuben Dinnis, present duing the last illness, presumably his grandson with this name (son of his daughter Sarah). The age given (80) is different from that on gravestone and in the burial register (both show 84). Perhaps Reuben wasn't too sure and gave a round figure, whereas James' widow and daughters knew better.

Buried:
burial register shows aged 84

James married Sarah LAVERS on 15 Dec 1779 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Sarah (daughter of John LAVERS and Sarah PROUT) was born in 1757 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was christened on 5 Sep 1757 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England; died on 19 Oct 1839 in Woodford, Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 23 Oct 1839 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sarah Lavers was described as spinster at time of her marriage to James so I assume Susan (mentioned in James' will) was illegitimate.

Was Grace Heath who registered Sarah's death a relation? - she was about the same age as her first dau Grace but I think it unlikely they had 2 daus called Grace alive at the same time, and Grace no. 2 was married to William Pitts. In 1841 I think this Grace Heath was no longer at Woodford but at Lower Wadstray (separate household in the same house as Grace Pitts and family?). Not only is the name right but her husband (assumed relationship) was a mason; in 1839 Grace Heath gives her residence as "Masons Wipe" at Woodford.

Baptised:
On the SouthHams website

Died:
GRO ref: Baker, Sarah q4 1839 Kingsbridge RD 9 207; GRO online index shows age at death as 82

Her death was registered by Grace Heath (who made her mark), of Masons Wipe, Woodford, who was present at the death. The registrar was her son-in-law William Bartlett Hambling. 

Buried:
burial register shows of Woodford, aged 82

Notes:

Married:
by banns, both of this parish, both signed, witnessed by Bart.
Harvey and Wm. Cornish

Notes:

Baptised:
Parents recorded as John and Jane Tiperel in the register

Buried:
PROBABLY buried 1780, one of a number of burials of Georges in Stokenham that could have been this George; however, most of the other Georges whose burials those other events could be were not born by 1780.
The one exception is a George baptised in Jan 1780. Given the high rate of infant mortality it is possible that this burial was his, although as he was baptised at Ford Chapel maybe he would have been buried there if he had died in infancy.

George married Elizabeth est 1752. Elizabeth was born about 1723; died on 13 Sep 1785; was buried on 16 Sep 1785 in St. Michael and All Angels’ Church, Stokenham, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
I had estimated about 1730 based on date of baptism of husband and of children. If age on gravestone has been read correctly Elizabeth was born about 1723 (could be 1733 - errors not uncommon, old graves can be very difficult to read; I have not yet seen it for myself so I don't know how clear this one is)

Died:
Date recorded from gravestone (by W.A. Roberts) as 13 08 1785, also that Elizabeth was wife of George, age given as 62 (grave P352 in Roberts' booklet). I suspect month should be 09 and that burial register is correct

Buried:
From PR (have seen image on FindMyPast)

Notes:

Married:
From the date of baptism of his first known child; I suspect Elizabeth's maiden name might have been Jellard, as their son Robert named his first child Elizabeth Jellard PEPPERELL

Other Events:

• Proof Argument: For linking the Berry Pomeroy and Blackawton James's as one
• Occupation: 1760, Blackawton, Devon, England; Blacksmith

Notes:

Birth:
I had 'abt 1722' - I don't know where I got this date from, I suspect it is an estimate based on the date of his wife's baptism.
Date and place now shown from baptism.

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 18 Apr 2017)
"Aprill 11.^th Then Was Baptized James Son of James
Hamling and Anne his Wife"

Proof Argument:
Introduction
Hambling and variants (Hamling, Hamblyn, Hamlyn etc.) is a name not that unusual in the South Hams, with families in adjacent families to Blackawton at various times.

