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I formed the Coldridge-Village web-site (www.coldridge-village.co.uk) way back in the year 2000. - Over the following years I have been very privileged to have enjoyed correspondence from all the four corners of the world from people whose family roots began in or around Coldridge - However, time moves on and now being retired I have had to make some adjustments and sadly the Coldridge web-site hosting had to be one - But to give loyalty back to those who have shared their stories with me this page is dedicated to show some of them.
Email contact: Ray Taylor
 
If you are looking for a particular subject below are some quick LINKS

Coldridge was known as Coleridge even up to the early 1900's, it is a small parish situated on the River Taw, 10 miles from the ancient market town of Crediton. Coldridge was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, as Colrige - it would appear that Coldridges existence as a settlement, dates back to at least Norman times and possibly even earlier. Its name is believed to have derived from the "ridge where charcoal is made" and the fact that it is thought the area was once woodland, this is possibly an accurate description of how the parish got its name.

With no main road going through the village it gives that feeling of times standing still with a quiet relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.
 
If you would like to get a feel of Coldridge from the 1400's then take a look at Max Slee's page on the Slee Family
 
A Coldridge class picture taken in 1897
Mrs Catherine Luxton (teacher) on the right with her daughter Charlotte on her lap , the other faces are unknown.
Picture sent in by Richard Nash of Canada, great grandson of Catherine Luxton

Coldridge just over 100 year ago

In 1891 the village of Coldridge was very different to it is today.
Firstly it was then called Coleridge the population was 395
The Earl of Portsmouth was then lord of the manor and principal landowner, and impropriator of the rectorial tithe.
A School Board of 5 members was formed Aug. 23, 1872;
J. Hannaford of Chulmleigh, was clerk to the board.
Board School (mixed), built in 1874, for 95 children; average attendance, 55;
Mrs. Catherine Luxton, was mistress.

Coldridge was a working village in those days below is a list of villagers, their trades and where they lived taken from Kelly (1893) Post Office Directory of Devonshire.

WALL LETTER BOX cleared at 6 p.m. Letters through Wembworthy
R.S.O arrive at 8.10 a.m. The nearest money order office is at Wembworthy & telegraph office at Lapford station.
 
Name Trade Abode
BLACKMORE, Joseph Millwright  
BORN, Arthur Saddler  
BORN, Thomas Basket Maker  
BRAILEY Miss    
BROOKS, Eliza (Mrs.) Shopkeeper  
COCKERHAM, John Thatcher & Sexton  
COCKERHAM, Robert Shoe Maker  
DENSHAM, Richard Farmer Birch
ELSTON, Richard Farmer Oak
FISHER, John Farmer Lower Chilverton
FISHER, William Farmer Leigh Barton
HARRIS, William Yeoman Coldridge Barton
HEYWOOD, John Rouncely Shoe Maker  
HOOPER, William Farmer Chilverton
HOOPER, William Dart Farmer Park Farm
ISSAC, William Saddler  
KEENOR, John Mason  
KELLAND, Robert Farmer Frost
LEACH, Uriah Carpenter  
LUXTON, George Farmer & Landowner Tawbridge
LUXTON, Henry Farmer Southmoor
LUXTON, Catherine (Mrs) School Mistress.  
MOON, John Frank Farmer Gilscott
NEWCOMBE, William Wheelwright  
NORTHAM, William Farmer Skinnersland
OLDING, George Grocer & Farmer  
PARTRIDGE, Frances (Mrs) Farmer and Miller (water) Park Mill
PEAKE Chas. Edwd. A.M.I.C.E.,   Gilscot
SHARAM, John Tailor  
SANDERS, John Landlord & Blacksmith Stag's Head Public House
STAPLETON, Richard Marine Store Dealer  
STONE, Mary (Mrs) Farmer Hankridge
STONEMAN, Richard Road Contractor  
WOODMAN, William Farmer Frog Berry

 

The Allen and Plumridge's of Coldridge
by
John Howard Norfolk
I went with my cousin Robert Allen to see the village of Coldridge to find out where our Grandad's sister had lived. Now many of what were once the important village businessses are modernised houses called The Old Forge or The Old Bakery or The Old Post Office. It is a shame to realise that the heart of this beautiful country community has been lost but I have heard that village life still thrives.

My cousin and I thought that Coldridge is a beautiful place. Our Grandad was George Creasey Allen and he had a younger sister Winifred Kate who married a Mr Plumridge and lived in The Old School House right next to lovely Coldridge Parish Church.

Their home is still a lovely brick and stone building with a large porch and the old school hall still there on one side. Great Aunt Winifred died and was buried in the beautiful churchyard within sight of the windows of her house in 1972. Her daughter who I knew as "Cousin Madge" used to write to me in the 1970's but sadly I was never able to visit and see her lovely village at that time.

Cousin Robert and I were able to see that Cousin Madge had died in 1982 and was buried in this churchyard right next to her mother. Our visit was on a cold damp December day and not ideal for tramping around a churchyard so we would like very much to return on a bright sunny summer day in 2008 and plant some flowers and bulbs on Great Aunt Winifred and Cousin Madge's graves to show we care for their memories and for the lovely place in which they were so lucky to have lived.

We took photographs on our visit to remind us of what a lovely place this is.

If this artical attracts any replies from people who knew my distant cousins then I would be most pleased to hear from them.

Written by John Howard Norfolk.

The Gibbing's
by
Chris Gibbings

My father put together our family tree until about the mid 1600's in Bampton North Devon and there was no way of going back further as the local church was sacked and records destroyed in the Civil War (1642 - 1651).
I went on holiday to Perth in Western Australia to see friends and while driving around found a "Gibbings Road" about 110KM south of Perth in a place called "Coolup". Now our name is not common so I had to make enquiries and supprise surprise in Lot 1 Gibbings Road a lady still lived who had been a Miss Gibbings. She recognised me as "a Gibbings" when I knocked on the door and showed me photographs of her relations who looked the same as mine but weren't. She provided me with their family history back to a ship called the "John C Munro" which left London for Fremantle on 28th March 1886 with a William Pockcock Gibbings (Born 1829 died 1892) , his wife Fanny Mary and their nine children. They came to take up land offered to settlers but found it was just bush and had a very hard life for a while. They went shopping by Ox cart twice a year in Perth and the journey took nearly a week. The family still farm this land and have thrived. She had discovered that William was decended from Nicholas Gibbings born in Frogbury Farm Coldridge in about 1753. She also knew that there were connections with Springle Moor as in 1777 Nicholas Gibbings married a Susan Evans. There was then a John Gibbings at Nymch Rowland who married a Jane Leach in Morchard Bishop and he died in Broadstairs Kent in 1876. They had a son William Gibbings born in Morchard Bishop 28th June 1829 and it was he who went to Australia.

Now it gets more complicated: - We both knew we had to be related somewhere - the uncommon name and photos that just looked so alike so I had to go to Coldridge. There were Gibbings in the graveyard but much more important a John Gibbings was the Vicar of Coldridge from 1571 to 1602 and his name was on the wall by the church door. He had 12 children so it was not going to be easy. However the third child Walter Gibbings born 1582 (d 1633) had six children and their fourth child John born 26th February 1610 married a Jane Head in Coldridge and they had six children the fourth of which was a Thomas born 1642 and it was his decendants who I have traced as a direct link with the Australians. So I had now taken the Australian side back to 1571.

If we now go back to the original John (the Vicar) and his third child Walter, I traced our side of the family to his sixth child Thomas Jnr (remember the Austrailian came from his fourth child John and his son Thomas, so our lines split in 1610 - 1615).

Thomas Jnr was born 2nd August 1615 and there, for us, the story ends in Coldridge. He went to Oakford, (about halfway between Bampton and Coldridge) as a miller (there were two mills in Oakford and one is still there) and other members of the family bought a Mill in Bampton which still exhists and I have met their relations. Thomas Jnr was very difficult to trace but a Thomas and an Elizabeth from Oakford (the son of Thomas Jnr?) arrived in Bampton and had a son John born 1688 and they had a son William born1712 and there were still connections with Oakford but the wives appear to come from Bampton. Our family tree is in Bampton from then on. I still need to try and nail the links in Oakford but there is no doubt that is how the line goes. Thanks for all the help I received in Coldridge with typed copies of the parish register and I followed that up in the records office at Souton Exeter. To stand where a relation had stood some 450 years ago in your church was quite something and to see his signature on the actual Parish Record was something else.

Hancock
Our Pioneering Ancestors ....
Prepared by Carol Pickett - granddaughter of Ada Louisa Handcock

The Han(d)cock Family of Coldridge, Devon

I would never have believed that researching our family history would prove to be so exciting. We were on holiday in Somerset in 2003 and decided to visit Coldridge in Devon where my father’s mother’s family originated. At that time I had no idea that the village spawned so many pioneers within my own family. Sadly my father died in September 2004, before the ‘pioneering’ information came to light.

