PART 10: THE GALE FAMILY TREE
Updated May 2019
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| The Gale & Read Family Tree |
100.0 Ancestors of GGGM Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881)
Anna Maria Gale was baptised in Powerstock cum West Milton
(also known as Poorstock and/or Milton) on 17 Oct 1830. On 30 Mar 1854 at the age of 24 she
married GGGF Richard Northover
at West Milton and they had eight children. It was this marriage that joined
the Gale Family tree to the Northover family tree. See 81.0 for information about GGGF Richard and Anna Maria Northover’s married lives and
101.5 for more about Anna Maria’s early life.
100.1 GGGGP David Gale (1791-1861) & Sarah Read
(1792-1874)
GGGGF David Gale
was baptised 1 Jan 1792 in Powerstock, so was born in 1791. His parents were GGGGGP Robert Gale and Elizabeth (Betty) Bagg.
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| David Gale married Sarah Read on 17 Apr 1820 at Powerstock |
On 17 Apr 1820 in Powerstock, David married GGGGM Sarah Read b1792 of West Milton. Sarah’s sister, Mary Read b1795 was a witness at the marriage. Although the Read sisters were unable to sign their names, David managed to sign his name in very wobbly writing. Six months earlier, Elizabeth Gale had married John Gale in the same parish. Elizabeth Gale was David Gale's cousin (born to David's Uncle Nicholas Gale).
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| 1841 census Milton: David & Sarah Gale nee Read & children were living next to Sarah's parents & her brother David Read |
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| 1851 Cnsus Milton: David & Sarah Gale nee Read & son Richard living next to son David & his family |
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| 1861 Census West Milton: David 69 & Sarah Gale nee Read 68 were living next to children William 27 & Anna Maria |
GGGGM Sarah Gale nee Read died
in 1874, and was buried on the 16 June of that year at Powerstock aged 82.
100.2 Powerstock, Dorset
The Gale and Read families and their ancestors lived in the Powerstock area for generations. Hamlets including North and South Poorton and West Milton are nearby. Luckily for us the parish records go back hundreds of years and are well preserved. Wikipedia has the following information.
"Powerstock
is a village and civil parish in south west Dorset, England, situated in a
steep valley on the edge of the Dorset Downs, 5 miles (8.0 km) north-east of
the market town of Bridport. The civil parish includes the village of West
Milton to the west and the summit and northern slopes of Eggardon Hill to the
south-east. Powerstock village contains many cottages and 2 inns: The Three
Horseshoes near the church and The Marquis of Lorne Inn on the other side of
the valley in a small hamlet called Nettlecombe. The small Mangerton River runs
through the valley.
The
origins of the name Powerstock have not been fully determined; the second part
derives from the Old English stoc, meaning an outlying farmstead, but the first
part—similar to the nearby settlement of Poorton—is unresolved.[3] In the
Domesday Book of 1086 it was recorded as Povrestoch.[3] According to one
source, the name was 'Poorstock' until the Bridport Railway was built through
the village in 1857, when the change to Powerstock was made to avoid
connotations of 'poor (rolling) stock'.[4] However another source states the
name existed in its current form as early as 1787.[5] Powerstock railway
station (and the entire Bridport branch line) closed on 5 May 1975.
Poorstock
Forest was one of the 80 royal forests created by the Normans in the 11th, 12th
and early 13th centuries. A 'forest' originally meant land where certain rights
(usually hunting) were reserved for a monarch or the aristocracy (see medieval
hunting)."
101.0 Six children of GGGGP David Gale (1791-1861) & Sarah
Read (1792-1874)
Of their six children only four had families of their own. Two of their daughters (Mary and Anna Maria) married Northover brothers, and their families are also detailed in the Northover Family Tree above.
101.1 Jane Gale (1820-1825)
Jane was born on 16 Jun 1820 and baptised on 15 Oct 1820 at Powerstock. Her parents, listed as David Gale labourer and Sarah Gale, were living at West Milton.
Sadly Jane died just before her fifth birthday on 8 May 1825 at Powerstock.
101.2 David Gale (1822-1904?)
David was baptised on 24 Nov 1822 at West Milton by parents David and Sarah Gale. As the first male child he was named after his father.
David was listed as living with his parents in Milton in the 1841 census. According to information listed in all later censuses David was married to a person named Sarah who was born around 1826. The 1851 census lists his wife's brother as George Read (b1827 Milton) which suggests that 'Read' was his wife's maiden name.
David Gale 23, son of David Gale married Grace Reade at Milton on 27 July 1845. Grace was the daughter of John Read, and had been baptised on 1
July 1824 at Powerstock. The marriage was witnessed by her siblings Thomas (b1820 Powerstock) and
Caroline Read (b1822 Powerstock) and all participants made their mark.
David and Grace (later named Sarah) baptised their first child on 27 July 1846 and named her Sarah as well. The baptismal record lists their second daughter Mary as being born to David and Grace Gale in 1849. However parents of the third daughter, born in 1852, were listed as David and Sarah Gale.
Either David's first wife died around 1850 and he remarried Sarah Read, or possibly Grace started using the name Sarah as her Christian name. To complicate research, a woman named Grace Gale died on 7 Apr 1852 in Milton but as she was aged 52 and was listed in the 1841 census she was not David's wife. There is also no record of David marrying a Sarah at this time.
The 1851 census listed David's brother-in-law (George Read) staying with David's family. As all the marriage and census details, except for the difference in forenames, match, Grace must have gone by the name Sarah in later life. If this is true, then it means that both David b1822 and his father David Gale b1791 married women named Sarah Read (one born in 1793 and the other born in 1824, the latter having a birth name of Grace!
In 1851 the couple were living in
Milton next to his parents; David 57 and Sarah Gale nee Read 57 and Sarah's brother Richard 17. The census listed the following residents: David
Gale 27, Sarah (Grace) Gale 27, Sarah Gale 5, Mary Gale 2 and George Read 23
b1828 "brother-in-law".
By 1861 they had moved 25 miles to Cottage 17 in Chaldon Herring and David had
started to work as a “carter”. Their family had also grown. The family consisted of David Gale 36,
Sarah Gale 35, Sarah Gale 14, Mary Gale 11, David Gale 6, Ann Gale 3 and George
Gale 11 months (possibly named after Uncle George).
In 1871 they were living 20 miles away in
Up Cerne, but the youngest child (George) who would have been ten was not
listed. He was either visiting other relatives or had possibly died. The family
was listed as David Gale 47 ag lab, Sarah Gale 46, David Gale 16, Annie Gale
13, Charles Gale 8 and John Gale 6.
Another move 13 miles south before 1881 saw them living in 'Northover' country on the coast. They were living at Dairy Farm
House, next to Higher Egerton Farm House, Litton Cheney. In the house were David Gale 57 carter, Sarah Gale 56, David
Gale 24 carter, Annie Gale 22, Charles Gale 17 labourer, John Gale 16 carter and grand-daughter Louisa
Gale 7 b1874.
Sarah/Grace Read died between 1881 and 1891. There is no definitive record of her burial, but a 65 year old Grace Gale was buried at Beaminster on 19 Apr 1889. As Beaminster is just a few miles from both Netherbury and Powerstock this record was probably referring to our relative.
In the 1891 census widower David Gale was listed in the Parish of Powerstock. His age had been incorrectly penciled in as 60 when it should read 69! A note in the margin says that David "left before Apr 5".