In Blackawton, where this James first married in 1745, the Parish Registers are in good condition, and accurately indexed on FMP, and it is clear that not only is there no baptism of James in the PRs but there was no Hambling family there around the time James was born that could be his immediate family, but just the odd occurence of the surname before he married.
So where was James from?
Although there is no evidence of a Hambling family in Blackawton at an earlier date, and no evidence of a James born around the right time in an adjacent parish, one John Hambling married in Blackawton in 1754 (his burial suggests he was born about 1729). In addition a George married in the neighbouring parish of Slapton in 1759; his burial suggests a birth c. 1740, but he too seems to have come from elsewhere.

Were either or both of these brothers or otherwise closely related to James and give a clue to his origin?

The main evidence

1. Contenders to be James of Blackawton
There were lots of John and George Hamblings; James Hambling was a far less common name in the South Hams, the only baptism I have found which could be his is the one given here, in 1723 in Berry Pomeroy. (I think a James born in Widecombe in the Moor in 1722 was probably one with the name who died there soon after).

It would be unsafe to assume that the Berry Pomeroy James was the right one merely from it being the only one found 'to fit'. Although most PRs for this area are now indexed online, some indexes are poor, with many entries inacurrately transcribed (though by the C18th generally more accurate than for the C16th or C17th). In addition, some baptisms may have been recorded in registers, of parish or non-conformist churches, which do not now survive, and in some reigsters not all pages or all parts of pages are complete, and some clergy were negligent in the keeping of the registers.

However, being the only one found, though, Berry Pomeroy James has to be a strong contender.

2. What became of James bapised in 1723 in Berry Pomeroy?
The only burial of a James that could be the one baptised in 1723 in Berry Pomeroy itself was in 1762 (no age or other info. given). However, since James bap. 1723 had a father called James it seems far more likely that the burial is that of the father. (So far I have not looked for a gravestone, nor have I viewed the burial PR entry I think likely to be the widow of James senior; this burial was in Berry Pomeroy so confirming this would make it more likely that James senior was buried in Berry Pomeroy).
If I am wrong and the 1762 burial was that of James junior of Berry Pomeroy, there should be a burial somewhere for James senior; I have found no other that seems likely to be his. It seems highly probable that the 1762 burial was James senior. Other than in Blackawton I have found no burial that could be that of James junior.

Of course James junior of  Berry Pomeroy need not have married, but I have also found no other marriages that could be of James junior in the immediate vicinity of Berry Pomeroy (that parish or adjacent ones); those in Blackawton seem the most likely for this James.
There was a James who married in Churchstow in 1761 with no obvious James baptism there or nearby, but this would be quite late for the first marriage (if such it was) of someone born in 1723, so I don't consider that too much of a challenge to be the James baptised in Berry Pomeroy.

Taking evidence points 1 and 2 together, a James in Blackawton with no other possible origin found than James of Berry Pomeroy, and a James in Berry Pomeroy for whom no very likely fate is known than in Blackawton does now suggest the two are probably the same one. Looking at more evidence ...

3. James the marriage witness
When this James married in 1778 two witnesses were called James Hambling. One I believe was his son ('James Junr'). Since James senior of Berry Pomeroy was probably buried in 1762 it cannot be him. Clearly if I am wrong to identify this James as James junior of Berry Pomeroy then the witness could be that James. However, there was another James living near Blackawton in 1778: James, the son of George of Slapton. Baptised in 1762 he would have been a minor, but this was not a bar to being a witness. It seems most likely that James of Slapton was the witness. Unfortunately I have not been able to discover what became of James of Slapton (quick search only); if he could be identified and a signature could be found for him it would be useful to compare them. 