Excitingly we found several gravestones of our ancestors in the beautiful churchyard of St Matthew’s – even my Great Great Grandfather, Samuel Handcock, landlord of the Stags Head Inn….a gravestone almost hidden beneath spreading trees to the left of the church.

The death certificate for Samuel Handcock (William & Ann’s son) shows that he died on 25th October 1865 aged 38 years, Innkeeper, of Apoplexy with the informant being his wife, Mary Handcock, present at the death……one wonders why he died at such a young age of a stroke……something we’ll never know I suppose..….

This led us along the road to wanting to know even more about our ancestors. As there are now at least 6 decades of UK census information available on the internet it was possible to follow through with a huge part of this family’s history from the comfort of our own home.

However, there is always a point in time where you realise that there may be many other living relatives ‘out there’ who can put more meat on the bones and maybe have valuable photographs of our colourful kin of yesteryear that we can share.

Luck plays a big part in research, alongside dogged perseverance. We have now discovered that Coldridge gave birth to several pioneers to the antipodes.

We can trace the Han(d)cock line back to at least 1683 to John Hancock (christened 20th May 1683 in Coldridge) who married a Margaret Bragg. There followed several generations with the eldest son of each family being named John.

We come to John Handcock christened 27th September 1775 who married Grace Eldridge also born in Coldridge in 1775 – they married on 4th August 1802 in Coldridge and were blessed with at least 6 children, all born in Coldridge. This amazing couple’s decision to leave their home in England to take up a new life in Australia in the Swan River Colony was to have a profound effect on the later development of the State of Western Australia.*

*This information and much much more has been researched by H L (Mick) Kilpatrick in his booked entitled “The Hancock Story” (detail below) – although the book terminates at the end of the third West Australian born generation).

There is another book entitled “Hancock and Wright” by John F Moyes which gives a colourful account of this John Handcock sailing north from Fremantle in the three-masted schooner “Sea Ripple” with his sister Emma Withnell & her family and another sister, Fanny Hancock, their destination being Cossack (then called Port Tietsin), near Roebourne and 1000 miles north of Perth. They encountered a storm and the schooner ran aground on a small reef. This is a tale of courage in the face of adversity – a website with a synopsis of this story can be found at:
http://www.hancockprospecting.com.au/lang.html.

In following my research through to the current day, it was surprising to discover that my grandmother Ada Louisa Handcock** was a 3rd cousin of Langley Hancock**. Langley Hancock became one of the richest men in Australia and was the 3rd great grandson of John Hancock & his wife Ann Leach through their eldest son, John. Our line of descent is through their youngest son, William who remained in England.

**It appears that the earlier spelling of Handcock was used mostly by our earlier English ancestors – with the ‘d’ being dropped at some stage by the Australian lineage, although the exact timing and reasons for this are not known.

Lang Hancock (1909-1992) was famous in the Southern Hemisphere for discovering iron ore on 22nd November 1952 when he and his wife, Hope, were flying in a tiny Auster aircraft – storm clouds were gathering and they were forced to fly below the clouds through a gorge route, knowing that was the only escape for them. The prospector in Lang could see what appeared to be iron ore in the wet walls of the gorge.***

The rest is history as they say. Lang was the first person to observe and realise that Australia could supply the total World consumption of iron ore for probably thousands of years. His discovery led to the early development of the giant Pilbara iron ore province in West Australia.

***The story of Langley Hancock is well documented on the internet.

Several websites give a fascinating insight to the discoveries – here are just a few of them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lang_Hancock
http://www.hancockprospecting.com.au/announce.html
 http://langhancock.tripod.com/pr01.htm
There have been several books written about (or including) the pioneering Hancock family – as follows:

The Hancock Story, ISBN 0646 03577 0
By K L Kilpatrick. 1991 Action Press.

YEERA-MUK-A-DOO, ISBN 085905 307 5
A Social History of the Settlement of North-West Australia
Told through the Withnell and Hancock families 1861 to 1890 by Taylor, Nancy E Withnell .

There is also a biography of Lang Hancock by John McRobert that we’ve yet to obtain, but will make fascinating reading I’m sure. We believe this was the only biography to have been authorised by Lang Hancock’s family and the author was afforded complete access to all records held by Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd. The biography was published to mark the 50 year anniversary of HPPL, the parent company founded by Lang himself.

Research is not undertaken in isolation so we owe a debt of gratitude to all those family historians we have met along the way including family and old & new-found friends…………and the search goes on and on and on……….

 

The Lindsay's of Coldridge
1896 - 1925
by
Mary Cox (nee Lindsay)

I always knew that my father had been born in Devon and that his father had been head master of a village school but it was only when I started researching into my family’s history that I discovered the extent of my grandfather’s involvement in the village life of Coldridge.

David Robert Lindsay (my paternal grandfather) was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland and trained as a teacher but came to London to improve his fortunes. There he met and married my grandmother Mary Elizabeth Overton in 1890. Mary’s family was originally from Norfolk but like my grandfather they had moved to London to make a better life.

After a spell in London, David Robert took up the post of Master of Coldridge School in 1896. Mary took sewing classes at the school as well as generally assisting and went on to qualify as a teacher and Mistress of the school. The family, together with David Robert’s sister Jean Lindsay, lived in the School House throughout the period they were in Coldridge.

My grandparents had four children – Lionel (Lol) and Bertie were born in London whilst my father Ian and Gertrude Lucy were born in Coldridge. During the First World War Bertie and Ian joined up, Bertie serving with the London Scottish and Ian with the Somerset Light Infantry. Both are commemorated in the Roll of Honour in the Church and I am proud to say that my father was awarded the Military Medal. I have been able to find very little trace of Lol, apart from the fact that at one time he played for the village football team. Gertrude helped out at the school from a young age, standing in for her mother who had poor health.

The most rewarding part of my research was to discover the School Log Books written up by David Robert in the Devon Archives in Exeter. What an insight into village life they provide. Not only do they contain details of the children’s educational achievements (or non-achievements!) but they also paint a vivid picture of life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The weather appears to have been terrible much of the time – gales of wind, torrential rain and heavy snow. Epidemics such as diphtheria and measles took a heavy toll on village life and there were many prolonged closures of the school. Children were also taken out of school to help with the harvests and forced to leave school at an early age - something David Robert found hard to tolerate. Whenever the school hall was required for some function (such as a ball), the school was closed. When the weather was severe children were unable to get to school. In fact, over the years and certainly during the winter months, the school seemed to be closed almost as often as it was open.

David Robert appears to have been something of a disciplinarian and was no stranger to the birch. There were even complaints from some parents over what appeared to them to be excessive caning. Although my grandfather started out with great enthusiasm and high hopes, I rather fear that over the years he became somewhat disillusioned. This was due in part to the continuing poor health of his wife Mary, who had to give up teaching in 1918 but to his own deteriorating eyesight. The saddest sentence in the final Log Book is the one dated 31st March 1925 which simply reads “My duties as Master terminate today.”

I would encourage anyone who has the time to visit the Archives in Exeter and look through the Log Books for the period. I only had a very brief time there but the amount of local information is vast and creates a truly vivid account of the times.

Unfortunately, I have no photographs from the period but the illustration on the Home Page of the website shows the school and school house during the period when the Lindsays were active in the village and the class standing in front of the church may well contain members of my family.

I know there are some members of the Coldridge community whose parents have passed on memories and anecdotes of the Lindsays’ school reign and I should really welcome any further light they can throw on my family.

David Robert Lindsay
Master of Coldridge School
6th January 1896 - 31st March 1925

EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL LOG BOOK
1896
Jan 6 David Robert Lindsay commenced duties as Master of this school today. Mrs Lindsay undertakes the sewing and generally assists. Taken as a whole the school is extremely backward. In writing and setting down sums there is a great want of care. Discipline is very lax. There is a prevailing tendency to cover the mouth with the hand to facilitate whispering. Singing evidently has only been taught by ear, as the children have not the slightest conception of the Modulator.

10 After trying over each class for the week have resolved to restart each class in the ensuing week, each subject. Average for the week 46.5. Number on Register 54. No. Present 51.

13 Re admitted Lilian Newcombe and Lily Dymond.

17 Work has gone on fairly well during the week. Discipline slightly improved. Great lack of punctuality still. Received from Mr Hannaford 3 doz. pencils and 2 doz. pens. Slight improvement in the weakness of the writing in copy books. No. on Register 56. Present 52. Weather has been very stormy during the week.

24 Work progressing very slowly. The children seem to be brightening a little and are taking considerably more interest in their work. Average for the week 48.6. On Register 56. Present 52.

