Ancestral Searches Events Internet Links Parish Council Village Hall Yarcombe Voices Churches History Messages / News Photographs Walkers' Guide Young Farmers' Club Classified Ads Holiday Lets Neighbourhood Plan Skittles World Wars   Contacts Home Page Neighbourhood Watch Update Log Yarcombe Inn

Ancestral Searches

Ancestral Search 21

October 2019

My name is Heather and I live in Appleton Cheshire, my Gt Gt Grandfather was John Lee who I believe lived according to the 1881 census at Axiviney cottage and then later at the Rising Sun Inn as both the landlord and also a bootmaker.   Do either of these premises exist, and are there any Lee family still in Yarcombe?   I also have Childs, Sartin and Spiller in my family tree, wondered if you could help at all.   Heather Coulson

Steve Horner writes:   Many thanks for your enquiry.   You are correct, I have located your great great grandfather John Lee (aged 29) on the 1881 census living at Axviney cottage with his wife Emily aged 25 and his daughters Blanche aged 6 and Mabel aged four.   This cottage no longer exists, although we have reason to believe was located just below Whitehorns on the scanned map (click here).   As for mention of the Rising Sun public house this set us scratching our heads as there are/were several pubs of that name in the area.   However I have located John Lee as landlord of the Rising Sun in Stapley which is in the neighbouring parish of Churchstanton:

I am not certain if this pub still exists as a licensed premises, but I feel certain the building will still be there.   In the 1901 census he is shown as living in the Rising Sun with his family, Emily his wife and their children, Lucy Mary (12), William George (9), Herbert Jack (9) and Margaret Gillian (3).   In the late 1890s there were several families with the surname Lee in this area but to my knowledge the name has died out.   The family name Spiller crops up very often in the records and a branch of the family still live in Yarcombe.   I hope this is of help to you.   If you give me a few more clues perhaps I can answer more specific questions.

Heather Coulson writes:   Thanks for that information.   My Spillar connection is Mary Bromfield Spillar who married Joseph Board.   They were the parents of Emily, John Lee's wife.   I am sure they were from Churchstanton but could they have relatives in Yarcombe?

Steve Horner replies:   The Spiller family are very much part of Yarcombe history and there are still members of the family in the parish.   I carried out a quick check on Ancestry.uk.com and you are correct, your branch of the Spiller family (note spelling) were residents of Churchstanton and Mary married Joseph Board on 23rd August 1852 in the parish church in Churchstanton.   Mary and Joseph (a blacksmith) later in their lives lived in Marsh which is a hamlet of Yarcombe Parish.   I hope this is helpful.

Heather Coulson writes:   Thank you Steve for that, it's amazing there are still members of the family still in the parish.   Would be interesting to find out what branch they are from.

Steve Horner replies:   That is a very difficult question to answer without constructing the whole Spiller tree!   In the Bishopswood village hall there is a very large tree almost covering one wall which amongst others shows a large number of Spillers.   If you are ever in the area it's worth obtaining the key and having a look.   Great to work with you.
 

Ancestral Search 20

September 2019

I have been tracing our ancestors, the Spiller family back to Yarcombe.   They were living there in the 16th century, if not before.   I understand that there may be some information about them and about the village in the book ‘From Monks to the Millenium’.   I understand that you may be able to put your hands on a copy of the book.   If you can I would love to purchase one or borrow one.   Perhaps I could make a donation to a local charity.   Please let me know if this would be possible.   Kind Regards,   Andre Evans

Miranda Gudenian replies:   Yes, your family has deep roots in Yarcombe, and there is a lot of historical information (here) on the village website.   Local historian Steve Horner may be able to answer a number of your questions about the Spiller family.   Hard copies of the book From Monks to the Millennium are no longer available, though occasionally a second-hand copy does come up for sale.   However, a pdf is available for a donation to Yarcombe Voices, the village magazine.   Do let me know if you would like it.

Andre & Clare Evans respond:   Thanks so much for your help.   This is of great interest to us.   We did find a number of Spillers in the churchyard.   We would like to have a copy of the pdf.   We will make a donation to Yarcombe Voices.

Miranda Gudenian replies:   Thank you so very much.   From Monks to the Millennium was written by a dear friend and neighbour of mine, Ruth Everitt.   Her research continued after its publication in 2000.   Ruth died in 2014 but her historical research is continued by Steve Horner who I have copied in to this email.   I have also copied in Yarcombe Voices' Treasurer, Maggie Tomkinson, who will send you bank details.   I will send the pdf in a separate email today.

Steve Horner adds:   As Miranda has explained I would be delighted to assist further, I assume that you are the same Clare Evans whose initial queries are covered in Ancestral Searches 13 here in our Yarcombe website.   Please let me know if you do uncover more of your families connection to our village so that we may add to our pool of knowledge.   Good luck.

Andre & Clare Evans reply:   Thank you Steve, yes this is one and the same Clare Evans.   Clare’s mother was Heather Spiller whose father RG Spiller ran a building business in Chard.   I believe that you can still see the RG Spiller vans running around the area.   We have got as far back as Robert Spiller who lived in Yarcombe between 1579 and 1617.   His father was John Spiller.   We understand that the Spillers were originally Huegenots who came over from the continent for religious reasons.   So far we have no more information than that, but we will keep trying.   I will send a copy of the family tree over.   If my IT skills are up to it, I will do a screenshot.   We are now happily settled in Cornwall having moved around quite a lot. Will be in touch.