4. Possible brothers
To return to the question raised earlier, could John of Blackawton and / or George of Slapton closely related to James? Brothers do often move together, although the relatively short distance this time and the number of Hambling families around mean it is more likely than often in such situations that there was no link.
John born c. 1729: James of Berry Pomeroy did have a brother John but he was baptised 1734; whilst a five year error is certainly not impossible it does make it less likely that Blackawton John was the same person as Berry Pomeroy John.
Blackawton John had four sons, and whilst these included not only one with his own name but also a George, there was no James, as one might have expected if he were the son and brother of a James, and the other two were William and Robert, not names found in the Berry Pomeroy family but found (along with John and George) in other South Hams Hambling families. In addition John of Blackawton made his mark when he married, unlike James of Blackawton who signed. If they had been brothers it is most likely both or neither would have been able to write.
I have not studied the various South Hams Hamblings sufficiently to see where he might fit but at present it seems most likely he was not the John baptised in Berry Pomeroy in 1734.

George of Slapton: of James and his two possible brothers George is the one with the clearest and I suggest most certain link to Berry Pomeroy. His burial suggests a birth about 1740, which fits perfectly with the baptism in Berry Pomeroy. Of course this is assuming that the George that was buried in Slapton is the one who had earlier married there in 1759.  The dates of deaths of two wives of Georges in Slapton suggest all three were of the same George, and whilst this would mean he was young, perhaps unusually so for the period, for the 1759 marriage the fact that the PR entry shows that parents consented does suggest that that George was under 21.
As well as the date of birth, the names of sons of George of Slapton give a strong indication that this was George from Berry Pomeroy. The first four match the names of George of Berry Pomeroy and his brothers. George of Berry Pomeroy only had three brothers so the fifth son of George of Slapton could not follow this pattern - but he was given the name Henry, the name of the only 'Hambling' uncle of George of Berry Pomeroy not to have been the same as the name of a brother.
While none of the names was a rare one, the exact combination does seem too much to be a conincidence.
In addition, his three daughters bore the names of his two wives who bore them, and Ann, George of Berry Pomeroy's mother's name, though with it being such a common name this could be a conincidence.

Evidence points 3 and 4 taken together, i.e. with it seeming likely that James who witnessed this James' 1778 marriage was the son of George, thus suggesting George and this James were closely related, this evidence that George was from Berry Pomeroy suggests that James was probably also from that parish.

Minor pieces of evidence
5. Less signigicant than sons names, but still often pointing to a link I think it may be significant that this James named his second daughter Ann - his first being Mary, his then wife's name. His second daughter was also a daughter of Mary and I think it likely he was giving her his mother's name. (Of course with such a common name another James could easily have had a mother called Ann too, or it could very easily have been after a godmother and not an indicator of mother at all).

6. Marriages were usually between people of a similar social standing. With Ann Bartlett's father being described as 'Mr' when she was baptised, and the Berry Pomeroy couple who were the parents of James junior of Berry Pomeroy marrying by licence, both indicators of families better off than the average, it suggests they may have been of a similar social standing, and therefore a marriage between the two more likely.
But was George of Slapton of the same social standing?
On two occasions George of Slapton was described as a woolcomber, which sounds to me a more humble occupation, but it is interesting that on the third he was described as a yeoman. Usually this is thought of as a farmer, a freeholder rather than a leaseholder (who would be described as a husbandman). However, it had a wider meaning, reflected in the OED definition (II. 3.) which includes "... hence vaguely, a commoner or countryman of respectable standing, esp. one who cultivates his own land." Thus more respectable origin than  'woolcomber' suggests may explain the 'yeoman' description. Of course, George was a younger son, James the oldest; primo geniture may have meant that James had better prospects than his brother George. 

Conclusion
Taking all the above evidence together I do think that we can be reasonably certain that James junior of Berry Pomeroy and James of Blackawton were one and the same person.

Occupation:
Recorded as blacksmith in the baptismal records for his children, also when he married .
I haven't studied the entries to identify as many as possible, but noticed that a William Ching, Blacksmith, had a daughter baptised on the same day as James' daughter Anne, and a Daniel Farley, Blacksmith, had a daughter baptised within a month of James' daughter Mary; it is clear there were several blacksmiths at work in the parish at this time.