30 Standards I and II improving in Reading, general improvement in Writing throughout the school.
The school being required tomorrow (Friday) for a ball, will be closed for the day. Average for the week 48.3. On Register 56. Present 54.

Feb 7 Work progressing very slowly but satisfactorily. The Board agreed to supply maps which I hope to receive next week. Average for week 49.9. On Register 56. Present 55………………..

The Slee Family ....

Researched in 1976
by
Gerald Devey (Exeter, Devon)
&
Max Slee (Adelaide, South Australia).
The following are extracts (with his kind permmision) from Max Slee's book printed in 1976
There were two distinct Slee families in Devon in the late 1400's, one family just north of Barnstaple in the neighbouring parishes of East Down and Shirwell, and the other at Coldridge near the centre of Devon. Over ensuing centuries the members of these families dispersed over most of Devon, although until the 1700's they tended to remain in clusters. These two major families apparently evolved independently of each other and were possibly not related. The origin of the surname is uncertain, being either (a) a nickname – sly, artful, sagacious, or (b) an occupational name – a slay maker made shuttles used in weaving, or (c) a place name – slea or sley being Old English for a grassy slope. This is a summary of the Slee family of Coldridge.

When Queen Elizabeth I came to the Throne in 1558 she had to find money to pay off the debts of her father and others of her family, so she had the grass lands ploughed up (perhaps the Parks of Coldridge). On 26th January, 1562 she sold `in fee simple to John Waldron of Tiverton and Robert Northcote the elder of Crediton, the rectory of Colridge, Devon, to hold in free socage Issues from all Saints last, the advowsons of the Vicarage reserved'.

An Indenture, tripartite, was made on 19th July, 1625,

"between Roger Slee of Tiverton, Merchant, son and heir of the said George Slee of the first part; William Slee of Uplowman, William Hame (son-in-law of George Slee), William Coleman (son-in-law of George Slee), William Spurway (son-in-law of George Slee), John Berry (son-in-law of George Slee), Robert Dayman, Peter Blundell (nephew of George Slee), Peter West, Peter Spurway, Thomas Bury, and three others, all of Tiverton, being nominated as (Trustees in the Indenture, of the second part, and Johane Slee, widdowe, Executrix of the last Will and Testament of George Slee, of the third part; wherein it is recited that she, by the advise of her overseers had purchased a plote of ground within the town of Tyverton neere adjoining to the dwelling house of the said George Slee, in Peter Street there, and hath erected and built uppon the same plote of ground six dwelling houses for six poore women to dwell in, etc."

She purchased no yearly rent or annuity, but made over to her son Roger Slee, £360 for the purpose of carrying out that part of the Testator’s Will. Roger Slee therefore conveyed to the said Trustees "herein appointed and before named, and their heirs, an estate of inheritance of and in the rectory sheafe and parsonage impropriate of Coldrige in the County of Devon with all and singular his rights, members, and appurtenances" of which the testator died seized, with a proviso that they should reconvey to the said Roger Slee the said Rectory and parsonage for three thousand years, reserving the annual rent of £20. The said rent was to be paid over by the Trustees to the Church-wardens and their successors and to be applied by them for the reparation of the almshouses and for the maintenance of the almswomen, etc.

It appears from an old trust deed, dated 5th March, 1647, that the trustees named in the deed of 1625 demised the said Rectory of Coldridge to Roger Slee, for the term of 3,000 years under the rent of £20, payable quarterly on the four most usual feasts of the year at the parish church of Tiverton.

According to a Covenant in the 1625 Indenture, upon payment of this rent Roger Slee or his heirs could re-enter and regain control of the Rectory of Coldridge and its lands at any time within the next 3,000 years. Owing no doubt to the neglect of the Trustees, no feoffment deed has been made since 1647 and the control of this Charity is now entirely within the hands of the churchwardens. Of the Covenant, no advantage has been taken, and the annuity is regularly paid by the Hon. Newton Fellowes, of Eggsford, who at present possesses the Rectory of Coldridge.

Roger Slee (ca.1490 - )
The Christian name of the earliest known Slee resident at Coldridge is uncertain, though it was probably Roger. He would have been born in Coldridge in about 1490. He married and had four known children:-
1. William Slee, born about 1525, died 1585. (see below for more)
2. Alice Slee, born about 1530, who married to Robert Waldron on 20-9-1556, issue unknown. Robert was possibly the son of John Waldron, later of Tiverton.
3. Thomas Slee, born about 1533, he was possibly a yeoman (farmer) and according to the Coldridge Churchwarden's accounts, in 1592 he was paid 2/10d for a bushel of rye, a pound of butter, and a cheese. He married (wife's name unknown) and had three known children; 1. Joane, baptised 25-4-1578, who married Paul Wheaton on 10-8-1597, issue unknown. 2. Agnes, baptised 21-2-1579, buried 2-3-1579. 3. Nathaniel, baptised 2-2-1589.
4. Margaret Slee, born about 1537, married Nicholas Shilston of Coldridge on 1-6-1567 – issue unknown.

William Slee (ca. 1525-1585)
Born in about 1525, William Slee married twice. By his first wife (name unknown) he had eight children. His first wife died between 1577 and 1581, and he remarried to his second wife, Grace, by whom he had his ninth child, Andrew (born 1582). William was probably a yeoman, and in 1556 he was paid by the Churchwardens for the cleaning and carriage of armour, for use by soldiers in the event of a Spanish attack, which was considered imminent in that period. He was also presumably literate, for in 1569, in company with Harry Dyer, he was paid by the Churchwarden for being Clerk of the Market at the Coldridge Cattle Fair, held annually on the first Tuesday in March. In 1605, his widow, Grace, was paid for hire of her horse which was used to fetch armour from Barnstaple. William died at Coldridge and was buried on 28-2-1585. His widow, Grace, was buried there on 23-9-1619. The nine children of William were;

1. GEORGE SLEE - (see below for more details) -Born in Coldridge in about 1555, the first son of William Slee,
George is one of the most notable members of the family. Spending his childhood in Coldridge, he moved to Tiverton in about 1575 where he began dealing in the cloth trade. He married on the 10th August, 1581 to Joan Chilcott, daughter of John Chilcott (also Comyns) and Eleanor (nee Blundell), of Tiverton. He became one of the wealthiest cloth merchants in Devon and made many charitable bequests. He died in Tiverton and was buried in St. Peters Church, Tiverton, under a noble slab of black marble which was deeply engraved with the following; `Hereunder lyeth buried the bodye of George Slee of Tyverton, Merchant, who departed this life the first of September, 1613...'. There follows a list of his donations to the poor of various places. His wife Joan died on the 13th June 1630, and in her Will she also left charitable bequests to the poor. George and Joan had seven children;

2. ELIZABETH SLEE - was baptised on 6th June, 1559 and married William Reade of Coldridge. She had several children including a daughter, Julian, who married a Mr. Brooke.
3. THOMASIN SLEE - was baptised on 2nd June, 1562 and married John Fletcher (also Dart) and had issue.
4. JOAN SLEE - was baptised on 22nd October, 1566 and married on 19th November, 1580 to Augustine Berry and had issue.
5. AUGUSTINE SLEE
(see below for more) - was baptised on 3rd October, 1570 and lived in Coldridge. He married Joan Smith and had ten children, many of whom died from plague.
6. PAUL SLEE - was baptised on 22nd March, 1572, buried 13th February, 1573.
7. THOMAS SLEE - was baptised on 4th March, 1574, and married on 9th November, 1622 to Mary Luxton and had three known children. He was buried on 25th February, 1629. His children were:

1. George Slee - baptised 28th February, 1623, buried 25th May, 1669. He married and later settled at Lower Frost. By his wife, Jane, who died 21st June, 1704, he had ten children: 1. Mary, baptised 1648, married in 1670 to William Warren. 2. Thomasin, baptised 1650. 3. Jane, baptised 1652, married 1686 to Bartholomew Gibbins. 4. Joan, baptised 1654, married 1676 to Richard Hare. 5. Hester, baptised 1656, married 1678 to Thomas Ellworthy. 6. Susanna, baptised 1658, married 1676 to Thomas Stoneman. 7. George, baptised 1661. 8. Thomas, baptised 1664. 9. Bridget, baptised 1666, married 1689 to Thomas Packer. 10. Elizabeth, baptised 1668, died 1706 unmarried.
2. Roger Slee - baptised 1626.
3. Alice Slee - baptised 5th July, 1629, buried 7th November, 1629.

8. NICHOLAS SLEE - was baptised 30th August, 1577 and who married and is believed to have had issue - details unknown.
9. ANDREW SLEE - was baptised on 25th March, 1582 and buried on 13th December, 1582. Andrew was the only child of William by his second wife, Grace.

