PART 8:NORTHOVER ANCESTORS & PART 9:SMUGGLER RELATIVES

PART 8: OUR NORTHOVER ANCESTORS 

The earliest known ancestor on our Northover side was GGGGGGGGF John Northover (1695-1779) who married GGGGGGGGF Elizabeth Thornhill (1698-1758). The Northover ancestors originated from the coastal area of western Dorset between Bridport and Weymouth. A diagram showing how out early Northovers fitted into the greater Northover family tree can be found here.

Below is a diagram of Our Early Northover Tree

70.0 GGGGGGGGP John Northover (c1695-1779) & Elizabeth Thornhill (1697-1758)

John Northover was born around 1695 in the small west Dorset village of Long Bredy and is the first of our ‘Northovers’ that can be found in the records.

Middle: John Northover of Long Bredy married Elizabeth Thornhill of Puncknowle on 24 Sep 1718

At some stage John Northover (about 23) met Elizabeth Thornhill 21, who was from Puncknowle (about 3 miles away) and a romance developed. For their wedding they traveled the ten miles to Dorchester where they were married in St Peters on the 24 Sep 1718.

Bottom: 18 Aug 1697: Elizabeth the daughter of Ralph Thornell was baptised at Portesham

GGGGGGGGM Elizabeth Thornhill (Thornell) had been born in nearby (6 miles from Puncknowle) Portesham in 1697 to GGGGGGGGGF Ralph Thornhill (Thornell) and his unknown wife. She had a younger brother named William Thornhill born in 1700.

After the birth of Elizabeth's first child, GGGGGGGF James Northover in Puncknowle in 1719, they settled in the coastal town of Swyre, which was less than a mile from her home town and there they had the rest of their family of five known children.

Bottom: GGGGGGGGM Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill was buried on 1 Feb 1758 at Swyre

GGGGGGGGM Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill died on 1 Feb 1758 in Swyre at the age of 61. Sadly her three year old grand-daughter Elizabeth Northover (daughter of son James) had died only 4 weeks early. GGGGGGGGF John Northover (b1695) died and was buried in Swyre on 5 Sep 1779 aged 84.

Sep 7 1779: John Northover buried at Swyre. 7 weeks later, daughter-in-law Mary Northover nee Ridge was also buried

John Northover's burial was listed on the same page as daughter-in-law GGGGGGGM Mary Northover nee Ridge, who was buried on the 17 Oct (see 72.0)

70.1 Information about Swyre in 1700-1800

Swyre is located in the valley of the Bride River close to the Dorset coast and is one of a number of small hamlets in the region. Many of our Northover relatives lived in these hamlets and had the occupation of net making. An article from www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/gives some background to this activity.

‘From 1794 to 1840, the quiet association of cottage industry farming and fishing was rudely interrupted by the Roberts family, who combined the former with the manufacture of flax. It was Richard Roberts who, having married a well-to-do Burton widow, set up water driven spinning mill in 1794, just south of the church. In 1803, further up the river, he built Grove Mill, near Grove House, which had been brought to him by his wife. This was a swingling mill replacing the age-old industry of separating the fibres by hand. His third mill, built near the first in 1813, was intended for finer spinning. Their products ranged from sailcloth to table napkins and from hammocks to tea towels. Some 50 men and women from the village were employed, but Roberts also used child labour, seeking boys and girls from workhouses, both far and near, preferring the younger girls as being generally the best workers and more obedient to command. These pauper apprentices were housed and fed in sheds which have since disappeared; they worked ‘not more than twelve hours a day' and were sent to the parson for two hours every Sunday to be 'taught to read and say their catechism'. All this seems very harsh, but Roberts appears to have been a just employer at a time when child labour was an accepted practice.’

‘By 1840, the unrestricted import of raw materials, together with a lack of real interest by his sons, brought the Roberts' business to an end. By 1843, the Grove Mill was converted to grinding corn and continued to do so for another 100 years, the spinning mills carrying on with a succession of owners and varying output, the final closure coming in 1931. Meanwhile, at Burton, as elsewhere in the Bride Valley, the womenfolk supplemented the family income with netmaking as out-workers for the Bridport factories.’

70.2 Swyre pre 1700 (NEW 2019)
There are church records for Swyre going back into the 1500's but sadly they are in very poor condition. The records are also written in latin. Fortunately a translated copy was made of legible records in 1892, which includes the following "Northovers". Notes in italics are my conclusions
Nuptials (Marriages)
1589 Robert Northover and Joane Beare (?-1641)
1619 Robert Northover and Agnes Blackwood
1639 Richard Northover and Agnes Randle
1715 William Northover of Chilcombe and Ann Northover
Baptisms
1590 Robert son of Robert Northover & Joane Northover nee Beare. 
1594 Magdalene daughter of Robert Northover & Joane Northover nee Beare.
1601 George son of Robert Northover & Joane Northover nee Beare.
1604 Richard son of Robert Northover & Joane Northover nee Beare.
1620 Ann daughter of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood.
1622 Robert son of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood
1624 Unnamed daughter of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood.
1627 Walter son of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood. Died 1640
1629 Andrew son of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood. Died 1640
1632 Jamsin daughter of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood.
1635 John son of Robert and Agnes Northover nee Blackwood. Died as infant 1635
1637 George son of Robert Northover & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood.
1641 Elizabeth daughter of Richard Northover and Agnes Randle
1645 Jane daughter of Richard Northover and Agnes Randle
1664 George son of Robert and Dinah Northover (possibly died 1705)
1689 Robert son of Richard & Elizabeth Northover bapt
Burials
1605 Robert Northover
1618 John son of Jane (John?) Northover
1635 John son of Robert Northover. Son of Robert & Agnes Northover nee Blackwood. Died as infant
1640 Walter Northover
1640 Andrew Northover
1640 Phylis Northover
1641 Joane Northover nee Beare
1643 Thomasine Northover daughter of Robert Northover
1663 Margaret? (Should be Agnes Northover nee Blackwood) wife of Robert Northover
1663 Robert Northover b1590, husband of Agnes Northover nee Randle
1680 Unknown Northover widow
1705 Dinah Northover of Bexington

A diagram showing the connections between Northover individuals in the Swyre records listed above

It seems that Northovers lived in Swyre all the way back to the 1500's. It is curious that there were only three marriages recorded, and that births outnumbered recorded deaths. My conclusion is that many records were lost and/or people moved to nearby localities (eg Puncknowle) during their lives. Our ancestor John Northover (see below) born 3 miles from Swyre in Long Bredy c1695 may have descended from one of these Northovers.

Holy Trinity Church, Swre where many of our Northovers were baptised, married or buried

71.0 Five children of GGGGGGGGP John Northover 1695-1779 & Elizabeth Thornhill (1698-1758)

71.1 GGGGGGGF James Northover (1719-1784)

James was the first child of John and Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill and was born prior to the family's move to Swyre.

James son of John and Elizabeth Northover was baptised April 1st 1719

James was baptised in Puncknowle in 1719, but his family moved to Swyre before he was six and that is where he grew up, met his future wife and later married.
NOTE: The population of Swyre must have been quite small at this time because there were very few marriages conducted during the early 1740's (see below).

Bottom; 4 Apr 1743 James Northover married Mary Ridge. Both were residents of Swyre at the time

GGGGGGGF James Northover married GGGGGGGM Mary Ridge on 4 Apr 1743 and they had five children (See 72.0) for details of their married life).

71.2 John Northover (1725-?)

John was the second child born to John and Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill and he was baptised on 8 Apr 1725 in Swyre, but no more is known about his life.

Swyre bottom entry: John Northover baptised by father John (and his wife Elizabeth) Northover 8 Apr 1775

NOTE: The previous baptism entry was for Grace Northover daughter of James Northover baptised 13 Apr 1724 (possibly a cousin).  She was baptised on the same day as her birth; probably because they thought she would not survive. No more is known.

71.3 Elizabeth Northover (1728-?)

Swyre 1727. Elizabeth Northover baptised 9 Jan of what we would call 1728. Also Richard Northover bapt 30 Jul 1727

Elizabeth was born to John and Elizabeth Northover and baptised in Swyre on 9 Jan 1728. Five months earlier, a possible cousin, Richard Northover [son of James b1696 and Joan (Jane) Northover] was baptised.

27 Mar 1751 John Miller of Puncknowle married Elizabeth Northover of this parish at Swyre

At the age of 23 Elizabeth Northover married John Miller (who was from Puncknowle) at Swyre on the 27 May 1751. Four months earlier a possible cousin, Mary Northover b1723 [daughter of James b1696 and Joan (Jane) Northover] married John Symes.
Elizabeth Miller nee Northover had her first baby named Mary in 1752 (baptised at Puncknowle on 22 Oct 1852). Four more babies followed; Sarah Miller 1754, Martha Miller 1756, Jenny Miller 1758 and John Miller 1767. No more is known about her life.

71.4 Mary Northover (1732-1763)

Mary was baptised on 26 Oct 1732 at Swyre.

22 Nov 1756 Gregory Miller  married Mary Northover. Both were of the Swyre Parish.

At the age of 24 Mary married Gregory Miller (b1724 Swyre) on the 22 Nov 1756 at Swyre. A witness to the wedding was Joan Northover b1735, spinster [daughter of James b1696 and Joan (Jane) Northover], who was married in the same church three years later in 1759 to John Clark.

1757 Baptisms Swyre: Betty daughter of Gregory Miller & his wife Mary (nee Northover) was baptised on 23 Oct

Eleven months after their marriage, a daughter, Betty Northover was baptised at Swyre by parents Gregory and Mary Miller ( nee Northover). This was the only known child. On 19 Aug 1763 ‘Mary, wife of Gregory Miller’ was buried at Swyre. As her death was at a young age, it may have been as a result of childbirth. One year later on the 24 Aug 1764, Gregory Miller 40 was buried with his wife.

NOTE: There was another marriage involving a Mary Northover to John Symes on 16 Nov 1750 at Swyre. Whilst this is possible, it is more likely to have been a different Mary as our Mary would have only been 18 (The age of consent was 21).

71.5 Robert Northover (1738-1781)

Robert Northover was baptised at Swyre on 27 Oct 1738 by parents; John & Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill

Robert was baptised in Swyre on 27 Oct 1738 and most likely died at Long Bredy on 21 May 1781 at the relatively young age of 43. There is no record of a marriage.

72.0 GGGGGGGP James Northover (1719-1784) & Mary Ridge (1720-1779)

GGGGGGGF James Northover was the first born child of John and Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill. He was baptised on 1 Apr 1719 in Puncknowle.

Only 2 baptisms at Swyre in 1719. James Northover was baptised by his parents John & Elizabeth Northover on 1 Oct

On 4 Apr 1743 James married Mary Ridge (c1720 Swyre?) in Swyre and they had five children who were Mary Northover born 1743 (died as an infant), James 1745, GGGGGGF Richard Northover b1748, Robert 1753 and Elizabeth 1755. All children were born in Swyre which indicates that the family lived most of their lives in this coastal village.

1779 was a bad year for Northovers as Joan (25 Jul), John (5 Sep) and Mary Northover nee Ridge (17 Oct) all died

GGGGGGGM Mary Northover nee Ridge died in Swyre in 1779 aged about 59. In 1779 two other Northovers died; Joan Northover nee Tomkins b1698 died on 25 July and Mary's father-in-law John Northover b1695 died six weeks before her.

4th line: GGGGGGGF James Northover & son GGGGGGF Richard Northover  died just months apart in 1784 

James Northover died a few years later and was buried in Swyre on 25 July 1784 aged 65. Probate for James Northover’s will was granted to the younger of his two surviving sons, Robert Northover b1753 labourer on 17 Oct 1785, and the value of his estate was listed as £34. Interestingly Robert was the fourth child of James b1719. Two of his children had predeceased James; daughters Mary and Elizabeth Northover both died as infants. Son GGGGGGF Richard Northover b1748 died later in the same year as his father on 22 Sep 1784, at the age of 36, prior to probate being granted. Both men were buried in Swyre.

Descendants of James & Mary Northover nee Ridge

73.0 Five children of GGGGGGGP James Northover (1719-1784) & Mary Ridge (c1720-1779)

James and Mary Northover nee Ridge had five known children; two sons and three daughters. All were baptised at Swyre. The names of their children closely mach the names of other family members. Mary was named after her mother, Hames after his father, Richard after unknown, Robert after his uncle and Elizabeth after her aunt.

73.1 Mary Northover (1743-1744)

Mary Northover was baptised at Swyre 15 Jan 1743 to parents James & Mary Northover

Mary was born on 15 Jan 1743 to James and Mary Northover

Mary Northover was buried on 12 Feb 1744 at Swyre. Parents were James and Mary Northover

Sadly Mary died as a baby and was buried on the 12 Feb 1744 at Swyre at the age of one.

73.2 James Northover (1745-1802)

James Northover was baptised in Sep 1745 at Swyre by parents James & Mary Northover

James was baptised in Sep 1745 to James and Mary Northover nee Ridge in Swyre.

James Northover married Sarah Symes on 28 Nov 1768 at Swyre

At the age of 23, James married Sarah Symes, on 28 Nov 1768. Neither party signed their names. One of the witnesses was Samuel Gibbs. A relation of Samuel, named Mary Gibbs, would later marry James and Mary Northover's son; Henry Northover. Samuel Gibbs may have been a church warden, because he witnessed all weddings between 1765 and 1768. If this was so, it seems that he did not hold much religious sway over the family, because this marriage lead to several generations who were heavily involved in the world of smuggling on the Dorset coast. (See PART 9: The Northover Smuggling Gang).

James and Sarah had eight children who were Elizabeth Northover 1769-1780, Sarah Northover 1770-1775, Robert Northover 1772-1851 (see 92.0), Henry Northover 1774-1836 (See 94.0), Sara Northover 1776-1778, William Northover 1778-1780, Arthur Northover 1780-1851 (See 96.0) and Dinah Northover 1780-1820.

The father of James b1745, GGGGGGGP James Northover b1719, died on 25 July 1784 aged 65. Interestingly, probate for his father’s will was granted to the youngest of James' brothers; Robert Northover b1753 (see below). Perhaps the father did not approve of James’ children’s smuggling activities!

James Northover b1745 died on the 16 Sep 1802 at Swyre aged 57 and Sarah Northover nee Symes died on 21 Sep 1810 aged 70. Both were buried in the cemetery at Swyre. (Source: Dorset OPC)

73.3 GGGGGGF Richard Northover (1748-1784)

Richard was baptised in Swyre on 2 Oct 1748 and married Elizabeth Tidby there in 1770. GGGGGGF Richard Northover aged 36 died in 1784; the same year as his father. There were two known children. See 74.0 for more information about his life and family.

73.4 Robert Northover (1753-1836)

Robert was baptised on 25 Mar 1753 at Swyre.

Bottom Entry: 25 Mar 1753; Robert (son of James Northover & Mary his wife) was baptised

Robert Northover of this Parish (Bridport) married Mary Summers of Bridport on 26 Feb 1825.

In 1788 Robert married Mary Summers at Bridport and according to the parish record they had the following children; James born on 9 July 1788, Catherine born on 25 Nov 1792 (baptised together in Swyre on 25 Dec 1793) and John Northover born 25 Sep 1796 and baptised ten years later on 18 Jan 1807!

Robert & Mary Northover nee Summers  took their time with getting children baptised

Robert's father, GGGGGGGP James Northover b1719, died on 25 July 1784 aged 65. Probate for the father's will was granted to Robert Northover b1753, labourer, who was the youngest of his sons, on 17 Oct 1785. The value of his estate was listed as £34. Interestingly Robert was the fourth child of James b1719, and why his older brother James b1745 was overlooked is unknown. The fact that James was wealthy enough to leave a will suggests he became reasonable well off (perhaps as a result of smuggling!)
The will is quite hard to read but some passages seem to read as follows:-
"those present; Robert Northover of Swyre labourer and .... yeoman are held duty bound ..... in the sum of thirty-four pounds ....  seventeenth day of October in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King George 111 (1785). The above bound Robert Northover, the natural and lawful son and administrator of all the goods, chattels and credits of James Northover late of Swyre..... the last day of October 1786".

I cannot find any documents linking Robert to smuggling activities, however “according to John Wickens, Rector of Swyre between 1817 and 1820, ‘Robert’ was the leading man of the smugglers at the time”. This reference to Robert was probably about his nephew Robert b1772; son of brother James (See 92.0).

1819: Robert's first known prison term. In the record above, Sarah Taylor 25 serves 3 mths for having an illegitimate child!

Robert b1753 did serve his share of time in prison; though this was not until his later years. On 27 Mar 1819, Robert Northover 67, fisherman from Swyre and married with three children was sentenced to one month for ‘disorderly conduct towards his master’ (employer)! He was described as 5ft 7 with brown & grey hair, blue eyes and swarthy complexion. He had a large cut and two smaller cuts on his forehead.  He was released on 27 Apr 1819. 

Four years later on 24 May 1823 Robert Northover 70 was sentenced to one month in prison with hard labour. His crime this time was stealing ‘furze’ (furs?). He was released on 24 Jun 1823. In 1824 “Robert Northover and Mary his wife” were prosecuted for the crime of “assault” on one Elizabeth Parsons, found guilty and sentenced to one year’s jail each. They say ‘what goes around; comes around’ and two years later in Oct 1826 Robert himself was assaulted by Thomas Row and his wife, who were found guilty.

Robert Northover was buried in Swyre 31 Jan 1836, 25 days before his nephew Henry Northover was buried

Robert Northover died in 1836 and was buried on the 31 Jan 1836 at Swyre aged 83. Robert Northover’s sons James b1788 and John Northover b1796 also had ‘run-ins’ with the law (see below).

73.4a James Northover (1788-1870): Son of Robert Northover b1753 & Mary Summers (1755-1832)

Siblings James & Catherine Northover were baptised at Swyre on the same day 25 Dec 1793

James was born to Robert b1753 and Mary Northover on 9 Jul 1788 but not baptised until 25 Dec 1793 (along with his younger sister Catherine) at Swyre.

James Northover 29 unmarried seaman of Swyre was in court on 20 Dec 1817 for smuggling and was sentenced to remain in prison until he had paid the fine of £100. He was kept in prison for almost 12 months and released on the 7 Dec 1818 (presumably without paying the fine). He was 5ft 7, brown hair and grey eyes and two warts on his face.

James Northover married Mary Vincent on 11 Sep 1821 at Swyre

On 11 Sep 1821 James 33 married Mary Vincent at Swyre. Over the next fifteen years they had five children; all of whom were daughters. The children were Susan Northover 1822, Eliza Northover 1823, Mary Northover 1826, Susan Northover 1833 and Emma Northover 1837. In 1841 the family was living in Swyre and consisted of James Northover 50, Mary Northover 50, Eliza Northover 15, Mary Northover 14 and Susan Northover 7.

1851 Census: James Northover, with wife Mary and daughter Susan Northover

By 1851 James Northover 62 fisherman and Mary Northover nee Vincent 60 were still in Swyre and living alone except for youngest daughter Susan Northover 17 scholar. Mary Northover nee Vincent died five years later and was buried in Swyre on the 19 Feb 1856.

1861 Swyre: James Northover b1788 living with married daughter Mary Bishop & her family  (previous page of census)

In 1861, widower James Northover 72, former fisherman was living in Swyre with his married daughter Mary Bishop nee Northover 33 and her family.

James died in 1870 aged 82 and was buried in Swyre on the 10 Apr 1870.

73.4b Catherine Northover (1792-1875): Daughter of Robert Northover b1753 & Mary Summers (1755-1832)

Catherine was the second child born to Robert and Mary Northover on 25 Nov 1792 but not baptised until 25 Dec 1793 (at the same time as her older brother; see above) at Swyre.

Catherine Northover married William Powell 1 Dec 1822

Catherine married William Powell, a thatcher on the 1 Dec 1822 at Swyre and over the next thirteen years had five babies. The children were Henry Powell 1823, Robert Powell 1827, Mary Powell 1830, Joseph Powell 1833 (named after her uncle) and Catherine Powell 1836. Sadly the youngest child, Catherine died as an infant.

In 1841 the family living in their Swyre home consisted of William Powell ‘40’ thatcher, Catherine Powell ‘40’ and children Robert 14, Mary 12 and Joseph 8. By 1851 the children had moved out of home, leaving William and Catherine Powell living in Main St Swyre alone. In 1861 William 63 and Catherine Powell 68 were living in Coomb House with unmarried daughter Mary, dressmaker and daughter-in-law Jane Powell 23. William was still working as a thatcher.

1871: Catherine Powell nee Northover living with daughter Mary & her family in Swyre.

William Powell died two years later in 1863 and by 1871 Catherine Powell 78, widow, was head of the household living in Parsonage House with daughter Mary E Northover nee Powell 40, son-in-law William Northover 44 army pensioner, Blanche Northover 3, Mironie Northover 1 and grandson Henry Powell 14. They were living next to Henry Northover b1847, the grandson of Catherine's cousin Robert Northover b1772 and his family.

Catherine Powell's daughter Mary Elizabeth Powell married her cousin William Northover in Swyre, 1867.

NOTE: Catherine Powell nee Northover's daughter Mary Elizabeth Powell b1830 married cousin William Northover b1827 (son of Catherine's brother John Northover b1796). George & Elizabeth Northover were witnesses.

Catherine Powell nee Northover was buried in Swyre on 19 Nov 1875 aged 82.

73.4c John Northover (1796-1852): Son of Robert Northover b1753 & Mary Summers

John Northover was born to parents Robert & Mary Northover on 25 Sep 1796, but not baptised until 18 Jan 1807!

John was the third child born to Robert and Mary Northover nee Summers in Swyre on the 25 Sep 1796, but like his older siblings was not baptised until very much later on 18 Jan 1807 when he was ten years old. In 1817 John aged 21 was imprisoned for smuggling until a fine of £25 was paid. He was released after 5 months when he had paid £15.

John Northover married Martha Hain (Hayne) at Portesham on 18 Dec 1822

John married Martha Hain (or Hayne) at Portesham (5 miles from Swyre) on 18 Dec 1822, and the marriage registration stated that they were both residents of that parish at that time. William Tomkins was a witness at the wedding.

John Northover charged with "making a light on the sea coast to assist smugglers" in 1831

John 35, a married fisherman with five children (his first five sons), faced court again on 29 Jan 1831. The charge was that of “making a light on the seacoast to assist smugglers". He was 5ft 9, brown hair, blue eyes and fair skin and had many marks and cuts on his face and hands. He was bailed and released on the 5 July 1831.

1841 Swyre: John & Martha Northover nee Hain with nine children.

By 1841 John and Martha Northover were living in Swyre with nine children (five under ten years of age). Son James 11 was living elsewhere at this time.

Mary Northover was born 3 Mar 1841 but not baptised until 7 Jun 1846 at Swyre

The 1841 census includes daughter Mary Northover at 3 months, but she was not baptised until five years later, on 7 Jun 1846. In 1849 eldest son John Northover b1823 married Mary Samways at Swyre.

1851 Census. Living at Main St, Swyre were John & Martha Northover & seven children

By 1851 the three older boys (John Northover b1823, Edmund Northover 1824 and William Northover 1826) had left home. Living in Main St, Swyre were John Northover 55 ag lab and Martha Northover 49 netter of twine and their seven youngest children; James Northover 23, Henry Northover 21, Susan Northover 19, Harriet Northover 17, Sabina Northover 15 , Catherine Northover 13 and Mary Northover 10.

According to the parish baptismal record John’s occupation was usually ‘fisherman’. John Northover died the year after the 1851 census and was buried in Swyre on 4 April 1852 aged 55.

The Ten Children of John and Martha Northover nee Hains.

• Edmund Northover cordwainer married Elizabeth Pitman in 1847 at Abbotsbury. One of the witnesses was Mary Samways the future wife of brother John (see below). Edmund's father was listed as a fisherman
• John Northover 26 married Mary Samways in 1849 at Swyre. John's father John b1796 was listed as a fisherman. See below.
• Susan Northover married George Symes in Swyre in 1855. Brother Henry was a witness.
• Harriet Northover 22 married James Tompkins 27 year old seaman at Swyre in 1857. Sister Catherine Northover was a witness.
• James Northover sailor married Mary Ann Tidby in 1857 at Portesham. Mary Ann's father William was a mason which may explain why other members of the Northover family entered this trade. Mary Ann may have been related to James' great aunt GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby b1750.
• Henry Northover became a mason and married Elizabeth Samways in 1859. Siblings Elizabeth and Mary Northover were witness at the wedding.
• Mary Northover 26 possibly married Joseph Barnes 28 carpenter in London in 1866. Sister Catherine was a witness. Although Mary's father was usually described as a fisherman and later a labourer in this marriage registration Mary's father was described as a mason. Perhaps his 'labouring' in later years involved work as a mason
• William Northover married Elizabeth Powell in 1867. The witnesses were William's brother and sister-in-law; Henry and Elizabeth Northover nee Samways.
• Sabina Northover married Robert Stevens fisherman at Swyre in 1871.
• Catherine Northover 1838-? was the only child who does not seem to have married.