Died:
(assumed from burial. or his father died this year)

James married Anne BARTLETT on 6 May 1760 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Anne (daughter of William BARTLETT and Elizabeth WOOD) was born about 1724 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was christened on 15 Jan 1723/24 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England; died in Jan 1777 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 18 Jan 1777 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Notes:

Married:
James signed, Anne marked

Other Events:

• Occupation: Taylor

Notes:

There were 2 couples 'William and Mary' - having children at the same time in Blackawton in the 1740s and 1750s; one William was a tailor and one a husbandman.
The will of Jane Bellamy of Blackawton (writtten and proved in 1788) mentions 'my brother in law William Burgin of Dartmouth, tayler' and mentions her kinswomen [the daughters of this William] including Ann Hamlyn wife of James Hamlyn of Blackawton, confirming my theory that my ancestor William was the tailor (based on dates of baptisms of children).   The Bellamy wills confirm the marriage of my ancestors, William to Mary Bellamy, and in any case the marriage of William Burgoin to Mary Bellamy is too late to be that of William the husbandman and his Mary.

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
exact date hard to read

Died:
Left a bequest in the will of his wife's aunt by marriage, Jane Bellamy nee Harris, which was written 23 Sep 1788.

Buried:
Probably either the William Burgoin buried in Blackawton on 21 Jan 1798 or the one buried there on 4 Jan 1809 (he would have been aged 75 or 86)
From PR entries (images on FMP, viewed 21 Jun 2015)

William married Mary BELLAMY on 26 Dec 1746 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Mary (daughter of John BELLAMY and Wilmot) was born est 1724; died before 1782 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried between 1764 and 1774 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):No sign of the bapt of Mary Bellamy or most of her siblings, nor of her parents' marriage.

Parents and siblings identified through a family who appear in Blackawton, who appear to have moved to the parish from elsewhere, and for several of whom will abstracts were made by Miss Moger and which survive (and can be seen at the DHC) and allow the family to be pieced together. In particular where Mary is concerned the wills of her brother Matthew and his wife (widow) Jane are useful. Although both written after Mary had died, Jane mentions her brother-in-law William Burgoin while Matthew mentions amongst his nephews and nieces John, William and Ann Burgoin, and married their married sisters Sarah and Mary. 

Earlier research, looking for a baptism for this Mary and marriage of her parents:

Only bapt of a Mary Bellamy at right time on FMP (as at 7 June 2014): Halberton (c. 50 miles, over an hours journey even today - viertually no chance it is her based on distance) and who seems to have married in Halberton 1749, or one baptised in Stoke Damerel 1721.

I suspect:
- mistranscribed on FMP
OR on a missing page / part of a page
OR in a Parish not yet on FMP
OR in a Parish where the PRs dont' go back far enough (e.g. Sherford)
OR the family became non-conformist (but would have expected to find her parents' marriage then).

A Richard Blamy of Dittisham married Thomazine Start of Blackawton in 1721 (in Blackawton) - I don't know what became of this couple. Not found the baptism of any children or of any obvious burials, in Dittisham, Blackawton or other nearby parishes in Devon. A Thomazine Bellamy who married in Harford in the 1750s can't be this one as she had children at a date that was too late for one who had married in 1721.

Birth:
Estimate from date of husband's baptism

Died:
Matthew mentions other siblings in his will, and Mary's children, but not his sister Mary herself, suggesting she had died by this date. (The will was written 26 Mar 1782)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 21 Jun 2015)Either
"May 23^d was buried Mary Burgoin" - under heading '1764'
(affidavit register entry: "May 23d was buried Mary Burgoin - - - affid: brought ma[edge of page missing]" - under heading 'Anno Dom. 1764')
or
"August 16^th was buried Mary Burgoin" - under heading 'Anno Dom 1774'

These seem to be the only burials of a Mary Burgoin in Blackawton or Dartmouth in the right date range (after her daughter was born c1762 - 1782 when her brother Matthew wrote his will)

Notes:

Married:
The other William and Mary, that William being a husbandman, started their family in Blackawton with a baptism on 21 May 1745, so this can't be their marriage.