Augustine Slee (1570 – 1620)
Baptised on 3rd October, 1570, Augustine lived in Coldridge and married Joan Smith on the 29th July, 1591. His occupation is unknown and little detail could be found of him. He is mentioned as a beneficiary in the Will of his brother, George Slee of Tiverton. He was buried at Coldridge on 18th February, 1620. He is recorded as having made a Will, but like most old Devonshire Wills it was destroyed in May, 1942 as a result of an enemy air raid upon Exeter that destroyed the County Probate Office. The years 1620 and 1621 would have been a tragic period for the family, for in those years occurred the deaths of Augustine and five of his children. The cause of these deaths is unknown but presumably it was plague, which chiefly attacks persons between the ages of twenty to sixty. All but one of his children that died were over twenty years, and his younger children appear to have survived. Plague recurred sporadically in this period in degrees that ranged from local epidemics to
huge pandemics. The ten children of Augustine and Joan were:

1. MARY SLEE - baptised 30-10-1592.
2. PHILIPPA SLEE - baptised 27-11-1593, buried 1-10-1621.
3. GILES SLEE - baptised 23-4-1596, buried 6-10-1621.
4. WILLIAM SLEE - baptised 8-11-1599, buried 12-9-1621.
5. GRACE SLEE - baptised 19-3-1601, buried 12-11-1620.
6. ROGER SLEE (see below for more) - baptised 2-10-1605, who married Mary Cookerow.
7. WALTER SLEE - baptised 28-8-1608.
8. SUZANNE SLEE - baptised 10-6-1610.
9. JOHN SLEE - baptised 17-7-1612.
10. JOAN SLEE - baptised 13-7-1614, buried 26-10-1621.

Roger Slee (1605 – 1698)
Baptised on 2nd October, 1605 at Coldridge, Roger married late in life and had seven children that are known and possibly an eighth. His occupation is unknown, but presumably he was involved in agriculture. At the time of his death, aged over 90 years, his occupation was a gardener, probably market gardener. He married at Coldridge on 19th June, 1649 to Mary Cookerow, and he spent all his life in Coldridge. He died in 1698 and was buried on 20th October of that year. His wife Mary died 31st October, 1708. The eight children of Roger and Mary were:

1. GRACE SLEE - baptised 24-2-1649, buried 18-5-1650.
2. THOMAS SLEE - baptised 2-3-1650, who possibly married and had a son, Nicholas Slee who later lived at Halberton.
3. JOHN SLEE (see below for more) - baptised 5-10-1653.
4. AUGUSTIN SLEE - born 23-8-1655, buried 20-3-1670.
5. GEORGE SLEE - born 10-5-1658, he married Dinath (or Dinah) Fursdon at Coldridge on 4-3-1688, and later lived at Barnstaple and Zeal Monachorum. He was buried on 27-8-1716, and Dinath was buried at Coldridge on 14-2-1732. The couple had twelve children born between 1689 and 1711.
6. NICHOLAS SLEE - baptised 31-3-1663, buried 8-2-1664.
7. MARY SLEE - baptised 2-5-1667, she married at Coldridge on 6-2-1698 to Samuel Luxton.
8. AUGUSTINE SLEE - born in 1670/71, it is believed that he was the eighth child of Roger Slee. He married on 4-6-1694 to Mary Stevens of Okehampton.

John Slee (1653 – 1710)
Baptised on 5th October, 1653 at Coldridge, like his father he married late in life. His occupation is unknown. He married on 23rd December, 1707 to Grace Westerne and the couple had two sons. John died before his second son was born and he was buried on 17th May, 1710. Grace, who was apparently some years younger than John, remarried at Coldridge on 20th March, 1736 to William Bennett. The two sons of John and Grace were:

1. JOHN SLEE (see below for more) - baptised 3-5-1708.
2. ROGER SLEE - baptised 9-6-1710. Nothing further is known of him.

John Slee (1708 – 1768)
Baptised at Coldridge on 3rd May, 1708, he was deprived of his father whilst an infant. He spent the early part of his life in Coldridge until, presumably whilst young and unmarried, he left the town of his ancestors and moved to Sampford Peverell, a village near Tiverton. He married there, though no record can be found of the marriage. The first name of his wife was Elizabeth. John settled in Sampford Peverell in about 1725 and resided there the remainder of his life. Sampford Peverell is situated about five miles from Tiverton. John died there and was buried on 3rd May, 1768. He made a Will, but the record of the Administration of the Will was destroyed in Exeter in May, 1942 by enemy action. His wife, Elizabeth, was buried at Sampford Peverell on 24th January, 1781. The nine children of John and Elizabeth were all baptised at Sampford Peverell.

------------------------------------------

George Slee
that little boy from Coldridge
(ca. 1555- 1613)
Cloth Merchant

Born in Coldridge in about 1555, the first son of William Slee, George is one of the most notable members of the family. Spending his childhood in Coldridge, he moved to Tiverton in about 1575 where he began dealing in the cloth trade. Tiverton, about 18 miles from Coldridge, had by that time become famous for its woolen kerseys. Upon the death of his father in 1585, George no doubt received a good inheritance and with this capital he was able to become one of the most prosperous merchants of Tiverton. He married on the 10th August, 1581 to Joan Chilcott, daughter of John Chilcott (also Comyns) and Eleanor (nee Blundell), of Tiverton.

The Blundells and Chilcotts were prominent families and benefactors in Tiverton. Eleanore Blundell's brother, Peter Blundell, founded the famous Blundell's School in Tiverton. Built in 1604, Old Blundell's School is now the property of the National Trust, and externally the buildings remain almost unaltered. The triangular lawn in front of the school was the scene of the fight between Jan Ridd and Robin Snell in
Blackmore's classic novel, `Lorna Doone'. Samuel Wesley, elder brother of John Wesley the founder of Methodism, was a Headmaster at the school in the 18th Century.

In his Will, Peter Blundell left £1,000 to his niece Joan Slee, and £2,200 to George Slee and his children. George was one of the Executors of Peter Blundell’s Will and a feoffee to carry out the erection of the school. George Slee's brother-in-law, Robert Chilcott, founded the Chilcott School in St. Peter Street in 1611. Still standing, this building is now the Council Chamber of the Tiverton Rural District Council. George was engaged for most of his life in the business of manufacturing and exporting the kerseys of Tiverton to various places in both England and overseas, and importing wool and other materials necessary for the manufacture, by which he acquired a good fortune. Most of his exporting and importing was done by sea, via Exeter. In 1608, Tiverton was described by a contemporary writer as being thronged with rich clothiers, and the Monday Market as being famous for its Tiverton Kerseys.

THE GREAT HOUSE OF ST. GEORGE is a fine Jacobean mansion built in about 1605 on the eastern side of St. Peter Street as a home for George Slee and his family. The Great House is one of the historic buildings of Tiverton. A two-storey stone building with an attic, the front has mullion windows with relieving arches. The main
entrance, a round arched opening, enters into a screened passage that retains the original doors and paneling. The building is now the offices of the Tiverton Rural District Council.

SLEE'S ALMS HOUSES were founded by George Slee in 1610, and built in 1613 according to directions in his Will. This building adjoins the Great House of St. George. A stone building, it has a gallery access at the front, with leaded casement windows on the ground and first floor. Martin Dundford described the almshouses in his ‘Historical Memoirs’ in 1790; “usually called the Widow's Almshouses . . . they are six single rooms, three on each floor ... they also have galleries in front and ... are floored with timber. Behind are small herb gardens, but no chapel. They were built about the year 1613, since which time few alterations have been made besides common repairs. . .”

In his Will, George Slee bequeathed £500 for the erection of the almshouses and directed that they should be `for six poore aged woemen to dwell in'. The women, who had to be aged at least `three score years', were to be nominated by his wife Joan during her lifetime, and afterwards by the Tiverton Churchwardens. The six women, who had to be of honest name and fame, were paid 12 pence per week every Saturday for their maintenance. Over 350 years later, Slee's Almshouses are still serving their original purpose and are currently occupied (1976), though internally they have been considerably restored to suit modern standards.

George Slee was very involved in the activities of Tiverton. In a Brief dated 1612, King James I mentions George Slee as one of the persons authorised to deal with collections in various places to relieve the distress caused by a major fire in the town. In his Will, George Slee left numerous charitable bequests to the poor people of various places. His Will contained a total of 44 different bequests totalling in cash £4,120, as well as considerable personal and real property in the parishes of Tiverton, Coldridge, Uplowman, and Halberton. In modern terms, George Slee was a multi-millionaire.