Steve Horner writes:   Many thanks for your reply, it is a pleasure to work with you to find out more about our Parish and its history.   Indeed I can remember when RG Spiller had a builders yard and building business in the centre of Chard, although that land now has been built over, the business is now based on servicing and selling kitchen ranges such as Aga and Rayburn they have a very good reputation in the area.   I believe Eagle Plant was also part of the RG Spiller Group but is now a separate business – coincidentally I am about to visit their premises in Chard to hire an excavator for use here next week!    Good luck with your researches into the early origins of the Spiller family.   I might just add that it is a pleasure to work with you, we have responded to several queries in our Ancestral Searches section of the website, never to receive any further response!
  

Ancestral Search 19

September 2019

Hi, I have recently been doing some research into my family's history and have come to find that my mother and two uncles were evacuated from London to Yarcombe.   In fact, I found a picture that has the three of them in, Jean, Fred and David Crump, on your brilliant website.   I have really enjoyed finding this website and reading about Yarcombe and how it treated its evacuees.   It has left me yearning for more information - would you be able to recommend any other websites or museums, or anywhere I could find more information from, please?   Somerset must have left an impression on my mother as she returned when I was a child and it is where I live now, and only an hour away from Yarcombe.   Lorraine Clements

Steve Horner replies:   I was delighted that you have located our website.   It certainly has attracted a lot of attention and interest over the past year or so.   First may I assume that you have identified your Mother Jean and Uncles Fred and David from the photo of the evacuee class of school children – on our World War II page:   Fred Crump second row first on LHS and your Mother Jean second row last on RHS  - Is this correct please ?   Can you spot them in any other of the photos we have on the website?   I understand David and Fred were twins and were billeted with the Venicott family here in Yarcombe - I need to find out the exact address.   Your Mother was billeted with the Moore family at Four Elms.   The entire class came down from London from St Anne`s Roman Catholic School Lambeth London, with their teachers, Miss Stringer and Miss Marsh.   I have written twice to the school secretary asking for more information but have not had a reply – perhaps this might be another source of information for you.   I may be able to dig up some more information if you can give me more background, for example dates of birth and possible street address where your family lived in London.   Do you have any reminiscences or stories that they told you about their time in our village?   I look forward to hearing from you.

Ancestral Search 18

August 2019

Hi, I came across your website about the Yarcombe World Wars which I found very interesting.   My family has very close links to the village.   My father's, my uncle's and my aunt's ashes (respectively Gordon Hayne, David Hayne and Sheila Hayne) are interred in the Baptist churchyard as well as those of my grandmother's cousin and her mother (respectively Lily Salter and Hattie Bailey).   I'm writing because, with my cousin, I shall be visiting my great Uncle's tomb in Ponte Sur Sambre in France (Ernest Bibbs), who was my grandmother's elder brother (Ada Jesse Bibbs).   I notice you have some details of his campaigns in France on the website, do you have any more details of these?   And I was wondering too if the photo you mention of all the family at Waterhayne farm is visible anywhere, or whether you can get hold of a copy?   Nice to think he was remembered by the village last year with a bonfire!   Thanks for any help or details.   Dr Jeremy Hayne

Reminiscences of Hays Farm, written by Jeremy's father Gordon in December 1995 (above)

Steve Horner explains:   Dr Jeremy Hayne contacted me from Milan, he is a relative of Ernest Bibbs, Sergeant in the Machine Gun Corps who was killed on the last day of the war and whose family are descended from John Matthews ( 1798-1879 ) who farmed South Waterhayne.   John Matthews' children were John, Harriet (Hettie) Henry and Mary (Polly) and lived at Hay farm.   Polly married Robert Henry Bibbs and moved to Birmingham where they had one son, Ernest and 6 daughters, Alice, Laura, Ada, (Jesse) Doris, Hettie and Constance.   Ada married George Hayne and their children were Gordon, Peter David and Joyce.   Gordon is the father of Dr Jeremy Hayne.   Although John Mathews senior farmed at South Waterhayne, this family were farming Hay farm, but I await comment from Elaine Munt on this point.

Steve Horner replies:   I was delighted to receive your e-mail explaining your close connection to Yarcombe.   I had a quick look at the website as I am not certain how much information is to be found there.   I have much more information on Ernest Bibbs in my filing system and I am almost certain that the photo of South Waterhayne came from Elaine Munt whom I see regularly, as she is related to the Mathews family.   I shall give you every assistance possible and I wish you well on your trip to Belgium.   I look forward to hearing from you!

Jeremy Hayne responds:   In your first email you said you had more information on Uncle Ernie Bibbs.   When you have a moment perhaps you could send something on, I'd be very grateful.

Referring to above photos, here is a list of all the people.   Matthews, of course, was my Great grandmother's maiden name and I always like the photo of her two brothers looking very dapper (John and Henry - who died young).   John, as you can just see, had a missing left forearm and was, according to my grandmother (Ada Jessie) a bit of a scamp, teasing his nieces.   In the second photo:  Adults from the left: Lily, her mother Hattie, Auntie Dolly (Doris), Auntie Connie, behind Connie there is Auntie Laura though we can't see her very well, Auntie Olive is next to her.   At the back is Uncle Billy Cox (Doris's husband), Grandma Jessie and Cousin Ernie (Laura's eldest), Joyce (my father's eldest sister) is on the end and next to her Joan (Laura's second) - I think she has Gordon (my father) in a head-lock, Connie is holding on to Laurie (Olive's youngest), then Peter and David (my father's elder brothers).

