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Clerk William Bartlett HAMBLING

Clerk William Bartlett HAMBLING

Male 1787 - 1864  (77 years)    Has 36 ancestors and 288 descendants in this family tree.


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  • Name William Bartlett HAMBLING 
    Prefix Clerk 
    Relationshipwith Teresa Ann GOATHAM
    Born 1787  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Baptised 22 Apr 1787  St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation From 1814 to 1864  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Gunsmith 
    • 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 From 1821 to 1852  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Bell founder 
    • 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.
    Account of his work as a bell founder    		 Account of his work as a bell founder

    William Bartlett Hambling, bellfounder


    A description of William's work as a bellfounder, and the bells made by him, together with links to more information about the craft of bellfounding.
    Go to article
    Occupation From 1829 to 1864  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2] 
    Parish Clerk 
    • 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 From 1 Jul 1837 to 1864 
    Registrar for Blackawton sub district 
    • 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 1839  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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 From 1846 to 1864  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Sub-postmaster 
    • Post Master (1850, William White's Directory etc.)
    William Bartlett Hambling's appointment as sub-postmaster     		William Bartlett Hambling's appointment as sub-postmaster
    Will 18 Oct 1849 
    Written 
    The will of William Bartlett Hambling    		 The will of William Bartlett Hambling
    (a 4 x great grandfather of mine)
    Miscellaneous 1855  Torquay, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Librarian of Torquay Mechanics' Institute 
    • "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 From 1862 to 1864 
    • 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.
    Died 24 Feb 1864  Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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.
    Death certificate for William Bartlett Hambling    		 Death certificate for William Bartlett Hambling
    Buried 29 Feb 1864  St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    • 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 Bartlett Hambling and his wife, Elizabeth Hambling nee Baker    		 William Bartlett Hambling and his wife, Elizabeth Hambling nee Baker
    My 4 x great grandparents
    Plot: B33
    Obituary 4 Mar 1864 
    • 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 29 Oct 1864  Exeter, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    Calendar entry 
    • 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.
    Siblings 2 sisters 
    Patriarch & Matriarch
    John HAMBLING,   b. Est 1654,   d. Nov 1732, Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 78 years)  (2 x Great Grandfather) 
    Wilmot,   b. Est 1691,   d. Mar 1762, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 71 years)  (Great Grandmother) 
    Notes 
    • 10 yr old g.dau. Amelia Hurrell (dau of Mary) staying (visitor) at time of 1861 census (born London)
    Person ID I40  All | Teresa's direct ancestors
    Last Modified 13 Mar 2022 

    Father James HAMBLING,   b. Abt 1761, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jul 1837, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 76 years) 
    Mother Ann BURGOIN,   b. Abt 1758,   d. 1836, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 78 years) 
    Married 16 Jun 1783  St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    • 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.
    Family ID F23  Family Group Page  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth BAKER,   b. Abt 1794, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Nov 1880, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 86 years) 
    Married 14 Jan 1812  St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location 
    • both signed, James Hambling witnessed
    Children 12 children 
    Last Modified 19 Apr 2012 
    Family ID F22  Family Group Page  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map Click to hide
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 1787 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsBaptised - 22 Apr 1787 - St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - William Baker HAMBLING - Abt 1812 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 14 Jan 1812 - St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Gunsmith - From 1814 to 1864 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - James HAMBLING - 1814 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - John HAMBLING - 1815 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Mary HAMBLING - 1818 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Charles George HAMBLING - 1820 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Bell founder - From 1821 to 1852 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Hiram Bartlett HAMBLING - 1822 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Henry HAMBLING - 1823 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Elizabeth Baker HAMBLING - 1825 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Sarah Ann HAMBLING - Abt 1827 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Parish Clerk - From 1829 to 1864 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Selina HAMBLING - 1829 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Reuben HAMBLING - 1833 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsChild - Caroline HAMBLING - 1835 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsTithe Apportionments - 1839 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Sub-postmaster - From 1846 to 1864 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - Librarian of Torquay Mechanics' Institute - 1855 - Torquay, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsDied - 24 Feb 1864 - Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 29 Feb 1864 - St. Michael’s Church, Blackawton, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
    Link to Google MapsProbate - Calendar entry - 29 Oct 1864 - Exeter, Devon, England See the place on a map and other information about it - if available (many more will be in time); also all individuals with events at this location Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install)
     = Link to Google Earth (if installed; see link below to install) 
    Pin Legend Address Church or Cemetery Military service or death Hospital Small location Town / City County, state or province Country Registration District Place of education Court Property Not Set

  • Wills (transcripts)
    The will of James Hambling (c. 1762 - 1837)     		The will of William's father, James Hambling
    William was the main beneficiary of his father's will, but from the benefits was obliged to pay his sister Nancy (referred to as Ann in the will) £4 a year while she lived. Also, for the first 4 years he had to pay his sister Mary's children £5 each, one by one.

  • Sources 
    1. [S77] Blackawton and Strete History Group - booklet no. 2, David Stranack, editor, (N.p.: Blackawton and Strete History Group, Autumn 2002.), p.20-21. (Reliability: 3).
      "and clerk to the parish council"
      in an account of the history of the Dartmouth Arms, gives some general information about Henry Hambling and his father William. Whether the reference to his being clerk is from the burial register entry or other sources is not known.

    2. [S72] Blackawton Parish Registers (South Hams website transcript), Kathryn Barnett (transcription administrator), ((http://www.our4bears.net/parishes/Blackawton/Blackawton_intro.htm  )), accessed 23 Jan 2012), Entry for the burial of William Bartlett Hambling. (Reliability: 3), 16 Apr 2012.

    3. [S199] Blackawton - St Michaels Church - m/f images, St. Michael’s Church (Blackawton, Devon), Marriage of James HAMBLING and Ann BURGOIN 1783; DE/REG/57869/1-16 m/f 10 (Reliability: 3).
      "No 201
      James Hambling of this Parish Blacksmith and Ann Burgoin of this Parish Spinster were Married in this Church by Banns this Sixteenth Day of June in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty three by me Thoms. Adams Vicar.
         This Marriage was solemnized between Us      { James Hambling
      { The mark of \\ Ann Burgoin
        In the Presence of   { George Lavers
      { Thomas Hyne"
      The Register is one for combined Banns / Marriage entries, but the banns part of this was left blank - like it would be for a marriage by licence. While most were filled in, a couple of other entries were left blank in 1783/84 for marriages said to be by Banns. Whether the Vicar forgot to fill these in, or accidentally wrote Banns when he meant Licence, I'm not sure.
      (Thomas Hyne was a witness at most marriages at this time and was probably Parish Clerk)