Under heading 'Anno Dni. 1746.' - "December. 26^th: were married William Burgoin & Mary Bellamy"

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptisms)

Died:
(assumed from burial)

James married Grace about 1753. Grace was born est 1730; died about Mar 1782 in Slapton, Devon, England; was buried on 4 Mar 1782 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Just a guess based on baptism dates of children

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Notes:

Married:
Date a guess based on approx date of birth of oldest known child BUT not found in DFHS index so maybe a little earlier

Other Events:

• Alt. Baptism: 30 Jan 1727/28, St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England
• Occupation: From 1752 to 1758, Blackawton, Devon, England; Woolcomber

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
If my ancestor John was the son of Richard and Elizabeth

Occupation:
This was probably John's occupation all his working life, but the first record I have of it is when his first daughter Sarah was baptised in 1752, and the only other in 1758.
On 11 July 1758 a John Lavers, woolcomber of Blackawton, paid the tax due on the indenture of an apprentice, Thomas Frand. I understand the tax was not always paid at the start of the apprenticeship, but I can't find the baptism of a Thomas Frand who could have been the apprentice, in Blackawton or nearby. The closest was a Thomas Friend baptised in Halwell in 1752. Whilst pauper apprentices might start at 7, fourteen was the usual age for others. Maybe although his family could afford to place him practical reasons meant he became an apprentice at a younger age, or maybe he was baptised older than usual and the priest forgot to note it.
Or maybe it was a different Thomas. Although there seem to have been few if any Prebyterians or other non-C of E in Blackawton, there were quite a number in Dartmouth at this time. Perhaps Thomas was from one of those families.

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
Was the burial this John? Can't be sure, could be his father

John married Sarah PROUT on 30 May 1751 in St. Leonard’s Church, Halwell, Devon, England. Sarah (daughter of Christopher PROUT and Catherine CHAMPERNOUN) was born about 1723 in Slapton, Devon, England; was christened on 4 Jun 1723 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England; and died. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):What became of Sarah? - I don't know. Not found a burial of a Sarah Lavers that could be her, nor a possible 2nd marriage. Must have died after 1762, 2 marriages of a Sarah Lavers in Blackawton after this, in 1764 and 1779. The latter was her daughter and the former shows the bride as a spinster.

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP)

Notes:

Married:
From PR entry (image on FMP)
"John Lavers of East Allington & Sarah Prout of Halwell Married 30^th. May, by Banns"Although of East Allington and Halwell Parishes at the time of their marriage I think both John and Sarah were baptised in Slapton; they were probably living in East Allington and Halwell for work. Although both surnames were reasonably common in the area there was only one Lavers baptism in East Allington between 1700 - 1753 (in 1702; from the South Hams website index) and Prouts were similarly lacking in Halwell (the marriage was the only Pro*t CMB event in Halwell, for a birth 1704-1744, according to the FMP index, as at 21 May 2020). The Slapton baptisms seem the only likely ones, assuming the events were in a parish whose records survive, and both being from the same parish could explain how they knew each other. That said, whilst simply putting Halwell and Slapton into Google maps suggests they are 7 miles apart, and East Allington and Slapton 5 miles apart, there is no readily available infomation as to where the families lived in Slapton (if any survives at all) and there is unlikely to be anything to tell us whereabouts John and Sarah were in East Allington and Halwell. Looking at a map of the parish boundaries shows that the detached part of Halwell parish (as it was then - now part of Blackawton parish as the boundaries have been rationalised) has a significant length of boundary shared with East Allington and another section with Slapton. All 3 meet at one point. It is quite possible that John and Sarah lived near each other after moving from Slapton, and neither may have gone far from home at all.

