Group C14 (Swimbridge) Summerwill/Somerwill/Somerville

• WILLIAM: Baptised Swimbridge 19 Jan 1840, son of Robert and Catherine (nee Buckingham) See Group C13. Married BETSY CARTER. Betsy was born at Yarnscombe c.1841. William and Betsy are together in 1861 census at Bidford House, Swimbridge, aged 21 and 20 respectively. Newspaper story #37 about a minor dispute, and #39 about a minor assault. See newspaper story #42 about fine. In 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 censuses together in Swimbridge; William is a labourer at the tannery. In 1891 at Turnpike Road; in 1901 at Mill Lane. In 1911 census at Swymbridge (3 rooms): William 71,retired tanner's labourer, old age pensioner; Betsy 70, old age pensioner; married 50 years, 10 children born alive, 8 living, 2 have died. William died 19 Jan 1914, age 74 (see newspaper report #108); death regd regd Barnstaple March 1914. Betsy died 4 Mar 1918, age 76 (see newspaper reports #110 and #111); death regd Barnstaple March 1918.
• SUSAN: Birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1860; baptised Swimbridge 7 Oct 1860 and buried 12 Apr 1863. Gravestone at Swimbridge ‘erected by public subscription’ names two other children (not Sommerwills) also, which suggests a tragic accident
• WILLIAM: Born Swimbridge 28 Feb 1863; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1863 (Somerville); baptised Swimbridge 8 Mar 1863 (Somerwill). With parents, age 8, scholar, in 1871 census. In 1881 at Combe, Swimbridge, farm servant to Walter Westacott. Married LOUISA ("Louie") GRIBBLE (born Week, Dartington, 1859, daughter of John Gribble) at Swimbridge 25 Jul 1885. No children. In 1881 census Louisa is a housemaid, age 22, at Alerton House, Dartington. Together in 1891 census at Yeoland Cottage, Swimbridge: William age 28, agricultural labourer; Louisa age 33. In 1901 census together in Yeoland Lane: William age 38, ordinary agricultural labourer; Louisa age 42. In 1911 census (signing himself as Summerwill) at Gunn Goodleigh RSO (4 rooms) [Swimbridge]: William 48, Farm Labourer, Worker; Louisa 52; married 25 years; no children. In 1921 census (Summerwill) at Kerscott, Swimbridge: William 58yrs 4mths; labourer with Wm. Shapland, farmer, at home; Louisa 62yrs 5mths, household duties at home. Louisa died 1 Mar 1928, age 69 (regd Barnstaple Mar 1928) (newspaper report #114). William (Somerwill) is in 1939 Register, widower, general labourer, living with Henry & Alma Smale at The Dairy, Kelmscott Road, Swimbridge. Buried at Swimbridge with William (‘of Kerscott’), who died 15 Oct 1942, age 79 (gravestone) (newspaper report #118). William: probate given on 18 Nov 1942 to Henry Smale at Llandudno Registry.
• GEORGE: Baptised Swimbridge 16 Jul 1865; birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1865. At home, age 5, scholar, in 1871 census. Buried Swimbridge 10 Jan 1875, age 9 (‘under Deputy Coroner’s Warrant’). Death regd Barnstaple Mar 1875.
• SUSAN ("Susie": Baptised Swimbridge 27 Jan 1867; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1867. At home, age 4, scholar, in 1871 census. In 1881 general servant, age 14, at home of James Hancock, farmer, Harford, Landkey. Marriage to Philip Smale regd. Barnstaple Dec 1886. Lived Landkey. Son Augustus, age 10, born Landkey, is with grandparents William & Betsy in the 1901 census.
• ROBERT: Baptised Swimbridge 10 Jan 1869; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1869. At home, age 2, in 1871 census; in 1881 at home, age 12, scholar; in 1891, age 22, labourer, lodging with William Turner, tanner, in Turnpike Road. Marriage (as Summerwill) to PAMELA HARRIET HORNER regd Tiverton Jun 1895. Together (as Summerfield) at Ditchet Cottage, Withleigh, Tiverton, in 1901 census: Robert 31, carter on farm, born Swymbridge Washfield (sic); Pamela age 29, born Colyford. In 1911 census at Ditchett's Cottage, Tiverton (5 rooms): Robert (Summerville) 42, farm labourer, born Swymbridge; Pamela 39, born Colyford; married 16 years; 1 child born alive, 1 living. In 1921 census at same address: Robert 52yrs 6mths; carter for W. Hill, Ditchett's Farm, Tiverton; Pamela 5yrs 1mth; home duties. Robert's death regd Tiverton Jun 1923, age 54. Pamela is in 1939 Register at Littlefield West Hill, Ottery St Mary, born 13 May 1871, widow, household duties. Pamela's death regd Tiverton Jun 1965
  • ELLEN/HELEN ('Nellie') PAMELA (Summerville): Born Tiverton 18 Jun 1896; birth regd (Ellen) Tiverton Sep 1896; at home in 1901 census (Nellie), age 4; with parents in 1911 census (Helen), 14, at school. Marriage (Helen P.) to Richard Havans Keast regd Tiverton Jun 1918. Together in 1921 census at Highworthy, Shebbear: Richard 29yrs 1mth, born Linkinhorne, Cornwall; tailor on own account, at home; Helen 25, home duties. In 1939 Register Helen is with her mother, married, unpaid domestic duties. Richard not mentioned.
