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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: AusFamily on Friday 25 July 25 12:38 BST (UK)
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I’m researching Joan Martin, who married John Widdicombe, a yeoman of Ugborough, on 2 May 1774 in Ugborough. I’m trying to confirm her baptism and family of origin, and would appreciate any guidance or thoughts.
Her Find a Grave memorial lists her death in 1809, aged 54, suggesting a birth year around 1755:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204432820/joan-widdicombe
The marriage licence bond, dated 24 March 1774 (Ancestry.com), names Joan as a spinster “of Ugborough” and is signed by John Widdicombe and John Calloway, a mercer of Plympton. A Jn Martin witnessed the actual marriage (attached), which may be a helpful clue.
I'm aware there are a number of Joan, Jenny, Jane, and Joanna Martin baptisms in the South Hams region around this time. I’m currently weighing two main candidates:
1. Jenny Martin, baptised Bigbury, 29 July 1753
Parents: James Martin & Mary Ford (m. 1746, Ringmore)
Siblings include James, John, and Margaret (Peggy)
Possibly relevant given the use of names like Jenny, Peggy, and John among Joan's children
Main question: Was Jenny ever used as a variant or nickname for Joan in Devon during this period?
2. Joan Martin, reportedly baptised, Harberton, 1755
Some Ancestry.com trees cite this person, which would match the gravestone age
I haven’t been able to locate the actual baptism or verify this connection by documentation (familysearch.org & ancestry.com)
Other entries I’ve come across (but can’t currently access in full) include:
Jane Martin (1754, Buckfastleigh)
Joanna Martin (1756, Bishopsteignton)
At the time of the marriage, Joan is described as “of this parish” (Ugborough), but I can’t find a matching baptism there around 1755.
Children of John and Joan Widdicombe (possibly helpful for naming pattern clues):
John, Rebecca, Elizabeth, William, Jenny, Mary Ann, Peggy, Anne, Ann, Samuel, Sarah
If anyone has come across this family, or the local Martin lines in Bigbury, Harberton or nearby parishes, I’d be grateful for any insights — or corrections if I’ve gone off track. I don’t currently have access to Findmypast, so can’t check some of the Devon Baptism entries myself.
Warm thanks in advance,
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I don’t currently have access to Findmypast, so can’t check some of the Devon Baptism entries myself.
Apparently you can now register for a free account with FindMyPast and search their database. Images are available to purchase by micropayment
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/help/sections/360002572958
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Yes, Jenny was a diminutive of Joan. I haven’t seen it used for Jane in Devon. Joan was more common than Jane.
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First daughter being Rebecca is usually named for the maternal grandmother.
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Yes, Jenny was a diminutive of Joan. I haven’t seen it used for Jane in Devon. Joan was more common than Jane.
Thank you, that is very helpful to know. A bit of local knowledge goes a long way
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I don’t currently have access to Findmypast, so can’t check some of the Devon Baptism entries myself.
Apparently you can now register for a free account with FindMyPast and search their database. Images are available to purchase by micropayment
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/help/sections/360002572958
Thank you for the information
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Jane Martin 1754 at Buckfastleigh bap. 8 July is the daughter of Zachariah and Jane Martin.
Joanna bap13 May 1756 at Bishopsteignton is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah
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If you take into account regional accents and how they might have been heard.
Jane Mardon bap. 26 December 1754 at Stokeinteignhead daughter of Samuel and Jane
They also had Anne 1746 bap 5 November and Samuel bap 3 November 1751
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Notes.
You are missing a daughter of John Widdicombe and Joan/Jenny
Anne bap 14 August 1789 was a TWIN her sister Sarah was bap. the same day.
Anne was buried 26 September 1790
Sarah was buried 5 September 1790
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Notes.
You are missing a daughter of John Widdicombe and Joan/Jenny
Anne bap 14 August 1789 was a TWIN her sister Sarah was bap. the same day.
Anne was buried 26 September 1790
Sarah was buried 5 September 1790
Thank you, I have now adjusted my family tree to include this new information
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If you take into account regional accents and how they might have been heard.
Jane Mardon bap. 26 December 1754 at Stokeinteignhead daughter of Samuel and Jane
They also had Anne 1746 bap 5 November and Samuel bap 3 November 1751
Thank you for that helpful hint. I did come across that baptism in Findmypast’s index. I’m still a little uncertain about it, as Stokeinteignhead feels quite a distance from Ugborough—especially considering travel and community ties in those days.
That said, I’m not ruling it out, especially if there’s a compelling reason she might have moved or married further afield. I’ll definitely keep this family in mind as I continue piecing things together.
Thanks again—every clue helps!
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First daughter being Rebecca is usually named for the maternal grandmother.
Thank you for the information. I’m aware that naming patterns were often followed in families of that era. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find any women named Joan, Jane, or Joanna born in the area who had a mother named Rebecca.
Just to clarify—did you mean that the first daughter, Rebecca, would likely have been named after her maternal grandmother (i.e. Joan Martin’s mother), rather than Joan’s grandmother?
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There are some other Martin marriages at Ugborough around the time (not sure that any were witnessed by Joan/Jenny or her husband)
One is Peggy Martin to Richard Moysey, 2 Nov 1779 (both signed)
Possibly Margaret Moysey buried in Ugborough in 1811, age 52