By 1901 David Gale 79 year old widower, was living at Mangerton Farm, Netherbury
with his son David Gale 46 ag lab, who was single. This location was less than one mile from where David was born. His daughter Ann Corbin nee
Gale 43 b1848 was visiting at the time. David Gale b1822 was “kept by the
parish”. A David Gale died in nearby North Poorton in 1904, but as his reputed age was
70 this may or may not be our David, who would have been around 80.
NOTE: David's unmarried son David Gale 47 (b1858) married spinster Mary Jane Stone 58 on 27 Jan 1905
David was listed as living with his parents in Milton in the 1841 census. According to information listed in all later censuses David was married to a person named Sarah who was born around 1826. The 1851 census lists his wife's brother as George Read (b1827 Milton) which suggests that 'Read' was his wife's maiden name.
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| David Gale married Grace Read 27 Jul 1845 at West Milton |
David and Grace (later named Sarah) baptised their first child on 27 July 1846 and named her Sarah as well. The baptismal record lists their second daughter Mary as being born to David and Grace Gale in 1849. However parents of the third daughter, born in 1852, were listed as David and Sarah Gale.
Either David's first wife died around 1850 and he remarried Sarah Read, or possibly Grace started using the name Sarah as her Christian name. To complicate research, a woman named Grace Gale died on 7 Apr 1852 in Milton but as she was aged 52 and was listed in the 1841 census she was not David's wife. There is also no record of David marrying a Sarah at this time.
The 1851 census listed David's brother-in-law (George Read) staying with David's family. As all the marriage and census details, except for the difference in forenames, match, Grace must have gone by the name Sarah in later life. If this is true, then it means that both David b1822 and his father David Gale b1791 married women named Sarah Read (one born in 1793 and the other born in 1824, the latter having a birth name of Grace!
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| 1851 Census West Milton: |
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| 1861 census Chaldon Herring: David & Sarah Gale & five children living in 'Cottage 17' |
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| 1871 Census Up Cerne: Daved & Sarah Gale with four children |
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| 1881 census Litton Cheney: David & Sarah Gale, four children and grand-daughter Louisa |
Sarah/Grace Read died between 1881 and 1891. There is no definitive record of her burial, but a 65 year old Grace Gale was buried at Beaminster on 19 Apr 1889. As Beaminster is just a few miles from both Netherbury and Powerstock this record was probably referring to our relative.
In the 1891 census widower David Gale was listed in the Parish of Powerstock. His age had been incorrectly penciled in as 60 when it should read 69! A note in the margin says that David "left before Apr 5".
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| 1901 census Netherton: David Gale 79 year old widower living with his unmarried son also named David Gale |
NOTE: David's unmarried son David Gale 47 (b1858) married spinster Mary Jane Stone 58 on 27 Jan 1905
101.3 William Gale (1825-1841)
William was baptised on Oct 16 1825 at West Milton.
Sadly William died in 1841 aged 15 and was buried in Milton on 1 Jul 1841.
Sadly William died in 1841 aged 15 and was buried in Milton on 1 Jul 1841.
101.4 Mary Gale (1828-1896)
Mary was baptised on 22 May 1828 at West Milton by parents david and Sarah Gale nee Reed.
In 1841 at the very young age of 13 she was living and working at nearby Nettlecombe, Powerstock (1m from West Milton) sharing a house with Edwin Score 25 servant. Mary Gale was also a servant and presumably they were both working for a wealthy family close by.
On 10 May 1849, Mary married Henry Northover b1828 (Son of GGGGF Henry Northover b1806. See
80.2). The wedding was witnessed by Henry’s b1828 brother GGGP Richard Northover and Mary’s sister GGGM Anna Maria Gale. The two
witnesses must have enjoyed each other’s company because five years later, in
1854, GGGP Richard Northover and Anna
Maria were also married. Two brothers married two sisters.
Mary and Henry Northover (ag lab) went on to have thirteen children (See
80.2). In 1861 they were living in Higher Holcombe Farmhouse Cottage. Henry was working as an agricultural labourer on Higher Holcombe dairy farm. In 1881 they were living in Chapel Lane and in 1891 in Cattistock Rd, Maiden Newton. In the latter year their youngest son Fred, was listed as a stationary engine driver (probably steam engine). Tragically daughter Emma Northover aged 27 died and was buried in Maiden Newton in 1895. Mary
Northover nee Gale aged 66 died and was buried in Maiden Newton on 1 Nov 1896 and Henry Northover died just prior to the 1901 census on 1 Mar. His age was incorrectly given as 68 (really 70).
NOTE: Although all the moves made during their married lives sounds like they traveled a lot, Puncknowle, Milton, Powerstock, Loders, Swyre, Little Bredy, Witherstone and Maiden Newton are all within a 5 miles radius, whilst Uplyme is about 15 miles away. (See 80.2 for their full story)
In 1841 at the very young age of 13 she was living and working at nearby Nettlecombe, Powerstock (1m from West Milton) sharing a house with Edwin Score 25 servant. Mary Gale was also a servant and presumably they were both working for a wealthy family close by.
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| Mary Gale 24 married Henry Northover in Powerstock on 10 May 1849 |
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| 1861 census 'The Cottage' Higher Holcombe Farm, Uplyme, Devon |
NOTE: Although all the moves made during their married lives sounds like they traveled a lot, Puncknowle, Milton, Powerstock, Loders, Swyre, Little Bredy, Witherstone and Maiden Newton are all within a 5 miles radius, whilst Uplyme is about 15 miles away. (See 80.2 for their full story)
101.5 GGGM Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881)
Anna Maria Gale
was baptised in Powerstock cum West Milton on 17 Oct 1830. Her baptism was
listed in the same parish record as that of her future husband GGGF Richard Northover b1827.
In 1841, Anna Maria was living at Poorstock with her parents; GGGGP David Gale & Sarah Gale nee Read.
In 1851 GGGM Anna Maria Gale 19, was working as a house servant on Purcombe Farm, Netherby (about 3 miles away), for a widow who was running a 52 acre farm. On 30 Mar 1854 at the age of 24 she married GGGF Richard Northover at West Milton.
As GGGP Richard and Anna
Northover nee Gale were raised in the same small village, they would
have known each other from a very young age, and certainly took their time
before they committed to marriage. This was the marriage that brought the Gale
family into our family tree. See 81.0 for more information about Anna Maria Gale’s married life
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| 1851 Census Netherby: Anna Maria Gale was working as a house servant on Purcombe Farm |
In 1851 GGGM Anna Maria Gale 19, was working as a house servant on Purcombe Farm, Netherby (about 3 miles away), for a widow who was running a 52 acre farm. On 30 Mar 1854 at the age of 24 she married GGGF Richard Northover at West Milton.
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| Church at West Milton |
101.6 Richard Crichel Gale (1834-1893)
Richard was baptised on 4 May 1834 at Powerstock and his
parents were listed as living at Milton. The 1841 census listed Richard Gale 7 living with his parents at Milton, Poorstock just three doors away from future wife Jane Crabb and her family consisting of James Crabb 30, wife Elizabeth 25 and children Jane 5, Ann 3 and Elizabeth Crabb 3 mths. Richard and Jane knew each other all their lives. In 1851 he was living with his parents
at Milton, next door to his older brother David and his family. In 1854 Richard
was a witness to his sister GGGM Anna
Maria Gale’s marriage to GGGF
Richard Northover.
