RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Cardano on Tuesday 21 June 11 19:42 BST (UK)
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Just joined today, and mentioning that I'm researching the Westacott name in Devonshire.
I'd like to hear from anyone else interested in that name. My paternal grandfather's mother was Bessie Westacott (b1855) in Swimbridge. I have quite a bit, but am always interested in more :), or sharing what I have with others who are interested.
Most of the family I have located were in or near Barnstaple.
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My Westcott's from High Bray just to the east of Barnstaple.
William West(a)cott born 1798 North Molton married Susanna Gammon in High Bray in 1818. Their daughter Susan born 1827 High Bray married Henry Watts in 1850. They are my GG Grandparents who came to Australia in 1860.
Regards Dale Watts
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Thanks for the reply.
So far, it doesn't look like our lines are connected. As far back as I've got, I find my GG grandfather and GG grandmother Robert Westacott and Mary Gaydon working on the same farm as servants before they were married. This is from the 1841 census where they are shown working for the Davy family farm in Denniton, Swimbridge, near Barnstaple. They married in 1844. Robert Westacott was born in Atherington, Mary Gaydon in Swimbridge. Different censuses converge on a birthdate of about 1816 for Robert, but vary from 1816 to 1825 for Mary Gaydon.
Regards,
Fred
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Welcome to Rootschat
I've got WESTCOTTS from Beaford,Dolton , Egsford anc Chawleigh any good?
could well be a version of the same name
Trees
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Should have said I can trace my line back to Hugh Westcott bap 1596 Swimbridge and Katherine Lock.
Hugh's Parents John Westcott and Agnes Renell married 1590 Swimbridge. John thought to be the son of George Westcott from Chumleigh.
Dale
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Hi, just joined RootsChat.com
'Jane Westcott (alias Watts)' is listed on a very old family tree i am in possession of. She is the daughter of Harriet Westcott (born in Devon,1830-1857), sister of Susan Westcott born 1827.
Yesterday, I obtained a copy of Jane's marriage certificate to Alfred Spicer, with Henry Watts (husband of Susan Westcott) listed as a witness to their marriage in Maldon, Victoria.
Jane Westcott was born in Swansea and given that her mother Harriet appears to have died when Jane was only about 5 years old, I'm assuming that perhaps Jane travelled to Australia with Susan and Henry which may explain why he was a witness at her marriage to Alfred in 1870.
Jane Westcott is my great, great grandmother (I also have her death certificate - she died in 1928 and is buried at the Springvale cemetery).
Does any of this information ring any bells with other members?
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Can we clarify things was Harriet born tJane Weascott or is it her married name please? Does the marriage certificate give the father's name? Where was the marriage? Hope we can help
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A Jane Wescott was born in Swansea district in Dec qtr 1852 Swansea 11a 384 it may be worth getting her birth certificate
I can't see a suitable Westcott on the 1851 census in Swansea??
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Oh yes I can HO107/ 2466 fo 226 p 45 & Marlbrough Place, Westren Terrace,Henry and Susan WATTs in Swansea with sister in law Harriett the ladies were born in Highbray Devon while Henry and brother William were born Loxhore Devon
There is an OPC for High Bray who will look at the parish registers for you http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/HighBray/index.html give her an e mail and ask if she can find susan and Harriet Westcott's baptisms that will give you their parents
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Susan and Henry were married in 1850 in the Barnstable district
In 1841 HO107/245 / 6 fo 4 p2 harriet and Susan are with William WESCOTT born between 1791 and 1796 ans Susanna the same age with what looks like 7 children( no relationships are given in 1841 William was a farmer and the adress looks like Lower Hole/ in 1851 Henry Watts was a flour Agent so probably met the Wescotts at a mill :)
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In 1851 William is said to be born 1798 North Molton and Susanna 1795 Landkey
There is a baptism on the Family Search site for a William 7 June 1799 North Molton to William and Mary
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A tree on An..ry has William marrying a Susanna GAMMON 6 Apr 1818 in High Bray it may be worth contacting the owner Take care several trees on that site have Susan 1827 married to a Robert Broad but censuses show that Susan was born in Topsham! but the Gammon family tree looks better researched but only shows one child for William and Susanna
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Excellent! Thank you for your reply.