Notes:

Baptised:
From IGI

John married Jane RUMBELOW on 22 May 1718 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. Jane and died. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
It appears that John and Jane and their family moved across the parish boundary from Slapton to Stokenham around 1725, having their first four children bapised in Slapton and then 5 more in Stokenham. In Stokenham their surname caused something of a problem - their first 2 baptisms were recorded with the surname Tiperel, althouh the name had been recorded without problem when their daughter Joyce was buried before this.

Joyce's burial is the first definite sign I have found of Pepperells in Stokenham.
In 1675 a David Perrell married, and in 1697 the daughter of a John Perwell was baptised; this name could be a variant on Pepperell but more likely a mis-recording of Perrett, perhaps from an unclear note - there were lots of Perr(a/e)tts in the parish.

They may have been the first, but it was not long before there were more Pepperells in Stokenham.
Given that John was one of 6 sons of William and Mary of Slapton, all of whom survived the perilous time of infancy to marry and have children of their own, it was perhaps inevitable they would disperse around the area. Son Roger seems to have mostly lived in Sherford, after having his first child baptised in Slapton, but had children baptised in at least 4 parishes (possibly more - there are 3 five year gaps between known children, and the burial of a daughter whose baptism I have yet to find). His 4th child was baptised in Stokenham, in 1729, i.e. soon after his brother John had settled there. It was younger brother Simon who seems to have joined John more permanently in Stokenham, also moving there after starting a family in Slapton.
 
Whilst I am descended from John's brother Samuel (who remained in Slapton) John's descendants include 2 other links to my tree: Robert, his 2xgt grandson, with whom Tryphosa KELLOND (sister of my 3 x great grandmother Tryphena) lived for a few years as though his wife, and another of his 2 x great grandsons, George, who was the husband of my 4 x great aunt, Elizabeth Baker HAMBLING.

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 29 Apr 2017)
"November 3 was baptized James Son of John Hamling & Joan his wife" - under heading '1692', on p.22

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 29 Apr 2017)
"March the 10^th Then was Buried James Hambling"

James married Ann SHINNER on 31 Jul 1722 in St. Mary’s Church, Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England. Ann (daughter of Edward SHINNER and Elizabeth HEYWOOD) was born about 1697 in Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England; was christened on 24 Oct 1697 in St. Mary’s Church, Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England; died in Nov 1775 in Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England; was buried on 13 Nov 1775 in St. Mary’s Church, Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
On FMP index as 'Ann Skiner' but in BT as Ann Shinner [parents not named in BT]

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 29 Apr 2017)
"[November] 13^th Then was Buried Ann Hambling"* n.b. no note, widow or similar, to indicate it probably was this Ann (no entries at this time had this sort of information)

Notes:

Married:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 18 Apr 2017)
"July 31.^th Then was Married James Hamling and Anne Shinner by
M^r. John Prince Vic^r. By Licence Dated November 28^th: 1721
Granted by Doc^tr. Steward. Edw: Cook Rejester"

Other Events:

• Oath of Allegiance: 1723, The Half Moon, Moreleigh, Devon, England
• Freeholder: From 1741 to 1751
• Occupation: 1741, Blackawton, Devon, England; Yeoman

Notes:

The PRs record William as "Mr" William Bartlett at the time of the baptisms of John and Anne.

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Oath of Allegiance:
a William Bartlett of Blackawton is crossed out on the oath of 1723 (not signed) (on list of Oaths sworn at The Half Moon, Moreleigh, 26 August 1723 before Samuel Wootton, John Fowell and William Ilbert esqs); signed on list of Oaths sworn at The Half Moon, Moreleigh, 27 August 1723 before Samuel Wootton and John Fowell

Freeholder:
In the 1741 list for Blackawton each man was shown as either 'esquire' or 'yeoman': William was a yeoman. In 1751 a few were shown as esq or gentleman, but others (including William) were not shown with any specification beyond whether freeholder or leaseholder. In both years William was shown to be a freeholder.