What relationship does your friend Elaine have to the Matthews?   I guess we are related somewhere along the line.

Going back to Ernest and Evelyn it's interesting that my grandmother named my father Gordon Ernest and his elder sister Joyce Evelyn.

Ernest's fiancé Evelyn	Ernest Bibb's mother & sisters	Lily & Arthur Salter. Lily took over the running of Hay Farm with her mother Hattie, they are both buried in the Baptist churchyard there. My father and his family spent all their summers there with their mother. I think my aunt Sheila was evacuated there during the war.		Aunty Polly with sister and brother -.John Matthews, Hettie Matthews and Great Grandma Polly

Uncle Ernie		Ernest and mum Polly

 Steve Horner adds:   Some years ago, when I was researching those men from Yarcombe who gave their lives in the great war Elaine Munt kindly permitted me to copy the attached photo (below, left) of the Matthews family who lived at Hay farm.   The photo includes Ernest Bibbs who was killed in action on 10th November 1918.   The key person in this photo is John Mathews (3rd from left in back row) who was the tenant of Hay farm at this time; he was born in 1840 and died in 1921 aged 61.    I have been able to date the photo as being 1910 or thereabouts from the baby, Constance Annie Bibbs who was born in 1908 and I guess she is about 2 years old.   Previously Jeremy Hayne sent us his father’s reminiscences of Yarcombe and in that he explained that John Matthews daughter Mary Jane (Polly) married Robert Henry Bibbs and they moved away to Birmingham, however at every opportunity the family headed back on the train to Yarcombe.   The children of Robert Bibbs and Polly were Ernest*, Alice, Laura*, Ada*, Doris*, Hettie*, Constance*.   Those marked with * are all present in the photo.   (See Jeremy Haynes' comment below.)

Back Row left to right: Laura May Bibbs married Harold James Ernest John Benjamin Bibbs Killed in action 10th November 1918 John Mathews Hay farm Died 1921 Ada Jessie Bibbs married (George ) Hayne George Salter married Emma Helena Hurford Birch Mills Lily Salter married (AG ) Bailey + Frank Salter married Emma Summers Lily Berry married Jones Olive Kathleen Bibbs married Evan Thomas Front Row: Mary Jane Matthews married Robert Henry Bibbs (Polly) holding Connie * Harriet Darby Matthews married George Salter of Hemyock (Hattie) Jane Joan Clarke Brought up by Frank Spiller Julia Anne Matthews married Alfred Berry a Policeman ( from Worcester) Kneeling: Doris Emma Mary Biddle married Cox Hettie Lilian Bibbs died 05/01/24 aged 24 Notes *Constance Annie Bibbs on Aunt Polly`s lap died 05/01/1977 aged 6 +Lily Bailey last survivor of this group		In this smaller photo are an elderly couple who I have been able to identify as John and Elizabeth Matthews (nee Newton) at Mount Cottage Yarcombe on 25th March 1845.   This identification is again thanks to Elaine who enlarged the inscription for me.   This is a very early example of a photographer's work and it is certainly the oldest photo we have which was taken in Yarcombe.

The above information came to us from two people Elaine Munt and Jeremy Hayne who are obviously related through the Matthews line and it has taken me some time to work out the relationship.   The key ancestor is John Mathews who married Elizabeth Newton born in Otterford in 1796 and died in 1879, during which time he and his family farmed at South Waterhayne, they had three daughters Mary, Hannah and Elizabeth and two sons John Junior (born 1828) and Henry (born 1835).   John junior was a tenant at Hay farm and he married Mary Jane Darby whose photo was sent to us by Jeremy Hayne, and is already up on the website; it is John Junior's son, again called John, who is shown in the photo and who died in 1921.
 

Elaine is descended from the second son Henry born 1838, whose photograph Elaine has kindly provided to me (right), as well as manuscript extracts for her family Bible which permitted me to put together the tree (below), which is in my own hand writing.
Finally the piece de resistance: A portrait of John Matthews which I believe is still hanging in a house in Combe St Nicolas: It is really quite amazing what can be found on the web !

Jeremy Hayne responds:   Thanks for this.   As you know I visited Ernie Bibbs grave at Ponte Sur Sambre with my cousin and it was a moving experience.   This information is very interesting and it's great to be able to fill in details of the family.   There are just a couple of errors. Ernest Bibbs was killed on the 10 November not the 11. Ernest's next youngest sister was called Olive (Olive Kathleen Bibbs).   I think the Alice you have written (children of Robert Bibbs and Polly) must be a misreading, so all the Bibbs children are in the photo.   It's nice to be able to pick up on another branch of the family, namely that of Elaine (hello!) and I've added all the info onto my Ancestry.co.uk family tree.   I attach a couple of photos (below) from my recent trip to France.   One shows me and my cousin Catherine Eddy (second daughter of Joyce Hayne).   Thanks for all you work and interest!

              

Steve Horner replies:   Many thanks for your prompt reply, it really is a pleasure working with you.   I am also pleased and deeply moved that you paid your respects at the grave of Ernest Bibbs and that his memory lives on.   If we find out any more information about the Bibbs/Matthews family I will pass this onto you.

