Searching for Milford Down, Devon. (Emanuel Littlejohns)

[Bruce Stephenson]

Hi all,
A long shot, but might be worth a try?
I have been scouring old ordnance survey maps on line for a "Milford Down" that would have been situated in 1830 very close to Thornhill Head (near Sibb Cross), Devon. I have found "Milford" (NTH and STH on an older map) near Silkland. I am trying to locate the exact location of abode of Emanuel Littlejohns, a well-established surname name in the area at the time. Milford Down is written as the place of abode on two of the children's baptism certificates.
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 Milford Down, 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)

[KGarrad]

Could it be Penwith Moors?

See: https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2022/10/07/penwith-moors-site-of-special-scientific-interest-cornwalls-western-most-landscape-receives-further-accolade-of-sssi-designation/

Changes to the original post render my post superfluous.

[maddys52]

There is a Milford shown here, not too far from Stibb Cross (and close to Thornehill Head). 
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15.7&lat=50.93426&lon=-4.27385&layers=6&right=ESRIWorld

[Bruce Stephenson]

Hi Maddy and KGarrand.

Penwith Moors puts it too far away, but thanks anyway.

Your reply on my other post Maddy has had me busy editing this post, so I am not sure what version you responded to? Yes, found Milford on same site. I did find another map that had Milford north and south marked down in the same location. On Elizabeth's death certificate, the abode is quoted as Thornhill Head, so I am pretty confident I have the right location down to a mile or so as Milford is close by. I think that this is about as good as I will get and I need to stop looking for perfection...bear with me, I am new to all this malarky!
Cheers,
B

[AlanBoyd]

(Consistent with reply #2)

There are newspaper references in 1874 to meetings of the Bideford Highway Board in which there were discussions about fencing off  "the Quarry, at Milford Down, Buckland Brewer".

This map view from 1884 shows a quarry just west of the village of Milford. By 1904 this was labelled as 'Old Quarry'.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/101443144#zoom=5.2&lat=3142&lon=6881&layers=BT

[hanes teulu]

The newspaper snippet (North Devon Journal, 30 Apr 1874) refers to "The Quarry at Milford Down ...".

The Milford on this 1884 map has a quarry close by. Appears to be the right neck of the woods with a Silkland to the east (adjoining map)
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101443144#zoom=4.9&lat=2997&lon=7315&layers=BT

Alan,
you just pipped me!!

[AlanBoyd]

snap!

[hanes teulu]

snap!

AB,
I shouda' got up an hour earlier!

FindMyPast has a baptism 17 Oct 1830 of a Frances Stoneman Littlejohns, residence Milford Down in Frithelstock.

[Bruce Stephenson]

Thats amazing people!

You dont know how much this means to me. I have just finished a 74 page history on this generation of the family and how the Littlejohns got established in both Australia and America.

I dont know how to thank you enough as I find getting access to some stuff quite difficult, but you have answered all my unanswered questions...with perhaps the biggest question for last..but thats another story and post....

Needless to say, you have all made my day....
Cheers,
B