On 25 Dec 1858 Richard Critchel Gale 24 married Jane Crabb 23 b1835 at West Milton. The marriage certificate listed the fathers as GGGGF David Gale hedger and James Crabb. Witnesses were his two brother-in-laws GGGF Richard Northover (signed his name) and Henry Northover b1867 (made his mark). In 1861 Richard Crichel Gale 26, Jane Gale 25 and new born son Richard Gale 1 were living in Milton very close to his brother-in-law GGGF Richard Northover and GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale (see 81.0).
By 1871, the
census listed them as living on Lynch Farm, West Milton. [This farm of 250
acres was run by Samuel Read 50 and wife Sarah F. Read. Samuel and Sarah may
have been related to Richard's mother GGGGM
Sarah Northover nee Read b1793 or sister-in-law Grace (Sarah)
Read]. In the previous ten years the
family had grown considerably and in 1871 included five more children. The family consisted of Richard Gale 36 ag lab, Jane Gale nee Crabbe 35 and children Richard Gale 11,
Sarah Gale 9, Elizabeth (Jane) Gale 7 b7 Feb 1864, Mary Anna Gale 5 b4 Feb
1866, William Gale 3 and Fanny Gale 9 mths. Also living with them was GGGGM Sarah Gale nee Read 78
b1793, Richard’s widowed mother who was described as a pauper (see 102.0)
NOTE: Lynch Farm remains a working farm in modern times, but has expanded its business base to holiday rentals described as follows. "Standing in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
with the lovely Dorset Hills rising steeply around, this unique collection of
properties is set within the grounds of the owner’s working farm on the edge of
the picturesque and tranquil village of West Milton. Individually designed and
furnished for comfort, each cottage offers delightful surroundings in which to
enjoy a relaxing holiday."
The family suffered an enormous loss in 1874, when the three
youngest children died within a short space of time. William was the first to
die at the age of 6. He was buried on 29 Jul 1874. Then in August, Fanny aged 4
was buried on the 4th and Mary Anna Gale aged 8 was buried on 19 Aug. They were
buried at West Milton. Presumably they died from an infectious disease, which
often took a terrible toll on children. Over half the burials at Powerstock
were children under the age of ten during this period.
By 1881 Jane had given birth to three more children and the
youngest child Annie, (born when Jane was 46) was baptised at Nettlecombe which was just one mile from Powerstock). At census time they were living in Nettlecombe Street, Powerstock. The family consisted of Richard Gale 47 lab,
Jane Gale 44, Richard Gale 21 lab, Sarah Gale 19 dressmaker, George Gale 6, Henry Fred Gale 3
and Annie Gale 7 months. The youngest boys were attending school.
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| Richard Crichell Gale married Jane Crabbe at West Milton 25 Dec 1858 |
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| 1871 Lynch Farm: Richard & Sarah Gale nee Crabbe with 6 children & Richard's widowed mother Sarah Gale nee Read |
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| One of the buildings at Lynch Farm, West Milton; rented out for holiday accommodation. |
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| 1881 Census, Nettlecombe Street, Powerstock: Richard & Jane Gale nee Crabb & 5 children |
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| 1891 Census Beaminster: Richard & Jane Gale nee Crabb with 3 children |
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| 1901 Chantry St, Netherby: Jane Gale widow was living with daughter Annie Gale |
.
Second oldest daughter Elizabeth Jane Gale 17 b1864 did not
appear with the family on the 1881 census, as she was working as a housemaid on
a large farm run by the Bryant family in the Swyre area (8m from Powerstock).
101.7 Other Members of the Gale Clan
Researching the Gale family is quite tricky as there were
many other families with this surname living in the Beaminster/Powerstock area
and they frequently were baptised using similar Christian names such as Thomas,
Mary, Richard and Sarah. However, occasionally a family chose a different name
and the research task is made easier. One example is Harry Gale. Although I
have gone back several generations I have not found a direct connection to
“our” Gales, but he does connect indirectly to the Northover line several times
as is shown below.
101.7a Harry Gale (1860-?)
Harry Gale was born on 29 Jul 1860 and baptised at North
Poorton, but the abode of his parents (Thomas and Sarah Gale) was listed as Bristol.
The 1861 census listed the family living at Poorton
as parents Thomas Gale 24 b1837 and Sarah Gale nee Biddlecombe 28 and children
Harry Gale 1 and Sarah’s mother Elizabeth Biddlecomb 50. It appears that the move to North Poorton was either to provide care for Sarah's mother or so that Sarah's mother could care for Sarah during her early time of motherhood. The family moved back to Bristol soon after Harry was born and he always gave his place of birth as Bristol. These moves were big ones for that time (around 60 miles), and were probably only possible through the building of the railways in the 1800’s. In 1871 the family were
living in Bristol and the family had grown. There were Thomas Gale 33 carrier,
Sarah Gale nee Biddlecombe 37, Harry Gale 11, Thomas Gale 9, Annie Gale 5
b1866, Elizabeth Gale 3, Emma Gale 1 mth and John Biddlecombe 60 (Sarah’s
father).
As Harry’s father and other relatives came from the
Powerstock area, the family would have made occasional trips back for visits.
Harry made one of these trips in April 1881, when the census listed him staying
at West Milton, Powerstock (see 80.3) with John Northover 48 b1832 carpenter,
Isabella Northover 46 and their large family consisting of Sarah Northover 21
dressmaker (Harry’s future wife), John Northover 19, Walter Northover 17
carpenter, William Northover 14, Mary Ann Northover 11, Tom Northover 9, George
Northover 7 and Fred Northover 3. Harry Gale 21 (b1860 Bristol) was listed as a
visitor and his occupation was given as clerk and leather merchant. Harry was
not there just for a social visit. He had come to ask for Sarah Northover’s
hand in marriage.
The answer must have
been “yes” because he married Sarah two months later on 4 Jun 1881 at Bridport.
The marriage registration listed Sarah Northover aged 21 (b1860) and Harry aged
21 who had changed his occupation to accountant. The fathers were listed as
Thomas Gale b1837 leather merchant and John Northover b1832 carpenter.
By 1891 Harry Gale 31 b1860 (occupation given as boot
manufacturer) and Sarah Gale nee Northover 31 b1860 Powerstock (daughter of
John Northover b1832) had moved to Cadbury Heath, Oldland, Gloucestershire and
this was when the second connection to the Northover family was instigated.
Living with Harry and Sarah Gale (nee Northover) were their children Ada Gale 9
b1882, Edith Gale 7, Blanche Gale 12 and Florence Gale 3mths as well as visitor
George Northover 17 b1873 (railway worker and brother of Sarah see 80.3).
Whilst on this visit, George met Harry’s sister Alice Gale aged 15 b1876 who
became his future wife when they were married on 2 Apr 1898 at Warmley,
Gloucestershire. George 25 would have had to wait until Alice came of age
before he could marry her. George and Alice settled in Bristol.
In 1901 Harry Gale 41 (b1860 Bristol) had reverted back to
being a leatherman. He and wife Sarah Gale 41 nee Northover b1860 were living
in Bristol with children Ada Gale 19, Edith Gale 17, Blanche Gale 11, Florence
Gale 10 and Harry Gale 2. The 1901 census shows a third connection to our
Northover family. Living in house at that time were Harry Gale 41 leatherman,
Sarah Gale 41, Ada Gale 19, Edith Gale 17, Blanche Gale 11, Florence Gale 10,
Harry Gale 2 and Frederick Northover 23 (brother of Sarah Gale nee
Northover-see 80.3) who worked for the railways ('electric cars').