NOTE: None of the marriages above list father John Northover b1796 as deceased!

73.4d John Northover (1823-1899): Son of John Northover b1796 & Martha Hain

John b1823 was the eldest son of John Northover b1796 (See 73.4c above) and he continued the family tradition of appearing before the courts.

John Northover 15 appeared in court on smuggling charges in 1838

In 1838 ‘John Northover the younger’, a 15 year old labourer was first bailed and then acquitted when he was found not guilty of the charge of "making a fire as a signal to smugglers". According to the 1841 census, John 18 was living with his parents and eight brothers and sisters in Swyre.

John Northover b1823 married Mary Samways 23 Jul 1849

In 1849, aged 26 John married Mary Samways at Swyre and listed his occupation as sailor. His father John Northover was listed as a fisherman. Both parties signed their names. Soon after the marriage, the couple started having their nine children, who were all born in Ireland. A later census indicates John was a naval pensioner, so presumably they were living in Ireland on a military posting (which was not uncommon).

At the 1881 census John was listed as a 57 year old married naval pensioner, but was living in Wales in naval barracks. In 1891 John, navy pensioner was back with wife Mary and they were living in Wales where they remained for the rest of their days. John Northover b1823 died in Wales in 1899 aged 76.

73.5 Elizabeth Northover (1755-1758)

Elizabeth was the fifth and final child born to James and Mary Northover nee Ridge. She was baptised at Swyre on 16 Feb 1755.

Baby Elizabeth Northover (daughter of James & Mary Northover) was buried on 5 Jan 1758 at Swyre

Elizabeth died as an infant and was buried at Swyre on the 5 Jan 1758 aged 3. A few weeks later her grandmother Elizabeth Northover nee Thornhill (wife of John Northover) was buried. Three years later, another relative, James Northover b1696 (husband of Joan Northover) was also buried.

74.0 GGGGGGP Richard Northover (1748-1784) & Elizabeth Tidby (1750-1832)

GGGGGGF Richard Northover was baptised in the fishing village of Swyre on 2 Oct 1748.

Richard Northover (mispelled as Nother) was baptised by his parents; James & Mary Northover on 2 Jul 1848 at Swyre

At some stage Richard must have moved to Litton Cheney as he was "of this parish" at the time of his marriage. Here he met Elizabeth Tidby who had grown up in this coastal hamlet about two miles from Swyre.

On the 16 Apr 1770 Richard aged 22 married GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby 20 at Litton Cheney

Richard Northover b1748 married Elizabeth Tidby on 16 Apr 1770 at Litton Cheney

Richard b1748 and Elizabeth Northover nee Tidby had two known sons; Joseph Northover born in 1774 and Richard Northover born in 1777. As both boys were born in Swyre we can assume that the family lived in that area for most of their lives.
Not much else is known, apart from the fact that Richard b1748 died quite young on 22 Sep 1784 aged 36 in Swyre, which was the same year his father (James Northover b1719) died. Richard's wife Elizabeth Northover nee Tidby died at the ripe old age of 85 and was buried in Swyre on 30 Nov 1832. Only two children are known to have been born, which could be explained by Richard’s early death and perhaps ill health in his latter years. Both children were born in Swyre.

Elizabeth Tidby was born to GGGGGGGP John and Ann Tidby and baptised in Litton Cheney (two miles from Swyre) on 2 Apr 1750. See below for details of her ancestors.

NOTE: The records show another possible wife for GGGGGGP Richard Northover (1748-1784) to be Elizabeth Tibby b1738 at Puncknowle. As Puncknowle is slightly closer to Swyre this is a possibility, but her age is not the best match for several life events. She would have been ten years older than her husband and at least 32 on marriage (younger marriages were much more common), she would have been 39 when she gave birth to GGGG Richard Northover b1777 and at her death she would have been 95. Other documents indicate Richard’s wife died in 1832 aged 85, which is a better fit for the Litton Cheney wife.

74.1 Ancestors of GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby (1750-1832)  (NEW 2019)

The descendants of  GGGGGGGGP John Tidby and Margaret Bartlet 

74.2 GGGGGGGGP John Tidby (c1680-1744) & Margaret Bartlet (c1680-1748)

The earliest known ancestors of GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby were GGGGGGGGP John Tidby and Margaret Bartlet who were married on 31 May 1708 at Litton Cheney.

Top left: Marriages in the Parish of  Litton. Bottom right: John Tidby married Margaret Bartlet 31 May 1708

There do not seem to be any Tidbys in Litton Cheney prior to 1708 so John Tidby (c1780) must have moved here from elsewhere. However the Bartletts had lived in Litton Cheney since at least the early 1600's. In 1620 John Bartlet was buried on 7 Aug and Mary Bartlet, daughter of Andrew Bartlet was buried in Jan of that year. Many other Bartlets were listed during the 1600's.

GGGGGGGGM Margaret Bartlet was probably born in Litton Cheney around 1680 but no record of her baptism has been found. Some of the people below, born around this time, may have been her siblings.

• 1673 Thomas son of John and Elizabeth Bartlet
• 1673 Robert son of Henry and Mary Bartlet
• 1676 Joseph son of John and Elizabeth Bartlet
• 1680 Elizabeth, daughter of Hippolyte and Joana Bartlet
• 1683 Elizabeth daughter of John and Julia Bartlet
• 1688 John son of Henry and Elizabeth Bartlet
• 1689 Henry son of Henry and Elizabeth Bartlet
• 1696 Edith daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Bartlet

GGGGGGGGP John and Margaret Tidby nee Bartlet seemed to have spent all of their lives in the Litton Cheney area. They had at least four children born there, including Martha Tidby (bapt 2 Feb 1713), GGGGGGGF John Tidby (bapt 3 Apr 1716), William Tidby (bapt 2 Jul 1718)  and Joseph Tidby (bapt 1 Nov 1721).

GGGGGGGF John Tidby was baptised in Litton Cheney on 3 Apr 1716

They probably had one or two other children born between their marriage in 1708 and 1712 but there is a gap in the parish baptismal record at this time.

Bottom: John Tidby senior was buried on 30 May 1744 at Litton Cheney

GGGGGGGGP John Tidby died on 30 May 1744. He was probably in his sixties.

Top: Margaret Tidby widow, was buried almost four years after her husband on 9 Jan 1748 at Litton Cheney

GGGGGGGGM Margaret Tidby nee Bartlet, widow, was buried  four years after her husband,on 9 Jan 1748 at Litton Cheney

The last entry in the extract above, records that an infant boy named Joseph Tidby was buried on 9 Dec 1749. This may have been a grandson, born to youngest son Joseph Tidby, who was married in 1749.

John and Margaret Tidby's youngest son (Joseph Tidby, born in 1721) married Mary Talbot in 1749 in Litton Cheney and they had eight ( or possibly nine) children. See Tidby Family Tree above.

74.3 GGGGGGGP John Tidby (1716-?) & Ann Moores (1721-?)

The eldest known son of GGGGGGGGP John and Margaret Tidby nee Bartlet was GGGGGGGF John Tidby b1716. John must have moved two miles to Long Bredy in his younger days and lived there for some time, because he was described on his marriage registration as "from Long Bredy". He probably had known his wife to be; Ann Moore, most if not all, of his life. 

Ann daughter of Joseph More was baptised on 14 Apr 1721 at Abbotsbury

Ann was probably baptised 14 Apr 1821 at Abbotsbury, about 6 miles from Litton Cheney. Her father was Joseph Moore (More). They later named their first son after Ann's father.

GGGGGGGP John Tidby and Ann Moores were married at Litton Cheney 3 Sep 1742

GGGGGGGF John Tidby b1716 married GGGGGGGM Ann Moores c1720 at Litton Cheney 3 Sep 1742. They had five known children; Rebecca Tidby 1743, GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby 1749-1832, Joseph Tidby 1752-1756 and Caleb Tidby 1754-1756. Sadly their two youngest sons; Joseph and Caleb died as an infants seven months apart in 1756. The burial dates for GGGGGGGP John and Ann Tidby nee Moores are unknown.

74.4 GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby  (1750-1832)

Top: GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby was baptised on 2 Apr 1750 at Litton Cheney

GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby was baptised in Litton Chenney in 1750 by her parents GGGGGGGP  John and Ann Tidby nee Moores. Her cousin Margaret (bottom entry) was baptised two months later by parents Joseph (b1721) and Mary Tidby nee Talbot. GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby had three siblings; Rebecca Tidby (1843-?), Joseph Tidby (1852-1756) and Caleb Tidby (1855-1856). Sadly her two youngest male siblings, Joseph and  Caleb, died as an infants seven months apart in 1756.

At some stage early in his life GGGGGGF Richard Northover b1848 must have moved to Litton Cheney from nearby Swyre and met GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby. On the 16 Apr 1770, Richard, aged 22, married GGGGGGM Elizabeth Tidby 21 at Litton Cheney. See 74.0 for more details about their lives.

75.0 Two Children of GGGGGGP Richard Northover (1748-1784) & Elizabeth Tidby (1750-1832)

GGGGGGG Richard Northover was baptised in Swyre 14 Sep 1777. His brother Joseph was baptised 8 Sep 1774

It was unusual for a Northover family to have only two children. Richard and Elizabeth’s small family may have been the result of Richard dying at a relatively young age and he may have been ill during his short life. Richard married at the age of 22 and died when he was 36. The fact that he was not made an executor of his father’s will (his father died earlier in the same year and nominated Richard’s younger brother as executor) may indicate that Richard was ill in his later life.

75.1 Joseph Northover (1774-?)

Joseph was baptised 12 Sep 1774 in Swyre. (See above) Joseph may have been named after his mother's brother or another one of several Joseph Tidbys that were in her family. As there is no other information available, he possibly died as a child. A Joseph Northover was buried on the 23 Apr 1797 in nearby Netherby (about 10 miles away). His given age at death is not available online. However, if this was our Joseph, he died when he was 23; old enough to have been living independently in a different location.

75.2 GGGGGF Richard Northover (1777-1858)

Richard was the second known child born to GGGGGGP Richard Northover b1748 and Elizabeth Tidby in Swyre in 1777. He married GGGGGM Mary Hardy in 1804. GGGGGF Richard and Mary went on to have nine children. (See 76.0)

76.0 GGGGGP Richard Northover (1777-1858) & Mary Hardy (1779-1850)

GGGGGF Richard Northover b1777 was born to GGGGGGP Richard Northover (b1748) and Elizabeth Tidby on 14 Sep 1777 in the village of Swyre in Dorset. This isolated coastal area was well known as one of the hot spots for smugglers and Richard’s extended family were certainly involved to varying degrees.

Richard’s father GGGGGGF Richard Northover b1748 died on 22 Sep 1784 aged 36 when his son was only seven. Life must have been very hard for his widowed mother, and Richard would have been expected to support the family from quite a young age.

GGGGGF Richard Northover b1777 married GGGGGM Mary Ann Hardy at Puncknowle  on 11 Feb 1804

On 11 Feb 1804 GGGGGF Richard Northover 27 married local girl GGGGGM Mary Ann Hardy 25 in her home town of Puncknowle (1 mile from Swyre). They were probably in a relationship well before they were married, as Mary gave birth to a baby girl named Ann Hardy a few months before the marriage at the end of 1803. Baby Ann Hardy was baptised at Puncknowle on the 29 Jan 1804 two weeks before the marriage. Two facts suggest that Richard was indeed her father. First was the proximity of the marriage to the baptism and secondly the fact that baby Ann, later named her father as ‘Richard Northover’ at her own wedding. (However, she went by the surname ‘Hardy’ which was her baptised name.)

GGGGGP Richard Northover (1777-1858) & Mary Hardy’s family of eight more children arrived in quick succession starting with son Richard, born in Puncknowle in 1805. After they moved back to Swyre, GGGGF Henry was born in December 1806 (but baptised in 1810!), Jemima 1809, Mary 1811, Thomas 1813, Jane 1815 (she passed away as an infant), John 1820 and Rebecca 1822.

Dorchester Gaol Record. Richard Northover 54, married with 8 children guilty of smuggling 14 Jan 1830

Life must have been very hard with Richard having to provide for his wife and eight children. In winter  1829/30 Richard was caught whilst engaged in smuggling activities. On 14 Jan 1830, GGGGGF Richard Northover (b1777) was found guilty of smuggling and sent to prison for nine months or pay a penalty of £100 (approx. A$10,000 today). His prison record stated that he was a labourer and married with eight children (one had died as an infant). He was released nine months later on 25 Sep 1830, as he obviously could not afford such a large fine. His wife GGGGGM Mary Northover nee Hardy, would have found this period extremely difficult, especially with two children under the age of ten. Apart from being separated from her partner, she had temporarily lost the family’s breadwinner. After this time Richard seemed to lead a law abiding life (or at least managed to not get caught!).

1841 Census Swyre: Richard & Mary Northover and Ann, GGGGF Henry, and John. Rebecca was on the next page

The 1841 census (ages rounded down) listed the family in Swyre as GGGGGP Richard Northover 60 (b1777) labourer and Mary Northover nee Hardy 60 and children GGGGP Henry Northover 30 (really 35), Ann Northover 35 (either daughterinlaw Ann Northover nee Symes, see 79.1 or daughter Ann Northover nee Hardy, see 77.1), John Northover 20 (b1821), Rebecca Northover 15 (b1826) and Henry Gape 7, grandson (son of daughter Mary Gape nee Northover see 77.5).

According to Parish Records, GGGGGM Mary Ann Northover nee Hardy died and was buried on 13 Jan 1850 in Swyre at the age of 73. That age would put her date of birth as 1777, but as she was baptised at Puncknowle in 1779, either this was an error, or she was two years old when baptised (which was not unknown).

1851 Census: Richard Northover b1777 widowed fisherman lodging with his son's mother-in-law in Swyre

In 1851 at the age of 73, GGGGGF Richard’s occupation was given as fisherman (fishermen were renowned for doing a bit of smuggling in their spare time) and he was living in Mary Hine’s house in Swyre as a widowed lodger. Mary Hine 70 nee Northover was the widowed mother-in-law of Richard’s son Richard Northover b1805 (see 77.2). Also in the house were visitor Elizabeth Northover 9 (b1842 at Winterbourne -see 77.2d), and another lodger, William Symes, who was unmarried. Taking in lodgers was a common way for people to supplement their meagre income.

GGGGGF Richard Northover was buried in Swyre on 27 Nov 1858 aged 81

Seven years later on 27 Nov 1858 GGGGGF Richard (b1777) died in Swyre aged 81.

77.0 Nine Children of GGGGGP Richard Northover (1777-1858) & Mary Hardy (1779-1850)

Of Richard and Mary’s nine children only two daughter’s predeceased them; Jane Northover b died as a child and Mary Gape nee Northover died a few months earlier in the same year as her father.

Diagram showing descendants of Richard & Mary Northover nee Hardy

77.1 Ann Hardy (1803-1874): Daughter of Richard Northover b1777

Ann Hardy was baptised by unmarried mother Mary Hardy in Puncknowle 29 Jan 1804. (She was possibly born in 1803)

Ann Hardy was probably born at the end of 1803 and according to the Puncknowle Parish Record was baptised on 29 Jan 1804 to single mother Mary Hardy. Ann's mother Mary Hardy married GGGGGF Richard Northover (see above) two weeks after the baptism and Ann later confirmed her surname was Hardy and that her father was Richard Northover when she wrote those details on her marriage registration.

In 1841 census (with ages rounded down to the nearest 5) sets up a mystery. (see above) ‘Ann Northover aged 35’ was listed as living at Swyre with parents GGGGGP Richard Northover & Mary Northover nee Hardy, but as Ann was baptised ‘Ann Hardy’, this Ann could have been brother GGGGF Henry’s wife, GGGGM Ann Northover nee Symes (born 1801 and married in 1826 (See 79.1). The respective ages of the two women at the time were; Ann Hardy 37 and Ann Northover nee Symes 40 which does suggest that it was indeed Ann Hardy (who may have used her family’s surname in everyday life), who was residing in her parent’s house at that time.

Ann Hardy married her cousin William Gibbs Northover on 2 Jan 1845 at Swyre

On 2 Jan 1845 at Swyre, Ann Hardy married cousin William Gibbs Northover b1805, a fisherman (son of her uncle Henry Northover b1774 see 95.1). Ann Hardy, spinster, listed her father as Richard Northover, fisherman. Neither William nor Ann were literate (they used an ‘x’ to sign their names) and both were in their forties. Their age could be one reason for the fact that they had no children. Witnesses to the wedding were brother-in-law Henry Northover b1815 and sister Jemima Northover (who had been married in 1836; see 77.4) A note at the bottom of the page says "The first wedding celebrated in the new church of Swyre".

1841 census: William & Ann Northover nee Hardy

In 1851 William Northover 45 fisherman and Ann Northover nee Hardy 42 were living in Main St Swyre. They were probably in the same house in 1861 but this time it is described as being near Clay Hanger Dairy. William Northover 56 fisherman, and Ann Northover 57 had an unmarried lodger Henry Northover 54 living with them. (See 79.3). They were living next to Ann’s brother Thomas Northover 47 b1814 and his wife Mary Northover nee Samways 34 b1827 and two of their daughters. (See 77.6)

1871 Census: Bottom; William 66 & Ann Northover 67 living next to Ann's brother Thomas Northover  & his family

In 1871 William Northover 66 fisherman and Ann Northover 67 were living at 29 Main Rd., Swyre. They were living next to Ann;s younger brother Thomas Northover 62 (really 59), his wife Mary Northover nee Samways b1829 and their family. All the Northovers were born in Swyre.

Ann Northover nee Hardy was buried in Swyre on 10 June 1874 aged 69

William died the following year on 7 Apr 1872 aged 67 and Ann Northover nee Hardy died on 10 Jun 1874 with a recorded age of 69. Both were buried in Swyre.
NOTE: William was also known as "Cribber Northover" according to "A Description of the inhabitants of Swyre for Lord Bedford"  located at the  Dorset History Centre

77.2 Richard Northover (1805-1875)

GGGGGP Richard and Mary Northover nee Hardy’s first son, also named Richard, was baptised in Puncknowle on 8 December, 1805.

8 Dec 1805 Richard Northover, baprised by parents GGGGGP Richard and Mary Northover nee Hardy at Puncknowle

Being the first born son, Richard was named after his father and grandfather. Soon after the birth, the parents moved one mile to Swyre where the family lived from then on and more children were born.

Also living in Swyre at the time was Elizabeth Northover (probably a cousin), born on 12 Oct 1802 and baptised in Swyre on 13 Mar 1803 (see 77.2a). Elizabeth bore two children out of wedlock.

Elizabeth's first daughter Jemima, was born out of wedlock on 26 Mar 1826. No father was listed at her baptism 

In 1826 Elizabeth had a daughter, whom she named Jemima (fathered by a visiting mariner-see below!). The baby was possibly named after Richard’s b1805 younger sister, as Jemima was not a very common name. In 1831 Elizabeth had a second child out of wedlock, who she named Richard, and of course he may have been named after Richard Northover b1805, as he was possibly the father. Interestingly, Elizabeth b1802, was herself the daughter of an unmarried mother, Mary Northover (later Hine) born around 1780 in Swyre (See 77.2a & 77.2b). By coincidence in the same week in March 1826 that Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Jemima, her mother Mary Northover, a spinster, married widower John Hine. So Mary Hine nee Northover became Richard’s b1805 mother-in-law.

Richard Northover b1805 married Elizabeth Northover b1802 on 31 Aug 1833 at Swyre

The young Richard b1805 fell in love with single mother and cousin Elizabeth Northover b1802 and they were married in Swyre on 31 August 1833 with Richard’s sister Mary Northover b1813 (see 77.5) and John Moore as witnesses. Neither Richard nor Elizabeth were able to sign their names. On their marriage, Richard became father to Elizabeth’s first two children, Jemima (b1826 Swyre) and Richard (b1831). The choice of the name Richard, by Elizabeth for her newborn son is a clue that Richard was indeed the father of her second child. A few months after their marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to her third child, Robert Hardy Northover (Hardy was Richard’s mother’s maiden name -see 78.0). Over the next few years two more children followed; Elizabeth b1835 and Joseph Henry Northover b1838 (possibly named after Richard's uncle).

1841 census at Swyre: Richard b1805 & Elizabeth Northover& their four children under ten

The 1841 census records that the family was still living in Swyre and included Richard Northover 35 b1805, Elizabeth Northover 35 b1803, Richard Northover 9 b1831, Robert Hardy Northover 7 b1834, Elizabeth Northover 5 b27 Dec 1835 and Joseph Henry Northover 2 b11 Nov 1838. Oldest daughter Jemima by this time was 15, and living in Shipton Gorge as a servant with the Hansford family. She briefly moved back in with her parents Richard Northover b1805 and Elizabeth Northover in 1851, but the following year she married Zebedee Darby at Puncknowle. Although her husband had an exotic sounding name, a search of records shows that at the time it was not that unusual. The other interesting thing we learn from Jemima’s marriage, is the true identity of her natural father. She listed her father as Joseph Fuzzard, mariner. (Perhaps he had a girl in every port.) Swyre was a coastal town and her mother must have had a brief liaison with him when she was 23, prior to her marriage. In 1842 Elizabeth Northover gave birth to her final daughter, Sarah Ann Northover, and in 1846 gave birth to her final son Shadrack who died later that year.

Richard Northover had a minor brush with the law in 1849 for "a breach of the peace"

In 1849 we learn a little of Richard’s b1805 character. On 21 Feb 1849 Richard Northover b1805 from Swyre aged 44, married with five children (Richard did not count Jemima who was living elsewhere at the time), was arrested for breach of the peace. He was kept in the cells overnight in Dorset County Jail and released the next day. After that he seemed to keep out of trouble with the law.

1851 Census: Richard b1805 & Elizabeth Northover living in Swyre with their six children

In 1851 Richard Northover 46 ag lab and Elizabeth Northover 49 were living in Main St, Swyre with six of their children Jemima Northover 25, Richard Northover 18, Robert Northover 16, Elizabeth Northover 14, Henry Northover 11 (Henry stopped using the name Joseph) and Sarah Ann Northover 9. Ten years later in 1861 their family had reduced considerably to include Richard Northover 58, Elizabeth Northover 59 and two of their adult children Henry Northover 23 and Sarah A Northover 19.

1871 Census: Richard Northover b1805 widower living with his grand-daughter & two grandsons in Swyre

Richard and Elizabeth lived out their days in Swyre. Elizabeth died on 19 Jan 1871 aged 69. The widowed Richard Northover 63 was living at no. 17 Main Rd, Swyre in 1871 and caring for Amelia Northover 8 (child of unmarried daughter Sarah Ann Northover), grandsons Frederick Bishop 9 and  Jessie Bishop 11 (children of daughter Elizabeth Bishop nee Northover b1837). He had also taken in an unmarried boarder named Henry Samways 22 (possibly a brotherinlaw). Richard Northover passed way in 1875 and was buried in Swyre on 4 Apr aged 70.

77.2a Elizabeth Northover (1802-1871): Wife of Richard Northover b1805

"Elizabeth baby daughter of Mary Northover" (unmarried) born 12 Oct 1802 and baptised 13 mar 1803 at Swyre

Elizabeth was born on 12 Oct 1802 and baptised on 13 Mar 1803 in Swyre by the unmarried Mary Northover. According to the death registration and various censuses, her mother (Mary Northover later Hine-see 77.2b) would have been born in the Swyre area around 1780.

On 20 Mar 1826 unmarried Elizabeth gave birth to Jemima Northover. The Swyre Parish baptismal record listed no father, but later documents named Joseph Fuzzard, as the father. In 1831 a son was born to unmarried Elizabeth and as she later married Richard Northover b1805 he was possibly the father.

On 31 Aug 1833 Elizabeth married Richard Northover b1805 at Swyre. A witness was Mary Northover (probably Richard’s sister; see 77.5). See 77.2 for Elizabeth’s life with Richard Northover b1805. Elizabeth Northover nee Northover died in Swyre prior to the 1871 census on 19 Jan 1871 aged 69.

77.2b Mary Northover later Hine (1782-1863): Mother of Elizabeth Northover b1802

Mary, daughter of Edward Northover & Elizabeth his wife was baptised 14 April 1782 at Long Bredy

Mary Northover was probably born in Long Bredy in 1782. This date is supported by Mary's death registration and from the censuses in 1841, 1851 and 1861. However this birth location is contradicted by the above censuses which record it as Swyre. At some stage Mary moved 4 miles to Swyre. On 12 Oct 1802, an unmarried Mary Northover gave birth to baby daughter Elizabeth Northover (see 77.2a above). The baby was baptised on 13 Mar 1803 at Swyre.

Mary Northover b1782 spinster married John Hine widower on 9 Mar 1826 at Swyre

At the age of 44 on 9 Mar 1826, Mary, a spinster, married widower John Hine at Swyre. Witnesses were Thomas Manuel and Richard Clark.

At some time in the 1830’s John Hine died, leaving Mary Hine nee Northover a widow. On 31 Aug 1833, Mary’s only daughter Elizabeth Northover b1802 married Richard Northover b1805. A witness at the wedding was Mary Northover (probably Richard’s sister b1813).