Ancestral Search 17

August 2019

Hi, I’m wondering if you can give me more information on the Popes who lived in Yarcombe in the 1700s and 1800s and appear to be my ancestors.   My 5th Great Grandparents appear to have been John Pope (born c1767) and Ann Thomas (born c1766, died c1797).   My 4th Great Grandparents Joseph Pope (born c1792) and Ann Cooke (born c1795) married in Yarcombe (Aug 1816).   My 3rd Great Grandmother Anne Pope (born c1822).   The 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses have various family members living in Axviney, Pithayne & Grovewell Cottages.   I’ve been reading Ruth Everitt’s Book which mentions the arrival (or rearrival??) of the Popes to Yarcombe on page 14, presumably after the death of Ann Thomas, but I’m wondering if there’s any more information on them or their parents.   Any help you can give would be very much appreciated.   Regards,  Dave Johnson

Steve Horner replies:   Many thanks for this information about the Pope family who lived in Yarcombe in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries, it certainly adds to our store of information.   Apart from the mention in Ruth Everitt's book I have little information to add to that which you have already accumulated.   If you so wish I can take photos of the cottages where your family lived, although from memory Axviney no longer exists.   However perhaps we have a family connection although it’s a long shot.   My great aunt Maria Horner born Lyme Regis in August 1850 and died in Chagford on 22^nd February 1923 married Henry JJ Pope who was born in Seaton on 30^th December 1839.   Maria owned a haberdashery shop in East Street Taunton and had two children Maria Beatrice Pope and James John Horner Pope who was a photographer in Taunton. 

Peter Tarrant writes:   Thank you for your comments.   Steve and I are very pleased that the website, and the Ancestral Searches page in particular, is proving so useful.   On Photograph Page 8 I have posted a few shots of Lower Pithayne, firstly from a southerly aspect, then from the east.

Ancestral Search 16

July 2019

Hello.   I am asking if you can help with a bit of tracing on the maternal side of my family tree.   As you see my name is Angus Passmore.   My maternal grandfather was Alfred Samuel Lawrence born it appears in Yarcombe around 1883/84, his father was Alfred Richard Lawrence and his mother Rhoda or Rodha (as it appears on the 1861 Census).   It would seem that my grandfather may have been born outside marriage as the birth is registered in both names?   Rodha was born in Yarcombe around 1850/51.   Her mother (my GGGGM) was Charlotte Spiller born 1820/21 again in Yarcombe, she is listed as widow in 1861 Census.   Rodha it appears had two sisters and one brother.   In addition there are three other males listed on the Census, two of their job descriptions would indicate farm workers.   Unfortunately the address is unclear but the last word could be “farm” but that is only an educated guess.   Any information would be gratefully received.   Regards,  Angus Passmore       (07834 547406)

Ancestral Search 15

May 2019

Hi, very impressed with your site and your ancestry pages.   My great grandparents x 4, Hugh Pavey and Joan Trenchard were married at Yarcombe on the 23rd June, 1797.   They had two children William and Frances Pavey (my great grandmother x 3).   Frances was baptised in Yarcombe on the 3rd August, 1800.    Any information that you may have about Hugh Pavey or his family would be greatly appreciated.   I have already been considerably assisted by Michael Haynes with the Trenchard family following his earlier post on your ancestry pages.  Many thanks,   David Thomas

Steve Horner writes:   I will be very pleased to help you in any way possible with your researches.   Let me begin by explaining that we are very fortunate in Yarcombe because much of the land in the parish has been in the hands of one family since the time of Sir Francis Drake who started accumulating land hereabouts since 1582.   The estate records were deposited in the Devon County Records office in about 1950 and thus remain as a source of our knowledge, and from which my dear departed friend Ruth Everitt was able to compile her book "From Monks to the Millennium".  

I therefore attach a scan (below) of the relevant pages of this history which contain references to the Pavey family and their land holdings. The first mention is of one Charles Pavey who was occupier of Broadley in 1600 so your family have been well embedded in this area for many generations.   Let me know if I can further assist you, sight of your tree might give me some more clues.

David Thomas replies:   Thank you so much for the very prompt response and the useful information provided. We have a lot to be grateful to Ruth Everitt for and people like you who are happy to share the knowledge of past records with others.

Ancestral Search 14

February 2019

Hi what a great site, thank you.   I'm currently researching Pattimore and Dommett.   I have a marriage certificate for James Pattimore and Caroline Dommett, married in 1892 in Yarcombe church.   Any information regarding either would be fantastic thank you.   Mandy Trimby

Steve Horner writes:   Thank you for visiting the Yarcombe website.   Like you, we are keen to learn more about those who have lived in our village.   I can immediately provide you with two documents (below) that will help trace your ancestors.  

	Document 1	Document 2

The first is an extract from the record of Baptism in Otterford church.   Caroline was baptised 16^th July 1871, daughter of Thomas (a cobbler) and Louisa (? poor writing) Dommett.   The second is a copy of the 1881 census for Yarcombe.   Caroline is shown as living in Marsh - a hamlet in the parish of Yarcombe - with her mother, Louisa (now a widow) and her five siblings.   Her father Thomas must have died within the previous two years - James her brother is aged 1.   Her mother Louisa is shown as having been born in Buckland St Mary, an adjacent Parish in Somerset to Otterford.   Yarcombe is also adjacent to Otterford but across the border in Devon.   At this stage I cannot find any more about Caroline.   However if you can scan and send her marriage certificate to me  I can carry out more research for you into her husband James Pattimore.   Incidentally how are you related to Caroline ?