The family
were still living in Bristol in 1911 and consisted of Harry Gale 51, Sarah Gale
51, Ada Gale 29, Blanche Annie Gale 21, Florence Gertrude Gale 20 and Harry
Frederick Gale 12. The census tells us that Harry and Sarah had been marrried for 30 years and four of their five children were alive. Young Edith had died shortly after the 1901 census.
No other information is available about Harry and Sarah Gale after this date. However Sarah's brother Fred Northover joined the army during WW1, and died in 1917 from cancer of the stomach and his military papers indicate that sister Sarah Gale nee Northover and presumably her husband Harry Gale were living at 2 Elmwood Ave, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA (see 101.7a), which explains why there are no other English records about them available.
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| 1861 census Poorton: Harry may have been born in Bristol, but was baptised in Powerstock |
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| 1881 census Powerstock Harry Gale was visiting John & Sarah Northover and their 21 year old daughter Sarah |
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| Harry Gale married Sarah Northover as soon as she was at 'the age of consent' on 4 Jun 1881 |
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| 1901 census Bristol: Harry and Sarah Gale nee Northover, their five children and Sarah's brother Frederick |
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| 1911 Census Bristol: Harry & Sarah Gale nee Northover with their four surviving children |
No other information is available about Harry and Sarah Gale after this date. However Sarah's brother Fred Northover joined the army during WW1, and died in 1917 from cancer of the stomach and his military papers indicate that sister Sarah Gale nee Northover and presumably her husband Harry Gale were living at 2 Elmwood Ave, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA (see 101.7a), which explains why there are no other English records about them available.
101.7b Ancestors of Harry Gale (1860-?)
Harry Gale b1860 was born to Thomas Gale b1837 South
Poorton, cordwainer and carrier, and Sarah W. Gale nee Biddlecombe b1834.
Thomas was born to Samuel Gale b1808 Beaminster and Sarah Cousens (possibly
related to Isabella Cousens see 80.3) who were married on 25 Dec 1830 at
Poorstock. Samuel was born to John Gale b1769 Beaminster and Ann Gregory b1776 who
were married in 1799.
102.0 Ancestors of GGGGM Sarah Read (1792-1874)
Sarah Read was baptised by parents GGGGGP John and Betty Read nee Butcher on 18 Nov 1792 at Powerstock. At the age of 28 she married GGGGF David Gale b1792 of West Milton on 17 Apr 1820 in her home town. As West Milton and Powerstock were not far apart, they probably knew each other since they were young children. GGGGM Sarah Read's family have been traced back on the male line through her father GGGGGF John Read b1762 Powerstock. See 100.1 for details Sarah Read's married life with David Gale and below for more about her parents.
Sarah's father, GGGGGF John Read, was baptised on 19 Oct 1762 at Powerstock by parents GGGGGGP Thomas and Grace Read nee Gale. See 102.1 below for more about Thomas and Grace Read nee Gale.
Sarah's mother, GGGGGM Betty (Elizabeth) Butcher, was baptised on 26 June 1865 in Powerstock by parents GGGGGGP John and Jane Butcher nee Vison. Betty Butcuer's siblings included Sarah Butcher b1762 and Jenny Butcher b1771.
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| GGGGGGF John Butcher (a tailor?) singleman married Jane Vinson singlewoman at Powerstock on 12 Oct 1861 |
GGGGGM Betty would have known John Read all her life, but they were in their mid twenties before they married. Perhaps there was some obstacle that delayed the event.
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| GGGGGF John Read 26 married Elizabeth (Betty) Butcher 23 on 16 Mar 1789 |
In 1841 GGGGGP John 75 and Elizabeth (Betty) Read nee Butcher 75 were living next door to daughter GGGGP Sarah Gale nee Read and her husband David Gale b1791 at West Milton. John and Betty Read were living "by independent means" and David Read 20 ag lab was also living with them. He was possibly a grandson and would have been paying board.
GGGGGF John Read passed away at the age of 84 and was buried in West Milton on 28 Jul 1847.
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| Elizabeth (Betty) Read was buried on 9 Jan but the year & her age are confusing. |
102.2 GGGGGGP Thomas Read (1729-1766) & Grace Gale (1733-1766)
GGGGGF John Read's b1762 parents were GGGGGGF Thomas Read b1729 and GGGGGGM Grees (Grace) Gale.
GGGGGGF Thomas Read was baptised on 24 Mar 1729 in Powerstock by parents GGGGGGGP Henry and Eliza (Elizabeth) Read. He must have received at least some rudimentary education because later in life he was able to sign his name. Thomas had several siblings including Thomasine Read 1719, Elizabeth b1722 and John Read 1726. GGGGGGF Thomas appears to have been the youngest child. Thomas' father GGGGGGGF Henry Read c1695 may have died in his thirties and was buried at Powerstock on 19 Nov 1831.
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| GGGGGGM Grace Gale was baptised in Powerstock on 22 Jul 1733 |
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| John Gale married Mary Legg at Powerstock on 9 Dec 1723 |
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| GGGGGGF Thomas Read, single man of Powerstock, married Grees (Grace) Gale spinster on 13 Apr 1755 |
GGGGGGP Thomas and Grace Read nee Gale had at least six children. They were Thomas Read b1756, Grees (Grace) Read 24 July 1757, Mary Read b1759, GGGGGF John Read b1762, William Read b1764 and Grace Read b23 Mar 1766.
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| Baby Grace Read b1757 died as an infant and was buried at Powerstock on 23 Jan 1857. |
103.0 Ancestors of GGGGP David Gale (1791-1861)
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| David Gale was baptised at Powerstock on 1 Jan 1792, so must have been born in 1791 |
David Gale was born to GGGGGP Robert Gale (1756-?) and GGGGGM Betty Bagg (1768-1836) and baptised at Powerstock on 1 Jan 1792.
103.1 GGGGGP Robert Gale (1756-1841) & GGGGGM Betty Bagg
(1761-1831)
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| Robert Gale was baptised by parents Robert & Elizabeth Gale. A few days later his cousin Elizabeth was also baptised. |
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| Robert Gale married Betty (Elizabeth) Bagg at Bradpole on 24 Jun 1789 |
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GGGGGM Elizabeth (Betty) Bagg was baptised at Bridport by parents John and Mary Bagg on 29 Nov 1761 |
After their marriage GGGGGF Robert Gale and GGGGGM Betty Bagg lived in Powerstock for the birth of their six children who were Mary Bagg Gale b1790, GGGGF David John Gale, Deborah Gale b1794, Robert Gale b1796, Betty Gale b1798 and Ann Gale b1802.
GGGGGM Betty Gale nee Bagg's date of death is unknown as there were many people living in the Powerstock area with the same name. The most likely date was 25 Aug 1831. An 'Elizabeth Gale' of North Poorton was buried with a reported age of 74. Our Elizabeth was 70.
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| Robert Gale alias Trooper was buried in Powerstock on 3 Apr 1841 |
103.2
GGGGGM Betty (Elizabeth) Bagg was the daughter of GGGGGGP John Bagg & Mary Legg. (See baptism above)
Elizabeth's (Betty) parents were GGGGGGP John Bagg and Mary Legg who were married at Bradpole on 9 May 1759. Children started arriving soon after: GGGGGM Elizabeth (Betty) Bagg was baptised on 21 Nov 1761 followed by Samuel Bagg 1763, Edward Bagg 1764, David Bagg 1766, Esther Bagg 1768, Charlotte Bagg 1771, Martha Bagg 1774 and Joseph Bagg in 1776. Although all children were baptised in the Parish of Bridport, Bradpole is noted in the margin of some baptisms, so that is where the family may have resided. (They are only one mile apart.)