1941 Census: Mary Hine nee Northover 55 living in Swyre close to her son-in-law's father; Richard Northover b1777

In 1841, Mary Hine 55 (really 59,  age rounded down), widow, was living alone, but very close to son-in-law Richard Northover b1805, her daughter Elizabeth Northover and their family. (See 77.2) She was on the next page of the census, living abot five doors away from her daughter.

In 1851 Mary Hine 70 widow was listed as the head of her household in Swyre.  Others living with her were Elizabeth Northover 9 (b1842 Winterbourne-7m from Swyre-see 77.2c below), GGGGGF Richard Northover 73 fisherman widower (lodger and father-in-law of her daughter) and William Symes unmarried lodger 50.

1861 census: Mary Hine 81 year old widow, "formerley a braider of (fishing) nets" was boarding with the Coombs family

Mary Hine 81 was boarding with the Coombs family in Swyre in 1861. She was living with Robert Coombs 29, Sarah Ann Coombs nee Churchill 27, Mary Coombs 3, and unmarried visitor Elizabeth Northover 54 (b1807 Swyre and listed on the next page; see 77.2c).

Bottom: Mary Hine died on 14 Jan 1863 at Swyre with a recorded age of 83

Mary Hine nee Northover died in 1863 and was buried in Swyre aged 83.

77.2c Elizabeth Northover (1807-1882): Possible cousin of Mary Northover (later Hine)

Records relating to Elizabeth Northover (1807-1882) can easily be confused with records relating to Elizabeth Northover (1802-1871), the wife of Richard Northover b1805 (see 77.2a).

Elizabeth’s early life and ancestry are unknown (birth between 1805 & 1810 at Swyre according to census and death documents). If her mother died whilst she was young, she may never have known her true age. In 1841 Elizabeth was working as a 35 year old servant in Winterbourne Abbas (7 miles from Swyre) and probably gave birth to a daughter at Swyre in 1842, who she named Elizabeth Northover. (see 77.2d). Elizabeth Northover’s b1807 life had similarities to the other Elizabeth Northover listed in 77.2a (both born illegitimate in the early 1800’s and both had an illegitimate child themselves).

Elizabeth (b1807 Swyre) aged 54 never married and was visiting Mary Hine in Swyre in 1861 (See above). In the 1851 and 1871 censuses (listed as aged 43 then 61!) she was working as a cook for farmer John Symes in Swyre (in 1851 she was incorrectly listed as a widow). As she was working for the same family in 1851 and 1871, it is likely to have been continuous employment except for the visit to Mary Hine in 1861.

1881 census: Elizabeth Northover 78? year old widow was living with daughter Elizabeth Cheney nee Northover & family

In 1881 Elizabeth moved in with daughter Elizabeth Cheney nee Northover b1842, at Kingsweston, Henbury, Gloucestershire (68 miles from Swyre)- see 77.2d. Elizabeth Northover died in Barton Regis, Gloucestershire in the following year with her age recorded as being 77.

77.2d Elizabeth Northover (1842 -?): Daughter of Elizabeth Northover b1807

Although there is no baptismal record, later census records tell us that Elizabeth was born in 1842 in Winterbourne Abbas (7 miles from Swyre) to an unmarried Elizabeth Northover b1807 -see 77.2c.

In 1851 Elizabeth Northover aged 9 was visiting the home of Mary Hine 70 widow in Swyre. At that time Mary Hine had two lodgers who were the widowed GGGGGF Richard Northover 73 fisherman and the unmarried William Symes 50. Elizabeth was not described as a granddaughter to Mary.

By 1861 Elizabeth 19 was working as a servant on Swyre Farm with John Symes 50 farmer, Ann E Symes 33, Jessie M Symes 3, Horace L Symes 1 and Lucy Baker 16 another servant. This was the same farm where her mother worked as a cook (see 77.2c) from 1851-1871.

Elizabeth Northover married Edmund Cheney in Swyre 12 May 1870

On 12 May 1870 Elizabeth Northover 28 year old spinster married Edmund Cheney (or Chainey) at Swyre. Edmund had been born in 1840 at Puncknowle. Edmund was a gamekeeper at Milbourne Port and his father was farmer James Cheney. Elizabeth signed her name and was living in Swyre at the time. No father was listed for her, which confirms she was the illegitimate child of single mother Elizabeth Northover c1807. Witnesses were Elizabeth and Alfred Cheney.

The following year in 1871 Elizabeth Chainey 29 nee Northover (b1842 Winterbourne) and Edmund Chainey 30 were still living in Milbourne Port. Within the next decade the couple had moved to Gloucestershire and started a family. In 1881 the household consisted of Edmund Chainey 40, Elizabeth Chainey nee Northover 39, Rosa L. Chainey 9, Fanny E. Chainey 7, Hilda M. Chainey 5, Oscar J. Chainey 3, Mina G. Chainey 1 and Elizabeth’s mother Elizabeth Northover 78 b1807 (who was incorrectly listed as a widow; perhaps to avoid the ‘scandal’ of being an unmarried mother). Elizabeth's mother died the following year.

By 1891 the couple had moved to Edington, Wiltshire and the family consisted of Edmund Chainey 47 (really 50), Elizabeth Chainey 49, Mina Olivia Chainey 12, Maud E Chainey 9 and Evelene Amy Northover Chainey 7. At the turn of the century in 1901 Edmund Chainey 55 (really 60) and Elizabeth Chainey 54 really 59 were living alone in Edington. By 1911 the now widowed Elizabeth Cheney 69 was living in Vine Cottage, Edington with unmarried daughters Mina Olivia Cheney 31 and Eveline Amy Northover Cheney 27. The census tells us that she had given birth to 7 children in her lifetime and two were deceased.

77.3 GGGF Henry Northover (1806-1859)

Henry was GGGGP Richard Northover b1777 and Mary Hardy’s third child. He married GGGM Ann Symes in Shipton Gorge in 1826 and they had three children. (See 79.0 for details of his life and 79.3 for the life of his mystery namesake born in 1808).

77.4 Jemima Northover (1809-1862)

Jemima Northover born 19 Jan 1809 and baptised by her parents Richard & Mary Northover nee Hardy on 19 Mar 1809

Jemima Northover was born on 19 Jan 1809 and baptised in Swyre on 19 Mar 1809. The significance of the penciled date (Jan 30) in the margin is unknown.

Jemima Northover 13 was gaoled for 1 month for the crime of "breaking hedges"

In 1823 at the age of 13, she (along with Mary Tompkins 15) was sent to jail with hard labour for one month for the crime of “breaking hedges”. She was described as “a single woman” from Swyre whose occupation was net braider (weaver of nets) and her behaviour in jail was orderly. The crime of damaging or breaking hedges was fairly common. It may have been an act of desperation to obtain firewood or in anger against a landowner that had irritated Jemima. Alternatively it may have been a political act. At that time, the ‘Enclosure Movement’ by wealthy landowners was closing off fields to public access, by planting thick bushes around the edges to define their land, and many of the poor people resented this. Perhaps young Jemima was taking matters into her own hands and rebelling against this unjust practice.

Jemima Northover married Henry Northover on 25 Aug 1836 at Puncknowle

On 25 August 1836 Jemima married her cousin Henry Northover b1815 (See 97.6) [son of Arthur Northover and Atery (Audrey) Gibbs see 96.0]. Jemima must have moved one mile to Puncknowle after the age of 13, because at her wedding she was described as "of the Puncknowle Parish". On 16 Nov 1836 (less than three months after their marriage) Henry was jailed for three months for poaching. This was not Henry’s first brush with the law. On 20 Dec 1828 Henry Northover 13 (b1815 Swyre), and cousin Charles Northover 12 (b1816 Swyre) were charged with stealing turnips. They were both sentenced to one month in prison.

Jemima and Henry were listed again in the 1836/7 court records as follows:- “It is ordered at the prayer of James Clarke the prosecutor of Jemima the wife of Henry Northover, and Mary Northover acquitted before this court of a misdemeanour, that the treasurer do pay unto the said James Clarke the sum of one pound, 11 shillings and 8 pence which to this court doth seem reasonable for their expenses, trouble and attendance therein.” Mary Northover was probably Jemima’s sister (see 77.5) and the nature of the 'misdemeanor' is described in another document as “assaulting constables in the execution of their duty”.

Frederick Northover was baptised on 10 Feb 1838 at Puncknowle

Jemima and Henry's first child was Frederick Northover, born in late 1838 and baptised at Puncknowle on 10 Feb 1839. They did not have long to enjoy family life. Later that year on 11 Oct 1839, Henry Northover, 23 fisherman of Puncknowle, married with one child was found guilty of smuggling and imprisoned for six months. His physical description was a very tall for the times (6 ft. 2), brown hair, hazel eyes and sallow skin. He was discharged on 10 April 1840. This was a hard time for Jemima as she was not only left alone to look after baby Frederick but was also pregnant with her second child (Charles) who was born in early 1840. Charles Northover was baptised on 4 Mar, but sadly he passed away that same year. Henry seemed to keep out of trouble after this interaction with the courts. In fact 1840 seems to have been a turning point in Henry's life, because after this point he appeared to be reasonably well off financially. The obvious conclusion was that he came by some "unexpected assets" either salvaged from a shipwreck or from smuggling activities.

1841 Census: Henry & Jemima Northover living at "Knackershole, Puncknowle with their family

In 1841 Henry was listed as the occupier of  Lot 57 in ‘Knackers Hole', Puncknowle and in the census of that year his family consisted of Henry Northover 25, Jemima Northover 25 and Frederick Northover 3. They were living in a cottage on the southern outskirts of the hamlet in ‘Knackers Hole’, Puncknowle, next to cousin James Northover 25 (born 1813) and Elizabeth Northover nee Cheney 25. On 2 Jan 1845 both Henry and Jemima were witnesses at the Puncknowle wedding of cousin William Gibbs Northover (son of Henry Northover fisherman see 95.1, who was the brother of  James Northover b1813 mentioned above) and Jemima's sister/half-sister Ann Hardy (see 77.1). The final column in the census record above seems to suggest Henry's source of income as 'Ind'. This abbreviation stood for 'independent means' and was used when a person had a source of income other than employment. The Northover family were usually fishermen or labourers and the only conclusion that I can come to, is the one suggested above, that allowed him to support his family without external employment.

During the 1840’s Jemima gave birth to four more children, who all died young. They were Emily Northover 1842-1850, Dinah Northover 1845-1846, John Northover 1847-1850 and Alfred Northover 1849-1849. The fact that John and Emily were buried on the same day suggests infectious disease may have been the cause of their deaths.

1851 Census: Henry 36 carrier & Jemima Northover 42 with son Frederick 19 living at Puncknowle

In 1851 Henry Northover 36, carrier, and Jemima Northover 42 twine netter (maker of fishing nets) were living in Main St., Puncknowle with their one surviving son, Frederick 13 scholar. Later that year Jemima gave birth to her last child, Ann Northover, who was baptised on 10 Dec 1851 at Puncknowle. In this census Henry was no longer listed as having "Independent means", but perhaps he had used his savings to set himself up as a carrier. He would have needed to buy a horse (or horses) and a cart and would have needed a stable and grazing lands. 

1861 Census: Henry 47 & Jemima 52 are now running an Inn. Son Frederick 23 is a seaman and daughter Ann is at school

By 1861 Henry had changed his occupation again; from carrier to tavern keeper at the local pub called “The Crown Inn” in Puncknowle. This 16th century establishment still exists today, but is probably much classier than in Henry’s day. Living with Henry were Jemima 52 and children Frederick 23, a seaman, and Ann Northover 9, a scholar (student). They also had their niece Emily Gape b1843 aged 18 (orphaned daughter of Jemima’s sister Mary Gape nee Northover who died in 1858 -see 77.5 below) living with them and working as a servant to help out in the Inn. The management of the Inn is more evidence that Henry had some financial resources as there would have many costs with setting up such a business (beds, sheets, tableware, provisions etc.)

The Crown Inn in Puncknowle as it is today. The Northover family ran this inn for 2 generations; around 40 years

Jemima died on 22 Jul, 1862 aged 53, and Henry died on 22 Dec 1881 aged 66 and was buried in Puncknowle on 27 Dec 1881. (See 97.4)

Probate notice for Henry Northover's will

Henry Northover was one of the very few early Northovers to leave a will. His personal estate was valued at 189 pounds (about 12,000 pounds today).

77.4a Frederick Northover (1838-1898)

In a strange twist of life, Jemima and Henry’s eldest son, Frederick, in his later life became a member of the coastguard, whose role was to prevent smuggling and catch those responsible! Frederick was baptised at Puncknowle on 10 Feb 1839 soon after his father was jailed for smuggling! In 1841 he was living with his parents at Knackerhole in Puncknowle. In 1851 the family was living in Main St, Puncknowle, which may have been the same dwelling. By 1861 his parents had become innkeepers at the Crown Inn, Puncknowle and soon after Frederick ‘went to sea’; by the time of his marriage in 1866 he described his occupation as seaman.

Henry Northover jnr married Louisa Seal in Puncknowle in1866

On 26 Jun 1866 Frederick Northover 28 seaman married Louise Seal 26 at Puncknowle. Frederick’s father was listed as Henry Northover, Innkeeper. No doubt that the Crown Inn was full of celebration that night! Both Frederick and Louisa signed their names, indicating at least a basic education.

By 1871 Frederick’s career had taken another turn when he took up a job as ‘coastguardsman’ at Falmouth, Cornwall, where he, wife Louisa and baby Henry John Northover were living at 18 Berkeley Gate. In 1874 the family were back living at Puncknowle in a dwelling called ‘Longhouse’ (occupied by several families), and Frederick was still working as a coastguard in an area where the Northovers were renowned for smuggling activities in the past.

1881 census: Henry & Louisa Northover nee Seale with their  6 children

By 1881 Henry and Louisa had six children, the eldest four of whom were attending school. Frederick’s father died in Dec 1881 and this initiated another change in career for Frederick. He gave up his work as a coastguard and took over the running of his father’s inn, “The Crown Inn”. The 1991 census listed the family as follows; Fredrick Northover 59 innkeeper, Louisa Northover 50 wife, Ernest Northover 17 carpenter, Edward Northover 15 grocer assistant and the three youngest children;  Louisa Northover 13, Annie Northover 11 and Beatrice Northover 8; all scholars.

Frederick Northover died on 19 Jan 1898 aged 59, and was buried at Puncknowle. Probate was granted on 23 May 1898 to wife Louisa, and sons Henry John Northover, smith (metal worker) and Ernest Northover, carpenter. Effects were valued at 489 pounds (about 40,000 pounds today).

Probate for Louisa's will was granted on 23 Nov 1914

In 1901 Louisa was listed as a 60 year widowed retired Innkeeper living with adult children Ernest and Annie Northover in Puncknowle. In 1911 Louisa indicated that she had given birth to a total of eight children, but only seven were still alive at the time of the census. Louisa died in 1914 at the age of 74 and was buried in Puncknowle. On the probate notice for her will Louisa was described as 'of the Crown Inn", which may indicate that was her residence even after she retired from innkeeping herself. Probate was granted to her son Henry John Northover, who also became a licensed victualler (elsewhere); the third generation to do so. The value of Louisa's effects was given as 368 pounds (about 30,000 pounds today)
NOTE: After Henry Northover b1838 died in 1898 the Crown Inn was taken over by Thomas Samways and/or Lucas Coombs 68 who were both listed as Puncknowle Innkeepers in the 1901 census.

77.5 Mary Northover (1811-1858)

Mary & her brother Thomas Northover were baptised on the same day by parents GGGGGP Richard & Mary Northover

Mary was the fifth child of GGGGGP Richard b1777 and Mary Northover and was baptised at Swyre on 23 May 1813; the same day as her brother Thomas. They were possibly twins (see 77.6), but probably not. Mary was most likely born two years after her older sister Jemima. This is supported by the age of 39 given in the 1851 census, and the age given on her death registration which indicated a birth year of  1811 or 1812.

"At the prayer of ... the prosecutor of Jemima the wife of Henry Northover, & Mary Northover, acquitted before this court."

At the age of 24 in Apr 1835, Mary gave birth to a baby boy who she named Henry Northover, after her older brother (see below). It appears that she resided in her parent's home with her son until she was married five years later. In 1836 sisters Jemima 27 and Mary Northover 23 (really 24) were acquitted of a charge of "assaulting constables in the execution of their duty" (See above).

Mary Northover married John Gape 20 Sep 1840 at Puncknowle

In September 1840, Mary married shoemaker John Gape in Puncknowle. Witnesses were John's sister Elizabeth Gape and Robert Vincent. Both men signed their names, but Mary and Elizabeth made their mark. The 1841 census recorded that John ‘25’ and Mary Gape ‘25’ (really 29) were living in Puncknowle and John’s occupation was given as shoemaker. As with many of the people in this area, John Gape 27 had served two months in prison in 1839 for ‘Night Poaching’. The record shows he had two tattoos. One had an anchor with the letters PD under it, and one had a mermaid with the letters JQ under it.

1851 Census Puncknowle: Mary Gape with husband John & children Henry, Emily and Walter Gape

In 1851 John and Mary were living in Puncknowle and the family consisted of John Gape 36 fisherman, Mary Gape 39 twine netter (net maker) and children Henry Gape 16 (b1835 see note below), Emily Gape 8 (b1842) and Walter Gape 5 (b1846). Interestingly the youngest children were listed as twine netters even at their young age. All were born in Puncknowle. Living in Puncknowle appeared to be popular at this time, because Mary Gape nee Northover’s brother, John Northover (just three doors away; see 77.8 below) and sister Jemima Northover all moved there with their families during this period and they were all living in close proximity.

Tragically, Mary Gape nee Northover died in Puncknowle on 9 Jun 1858 aged only 45. Youngest son Walter was only 12 when his mother died. In 1861 at the age of 15, Walter was working as an assistant dairyman for the Wellment family at Burton Bradstock.

John Gape's 2nd marriage 16 Sep 1860

In 1860 John Gape (bootmaker) married his second wife widow Elizabeth Northover nee Pitman b1825. Elizabeth Pitman’s first marriage was to Edmund Northover b1824 Swyre, a distant cousin of John Gape’s first wife Mary Northover. In 1861 John Gape was living in Puncknowle with Elizabeth and three children from Elizabeth’s first marriage; Esther Northover 13, William Northover 11 and John Northover 9. Later they went on to have at least three more children and John Gape became a fisherman.
NOTE: Elizabeth Pitman b1825 had married Edmund Northover b1824, who was the son of John Northover, b1796 fisherman and Martha Hain. Elizabeth and Edmund had married in Abbotsbury on 3 Nov 1847 but sadly Edmund died in 16 Jan 1859 aged 35.

77.5a Henry Northover later Gape (1835-?): Son of Mary Northover b1811

Henry Northover was born to unmarried mother Mary Northover 5 Apr 1835 at Swyre

Henry Northover was born in Swyre to unmarried woman Mary Northover on 5 Apr 1835. Five years later in 1840, his mother Mary married shoemaker John Gape. Henry lived with his grandparents GGGGGP Richard and Mary Northover nee Hardy until some time in the 1840's. By  the age of seven in 1841 he had taken on the 'Gape' surname He was still living with his grandparents in Swyre,  even though his mother was living with her new husband in Puncknowle. At some time in the 1840's Henry got back together with his mother. In 1851 Henry Gape (previously Northover) was living in Puncknowle with his mother and her husband John Gape and two half siblings (see 77.5 above). On his marriage registration Henry Gape indicated his father was John Gape shoemaker which possibly meant John Gape was his genetic father or that Henry regarded John Gape as his father figure.

77.6 Thomas Northover (1813-1883)

Thomas was the sixth child of GGGGGP Richard and Mary Northover nee Hardy and was baptised in Swyre on 23 May 1813, the same day as his sister, Mary (See above; 77.5). They were possibly twins but most likely not. Most censuses indicate Thomas was born in 1813, and sister Mary in 1812.

Thomas & brother John Northover were both jailed in 1833 for "leaving work".

On 11 May 1833 Thomas 20 and brother John were both sentenced to fourteen days with hard labour in Dorchester prison for the crime of ‘leaving work’. In Jan 1835 the brothers were in trouble again, but this time for 'trespass'. Once again they were sentenced to fourteen days hard labour in prison.

In 1851, aged 37 and apparently still single, Thomas was visiting his good friend John Reech Bishop and his family in Swyre. Nearby lived Thomas’ widowed father, GGGGGF Richard Northover b1777, who was lodging with Thomas' brother's widowed mother-in-law, Mary Hine nee Northover 70 (see 77.2b).

Thomas Northover married Mary Samways  6 Oct 1852 at Swyre

On 6 Oct 1852 at Swyre, Thomas 39, a labourer, married Mary Samways 35 also from Swyre. Henry Northover was a witness to the wedding (not Thomas' brother Henry who was illiterate) along with John Reech Bishop. Neither Thomas not Mary could sign their names, but all witnesses did so. Thomas’ father was listed as GGGGGF Richard Northover, fisherman.

Sadly Thomas and Mary’s first two babies died during infancy, but eventually they ended up with seven surviving children who were named Emily (b1858), Ellen (b1860), Jane (b1863), Mary Ann (b1864), Henry (b1866), Elizabeth (b1868) and William (b1870). Mary Northover nee Samways was 44 when she had her last child.

1861 Census: The Northovers made up a large part of the population of Swyre. Thomas & his family are in the middle.

In 1861 Thomas Northover 47 ag lab and Mary Northover 34 were living near Clay Hanger Dairy in Swyre with their two eldest daughters Emily Northover 3 and Ellen Northover 1. They were living next to several other Northover families including sister Ann Northover nee Hardy and her husband William Gibbs Northover (See 77.1).

1871 census: Middle: Thomas & Mary Northover & six children living in Swyre

In 1871 they were at the same address and their family had grown to include Thomas Northover 62 ag lab, Mary Northover 42, Ellen Northover 11, Jane Northover 9, Mary A Northover 7, Henry Northover 5, Elizabeth Northover 3 and William Northover 1. They also had other Northover families living on either side of them. On one side; William (cordwainer or shoemaker) and Susan Northover and their family. Their eldest son William 31 cordwainer was described in the census as a 'cripple'. Thomas' sister and her husband were still living on the other side (William Gibbs Northover 66 fisherman and his wife Ann Northover nee Hardy 67).

1881 census: Thomas & Mary Northover nee samways and five children living in Swyre

The family stayed in Swyre, where there were many other Northovers living nearby. In 1881 the family were listed at no 7 Swyre Rd, but it could well have been the same house. Living there were Thomas Northover 67 ag lab, Mary Northover 51, Jane Northover 18, Mary Ann Northover 17, Henry Northover 15, Elizabeth Northover 13 and William Northover 11. Mary and daughters Jane and Mary Ann gave their occupation as net braiders. As this was a fishing village there would have been plenty of work for the women, repairing and making fishing nets. Thomas died at the age of 69 in Swyre and was buried on 14 Mar 1883. His widowed wife Mary Northover nee Samways 62 was listed in the 1891 census as living at 21 Swyre Rd with her unmarried son William Northover 20. Mary Northover nee Samways died in 1897 aged 68.

Thomas and Mary Northover nee Samways had a total of nine children; Emily Northover 1853-1853, Henry Northover 1856-1856, Emily Northover 1858-?, Ellen Northover 1860-?, Jane Northover 1862-?, Mary Ann Northover 1864-?, Henry Northover 1865-?, Elizabeth Northover 1868-? and William Northover 1870-1945

NOTE Alan Metcalfe and his grandmother Jean Northover kindly sent a copy of their family tree which shows James and Hannah Northover nee Coomb's descendants down to the present day through their son William Northover b1870 and his wife Mary Elizabeth Dommett.

77.7 Jane Northover (1815-1816)

GGGGGP Richard and Mary’s seventh child, Jane Northover, did not survive very long. She was baptised on 9 Apr 1815 in Swyre, but died 8 months later.

77.8 John Northover (1816-1891)

Top: John Northover (b1816) but was baptised in Swyre on 23 Jan 1820. Cousin Mary Biles Northover was bapt 1 Apr 1820

According to various censuses and the death record, John Northover was born around 1816 but not baptised until 23 Jan, 1820! Late baptisms were not uncommon. On 11 May 1833 John 17? and older brother Thomas 20 were both sentenced to fourteen days with hard labour in Dorchester prison for the crime of ‘leaving work’. (See 77.6 above) The prison record states that both John and Thomas were 20 at the time, but John was more likely 18 (but possibly looked 20). See chapter on brother Thomas for record.

John (probably 19) and brother Thomas were again in trouble with the law in 1835. This time for trespass.

In Jan 1835 the brothers; John 19? and Thomas 22 were in trouble again, but this time for trespass. (John's age is hard to read). Once again they were sentenced to fourteen days hard labour in prison.

In 1841 (ages rounded down) John was still living in the family home, with the household consisting of GGGGGP Richard Northover 60 (b1777) labourer and Mary Northover nee Hardy 60 and children GGGGP Henry Northover 30 (really 35), Ann Northover 35 (either Ann Northover nee Symes, see 79.1 or Ann Northover nee Hardy, see 77.1), John Northover 20 (really 24, b1816), Rebecca Northover 15 (really 19, b1822) and Henry Gape 7 grandson (son of daughter Mary Gape nee Northover see 77.5).

