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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Bruce Stephenson on Friday 30 May 25 13:26 BST (UK)

Title: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: Bruce Stephenson on Friday 30 May 25 13:26 BST (UK)
Hi all,
A long shot, but might be worth a try?
I have been scouring old ordnance survey maps on line for a "Penworthy Moor" that would have been situated in 1830 around Sibb Cross/ East Putford area of Devon. It is connected to a crime of a sheep stealing incident by Emanuel Littlejohns, a well-established name in the area at the time.
Emanuel was later deported to Van Diemen's Land with his wife and children lucky enough to be granted Assisted Passage  to VDL in 1841. (Emanuel married Nancy Ann Gilbert and had 6 children, William (USA), Elizabeth, James (USA), Hannah (VDL), Joshua and John (VDL).
If anyone has got any idea of where I might find information as to identifying the exact location of Penworthy Moor, your help and suggestions would very much be appreciated.
Regards,
Bruce
(PS if any British or American distant relations are reading this, then feel free to make contact)
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: warncoort on Sunday 01 June 25 01:59 BST (UK)
There is a "sticky" on the Devon board which may help with specialised information.
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: maddys52 on Sunday 01 June 25 04:15 BST (UK)
Welcome to RootsChat.

An article about the trial says "Emmanuel Littlejohn was indicted for stealing an ewe the property of Hugh Brent, Esq., in the parish Shebbear. The ewe in question was on Penworthy Moor ..."
Saturday,  Aug. 7, 1830
Publication: Western Times

I can't readily find it on a map either, around East Putford, Stibb Cross or Shebbear, will keep looking.  :)
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: maddys52 on Sunday 01 June 25 04:31 BST (UK)
I wonder if it is Binworthy Moor, almost exactly half way between East Putford and Shebbear and very close to Stibb Cross? Sounds like a possible mis-spelling, especially as it appears to be the only mention in newspapers of "Penworthy Moor".

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15.2&lat=50.90971&lon=-4.25482&layers=6&right=ESRIWorld
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: maddys52 on Sunday 01 June 25 04:36 BST (UK)
There is a death notice for Mary, wife of Hugh BRENT "of Binworthy, in Shebbear" in 1845.
Saturday,  Jan. 4, 1845
Publication: Exeter and Plymouth Gazette
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: Bruce Stephenson on Sunday 01 June 25 07:03 BST (UK)
By Jove, I think you ay have cracked it Maddy! Hadnt thought of looking up info on Hugh Brent....

I had assumed he lived in Shebbear itself, however your research confirms Binworthy...so a newspaper typo....

Thank you SO much!....
Cheers, Bruce :)
Title: Re: Searching for Penworthy Moor, Devon. Emanuel Littlejohns
Post by: maddys52 on Sunday 01 June 25 22:35 BST (UK)
You're welcome Bruce, I enjoy looking at old maps and through old newspapers.  :D