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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Doug Hooper on Monday 16 August 10 05:33 BST (UK)
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My GGGrandparents, Nicholas Hooper and Grace (nee Bishop) are both buried in Bere Alston, Devon. Nicholas died 7/9/1875 and Grace 4/6/1870. I know that Nicholas's parents were Thomas Hooper and Elizabeth Thomas (daughter of Thomas Thomas). Apart from that I have been unable to find any other information regarding the Hooper family origins.
I have traced the Bishop family back to 1600's at Buckland Monachorum.
Can anybody help please?
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I presume as you have his parents' info that you've got Nicholas' baptism, and if you know Elizabeth's father's name that you have Thomas & Elizabeth's marriage cert?
Have you found them on the census and if so where do they say they were born?
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Thanks for the prompt response. I obtained the information some 30 years ago when I visited the local Morman Church and ordered the micro-fische for Bere Alston. The 1861 census shows that both Nicholas and Grace were born in Bere Ferris.
Familysearch.org confirms that his parents were Thomas & Elizabeth and that he was born in Bere Alston.
Doug
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Hi Doug.
Is the 1861 the only census record you have?
David
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Hello David
I do have another note that says that Thomas Hooper was a Husbandman in Bere Alston in 1799.
Doug
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Hi Doug.
Sorry for the delay in replying but we're on holiday at the moment in the Cotswold with the caravan so have to rely on mobile broadband connectivity.
Anyway, I'm not too sure how far back I can go to help but I have some background for Nicholas Hooper and family by way of other census returns.
As you have the 1861, I won't repeat that.
1841
Pepper Street civil parish of Bere Ferrers
Nicholas Hooper 40 Miner tin and lead
Grace wife 30
Robert son 11
Jane dau 6
John son 7
Thomasin dau 5
Mary dau 2
1851
36 Pepper Street
Nicholas Hooper 51 ag.lab. b.Bere Alston
Grace wife 42
Robert son 20 ag.lab.
Jane dau 18
John son 16 lab.at lead mine
Mary dau 11
James son 9 scholar
Grace dau 7 scholar
Richard brother 47 lab.at smelting works
!861 you have.
1871
Pepper Street
Nicholas Hooper 71 Gen.Dealer b.Bere Ferrers
Grace wife 63
Jane dau 39
Thomasin Brimblecombe grandaughter 2
Next door:
John W. Brimblecombe 28 ag.lab b.Paignton
Grace wife 27 b. Bere Ferrers .....this looks like the daughter of NicholasHooper
Clara dau 5
John son 3
Mary E. dau 1
Also:
Nicholas died 1875 3rd quarter age 76 reg'd Tavistock District
Grace died 1879 2nd quarter age 71 " " " .........this would appear to contradict your date of death for Grace but she is still alive in 1871.
It's worth noting that Bere Alston births in the 19th century were registered under the civil parish of Bere Ferrers and there were no burials in Beres Alston until 1873.
I'll dig around to see if I can find anything on Nicholas's father Thomas.
David
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Thanks David. I really appreciate what you are doing. If I can ever help you with anything in Australia, let me know.
Doug
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Hi again Doug.
We've finished our holiday in the Cotswold, had a couple of weeks in the New Forest and are heading for Devon on Friday (tomorrow). We'll be staying for a week or two on the edge of Dartmoor, about five miles from Bere Alston, a village I do know quite well.
I'll be spending some time with the camera while we're there; churchyard, mine ruins, etc. So if there's anything you'd like photographs of I'd be pleased to snap away and send them to you.
Cheers, David.
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Hello David. I checked the death date of Grace Hooper by having a very close look at the photo I have of the headstone. It looks like her death date should be 4/6/1879. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
My email address is
As you can see, I have a photograph of the headstone of Nicholas & Grace Hooper. I also have a photo of 36 Pepper St. They were sent to me by Wendy Brimblecombe who lives in Plymouth. However any photos of Hooper or Gregory headstones would be appreciated.
Thanks again
Doug
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Hi All
I wish I had more to add to your family history, but I sadly don't. However I live in Bere Alston & walk past the above house almost daily. My friend lives in a similar house in what is now Cornwall Street & she is cramped with herself, her partner & their three small children! Hard to imagine the large families of yesteryear managed to squeeze in.
There is a book produced by the local history society of old & new pictures. I know a little of the local history if I can help.
Regards Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. I will get to Bere Alston one day. My daughter was there a few years ago. I'm looking forward to the day (if it ever happens) that the OPC puts the parish records on line as they have done in Cornwall.
Doug
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Hi Doug
I was asked to be OPC, but as I have two small children I really don't have the time (yet!)
Suzanne
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It's me again Doug.