John Northover married Mary Walbridge on 5 Sep 1842 at Swyre

On 5 September 1842 John Northover fisherman, married Mary Walbridge in Swyre. John’s father was described as Richard Northover, fisherman, but no father was listed for Mary. Neither John nor Mary could sign their names. A witness at the wedding was John Gape, the husband of John’s older sister Mary Gape nee Northover, who were married in the same church two years earlier (See 77.5). In 1845 Mary gave birth to their first child at Swyre; Elizabeth Northover. Soon after, John and Mary Northover nee Walbridge moved to Main St., Puncknowle, where they lived for the rest of their lives. In 1850 John was a witness at his younger sister's wedding to William Moore

1851: John & Mary Northover had moved to Puncknowle prior to the birth of son George in 1840

By 1851 the family had moved to Puncknowle and were living just two doors away from John’s older sister Mary Gape nee Northover. Over time John gave his occupation as either labourer or fisherman- probably based on whatever work was going at the time.

1871 bottom entry: John & Mary Northover & three children living in Puncknowle; not far from the vicarage

In 1871 John 54 ag lab, Mary 54, George 21 lab, Henry 15 labourer and Emily 10 scholar were still living in Puncknowle. They were living next to cousin Charles Northover 54 year old fisherman (son of Henry b1774 and Mary Northover nee Gibbs) and his wife Caroline Northover.

1881 census at Knackers Hole, Puncknowle: John & Mary Northover with daughter Emily

The 1881 census reports that John 66, fisherman, Mary 66 and daughter Emily 21, net braider, were living at Knackers Hole, Puncknowle. In 1891 John and Mary were living alone in ‘Puncknowle Village’ and “living on their own means”.

John and Mary only had a small family (compared to others) of four children, who were Elizabeth (b1845), George (b1850), Henry (b1855) and Emily (b1860). John Northover died on 25 Jun 1891 at Puncknowle with the recorded age of 76, which is further evidence that he was born well before he was baptised.
NOTE: KNACKERS HOLE
Over the years, many Northovers had lived in the area of Puncknowle known intriguingly as Knackers Hole, particularly around the 1840's.

The website https://totallydorset.wordpress.com contains some background information. Puncknowle is "crammed with character: there are thatched cottages, an elegant manor-house and the ghost of a landlady is said to still haunt the 16th century Crown Inn. A Millennium project has restored a footpath leading from a windswept place called Knackers Hole to the Knoll." There is a story... "that in 1791 a farm labourer turned up with his plough a jar which contained no fewer than 1,200 coins...  almost entirely decayed by time. It is probable that this was the booty of some sea rover who beached his boat at Swyre, and, going off to seek further adventure, was either murdered for the secret or was wrecked on the Chesil Beach on a less fortunate venture". The coins had been hidden in a villain's (or knacker's) hole.

77.9 Rebecca Northover (1822-1908)

Bottom: Rebecca Northover was baptised on 31 Mar 1822 at Swyre, by parents Richard & Mary Northover

The final child of the family was Rebecca Northover (sometimes spelt Rebekkah) who was born in 1822 in Swyre. She was baptised a month after her cousin Martha (daughter of Robert b1772 and Elizabeth Northover nee Bird). In 1841 she was living with her parents at Swyre, but listed as a fifteen year old, as ages were rounded down in that census.

Rebecca Northover married William Moore on 2 May 1850 at Swyre

On 2 May 1850 Rebecca married fisherman William Moore. A witness at the wedding was her brother John Northover (see 77.8). All made their mark, rather than sign their names. Rebecca's father was listed as Richard Northover, fisherman. Like brother John, Rebecca and her husband moved to Puncknowle where they lived for the rest of their lives. The couple were living in Hines lane in 1851.

1861 census: William and Rebecca Moor nee Northover were living in Puncknowle with their three children 

By 1861 they had started a family. The household consisted of William Moore 37 labourer, Rebecca Moore 38 and their three children Henry Moore 8, Alfred Moore 5 and William Moore 4 whi were attending school. In 1871 their address was Springsmead Farm, Looke Lane, Puncknowle and William Moore 46 listed his occupation as fisherman. Rebecca was 47 and they had five children; Henry Moore 18, Alfred Moore 14, Richard Moore 9, Frederick Moore 7 and Mary Ann Moore 4. Some of the children had left home by the next census in 1881, leaving William Moore 56, Rebekah Moore 56, Richard Moore 20, Frederick Moore18 and Mary A. Moore 14 living in the village.

At the time of the 1891 census they were still in the village of Puncknowle and William 68 was a fisherman, Rebecca was 79 and they had one unmarried son William Moore fisherman still living at home. Sadly by the time of the next census Rebecca was a pauper 'inmate' of the Bridport Union Workhouse. Although she was still listed as married, her husband was living elsewhere. (He died later that year)

During her life Rebecca had six children who survived infancy; Henry b1853, Alfred b1856, William b1857, Richard b1862, Frederick b1864 and Mary Ann b1867. Rebecca Moore nee Northover died in the Union Workhouse, Bridport in 1908 with her age recorded as 85.

78.0 Ancestors of GGGGGM Mary Hardy (1779-1850)

The Hardy family joined the Northover tree when GGGGGM Mary Hardy married GGGGGF Richard Northover (1777-1858) on 11 Feb 1804 in Puncknowle. (See 76.0). GGGGGM Mary Hardy's earliest known ancestors were GGGGGGGGP Thomas Hardy (?-?) and Mary Ebber (?-1768) and GGGGGGGGP William Keeping (C1690-1748) and Temperance Batten (1687-1777). All of these ancestors were born in the late 1600's

2nd entry: Mary daughter of Richard & Mary Hardy baptised 10 Feb 1779 at Puncknowle

78.1 GGGGGGGGP Thomas Hardy (c1690-1782) & Mary Ebber (1689-1768)
Thomas Hardy and Maria (Mary) Ebber would have been born around 1690. 

December 1690: Middle entry: Thomas, son born of Mr Thomas Hardy was baptised on 18th day of Dec, 1690  at Bridport

Thomas Hardy was probably born 6 miles from Swyre, in Bridport 18 Dec 1690, to GGGGGGGGGP Thomas Hardy c1665 as shown in the above parish extract.

Top Entry Mary  daughter of ? & ? Ebber was baptised in early 1689 in Swyre but other details are illegible

Mary Ebber was baptised in 1689 in Swyre but other details are illegible. Her parents were probably Andrew (b1667) and Eleanor (Helen) Ebber (died 1696). GGGGGGGGM Mary Ebber probably had at least three siblings; Grace Ebber (who died 28 Mar 1696 as an infant at the same time as her mother Eleanor), Dorothy Ebber (later Williams), Andrew Ebber (died 1742) whose wife was named Elizabeth and James Ebber whose wife was named Emma.
NOTE: Ebbers lived in Swyre from at least the early 1600's.

Swyre Top Entry: April 19th 1715 -  Thomas Hardy & Maria Ebber 'nuptials'?

 Thomas and Mary (Maria) Hardy nee Ebber were married in Swyre on 19 Apr 1715, and that is where they had their family

Middle: 1716 May 29: John the first born of Thomas & Mary Hardy nee Ebber

Thomas and Mary's ten children, were all born in Swyre. They were John Hardy 1716, Maria Hardy 1718, Mary Hardy (1719-1730), Thomas Hardy (1721-1782), James Hardy (1723-1723), Dorothy Hardy 1725, GGGGGGGF James Hardy 1727, Robert Hardy (1729-1748), Mary Hardy (1732-1735; daughter of Thomas and Mary Hardy) and Anna Hardy 1734. 

The first James Hardy (bottom) was baptised on Nov 3 (born 3 am on Nov 2 1723) and died the same year

Daughter Mary Hardy b1719 was buried on 29 May 1730

It is very likely that some of these children died in infancy, especially the first James and the first Mary. There is a note next to the baptismal record for James Hardy b1723 that reads "born 3 a.m. Nov 2", which was the day before his baptism. Such quick baptisms were often made when the child seemed unlikely to survive, and this contention is supported by a burial record for James Hardy who died in that same year. GGGGGGGF James Hardy was baptised four years later and named after his deceased brother. The younger daughter Mary Hardy b1719 seems to have died in 1730 and the next daughter born to the family in 1732 was named Mary after her deceased sister.

Swyre Burials Top Entry: 1768 Mar 20 Mary wife of Thomas Hardy was buried at Swyre

GGGGGGGGM Mary Hardy nee Ebber "wife of Thomas Hardy" was buried 1768 in Swyre aged in her mid seventies. There is a record for the burial of Thomas Hardy in Swyre on 5 Jan 1782. If this was our Thomas he would have been in his late eighties when he died.

78.2 GGGGGGGP James Hardy (1727-1810) & Hannah Keeping (1718-?)

Swyre Baptisms: Jan 18 (of 1727) James son of Thomas Hardy. 

GGGGGGGF James Hardy was baptised 18 Jan 1727 in Swyre, but possibly born some time earlier). As all his siblings were born in Swyre we can assume young James grew up in the area. At some point he met Hannah Keeping b1718 from neighboring Langton Herring, who had been raised there by her parents; William Keeping and Temperance Batten (See Below)

2nd line: James Hardy & Hannah Kepen (Keeping) of Langton were married in Abbotsbury in 1752

James Hardy (probably 26) and the older Hannah Keeping 34 were married in 1752 in Abbotsbury (halfway between Langton and Puncknowle) and settled in Langton Herring where they had six children; Hannah Hardy b1752, Sarah Hardy b1754, GGGGGGF Richard Hardy b1756, James Hardy b1757, William Hardy b1760 (possibly died 1790) and Henry Hardy b1762 (Henry Hardy son of James died 18 Sep 1762).

Bottom: Henry Hardy was Hannah's last child, baptised 30 May 1762 at Langton Herring

Hannah would have been in her early forties when she had her last child who they named Henry. There is a possibility (but no evidence) of a link between the ancestors of our family and those of novelist Thomas Hardy whose family lived less than 10 miles away

Bottom entry: James Hardy farmer of Langton Herring listed in Dorset Militia 1758

James Hardy 32, farmer was listed in the 1758 Langton Herring Militia. The document reads "A list of all the men in the Tything of Langton Herring between the ages of 18 and 60". The next person on the the list was William Hardy, farmer, who was probably a relative.

4th & 6th lines show that two James Hardys occupied land in Langton in 1794

From 1781 to 1796 two James Hardys occupied land in Langton Herring. One property was 'Langton Higher Farm'. These men were probably James Hardy snr b1732 and his son James Hardy jnr b1757. From 1797 only the younger James Hardy was listed as a land holder. His father aged in his seventies was probably too old to be managing a farm at that stage

James Hardy of Langton Herring was buried 8 July 1810

James Hardy snr b1727 aged 83 was buried in Langton Herring on 8 Jul 1810, but his wife Hannah Hardy nee Keeping's death details are unknown.  Their son James Hardy jnr b1757 died in Abbotsbury in Dec 1820 aged 64.

78.3 GGGGGGF Richard Hardy (1756-1811) & Mary Unknown (c1756-?)

Baptisms 1756 Langton Herring: 8 Feb 1756 Richard son of James & Hannah Hardy

Richard Hardy, was born in Langton Herring on 8 February 1756 and as his siblings were all born there, presumably that is where he spent his childhood. GGGGGGF Richard married his wife Mary (possible surname Ironside) around the late 1770's (according to the birth dates of his children) but no record has been found. Richard and Mary Hardy nee Unknown had five children GGGGGM Mary Hardy b1779, Elizabeth Hardy b1783, Richard Hardy b1786, Henry Hardy b1788 and Grace Hardy 1791. As all children were born in Puncknowle the family must have resided there for most of that time (about 7 miles from Langton Herring).

1779 Puncknowle; 2nd baptism entry: Mary Hardy daughter of Richard & Mary Hardy baptised Feb 10th

Richard and Mary Hardy's first child Mary Hardy, was baptised 10 Feb 1779 at Puncknowle. 

GGGGGGF Richard Hardy b1756 most likely died in Langton Herring on 3 Dec 1811 aged 55. The date of death of his wife GGGGGGM Mary Hardy (nee unknown) is not known, but after 1791 when her last child was born.

78.4 GGGGGGGGP William Keeping (c1690-1748) & Temperance Batten (c1687-1777)

William Keeping was born around 1690 and does not appear to have been baptised in Langton Herring. 

April 20th lower entry: "The same day was baptised Temperance the daughter of John Batten & Edith his wife."

GGGGGGGGM Temperance Batten was baptised on 20 April 1687 at Burton Bradstock by parents GGGGGGGGGP John and Edith Batten. Temperance Hardy nee Batten's death registration (see below) confirms this, when it indicates she was in her nineties when she died.

Bottom: June 16 1709: William Keeping married Temperance Balton at Langton Herring

William and Temperance were married in Langton Herring 16 Jun 1709 and had at least nine known children; Edith Keeping 1710, Ann Keeping 1712, Henry Keeping 1713, Jane Keeping 1715, GGGGGGGM Hannah Keeping 1718, William Keeping 1720, Elizabeth Keeping 1722, Mary Keeping 1724 and Jane Keeping 1726. All were born in Langton Herring which suggest the family resided there for most of their lives.

2nd April, 1718 Hannah daughter of William Keeping and his wife Temperance Keeping

GGGGGGGM Hannah Keeping was baptised on 2 Apr 1718 in Langton Herring, by her parents GGGGGGGGP William Keeping and Temperance Batten.

September 13 Temperance Keeping, widow aged upwards of ninety 19 Sep

GGGGGGGGF William Keeping appears to have been buried on 8 Oct 1748 at Langton Herring aged around 60. GGGGGGGGM Temperance Keeping nee Batten died on 13 Sep 1777 with the record stating she was "a widow upwards of 90 years of age".

79.0 GGGGF Henry Northover (1806-1859)

GGGGF Henry Northover born 6 Dec 1806, but baptised at Swyre 8 Jan 1810

The records relating to Henry Northover b1806 are quite confusing as there were several men of the same name born around this time including another Henry Northover also born to a father named Richard Northover  in 1808 (see 79.3)! The confusion starts with our Henry’s baptism in Swyre, which occurred on 8 Jan 1810, but the baptism document clearly states that he was born 3 years earlier on 6 Dec 1806. Usually children were baptised within a few months of their birth. Interestingly, his younger sister was baptised a year earlier on 8 Jan 1809, and is on the same page of the baptism record. One explanation is that as his older sister Ann Hardy (illegitimate sister born 1803) and brother Richard b1805 were baptised in Puncknowle, and perhaps Henry was born just before or just after the family shifted to Swyre (about 1 mile), and his parents took their time (or forgot) to baptise him.

The entrance to Dorchester Prison would have been very daunting for young Henry Northover aged 11

According to the place of birth of his younger siblings, Henry grew up in Swyre. A pious person may claim that Henry’s belated baptism, was the reason he “went off the rails” at times. On 4 Apr 1818 a Henry Northover (listed as ‘son of Richard, from Swyre aged 11’), along with three of his cousins was found guilty of destroying hedges. The prison record supports a date of birth in Dec 1806. The authorities dealt out harsh punishment to the four youngsters. All were sentenced to jail terms in Dorchester Prison. GGGGF Henry Northover 11, Sarah Northover 14 and Frederick Northover 10 all received 14 days jail. However the fourth member of  the 'gang', Charity Northover 12, was singled out for a longer term of one month jail. Perhaps she gave the authorities some cheek! The records give us some idea of Henry’s appearance. He had brown hair, dark grey eyes, and darkish skin. One other contributing factor to his illegal behaviour could have been the fact that other members of his family also spent time in jail, including his father, his brother and many of his cousins. Although there were many Northovers (including several records of a Henry Northover of Swyre) receiving prison sentences in the early 1800’s, our Henry seems to have kept out of trouble with the law after this incident. 

The inside of a prison cell at Dorchester Prison

At some time between 1818 and early 1820's, Henry (probably in his mid teens) moved seven miles to West Milton where he started working on a dairy farm. Perhaps the move was encouraged by his parents in an attempt to help him keep out of trouble!

79.1 GGGGP Henry Northover (1806-1859) & Ann Symes (1810-1855)

Henry Northover  of Milton married Ann Symes of the Shipton Gorge Parish on 4 May 1826

On 4 May 1826, GGGGF Henry Northover ‘of Milton’ aged 19, married GGGGM Anne Symes  (probably 17) in Shipton Gorge, which was only 4 miles from West Milton. George Symes an older  brother of Ann was a witness at the wedding. Neither Henry nor Ann could sign their names.

The couple settled in West Milton where Henry probably had employment and it was not long before Ann fell pregnant. Their son, GGGF Richard (named after his grandfather), was born in April 1827 and baptised in Powerstock cum West Milton. In 1828 and 1832 their next two sons, Henry and John, were baptised in the hamlet of West Milton. GGGGF Henry was listed as a labourer on all three baptismal records. GGGGM Ann Northover nee Symes was only 17 when she gave birth to her first child and 22 when her third and final child was born in 1832. Such small families were very unusual at the time, and the fact that both Henry and Ann died at relatively young ages (Ann was 45 and Henry was 53) may indicate either one or both of them suffered from ill health in their latter years.

In the 1830's the family seems to have moved to Puncknowle where many other relatives were living. There is an 1841 record indicating that Henry Northover was an occupier of Lot 57 consisting of two cottages and gardens in Knackershole Lane, Puncknowle (7 miles from Milton) in 1841

1841 Swyre (ages rounded down): GGGGGP Richard 60 (b1777) & Mary Northover nee Hardy & family

At census time on 6 Jun 1841, Henry and possibly his wife Ann Northover nee Symes, were visiting Henry’s parents in Swyre. The 1841 census (ages rounded down) listed the people in the house at Swyre as GGGGGP Richard Northover 60 (b1777) labourer and Mary Northover nee Hardy 60 and GGGGP Henry Northover 30 (really 34), Ann Northover 35 (either Ann Northover nee Symes who was 32 or Ann Northover nee Hardy 37), John Northover 20 (b1821), Rebecca Northover 15 (b1826) and Henry Gape 7 grandson (son of daughter Mary Gape nee Northover see 77.5).

However, as there is no record of where Henry and Ann's three sons (GGGF Richard 14, Henry 13 and John 9) were at this time, presumably they stayed home alone overnight and were watched over by Henry’s relatives. Henry’s sister Jemima, her husband and children and cousin James (b1813) and his wife Elizabeth were all living in the cottages in "Knackers Hole" in Puncknowle (about half a mile from Swyre). Alternatively the children were with their mother at an unknown location and the ‘Ann Northover’ listed on the census in Swyre was actually Ann Hardy (later Northover ; see 77.1)
It is likely that GGGGP Henry, Ann and their teenage boys moved eight miles to the Powerstock/West Milton area in the mid 1840's and the males gained employment as dairymen. 

On 10 May 1849 Henry's son, Henry Northover 24 ‘peasant’, married Mary Gale at Powerstock (both were residents of West Milton at the time). The marriage registration listed the fathers as Henry Northover dairyman and David Gale ‘peasant’. Witnesses to the wedding were Henry's older son GGGF Richard Northover and Richard’s future wife Anna Maria Gale. (Two brothers married two sisters.)

1851: Henry 45, dairyman, wife Ann Northover nee Symes 50 & sons Richard 24 & John Northover 18; both dairymen

In 1851 the family was living in a cottage in the small hamlet of South Poorton  (two miles from Milton). GGGGF Henry was 45 and working as a dairyman, Ann was listed as 50 (really 42) and their sons GGGF Richard Northover 24 and John Northover 18 were also listed as dairymen. All were listed as born in Milton except for Ann who was born in Shipton Gorge. Henry's two younger sons were both married in 1854 in Powerstock and Milton hamlets.

GGGGF Henry’s wife Ann Northover nee Symes died in 1855 with the death registered at Beaminster (6m away) at the age of 45, leaving Henry as a widower.

A Henry Northover died from "cold & chill" & was buried 5 Feb 1861 in Milton. 

The EDI lists a Henry Northover 52 having died in early 1859 with the death registered at Bridport. However there is another record of Henry Northover who died of "cold & chill" in Milton on 5 Apr 1861. This record fits with name and location but not the recorded age of 65, when our Henry would have been 55. This could well be our Henry and a mistake was made with his age. Unfortunately both GGGGP Ann and Henry Northover died before the next census in 1861 which may have clarified the situation better.

79.2 Ancestors of GGGGM Ann Symes (1810-1855) (NEW 2019)

According to the 1851 census Ann was born in Shipton Gorge however there is no record to support this.

Bottom: 15 Apr 1810: Ann of GGGGGP James & Ann Symes nee Hayward was baptised at Loders

The best record that fits is for an Ann Symes  baptised in Loders (2 miles from Shipton Gorge) on 15 Apr 1810 to parents GGGGGP James and Ann Symes nee Hayward. She was one of eight children; her siblings being Mary Symes (1795-1823), George Symes (1796-1863), Joseph Symes 7 Oct 1798, Sarah Symes  (1801-1822), James Symes (1803-1828), John Symes 20 Feb 1805, David Symes 6 Sep 1807 and GGGGM Ann Symes 15 Apr 1810 (probably born in 1809). All were born in Loders, and not far from Shipton Gorge.

Ann's marriage to GGGGF Henry Northover on 4 May 1826 (see above) was witnessed by her brother George Symes b1796. This makes Ann Symes one of the youngest women to get married in our family tree, with her marriage age most likely 17, if born before May 1809.

Her parents were GGGGGP James and Ann Symes nee Hayward, but not much else is known of her family (see below). They were very likely related in some way to the Symes family that married into the Loader family when Rose Elizabeth Symes married James Smith Loader in 1851 (See 20.0). The latter Symes family came from Powerstock which was about two miles from GGGGM Ann Symes’ birthplace of Loders. GGGGM Ann Northover nee Symes died in Jan 1855 aged 45 and her death was registered at Beaminster (6m from Powerstock).

79.3 GGGGGP James Symes (1770-1846) & Ann Hayward (1767-1844)

Top: GGGGGF James was baptised on 5 Dec 1770 at Symondsbury by parents GGGGGGP James & Mary Symes

GGGGGF James Symes was either baptised on 5 Dec 1770 at Symondsbury (4 miles from Loders) or on 24 Jan 1768 in Swyre. In both instances the parents were  GGGGGGP James and Mary Symes. At some point James must have traveled to Loders where he met his future wife who had been born there.

Ann Hayward, daughter of John & Elizabeth Hayward was baptised 10 May 1767 at Loders

GGGGGM Ann Hayward, daughter of GGGGGGP John & Elizabeth Hayward nee Honeybone was baptised 10 May 1767 at Loders. She had at least six siblings including John Hayward (b1756), Robert Hayward (b1759 married Sarah Gale 1881), Hugh Hayward (b1761), Susannah Hayward (b1764), William Hayward (b1769) and Betty Hayward (b1772).

GGGGGGF James Symes bachelor married Ann Hayward spinster at Loders in 1793

James Symes 22 and Ann Hayward 25 were married in Loders on 16 Sep 1793

1841 census Loders: GGGGGP James 70 ag lab & Ann Symes nee Hayward 70

Over the next few year Ann gave birth to Mary Symes b1795, George Symes 1796, Joseph Symes 1798, Sarah Symes 1801, James Symes 1803, John Symes 1805, David Symes 1807 and GGGGM Ann Symes in 1810. Ann would have been 43 when she gave birth to her last child.

GGGGGP James 70 and Ann Symes nee Hayward 70 were both listed in the 1841 census at Loders. It seems they lived their whole lives in this small hamlet and outlived many of their children.

James Symes was buried at Loders on 16 Jun 1846. His residence was given as "Union House" Bradpole

Ann Symes nee Hayward was buried in Loders on the 31 Jul 1844 aged 85 (really 77). GGGGGF James Symes was buried at Loders on 16 Jun 1846 with his reputed age as 80, but in reality was probably in his late 70's. His residence was given as "Union House" Bradpole, which was a house set up for the destitute or elderly people who needed care.

79.4  GGGGGGP John Hayward (1717-1800) & Elizabeth (Honiborn) Honeybone  (1729-1802)

Loders Baptismal record: Bottom entry- Hayward, John, son of Robert & Susanna baptised 5 Nov 1717

John Hayward was baptised in 1717 in Loders and his parents were GGGGGGGP Robert and Susannah Haywood. His parents would have been born around 1690. John b1717 had at least two siblings, who were Mary Hayward 1715 and Robert Hayward 1721 who were also born in Loders.

2nd entry: Elizabeth Honibone, daughter of Henry & Ann Honibone was baptised on 31 Aug 1729

GGGGGGM Elizabeth Honeybone was baptised in Loders on on 31 Aug 1729 by her parents GGGGGGGP Henry & Ann Honeybone. Her siblings were Mary Honeybone 1721 (Billshay), John Honeybone 1723, Ann Honeybone 1732, Henry Honeybone 1735. 