Mandy Trimby replies:   Thank you so much for that.   Caroline was my great grandmother.   I know she died at the young age of 43 in Taunton and James her husband was a coal porter in Taunton.   Not sure how they ended up here though.   I believe the witnesses were Fowler.   Can't seem to find a birth certificate for James although he is in the workhouse in 1871 and 1881.   Thank again for all your help.   (Marriage Certificate below.)

	Document 3

Steve Horner responds:   Yes, you are correct - James was in the Union workhouse as a child in Chard in 1881 (Document 5).   The mention of Union confirms that Caroline who lived in Union no5 in Marsh, that this was also a workhouse.   In 1871 (Document 4) he was living in Crewkerne with his mother Sarah Jane Pattimore.   He was aged 4 at the time and was born in Crewkerne.   No sign of his father Simeon who perhaps had died?

I thought you may be interested to see the 1911 census  (Document 6)

I guess you know the rest of your tree.   If I find any further record of the Dommett family in Otterford I will let you know.

	Document 4	Document 5	Document 6

 

Ancestral Search 13

December 2018

My name is Clare Evans. I am descended from the Spiller family in Yarcombe and more recently in Taunton.   My mother’s name was Heather Jean Spiller.   I have started researching the Spiller family history and have got as far back as Robert Spiller, 1579-1617 of Yarcombe.   His wife was Margere Colliar, 1583-1614.   If you have any more information on this family, I would be very grateful to receive it.   There is a family story that indicates that the Spillers may have come from the Low Countries as Huguenots, for religious reasons.   I would like to find a copy of the local history book, if this is available.   Clare Evans
Steve Horner writes:   The Spiller family are one of the prominent names in the history of our Parish and there are still members of the family living hereabouts. I had a quick look in the book From Monks to the Millennium for early references to your family and right is a scan for your information which shows Zachary Spiller  who left his properties of North Waterhayne and Crimshayes to his wife Alice. This suggest to me that the author of the book Ruth Everitt must have found a copy of his will in the Devon County Records office or in the National Archives in Kew, I am not certain if there is a connection to your branch of the family. I also looked on Ancestry.com - of which I am a member - and noted that your family tree is there on open access.   The father of your Robert Spiller (1579-1617) was  John Spiller born Yarcombe 1528. married in 1578 and died in Yarcombe 1582. From the above points it is obvious to me that the Spiller family were classed as Gentry in those far off days and must have taken a important  part in the development of our community.   You may also be aware that Sir Francis Drake has a very close connection to our parish so your ancestors were alive when Queen Elizabeth rewarded Sir Frances with land in the parish in 1582. I would be delighted to assist further with your researches, however it will need a stroke of luck to go further back than the birth of John Spiller in 1528. The book I refer to Monks and the Millennium is now out of print but does occasionally show up on Amazon. I hope this helps, however if you do find yet more information about the Spiller family please post this on our website. Good luck!