• EMMA: 14 Feb 1871. At home, age 1 month, in 1871 census. Baptised Swimbridge 9 May 1875. At home in 1881 census, age 10, scholar. Newspaper story #65 alleging Alfred Smale as father of daughter Elsie. In 1901 census lodger, single, age 24, with Charles John Usher, cellarman wine merchant, at 2 Albert Road, Hollington, Hastings, Sussex, with three Somerwill children. In 1911 census as Emma Hudson at 33 Duke Road, St Leonard's-on-Sea, Sussex: head, 40, single, laundry worker. In 1921 census at 47 Alma Villas, St Leonards-on-Sea, Emma 49yrs 4mths, widowed, laundress for Mr Bridgeland, laundryman, 21 Perth Rd, St Leonards. In 1939 Register at 208 Battle Rd, Hastings, married (but husband not present), household work (daily), Died as Emma Hudson 1 Oct 1963 [Additional information from Mike Hudson]
  • BEATRICE MARIA: Illegitimate daughter of Emma, baptised Swimbridge 17.9.1893. Birth regd (Beatrice May) Barnstaple Sep 1893. In 1901 census at Swimbridge Village, boarder, age 7, at home of William Seoins, tanner's labourer. In 1911 census general servant (domestic), age 17, single, at home of William Dunn, farmer, West Ashford, Barnstaple. Marriage to Nicholas J. Barbeary regd Barnstaple Dec 1916.
  • ELSIE: Illegitimate daughter of Emma, baptised Swimbridge 6.5.1896. Possibly daughter of Alfred Smale, see newspapers #65. Birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1896. With mother in 1901 census, age 5. With mother in 1911 census (as Hudson), 15, single, domestic servant. Married Arthur ('Jack') Hazelden. (See picture below) Elsie died Eastbourne 16 Feb 1975
  • SAMUEL JOHN (Hudson): Born Hollington, Sussex, 1899, father - Samuel John Hudson; with mother (as Somerwill) in 1901 census, age 1. With mother (as Hudson) in 1911 census, 11, at school. Married Lilian. Died c1960
  • ALICE MINNIE (Hudson): Born Hollington, Sussex, Jan 1901, father - Samuel John Hudson; with mother (as Somerwill) in 1901 census, age 2 months. With mother (as Hudson) in 1911 census, 10, at school. Moved to Australia c1920, and married a German, Telemarque Noye, but he died an early death of natural causes shortly after. Alice moved back to England in the 1970s for a short time, then back to Australia in about 1981 and died in the Perth area in the 1990s.
  • HENRY GEORGE (Hudson): Born Hollington 12 Jan 1906; birth not registered. With mother (as Henry George Hudson) in 1911 census, 5, at school. With mother in 1921 census, 15yrs 6mths; father dead; born St Leonard's; dairy assistant to dairyman Mr Yeilding, 267 London Rd, St Leonard's. Married (as George H.) Dorothy Tildesley 31 Oct 1828; army driver in WWII. In 1939 Register at 1 Edinburgh Mews, Western Rd, Hastings: George garage proprietor; Dorothy born 16 Sep 1907, unpaid domestic duties. George died 1 Apr 1981 [Grandfather of Mike Hudson]
• JAMES: Born Swimbridge c.1873; birth apparently not registered. Might have been as early as 1872 (1891-1911 censuses) or 1874 (1921 census). Baptised Swimbridge 9.5.1875 with Emma and Ellen. In 1881 census at home, age 8, scholar. In 1891 census, age 19, farm servant at home of John Tossell, farmer. Married ANNIE HARTNOLL at Swimbridge 5.2.1893. Newspaper story #44 about allegation of assault, and #45 about alleged theft. See Group C15a
• ELLEN: Baptised Swimbridge 9.5.1875. In 1881 census at home, age 6, scholar; in 1891 census, age 15, at Yeoland House, domestic servant to Elizabeth Yeo, farmer. Marriage to Frederick Frederick Davey regd Barnstaple Dec 1896
• GEORGE: Born Swimbridge; birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1877. In 1881 census at home, age 4, scholar. In 1891 census at Yarnacott, Swimbridge, age 13, farm servant to Mary Ann Squire. In 1901 at home with parents, single, 23, tanner's labourer. Marriage to HANNAH KATE ETHEL MAYNE regd Barnstaple Dec 1901. See Group C15b
• JANE ("Jennie": Born Swimbridge. Birth regd Barnstaple March 1880. At home, age 1, in 1881 census; at home, age 11, scholar, in 1891 census; in 1901 census housemaid domestic, age 21, single, at home of Richard L. Hole, Hannaford, Swimbridge. In 1921 census at Ashford House, Ashford, home of Arthur Kent: Jane age 38; single; private servant.