Elizabeth's older brother John Honiborn was baptised in Loders in 1723 with the family residence noted as Billshay Farm

NOTE: The records for both Mary b1721 and John Honiborn b1723 have the name 'Billshay' at the end of the entry, indicating a location in the Loders area; perhaps the name of a large farm. There is a Bilshay Farm in Bilshay Lane 3 miles from Loders which may have been where the family were living at that time.

John Hayward singleman married Elizabeth Honyborne 2 May 1756 in Loders. Witness Henry Honyborne.

GGGGGGP John Hayward (about 39) and the much younger Elizabeth Honyborne (about 27) were married 2 May 1756 in Loders. They were "both of this parish" and both made their mark. Elizabeth's younger brother Henry Honyborne b1735 was a witness, and signed his name. John and Elizabeth Hayward had at least at least seven children who were all born in Loders. The children were John Hayward 1756-1802, Robert Hayward 1759-1842, Hugh Hayward 1761, Susannah Hayward 1764, GGGGGM Ann Hayward 1767, William Hayward 1769 and Betty Hayward 1772. Elizabeth was about 43 when she had her last child.

GGGGGGP John Hayward and his son were buried in Loders in 1800 and 1802. The earlier date is more likely to be John Hayward snr., which would have made him 83 when he died.

Burial Record Loders 1802: GGGGGGM Elizabeth Hayward nee Honiborne was buried just 3 months after her son John

GGGGGGM Elizabeth Hayward nee Honiborn aged 73 was buried on 18 Nov 1802; just three months after her eldest son John Hayward b1756.

NOTE: The Loders Parish Record has a note in 1703 naming Richard Honiborn (perhaps Elizabeth's uncle) as a church warden. The burial date for Elizabeth Hayward nee Honiborn is unknown.

79.5 GGGGGGGP Henry Honiborn (1694-1761) & Anne Born or Bourne (?-1754)

Loders Baptisms Bottom Entry: Henry Honiborn, son of Richard & Ann Honiborn bapt 29 Jan 1694

Henry Honiborn was born in Loders and baptised on 29 Jan 1694 by parents GGGGGGGGP Richard and Ann Honiborn. His father GGGGGGGGF Richard Honiborn was listed as a church warden in 1703.

"Ann, daughter Richard Honiborn was baptised July 1st "1690

Henry had at least two siblings; William Honiborn b1684, Ann Honiborn b1690 (above) all born in Loders.

At the age of 26 on 6 Oct 1720, GGGGGGGF Henry Honiborn married Ann Born in Loders. Henry and Ann had five children; Mary Honeybone 1721 (Billshay), John Honeybone 1723 (Billshay), GGGGGGM Elizabeth Honeybone 1729, Ann Honeybone 1732 and Henry Honeybone 1735. The baptismal record indicates that at least for a while they were living on Bilshey Farm, Loders.
NOTE:A John Born married Elizabeth Buden in 1723 in Loders and may have been Ann Born's brother.

GGGGGGGM Anne Honiborn nee Born was buried 15 Nov 1754 in Loders

GGGGGGGM Ann Honiborn nee Born died in 1754 and was buried in Loders on 15 Nov 1754.

April 30th 1761 Honeyborn, Henry, widower buried April 27 in Loders

GGGGGGGF Henry Honiborn died in 1761 aged 67 and was buried in Loders on 27 Apr 1761.

79.6 Another Henry Northover (1808-1881): born in Swyre at same time as our Henry

There are many records relating to another Henry Northover who was born at about the same time as our Henry and lived in this part of Dorset. He remained single all his life and most records indicate a slighter later date of birth (around 1808 in Swyre). However unlike our Henry, there is no baptismal record available to confirm where/when he was born/baptised. The facts are further confused by the fact that both Henrys seem to be sons of men called Richard Northover. The lives of both men are compared below with the mystery Henry labelled as ‘2nd Henry Northover ’

According to his baptismal record our Henry was born on 6 Dec 1806 in either Swyre, Milton (1851 census) or Puncknowle, but baptised in 1810 in Swyre. On 4 Apr 1818 our Henry aged 11 (born before Apr 1807) was imprisoned for destroying hedges. His description was brown hair, dark grey eyes and dark skin. On 4 May 1826 our Henry married Ann Symes at Shipton Gorge. Both were said to be residents of Milton. According to their children’s place of birth they lived in West Milton at least to 1832 when their last child was born. They were not there in 1841, when our Henry (and his family) was recorded as occupying a cottage 7 miles away in Puncknowle.

Dorchester Prison Record 1826 gave a detailed description of Henry Northover b1808

On 26 Oct 1826 the 2nd Henry Northover 18 (b1808), fisherman from Swyre, along with Arthur Northover (see 96.0) was sentenced to 12 months hard labour for assaulting customs officers. Henry was described as 5 ft 9, brown hair, hazel eyes, dark sallow skin with "several slight pock marks on the left cheek", left eye and forehead and "a large wart on the back of the left hand". His father was listed as Richard (with a question mark) and importantly he was single. He was released five months later on 15 Mar 1827. The prison record links this Henry to the crime committed by our Henry in 1818 (see 79.0 above) but as our Henry was married in 1827, living in Milton and the age and eye colour is different they must be two different Henrys.

The 2nd Henry Northover aged 23 (b1808) fisherman of Swyre was again in prison on 26 Feb 1831. Again he is listed as single and son of Richard Northover. He was sentenced to 6 months hard labour for being found guilty of making a light on the coast to assist smugglers. His description was 5ft 9 high, dark brown hair, grey eyes, sallow complexion and marks on the cheek, left eye and forehead and large wart on the right hand. He was released on 11 Sep 1831. All details match the previous court appearance on 26 Oct 1826 except for eye colour which suggests an error was made on this point.

On 17 Aug 1833 the 2nd Henry Northover 25 (b1808) was again before the court charged with assault. He was bailed and temporarily released on 31 Aug 1833. Six weeks later on 16 Oct 1833 Henry was back in court on the same assault charge and the victim was named as Richard Groves. However this time Henry was sentenced to 6 months and was released on 15 Apr 1834. The record confirms it was the 2nd Henry because it makes the link with the previous crime in 1831. Also our Henry was married and was living in Milton with his family at this time. There is no physical description with this record but a note listed him as ‘son of Richard’. 

On 16 Nov 1836 two Henry Northovers were jailed together. There are no physical descriptions, but the 2nd Henry Northover 27 (b1809) was listed as the son of Richard Northover and there is a note linking to the 1833 trial above. The other Henry charged was Henry Northover 21 (b1815 see 93.8), son of Robert Northover and Elizabeth Bird. Both men were found guilty of poaching and sentenced to three months hard labour. They were discharged on 4 Feb 1837.

At the time of the 1841 census our Henry and his wife Ann were visiting his parents in Swyre (but their home was one mile away in Knackershole, Puncknowle). The parent’s household (with ages rounded down) were listed as GGGGGP Richard Northover 60 (b1781) labourer, Mary Northover nee Hardy 60 (b1780), Ann Northover 35 really 39 (b15 Apr 1801), GGGGF Henry Northover 30 really 34 (bDec 1806), John Northover 20 really 21 (b1820), Rebecca Northover 15 really 19 (b1822) and Henry Gape 7 (grandson). The 2nd Henry cannot be found in this census.

On 17 Feb 1843 the second Henry 34 (b1808), along with Thomas Northover 27 (b1816) were in court on a charge of smuggling. Both men were single labourers from Swyre, and were released the following day. There is also a list of people including a Henry Northover listed as being in custody on 29 Nov 1846, but no further details are given.

The 1851 census provides definitive proof that both Henrys were living in the area at the same time. Our Henry was living in South Poorton, Powerstock (11 miles from Swyre) with his family made up of GGGGGF Henry Northover 45 dairyman (b1806 born in Milton), Ann Northover 50 (b1801 Shipton Gorge), GGGGF Richard Northover 24 dairyman (b1827 Milton) and John Northover 18 dairyman (b1833 Milton). They were living next door to many other Northovers. However the 2nd Henry Northover 44 (b1808 Swyre) unmarried agricultural labourer was lodging with Elizabeth 56 and Thurza Samways 16 in Swyre.

In 1855, our Henry’s wife, Ann Northover nee Symes died, and as there are no definitive records relating to our Henry after that date, he probably died in 1859 (see 79.0 above). However there are several records relating to the 2nd Henry Northover who remained unmarried.

In 1861 the 2nd Henry 54 b1808 Puncknowle, unmarried fisherman was lodging with William and Ann Northover nee Hardy. Ann was the older sister of our Henry b1806 (see 77.1) so the two Henrys knew each other well. The second Henry and William 62 supplemented their income through poaching until they were caught and prosecuted on 22 Oct 1867. Henry Northover 59 fisherman from Swyre was described as 5ft 9 with dark brown hair, grey eyes, swarthy skin, a cut over his left eye, cut on right eyebrow and several cuts on his hands. A badly written note incorrectly says this is his ‘second sentence; the previous one being 40 years ago (1827) for smuggling’! This could be a reference to the 1826 court appearance for assaulting customs officers.

After that the second Henry seems to have led a law abiding life. In 1871 at the age of 61, Henry 65 and unmarried was lodging at Mull (or Bull) Inn, Puncknowle with James and Thurza Coombs nee Samways (innkeepers) and Elizabeth Samways 75 (Thurza’s mother) and Ann Purchase 20. Henry had previously lodged with Thurza and Elizabeth Samways in 1851.

The EDI records that Henry Northover, aged 73, died on 15 Feb 1881 at Bridport Union and was buried in Swyre. As this aligns with a birth date of 1808, this record probably relates to the 2nd Henry Northover.

80.0 Three children of GGGGP Henry Northover (1806-1859) & Ann Symes (1801-1855)

 GGGGM Ann Northover nee Symes was only 17 when she gave birth to her first child and 22 when her third and final child was born in 1832. Such small families were very unusual at the time, and the fact that both Henry and Ann died at relatively young ages (Ann was 45 and Henry was 53) may indicate either one or both of them suffered from ill health in their latter years.

A diagram showing the descendants of GGGP Henry Northover b1806 and Ann Symes is below.

80.1 GGGF Richard Northover (1827-1890)

Henry and Anne Northover nee Syme’s first child was GGGF Richard Northover b1827 (named after his grandfather). He married GGGM Anna Maria Gale in 1854 and went on to have eight children. His life is described in more detail in 81.0.

80.2 Henry Northover (1828-1901)

Henry Northover was baptised by parents Henry & Ann Northover 12 Oct 1828 at Powerstock cum West Milton

Henry b1828 was the second son (named after his father) of GGGGP Henry and Ann Northover nee Symes and was baptised on 12 Oct 1828, in the parish of Poorstock and Milton (the family residence was listed as Milton). Henry and his siblings seem to have been missed in the 1841 census. His future wife, Mary Gale b1828, was born just a few months earlier in the same hamlet and Henry would have known her from childhood. At the time of the 1841 census Mary Gale was working as a 13 year old female servant in Nettlecombe (1 mile away in the Parish of Powerstock).

Henry Northover 24 married Mary Gale on 10 May 1849 at Powerstock

Henry Northover and Mary Gale who were both residents of West Milton, married on 10 May 1849 at Powerstock. The wedding was witnessed by Henry’s older brother GGGF Richard Northover b1827 and his future wife GGGM Anna Maria Gale, who was Mary Gale’s sister. (Two brothers married two sisters. See 100.0 for more information about the Gale family). All parties made their mark.

The marriage registration listed Henry as being 24 when he married Mary Gale. This suggests he was actually born around 1825; a few years prior to his baptism! However successive census records suggest a birth year of 1831 which would have made him quite young (18) at the time of his wedding! The age of his wife was not given (she was listed as 'at the age of consent' making her at least 21, which she was, according to her baptism record). Normally ages were not given on the marriage registration (as with wife Mary Gale), if people were at the age of consent, and this also indicates that Henry was around 21 years old, but why the vicar gave him an age of 24 is very odd indeed. At every census after their marriage Henry and Mary are listed with the same age indicating both were born in 1831. Neither Henry nor Mary signed the marriage registration indicating they were not literate. My theory is that both Henry and Mary were born in their baptism years (1828) and the subsequent occasional variations in given ages were either a result of misunderstanding by those recording the ages at various times, or more likely Henry and Mary were unaware of their actual birth year.

Henry baptised 6 Jan 1850, was the second son born to  Henry & Mary Northover nee Gale

Once again children started arriving soon after the marriage (thirteen in total), but were born in various locations as Henry looked for work to support his growing family. As was often the case, the children's names were chosen in honour of family members. Son Henry Northover (named after his father) was born in Milton in late 1849 (baptised Powerstock 6 Jan 1850), Mary Ann Gale Northover born 1851 and baptised 29 Jun 1851 (named after her mother), Sarah Northover born 1852 (baptised 11 Oct 1852 and named after Mary’s mother, Sarah Gale nee Read, but died as an infant in 1854), John Northover b1855 (named after an uncle), George Gale Northover b1856 (Gale is Mary’s maiden name), Richard Gale Northover (named after Henry’s grandfather) b1858, William Northover (named after Mary’s brother) b1860, David Northover (named after Mary’s father David Gale) b1863, Elizabeth Northover b1865, Sarah Northover b1867 (named after deceased sister and Mary’s mother), Emma Northover b1868, Jane Northover (named after an auntie) b1870 and Frederick Northover b1871. Mary carried and gave birth to at least 13 children in 21 years. On most of the baptism records Henry was listed as a 'peasant' or 'farm labourer'.

1851 census Milton: Henry Northover 22, Mary Northover 1 and Sarah Read 63

The only possible record of Henry (b1828) in the 1851 census is a puzzle. It lists Henry Northover 22 ag labourer living in Milton with daughter Mary 1 (actually only a few months old) and a badly written Sarah 'Clear' 63, widowed visitor. All were born in Milton. The information for Henry and Mary fits and perhaps Sarah Clear was helping look after baby Mary, whilst her mother was absent. The mystery is "Where were the rest of Henry's family; wife Mary Northover nee Gale 22 and young Henry nearly 2 years old?"

Over the next few years the family moved around. As Henry was a farm labourer, he was possibly following work opportunities. According to the place of birth of their children, in 1855 they were living in Puncknowle, but in 1857 they moved back to West Milton, and in 1860 they moved to Uplyme in Devon. On 25 Dec 1858 brother-in-law Richard Critchel Gale married Jane Crabb 23 at West Milton. (see 101.6). GGGF Richard Northover and his brother Henry Northover (b1828) were witnesses at this wedding.

1861 Census Uplyme: Henry & Mary Northover nee Gale with their 5 boys & 1 girl

The 1861 census listed the following family members as living in "The Cottage" at Higher Holcombe Farm, Uplyme (13 miles from Milton); Henry Northover 30 ag lab, Mary Northover 30 and children  Henry Northover 10, Mary Ann Northover 9, John Northover 6, George Northover 4, Richard Northover 2 and William Northover 10 months. Sarah Northover b1852 had died in East Bexingham, Puncknowle on 17 Feb 1854 aged 1. Daughter Mary Ann Northover b1851 seems to have died in the 1860's

1871 Census Little Bredy: Henry & Mary Northover with their 7 boys & 4 girls (2 were on the next page)

According to the birth of their next few children they moved to Loders in the 1860’s, but by the time of the 1871 census they were living at Little Bredy. The census listed the family as Henry Northover 40, Mary Northover 40, Henry Northover 21, John Northover 18, George Northover 16, Richard Northover 12, William Northover 10, David Northover 8, Elizabeth Northover 6, Sarah Northover 4, Emma Northover 3, Jane Northover 1 and Frederick Northover 2 months. Son Henry Northover, 23 year old carter, married Susanna Beale 20 in 1874, at Little Bredy. His younger brother John was a witness. Daughter Elizabeth Northover b1865 died in 1880 aged 15.

1881 Census Maiden Newton: Henry & Mary Northover with seven children living in Chapel Lane

As some of the surviving children had moved out of home, the 1881 census listed a smaller family living in Chapel Lane, Maiden Newton (8 miles from Milton). Remaining in the family home were Henry Northover 50 ag lab, Mary Northover 50, John Northover 26, William Northover 20, David Northover 18, Sarah Northover 14, Emma Northover 13, Jane Northover 11 and Fred Northover 10. Son George Gale Northover 26 year old coachman married Mary Ann Legg in 1882.

Sadly son John Northover died at the age of 34 in 1888 at Maiden Newton. The following year was a much happier one when son David Gale married Emily Palmer at Maiden Newton. His younger siblings Jane and Frederick were witnesses.

1891 census: Henry and Mary Northover living in Cattistock Rd, Maiden Newton

By 1891 Henry Northover 60 (really 63) and wife Mary Northover 60 were living alone except for youngest son Fred Northover 20 (whose occupation was listed as a stationary engine driver). Their address was a three roomed house in Cattistock Rd., Maiden Newton. In 1894 youngest daughter Jane Northover married Frederick Larcombe at Maiden Newton. Sister Sarah Northover was a witness. 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 72).

NOTE 1: Although all the moves made during their married lives sounds like they travelled 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.

NOTE 2: Of Henry and Mary Northover nee Gale's thirteen children seven died at a relatively young age; four before the age of  21 and another three before the age of 35. Only six children survived their mother and father. So many early deaths may have been a result of bad luck or perhaps a genetic illness! The children, (with lifetime dates and age at death in brackets) were Henry Northover 1849-1928 (79), Mary Ann Northover 1851-bef 1871 (c19), Sarah Northover 1852-1854 (1), John Northover 1855-1888 (34), George Gale Northover 1856-1941 (85), Richard Gale Northover 1858-1878 (20), William Northover 1860-1915 (55), David Northover 1863-1940 (77), Elizabeth Northover 1865-1880 (15), Sarah Northover 1867-1936 (69), Emma Northover 1868-1895 (27), Jane Northover 1870-1922 (52) and Frederick Northover 1871-1899 (28)

80.3 John Northover (1832-1908)

John Northover was baptised by parents Henry & Ann Northover nee Symes on 1 Jul 1832 at Powerstok cum West Milton

John was the third and youngest child of GGGGP Henry and Ann Northover nee Symes. He was born in West Milton in 1832.
Like his siblings, John does not appear in the 1841 census but in 1851 John Northover 18 was living in South Poorton with his parents Henry Northover 45 and Ann Northover 50 and brother GGGF Richard Northover 24 (See above). At that time, although John was working with his father as a dairyman, his family was living next to two Gale families where the menfolk (James Gale b1790 and Isaac Gale b1823) were carpenters. It was possibly them that inspired (or apprenticed) John to take up that trade.

John Northover 22 married Isabella Cousins on 26 Sep 1854 at Powerstock

On 26 Sept 1854 at Powerstock John Northover 22 carpenter, married Isabella Cousins 21 (b1832), a dairymaid from Nettlecombe (about 1m away). As John’s father, GGGGF Henry was a dairyman, perhaps John met Isabella when he visited the farm she was working at or John may have worked for Isabella's father who was also a carpenter. The witnesses at the wedding were older brother Henry Northover b1828 and Isabella’s sister Sarah Cousins b1838, who both made their mark. Isabella made her mark too, but John signed his name. John seemed the only one of the three brothers who could sign his name. Being the youngest, he may have spent a longer period of time at school.

Elizabeth Mary Northover was baptised privately on 30 Jan 1855 at Powerstock cum West Milton

Four months later on 30 Jan 1855, John and Isabella’s first child, Elizabeth Mary Northover was baptised, but sadly she died three weeks later. Tragedy struck again with their next daughter, Mary Ann Northover b1856 who also died young. The next nine children were born almost every second year. They were Catherine Northover b1858, Sarah Northover b1860, John Northover b1862, Walter Northover b1864, William Northover b1867, Mary Ann Northover b1870, Thomas Northover b1872, George Slade Northover b1873 and Fred Northover b1878.

John and Isabella lived the rest of their lives in the Powerstock/Milton area with John working as a carpenter. The 1861 census listed John Northover 28, Isabella Northover 25, Mary Ann Northover 5, Catherine Northover 3 and Sarah Northover 1 living in Powerstock.

1871 Census: John & Isabella Northover nee Cousins with 6 children & father-in-law living in West Milton

As was common at the time, the family often had other people staying with them. In 1871 Isabella’s seventy-seven year old father, William Cousins b1794, a widowed pauper, was living with them as a lodger.

Interesting Note in the Powerstock Parish Baptismal Record

John Northover of Milton informed the local vicar that his son Tom "born 15 July 1871 was baptised about two months later by the Archdeacon". This note was signed and dated 28 May 1897.

Sarah Northover 21 married Harry Gale 21 at Milport on 4 Jun 1881

In 1881 Harry Gale 21 (his parents were born in the area: see 101.7b) occupation leather merchant, was visiting from Bristol. His visit was not just to say hello. He came to ask John and Isabella if he could marry their daughter Sarah, now 21 and a dressmaker. A few months later, on 4 June 1881, Harry and Sarah were married in Bridport, Dorset (about 4 miles from Milton). The witnesses at the wedding Absalom and Mary Guppy were neighbours of the Northovers in Milton in 1881. The young couple eventually moved back to Bristol and had at least five children, but the records show they kept in regular contact with the Northovers of Powerstock.

1881 Census: John & Isabella Northover living with 8 children & future son-in-law Harry Gale

The family were listed as living in their West Milton house in April 1881 and consisted of John Northover 48 carpenter, Isabella Northover 46, Sarah Northover 21 dressmaker, John Northover 19 ag lab, Walter Northover 17 carpenter working with his father, William Northover 14, Mary Ann Northover 11, Tom Northover 9, George Northover 7, Fred Northover 3 and Harry Gale 21 visitor. The younger children were attending school and all were born in the Powerstock/Milton area.

1891 Census: John & Isabella Northover  & 4 children living near the Red Lion Inn, West Milton

John must have been quite skilled at his carpentry, because by 1891 he was listed as a coachbuilder. He passed this craft onto his sons Tom and William Northover, who were both assisting their father at that time.

The Red Lion Inn has been converted into cottages and is no longer an Inn

The 1891 census shows that John, Isabella and four of their mostly adult children were all living in or next to the Red Lion Inn at West Milton. As a coach builder it would be have been handy for John to be living close to the place where the coaches pull up to give passengers (and horses) a rest. While they were having some refreshments or even staying overnight, John could carry out repairs, so they could resume their journey as soon as possible. The 1891 census listed John Northover 58, Isabella Northover 56, William Northover 24, Mary Ann Northover 20, Tom Northover 19 and Fred Northover 13. Son George Slade Northover had moved to Gloucestershire and was living with his married sister and her family (See 80.3a below).

In 1897 at Sturminster Marshall, son Tom Northover 26, coachbuilder of Powerstock married Emma Symes Dunn 24 whose father was a policeman. Father John Northover was listed as a coachbuilder.

In 1906 John Northover was a witness at the Powerstock marriage of his daughter Marianne 33 (Mary Ann) to John Child dairyman. John’s occupation was described as coachbuilder. Isabella Northover nee Cousins had died in 1896 and John Northover passed away in 1908 in the Bridport area.

80.3a George Slade Northover (1873-1952): Son of John and Isabella Northover

George Slade Northover was baptised by parents John & Isabella Northover nee Cousins on 12 Oct 1873

George Slade Northover was baptised on 12 Oct 1873 at Powerstock cum West Milton by parents John and Isabella Northover nee Cousins whose residence was given as Milton (See 80.3). Father John Northover was listed as a carpenter. George 7 was living with his family in their Milton residence at the time of the 1881 census. Apart from his parents and seven siblings they had a visitor named Harry Gale who had come to propose to George's 21 year old sister Sarah Northover. (They married later that year.)

1891 Census Cadbury Heath, Oldland, Bristol. George was staying with his sister Sarah & her family

Ten years later in 1891, George 17, was living in the 'big smoke' on the outskirts of the industrial city of Bristol in a suburb called Cadbury Heath. He was employed but the writing in the census is illegible making his occupation unknown. George was lodging with Harry Gale and his older sister Sarah Gale nee Northover b1860 (see 101.7a). Whilst staying there, George met Harry’s younger teenage sister Alice Gale 15 (b1876 Bristol), who was living a few streets away with her parents. After a seven year courtship (when she had reached the age of consent) they were married on 29 April, 1898 at Warmley, Gloucestershire.

1901 Census: George & Alice Northover nee Gale living with the White family at 6 Rose Villas, Kingswood

By 1901 George 27 had gained employment on the railways as a railway signalman and he and wife Alice were visiting Edward White 25 fireman/steam train engineer and wife Emma 30 at 6 Rose Villas, Kingswood, Gloucestershire. It was quite a gathering as there were a total of five visitors staying. The others were Annie White 35, who was an ironmonger running her own business, and her young daughters Edith and Hilda.

In 1903 George 37 and Alice 35 had a young son named Reginald George Northover and they were living at 35 Neath Rd, Whitehall, Bristol. The 1911 census listed the same details with the additional information that the three of them were living in a six roomed house.