Ancestral Search 12

August 2018

I stumbled upon your excellent site whilst researching the Mullett family tree.   They were resident at Whitehorns and Beacon farms.   I see there was a Mullett mentioned in the memorial to those who lost their lives in WW1 in the Baptist church on the site.   My father is registered as being born 3rd June 1919 at Beacon farm Yarcombe.   My grandfather William Mullett (married to Grace Wakley) is registered as resident Beacon farm in 1911 census.   The 1891 & 1901 census shows the Mullett family as registered at Pithayne Cottage.   The 1861 shows my great grandfather Charles Mullett (married to Sarah Miller) registered at the Mill in Yarcombe.   Evidently the Mulletts were long term residents of Yarcombe but I cannot figure out the relationship between the people and all these different residences.   I have tried to track down a copy of the book, "From Monks to the Millenium" but it is out of print.   I hope you can help.   Kind regards,   Chris Mullett       Steve Horner writes:   Here is a map (click to enlarge) of our Parish identifying the various house/cottages where your family lived in Yarcombe.   Yes you are correct, there is a W Mullett mentioned on the Baptist Chapel memorial, however this is an indication he served King and Country, he is not recorded as “Our Brave Dead”.   This may be your Grandfather William Mullett ????   Can you check the spelling of Grace Wakley please, it is confusing there are two  families with different spellings Wakley and Wakely in our records.   Just out of interest do you know when your family left the village ? Steve Horner adds:   Let me start with some historical background for you; a large part of Yarcombe parish was and still is  held by one family, which started when Queen Elizabeth 1 presented to Sir Francis Drake a part of the Manor.   The estate grew under careful management by Sir Frances` indirect  descendants – Sir Frances did not have children.   Whitehorns was part of the estate until it was sold with other properties in 1931 when the sitting tenant Mr F Mullett purchased the property.   Up until about 1880 Whitehorns was an outlying part of the adjoining Parish of Membury which does cause confusion!   In more recent times the Yarcombe Estate repurchased Whitehorns which is a beautiful thatched house nestling in a quiet valley.   Please see the map (right) which indicates the properties where your relatives lived.   I do hope we shall have more details about your family to post into our website. Joan Berry writes:   I think that  Thomas Wakely may have been a relative of my Godfather (George Wakely, who was a Thatcher)  but unfortunately I know nothing of his family apart from the fact that they were connected to the Mullet family of Whitehorns Farm. Steve Horner adds:   Below is a scan of the 1901 census covering Whitehorns which shows the Yarcombe Wakelys in residence.   Up until about 1880 Whitehorns was an outlying area of Membury Parish.   The Walter Wakely I am researching came into Yarcombe from Otterford and thus I suspect not connected to your family –all very confusing but very interesting none the less. 1901 Census:        Miranda Gudenian writes:   Chris Mullett may be interested to know that one of his family, Bill Mullett, owned the house I now live in, The Beacon (as it became known in the 1970s).  I would have to check our deeds but I think the house was sold after Mr Mullett's death in the early or mid-1950s. Miranda Gudenian adds:   If my memory serves me correctly Bill Mullett lived in one half of the house - which was turned into two cottages when the Estate bought the place in the late 19th century - and he let the other half.   Again if my memory is correct Bill Mullett purchased the house in 1931 in the Estate sale of properties.   Both Bill (Boy) Doble and Frank Wale remembered Bill Mullett. Kirth Gensen writes:   I've been going through several boxes of stuff I’ve inherited from my eldest brother and found this pamphlet and press cuttings about Yarcombe:         The Yarcombe Story Cutting 1 Cutting 2 Cutting 3 Cutting 4     Steve Horner replies:   Thanks a million for all this information about our Parish.   There is a lady in the village called Barbara Salter who remembers Mr Mullett from Whitehorns, and the processional cross for which he donated the wood is still in use in the church.   The booklet is also most interesting.   Barbara tells me that the author was Freddie Orchard who was the organist in the church in about 1969/70 and that Bishop John Armstrong, who had  hand in the research for the booklet, was Vicar of Yarcombe at that time and was previously Bishop of Bermuda.   This enabled me to trace Freddie Orchard through a genealogy website, and I came up with the following information:     Frederick Theodore A Orchard was a school master who was born on the 1st January 1904 and died in Honiton in the second quarter of 1982.   His wife Gwendoline Mary Orchard was born on 9th December 1903 and is buried in the Yarcombe churchyard.   Bishop John Armstrong was obviously quite a character.   He was a chaplain in the Royal  Navy for 28 years and rose to be Chaplain of the Fleet and served in this position from 1960-1963.   Immediately upon his retirement from the Royal Navy he was consecrated Bishop of Bermuda in 1963 where he served until 1970.   It can be assumed he then retired to Yarcombe where he was the Parish Priest for some years.   He died in 1992.   Barbara told me he was very high church but “we soon put him right about those practices !“     I also attach (right, click to enlarge) a photo of your family gravestone in Yarcombe churchyard which you may find interesting.     Please keep in contact and if you require any further information I shall be pleased to help.

Ancestral Search 11

July 2018

Steve Horner writes:   Michael, I am at present (Oct 2019) researching the history of my house and in the course of my work I have come across the name John Saturley who is mentioned in the Will of Henry Willie who died in 1792 (PCC PROB 11/1226).   Henry Willie possessed land holdings in the adjoining parishes of Yarcombe, Otterford and Upottery amongst which he held Woodhayne (where we now live) variously called at that time Woodend and Woodhayes.   In his will is“I give and xxxx to William Willie son of John Willie our cottage late Saturleys in North Common ….”.   

The estate map of 1809 shows John Saturlays in green on North Common (just below the right hand punch hole on the map below, click to enlarge).   From your own family tree posted on Ancestry I note that the Saturley family originated in Bovey Tracey starting with Nathaniel (born 1605) who married Hannah Price; their son Simon was born 1672 in Yarcombe and Simon`s daughter Mary (born 1703 in Yarcombe) who married John Trenchard.   Thus it would seem to me that the Saturley family were well established in Yarcombe from 1672 through to Mary (died 1747) and her siblings .

It puzzles me that there is no mention of the Saturleys that I can find other than the cottage which belonged to John Saturley mentioned in Henry Willie`s will.   Perhaps you may have more information to hand that I might study.