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
possibly, or is this the burial of his son William?

William married Elizabeth WOOD on 4 Jul 1715 in St. Mary’s Church, Charleton, Devon, England. Elizabeth died in Oct 1743 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 28 Oct 1743 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From South Hams website (Mrs.)

Notes:

Married:
The baptisms in Blackawton suggest a marriage of William Bartlett to an Elizabeth c. 1715, unless they had other children elsewhere before moving to Blackawton.
This Charleton marriage not only fits the bill, but if I'm reading it correctly Elizabeth was already 'of Blackawton' (maybe both were).

Notes:

Birth:
I estimat 1675 based on date of bapt of 1st known child, but a baptism and probably birth also in 1682 suggests aged 22 at marriage; perfectly plausible.

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 13 Feb 2020)

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 21 Jun 2015)"April. 19^th: was buried John Burgoin. Taylor." - under heading 'The New Stile, Jan: 1st: 1752.'

Entry in affidavit register:"April. 19^th: was buried John Burgoin. Taylor. Affid: brought the 21^st Da[y]" - under heading '1752'

John married Mary FRIEND on 27 Aug 1704 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. Mary was born in 1681; and died. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Although being in Blackawton makes this seem the most likely marriage of John and Mary, parents of the children shown, there was another marriage of a John and Mary in Halwell the previous year. It is clear from the registers there was a good bit of movement of people between Halwell and Blackawton, so it would be good to be able to rule the Halwell couple out, bu so far I haven't been able to. Burgoin was not a common name in that parish; there was a burial of a Mary there in 1767, but no other entries that could be the couple who married in 1703 or their parents.

Other Events:

• Occupation: 1752; Farmer

Notes:

Birth:
Based on date of baptism of first known child - but there could have been other children born earlier (though not a lot by his marriage to Wilmot, judging by the date of the last baptism known)

Occupation:
Noted when he died (in burial register)

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 21 Jun 2015)"April. 29^th: was buried John Bellamy. Farmer." - under heading 'Anno Dni. 1752.'

Entry in affidavit register:"April. 29^th: was buried John Bellamy. Farmer. Affid: brought the 3^d day of M[ay]" - under heading '1752'

John married Wilmot est 1716. Wilmot was born est 1691; died in Mar 1762 in Blackawton, Devon, England; was buried on 12 Mar 1762 in St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Estimated from date of baptism of first known child

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 21 Jun 2015)"March 12^th was buried Wilmot Ballamy s" - under heading '1762'
[ 4 out of 23 burials on the page have 's' after them - I haven't worked out what it stands for yet]

Entry in affidavit register:"March 12^th was buried Wilmot Ballamy s affid: brought the 13^th day" - under heading 'Anno Dom 1762'

Notes:

Married:
I have only found a baptism for Thomasin - I am assuming it is the right Thomasin, not only was it in Stoke Fleming, a neighbouring parish to Blackawton, but the date fits well with the date Thomasin married, plus it shows her parents as John and Wilmot and a John and Wilmot Bellamy were buried at a time consistent with being her parents in Blackawton.
Although generally quite a common name there weren't many Bellamy events in Stoke Fleming or Blackawton or other neighbouring parishes, and it is clear that John and Wilmot weren't buried in Stoke Fleming.
Given that all of their daughters married in Blackawton and their sons also lived there, it would appear that all the family moved from Stoke Fleming to Blackawton, or else that they always lived in the latter but maybe found it more convenient to have Thomasin baptised in Stoke.

The names of Thomasin's siblings are from the wills of her brother Matthew and his wife Jane, which also name husbands, some occupations, and some children of their marriages. My ancestor Ann Burgoin was not married when Matthew wrote his will but was by the time Jane wrote hers, so it is clear that she was my ancestor, the Ann Burgoin who married James Hambling.