Harriet and Susan Westcott's parents are listed on the paper copy of the family tree i have, as William Westcott (1795-1864) and Susannah ? (1794-1886). They were married in 1818. From what research i've done, Susannah's maiden name may be 'Gammon'.
Jane's father is listed as 'unknown' on her marriage certificate in 1870 and given that her mother had passed when she was five years old, I'm looking through some passenger lists to see if she came to Victoria with her Aunt Susan Westcott (Watts) and Henry Watts around 1860, as per an earlier post in this thread by another member researching the Westcott/Watts names.
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Happy hunting You have found the most friendly site now and we offer you a huge welcome :)
Just give a shout if you need help with your research and someone will try to answer
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Hi,
My Great x? Grandad was William Westacott, boat builder of Barnstaple Devon. He had his own boat builder company known as Westacott & Sons Ltd which is detailed on plaques at the dry docks in Barnstaple
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Welcome to Rootschat and thank you for that interesting extra info mation Let us know if you want help with your tree
:) trees
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Hi,
have been reading this chat re Westacott in Barnstaple, Devon and wondering where my Westacott's fit in as there seem to be many different branches in the region. The Westacott's I am investigating emigrated to Australia in, I think, 1855. They ended up in Geelong, Victoria. John was a butcher and I believe his father, another John Westacott was also a butcher, m. to an Elizabeth (possibly Coats); resident in Tawton, Devon in 1814. (They had 4 children i believe - my John, Jane, b. 1813, William b. 1816 and Sally b. 1823)
John Westacott who emigrated is as follows:
John Westacott, b. 1.1.1807 in Pilton, Devon d. 17.12.1883 at Mercer St., Geelong, Victoria, Australia
His wife, Ann Maria nee Apps, b. 17.2.1811 in Sussex, UK; m. John 15.7.1830 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex; d. 4.10.1884 at Mercer St., Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
John and Ann's (known as Maria) children:
Elizabeth Apps Westacott (1831-1831)
Ann Maria (or Mary Ann) Westacott (1832-1832)
Mary Jane Westacott (1834-1915) m. Charles Snell Ridd on 28.12.1853, emig. to Melbourne in 1855
Harriet Westacott (b. 1836-?) m. Abel Hoyle
Elizabeth Apps Westacott (1839-1841)
Sarah Beck Westacott (b. 1841-?) m. George B. Saunders in 1859 in Victoria; emig. to NZ
John Bayley Westacott (1845-1919) m. Mary Ann Carey in 1867 at Colac, Victoria, Australia, Methodist Free Church minister, 6 children
Thomas Westacott (1848-1922); m three times (1) Anastasia Maria Martin in 1868 in Geelong - 2 children; (2) Mary Ann Price in 1879 in Invercargill, NZ - 3 children; (3) Joan Shepherd after 1882 - 3 children
Eliza Ann Westacott (b. 1850 - ?) m. Edward William Parsons in 1874 in Victoria
I would love to clarify John Westacott's (1807-1883) parentage and siblings. Also, trying to trace his movements so have him and wife at Vickerage Lane, Barnstaple in February, 1932 when daughter Ann Maria is christened; at Balches, Newton Tracey on 4.5.1848 as a tenant farmer; at Smymington, Tawstock, Devlon in 1851 Census; at Lower Smemington, Devon in 1854 as tenant of a farm which is advertised to let. Can anyone help?
thankyou
Jane
Brisbane
Australia
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Interesting question Jane I've had a quick look and so far haven't come up with anything before that 1851 census There is a farmer John in 1841 with a possible mother Elizabeth on the 1841 census but that is odd as there is no sign of Ann and the earlier children. I wonder if they have been mis transcribed they must be somewherein 1841. Try asking for help to find the family on 1841 on the census board here. I will try to have a better look soon for you but we are just leaving for our annual holiday so I won't be able to for a couple of weeks
I hope someone else will take up the challenge to find your johnbefore I get back
Trees
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1841 census: Class: HO107; Piece: 221; Book: 15; Folio: 2; Page: 4
Balcher(could be Butcher?), Newton Tracey, Devon
Westcott, John M 30 Butcher
Westcott, Ann F 30
Westcott, Ann Maria F 8
Westcott, Harriet F 4
Westcott, Sarah F 1 month
All born in county, except Ann.
