Seward

[Rustie]

I am trying to trace the father of Reginald J Seward born in 1853 in Axminster.  Most of his children were born in Blackdown, Dorset. The 1861 census shows him as 8 years old.  His mother is noted as Mary and she is the head of the household.  Mary's mother and father are noted as William and Peggy Loveridge.  At this time they are living in Musbury Devon.  Anyone know what happened to Reginald's father?  Many thanks.

[Tati]

Well  - she's a widow

I can see a possible marriage
Mary Loveridge - John Seward
June 1852 Axminster

There's also a death in the following quarter for a John Seward at Axminster but I'm sure there are others...

Tanja 

[Tati]

Look at this. Do you remember Mary as a farmer of 200 acres at Higher Westwater Farm in 1861?

1851
HO107/1862 191 7
Westwater
Mary Seward, head, wid, 64, Farmer of 180 acres, b. Axminster
John, son, unm, 33, Farmer, b. do.
Mary Swain, niece visitor, 6, scholar, b. Uplyme?
Sarah Harris, servant, 18, Dairymaid, b. Membury
Julia Gregory, serv, unm, 14, Dairy Girl, b. Devon Martinstown
George Hodder, serv, 26, Ag labourer, b. Uplyme
George Seward, serv, 16, Ag lab, b. Kelmington?

Neighbour is Reuben Swain at Yetland Farm, just like in 1861.

[Tati]

Ten years earlier

1841
HO107/200/12 43 24
Axminster
Westwater
John Seward, 70, Farmer, yes (=born in county)
Mary, 55, yes
Elizth, 25 yes
John, 20, yes
William, 20, Farmer, yes

[Rustie]

Thanks very much.  I had traced some of this but the scary thing about this is Reginald Seward married an Elizabeth Loveridge in Axminster in 1880.  This is why I thought I must have got things wrong.  I do not suppose you could shed any light on this event?  Thanks again

[Tati]

I don't suppose he married his sister? Mary Loveridge seems to be Mary Seward to me.

I don't think Elizabeth was a Loveridge (phew!!). There isn't an Elizabeth Loveridge marrying in March quarter 1880 as far as I can tell (have checked the complete index) - unless you have a marriage cert 

The 2 names that are transcribed on the free index are Reginald John Seward and Elizabeth Hannah Row.

Indeed the 1881 census says Mary is mother in law to Reginald, but in 1891 she's simply his mother.

I can see Elizabeth H Row in 1871, give me a shout if you'd like the details.

[Rustie]

Thanks for the amazing quick reply.  I was getting goose bumps when the name loveridge kept coming up.  The information was given to me, but I have never been able to check it.  Details were given married Ax minster 1880 volume 5b.  I am so glad this looks as though it it no correct.  Any details you wish to send gladly received.  (You can tell I am new to this). Cheers

[Tati]

The marriage reference is
March quarter 1880
Axminster
Volume 5b page 13

1871
RG10/2036 15 3
Musbury, Devon
Little Trill
William H Row, head, mar, 37, Farmer 150 acres 5 men & 2 boys, b. Axminster
Elizabeth H, dau, 13, b. do.
William H, son, 11, b. Musbury
Sarah A, dau, 6, b. do.
James H, son, 5, b. do.
Elizabeth Stocker?, governess, unm, 23, Governess, b. Colyton
Sarah A Evans, serv, unm, 20, general servant, b. Somerset Chard

There are other 'Row's on the same page (different households). Possibly related...
Have checked 1861 - the wife's name was Hannah, b. Musbury ca. 1836 (possibly nee Harris as there is a mother in law named Harris)

Tanja 

[Tati]

And just to prove it all, this is what I discover in 1891 

RG12/1669 81 18
Musbury, Devon
Drakes Farm
William H Row, head, 56, Farmer, b. Devon Axminster
Hannah, wife, 55, b. Musbury
Elizabeth H Seward, dau, mar, 32, visitor, b. do.
Mary R Row, dau, unm, 28, b. do.
Sarah Row, dau, 26, b. do.
James H Row, son, 25, b. do.
Tom Seward, grandson, 5, visitor, scholar, b. Dorset Thorncombe
Elizabeth Salway, servant, s, General domestic serv, b. Devon Musbury