Post Mill or Water Mills in or around Langtree in Devon

[Petevincent]

I'm looking for evidence of Post Mills or Water mills around the Langtree, Buckland Brewer or Torrington area in Devon.  My ancestor Thomas Couch was born in Langtree in 1798, the son of James Couch who may have been a miller.  Thomas himself was a miller in later life working at Goulceby, Tealby both in Lincolnshire then in 1850, Crowle in North Lincolnshire, the owner of the West Mill a post mill on mill road in Crowle.  He is traceable from 1829 his marriage to Sarah Tuxworth of Goulceby and through up to his death in 1860.  His wife sarah and sons James and William carried on the milling.  I am trying to find evidence pre 1829 to why he came to Lincolnshire, evidence of a brother or cousin 'James Couch' a miller at Claythorpe in Lincs exists. Any help would be appreciated concerning his first 30 years.

[JaneyCanuck]

Just to note that it seems fairly well established that both Thomas 1798 and James 1788 were sons of James Couch and Dorothy.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=472835.msg4968734#msg4968734

They married in 1829 and 1827, respectively, in Lincolnshire.

There is a Dorothy Couch death March quarter 1846 in Torrington reg dist Devon, which covers Langtree. Have you looked into that? I can't find anybody who looks like that name in the 1841 census, even trying wildcards and obvious mistranscription possibilities (like Conch ...).


edit - found her via familysearch, which has the person who must be that Dorothy Couch in the death record as Dally Couch. Ancestry, bless its heart, has her as Dally Conih. Aged 90 (c1751 so a tad old, but 90 is a bit of a round number), pauper, in Langtree, living with Dally Thomas, 60, likely a widowed daughter.

Aha. Dave Jones's post in the previous thread said this already:

"He was the son of James Couch, miller of Langtree, Devon, who died on 28th March 1841, and Dorothy who died at Langtree in early 1846 aged 95."

The James Couch death reg in Torrington reg dist March quarter 1841 is also in the GRO index, and that certificate might be even more likely to give useful information about him.

Starting a new thread without at least giving all known or possible relevant info, not the best idea!

A couple of the on-line trees at Ancestry/Mundia do state a sister Dorothy born 1781 (date could be taken from that 1841 census).

The 1846 Dorothy Couch death certificate might mention her widow status and husband.

[Petevincent]

Thanks for the information.  I had researched most of it through ancestry.  the next step is obviously obtaining the death certificates.  It starts getting expensive, if the the wrong lead.  I didn't mean to confuse the old thread with this new one.  I was hoping someone out there with an interest in old Devonshire mills might have a bit of information.  the Lincolnshire mills trust has been helpful at this end.  I went to Langtree on return from my holiday in Cornwall.  the church has done a marvellous job of mapping the cemetery.  Alas, no Couch's, which is surprising as there were so many born there. 
I assume they were buried as paupers, with James and Thomas emigrating to Lincolnshire in search of a better life.  Thanks again for the reply, I appreciate any info, even if I've already got it, as sometimes it confirms a theory.  One of the old locals 'of which my Lincolnshire accent was as broad to him as his was to me!' told me Torrington was the best bet, as many reside there.  So I'll keep chasing, I've got the Lincolnshire end pretty tied up.  Practically every Couch in the Isle of Axholme comes from Thomas, and there are many in the Louth area, decended from James!  Thanks again, please don't hesitate to contact me with any info no matter how small!

[Petevincent]

I'd better restate my objective!  If anyone has any information concerning Wind or Water mills in and around Langtry, in Devon it would be most appreciated.  Sorry for any confusion, concerning Thomas Couch 1798. ( There is a link, which is why it may be confusing!)

[Gadget]

Hi

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but there is a Priestacott Mill near/in the Watergate/Langtree Lake area.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/701125


Gadget


added - also 3 entries on A2A

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/results.aspx?tab=2&Page=1&ContainAllWords=priestacott+mill

[Petevincent]

Thanks Gadget, I'll check it out!

Petevincent

[Duodecem]

I've got the 1809 OS map of the area which shows Langtree Mill on Langtree Common (near Gortledge if you search online). The millhouse is still there.
Also in Buckland Brewer parish there were mills at Knaworthy and at Tithecott. The latter is between Langtree and Buckland Brewer which might explain the family baptising children in both parishes.
This website might help you further.
http://www.genealogywise.com/group/bucklandbrewerdevonhistoryandgenealogy?commentId=3463583%3AComment%3A212561&xg_source=activity

[Petevincent]

Thank, JanFurness, I'll use the info' might explain where the brothers Thomas & james learned their trade before moving to Lincolnshire.  I'm still convinced their Father also James DOB 1750 was an Agricultural labourer and not a miller.

Regards. ..... Pete Couch

[Petevincent]

Trying to determine James Couch's employment as a miller is proving hard, I found him mentioned as a Agricultural labourer on some parish record which I cannot now find!  Too much information, plus going off on tangents early in my research.  I learned a lesson to log and write down everything! 
In trying to discover what made the brothers James and Thomas uproot to Lincolnshire is also difficult.  I believe it was to search for a better life, which I think they found.  James became tenant miller at Claythorpe mill, a very impressive water mill, still stands today, although not milling.  Both brothers married at Goulceby.  Thomas, resided at Goulceby, Tealby and later Crowle all in Lincolnshire.  In Crowle he purchased a post mill 'The West Mill' on Mill Rd.  At Goulceby Thomas's employment points to Ag' labourer.  A Post mill did stand at Top lane/Butt lane juction, however I can find no evidence of Thomas working there!  I think James the elder by 10 years must have worked as a miller, with Thomas eventually doing the same.  Those early years from James birth in 1788 and Thomas in 1798, to the mid/late 1820s are the mystery.  Did they move alone?  why Lincolnshire?  how would they know to come there?  Was James already there, with Thomas joining him later?  More likely they came together I think.  The main question is did they both learn their trade in Devon?  very difficult, intriguing and at times frustrating!  I suppose some information we will never Know! ..... hey-ho, plod on!