Ancestral Search 10

June 2018

Ancestral Search 9

June 2018

Ancestral Search 8

January 2018

Ancestral Search 7

January 2018

Ancestral Search 6

November 2017

I am researching my Spiller family of Yarcombe Devon and have just come across the wonderful publication of Yarcombe Voices.  It is wonderful to learn of people who endeavour to keep alive the history of their community.   The earliest Spiller I have is one born in 1553 in Yarcombe.   He had a son Robert whose son William married Joane Warren, daughter of Edmund Warren and Mary Warren.   I am coming across pedigrees taking Mary back to Richard Warren a Mayflower Pilgrim.   I am descended from Jane on the attached file (reproduced below).   It would be lovely if I could be in contact with any Spiller or Warren descendants still in Yarcombe and to discover if any of them have any knowledge of a supposed descent from Richard Warren who went to America as a Mayflower pilgrim.   Having also discovered the website Yarcombe.net I am impressed with this great and wonderfully presented source of information regarding the home of my ancestors.   In grateful anticipation of any help you are able to afford me.   Sincerely,   Lefayre Palmer nee Heslehurst My ancestry comes to me through my paternal grandmother Laura Elizabeth Heslehurst nee Wilkinson. Outline Descendant Report for William Spiller:   1 William Spiller (1572 - ) B: 1572     + Elizabeth Gammmon     ...... 2 William Spiller (1614 - ) B: 1614     ...... + Joane Warren     ............ 3 Simon Spiller (1655 - ) B: 1655     ............ + Elizabeth Newberry ( - 1696) D: 1696     .................. 4 Thomas Spiller (1693 - ) B: 1693     .................. + Honor /Robert Weard ( - 1794) D: 1794     ........................ 5 Robert Spiller (1747 - ) B: 1747, M: 1767     ........................ + Mary Clarke (1748 - ) B: 1747/48, M: 1767     .............................. 6 Jane Spiller (1798 - 1870) B: 1798, M: 1815 in Charles Church, Plymouth, Devon,     D: 1870 in Ford Park, the Barbican, Plymouth, Devon     .............................. + William Reburn (1792 - 1872) B: 1792 in Liskeard, Cornwall, England,     M: 1815 in Charles Church, Plymouth, Devon  D: 1872 in Ford Park, the Barbican, Plymouth, Devon       Steve Horner writes:   I have just read your note posted on our website and in this message I will try and give you some initial information about Yarcombe which has a rich and interesting history.   There are indeed members of the Spiller family still living in our Parish and the Parish records are littered with reference to them, but as far as I am aware not one mention of the Warren family.   There is a very good book that records the history of Yarcombe, "From Monks to The Millennium" written by Ruth Everitt which I helped her compile and from which the document (right) is scanned.   The scan of the index demonstrates the multitude of references in the book to the Spiller family and if you spot a particular name of interest I would be pleased to send you more information.  Basically our community is a rural parish in East Devon comprising about 500 persons in widely scattered farms.   The ownership of much of the Parish goes back to the time of Sir Francis Drake whom as a reward for helping Queen Elizabeth 1 was given tracts of land hereabouts and the ownership has remained in the same family, but not direct descendants, ever since.   I have also spotted the name Newberry which family also owned land in the south of the parish in the 17th century.  You have hit upon a rich vein of history and if I can I will assist you further.   I would appreciate some more background of your own family and of course the important connection to The Mayflower Pilgrims.

Ancestral Search 5

 

				I am hoping that someone out there could give me any information about my grandmother's family the Paull's of Yarcombe.   Any help would be gratefully received.   I have several photos of the Paull family, particularly of my great great grandfather (pictured left) on an early 1900s postcard with the caption printed on the front "Yarcombe's oldest parishioner".   The Paull's were connected to several other Yarcombe families such as the Bright, Harris and Vincent family. Ellen Hawkins (nee Harris) is connected to the Paull line via the Harris family. My great grandmother was Mary Jane Harris (married to Thomas Paull).   Not exactly sure what relation that would make Ellen to me, but we are connected somewhere along the line. Alan Bartlett
James Paull, 1824-1914				Sep 2017

Hawkins family Stockhouse Yarcombe		Hawkins family details		Ellen Hawkins Stockhouse Yarcombe
Steve Horner writes:   I have had a quick look at the census records and in 1911 James Paull was living in Crislands which is a cottage about ˝ mile from the centre of the village.   According to the 1901 census he was living in Webble Green just across the Yarcombe Parish border In Membury.   The photos you sent are quite exceptional especially of the pig cull, all the family obviously taking part - my guess is that the photo was taken in about 1900.   I do not recognise the farm , so I suspect it may be in Membury - I will make enquiries. I know an Accountant who lives in Chard called Ed Paull, perhaps he is a relation?   The name Paull with a double ll is perhaps unusual.   Do you have any knowledge of your family tree? Alan Bartlett replies:   Thank you very much for the info, Steve.   The Paull family are definitely more connected to Membury than Yarcombe, but like you said, the border between the parishes is very close.   I have done a fair bit of research into the family history.   The family has some connection to a few Yarcombe families through marriages.   I had a chance to have a look at the gravestones in Yarcombe churchyard and noticed several family names that I regonised (Bright, Harris, Hawkins, Vincent etc).   If you have access, you may care to have a look at my Spurway family tree on ancestry.co.uk.   Interesting to hear about someone in Chard with the name Paull.   The double L not being all that common, so I would definitely we must be related some where along the line. The photo of the pigs being cut up is a great picture, so amazingly clear so that you can see incredible detail. (like the water running from tap into the tub in the background).   They definitely weren't a family of vegetarians ... again many thanks.

---

		This photo is a bit of a mystery.   Does anybody know where this was taken?   I assume this is a farm building. Is it in Yarcombe or perhaps Membury?   Who are the people in the picture?   Does anybody know who they are or where it was taken?   It has always intrigued me...even if nobody recognises it, it is still a great photo showing life in days gone by. Alan Bartlett