Elizabeth's (Betty) parents were GGGGGGP John Bagg and Mary Legg who were married at Bradpole on 9 May 1759. Children started arriving soon after: GGGGGM Elizabeth (Betty) Bagg was baptised on 21 Nov 1761 followed by Samuel Bagg 1763, Edward Bagg 1764, David Bagg 1766, Esther Bagg 1768, Charlotte Bagg 1771, Martha Bagg 1774 and Joseph Bagg in 1776. Although all children were baptised in the Parish of Bridport, Bradpole is noted in the margin of some baptisms, so that is where the family may have resided. (They are only one mile apart.)
103.3 GGGGGGP Robert Gale (1727-?) & Elizabeth Greening
GGGGGF Robert Gale was baptised on 7 November 1756 in North Poorton by his parents GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale nee Greening.
Robert's (b1756) father GGGGGGF Robert Gale was baptised at Powerstock on 15 Jul 1727. His mother, GGGGGGM Elizabeth Greening, was born and raised in the same village. However, her parentage is not so clear cut, as there were three women with that name baptised a few years apart. Elizabeth Greening b1725 was born to John and Elizabeth Greening (unlikely due to age), Elizabeth Greening b1727 was born to Robert and Ann Greening and Elizabeth Greening b1730 born to William and Sarah Greening in 1730. I tend to favour the Elizabeth b1727. If this is true then the Greening siblings were Mary Greening 1724, Ann Greening 1725, GGGGGGM Elizabeth Greening 1727, Edith Greening 1730, Henry Greening 1730, Mary Greening 1733 and Frances Greening 1736.
GGGGGGF Robert Gale b1727 married Elizabeth Greening b1727 in Powerstock in 1753 and they had eight
children who were Anne Gale 1753, Sarah Gale 1755, GGGGGF Robert Gale 1756-1789, Nicholas Gale 1758, Elizabeth
Gale 1762, Mary Gale 1762, Joan or Jane Gale 1765 and Martha Gale 1768.
GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale nee Greening died in Powerstock in 1784 and 1786.
NOTE: The grandson of GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale nee Greening, Richard Gale b1797 (son of Nicholas Gale) married Jane Best whose mother Hannah Minterne descended from the wealthy Minterne family. See for more details of this family tree.
 |
| Robert son of Robert & Ann Gale was baptised on 15 Jul 1727 at Powerstock |
 |
| GGGGGGF Robert Gale married Elizabeth Greening on 8 Jan 1753 at Powerstock |
GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale nee Greening died in Powerstock in 1784 and 1786.
NOTE: The grandson of GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale nee Greening, Richard Gale b1797 (son of Nicholas Gale) married Jane Best whose mother Hannah Minterne descended from the wealthy Minterne family. See for more details of this family tree.
103.4 GGGGGGGP Robert Gale (1696-1762) & Ann Winch (1696-1760)
GGGGGGF Robert
Gale’s (b1727) parents were GGGGGGGF
Robert Gale b1692 Powerstock and Ann Winch (b1696 Powerstock) who were married on 16 Oct 1718 (Dorset OPC).
Robert and Ann Gale nee Winch's eight children were Elizabeth Gale 1719, Ann Gale 1721, John Gale 1724, GGGGGGF Robert Gale 1727, Elias Gale 1730, Nicholas Gale 1732, Grace Gale 1734 and Jenny Gale 1737. The use of the name 'John' for their eldest son may have been in honor of GGGGGF Elizabeth Greening's father John Greening. Likewise son Elias b1730 was named after Ann's father Elias Winch (it was not a very common name).
GGGGGGGP Robert Gale died in 1762 and Ann Winch died in 1760.
GGGGGGGGF John Gale married Elizabeth Baily 17 or 18 (b1664 Powerstock) at St Mary’s Church, Powerstock in 12 Apr 1681. John and Elizabeth had at least five children ; Ann Gale bap 9 Dec 1681, Elizabeth Gale 1684, John Gale 1688, GGGGGGGF Robert Gale 20 Jul 1692 and Richard
Gale 1696. There were other children born to a John Gale but their birth dates occurred when his wife Elizabeth was into her forties, so were probably from a different family or from a second marriage.
 |
| Robert son of John Gale was baptised Apr 4 1696 at Powerstock |
 |
| Ann daughter of Ellis (Elias) Winch baptised 16 Aug 1696 |
GGGGGGGP Robert Gale died in 1762 and Ann Winch died in 1760.
103.5 GGGGGGGGP John Gale (1654-?) & Elizabeth Bailey (?-?)
GGGGGGGF Robert Gale (b1692) was the fourth child of GGGGGGGGF John Gale (b1654 Powerstock) |
| Elizabeth daughter of Robert Bailey junior was baptised June 22 1664 |
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| John Gale married Elizabeth Baily 12 Apr 1681 at Powerstock |
103.6 GGGGGGGGGP Roger Gale (1618-1675) & Unknown (?-?)
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| "John son of Roger Gale was baptised on 19 Oct 1654 at Powerstock" |
GGGGGGGGF John Gale (b1654 Powerstock) was the son of GGGGGGGGGF Roger Gale & his unknown wife. GGGGGGGGGF Roger Gale was baptised in Oct 1618 by his father Giles Gale.
 |
John & brother Roger Geale (Gale) were baptised in Oct 1618 at Powerstock by father Giles Geale
GGGGGGGGGF Roger Gale was buried in Powerstock in May 1675 aged 57.
|
103.7 The wives of our Gale Ancestors
Several generations can be traced back through the wives of
the Gale men through the Powerstock church records. GGGGGGGGM Elizabeth Bailey b1664 can be traced back to our GGGGGGGGGGGF George 'Giovani De Angelo'
'Denslow who was born in 1514 in Italy and settled in Allington (5 miles from Powerstock). The
article below explains.
“Some evidence indicates that the first to use the Denslow
name was Giovanni di Angelo b1514, who emigrated from Italy to England in the
reign of Henry VIII, before Henry broke with the pope over the question of
divorcing his wife. After this break, King Henry looked with disfavour on these
Italian citizens, and they found it wise to change their names. Giovanni di
Angelo, who had in the meantime married Johanna Bailey, took his wife's maiden
name. After the intensity of this feeling against the Italians died down, he
was known as di Angelo alias Bailey. Finally di Angelo in everyday speech
became Denzhlo, then Denzlo, and finally Denslow. This Italian-born English-man
had a son, Hugh b1549 Allington, who had, among other children, Nicholas and
John as sons. It is now believed that, if Henry was not the son of Nicholas, he
was certainly the son of John, and consequently descended from Hugh and his
Italian father.
Other ancestors of Elizabeth Bailey include members of the
Conway, Peears, Crandon, Gallop and Way families and all lived in the
Powerstock/Allington area (5 miles apart). Some members of the Way family moved to
the newly founded American colonies, and settled there."
104.0 The Gale Connection to Royalty
The information in this chapter has mostly been obtained
from research carried out by Trudi Norbury, Stephen Kuta and other researchers.