1939 census George & A,lice Northover were living on Mappercombe Farm, Beaminster, Dorset

In 1939 George 66 (born 28 June 1873) and Alice 63 (born 20 Nov 1876) were living in Dorset at Mappercombe Farm. George was listed as a retired railway signalman. They may have just been visiting because they finished their days living back in Bristol.

George died on 1 Jul 1952 aged 79, whilst resident of 14 Radley Rd, Fishponds, Bristol. Probate was granted to Alice Northover and son Reginald George Northover. Alice Northover nee Gale died on the 23 Dec 1957 whilst living in the family home in Radley Rd. Probate was granted to only son Reginald George Northover, railway porter.

NOTE 1: Back then they did not need internet dating, as visiting and staying with distant relatives and friends, who usually had large families gave you a free introduction to plenty of eligible potential spouses (if one took your fancy).

NOTE 2: Two George Northovers: There were two George Northovers who happened to be cousins (sons of brothers John and Richard Northover) both born in the West Milton area in 1873. George Slade 'Norther' (the son of John and Isabella Northover) is described above. His cousin was the son of GGGP Richard and Anna Maria Northover who was baptised in Frampton on 17 Aug 1873. See 82.8 for information about this George. The two George Northovers are often confused in family trees.
NOTE:3 The Other George Slade
George Slade Northover (son of John and Isabella Northover above) was born in 1873. It is unknown how George obtained 'Slade' as his middle name, but it is likely a maiden name from his mother's ancestry. It would be easy to see a connection between George and another man named Richard Northover Slade who resided in the same part of Dorset. On 17 Feb 1890 at Melplash (less than two miles from West Milton), farmer Frederick Gilham 24 married Mary Hardy Slade 22, whose father was Richard Northover Slade, dairyman, and brother was George Slade born in Melplash in 1875. This may be a coincidence or there may be a connection to our family. This Northover family had their origins in Hazelbury Bryan 23 miles to the north of Milton. The Slade name came from 'Slades' in Powerstock and the Hardy surname came from the Loders and Shipton Gorge area not far from Puncknowle where our Hardys came from. It is very likely that the two families are linked, possibly in several ways.

80.3b Fred Northover (1878-1917): Son of John and Isabella Northover

Fred Northover was the younger brother of George Slade Northover (See 80.3a) and was the youngest son of John b1832 and Isabella Northover above. Both brothers were close to Harry Gale and his family (see 101.7). Their sister Sarah Northover had married Harry Gale in 1881.

Fredick Northover was baptised on 2 Jun 1878 at Powerstock cum West Milton

Frederick Northover was baptised in 1878 at Powerstock by parents John and Isabella Northover. At the age of 3, Fred was living with his family in their Milton West residence according to the 1881 census. Apart from his parents and seven siblings they had a visitor named Harry Gale who had come to propose to George's 21 year old sister Sarah Northover. In 1891 the family were living at the Red Lion Inn in West Milton where Fred's father worked as a coach builder. The family consisted of John Northover 58, Isabella Northover 56, William Northover 24, Mary Ann Northover 20, Tom Northover 19 and youngest son Fred Northover 13.

By 1901 at the age of 23 Fred Northover was living at Harry and Sarah Gale nee Northover's Bristol house. Whilst there, working as a train driver (his brother George also worked on the railways as a signalman), he met local girl Winifred (Winnie) Emily Gentel and they were married in 1903 at the Parish Church in Knowle.

1911 Census:Fred & Winifred Northover nee Gentel & their family were living at 28 Harrow Rd, Brislington, Bristol

The 1911 census listed the family as Fred Northover 33 tramway motor man working for the Bristol Tramway Co. His family consisted of wife Winifred Northover 28 and children Olive Northover 6, Wilfred Northover 5 and Arthur Northover 6 months. A fourth baby Edith Winifred Northover was born on 16 Jan 1913.

At the age of 38 on 8 Dec 1815, Fred volunteered for army service, and his army record provides many details including his height which was 5 ft. 7 inches. The following year on 16 Jun 1916 (a few months after the "Easter Rising") he was posted on active service to Bere Island, Ireland serving as a 'Gunner' in the Royal Garrison Artillery. On 25 Oct 1916 he was posted to the Royal Artillery base at Bexhill, Sussex. By this point he must have been ill because he died on 3 Apr 1917 from 'cancer of the stomach' and was buried in Bristol at the Arnos Vale Cemetery. Wife Winifred Northover nee Gentel was awarded a pension of 28 shillings and 9 pence per week for herself and four children.

In 1919 Wilfred filled out a 'Next of kin' form and indicated her address had not changed, that Fred's parents were both deceased and of Fred's seven siblings, six were still alive. Of his sisters, Kathleen Mapp nee Northover was living at Mappercombe, Powerstock and sister Sarah Gale nee Northover b1862 aged 57 was living at 2 Elmwood Ave, Dedham, Massachusetts, USA (see 101.7).

80.4 The Cousins Family Tree

Our family inter-married with the Cousins family through John Northover. As described above, John’s wife was Isabella Cousins b1833, her sister was Sarah Cousins b1838 and their father was William Cousins b1798 (Isabella’s mother was Jane Dunne b1802) and they came from the Poorton area.

Twenty years earlier on Christmas Day 1830, Samuel Gale b1808 (grandfather of Harry Gale see 68.7a) married Sarah Cousins b1811 at Powerstock (1m from Poorton). The witnesses were Jane Cousins and John Cousins who were probably siblings. Sarah was daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Cousins. These two branches of the Cousins tree are probably related but I have not been able to find the link yet.

80.5 Description of Powerstock (May 1826)

Directional sign at Powerstock

Many of our Northover relatives were born in the West Milton/Powerstock area after GGGGP Henry and Anne Northover nee Symes moved there in May 1826 prior to the birth of their son GGGF Richard Northover (named after his grandfather) in 1827. In 1828 and 1832 their next two sons Henry and John were also baptised in Powerstock. A 'not so pretty' eye witness account describing Powerstock and its environs in 1839 gives a description of the area at the time, as follows.

“.....Powerstock is a country Parish, four or five miles from the towns of Beaminster and Bridport, entirely agricultural, and in those days (1839) the village contained two or three farmhouses, the parsonage and a few dilapidated cottages. It was a thoroughly ‘out of the world’ place; the roads to it were lanes and, such as they were, seemed to end there. Probably no one in a twelve-month found that Powerstock was in his way to any other place, and very few, except the union doctor or a chance friend of the vicar, ever went to it at all. The famous ‘Dorsetshire Labourer’ was then to be found there in the full completeness of his wretchedness, ignorance and want. ... A railway at any rate has penetrated the Parish and Powerstock positively rejoices in a station of its own. But the country road, like many parts of the country, is picturesque and buried in a valley lying below well wooded sloping hills, the village itself at a little distance has a good claim to a kindly regard. The old Church stood in the centre of it, and with the churchyard out of repair, as the whole was, contrasted favourably nevertheless with the miserable cottages and the filthy heaps before the doors, and the pig-sties and the ill-kept farmyards.”

Powerstock in winter

Most of the families in these small hamlets were tenant farmers, who survived on small plots of land (their main skill being manual labour) and paid rent to the wealthy landowners. There were many other Northover families living close by, so young Richard would have had plenty of playmates (many were relatives). In fact another family, Richard and Lavinia Northover had their son John baptised in West Milton just a few weeks earlier. A school was built in Powerstock in 1848 for 122 children and possibly for the first time children had access to education.

Powerstock, West Milton and North and South Poorton are all within 1 mile of each other. The ‘Dorset Ancestors’ website says, “Poorton comprises two hamlets: north and south which are both small and isolated. North Poorton benefits from a large 17th century farmhouse with additions from the 18th century; this stands about 200 yards from the church. Also of interest are two thatched cottages: one dating from the 17th century and the other from the early 18th century. Three centuries ago the community here was on a larger scale; many of the houses have disappeared but it remains a parish.”

81.0 GGGP Richard Northover (1827-1890) & Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881)

GGGF Richard Northover was baptised on 15 Apr 1827 by parents Henry & Ann Northover nee Symes

GGGF Richard Northover was baptised in Powerstock cum West Milton on 15 April 1827. His baptism registration listed his parents as GGGGP Henry (b1806) and Ann Northover nee Symes.

Richard and his brothers grew up in the West Milton/Powerstock area and that is where he had his schooling.

GGGF Richard Northover 24  was living with his parents in South Poorton.

GGGF Richard's doesn't appear in the 1841 census but in 1851 Richard 24 was living in South Poorton with his parents GGGGP Henry Northover 45 dairyman, Ann Northover 50 and brother John Northover 18 dairyman's son.

In 1849, Richard was in West Milton where he was a witness to his brother Henry’s marriage to Mary Gale. Mary Gale was the sister of GGGM Anna Maria Gale (see 101.4) and Richard may have started to court his childhood friend Anna, at that time. Her baptism record appears in a later entry in the same baptism book as GGGF Richard b1827. The entry lists GGGM Anna Maria Gale b17 Oct 1830, whose parents were GGGGP David (b1792) and Sarah Gale (see 101.0). In 1851 GGGM Anna Maria Gale 19, was working as a house servant at Netherby (about 3m away), for a widow who was running a 52 acre farm. As Richard and Anna 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.

GGGF Richard Northover married Anna Maria Gale 30 Mar 1854 in West Milton Chapel

Finally, GGGF Richard 27 a labourer, 'popped the question' and on 30 Mar 1854 he married GGGM Anna Maria Gale aged 23 (b1830) in the chapel at West Milton. Fathers listed on the marriage registration were Henry Northover and David Gale. Witnesses were Richard Critchell Gale b1834 (the younger brother of Anna Maria Gale) and Hannah Read, neither of whom could sign their names. GGGF Richard was able to sign his own name but Anna Maria used an X to sign.

GGGP Richard & Anna Maria's first baby William Northover, was baptised on 24 Oct 1854

Children began arriving later that year and the first were William Northover (bapt 24 October 1854). Interestingly the baptism record lists Anna Maria first, when the father was usually the first parent named. The next two children were GGF Richard Northover baptised 9 Nov 1856, and Sarah Northover baptised 18 Oct 1858.

GGGF Richard Northover  and brother Henry were witnesses at their broth-in-law's wedding in 1858. 

On 25 Dec 1858 brother-in-law Richard Critchel Gale married Jane Crabb 23 at West Milton. (see 101.6). GGGF Richard Northover and his brother Henry Northover were witnesses at this wedding. Henry made his mark, but Richard signed his name in very wobbly writing as if he was was not confident.

1861 census: GGGP Richard & Ann Maria Northover with their three children living in West Milton, Powerstock

The census in 1861 listed the family as still living in West Milton and consisting of Richard Northover 33 (b1827), Anna M Northover 28 (b1833 Milton), William Northover 6 (b1854), Richard Northover 4 (b 1856) and Sarah Northover 2 (b1858); all born Milton. They were living next door to Anna Maria’s parents, GGGGP David and Sarah Gale (see 101.0).

1871 census: GGGP Richard and Anna Maria Northover with their 7 children in West Milton

The 1871 census listed an even bigger family living in their West Milton home. There was GGGP Richard Northover 43 (b1827), Anna M Northover nee Gale 41 (b1830), William Northover 17, GGF Richard Northover 15, Sarah Northover 13, David Northover 9 (1862), (Mary) Jane Northover 7 (bapt 18 Oct 1863), Annie Northover 5 (bapt 15 Oct 1865) and Henry Northover 2 (bapt 13 Oct 1867). With seven children in the house, it must have been getting crowded.

By 1873 they had moved ten miles to a bigger house at Town Hill, Frampton (ten miles east from West Milton) for the birth of baby George Northover who was baptised there on 17 Aug 1873. In 1875 Richard Northover was listed on the voting roll as having freehold land in West Milton, but they did not stay here much longer. Soon after, they moved another twenty miles to Charlton Marshall, which brought them to the Wimborne vicinity.

1881 Census Charlton Marshall: GGGP Richard & Anna Northover & 4 children

In 1881 the family were living in Burts Close, Charlton Marshall, but some of the children had moved out, leaving GGGP Richard Northover 53 ag lab and Anna Northover nee Gale 50 and younger children Jane Northover 18 (b 1863), Annie Northover 16 (b1865) domestic servant, Henry Northover 14 (b1867) carter boy and George Northover 8 (b1873) scholar.

GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale died in 1881 and was buried at Charlton Marshall on 29 June.

GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale died soon after the 1881 census aged of 49 and was buried at Charlton Marshall on 29 June. GGGF Richard Northover died in 1890 aged 63 with his death registered at Blandford in October.

82.0 Eight children of GGGP Richard Northover (1827-1890) & Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881)

All of Richard and Anna Maria’s five boys and three girls were born in West Milton except for the youngest child, George born in 1873

82.1 William Gale Northover (1854-1889)

Baptism of William Gale Northover by parents GGP Richard & Anna Maria Gale 24 Oct 1854

Richard and Anna Maria’s eldest son William Gale Northover b1854 was baptised at Powerstock cum West Milton on 24 Oct 1854 soon after their marriage. The census in 1861 listed the family living in West Milton and consisting of Richard Northover 33 (b1827), Anna M Northover 28 (b1833 Milton), William Northover 6 (b1854), Richard Northover 4 (b 1856) and Sarah Northover 2 (b1858); all born Milton.

By 1871 the West Milton house was ‘bursting at the seams’. Living there were GGGP Richard Northover 43 (b1827), Anna M Northover nee Gale 41, William Gale Northover 17 ag lab, GGF Richard Northover 15, Sarah Northover 13, David Northover 9, Jane Northover 7, Annie Northover 5 and Henry Northover 2.

William Gale Northover married Hannah Emily Dart on 3 May 1879 at Tarrant Hinton

In 1879 William was a resident of Tarrant Keyneston and indicated his occupation was labourer, when he married Hannah Emily Dart in Tarrant Hinton. The wedding was witnessed by William’s sister, Sarah Northover (see 82.3) and Levi Dart.

William Gale Northover 26 was living with wife Hannah Emily Dart near the Rectory in Tarrant Keyneston in 1881

In 1881 the young couple were living in Tarrant Hinton. During the next few years Hannah gave birth to two daughters named Beatrice and Ada.

Tragically William Gale Northover died in 1889 and was buried at Turnerpuddle on 2 Aug 1889

Tragically their relationship was cut short in 1889 when William died at the young age of 34. He was buried at Turnerspuddle on 2 August 1889.

Ada Esther Northover was baptised on 1 Dec 1889 at Cerne Abbas

Hannah was either pregnant with baby Ada when William died,  or Ada was born shortly after hus death. In 1891 Hannah and her two young daughters, aged 8 and 1, were surviving on "Parish pay" and were living in Acreman St, Cerne Abbas in a two roomed house. By 1901 Hannah and the two girls had moved into her younger sister's family's residence at Buckland Newton. The occupants of the house were William James Trim 24 blacksmith, Annie S W Trim 25, Hannah E Northover  nee Dart 45, Beatrice E Northover 18 and Ada E Northover 11. Hannah's sister had been baptised with the very impressive name of Annie Estella Wavel Dart (later Trim).

By 1911 Hannah 55 had moved back to Cerne Abbas and was living with unmarried daughter Ada Northover 21. Hannah Emily Northover nee Dart died in 1917 aged 60.

82.2 GGF Richard Northover (1856-1940)

The second son was GGF Richard Northover, who was baptised at Powerstock and went on to marry Anna (Hannah) Maria Palmer. They had at least eight children.  GGP Richard and wife Maria Northover nee Palmer were the couple who moved to Wimborne which eventually enabled the Northover and Loader families to unite through the marriage of GF Walter Loader to GM Ethel Northover. See 83.0 for more detail about his life.

82.3 Sarah Northover (1858-1922)

Sarah was baptised at West Milton on 18 Oct 1858 to GGGP Richard & Anna Maria Northover nee Gale

GGGP Richard and Anna's first daughter, Sarah, was baptised on 18 Oct 1858 and lived with her parents in West Milton until she was a young adult. Sarah 23 witnessed her older brother William’s marriage in 1879, and in 1881 was listed as a 25 year old servant (cook) for the Guy family who occupied the Church Rectory in Winterbourne Clenston (29 miles from West Milton).

Sarah Northover married James Tizzard on 14 Oct 1884 at Clenston

Whilst living in this village, Sarah met James Tizzard, and they were married there 14 Oct 1884.

1891 census Spettisbury. James & Sarah Tizzard nee Northover wit their two children living in a four roomed house

The 1891 census listed the family (who had settled in Spettisbury) as James Tizzard 35 gardener, Sarah Tizzard 32, Ethel A Tizzard 4 and Reginald J Tizzard 1.

1901 census Morden James & Sarah Tizzard  & four children were living in Charboro Park

By 1991 the family was living in Morden and had expanded to include James Tizzard 45 head gardener, Sarah Tizzard 42, Ethel A Tizzard 14, Reginald D Tizzard 11, William G Tizzard 7 and Wilfred B Tizzard 6. The family were still in Morden in 1911 and the two youngest boys were also working as gardeners; possibly with their father. Sarah Tizzard nee Northover died in Dec 1922 aged 64.

82.4 David Gale Northover (1862-1952)

The third son of GGGF Richard Northover (1827-1890) & Anna Maria Gale (1830-1881) was David Gale Northover who was born in West Milton in 1862 (EBI) and named after his mother’s father. There does not seem to be a baptismal record. In 1871 he was living in the family home at Powerstock with his parents and six siblings. In 1880 he enlisted in the 39th brigade in the UK military forces. The 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed in 1719. It amalgamated with the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment of Foot to form the Dorsetshire Regiment in 1881. He only served one term in the army and was back in civilian life by the end of the decade.

David 27 married Emma Webber at Beaminster, Dorset in 1889 (EMI). Soon after their marriage, they moved to Glamorgan, Wales. In 1881 the family was living in the village of Gelliwion. The household consisted of David G Northover 29 sawyer, Emma Northover 27, Louis A Northover 1 and Fred Webber 13. By 1901 the family had moved to 180 Court St, Tonypandy and David 39 had become a postman.

1911: David and Emma Northover nee Webber & eight children living at 180 Court St, Tonypandy, Glamorgan, Wales

In 1911 there were parents David Gale Northover 49, town postman,  Emma Northover nee Webber 47 (b1864) and eight children; Louisa Annie Northover 21, Edith Northover 19, Albert John Northover 17 postman , Elsie May Northover 15, Gladys Maud Northover 12, Lilian Ada Northover 10, Beatrice Emma Northover 7 and Emrys Vincent Northover. (Two children had died in infancy).

By World War 1 David Gale Northover and wife Emma had moved back to 3 Buckland Rd, Poole Dorset. In 1939 David was a 62 year old retired public servant (Post Office). Emma Northover nee Webber died in 1941 aged 77.

David Gale Northover died in 1952 aged 90 and was buried in Branksome Cemetery

David Gale Northover passed away eleven years later on 19 Mar 1952 aged 90 and was buried in Branksome Cemetery, Poole.

Probate for David's will was granted to son Albert John Northover civil servant with effects valued at £521.

82.5 Mary Jane Northover (1863-1883)

Mary Jane was baptised by parents GGGF Richard & Anna Maria Northover nee Gale on 18 Oct 1863

Mary was born in 1863 and baptised 18 Oct 1863 at West Milton. She lived with her parents in West Milton until she was a young adult. At the time of the 1881 census (Mary) Jane was still living at home with her parents and listed as ‘employed at home’. However later that year she developed a mental illness. She was admitted to the Dorset County Asylum on 12 Dec 1881 and Mary Jane Northover died in that institution less than two years later on 11 July 1883 aged 20.

82.6 Annie Elizabeth Northover (1865-1946)

Annie Elizabeth Northover was baptised by parents GGGF Richard & Anna Maria Northover nee Gale on 15 Oct 1865

Annie Elizabeth Northover was the youngest daughter of the family. She was born in West Milton in 1865. In 1871 she was living with her family and six siblings in Powerstock. By 1881 the family had moved to Burts Close, Charlton Marshall and Annie 16, was working as a domestic servant.

Annie Northover 22 married William Cox 27 year old carter (horse & cart) on 31 Mar 1887 at Milton Abbas

Annie must have moved to Milton Abbas when she became an adult, because that was where she was living when she married William Cox, a 27 year old carter, on 31 Mar 1887. They had four children who survived to adulthood; Harry F Cox, Ethel K Cox, Gertrude H Cox and Ida Gladys Cox. All were born in Milton Abbas.

1891 William & Ann Cox nee Northover were living Mill Cottage no 2, Milton Abbas with their 2 children

In 1891 they were living at Mill Cottage where William worked as a carter at the mill. The family were living in the same location in 1901 but William had become a gardener and was employing his son Harry aged 13. In 1911 they moved closer to the coast at Poole where they lived for the rest of their lives.

William died in 1934 at Poole and  probate was granted to Annie Cox nee Northover. The document listed their address as 108 Florence Rd, Parkstone. In 1939 the widowed Annie 65, was living at 92 Florence Rd, Poole. In 1940 Annie was the only living sibling, who was not listed in the newspaper as being in attendance at her older brother GGF Richard's funeral. This may have been an oversight by the newspaper or as she was in her late seventies she may have been too frail to attend. (See 83.3 below)

Annie Cox nee Northover passed away in 1946 at the age of 81 (EDI).

82.7 Henry Northover (1867-1927)

Henry Northover was baptised by parents GGGF Richard & Anna Maria Northover nee Gale on 13 Oct 1867

Henry Northover was baptised on 13 Oct 1867 at Powerstock and the family abode was given as Milton. His parents were listed as GGGP Richard and Ann Marie Northover. In 1871 Henry was listed as the youngest of seven children living with his parents in Powerstock. Oddly his age was given as 'two', which suggests that the Henry born in 1867 may have died, and another child born in 1869 was given the same name. However as later documents align with an 1867 birth, it is more likely that the enumerator made an error with his age.

The 1881 census listed family members living in Burts Close, Charlton Marshall as Richard Northover 50 farm labourer, Anna Northover 50, Jane Northover 18, Annie Northover 16 domestic servant, Henry Northover 14 (b1867) carter boy and George Northover 8 scholar.

1891 Parkstone, Poole: Henry Northover was lodging with the widowed Jane Duke nee Ccx & her two children 

Whilst in his early twenties, Henry moved out of the family home to lodge with widowed laundress Jane Duke nee Parsons (b1851 Somerset) aged 40, and her young family at 11 Commercial Rd, Parkstone (near Poole). In 1891 the household consisted of Jane Duke 40 b1851, her children Arthur Duke 12 chemist assistant and Bess E Duke 9, Jane's widowed mother Jane Cox 88 b1803 and lodger Henry Northover 23 labourer. Jane had been recently widowed, when her husband Henry Samuel Duke died, and must have been very grateful for the income from Henry as a boarder.

Henry Northover married the widowed Jane Duke on 26 Jul 1891 at Longfleet Poole.

Even though Jane was about sixteen years older (a ‘cougar’ in today’s terms), Henry 24 soon fell in love with her, and on 26 July 1991 they were married and moved to Longfleet Rd., close to Poole Hospital. Interestingly Jane was described as a spinster (unmarried woman). The father’s names on the marriage register were GGGF Richard Northover b1927 (he had died the year before) and George Parsons, dairyman. A witness to the marriage was Ethel Mary Duke (Jane’s daughter by her first husband). The following year Ethel Mary Duke 19, married James Cartridge at Parkstone, Poole. A witness to this wedding was Henry Northover b1867, reciprocating the favour for Ethel. The other witness was Jessie Elizabeth Duke 18 (another daughter by Jane’s first husband). Ethel’s and Jessie’s father was Henry Samuel Duke (died around 1885). In 1897 Jessie 22 married James Henry Cook 24 in Parkstone. This time the witness was her older brother Arthur Duke.

1901 census: Henry Northover 34, Jane Northover nee Duke 48 and Henry's children Bertie and May Northover

Henry’s marriage to Jane gave him an instant family consisting of Arthur Duke 12 and Bess Duke aged 9 (plus three older children living elsewhere). By 1901 the family had grown further with two children fathered by Henry and they were now living in Florence Cottages, Parkstone. The household included Henry Northover 34 gardener, Jane Northover nee Duke 48 (her age started to go backwards), Bertie (Albert) Northover 8 and May Northover 4 (born in 1897 when Jane was 46). Arthur and Bess Duke were now young adults and had left home.

1911 Census; Henry & Jane Northover nee Duke

In 1911 the family was still living at 9 Florence Cottages, Parkstone, but Jane’s age continued to go backwards! She claimed to be 52 when in fact she would have been around 60. She also reported that of her two children in the present marriage only one remained alive. As Albert 18 was still with them, it must have been the youngest child, May, who had passed away. Stepson, Arthur Duke 31, now a gasfitter, was back living with them and was still single. In a devastating blow, Henry's only biological son Albert (see below) was killed in action on 12 Jun 1917 in France.

Henry Northover died on 26 July & was buried on 30 Jul 1927 at St Osmonds, Parkstone, Poole

Henry Northover died in 1827 aged 59, and was buried on 30 Jul 1827 at St Osmonds, Parkstone. 

Jane Northover nee Duke nee Parsons of 20 Florence Rd., Parkstone died in 1929 with probate granted to her son Arthur Charles Dukes, gas fitter.