He died in bed in his home on the 1st September, 1613, making a codicil to his Will some few hours before his death. Two of the minor bequests in his Will were forty shillings to the `grave and learned preacher' who conducted his funeral service, and to twenty poor elderly men of Tiverton a gown (or coat) worth 20 pence each, 12 pence in cash, and their dinner on the day of his burial. He was buried on the north side of the screen of the chancel of St. Peters Church, Tiverton, under a noble slab of black marble which was deeply engraved with the following; `Hereunder lyeth buried the bodye of George Slee of Tyverton, Merchant, who departed this life the first of September, 1613...'. There follows a list of his donations to the poor of various places. His wife Joan died on the 13th June 1630, and in her Will she also left charitable bequests to the poor. George and Joan had seven children;

1. Roger Slee - Born on 23rd June, 1582, Roger became a merchant clothier like his father. He resided in his father's home for many years. On 9th September, 1604, he was made a Freeman of Exeter, his fee for admission to that position being pardoned by the Mayor of Exeter. Being a Freeman entitled him to certain privileges. In the first Charter of Incorporation granted to the Borough of Tiverton in 1615 by King James I, Roger Slee is named as one of the first twelve assistants to the Capital Burgesses. The Charter included the right for Tiverton to hold two Fairs annually. In 1616, he was Churchwarden for the Clare portion of the parish. He was also a feoffee
in the Will of Peter Blundell. He married (wife's name unknown) and had four children;

1. Elizabeth Slee - it is believed she died in 1620, unmarried.
2. Joan Slee - Joan died in about 1612, unmarried.
3. Julian Slee - believed to have married Richard Drake in 1631, issue unknown.
4. George Slee - born in 1614, George spent most of his life in Coldridge. He married Margaret Tremayne of Chittlehampton in 1637 and had two known children. He died at Coldridge in 1689 and his wife died there in 1696. His known children were;

1. George Slee, born about 1643 – no record can be found of him either marrying or having children. It is possible he moved out of Devon. 2. Mary Slee, born 1640, married to George Kelly, of Coldridge. She died in 1706 - issue unknown.
2. Eleanor Slee - Born 30th January, 1584. On 3rd April, 1598, Eleanor was one of thirty-three persons burnt to death in the great fire in Tiverton which consumed 400 houses and several chapels, and destroyed £150,000 value in money, plate, and merchandise.
3. Julian Slee - Born 3rd October, 1590, she married in 1607 to John Berry of Tiverton. The couple had several children, the eldest being John Berry, born about 1608.
4. William Slee - Born 26th May, 1592. William matriculated through Oriel College, Oxford University, on 25th January, 1611, at the age of eighteen. In 1614 he was admitted as a student of the Inner Temple of the University. William married, and with his wife, Mary, he took over his father's estates in Uplowman parish, where he was to spend the remainder of his life. His father, in his Will, left him lands and tenements at Widhayes and St. John's Land in Uplowman parish, and a tenement at East Sollark in Halberton parish. In 1641 he was a signatory to the Devon Protestation Returns. He died at his home at Widhayes in October, 1647 (Will held by P.R.O.). William had no children.
5. George Slee - Born 16th December, 1595, died 15th May, 1597.
6. Eleanor Slee - Born 1st November, 1598 and married on 26th July, 1614 to Daniel Perryman. Had several children, details unknown.
7. Joane Slee - Born 8th July, 1601 and later resided with her brother William at Uplowman, and married on 16th April, 1619 to William Ham of Coliton. William Ham had formerly been employed by her father, George Slee, as his agent in London. The couple had two known children; John and William.

From White's Devonshire Directory of 1850
SLEE'S ALMSHOUSES, in Peter street, were founded in 1610, for six poor widows, or aged maidens, by George Slee, who left £500 for their erection and endowment. The endowment is a yearly rent charge of £20, out of the rectory of Coldridge, and from it each almswoman has 1s. per week. The churchwardens are the trustees, and the almswomen have each a further weekly allowance of 1s. from the dividends of £360 navy five per cent. stock, left by Mary Marshall, in 1803. The residue of these dividends is divided among the most necessitous poor parishioners, according to the donor's will.

Source: Internet Archive
http://www.archive.org/stream/viewofdevonshire00west/viewofdevonshire00west_djvu.txt

104 VIEW OP DEVONSHIRE. [ Book II ].
" Here under lyeth buried the body of George [Slee of Tiverton, Merchant,
who departed this life the 1st of September, 1613, He gave by his will, to bo
distributed to the poorest people of Tiverton, 50£ ; to the parish church and
church-yard of Tiverton, 10£ ; to and for the building of an aims-house, for six
poor, aged, and honest vpomen, and to purchase rents for their maintenance, at
12d. the week to each of them, 500£; to fifty poor crafts-men, of good and honest,
fame, 100£; to the poorest, honest, and painfuUest labourers in Tiverton, 10£;
to the parish church of Coleridge, for the relief and keeping on work of the poor-
est people there, 10£ ; to the poor of the parish of Halberton, 40s; to the poor
of the parish of Uplowman, 40s. He left behind him living, two sons and three
daughters."

Were they Really Bad Boy's ?

Lindsey Withers
Transcriptions of
Absconding Apprentices
The items below can be found on the following link:
http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/DevonMisc/ParishApprentices.html

These four relate to Coldridge village but there are many more entries transcribed by Lindsey Withers from many Devon villages, give it a look, you may find an ancestor either apprentice or master..


Thursday, March 31, 1808 - ; Issue 2321 - Gale Document Number Y3200650294
Ran Away from his master, Mr Richard Gibbings, farmer, of Coldridge, Devon, on Tuesday the 22nd of March, 1808, Richard Born, his parish apprentice; 18 years of age, about 5 feet high, red complexion, and light hair; wore away bufkin breeches, and web jacket, and carried with him a dark coat, swansdown waistcoat, and is supposed to be gone to Plymouth. Whoever harbours or employs the said Richard Born, will be prosecuted according to law

Thursday, June 6, 1811; Issue 2383 - Gale Document Number Y3200651912
Ran Away from his master, Mr William Kelland, of the parish of Coldridge, on the 30th of May last, Robert Bird, his parish apprentice, aged 16 years, about 5 feet high, wore away a web jacket and leather breeches. Whoever harbours or employs him after this public notice will be prosecuted according to law.
Dated June 3rd, 1811

Thursday, November 7, 1811; Issue 2405 - Gale Document Number Y3200652125
Ran Away, on Monday the 21st October last, from his master, Mr Richard Partridge, of the parish of Coldridge, Richard Rayment, his parish apprentice, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, brown hair, and of a light complexion; wore away a web jacket, and a red patent cord waistcoat and corduroy breeches.
Whoever harbours or employs him after this public notice, will be prosecuted according to law.

Thursday, December 17, 1812; Issue 2467 - Gale Document Number Y3200652692
Ran Away on Sunday the 8th of November last, from his master, Mr William Kelland of Coleridge, in the county of Devon, Joseph Scott, his parish apprentice, aged 16 years, fair complexion, light coloured hair, about four feet ten inches in height; wore away a dark cloth coat, striped velvet waistcoat and web breeches; carried with him a new dark cloth coat, blue cloth waistcoat, and web breeches, and a smock frock. Whoever harbours or employs the said apprentice after this public notice, will be prosecuted as the law directs; but if he will return to his said master he will be kindly received.
Dated Coleridge, December 15, 1812.

Can you help? ....
Below are some enquiries looking for ancestors or family links . If you can help drop me an email and I will put you in touch.

Kingdon:
Hi Ray, I saw reference to the Kingdon family from which I am descended and I was wondering if you know more about the family or the books and material about them? I am descended from John and Joan but find the available trees appear to be in conflict and so I would like to be able to try and see what information is 'solid'. One site I did see mentioned a digital form of the two Kingdon books of 1932 and 1974 but I got no reply to my communication. Thanks for reading this and I would appreciate any assistance you might be able to offer. Regards, Kevin, Australia

Raymont: Webber: Dart: Wade: Packer: Down/Downe: Hone: Cockram:
Dear Ray, I have read with great interest the Visitors Comments page and noticed a number of names that match my ancestors. The earliest date I have is for Thomas Raymont in 1572 (9x G-Grandfather). It seems my family resided in Coldridge for a further 6 generations, the last recorded member being Dinah and William Raymont in 1811. Other main names in my tree are Agnis Webber, Joan (or Joane) Dart, Grace Wade, Margaret Packer, Elizabeth Down (or Downe), Judith Hone and Elizabeth Cockram. I wonder if you could tell me where I might find the Parish Records or Transcripts of this time or if you have any further information on the families listed above.Thank you for creating such a wonderful website where we can all see where our ancestors once lived.
With thanks and kind regards Jay (Bristol, UK)

Stoneman: Squire: Shobrooke:
Hi Ray, Being smitten by the genealogy bug, I am busy tracing my ancestors which has led me to Coldridge. I have a Thamesin (Thomasin) Stoneman b: 1712 in Coldridge who married John Squire on 1 Apr. 1737 in Coldridge.Thomasin's parents were Christopher Stoneman & Mary Shobrooke. Would you have any information or direction for me in pursuing these lines?
Regards, Pearl, Washington state, USA.