The usual caveats! Adult ages were rounded down to a multiple of 5 years; no relationships ae given
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Thanks you so much for that. Felt i was drowning in John Westacott's but this is the one. Balches was the name of a property in Newton Tracey owned by John Isaac and John Westacott was a tenant there in May, 1848 so perhaps was also there in 1841.
Thanks again
regards
Jane
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I've just joined this site, as I'm researching my mother's side of the family. My mother is eighty nine years of age this coming September. Her father was George Townsend. George Townsend's father was Harry Townsend, who was married to Jane Westacott. This is as much as I know about the Westacott family. Can anyone supply me with some more information please?
Thanks :)
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Welcome to RootsChat! ;D
Just to set some dates (you didn't mention any! ;D):
Marriage: December qtr 1882
Barnstaple district vol 5b, page 907
Townsend, Harry
+ and on the same page +
Westacott, Jane
And, to confirm, the 1891 census:
Class: RG12; Piece: 1774; Folio: 113; Page: 17
Cyprus Terrace, Newport, Barnstaple, Devon
Townsend, Harry Head M 29 Groom b Christow, Devon
Townsend, Jane Wife F 30 b Swimbridge
Townsend, George H Son M 8 Scholar b Swimbridge
Townsend, Redvers H Son M 6 Scholar b Barnstaple
So, now we have an approx. year of birth for Jane! 1860
1861 census: Class: RG09; Piece: 1488; Folio: 9; Page: 12
Forest Cottage, Swimbridge, Devon
Westacott, George Head M 36 Carpenter b Swimbridge
Westacott, Kezia Wife F 29 b South Molton
Westacott, Mary A Daughter F 5 b Swimbridge
Westacott, Thomas Son M 3 b Swimbridge
Westacott, Jane Daughter F 1 b Swimbridge
+ servant and 2 apprentices
And a birth:
December qtr 1859
Barnstaple district vol 5b, page 469
Westacott, Jane
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Thank you very much for that. This is quite exciting for me, as I have never met any of my mother's relatives. Sadly, my grand father,(George H Townsend), died before I was born. My mother is the Grand Daughter of Jane Westacott. she is still going strong and still teaching music. George Townsend met my Gran and they moved to the Rhondda Valley in South Wales and he became a coal miner. My mother's name is Joan Davies.
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Of course, you really need to confirm my suspicions with birth & marriage certificates! ;D
One last thing:
Marriage, December qtr 1853
South Molton district vol 5b, page 818
George Westacott
+ and on the same page +
Kezia Hancock
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I've been researching some dates.
My grandfather, (George Henry Townsend) was born 1883 registration quarter Apr-May-June.
Reg District. Barnstable. Birth index 1837-1915. volume 5b Page 450
He was married to my grandmother Charlotte Mace in 1919 reg quarter July-Aug-Sep. Reg district-Merthyr Tydfil. Marriage index 1916-2005. Volume 11a. Page 2095
My mother, (Joan Charlotte Davies), was born 30/09/1925. volume 11a. page 1148. Pontyridd district.
My mother was married to my father 1952 Marriage index 1916-2005 Volume 8b page 1513
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Have I confirmed your suspicions?
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Not really! ;D
All research needs to be backed up by documentary evidence - i.e. birth and marriage certificates, census returns, etc.
It is all too easy to follow the wrong line (as I, and many others have!) by making assumptions ::) ;D
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The best evidence I have is the information that my mother gives me. All the data that I have found, my mother had already told me. This includes much of the data that you gave me. She's like a walking encyclopaedia, when it comes to dates. She knew the birth dates and the marriage dates. She also new that Jane Westcott was born in Swimbridge. Considering that she is my mother's grandmother, then I would expect her to know this information. A couple of years ago, we took her to the house where her father grew up, (27 Richmond St. in Barnstable).