The ancestral link in 104.1 is convoluted and switches between matriarchal and
patriarchal family trees.
104.1 The Total Line in Summary Over 30 Generations
GGGGUncle Nicholas Gale married Ann Rigler on 10 Oct 1791 at Powerstock. Both made their mark and could not sign their names. This couple can be confused with Nicholas and Betty Gale who were also having children around this time.
Nicholas and Ann Gale had three children; Robert Gale 1792, Elizabeth Gale 1794 and their youngest son Richard Gale who was baptised in 1797. The ancestral lines above and below are through son Richard Gale’s b1797 marriage to Jane Best in 1817.
104.1 The Total Line in Summary Over 30 Generations
NB PEOPLE IN THIS LINE FROM GENERATION 4 ONWARDS ARE NOT DIRECT RELATIVES
1) GM Ethel Maud Northover (1889-1953) was the daughter of GGF Richard Northover (1856-1932)
2) GGF Richard Northover (1856-1932) was the son of GGGM Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881)
3) GGGM Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881) was the daughter of GGGGF David John Gale (1792-1861)
4) Jane Best (1792-1870) was the daughter of Hannah Mintern (1774-1806), and was married to our cousin Richard Gale (1797-1844) and is therefore our cousin by marriage. Richard Gale (1797-1844) was the son of GGGGUncle Nicholas Gale (1759-1812), nephew to GGGGGF Robert Gale (1756-1789) and cousin of GGGGF David John Gale (1792-1861) who was at the same generation level.
5) Hannah Mintern (1774-1806) was the daughter of Henry Mintern (1740-1812) and married to Robert Best (1766-1832)
6) Henry Mintern (1740-1812) was the son of Samuel Mintern (1713-?)
7) Samuel Mintern (1713-?) was the son of Hannah Draper (1685-?)
8) Hannah Draper (1685-?) was the daughter of John Draper gent (1650-1699)
9) John Draper gent (1650-1699) was the son of John Draper (1620-?)
10) John Draper (1620-?) was the son of Elinor Minterne (1600-1631)
11) Elinor Minterne (1600-1631) daughter of Frances Maye (1557-1631)
12) Frances Maye (1557-1631) was the daughter of John Maye gent of Charterhouse (1535-1598)
13) John Maye gent of Charterhouse (1535-1598); son of Robert Maye (1512-1573)
14) Robert Maye (1512-1573); son of Robert Maye (1470-?)
15) Robert Maye (1470-?); son of John Maye (1430-1470)
16) John Maye (1430-1470); son of Elizabeth Spencer (1389-1430)
17) Elizabeth Spencer (1389-1430); daughter of Sir Hugh Le Despencer, Knight (1359-1401)
18) Sir Hugh Le Despencer, Knight (1359-1401); son of Sir Hugh Le Despencer, Knight (1339-74).
19) Sir Hugh Le Despencer Knight (1339-1374); son of Sir Edward Le Despencer Knight
20) Sir Edward Le Despencer Knt (1310 - 1342); son of Eleanor De Clare (1292-1337)
21) Eleanor De Clare (1292-1337); daughter of Joan Plantagenet Princess of England (1272-1307)
22) Joan Plantagenet Princess of England (1272-1307); daughter of Eleanor Fernanda De Castille Comtesse de Ponthieu (1244-1290)
23) Eleanor Fernanda De Castille Comtesse de Ponthieu (1244-1290); daughter of Ferdinand Alfonsez King of Castile & Léon III (1201-1252)
24) Ferdinand Alfonsez King of Castile & Léon III (1201-1252); son of Berengaria Alfonsa Queen of Castile (1180-1246)
25) Berengaria Alfonsa Queen of Castile (1180-1246); daughter of Eleanor Plantagenet Princess of England, Reina de Castilla Y Toledo (1162-1214)
26) Eleanor Plantagenet Princess of England, Reina de Castilla Y Toledo (1162-1214); daughter of Henry II Plantagenet Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, King of England (1133-1189)
27) Henry II Plantagenet Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, King of England (1133-1189); son of Matilda of England (1102-1167)
28) Matilda of England (1102-1167); daughter of Henry I Beauclerc King of England (1068-1135)
29) Henry I Beauclerc King of England (1068-1135); son of William the Conqueror King of England, Duke of Normandy (1024-1087)
30) William the Conqueror, King of England, Duke of Normandy (1024-1087)
NOTE: Trudi Norbury and Stephen Kuta have extended this tree further back and sideways to show many links to famous people. There are also extensive notes on each relative on Stephen’s website https://thelivesofmyancestors.wordpress.com/about/ .
104.2 Notes about the above line
The family tree back to the early 1800’s is quite accurate as there are many documents to crosscheck data. Research prior to the 1700’s is more prone to errors as there are far fewer documents available. However, the exception is members of wealthy families who were often named in a variety of documents such wills, land taxes, jury lists etc. This is generally the case with people listed above, until the death of Henry Mintern (1740-1812). The big question is what caused the family to lose its wealth and status in a generation or two at this time?
Henry Mintern (1740-1812) was a man of some means and had at least ten children and most were mentioned in his will. However the daughter who is our ancestor by marriage (Hannah Minterne 1774-1806) predeceased her father, and her husband Robert Best gained little (one shilling) from the will. This was not unusual because landholders often left their property to the eldest sons to maintain their legacy rather than dividing it up. There were many other reasons for wealth disappearing from a family line including confiscation for political reasons, acts of God such as fire and famine, mismanagement or a child falling out of favour with a parent. Whatever the cause, the family wealth did not flow from the 'Minterne line' to the ‘Best Line’ and after that point, most members of our family struggled to survive, as did the bulk of the population at that time.
The notes below include extensive excerpts from The Lives of My Ancestors Website.
The notes below include extensive excerpts from The Lives of My Ancestors Website.
104.3 Nicholas Gale (1758-1815) & Ann Rigler (1696-?)
Nicholas Gale is not a direct relative and was the brother of GGGGGF Robert Gale b1756. In our tree he is our GGGG Uncle. It was through his son Richard Gale, that some researchers have found a link back to wealthy and influential ancestors, including royalty. |
| Nicholas Gale , son of GGGGGGP Robert and Elizabeth Gale was baptised on 4 July 1758 at Powerstock |
GGGGUncle Nicholas Gale married Ann Rigler on 10 Oct 1791 at Powerstock. Both made their mark and could not sign their names. This couple can be confused with Nicholas and Betty Gale who were also having children around this time.
Nicholas and Ann Gale had three children; Robert Gale 1792, Elizabeth Gale 1794 and their youngest son Richard Gale who was baptised in 1797. The ancestral lines above and below are through son Richard Gale’s b1797 marriage to Jane Best in 1817.
104.4 Richard Gale (1797-1844) & Jane Best (1792-1870)
 |
| Second entry: Richard son of Nicholas & Ann Gale nee Rigler baptised 2 Jul 1797 at Powerstock |
Richard's future wife, Jane Best, was baptised at Hooke on 29 Jan 1793, by parents Robert and Hannah Best nee Minterne. Her father’s occupation is unknown but he was the only son of John Best (1745-1767) and Jane Darby b1723 and his father was a shoemaker by trade and lived in Powerstock. Jane's mother Hannah Mintern was daughter to a moderately wealthy land owner, Henry Mintern (1740-1812), although the land was later inherited by her elder brothers.