Spears:
Thanks for the website. It gives us a nice glimpse into the small, yet delightful village. I am looking for the exact roots of my GGGrandfather. He was supposedly from Liverpool. However, as you know, that could just mean that he emigrated from there. Also, I find fewer "Spear" references there. Devon seems to be where many of the Spears came from. My John Spear was born in December of 1813 and , therefore, christened in early 1814. I found a reference to a John Spear christened on January 30th, 1814 in Coldridge. His parents were Samuel and Mary nee Webber. The names fit what I know about John's family. His first born was Samuel and his first born girl was Mary.He also had ten other children with names such as William, Thomas, Elizabeth, Ann, etc. Could this indeed be my John? I can't seem to find out where he went. He appears to have been the oldest in the family. Was it likely that he would have struck out on his own and perhaps went up north and eventually wound up in Illinois? Somewhere he met and married Matilda Adams from Ireland. They married in Sherbrooke, Quebec before going to Illinois to work on the canal. All this happened in the late 1830s, so they were not in the 1841 census. I'm sure they must have left behind some family.Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks . Bob Spear from Illinois.

Webber:
My late father was Maurice Webber and he was born in Coldridge in 1929. His family lived at 38 Birch Cottage. His father was called Frederick and his mother was Elsie. They had two other children called Leslie and Freda. My eldest sisters Lesley and Dawn Webber attended Coldridge school, which I understand is a very small village school. My sister can remember using my fathers exercise books so we can only presume that he went there as well I have seen that the war memorial has a John Webber on it but as yet I have not linked this to my family. If you are able to give me any information on my family that would be fabulous. Fred and Elsie when I knew them lived in Lapford....
Many Thank, Karen Beswick, Surry

Born:
Hello Ray, I would be interested in making contact with anyone who has an interest in the Born family of Coldridge. As you can imagine it is very difficult searching for “Born” on the internet.
Kind regards, Pam Abikhair,Victoria, Australia

Parish:
I've been on Ancestry for the past two years tracking my family tree. I found my great great grandfather on my father's side just recently. Finding your website today was another amazing surprise. You see my 2X great grandfather was born in Coldridge, Devon England in 1808. His name is Henry Parish. I'd be interested in finding out anything I could if that would be possible. He married Anne Atkins from Exeter in 1840 and had nine children ( at last count ) all seemed to have been born in Tiviton, where Henry owned or worked a farm called The Towers for most of his life. I would appreciate any information or direction to information that I can find and I love your website. I'm interested in finding out as much as I can, since never knowing much about my father and where he came from and loosing him when I was only 9. It's been a wonderful journey so far.
Thank you. Jan P. S. I'm in Ontario Canada.

Stentiford:
HI Ray. My Name is Mike Hatherley. I don't know if you can help me,but, I am in the process of completing part of my Family Tree, for my Cousin Joyce,in Canada. I am trying to trace records of Richard Stentiford, who I believe was born in Coldridge around 1825 or 1826. He married a girl whose christian name was Sarah. She was born in Lapford in 1822 and I am having difficulty in finding her surname, as the only place that it would be recorded, is in the Parish Register Records. The Maiden name of my cousin Joyce's mother, was Fanny Snell, B1886 in Coldridge. Fanny's mother's, name was Jane Stentiford, before her marriage to Edward Snell, and, her mother was Sarah Stentiford, who married Richard. It sounds a little complicated, but because you live in the area, you may have some Knowledge of the 'Sarah' that I am trying to trace.
Thanks - Mike Hatherley

Gould:
We are trying to discover when my husbands grandfather who lived at Bankland cottage where he was born in 1866, where he would go to school and on what terms. His name was John Gould. Can you tell us anything about Aller Chaple where he was baptised.
Yours Sheila and Gerald Gould

Born:
Good evening Ray Just found link to your website. Interested in comments regarding the Born family. I can trace a connection back to Thomas Born (b1818) his wife Jane Piper (b 1814) and their four children Mary Ann (b1840), William (b 1842), Helen (b1845) and John (b1846). Anyone interested? Penny

Rawley:
Hello Ray, Have you ever heard of 'Rawley's' in Coldridge, please? I wonder if this dwelling is still standing. My ancestors were living there in 1871. Thanks for your lovely website, - Christine.

Kingdon:
Hi Ray I am trying to trace the Kingdon family which I believe lived in your village - in Fursdon Farm - an H.T.Kingdon was a friend of my grandmothers and I have been bequeathed a book of their family tree with the understanding that I should try to return it to them.
Are there any still residing in the area that you know of? I would be most grateful if you could let me know as I would dearly like to find this book a good home - it is unusual to find a book tracing a family this far back.
Kind Regards - Sally

Born:
Hello Ray, I made contact with you some years ago when researching by Born's of Coldridge. I note that you have had correspondence with Colin and Jean Borne of Redditch which is quite near Sutton Coldfield where I live. They are very welcome to make contact with me if they would like my info. on the Born family which dates back to 1601/2 before they moved to Coldridge. Hope you are keeping well,
All the best, Lola.- Thanks for the 'Bad Boys' one of whom was mine!

Brealey:
Dear Mr Taylor I wonder if you could help me. I am researching my family and my Gt Gt Gt grandfather came from Coldridge. He was Richard Brealy born 1810. I think his father was called George a farmer from Aller Bridge but thats as far as I can go. I have looked up all sites for births deaths and marriages but have come to a halt. I wonder if you could tell me where I can find out about Richard’s parents, and siblings and life in Coldridge.
Regards - Elizabeth A Tonkin

Drake & Slee:
Hi Ray - Richard DRAKE (son of John) was born in Coldridge in Nov 15,1598, he married Alice, he or his son may have married Julian SLEE. I am hoping to connect with fellow genealogists to share research. I am writing a family history book on the Drake family, Richard Drake was born in Coldridge in 1598 (son of John) and I was wondering if you know how I would go about looking for occupations and perhaps land grants from this period in time?
Thanks, Linda Drake, Vancouver Canada.

Mashford & Cann:
I am researching my great-great grandmother, Elizabeth Mashford, daughter of John Mashford, tailor and Mary Cann, who came from Coldridge. John Mashford married Mary Cann in 1818.
Mary and her children, sailed for South Australia in 1847 after John had died - Elizabeth Mashford’s grandfather, John (1771-1834), is said to have been Parish Clerk at Coldridge; and his younger son Josiah Mashford (1798-1871) has been confirmed in this role through Census and Will - In 1841, Widow Mary Mashford, a publican, was living in Coldridge with three daughters Elizabeth (21), Mary Ann (10) and Jane (8). Her sons were out to work – John Cann (18) was an apprentice to William Clotworthy a tailor in Zeal Monachorum, George May (16) was apprenticed to John Harris, publican of the Taw Bridge Inn, West of Coldridge. Josiah Labbett (13) was a servant at Birch Farm near East Leigh, South of Coldridge.
In 1841 Josiah Mashford (Mary’s brother in law) was also a publican (and shoe maker) in Coldridge, probably at the “Ring of Bells”
Any information on this family would be greatly appreciated - Roslyn Ross, Australia

Brooks
Hi Ray - I am seeking information about Richard Brooks 1831–1897 - Birth about 1831 at Coldridge, Devon - Death Jul 17, 1897 at Hampshire UK - This is my 2nd great-grandfather I know he Married a Caroline unknown.
Could you possibly put a information request on your Coldridge site please - Thank you Amanda

 

Visitors Comments ....