The estimated dobs are based on a combination of the order in which mentioned in John's will and date of marriage. They may be reviewed and adjusted in the light of dates of childrens' baptisms and if any ages at death are found.

Other Events:

• Residence: 1737, Ledstone, Charleton, Devon, England

Notes:

Birth:
Estimated from date of marriage

Residence:
The baptism of his daughter Hester shows the family's abode was 'Lyston' (i.e. Ledstone).

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Charles married Hester LEIGH on 26 Jul 1719 in St. Mary’s Church, Charleton, Devon, England. Hester was born about 1692; died about May 1758 in Charleton, Devon, England; was buried on 7 May 1758 in St. Mary’s Church, Charleton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Also known as: Esther LEIGH

Notes:

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Notes:

Married:
It seems likey there will have been children baptised between James and Hester; I have not yet browsed thoroughly or checked for illegible or missing pages.
The fact that two were baptised outside of Charleton (Susanna in Kingsbridge and Hester in Dodbrook) I don't think indicates a family that was moving around: the Kingsbridge baptism recorded that the family were of Charleton and it was also noted in Charleton PRs (along with children of other families similarly baptised outside of Charleton) and the Dodbrooke baptism shows the family were of Ledstone ('Lyston'). In both cases others on the same page were recorded of Lyston or Charlaton. Although Ledstone was in Charleton parish it was just 2 miles from Dodbrook church, and just slightly more from Kingsbridge Church, but  over twice as far from Charleton Church. All these baptisms I have seen outside of Charleton Parish were in the winter months (Nov - March) when it is easy to imagine that travel from Ledstone to Charleton could have been difficult, with probably any route including steep hills and muddy roads.

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptisms)

Richard married Elizabeth HYNE on 10 Mar 1717/18 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. Elizabeth (daughter of John HYNE and Elizabeth GILLARD) was born on 23 Aug 1696; was christened on 6 Sep 1696 in St. Michael and All Angels’ Church, Stokenham, Devon, England; died about Nov 1740 in Slapton, Devon, England; was buried on 5 Nov 1740 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Date here from baptism register - * IF I have the right Elizabeth *
I estimated about 1690, based on date of marriage and date of baptism of  her husband.
Blackawton and Slapton were full of Hynes, but I can't find one likely to be the one who married in 1718 (searched only using FMP indexes).
There was an Elizabeth born and baptised in Stokenham in 1696 - it seems likely that that Elizabeth is this one, there seems to be no burial or other marriage for her in Stokenham.
* I have  not (yet) searched for possible widows *

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP)
Shows parents as John and Elizabeth

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
I'm guessing the burial was this Elizabeth

Notes:

Married:
From PR entry (image on FMP, viewed 17 Nov 2015)
"Richard Lavers Jun: and Elizabeth Hyne were marryed March 10^th." - under heading 'Marriages in 1718'

Notes:

Birth:
About 1691 from age at burial, given as 83
(place assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP)

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP)
Shown as aged 83, ages were not routinely recorded in Slapton burial register at this time, in fact this is the only one on the page. Presumably it was considered a sufficiently unusual achievement to be worth noting.

Christopher married Catherine CHAMPERNOUN on 3 Jul 1715 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. Catherine (daughter of John CHAMPERNOUN and Elizabeth MORTIMORE) was born about 1689 in Slapton, Devon, England; was christened on 17 Sep 1689 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England; died in Dec 1751 in Slapton, Devon, England; was buried on 17 Dec 1751 in St. James’ Church, Slapton, Devon, England. [Family Group Page] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
(assumed from baptism)

Baptised:
From PR entry (image on FMP)
"Catherine the daughter of John Champernoun and Elizabeth his wife was Baptized the 17^th day of September."

Died:
(assumed from burial)

Buried:
From PR entry (image on FMP)

Notes:

Married:
"Christoford Prout and Catherin Champarnone"