NOTE Jane Parsons spinster had married Henry Samuel Duke, blacksmith on 4 Jul 1871 at Charlton Musgrove in Somerset. Her father was listed on the marriage registration as George Parsons, dairyman. Witnesses were Charles and Elizabeth Parsons (possibly siblings). As her mother was known as Jane Cox on the 1991 census, the mother must have remarried a man named Cox later in life. Jane Cox does not appear to be related to William Cox who married Henry’s sister, Annie Northover . (See 82.6)

82.7a Albert Reginald Northover (1893-1917)

Albert was born to Henry and Jane Northover nee Duke nee Parsons at Parkstone and was baptised at St Peters, Parkstone on 16 Apr 1893. When war broke out Albert joined the Royal Garrison Artillery (Regimental number 82126) and was sent to France as a gunner gaining the rank of Sergeant.

Albert Northover War record extract: Death 12 Jun 1917 in Field Ambulance Station, France. Mother sole legatee Jane

Albert died from wounds sustained in battle on 12 Jun 1917 and was buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in France.

82.8 George Northover (1873-1954)

Frampton Baptisms: George was the only one of his siblings not born in the West Milton area

GGGM Richard and Anna Maria’s eighth and final child was George Northover who was baptised in Frampton on 17 Aug 1873, about ten miles from Powerstock in Dorset. As he was 8 at the time of the 1881 census he must have been born very early in 1873 or possibly in 1872. His mother would have been around 42 at the time of the birth. The family residence was given as Town Hill, Frampton. George is sometimes confused with his cousin George Slade Northover born in the same year in West Milton. (See 80.3 above).

1881 census Charlton Marshall: George Northover must have been born early in 1873 as he was 8 at the time of the census

In 1881 at the age of 8 he was living with his parents in Burts Close, Charlton Marshall. The family consisted of Richard Northover 50 ag lab, Anna Maria Northover 50, Jane Northover 18, Annie Northover 16 domestic servant, Henry Northover 14 carter boy and George Northover 8 scholar.

Soon after the 1881 census, George’s mother GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale died, when George was only 9. Then his father GGGF Richard Northover b1827 died in 1990 when George was 17. Not much is known about George after this time, although the newspaper article paying tribute to his brother GGF Richard Northover b1856 published in 1932 listed a 'G. Northover' as one of the mourning brothers. The EDI also lists a George Northover aged 81 dying in Poole in 1954 which fits.
NOTE: One explanation for the lack of records from 1881 onwards may be that George joined the merchant navy. With no one to support him from his late teens the navy was one option young men often took up. If he spent the next 20-30 years sailing around the world there would be very few records of his life. He may even have married and had children overseas.

83.0 GGP Richard Northover (1856-1932) & Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)

GGF Richard Northover was baptised by parents GGGF Richard & Anna Maria Northover nee Gale on 9 Nov 1856

GGF Richard Northover was baptised on the 9 Nov 1856 (born on 15 Oct) in the parish of Powerstock, Dorset. His baptism registration listed his parents as GGGP Richard Northover b1827 and Anna Maria Northover nee Gale (see 81.0) and their abode was in the nearby small village of West Milton. As with most of our relatives, Richard’s (b1856) father, GGGF Richard Northover b1827, was listed as a labourer on the birth certificate.

83.1 Early Life of GGF Richard Northover (1856-1932)

1861 census Powerstock: GGF Richard Northover b1856 was living with his parents & siblings in Milton, Powerstock

The 1861 census shows that the family was still living in the hamlet of West Milton (house no 105 on the census). Richard’s father (GGGF Richard b1827) was working as a labourer, young GGF Richard 4 (b1856), and brother William 6, were attending school (possibly the first in their family to do so), whilst little sister Sarah 2, was at home with mother GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale 28. They were living next door to GGGP David Gale 69 and Sarah Gale 68 (Anna Maria’s parents). Although David Gale was listed as a labourer he may have been quite frail as he died later that year. Residents of the next house were William Vallins Gale (b1824 Loders) who may have been a distant relative of the Gales.

1871 Census Powerstock: GGF Richard Northover b1856 was living with his parents & siblings in Milton, Powerstock

In 1871 the family was still living in West Milton but had grown to seven children. Father GGGF Richard Northover b1827 was listed as a 43 year old labourer and sons William 17 and GGF Richard 15 had joined him in that line of work. Sister Sarah Northover 13, was going to school, but David 9, Jane 7, Anne 5 and Henry 2 (really 4) all appeared to be at home with mother GGGM Anna Maria Northover nee Gale 44. The family may not have been able to afford to send the younger children to school.

1881 Census Wimborne Minster: GGF Richard Northover b1856 was lodging with the Thomas family

Around 1880 young GGF Richard 24 moved out of the family home and in 1881 he was lodging with the Thomas family in New Boro, Wimborne. This was the same year that his mother died. As this was a move of 40 miles, it was probably related to gaining a job as a porter on the local railway, which was opened around 1850. The house where he was staying was quite close to the station and several other men living nearby also worked on the railways. Richard was one of the first in his family to have secure employment and pay and not be a labourer. His family would have been very proud of his achievement.

83.2 GGP Richard Northover (1856-1940) married Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)

GGF Richard’s good luck kept on coming when he married GGM Hannah Maria Palmer 21 (b1862) in October 1883 at Wimborne Minster (EMI). In the past, people met their spouses either locally or in the next village. Although Hannah was born in Fawley, Southampton her family had moved to Canford near Poole in the early 1860's. The existence of the railway may have facilitated their meeting.
Richard and Hannah settled in Wimborne and it wasn’t long before babies started arriving; David James Northover in 1885 (EBI), Edwin George Northover in 1888 and GM Ethel Maud Northover born 12 Jan 1889 (see 15.0). 1890 was not a happy year with the death of GGF Richard’s father (GGGF Richard Northover b1827) at the age of 63.

1891 Wimborne: GGP Richard & Hannah M Northover living in Station Rd. (2 children were on next page)

By 1891 the family had moved into a house at 7 Station Rd Wimborne (close to the railway) and consisted of GGP Richard Northover 33 railway porter and Hannah M. Northover nee Palmer 29 and children David J Northover 6, Edwin G Northover 3 and GM Ethel Maud Northover 2. They would have rented this house either from the railways (they frequently constructed houses for their employees and most of their neighbours were fellow employees) or from the local council.

GGF Richard Northover b1856

Over the next few years the family grew further with the birth of Louise (Annie) b1895, Richard Montague (Bertie) b1896 and Ernest Harry b1900 making a total of 6 children living with their parents.

1901 Census Wimborne: GGP Richard & Hannah M Northover with five children in Station Rd

In 1901 the family was still living in Station Rd, Wimborne. GGF Richard 44 was a railway goods checker and GGM Hannah M Northover was 39. There were only five children in the house as son Edwin (George) Northover 13 was staying in Poole with his grandparents James and Eliza (Elizabeth) Palmer nee Wheeler at 25 Green Rd. (see 107.0). This may have been a short holiday, or it may have been because the house was getting crowded. After all, it only had 6 rooms e.g. a kitchen, living room, perhaps a sitting room and 3 bedrooms for 8 people. Eldest son David was working as an errand boy for the local doctor.

1911 Census Wimborne: GGP Richard & Hannah M Northover with five children & a boarder

In 1911, although the children were on their way to being grown up, five were still living at home at 7 Station Rd., Wimborne and they even managed to squeeze in a boarder to help make ends meet. GGF Richard Northover b1856, was still working as a railways goods checker, Edwin George Northover 23 (b1888) was working as a railway car-man, Bertie Northover 14 (b1897) was an errand boy for a stationer, Ernest Northover 11 (b1900) was still in school, GM Maud (Ethel) Northover 22 (b1889) was a fully qualified dress maker and younger sister Louisa Northover 15 (b1896) was her apprentice. The census also tells us that all children were born in Wimborne (probably in the family home) and that GGM Hannah (Anna) Maria Northover nee Palmer had given birth to a total of ten children but only 6 survived to adulthood!

GGM Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer in 1916 aged 54

The Northover family had prospered (compared to earlier times) during the latter part of the 1800’s, and along with many of their countrymen would have felt great pride in their country. When WW1 commenced in August, 1914, this feeling of loyalty to the motherland combined with the distribution of plenty of promotional propaganda, encouraged thousands of young men to eagerly enlist in the army. The consequence of this was the frequent death or maiming of their sons and our family was no exception. WW1 had a terrible impact on GGP Richard and Hannah Maria Northover and rest of the family. All four sons had joined the army and they lost two of them as a result. (See 84.0 below)

83.3 Latter Years of GGP Richard Northover (1856-1940) & Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)

Death Cert for GGM Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer who died at the age of 64

GGM Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer died on the 17 Jan 1926 at her home at 7 Station Rd.,Wimborne aged 64. Cause of death was listed as heart disease for six years and a bout of bronchitis for one month. (It was mid-winter at the time). Her husband was listed as Richard Northover retired railway checker. The informant was daughter GM Ethel Maud Loader nee Northover who lived at 1 Old Rd at that time.

GGF Richard Northover on a Baptist Church Sunday School Picnic at Holt

GGF Richard Northover stayed on living at 7 Station Rd , Wimborne and was cared for by his eldest daughter GM Ethel Maud Loader nee Northover and her family who moved into the house at 7 Station Rd. On 14 Oct 1937 Ethel Maud sent her father a birthday card signed “from Maud and Walt”.

GGF Richard Northover employment record over 43 years from 1880 to retirement in 1923

The 1939 Register for Wimborne Minster listed the family living at 7 Station Rd as Richard Northover 83, retired railways goods checker, soninlaw Walter Frank Loader, worker at Royal Naval Cordite Factory and Ethel M Loader, unpaid domestic duties.

GGF Richard Northover died in 1940 (with death registered in June at Blandford) aged 83.

A tribute to GGF Richard Northover (1856-1940) was published in the local paper a week after his funeral, which included the following information [square brackets are my comments]. Richard "was a senior deacon at the Wimborne Baptist Church and he had worked for the Southern Railway for 43 years (first appointed 1880). Chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs G Northover (son & daughter-in-law) [Edwin George Northover & wife], Mr B. Northover (son) [Bertie], Mr and Mrs Walter Loader [daughter Ethel Maud & husband), Mr and Mrs T Trowbridge  (sons-in-law and daughters) [daughter Louisa & husband), Messrs D and G Northover (brothers) [David Gale Northover and George Northover b1873], Mr and Mrs E Bartlett (granddaughter and husband) [Louie Loader and her husband Ernest], Miss Mary Loader (granddaughter), Mr B Northover (nephew)......" I am unsure who this latter person was but my guess is Albert John Northover (1894-1969), who was the son of Richard's brother David Gale Northover. The only close family member who was still alive, but not present at the funeral, was Richard's sister Annie Elizabeth Cox nee Northover (1865-1946).

NOTE 1: The listing of George Northover is the only confirmed record of George Northover b1873 as an adult that has been found. 

NOTE 2: Granddaughter Nancy Elizabeth Loader probably did not attend the funeral, as she was only eleven years old at that time.

Richard Northover; closeup of above photo

GGF Richard Northover of 7 Station Rd made his final will on 10 July 1826 (many years before his death) in which he nominated his daughter Louise Trowbridge nee Northover as his executor. The wording comprised a simple statement of his wishes, “to my daughter L. Trowbridge, the overmantle mirror, two oil paintings, one round table. The remainder to my daughter Mrs Maud Loader (GM Ethel Maud Loader nee Northover) who has now made my home and her own home with me, to deal with as she thinks best after my death. Should there be any little thing she would like to give to George (Edwin George Northover b1888) and Bert (Richard M Bert Northover b1896) my sons, I leave it to her.”

84.0 Six children of GGP Richard Northover (1856-1940) & Hannah Maria Palmer (1862-1926)

Of Richard and Annie’s six children, four were boys. Both the eldest and youngest of these boys died as young men when they were killed at the time of WW1. The war not only resulted in the death of thousands of young men, it also resulted in a generation where far fewer babies were born. Previously it was common for a woman to have a baby every two or three years, but as their husbands were away for several years many young couples ended up with fewer children. This was the case with our Northovers. Richard and Annie had six children, but only three of their children had those families of their own making a total of seven children in the next generation.

Diagram showing descendants & ancestors of Richard & Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer (green & purple).

84.1 David James Northover (1885-1916)

David was born in Wimborne in early 1885 (EBI) and was probably named after his grandfather GGGGF David John Gale. He was living with his parents GGP Richard and Hannah Northover nee Palmer in Station Rd. at the time of the census in 1891 and 1901. At the time of the latter census he was 16 and was working as an errand boy to a surgeon.

1911 census: India & Ceylon Army List: Private David James Northover, born Wimborne

However by 1911 he was serving in the Dorset Regiment of the army in India. According to the census he was 23 but his real age was 25. On 6 November 1914 (three months after World War 1 was declared) he was posted to the Mesopotamian Campaign (Iraq) as a member of the Dorsetshire Regiment. His service record listed him as a drummer (the only known musical member of our ancestral family).

Drummer David James Northover (1885-1916)

David probably arrived at the front in 1915 as part of the reinforcements sent to help the existing troops and must have found the dry hot desert conditions very hard, compared to green valleys of southern England. The army had the intention of clearing Turkish forces out of south-west Iraq.  (At the same time Australians were fighting a losing battle with the Turks on another front at Gallipoli.) Over many months the troops fought their way up the Tigris River to the city of Kut, which was finally captured on 29 September. The advance to Baghdad was resumed on 11 November, but was brought to a standstill against the strong Turkish defences at Ctesiphon on 22 November. More than half of the 8,500 British and Indian troops who fought at Ctesiphon were killed or wounded.

British troops bathing in the Tigris Jan 1916. Within months many of these men died from starvation or wounds

By 3 December, the British troops were forced back to their entrenched camp at Kut, where they were besieged by the Turkish army. Unfortunately this meant that they were surrounded on three sides by the Tigris River with no bridge to cross it. Heavy casualties (many from slow starvation and disease) were suffered during the siege. Through February and March 1916, food available declined to the point where, come April, they were forced to eat grass and weeds.

The famed Lawrence of Arabia (T.E.Lawrence) was brought in to try and negotiate release of the starving men in the garrison, but all their efforts were rejected by the Turks.

Reg. of Soldiers Effects: David James Northover, drummer, Dorsetshire Regiment died at Kut 26 Apr 1916. Father Richard

David died in 26 April (aged 31), just prior to the garrison being forced to capitulate on 29 April 1916, when nearly 12,000 men were taken prisoner, many of whom later died in captivity. He was buried in the war cemetery at Kut and sadly no one in his family has been able to visit the grave due to the continuing troubles in the area. David is remembered on the Wimborne War Memorial. His parents and family would have been devastated by the death of the oldest child at such a young age.

Plaque in Wimborne Minster listing the two Northover brothers (David & Ernest) killed in WW1

The website http://dorsetinthegreatwar.co.uk/wimborne.html has the following information about David.

84.2 (Edwin) George Northover (1888-1953)

Edwin was born in Wimborne on 3 Jan 1888 (1939 Register) and lived with his family for most of his early life except for a short stay in Poole with his grandparents on his mother’s side, GGGP James and Eliza Palmer nee Wheeler, in 1901. In 1911 he was working as a railway car man.

Like his elder brother, Edwin enlisted early once war broke out in 1914. He joined the Machine Gun corps of the Dorsetshire Regiment. The only information about his army service available is that his rank was Private and his service number was 8896. He survived the war and returned to Wimborne to live with his parents at 7 Station Rd where he was listed on the electoral roll from 1919 to 1921.

In 1930 at Wimborne he married the impressively named Martha Philadelphia Osmond (born 15 Aug 1885, Surrey). They moved into their own house just up the road at 32 Station Rd and lived there until Edwin’s death.

1939 English Register listed Edwin living at 32 Station Rd; not far from where he was born

In 1939 Edwin 51 was living at 32 Station Rd, Wimborne with the occupation of "Southern Railways Motor Driver". His wife Martha 54 was listed over the page.

George 65 wrote this letter to the local paper. I assume the cheque on his retirement was for his work on the railways.

Edwin attended his sister GM Ethel Maud's funeral at the end of Jan 1953, but at that time he was using his middle name 'George'. Sadly Edwin George Northover died within weeks of his retirement in Feb 1953 and just six days after writing the above letter. He died at Poole Hospital on 15 Mar 1953 aged 65.

Edwin’s will left assets valued at £1469. Probate was granted to his widow Martha and nephew-in-law Ernest Bartlett (motor mechanic). There were no known children.

Add caption

Martha died  at Christchurch Hospital ten years later on 23 July 1963. Probate for her will was granted to Ernest George Bartlett, aircraft fitter and nephew-in-law.

84.3 GM Ethel Maud Northover (1889-1953)

Eldest daughter GM Ethel Maud Northover was born on 12 Jan 1889 in the family home at 7 Station Rd., Wimborne. Her parents were listed as Richard Northover, railwayman and Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer. She lived with her parents up until her marriage to GF Walter Frederick Loader on 2 Aug 1914. GM Ethel's father GGF Richard was a deacon in the baptist church and Ethel attended Sunday School on a regular basis. At the age of 3 years 3 months her ability to recite a simplified version of Psalm 119 earned her her very own Bible. She handed this bible down to daughter Nancy when she started attending Sunday School.

The inscription in GM Ethel Maud's Bible "A reward from her Sunday School teacher."

GM Ethel Maud and Walter Frederick Loader went on to have a family of three daughters and her life is detailed in 15.0. Her parents and then her own family occupied the house at 7 Station Rd., for well over sixty years from before 1889 to after 1953.

GM Ethel Maud passed away on 24 Jan 1953 and GF Walter three days later, from (as was reported in the local paper) a “broken heart”, on 27 Jan 1953. A newspaper article published on 31 Jan 1953 tells us that the couple had been married for 39 years.

Walter & Ethel Maud Loader nee Northover c1852

See 15.0 for more information about their married lives and 16.0 for details of their children.

84.4 Louisa (Annie) Northover (1895-1980)

The youngest daughter Louisa (Annie) Northover (aka Annie L Loader) was born on 24 Aug 1895 (1939 Register). In 1914 Annie Louisa Northover was a witness at her sister Ethel Maud’s marriage to Walter Loader. Annie lived with her parents at 7 Station Rd, until her own marriage in the Wimborne Wesleyan Chapel on 22 Mar 1919 to (William) Tom Trowbridge (b22 Oct 1888 Longfleet).

William & Lousia (Annie) Trowbridge c1925

Like many of the other young men of his age, Tom had joined the Dorset regiment of Army on 16 Aug 1914, soon after war was declared (Private 8012). Although he survived the war, he was taken prisoner early in the war and spent much of the war as a P.O.W. This would have been an extremely depressing time, because at the time he had no idea how long the war would last and when (and if) he would ever return home. When he eventually was released at the end of the war, (William) Tom married Louisa and they moved in with her parents at 7 Station Rd whilst they waited for a house of their own. They were still listed as living there on the electoral roll of 1921. In 1926 (Annie) Louisa Trowbridge nee Northover was made executrix of her father (GGF) Richard Northover’s will.

In 1939 Tom and Lousia were living in Andover, Hampshire. Tom's job was listed as "Permanent Way Inspector; Engineering Dept Southern Railways". Louisa and husband Tom attended Lousia's father's funeral in Wimborne in 1940 (see above).

Possibly Annie Louisa Trowbridge in 1949 at Nancy's wedding

Annie Louisa Trowbridge attended her sister GM Ethel Maud's funeral in 1953, and at that time her address was listed as Eastleigh. Louisa and Tom had one son; Ronald R.T. Trowbridge born in mid 1828 (cousin Ron).

Tom Trowbridge died on 9 Feb 1960 at 'The Allotments', Campbell Rd., Eastleigh, Hampshire. His home address at the time was 121 Campbell Rd. Probate was granted to his widow Annie Louisa Trowbridge nee Northover. Annie died twenty years later in 1980 aged 84.

84.5 Richard Montague (Bertie) Northover (1896-1974)

The third son of the family, Richard Montague (Bertie) Northover was born 11 Nov 1896 (where did the name Montague come from?).

Railway Employment record for Richard Montague Northover

By 1911 he had gained employment as an errand boy for the railway company and with a good reference from his father he gained permanent employment in May 1913. His employment record tells us he was 5 foot 5 inches in height. His employment was interrupted a year later when WW1 broke out.

Richard was the first of the family to volunteer for army service (whilst still 17 years old and only one month after war was declared). The only other information available is that he was of the rank of Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment and his service number was 2555 200861 and he was quite short (165cm).  He was discharged 20 Mar 1919 and resumed his work with the railways as a Porter. Over the years he worked up to the Level 4 classification and his pay rose from a starting salary of 7 shillings per week up to 73 shillings by 1923.

According to the Electoral Roll after the war he moved back into 7 Station St with his parents. In 1921 living in the house were parents GGGP Richard and Hannah Northover and Richard's siblings Edwin and Richard Montague Northover and daughter Annie Louise Trowbridge and her husband Tom Trowbridge.

In 1914 Richard's older sister Ethel had married Walter Loader and Richard got to know his broth-in-law's extended family (if he didn't know them already). In 1915 Walter's brother Charles Loader married Winifred Cobb. Tragically Winifred's husband was killed in action in 1916, leaving his devastated young wife a widow. When Richard Bertie Northover returned from the war in 1919 he struck up a friendship with Winifred who was in her mid twenties. Perhaps Bertie provided caring support for her. In time they grew close together and in 1921 he proposed. Later that year on 13 Nov 1921, Bertie married the widowed Winifred L.M. Loader nee Cobb (b1895 Wimborne) (EMI).

In 1929 Winifred gave birth to Richard Frederick George Northover on 16 Aug 1923, followed by Raymond Bertie C. Northover on 16 Apr 1929. Both sons were born in Wimborne (EBI).

1939 England register: 3 Carters Ave, Hamworthy

In 1939 the family was living at 3 Carters Ave, Hamworthy, Poole. The residents of their house were listed as Richard Bertie Northover (43) railway shunter/guard, Winifred Northover (44), Richard Northover (16) gardener, Raymond Northover (10) at school and mother-in-law Elizabeth Cobb 65.

At the age of 44 on 22 Dec 1939 Winifred gave birth to the couple's first daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) Lucy Mary Northover, who was born in Poole. Richard attended his sister GM Ethel Maud Loader nee Northover's funeral in 1953, but at that time he was using his middle name 'Bert'. His 14 year old daughter Elizabeth (b1939) also attended. From that date, there are no records telling more about Richard’s life, until he died in Poole in 1974 aged 78. Winifred Lucy Mary Northover nee Loader nee Cobb died in the same year aged 79.

84.6 Ernest Harry Northover (1900-1919)

The youngest son of Richard Northover and Hannah Maria Northover nee Palmer was Ernest Harry Northover who was born in early 1900 in Wimborne. He was living with his parents GGP Richard and Hannah Northover nee Palmer at 7 Station Rd. at the time of the census in 1901 and 1911 and listed as attending school.

Like all his older brothers Ernest volunteered for the army. However there are few records telling about his service. He must have been quite young as he was only 14 when war broke out in 1914.

Part of Ernest Northover's army record: He died of sickness in Londonderry on 22 Jan 1919. Father was Richard Northover

Death Certificate for Private Ernest Northover who died on 22 Jan 1919 at the Military Hospital, Waterside in Londonderry

Private Ernest Northover's date of death was three months after the end of the WW1 and was a result of illness that developed whilst serving in Northern Ireland. At the age of 19, he died at the Military Hospital, Waterside, of inflammation of connective tissue in left arm and septic pneumonia. His brother-in-law William Tom Trowbridge traveled to Northern Ireland and was present at the time of death. The inscription on his gravestone in Wimborne cemetery, and a war dead certificate reads “In memory of Private Ernest Harry Northover 43347, Dorsetshire Regiment who died on 22 January 1919, age 19”. His war record tells us that his next of kin was ‘R. Northover’, 7 Station Rd, Wimborne. Ernest is remembered on the St John’s Church and Wimborne War Memorials.

The website http://dorsetinthegreatwar.co.uk/wimborne.html has the above obituary for Ernest.
Ernest was buried in Wimborne Cemetery with his grave marked by a cross and an inscription chosen by the family that reads "The Spirit hath returned unto God who gave it".

85.0-89.0 Reserved for Future Use

PART 9: NORTHOVER SMUGGLING GANG

(Not Direct Descendants)

90.0 Northover Smugglers of West Dorset

“At Burton Bradstock and at Swyre two or three miles to the east, the Northovers had a finger in every tub and provided regular employment for the keeper of Dorchester Gaol". Of course the smuggling trade involved many other families of the area too. Hanging on the wall of the pub in Litton Cheney is a framed document entitled "A Parish Guide of Smugglers before the Quarter Sessions 1816-1839". The men referred to are from Swyre, Puncknowle and Litton Cheney. Most of those listed have the surname Northover, but also included are other families such as the Symes, who were related to the Northovers by marriage. Although the people in this chapter were not direct relatives of ours, they came from the same ancestors and had many interactions with our family members, who at times were also involved in illegal activities and sometimes paid the price by spending time in prison.