Three generations of my Kell(e)y ancestors lived in Coldridge. Samuell Kelley (b. 1595), John Kelley (b.1622) and John Kelley (b.1649). The latter moved on and married in Ashreigney in 1672, when the ‘e’ was dropped from the surname. It was good to read a bit about the village on your website.
Gordon Kelly

Ray
A Susan Gibbings who married George Brealey in 1844 in Exeter was my g.g. grandmother. I am hoping that you can put me in touch with Chris Gibbings who wrote the interesting article on the Gibbings family on your Coldridge website. I was intrigued to read that he visited Perth (where I live) and has done work on the Australian Gibbings family.
Patrick F. Berry, M.Sc., Ph.D. - Nedlands, Perth, W. Australia

Dear Ray
I have just been looking at your web site which brought back memories of my youth when i lived at kitchaden farm (not certain about the spelling of kitchaden) when i was evacuated from london to devon during the war with my mother and two brothers tony and david,my father stayed in london working on aircraft. The house we lived in belonged a farmer Mr and Mrs Robins. My brother david and i went to heywoods school and my elder brother went to chulmleigh secondary modern school. We went back and forward to london two or three times during the coarse of the war,when we finally stopped moving back to london my father came down to devon to work for Mr Robins, he had to give up farming through ill health (hay fever) He then went to work for mr frank wheaton at his garage just up the road from eggesford on the A377. We moved to coldridge when my father could no longer work on the farm and went to live at mount everlyn to live in one of Mr & Mrs Coles houses, we had many happy years there, by this time my elder brother was going to Barnstaple tec.my younger brother and i went to coldridge school then chulmleigh secondary modern school .
My friends in chulmleigh , the ones i can remember were Eric Down,norman Greenslade,margery cook , June Webber, mervin pope who lived near winkleigh Peter cotten the bakers son,alex govier , D kingdom , their was a lot more but my memory is not as good as it used to be. My friends in Coldridge:- Geoffrey Burrrows ,Derick Bowdler? The Smallbone Family( dentice in Crediton Like to here from you if any of the above are still around.
Mike Harrup

Great site. I am searching for information on the Waldron Family. I am beginning it from the Domesday Book down and gathering all information on the Waldron families in the hope of one day collecting enough material that may connect the lines down. I would appreciate anything that you may have and in return I am quite happy to include you in future research.
Stay safe - Pennie Waldron in Australia

Hi Ray,
I am chasing down relatives of mine, my 7 x Great Grandparents. I have very limited information that I am going by, and am hoping that you may be able to assist me. So far I have John Warren, who married Richord Dart on the 23 Aug 1708 in Coldridge, Devon, England. Any help that you can offer me on the above family would be appreciated. Also, if you could direct me to any suitable sites to give a little further background to the area would be great. Thanks for your time. Looking forward to hearing from you,
Regards, Judith - Australia

I have been forwarded your website by a relative I've been corresponding with in England. I am interested in the article written by Chris Gibbings on the Gibbings family story. I would dearly love to be able to correspond with Chris Gibbings further on these family connections. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with his e-mail address or forward my address directly to him.
Thank you, Marilyn (Gibbings) Rockwell

Dear Ray
I have just found the Coldridge village website at the very beginnings of searching for my family tree and history. I have an old bible of my father's which apparently belonged to his father, Albert Sampson who was born or lived in Coldridge. Written in the back of the bible is an address - Peaks Cottage, Coldridge. My father was born in London in 1916 so my grandfather must have left the village before 1916. He must have been born towards the end of the 19th century. I was hoping you might be able to give me some information, whether there is a record of my grandfather's birth or if there is still a Peaks Cottage in the village. Or where I might find out more information.
Many thanks. Jacky Tauber (nee Sampson)

Hello Ray,
I am researching part of my family tree and have found a Great Grandmother whose maiden name was Mary Ann Palmer (known as Polly). She was born in Coldridge 15/2/1850. Her father was Thomas Palmer and her mother was Anne Palmer (formerly Crispin). Thomas Palmer was a 'labourer'. Are you likely to have access to any historical info reference the 'Palmers' ? It would be most interesting. Polly must have moved to London at some stage since she married my Great Grandfather, Thomas Payne in London during 1875.
With Regards, Thomas Payne

Dear Ray
I am researching my family history. My ancestors names were Waldron and they are in the 1861 census as living in Coldridge. They were farm laborers I believe and later went to London to work as tanners. Names Samuel, William, Elizabeth, Ann and Mary Waldron. Do you have any info. on this family?
Thanks, Jenny Walker.

Dear Ray,
As a descendant of John, the eldest son of John Hancock and Ann Leach I was most appreciative in coming across your excellent site, and in particular Carol Pickett's comments on the Hancock family (she could have also mentioned Air Marshall Sir Valston Hancock or even my father (Dr. J. W. Piccles) who received a brief mention in history when involved in the arresting of the several hundred survivors of the german raider Emden after they sunk HMAS Sydney off the coast of West Australia).
I have only lately taken an interest in the family's background so finding out that Coldridge was at the heart of our descendants was somewhat frustrating as my wife and I only recently returned from a trip to England. This was our second trip in 10 years and after only a cursoury look the first time we were determined to spend most of our last trip in the West Country which had appealed to us so much the first time. Sadly without the knowledge of Coldridges role in our family, we criss-crossed Devon and Cornwall but sadly never passed thru our 'hometown'...something we will address on our next visit. If convenient I would be most appreciative if this email could be passed on to Carol Pickett or someone else in the Hancock family who might be interested in exchanging information.
My wife and I now farm in New South Wales (Cowra), but I had a previous life in the Australian Steel industry.
With Best wishes to all in my 'new hometown' and hoping to hear from a relative,
Kindest regards Peter Piccles

Hi Ray
Whilst following my family back along the 'Raymont' line I discovered that most of the family were born and lived in Coldridge from about 1560 and prior to that came from Lapford. I wonder, if with your knowledge of the area you may be able to shed some light on a mystery I am trying to unravel. My great grandmother's parentage is a little confusing, family tradition gives her 2 surnames, either Raymont or Radford. We know her mother was Mary Raymont, a local farmer's daughter, born about, 1836/8 and that she was about 17 or 18 and not married when my great grandmother (Emma Jane) was born. Emma Jane was christened with her mother's surname of Raymont but we know she herself, later in life, also referred to her maiden name as 'Radford'. I am wondering if you know if there was a Radford family in Coleridge at the time, maybe Mary Raymont was in service with them. Any clues as to who my great great grandfather could be would be very welcome and any information you may have would be much appreciated, if you have the time to reply.
Many thanks, Ms Stevie Rogers - Dartmouth

Dear Ray,
Bonnie has kindly forwarded your email on to me, as I have done quite a bit of research on the Slee family's origins at Coldridge. I have attached a summary of that information, which you are welcome to include in an official village website.
I am very interested knowing more about the records or any details you have regarding the Slee family's association with Lower Frost and/or Frost Farm.
Cheers, Max Slee - Tranmere, South Australia,

Dear Ray
I came across your website whilst researching my family roots. My grandfather, David Robert Lindsay, was schoolmaster at St Mary's School in 1901 (Census) and lived in the school house. He was originally from Scotland and moved to the village from London bringing his wife and young family with him. My father, Ian Lindsay, was born in Coldridge as was my aunt, Gertrude Lucy.
We shall be visiting the area during week 17 September in order to see the area where the family lived. I should be very grateful for any information regarding the family/school/village prior to our visit. Are parish and/or school records still available?
Any new information which comes to light we shall be glad to pass on to your website.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Mary Lindsay Cox

Hi Ray
My name is Gibbings, Chris Gibbings. My family go back to 1659 in Bampton and Oakford North Devon (about 25 miles away). I was recently on a trip to Western Australia and found a Gibbings Road where I found a farming/ charming old lady who was a Miss Gibbings and can take her family back to Nicholas Gibbings in 1753 at Frogbury Farm, Coldridge. Her direct relation a William Gibbings arrived in Australia in 1886 with his wife and nine children. I can see from the web site a number of Gibbings’s were buried in the local church. If there any left or anyone wants to know more about this family history or can establish a link between the Coldridge and Bampton I would be interested in hearing from them.
All the best. Chris

Hi Ray
I am currently tracing my family history and have recently discovered that my great-grandfather may have come from Coldridge. Just having a look at the pictures on the website leaves me with an awesome feeling - I almost feel that this is where I come from, even though it is a long way from South Africa.
Is there someone that may be able to help me in tracing a few details about my family in Devon. My great-grandfather was Thomas Connett Linscott and was born in about 1862. There is a strong chance that he may have been baptised in St Matthews Church. I am looking for his parents names and any other information that may help me put the pieces of the puzzle together. He had a brother, by the name of Jack Linscott.
Please could you send me the contact details of someone who may be able to help me. Obviously coming all the way to Devon is a bit difficult at the moment, but I do have continual access to email. Thank you for your help.
Regards Rev. Delme Linscott - South Africa.