---

Ancestral Search 4

---

CAN YOU HELP ME TRACE MY LOOSEMORE RELATIVES? My name is Gary Brennan; my mother's name was Millicent Loosemore, born to John Loosemore who was born in Yarcombe in 1865.   I came here recently to retrace his steps to moving to the USA and in the hope of getting in touch with any other Loosemores in our clan in the area.   If you know any and they would like to find out about John, please would you ask them to email me at: garyb1956@comcast.net or 1(559)351-6165 by phone. Thank you for your attention, Gary Brennan Diane Rees writes:   Gary, I sent you an email at the beginning of June (2019) with regard to your search for any Loosmores.   My maiden name was Loosmore and my father's ancestors are buried in Yarcombe Cemetery.   I am also writing up the family tree and in my research found a link to your mother.   Perhaps you did not receive my email?    dianerees21@gmail.com Gary Brennan replies:   I want to thank you for your information, I did get your email and my own investigation in my family tree has taken me in a different direction.   I have found that my grandfather's family in England is in Yarnscombe, Fremington, Atherington birth, death and burial records.   My great grandmother (Mary Ann Moore) is buried in Yarnscombe with my great grandfather John Loosemore who died in 1865.   I did not know that Yarcombe and Yarnscombe were not that far from each other and that they were so close in name.   I want to thank everyone in Yarcombe who were looking into this matter and trying to help.   This gives me an excuse to visit your beautiful country again.   If you have any information on my mother, I would like you to send that information to me!   This Loosemore family has to stick together!   Haha.   I enjoyed touring through England and Scotland, you have a wonderful country. Steve Horner adds:   I believe Yarnscombe is in North Devon near Barnstable, about 100 miles away as the crow flies!   I would also mention Ancestral Search 8 in which Jennie Brock is also searching for a Loosemore relative, but she did not reply!   We would always be pleased to learn more of Diane's (and Jennie's) relatives from Yarcombe.

---

Ancestral Search 3

---

I am a Bowyer from Canada, and am researching my roots to your beautiful area, does anyone you know have any suggestions for me?   Sad to hear about the Inn, it looks great! Chris Bowyer Canada

---

Ancestral Search 2

---

March 2011 Researching my family history I have an ancestor called William Michael Laurence (1871-1954), who, according to his death certificate lived at The Vicarage, Yarcombe, as a retired fruit farmer.   His wife was called Louisa.   He died 29 March 1954.   Please could you tell me whether there are any local memories of him or his wife?   Thankyou for your time and patience.   Kind Regards,   Paul Brookes Peter Tarrant writes:   Hi Paul, your appeal has been on the website for some time now but I don't know if anyone contacted you directly.   Going by the responses I got it seems no one has any real information, but I'll cut and paste the emails I've already received and forwarded to you below for reference.   All verbal enquiries I made were met with blank faces I'm afraid.   I'll leave the website entry here unless you want me to delete it. Frank Weeks writes:   Only thing I remember about the Vicarage is that there used to be a Filbert Nut tree on the front lawn.   A filbert is a large hazel nut if I remember correctly.   In order for young schoolboys to go raid the tree the method was to run to the tree, grab what one could and then flee before any retribution from anybody at the house as the tree was in full view.   I don’t recall anybody being caught.   Though we were probably watched with amusement by the residents.   One will never know.   Frank (NZ) Joan Ewins writes:   At the time of the death of William Laurence the Revd. H.C. Thompson lived at the Vicarage.   I remember from my childhood that Revd. and Mrs Thompson used to let some of the rooms at the Vicarage to a couple of retired ladies with the surnames of Freeman and Stanley.   Perhaps Mr. Laurence had rooms prior to that.   Shirley Briant may know as her mother seems to have kept in contact with past Vicars.   I hope this is helpful.   Kind Regards,   Joan Ewins Lesley Sutton writes:   The Churchwardens could look in the chest to see whether he was buried here.   Unfortunately there are not many of us who lived in the village and are still alive.   Shirley Briant has lived here all her life and John Salter of course may have some knowledge. Neither have internet access. Paul Brookes replies:   Thank you for all your hard work on my behalf.   I have not had any responses from it buy I am very glad for the comments you have provided.   In response to one of those I do not know whether he was buried in the local churchyard and would dearly like to find out. Please can anyone help me in that respect?   Also, I would be very grateful to take up your kind offer of keeping the request on the site.   Kind Regards,   Paul

---

Ancestral Search 1

---

March 2017 I wonder if you can help me?   I am the Great Granddaughter of Mary Hurford who married James Willie in 1873 and who lived in Yarcombe at Holly Cottage.   Many times as a little girl my Grandmother told me stories of her Mother who was a wonderful lady, she was not only a herbalist but midwife to the local people who would walk miles across the fields to ask for her help and advice.   She was also a wonderful seamstress and gardener growing all her own  herbs for her medicines.   She also kept a pig and chickens so she was virtually self-sufficient apart from general supplies which once a month she would walk across the fields 8 miles there and back to Honiton to buy. I grew up in Yeovil and my Grandmother and Grandad also moved there from Chard after they were married, so as a little girl I loved to hear all their stories. A few years ago I tried to find my Holly Cottage but was not successful, I am enclosing some old photos for you to see, they are of my Great-grandmother, my Grandmother and her sister Sarah Ellen, also the cottage and garden, maybe, just maybe you will be able to tell me if the cottage is still standing! I would love to know.   I now live in Teignmouth and am coming up to 76 years old (Mar 2017)!!   It would be lovely to have some history to pass  on to my children, Grandchildren and Great grandchildren!! I look forward to hopefully hearing from you and thank you in advance.  Kind regards and best wishes, Joan Quinlan (Mrs) UPDATE It is believed the property referred to as Holly Cottage was more likely to have been Manning Common Cottage at Manning Common, close to Black Allers, a short distance from, and the other side of the A303 from Knighthaynes Farm and Cottage.   Unfortunately the building was demolished, it is believed, in the 1930s, although this has yet to be verified.   During investigations it was found that a great uncle of Joan's, Jack Willie, who was believed lost at sea during WWI actually died of pneumonia whilst still on active service in 1919 in Malta and a photograph of his grave there was obtained.   Memorials, including one to J H Willie, can be seen in the Baptist Chapel here in Yarcombe (see the World War I page).

---

---