Group C23 (Ilfracombe) Summerwill

• WILLIAM: Born Ilfracombe about 1846, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Summerwill, nee Holmes (see Group C22). Marriage to MATILDA DAVIE regd Barnstaple Jun 1867. Matilda born in the Lantern Tower and baptised Ilfracombe 17 Jun 1849, daughter of John & Elizabeth Davy. (John Davy was a mariner.) In 1871 census together at Gas House, Okehampton, where William is gas manager. Gravestone at Ilfracombe records William died 10 May 1879, age 33 (parish register records burial 16 May 1879). Also daughter Matilda. In 1881 census Matilda is at 24 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, widow, age 32, laundress, with children and a 14 yr-old niece, Mary Kidwell. In 1891 census at 26 Fore Street, age 41, laundress, with children Thomas, Samuel and Henry. In 1901 census at 26 Fore St, Waterloo Terrace: Matilda, widow, age 52, wash laundress, employer, working at home; with John, Elizabeth, Lilian and Ivy. With her son John Davie and family in the 1921 census. Matilkda died 23 Jan 1927; death regd Barnstaple Mar 1927, age 77. (see newspaper report #115).
• WILLIAM: Birth regd Barnstaple Dec 1867; born in Lantern Hill Lighthouse (St. Nicholas’ Chapel), then a laundry, where Matilda’s mother, Elizabeth Davie (widow) was lighthouse keeper and laundress. Matilda was merely visiting when her time came. In 1871 census William is at home (Okehampton), age 3. In 1881 census with mother in Ilfracombe, age 13, errand boy. Later became blacksmith, plumber and lamplighter. See Group C24
• MATILDA: Birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1869. Buried Ilfracombe 16 Aug 1870, age 1.
• JOHN DAVIE: Born Ilfracombe 7 Jul 1871; birth regd Barnstaple Sep 1871. In 1881 census living in Ilfracombe with mother, age 10, scholar. Printer; clerk/manager of labour exchange. Marriage to ELIZABETH ANN ("Annie") HARDING regd Barnstaple Sep 1890. Together in 1891 census at 50 Fore Street, Ilfracombe: John age 19, printer, jobbing compositor; Elizabeth aged 24, dressmaker, born Berrynarbor. In 1901 census living with mother Matilda at 26 Fore St: John D. age 29, printer compositor; Elizabeth age 32 (born Ilfracombe). In 1911 census at 'The Laurels', Northfield Road, Ilfracombe (10 rooms): John 39, printer (foreman compositor), worker; Annie 44; married 21 years; 4 children, 3 of whom are alive. Widowed mother Matilda, age 63, living with them. Also niece, Emily, age 16. In 1921 census at same address: John Davie 49yrs 11mths; branch manager at Ministry of Labour Employment Office; Elizabeth 54yrs 6mths, home duties; Ivy, Zena and Matilda still with them. John Davie often mentioned in sports reports as footballer and President of football club, e.g. Newspapers#15 and #17. Active member of a Rechabite order - see Newspapers#23. Two newspaper stories #66 and #67 about attacks by a disgruntled man. President of Old Scholars' Association - newspapers#70. Annie died 24 Dec 1938 (regd Barnstaple Dec 1938) age 72; buried Marlborough Rd Cemetery. Probate 24 May to John Davie, branch manager, Ministry of Pensions; effects £1535 16s. 10d. Newspaper report #60 on John's retirement presentation. John Davie lived at 5 Northfield Road until his death. In 1939 Register: widower; manager Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange; daughters Lilian and Ivy with him. Died 5 Feb 1951, age 80; buried with Annie. Probate London 16 Apr to Lilian Maud Pollard (wife of John Pollard), Ivy Isodora Summerwill, spinster, and Zena May Lloyd (wife of Christmas Lloyd); effects £1192 1s. 3d.
  • LILIAN ("Lily") MAUD: Born Ilfracombe 13 Jan 1891 (newspaper announcement #85; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1891. At home, aged 3 months, in 1891 census. At home, age 10, in 1901 census.Lily at home in 1911 census, age 20, single, stationery assistant, worker. Married John Pollard 10 Jun 1915; regd Barnstaple Jun 1915. See detailed newspaper report #91 In 1921 Register John & Lilian are 86, Habershon Street, Cardiff: John 30yrs 8mths; police constable with Cardiff City Corporation; Lilian 30yrs 5mths. In 1939 Register John Pollard and Lilian are living with her father: John born 24 Oct 1890, retired policeman; Lilian housekeeper. Lilian's death regd Barnstaple Jun 1959 aged 68. John Pollard's death regd Barnstaple Jun 1974.
  • IVY ISODORA: Born Ilfracombe 8 Jan 1897; birth regd Barnstaple Mar 1897. At home, age 4, in 1901 census; at home in 1911 census, age 14. Ivy is mentioned in a newspaper report as Hon. Treasurer of the football club. Also as pianist at a concert at Christ Church. With parents in 1921 census, 24yrs 6mths, single, shop assistant Twies & Sons, booksellers, The Arcade, Ilfracombe. With her father in 1939 Register: single; dealer pictures, photographs, postcards, manageress. Ivy died 1978, age 81; buried with parents at Marlborough Rd Cemetery
  • ZENA MAY: Born Ilfracombe 20 May 1906; birth regd Barnstaple Jun 1906. At home in 1911 census, age 4. In 1921 census with oparents, age 15, whole time at school. Married Christmas Lloyd parish church Ilfracombe 9 Sep 1932 (see detailed newspaper report #96); regd Barnstaple Sep 1932 (daughter Elizabeth Ann, born 13 Apr 1939). At 9 Yeo Vale Rd, Barnstaple in 1939 Register: Christmas born 20 dec 1909; Assistant Superintendent of Agents Prudential Assurance Company; Zena unpaid domestic duties. Died 25 Oct 2007; probate granted Bristol 4 Jan 2008
    
• THOMAS GEORGE DAVIE: Born 11 May 1873; birth regd Okehampton Jun 1873. Admitted to St Philip & St James School (Infants), Ilfracombe, 16 Dec 1878; previous school Okehampton; left 5 Dec 1879, gone on to boys' school. In 1881 census in Ilfracombe with mother, age 8, scholar; in 1891 census with mother at 26 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, aged 17, plumber. See Group C25
• SAMUEL DAVIE: Born Okehampton 2 Jan 1875; birth regd Okehampton Mar 1875. Admitted to St Philip & St James School (Infants), Ilfracombe, 16 Dec 1878; previous school Okehampton; left 21 Dec 18781, gone on to boys' school.In 1881 census in Ilfracombe with mother, age 6, scholar. In 1891 census with mother at 26 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, age 16, blacksmith. See Group C25
• HENRY: Born Okehampton 23 Jun 1877; birth regd Okehampton Dec 1877. In 1881 census at Ilfracombe with mother, age 3, scholar. In 1891 census with mother at 26 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, aged 13, printer. Later compositor. Newspaper story #43 1891 about stealing an egg. See Group C26

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