Dear Ray
I have links with Coldridge in that some of my ancestors are buried in St Matthew’s churchyard there. I wonder if anyone has any information about the Han(d)cock family please? One of the many, my GG Grandfather Samuel, was the landlord of the Stag’s Head Inn in the 1850’s – he died 25th October 1865. Would any of the villagers have any photographs of the old public house please, perhaps? Anything that can add to my family history would be very much appreciated. If anyone living is related to the family I would be happy to share my files with them too.
Many thanks. Carol Pickett

Dear Ray
Lovely of you to get back to me so quickly, thanks. I think the website idea is brilliant as Coldridge has such a lot of history from all accounts. We visited there 2 years ago with my parents – sadly my dad died last September but at least he was able to see where his maternal ancestors came from and we had a lovely walk around the village. Apparently there were several public houses there originally but over time they disappeared, but the Stags Head was in the square diagonally opposite to the church I believe. I think Smiths Cottage has been rebuilt too. I don’t mind if you use a little of our family history on your website, but unfortunately I have no pictures.
Best wishes Carol

Hello Ray;
I am researching my family from England and was thrilled to discover your wonderful site with so much information and photos to show the surrounding countryside. My great-great grandparents were Richard Stoneman and Mary Ann Diamond. I have very little information on them but I understand they are buried at Allerbridge - is this part of Coldridge? Do you know of anyone who would be willing to get birth and death dates from their tombstones and maybe even digital pictures. I would be most willing to reimburse for any expenses involved. Thank you very much for your time and I appreciate any help you can provide.
Kindest regards, Donna Turcotte - Springside, Saskatchewan, Canada

Dear Ray,
We are off to Romania this New Year with our Romanian friend, so as we where looking at site's of her home town i thought i'd show her my home! Tis sightly strange though, being able to show her the houses i grew up in and the surrounding area that holds so many great memories, not mention being able to point out my father's bold head and my little cousins!!
Take care, much love Mel Stanbury

Hi Ray
I enjoyed your website very much. Just disappointed that I was unable to download a photo of the outside of the church though, being as so many of my ancestors lived in Coldridge, and I am unlikely to be able to visit myself.Please would it be possible to tell me if there is a place called East Leigh nearby? I would really appreciate it. Just looked at the rest of the photos and seen that East Leigh seems to be just a few cottages. Is that correct, and is it just a part of Coldridge?
Many thanks - Sheila in sunny Spain

Dear Ray,
It was a delight to see your Coldridge photographs - lovely site - and of special interest to me as Coldridge was the residence of my g. grandmother, Sarah Ann Turner. At the time of her marriage to g, grandfather Richard Alford she was living at 'Westercott '- or similar. Very likely it doesn't exist now, or the name has changed, but if you should happen to have heard of such a dwelling I'd be delighted to hear from you. Thanks again for the beautiful views.
Best wishes, Christine Morgan

Hello Ray;
I was fascinated in finding your website. I have been researching my Grandfathers family name, which is Coldridge, and came across your site. I had no idea that there was a town by that name in existance in Devon. I did find a town in the US by that name, in the state of Nebraska I believe, but have not been able to find any more about it other than that it exists, or maybe used to exist. My Grandfather came from what I understand was a village at that time, Newton Abbot. It was sometime around the turn of the last century. I have not found any of my blood family that I know of yet, although I found other Coldridges,Colridges, Colrigges, Coleridges, and one or two others that I can't remember at the moment.
My question to you is, do you know of any families named Coldridge that in the past have moved from your area to the Newton Abbot area or other areas of Devon. Could you point me in any direction at all on the internet where I might find more about the Coldridges of Devon. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me.
Jonathan Sarlo - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

Hello Ray,
I was wondering if you have heard of a farm in the Coldridge area by the name of Millallers. My DART family were agriculteral labourers on that farm in the 1800s.
Regards Rhonda - Australia

Hello Ray
I am currently putting together my family history web site. My earlist ancestor George Hellier was christened in Coldridge in 1560.
You have really lovely pictures of the area on your site that would be of interest to others and add to the information on my site With your permission, I would very much like to include a link to your site.
With regards Alison McKay

Hi Ray,
Sorry! We are from Redditch Worcestershire. We spend our holidays in Brean near Weston Super Mare, so we will be paying Coldridge a visit next summer. It was wonderful seeing where my Husbands roots originated from. JOHN BORN moved from Coldridge in the 1800's and went onto Exeter where he married, so we will be planning a grand tour there also. From Exeter John's grandson George moved to Weston then to Gloucester and ended his day's in Birmingham. It was really strange when we found out that George had been living in Weston Super Mare. We had been parking our car on the very spot he had been living in 1881. It was then a row of cottages but was turned into Dolphin shopping centre and a car park in 1971. Shame!
Once again thank you for a wonderful insight to Coldridge it looks a lovely place to live.
Take Care - Kind Regards Jean and Colin Borne Redditch - Worcestershire.

Ray
Thank you for a wonderful insight to Coldridge. My husbands G G Grandfather was born in Coldridge early 1800's JOHN BORN. It was really thrilling looking at the places where he may have walked. We are in the process of tracing JOHN BORN'S roots and plan to visit Coldridge in the summer. Once again thank you and the site is now firmly in our favourites.
Take Care Regards Jean BORNE.

Dear Ray,
I have been tracing my PACKER family tree back through Tawstock to Winkleigh and then to Coldridge so it was a great thrill when I was given your website. My earliest recorded ancestor in Coldridge was Thomas Packer son of John Packer and Margaret COOKRAY christened 11.10.1636 who married Joane SAUNDERS on 26th Apr. 1659. Other local names in my tree include WEY, SLEE, REED, GIBBINS, RAYMONT, DART, WARREN etc. Is there someone there who would like to share information with me?
John EVANS. - New Zealand.

Hello Ray:
Earlier this year you were kind enough to refer me John Smith who provided me with the baptism records for my mother's family branch of the Luxtons. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I had an opportunity to visit Coldridge and the surrounding locations. John S. gave us a tour of the church and it was wonderful to actually see where many family members are buried. Also, the school house where my mother was born in 1894 and the adjoining school where both my grandparents were teachers. We visited the Brushford church and again were able to identify family names in the church and in the church records. On the surface, life hasn't changed much in these villages and it was refreshing to be able to go back in time away from the urban rush.
Kind regards, Richard. (Vancouver Island)

Great site we enjoyed it very much. It was good to be able to see all the pictures, especially the church. My wife and I came to the village last year but the church was locked and we were not able to see inside. We have a special interest in the village as my wife has traced my ancestors the Wadman's to the village and surrounding areas. Back to the mid 1600's as we do not have a website is it possible to post our information on your web site. In hopes that a fellow genealogist may find a link. My wife is a member of the DFHS. Once again thanks for a great site.
Teresa & Brian Wadman.

Hi Ray,
I live in N.S.W Australia. My sister and I are having a great time doing the family tree, we were both looking at your photos at the same time last night and couldnt wait to tell each other. All we know at the moment is that our great grandmother Mary Ann Dart from Coldridge married William Henry Matthews in 1874 at Coldridge. He was from Zeal Monarchorum, so they came out sometime after 1874. I would love to see Devon in real life one day.
Regards Rhonda Chesson

I have just found out that my great grandmother was born at coldridge and moved to Australia sometime in the 1870s. Her name was Mary Anne Dart who married William Henry Matthews In 1874. Your photos bought tears to my eyes, they were so beautiful.
THANK YOU

Ray,
I found the website for Coldridge village extremely interesting. Its of particular interest to me as my surname is also Coldridge.
It was fascinating to see the pictures of the area, as although I've never visited the village it reminded me of home.
Coming originally from South Wales, I grew up in Bath (Avon) & spent a lot of time in similar countryside.
This letter is sent to you from Sydney Australia where I now reside.
Regards, Martyn Coldridge - Sydney, NSW, Australia

Hello Ray: Greetings from Western Canada (Vancouver Island).
Sorry not to have added my name at the end of my message but it does indeed form part of my email address. Thank you for responding so quickly to my enquiry. I believe my mother (nee Luxton) was born in Coldridge in 1893 so naturally, I am anxious to obtain any available information. As I said, we shall be in the UK in April and hope to visit your village. Thanks again, Richard - Canada.

It Was a real joy to come across your site.
I have many happy memories of the area dating back over more than 30 years. I first came to the area when I lived in London, when I stayed at Bow. I continued to enjoy holidays in Devon for many years, but I have been back for four years. I hope to return in 2002 to revisit some of the places that have wonderful memories. Devon hospitality is truly wonderful and I know why people want to come back. I do hope that the terrible things that have happened to farmers will not recur and that people will take a chance to see the unspoilt Devon villages and try to understand the farming heritage of our nation.
P. Turrell - Cheshire

Hi Ray,
I found your site by a search for Frogbury Farm (not via Google, though!) and found it very interesting reading through the visitors' comments on their family trees or about their search for their ancestors.
Regarding the comment from Jean and Robert Borne from Redditch about their ancestor John Born, I would like to add that my Uncle Bob (Robert) Born inherited Frogbury Farm in, I think, the early 1970s, being the eldest child of Mabel Ellen and Norman Charles Born of Northlew. He was (is) also presumably the oldest male of his cousins and hence inherited the farm. During the 1970s he sold some of the land from the farm to finance the modernisation of Frogbury, but being unmarried and also working in Exeter he sold it in 1976.
I also had a great uncle (Bob's uncle) Aubrey Born, who lived in Coleridge and who died some time in the 1980s.
If I can help anyone with information about the Borns I would be pleased to give assistance! When I was a child we spent a couple of summer holidays at Frogbury and I remember it and the surrounding area with great fondness.
Kind regards, Kate Born. April 2010.

 

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