Hi Suzanne.
Suzanne, you say there's a book of old and new pictures produced by the local history society: Do you know the title/author/publisher and where I may be able to get hold of a copy?
Doug, I haven't managed to get to Exeter (RecordsOffice). I did, however, spend yesterday in the public library in Tavistock as they hold the parish records for the area. I found loads of info for my SPRY/WYVILL/GIMBLETT/SLEEP ancestors and while I was there I had a good dig around for the HOOPERS.
This is what I found from the parish registers:
NICHOLAS son of THOMAS & ELIZABETH HOOPER baptised St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 6 Oct.1799.
NICHOLAS married GRACE BISHOP, St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 26 Aug.1829.
Witnesses: John Wyvill and Sally Bishop.
NICHOLAS died 7 Sep.1875 aged 77yrs (slight error by someone down the line in his age. But they only wrote down what they were told by relative and is quite a common occurance.)
NICHOLAS buried Holy Trinity church, Bere Alston, 11 Sep.1875
THOMAS HOOPER, bachelor of this parish, married ELIZABETH THOMAS, spinster of this parish,
St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 6 Mar.1793.
Witnesses: Thomas Wills and John Hearns(?)
Although Thomas was "of this parish", I couldn't find a birth entry for him (I searched back to 1743). Granted,some of the microfiche records were faded and some impossible to read,but the vast majority were clear and it would be most unfortunate if Thomas's record was in the minority. It could also be that he came to Bere Alston as a child with his parents and his birth record is in another parish. I'm just guessing now, can you tell?
I did come across this one which you may already have:
THOMAS, son of THOMAS and ELIZABETH THOMAS, baptised St.Andrew's church, Bere Ferrers, 31 Mar.1767.
If I get another opportunity to go to Exeter I'll have another look for Thomas Hooper's parents.
But that's all for now.
Regards, David.
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That has filled a couple of blanks for me. Its a wonderful world, the world og genealagists. People who live on opposite sides of the world, don't know each other, but prepared to help out with their own time. I really appreciate what you are doing David. Accommodation available in Adelaide, South Australia any time you need it.
Doug
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Cheers Doug. You're more than welcome. Yes, we do help each other. I've been on the receiving end a few times and grateful to this site for providing the means of contact
Thanks for the invite......................plane lands 10.45 pm tomorrow. We'll get a taxi from the airport! ;D ;D
David
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I have received some information from William Hooper in Plymouth that suggests that the family were at Buckland Brewster before going to Bere Alston.
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Hi Doug. how are things?
I've tried to find Buckland Brewster to no avail.
It must be Buckland BREWER, North Devon :-
http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/BucklandBrewer/
Have you been to see day one or two of the second ashes test ? I promise I won't mention it again ;)
David
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Hello David
I meant Brewer. A slip of the key board.
Cricket??? What's that. I've heard its a game that Australia are trying to play but that they are not succeeding.
No I haven't been to the game but have been watching it on TV. It is a sell out crowd so we are getting direct telecasts. I'm afraid we have lost our way. England is far too good for us. We can't bat, can't bowl and certainly can't field. >:(
Doug
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There's a great thread running on the forum started by one of your countrymen,EDO.
It's good Aussie/Pom banter. You're more than welcome to join in, or just read, whatever you want :) :)
Go to FORUM (at top of page), under COMMON ROOM click on TOTALLY OFF TOPIC BIT.
There's quite a bit on the internet about Buckland Brewer but you may be as well contacting Janet Few at Devon online Parish Clerks. She'll carry out look-up requests for Buckland Brewer. There's a link to her email on Genuki (the link I sent you).
Good to hear from you again, Doug.
David
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I have a distant relative (William Hooper) who livesin Plymouth and has suggested that the Hooper family may have gone to Bere Alston from Buckland Brewer. That would account for Thomas Hooper's baptism record not being in Bere Alston.
Doug
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Sorry. Already put that one in. I'm getting old.
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Sorry. Already put that one in. I'm getting old.
Not long to go now Doug till someone's posting on Rootschat requesting information on us :o :o :o
David
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Hi
On 14th February 1962 H. Hooper purchased the property next door to me. Number 6 Cornwall Street Bere Alston. The property passes from Mr Thomas John Richard Hendra to Mr Henry Hooper. Henry Hooper was a Cobler. When you walk passed the house you can still make out 'HOOPERS' on the black painted fascia if the light catches it correctly. I am pretty sure that the current owner of number 6 is Henry Hoopers daughter. She is called Cora. If you wanted more info you might try writing to her?
Hope this helps.
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Hi all,
Would welcome any help on the Hooper family tree.
My great grandfather was Henry Hooper a cobler in Pepper Street.