Jane
Best is an example of how you can be born and connected to a well-respected and
wealthy family and yet by the end of your life die a pauper. Later generations
after her struggled to make ends meet. Neither of Jane Best’s parents left
wills, so any wealth they did have was spent very early on in their lives.
Jane
was the eldest of six children, one of which died in infancy. She was named
after her grandmother Jane Darby. She was baptized on 29 Jan 1793 in St Giles,
Hooke. Her grandparents Henry and Mary Mintern would have been
present and the church where the ceremony took place shares a long history with
the Mintern family.
Shortly
before 1817, Jane had moved from the village of Hooke, to Powerstock, a short
distance of less than 4 miles. She was possibly employed in the area as
a domestic servant or even as a labourer. She was illiterate, even though her mother was literate. It was here in Powerstock that she met
Richard Gale.
Richard Gale b1797 is our GGGGUncle and at the age of 20 he married Jane Best 24 at St Mary’s in Powerstock on 20 Aug 1817. Both made their mark. Richard was under the age of consent, because as the registration above notes, the couple needed the consent of their parents. Richard and Jane Best had eight of their nine children in Powerstock, but moved a few miles to Compton Valance in the late 1830's to have their youngest daughter Jane.
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| 1841 Census Compton Valance, Dorset: Richard & Jane Gale nee Best with their 8 children |
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| 1851 Census Compton Valance: Widow Jane Best and some of her children |
 |
| Death certificate Richard Gale 48 who died 7 Jul 1844. Information supplied by Sarah Rigler; a relative of his mother
Jane Best is recorded as having witnessed at least two weddings, the first was her daughter Emma Gale (1829-1871) to Joseph Diskett (1828-1893) on 28 Sep 1852 and the second was her son’ John Best Gale (1822-1888) to Anne Watts (1823-1883) on the 11 Nov 1852. Both of these marriages took place in St Thomas a Beckett, Compton Valence.
|
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| 1861 Census Compton Valence: Jane Gale nee best and two adult sons |
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| Death certificate for Jane Gale nee Best who died 16 Jan 1870 at Compton Valance |
During her life Jane had given birth to nine children who were: Hannah Best Gale 1818–1875,
Mary
Gale 1820–1895, John
Best Gale 1822–1888, Thomas
Gale 1825–?, Martha
Gale 1827–1852, Emma
Gale 1829–1871, Robert
Best Gale 1832–1905, Richard
Gale 1835–1924 and Jane
Gale 1838–1872
The following extract is from the webpage 'The Lives of My Ancestors'. This extract about Emma Gale provides much information about her parents
(Richard and Jane Gale nee Best), which would also have applied to our direct
relatives GGGGGGP Robert and
Elizabeth Gale nee Greening.
104.4a Emma Gale(1829-1871)
Emma Gale was the daughter of Richard Gale (1797-1844) and Jane Best (1792-1870). She was born 1829 in Powerstock, Dorset, and was one of nine children. Her father worked as both a carter (transporting goods) and a general labourer. Both of her parents were illiterate and the family by all means was probably very poor.
At the time of Emma’s birth, Powerstock was known as Poorstock, but this was changed in 1857 with the arrival of the Bridport Railway which ran through the village.... At the time of Emma’s birth, King George IV was on throne, followed by William IV a year later and then finally Queen Victoria in 1837. So Emma lived through two great periods in British history, the final years of the ‘Georgian Period’, and then the ‘Victorian Period’. Emma was baptized on 28 September 1829 in St Mary the Virgin, Powerstock, Dorset.
By 1838 the family had moved to Compton Valence, Dorset which was little over six miles away and here Richard and Jane Gale (parents of Emma) had their last child, Jane Gale (1838-1872). I would presume that the reason they moved was to secure work. In 1841 Richard Gale was employed as an agricultural labourer. There are no addresses listed on this census return, but what it does tell me is that the entire family from the eldest to the youngest (with exception of the toddler) was employed on the farm. The whole family must have worked very hard to put food on their table and Richard must have placed himself in some very unsafe conditions because on the 7th July 1844 he died from a "Rupture of the Stomach". Usually this is caused by a blunt trauma to the stomach, or even a knife wound (or other sharp object). To me, this sounds like a work based injury and a tragic accident.
104.5 Robert Best (1766-1832) & Hannah Minterne (1774-1806)
Jane Best was born to Robert Best and Hannah Minterne in Hooke (about 5 miles from Powerstock) on 27 Jan 1793.
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| Robert son of John and Jane Best was baptised on 17 Mar 1766 at Powerstock |
Robert Best 26 who had grown up in Powerstock, met, then married Hannah Minterne 18 on 30 Apr 1792 (Dorset OPC) in her home town of Hooke. They had at least six children with the last five born in Powerstock, where Hannah died in 1806. Jane Best (see above) was their first born child, but she had at least five siblings who were all baptised in Powerstock ; Samuel Best 1799, Abel Best 1800 (died as an infant), Abel Best 1802, Henry Best 1804 and Martha Best 1806. As Hannah died at the age of 32, in the same year that her last child was born, the cause of her death may have been related to childbirth.
Six years after his wife's death in 1812, Robert inherited one shilling from his father-in-law's (Henry Minterne) estate. This amount would be worth about 3 pounds in today's money, so would only have helped Robert financially in a very modest way. Robert Best died in 1832 aged 66, and was buried in Powerstock on 20 Aug 1832. His residence at the time was listed as 'Wotley', which is probably a misspelling of Whetley Farm Mill about one mile east of Powerstock.
It is interesting to note that Robert's youngest daughter Martha signed her name when she was married. Perhaps the inheritance was used to give Robert's younger children an education.
See Chapter 103.0 for our possible connection to Royalty through the relatives of Robert Best and his wife Hannah Minterne.
Six years after his wife's death in 1812, Robert inherited one shilling from his father-in-law's (Henry Minterne) estate. This amount would be worth about 3 pounds in today's money, so would only have helped Robert financially in a very modest way. Robert Best died in 1832 aged 66, and was buried in Powerstock on 20 Aug 1832. His residence at the time was listed as 'Wotley', which is probably a misspelling of Whetley Farm Mill about one mile east of Powerstock.
It is interesting to note that Robert's youngest daughter Martha signed her name when she was married. Perhaps the inheritance was used to give Robert's younger children an education.
See Chapter 103.0 for our possible connection to Royalty through the relatives of Robert Best and his wife Hannah Minterne.
104.6 Hannah Mintern & her Parents
Hannah Minterne was baptised in Hooke in 1774 and was the
daughter of Henry and Mary Minterne. Henry was born in 1740 and married Mary
Unknown in Hooke around 1765. Henry was a man of some means and from at least
1780 to 1811 paid land tax on properties he owned including 'Hooke Manor', which were often occupied by
tenants. I am not sure if this property still exists, but there is a property called "Hooke Court: The Manor House" in Hooke that is an educational institution and is also used for weddings. (See below)
Henry had at least ten children and most were mentioned in his will. He bequeathed 1 shilling to son-in-law Robert Best, £1.1s to children Henry, Betty Cole and Mary Legg, £8.8s to son James, “my brass furnace” to son John and to daughter Nancy all farm stock excluding the Bay Mare which was left to his wife Mary. John and Nancy also got feather beds and Jacob got all household goods. Wife Mary was sole executer.