When she was a child, she used to visit the house during her holidays. Her father's brother, Redvers and two sisters Annie Justina and Nellie Audrey were living there alongside their parents, Harry and Jane Townsend, (formerly Westacott).
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Probably a useless bit of info but there was a Westacott as a "bearer " at one of my ancestors funerals in South Molton in 1940 .
Regards
Alan
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Does anyone have any information on a George Henry Westacott born in 1859 in Barnstaple? I believe his father was called William and his mother called Elizabeth née Nutt.
Any help very much appreciated.
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Not sure if there is a connection but I will try anything :D
One of my first posts on RC was on Louisa West(m)acott.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=711777.
One of the possibilities was Louisa Westacott born to Elizabeth .
On Louisa's marriage certificate her name was given as Wesmincot. There is no father named either which is a pain.
Does Louisa ring a bell in anyones family?
:)
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There's no Louisa in my tree that I can see. I'm only back to George and have hit a bit of a wall with going further. :(
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Does anyone have any information on a George Henry Westacott born in 1859 in Barnstaple? I believe his father was called William and his mother called Elizabeth née Nutt.
Any help very much appreciated.
I see a George in Azis Lane b 1860 in the 1871 census with an Elizabeth as Head. Last name spelt as Westicott
FreeReg has Georges and Williams from the Barnstaple area if you wish to check that site
Thank you for looking for Louisa :)
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Thank you. I'll take a look. :)
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I see a George in Azis Lane b 1860 in the 1871 census with an Elizabeth as Head. Last name spelt as Westicott
Thank you for finding this. These are indeed my ancestors! Thanks. I just need to find out about George's elusive father. :)
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Hi
I've got a dorothy westacot 1731 that is married to Alexander gaydon. Don't have much info on her and not sure where she would fit in. Also someone mentioned a mary gaydon marrying into the westacots any ideas of her parents
Thanks
Ross
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Dear Mr Watts, there are photos of Henry, Susan, Alfred, Joseph Henry, Mr & Mrs Grimmett etc for sale on ebay as of 25 April 2022. Kurt Gänzl
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Thanks gerolstein.
They are certainly my family.
Photos sent back to family remaining in England in 1877.
Regards Dale
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I hope you can get your hands on them! :-)
Kurt Gänzl
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I'm descended from a Margaret Westcott who married in North Molton area in 1676, possibly the Margaret daughter of William and Pernel baptized in North Molton in 1654. William was likely the one baptized in North Molton to Hugh and Katherine (Lock) in 1626.
Hugh was probably son of John W. and Anstis Renell of Swimbridge who married in 1590 and named a son Hugh (also brother Christopher and daughter Margaret among others) in his will of 1601. John was son of George Westcot of North Molton who names (besides his heir Christopher and wife Sybil) a son John and the latter's daughter Margaret in his will of 1592. George married Sybil Saunders in North Molton in 1562/3. George's brother Sebastian was chorister of St. Paul's (will 1582).
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Hi Dantemortem,
Thanks for your post I believe we share common ancestors in Hugh Westcott and Katherine Lock.
Regards Dale
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Do you have your dna done? I have a profile on Ancestry. Not sure how distant our cousinship would be, but we might match up.
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If we are the same generation and Hugh is our 9th great grandfather - that makes us 10th cousins.
I don't have dna or ancestry account.
Feel free to Personal Message me if you like.
dale
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Hi.
My husband’s 2x great grandmother was Grace WESTACOTT born in George Nympton in 1834.
Grace married Henry Harris and they moved via Monmouthshire to Cardiff where they had a corn chandler’s shop.
Grace’s parents were Michael WESTACOTT and Mary Gulley.
Michael’s parents John WESTACOTT and Elizabeth Nott.
John’s parents were William WESTACOTT and Mary Cowler
William’s was Thomas WESTACOTT born 1700 in Bishops Tawton.
I don’t know if any of these fit in your tree. His tree is on ancestry.
As a historian he has researched thoroughly and will not accept anything without proof.
I don’t know if any of these names are familiar to you. He has done his DNA
SNG