Henry had at least ten children and most were mentioned in his will. He bequeathed 1 shilling to son-in-law Robert Best, £1.1s to children Henry, Betty Cole and Mary Legg, £8.8s to son James, “my brass furnace” to son John and to daughter Nancy all farm stock excluding the Bay Mare which was left to his wife Mary. John and Nancy also got feather beds and Jacob got all household goods. Wife Mary was sole executer.
The grandfather of Henry b1740’s was Samuel Mintern
1695-1746 who was born in Chedington, Dorset but died in Hooke. He married
Hannah Draper who was born in 1685 in Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset. On
Samuel’s death, probate was granted to Hannah Minterne nee Draper and included a list of all
household items and their value. These indicate a man of some wealth as his
possessions included a well-equipped and furnished farmhouse as well as farm animals. There is a stone memorial marking the grave of Henry Minterne and some members of his family at St Giles Church, Hooke.
104.7 Some Details about the Draper Family
The link to Royalty is through Hannah Draper whose parents
were John Draper 1650-1699, gent and Joane Cooksley 1650-1729 who lived their
whole lives in the vicinity of Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset. The following
abbreviated extracts from
https://thelivesofmyancestors.wordpress.com/2014/10/24/ shed more light on the
family.
'The Draper family of Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset is an
old Somerset family that can be traced back as far as 1450, with the use of Wills,
a few parish records and also with English civil war records. The family was
very connected to the Mintern family of Hooke and Batcombe, Dorset; both
parishes are close to each other.
The family, were wealthy land owners who owned watermills,
manors and land in more than one parish and they also took arms against the
parliamentarians during the English Civil War. During this period, a few of the
Draper men used an alias; Garliford/Galliford/Galliver are names used to
protect themselves. They were first recorded in 1644, two years after the Civil
War began and fell out of use in 1671 or shortly after.
Hannah Draper was the daughter of John ‘alias Garliford’
Draper and Joane Cooksley. She was born about September 1685 and baptised on
9th September 1685 in St Michael, Haselbury Plucknett, Dorset. The family held
residence at North Down Farm, which is just north of Haselbury. Hannah’s father
John is recorded as being a Gentleman and would have employed a lot of men to
work his land. Hannah married Samuel Mintern on the 22nd September 1713 at St
Johns Church, Seaborough, Dorset.
Samuel Mintern was the son of Henry ‘Rector of Chedington’
Mintern and Mary. He was born c1695 in Cheddington, Dorset, England. Last Will
and Testament of Henry Minterne, Rector of Chedington 1723 in Chedington,
Dorset, England ("I give and devise all my lands and tenements which are
situate lyeing and being within the said parish of Cheddington aforesaid Unto
my son Samuel Minterne so have and to hold the said lands with their and every
of their appurtenances unto my son Samuel"). He died about 1746 in Hooke,
Dorset.
104.8 The Draper Involvement in the English Civil War
John Draper’s grandfather was Richard Draper 1598-1658 who
also lived his whole life in Haselbury Plucknett. Richard married Elinor
Minterne 1600-1631 who had been born in Batcombe, Dorset. Richard Draper and
his son John were in trouble on 16 May 1847, when they were charged with being
in arms against Parliament. (See
https://thelivesofmyancestors.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/ )
The Draper family certainly supported the Royalist cause,
and their involvement wasn’t secret. This is most likely the reason for the
family using the alias of Garliford or Galliver. How much involvement the
family had during the Civil War is unknown, but King Charles called upon the
gentry of Somerset who supported him to provide men and arms for his war. On
the 10th July 1645 in the County of Somerset blood was spilled during the
Battle of Langport. Was John Draper and his father Richard Draper present at
this battle? If not then they probably supported in some other way, lodgings,
horses, weapons and perhaps even men.
In 1646 the Parliamentarians had successfully set up county
Committee’s for 'Compounding with Delinquents’. Both John Draper and his father
Richard Draper were arrested and hauled in front of these courts. One of the
charges brought against Richard was that he "Called Robert Fitchett a
round-headed rogue, and caused him to be fined and imprisoned by the King’s
party".
In total Richard Draper spent 7 years in prison and his son
John 2 months. Which prison they were held in, is not currently known, but they
would have had to pay for the privilege of being there and life would have been
bleak.
Elinor Draper nee Mintern’s father was John Minterne
1551-1631 who came from Batcombe, Dorset and her mother was Frances Maye
1551-1631 who was born in Charterhouse, Somerset but died in Batcombe, Dorset.
Elinor Mintern was born about 1600 in Batcombe, Dorset,
England and was the youngest of five children. Two of her siblings also married
very well, her brother John ‘of Batcombe & Yetminster’ Minterne (1594-1661)
married into the Browne family of Frampton and her brother Henry Minterne (born
c.1596) married Bridgett Kyme (born c.1590) daughter of John ‘of
Sunbury-on-Thames’ Kyme (1560 – 1616) who once owned huge parts of Trafalgar
Square and St Martin-in-the-fields.
Little is known about Elinor’s life, but we can only imagine
that it was an extraordinary one. She probably met Royalty was probably at court
once or twice, her circle of friends would have included Knights, Lady’s and
many of the wealthiest citizens of Dorset & Somerset. But sadly her life
was very short, Elinor died before 1631 and perhaps even as early as 1623/5.
Elinor was aged no older than her late twenty’s when she died which makes me
think she might have died in childbirth or perhaps even during The Plague of
1625-26.
Elinor's ancestors can be researched back further than the
conquest of England of 1066. Her grandfather Robert Maye is a descendant of
King Edward I and Hugh Malet is a descendant of King Henry I, which means that
Elinor Minterne is a descendant of William the Conqueror no less then twelve
times.
104.9 Details about the Maye Line
An edited version from The Lives of My Ancestors
Elinor Mintern’s parents were John Minterne 1551-1631 and
Frances Maye 1551-1631. The Maye’s of Charterhouse were a wealthy Somerset
family who rose to prominence during the Tudor period, they may even have
supported Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne. The Battle of Bosworth Field
happened on the 22 August 1485, about 100 years before Frances was born and it
was immediately after this period that the family first appears in
Charterhouse, Somerset. I have no evidence to suggest this, but life could
easily have swayed the other way if they had not. Plus Somerset borders Wales
(ancestral home of the Tudors) and it’s very likely the family had connections
there.
During the reign of King Henry VIII the family rose even
higher and Robert Maye (1512-1573), and a grandfather to Frances Maye was
granted the Manor of Charterhouse by King Henry shortly after the dissolution
of the monasteries. The family’s wealth would have increased dramatically
during this period because Charterhouse was connected to the mining of Iron and
lead and the surviving account books of the Maye family at Charterhouse-Hidon
dating from 1592-1614 demonstrate unquestionably their involvement in the
mining industry in this area.
Frances was born right in the middle of Queen Elizabeth I
reign and a period in time often regarded as the Golden Years, the violent
divide between Protestants and Catholics was still an ever-present issue,
although it’s unlikely that these issues affected the Maye family who most
certainly would have been a Protestant family.
Frances married sometime around 1592 to the wealthy John
Minterne of Batcombe (1557 – 1631) and they had about five children. Frances
Maye died sometime after 1631 and was most likely buried in Batcombe, Dorset,
where the Minterne family lived and where the family’s private crypt was
located.
Many of the above 'relatives' in chapter 103.0 to 103.7 were
wealthy and influential individuals and more information can be found about
them on the internet.
Mine were North Poorton, GGGG-Richard Gale b.1765 GGGGG-Robert Gale b.abt 1740.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your Gale ancestors, Richard.
ReplyDelete