One of the earliest prison records is that for Robert Northover who was found guilty on 7 Oct 1807 of stealing from a wrecked ship (the property of the King) on the beach at Abbotsbury and sentenced to 3 months gaol.

90.1 Violent clash at Burton Bradstock in1822

The following material is taken from a book by Roger Guttridge entitled 'Dorset Smugglers'

“There was a violent clash on the beach at Burton in December 1822 and inevitably at least one Northover, James the younger*[see NOTE A below], of Litton Cheney, was involved. He was supposed to have struck an officer with a stone but was later acquitted at Dorchester Assizes (court). The incident began between nine and ten in the evening, when Coastguard boatmen saw two boats being rowed towards the shore and heard whistling, which they took to be a signal to someone on the shore. Three or four men came down the beach and one was heard to say: 'Go further east'." The coastguards, William Forward and Timothy Tollerway, crept along the beach and came face to face with three smugglers, who dropped the tubs from their backs and ran off. Their comrades were less cooperative. Leaving Tollerway to look after the discarded goods, Forward crept on and seized another dozen or so tubs, then fired his pistol to summon assistance. At this, the remaining smugglers converged on Forward, held his arms to prevent his firing again and dragged him to the water's edge. He called for help and Tollerway fired his pistol, but before other officers arrived, fighting broke out and several smugglers were wounded, though they still managed to escape with all but two of the tubs." Only Northover and sixty-four-year-old William Churchill, of Puncknowle [*see NOTE B], were detained and the latter spent fourteen months in Dorchester prison for smuggling and assault.

In another incident three years later:

“The Northovers of Swyre and Litton Cheney were anxious to maintain the traditions established by their forefathers. They and other smugglers threatened coastguards from Bridport with sticks and bludgeons, when a landing at Swyre was interrupted in 1825. James Northover [*see NOTE C] threatened to kill the chief boatman if he came any closer, but the officer was undaunted and gave chase. One smuggler escaped by jumping over a hedge, the others by scrambling over a stone wall. The officer was about to climb the wall himself when Joseph Northover [*see NOTE D], let fly with his fists and delivered a blow which "rendered him insensible for a short time". The smugglers got away but John Thorne [*NOTE E] was later imprisoned for obstructing the officers. The Northovers were convicted but not imprisoned, although James twice 'visited' the county gaol and was impressed into the navy for another offence in 1827.”[* NOTE F]

*NOTE A: This was most likely James (b1797) the son of Robert Northover b1772 -see 93.2. He was possibly referred to as James the Younger to distinguish him from his grandfather James Northover b1745 who was still alive.

*NOTE B: William Churchill from Puncknowle was 64 at the time and married with 7 children. He was imprisoned from Dec 1822-Feb 1824 having failed to pay the £100 fine.

*NOTE C: This was most likely James (b1797), the son of Robert Northover b1772 -see 93.2

*NOTE D: Joseph Northover (b1799) was most likely another son of Robert Northover b1772 Swyre), but I can find no record of any Joseph Northover appearing before the courts in 1825 -see 93.3

*NOTE E: John Thorne (or Thorner) the Younger 26 of Swyre, was imprisoned for assault on 25 Apr 1825. The following year he fathered Sarah Northover's b1804 illegitimate daughter Sarah Ann Northover bDec 1826). See 93.5.

*NOTE F: An unknown James Northover was found guilty of smuggling on 24 Aug 1827 and one month later on 26 Sept sent to Portsmouth for impressment into the navy. The record contains no other personal details, but this was not our James Northover who was married in 1827 and together with his wife moved back to Litton Cheney where they had their family. The other possibility is James Northover (1788-1870), because he had a previous conviction for smuggling and there was a six year gap between Sep 1827 and the birth of his fifth child, Susan who was baptised on 20 Nov 1833 (see 73.4a).

90.2 Smuggled Goods

Although the smugglers were breaking the law it has been suggested that the smugglers saw the issue differently and felt their actions were justified because "the goods which they smuggled had been honestly bought and paid for, were transported at their own expense and were demanded by a wide cross-section of the public who, in many cases, could not otherwise have afforded to buy them."

Brandy and wine made up the bulk of the contraband cargoes landed in Dorset between 1716 and the mid 1730s, but many other commodities appear in the lists from time to time, including rum, coffee, tea, salt, pepper, cocoa beans, vinegar, cloth, silk handkerchiefs, tobacco, playing cards, foreign paper and logwood.

Ships of all sizes, both foreign and English, sometimes hovered off the coast for several days while gangs were organised for an illegal landing, and until the first of several 'hovering' acts was passed in 1719 there was nothing the Customs men could do. If questioned by the skipper of a revenue vessel, the captains usually claimed they were bound for some place, which was of no concern to the officers, such as the Channel Islands, France or Holland. ( From Burton Bradstock Smugglers )

The core group of Northover smugglers seemed to have been the descendants of James Northover (1745-1802 who was the brother of GGGGGGF Richard Northover (1748-1784) (i.e. James was our GGGGGG Uncle -see 73.2).

91.0 Eight Children of James Northover (1745-1802) & Sarah Symes (1740-1810)

A diagram showing the descendants of James Northover b1745 and Sarah Symes (Green & yellow).

James Northover was the older brother of GGGGGGF Richard Northover b1748 (See 91.0). He married Sarah Symes and they had eight children. Four of the children; Elizabeth, Sara, Sarah and William died as infants and Dinah died without children. The remaining three sons of James Northover (1745-1802) and Sarah Symes were frequently in trouble with the law. Henry Northover b1774 and Arthur Northover b1780 were said to be in a gang of smugglers lead by their older brother Robert Northover b1772.

Although people living in very poor circumstances often found themselves in trouble with the law, the descendants of James and Sarah took this one step further, and judging by the number of prison sentences handed down to various members of the family seem to have attempted to make a living from smuggling and other illegal activities. Of course the time spent in prison was only for the crimes where they were caught. Presumably they ‘got away’ with much more than that!

As was the norm of the day, families were large, children were often given the same name as their cousins and frequently they had a similar date and place of birth. Chapters 92.0 to 97.0 attempt to unravel the confusing mix of historical records, by developing a chronological list of life events for each person, showing the familial relationships between family members. Chapters 92.0 and 93.0 cover Robert Northover b1772 and his offspring, Chapters 94.0 and 95.0 cover Henry Northover and his offspring and Chapters 96.0 and 97.0 cover Arthur Northover and his offspring.

91.1 Elizabeth Northover (1769-1780)

Elizabeth was baptised on 23 May 1769 at Swyre and died on 9 Aug 1780 at the age of 11.

91.2 Sara Northover (1870-1875)

Sara was baptised on 9 Dec 1770 at Swyre and died on 19 Oct 1775 at the age of 5.

91.3 Robert Northover (1772-1851)

Robert was baptised in 1772 and married his first wife Ann Roper in 1795 with whom he had six children. Ann died in 1808. In 1810 Robert married his second wife named Elizabeth Bird with whom he had a further six children. With so many mouths to feed it is no surprise he needed to improve his income. See 92.0 for more details of his life.

91.4 Henry Northover (1774-1836)

See 94.0 for more details of his life.

91.5 Sarah Northover (1776-1778)

Sarah was baptised on 1 Apr 1776 and died on 24 Apr 1778 at the age of 2.

91.6 William Northover (1778-1780)

William was baptised on 19 Apr 1778 and died on 9 Aug 1780 at the age of 2.

91.7 Arthur Northover (1780-1851)

See 96.0 for more details of his life.

91.8 Dinah Northover (1780-1820)

Dinah was baptised on 17 Oct 1780 and died without children at the age of 39 and was buried in Swyre on 15 May 1820.

92.0 Robert Northover (1772-1851) and his two wives

A diagram showing the descendants of Robert Northover and his two wives is below (yellow boxes).

Robert was baptised in Swyre on 1 Mar 1772 to James Northover b1745 and Sarah Northover nee Symes.

1 Mar 1772 Robert Northover was baptised by parents James & Sarah Northover nee Roper 

"Robert Northover of this parish, bachelor and Ann Roper of the parish of Broadwey were married  21 Jan 1795"

On 21 Jan 1795 at Swyre at the age of 23, Robert married his first wife, Ann Roper, a young widow who was born 8 miles away at Winford Eagle. In later life she must have moved 13 miles to Broadwey, Weymouth because that was the parish listed on the marriage registration. Robert and Ann settled in Swyre and had six children over the next ten years; named Robert Northover b1795, James Northover b1797 (married Hannah Coombs in 1827), Joseph Northover b1799, Betty Northover 1802, Sarah Northover b20 Feb 1804 and Richard Northover 1807.

Dorchester Prison Record 1806: Robert Northover 34, 5ft 9, black hair,swarthy skin, blue eyes

Robert appears to be the first of our Northovers to get involved in smuggling. On 8 Oct 1806 Robert Northover, 34 year old married labourer from Swyre, was charged with stealing from a wreck. He was sentenced to one month with hard labour. His physical description listed him as 5 ft. 9 in, having blue eyes, black hair, swarthy skin and a bad left leg. Some researchers say he had a ‘club’ or deformed leg. This may have made it difficult for him to earn an income as a labourer and may have been one factor that drove him into committing crime. Being sent to prison at this time, made life difficult for Robert’s wife because she was pregnant with her fifth child. In early 1807 she gave birth to Richard Northover, who was baptised on 19 Apr 1807. Sadly wife Ann died in 1808, about one year after the birth of her son (who also died), leaving Robert to earn an income and look after five children (three under the age of ten).

Robert Northover married Elizabeth Bird  at Swyre on 8 Jan 1810

On 8 Jan 1810 the widowed Robert 37 married Elizabeth Bird 29 (from St Peters, Dorchester) at Swyre. Witnesses were H. Samways and Richard Clarke. Later that year on 7 Oct 1810 a man named Robert Northover was found guilty of stealing off a wreck on the beach at Abbotsbury (4m from Swyre). For stealing the ‘property of the King’ he received a three month prison sentence. In this instance there is no definitive link with our Robert in the record, but the name, location and similarity to his previous crime suggest it was most likely him.

Robert may have been driven to a life of crime because of an inability to pay his debts. In 1810 he was an ‘insolvent debtor’ and on the 5 Sep 1812 he was discharged from his debts in the Court at Dorchester.

According to the Parish record, Robert and his second wife Elizabeth had six children, who were all born in Swyre (in addition to the six children from his previous marriage). The children from the second marriage were as follows; John Palmer Northover born 1812, Henry Northover baptised on 12 Mar 1815, Nany (or Mary) Northover baptised on 5 Oct 1817, Mary Biles Northover baptised on 2 Apr 1820, Martha Northover baptised on17 Feb 1822 and Amelia Northover baptised 30 Nov 1825.

Dochester Prison Register 1819 Part 1: Robert Northover 47, married fisherman from Swyre guilty of smuggling

1819 Prison Record Part 2: Robert was 5ft 9, black hair, grey eyes, swarthy skin: Imprisoned until £25 paid

Robert seemed to avoid crossing paths with lawmen for many years, but they caught up with him again on 3 Dec 1819 when at the age of 47 (and described as 5 foot nine fisherman with black hair) he was convicted of smuggling and received a sentence of imprisonment until a fine of £25 was paid. Unable to pay the fine, he was finally discharged 12 months later on 2 Dec 1820! Then again 25 Jun 1822 Robert Northover of Swyre, a 53 (really 50) year old fisherman, his brother Arthur Northover b1883 35 (really 39) and a cousin James Northover (b1781) 41 (probably son of Robert Northover b1753) were convicted of assaulting Custom House officers and sentenced to 6 months.

According to John Wickens, Rector of Swyre between 1817 and 1820, Robert Northover was the leading man of the Swyre smugglers at the time. However, in his fifties Robert seems to have changed direction to a more law-abiding life. In 1841 he was living in Swyre next to his brother Arthur and his wife Atery Northover and their family. Robert Northover was a 70 year old labourer living with wife Elizabeth Northover nee Bird 60 and four of his unmarried children; Henry Northover 20, Mary Northover 20, Martha Northover 15 and Amelia Northover 15 (all ages rounded down).

The mention of Robert’s name in the Dorchester Court was not always because he was in trouble. On the 17 May 1834 the court actually ordered that he be paid 1 pound 5 shillings and 8 pence to cover his costs for him appearing as a witness in the trial of another man for larceny. In 1837 he earned himself 5 shillings and in 1838 a further 1 pound 10 shillings for being a witness in other trials. It seemed co-operating with the law was more profitable then working outside it.

1841 Census Swyre: Robert & Elizabeth Northover nee Bird with four children

In 1841 Robert 70 was living in Swyre with second wife Elizabeth 60 was living in Swyre with children Henry 20, Mary 20, Martha 15 and Amelia 15. Ages were rounded down in this census.

1851 Census Swyre: Robert & Elizabeth Northover nee Bird were living next to many others in their extended family

Ten years later in 1851 Robert 82 fisherman and Elizabeth Northover nee Bird 68 were listed as living alone in Main St., Swyre. They were living next door to daughter Amelia Rendall nee Northover, her husband Benjamin Rendall fisherman and their daughter Elizabeth Jane Rendall 4 months. Robert’s brother Arthur 69 and his family were also nearby.

Robert Northover died in Swyre later that year aged 81 (really 79) and was buried on the 4 July 1851, but some of his children kept up the family habit of breaking the law (see 93.0).

1861 census Swyre: Elizabeth Northover nee Bird a 79 year old widow & her grandchildren

Robert’s wife Elizabeth Northover nee Bird was suddenly landed with four young grandchildren when her daughter Amelia Rendell nee Northover, who was living next door, unexpectedly died in Jan 1861 (see 93.12). Elizabeth 79 had charge of grandchildren Jane Rendell 10, John Rendell 7, Robert Rendell 3 and young William Rendell 1. Elizabeth must have had trouble coping because in 1873, when she needed help, the children’s father Benjamin Rendall walked out. He was charged and found guilty of ‘leaving his family’, but a custodial sentence was not listed in the record. Elizabeth was also only a few doors from her nephew through marriage Richard Northover b1805. (son of husband's brother)

Elizabeth Northover nee Bird lived until 8 Sep 1867 and was buried in Swyre at the age of 86 with her husband.

93.0 Robert Northover’s (1772-1851) Twelve Children by his two wives

Six Children born to Robert Northover (1772-1851) & his first wife Ann Roper (1770-1808)

93.1 Robert Northover (1795-?)

According to the parish record, Robert was born to Robert and Ann Northover nee Roper on 25 Dec 1795 and baptised at Swyre on 31 May 1796 (1795). No more is known about Robert.

93.2 James Northover (1797-1845)

James was born on the 11 Feb 1797 and baptised on 19 Mar 1797 at Swyre.

James Northover the younger 25 from Litton Cheney charged with assalting a customs officer

On 11 Jun 1823 James Northover ‘the younger’ 25, a single labourer of Litton Cheney was charged with assaulting customs in the execution of their duty. He was described as 5ft5½ with brown hair, grey eyes and a cut on the right side of face. On this occasion James struck it lucky because after five weeks in detention he was acquitted and released on 18 Jul 1823.
NOTE: James Northover the elder may have been his grandfather James Northover b1745

James Northover sentenced to 4 months goal for assault 17 Nov 1825

He was not so lucky on his next appearance this time before the Court of Kings Bench on 17 Nov 1825 (presumably because he was depriving the King of tax income from smuggled goods). James Northover 28 single labourer was again charged with assault. He was described as 5ft 6 with dark hair, fair skin, grey eyes and a cut under the right eye. This time he was sentenced to 4 months in prison with hard labour. He was released on 18 Mar 1826. There is also a note saying that authorities sent James Northover’s description to the solicitor of customs (Customs Officers).

James Northover married Hannah Coombs in Swyre 22 Mar 1827

After these two offences James seemed to ‘toe the line’ as far as the law went. On 22 Mar 1827 James 30 married Hannah Coombs 22 at Swyre where they started their family. The first born child was Lydia Coombs Northover baptised at Swyre on the 24 Jun 1827, when James’ occupation was given as fisherman. The next two children baptised were Ann on 25 Dec 1828 and Joseph on the 25 Dec 1830.

In the early 1830’s James and Hannah and their family moved two miles back to the hamlet of Litton Cheney. Their next son James Northover was baptised in 1833, but his brother Joseph died in 1835 and was buried on the 13 Mar 1835 aged 4. Their next child, baptised in 1836, was a boy, so they named him Joseph after his deceased brother. They had two more girls in the 1830’s; Louisa Northover baptised in 1838 and Elizabeth in 1840.

1841 census Litton Cheney. James & Hannah Northover  & six children

The 1841 census listed the family living at Litton Cheney as James Northover 40 ag lab, Hannah Northover 35, Lydia Northover 14, Ann Northover 12, James Northover 8, Joseph Northover 5, Louisa Northover 3 and Elizabeth Northover 1.

James Northover died at the young age of 46 at Litton Cheney & was buried there on 14 Sep 1845

The first half of the 1840’s saw the birth of another daughter (Jane Northover) in 1843, but sadly her older sister Louisa, died later that year aged 6 and then father James Northover died on 5 Sept 1845 aged 48. Both were buried at Litton Cheney. This event was doubly tragic for Hannah because she was pregnant with her last child, Henry Northover, who was born in 1845. She had lost the family breadwinner and was left to care for five children under the age of ten.

On 21 Apr 1849 daughter Lydia married Richard Mellish farmer and one year later on 5 Mar 1850, daughter Ann married Richard Yard at Litton Cheney.

1851 Census Litton Cheney Hannah 45 year old widow & 5 children

In 1851 Hannah Northover 45 widowed pauper was living in the Litton Cheney Parish House with her family made up of James Northover 18 ag lab, Joseph Northover 15 ag lab, Elizabeth Northover 10, Jane Northover 8 and Henry Northover 6.

By 1861 Hannah Northover 57 net braider and her youngest unmarried daughter Jane Northover 18 net braider had moved in with son James Northover 28 ag lab, his wife Sarah 28 net braider and their two daughters Ellen 4 and Alice 1. Ten years later in 1871 Hannah 66, was living alone and had moved into ‘Ellis Cottage’. She still gave her occupation as fishing net braider. Her son James and his growing family were still living next door, so they could keep an ‘eye on her’.

In 1881 Hannah 76 was living with her daughter Jane Atkins nee Northover and her family in Litton Cheney. Hannah Northover nee Coombs died in Litton Cheney at the age of 80, and was buried in 12 Feb 1885.

James and Hannah Northover nee Coomb's nine children were Lydia Coombs Northover, Ann Northover, James Northover, Joseph Northover (died young), Joseph Northover b1835, Louisa Northover, Elizabeth Northover,  Jane Northover and  Henry Northover.

NOTE: Alan Metcalfe and his grandmother Jean Northover kindly sent a copy of their family tree which shows James and Hannah Northover nee Coomb's descendants down to the present day through their son Joseph Northover b1835.

93.3 Joseph Northover (1799-?)

Joseph was baptised in 1799, but no more is known. There is a possibility that he was involved in the "smuggling incident" described in 48.0.

93.4 Betty Northover (1802-?)

Betty was born in 1802 but no more is known.

93.5 Sarah Northover (1804-1880)

Sarah daughter of Robert Northover born 20 feb & christened 6 Apr 1804

Sarah was born on 20 Feb 1804 and baptised in Swyre on 6 Apr 1704. At the age of 4, Sarah’s mother died leaving father Robert to manage with four young children. In 1810 Sarah gained a step mother when her father Robert Northover married Elizabeth Bird. These traumatic events may have unsettled Sarah because at the age of 14 she got into trouble with the law.

Charity 12, Sarah 14, Frederick 10 & Henry Northover 11 gaoled for "destroying hedges" in 1818

Sarah along with three of her younger cousins from Swyre was charged with the offence of ‘destroying hedges’. On 4 Apr 1818 Sarah Northover, Henry Northover 11 (son of Richard) and Frederick Northover 10 were sentenced to 14 days in Dorchester prison. The fourth member of the group, Frederick’s sister, Charity Northover 12 (son and daughter of Arthur and Atery Northover; see 97.2) was given the longest sentence of one month in prison.

At the age of 22 Sarah had a liaison with an unknown man (later named as John Thorne fisherman, when daughter Sarah Ann was married) and became pregnant. She named her daughter Sarah Ann Northover (Ann was her mother’s name). The little girl was baptised on 25 Dec 1826 in Swyre with the parent listed as ‘unmarried mother Sarah Northover’.

1831 Court Record showing cousins Sarah & Ann Northover facing court again

Sarah must have found it hard providing for herself and her child, although she possibly had the support of her extended family. On 23 April 1831 Sarah found herself in trouble with the law again. Sarah Northover 26 fisherwoman and Ann Northover 19 braider of nets, both single women from Swyre were charged with stealing wood. Both were bailed and released three weeks later on 14 May 1831. At this time Sarah was in advanced pregnancy again (probably gave birth in early August), and this fact may have had a bearing on the case. Ann Northover was probably Sarah's cousin Ann (b1813; daughter of Arthur & Atery Northover)

Bastardry Orders 1831 Swyre: Sarah Northover gained maintenance from the father of her child

On 6 Aug 1831 Sarah Northover of Swyre was back in court, but this time the court was in her favour. She obtained a ‘bastardry order’ against Henry Legg yeoman of Burton Bradstock who she alleged was the father of her child. The judgement was for a payment of £1 16s and 1s 3d weekly for maintenance of her male child.  According to the Swyre Parish Record, Henry Northover (named after his father) was baptised on 23 Sep 1831 with his parent listed as unmarried mother Sarah Northover. Later when Henry was married he wrote ‘illegitimate’ in the space for his father on his marriage registration. Interestingly, a few months later, cousin Charity Northover achieved a similar result on 30 Dec 1830 for her male child in a court case against Robert Pevut of Burton Bradstock (see 97.2). Unmarried mother Sarah 38 had one more child, Ellen Northover who was baptised on 8 Sep 1842.

1851 census Swyre: Unmarried mother Sarah with her three children

In 1851 Sarah Northover 45 braider of nets was living as an unmarried mother and caring for her three children in Swyre. The children were; (Sarah) Ann Northover 22, Henry Northover 12 and Ellen Northover 7.

1861 census Swyre: Sarah Northover unmarried head of household with daughter Ellen & grand-daughter Sarah

By 1861, Sarah’s eldest children had left home leaving Sarah Northover 55 braider of nets with Ellen Northover 17 also a braider of nets and granddaughter Sarah Ann Hansford 3. Daughter (Sarah) Ann Northover had married Moses Hansford on 28 Aug 1853 at Puncknowle. Interestingly, she nominated her father as John Thorne fisherman. Brother Henry was a witness at her wedding. Henry married in 1855 and at this time was living in Burton Bradford with his family.

Sarah Northover married Richard Bishop on 21 Dec 1861 at Swyre

After living as a single woman for over fifty years and bearing three children out of wedlock, Sarah finally decided it was time for marriage. On 21 Dec 1861 Sarah Northover, 57 year old spinster, married widower Richard Bishop at Swyre. Sarah's father was listed as Robert Northover fisherman. One of the witnesses was John Reech Bishop (probably Richard Bisho p's brother)

Ellen Northover 19 years "She died of ....... a few weeks after giving birth to an illegitimate child."

Sadly, daughter Ellen Northover died at the age of 19 on 9 Jan 1863 at Swyre ‘a few weeks after giving birth to an illegitimate child’.  Tragically her baby daughter, also named Ellen Northover, was baptised on the same day as her mother’s burial.

1871 census Burton Bradstock. Sarah Bishop nee Northover & grand-daughter Ellen Northover

The 1871 census shows that Sarah Bishop nee Northover 66 had moved to Burton Bradstock and had taken over the parenting of her orphaned grand-daughter Ellen 7, who was attending school. It appears that her husband Richard was residing at Bridport in 'Bridport Union Workhouse' (a home for the destitute) at this time. Richard Bishop 84 seems to have died in 1879.

Sarah Bishop nee Northover died in 1880 aged 79 (really 77) and was buried at Burton Bradstock on 9 Jun 1880.

93.5a Henry Northover (1831-1879): illegitimate son of Sarah Northover.

Henry Northover was baptised at Swyre 26th Sep 1831 by "unmarried woman" Sarah Northover

Henry Northover was baptised on 26 Sep 1831 at Swyre with his parent listed as unmarried mother Sarah Northover.

Henry Northover married Ellen Coombs at Swyre 15 Jul 1855

On 15 Jul 1855 Henry 24, a labourer, married Ellen Coombs 19 at Burton Bradford (both were residents at the time). Ellen listed her father as John Coombs, but Henry wrote ‘illegitimate’ and did not name his father. Henry's aunt Martha Churchill nee Northover and John Clark were witnesses.

Henry and Ellen settled in Burton St, Burton Bradstock and had their family of 11 children there. In 1861 Henry Northover 30 and Ellen Northover 25 were still living in Burton Bradstock with children Richard Northover 4, John Northover 2 and Mary Northover 1 month.

1871 census Burton Bradstock

By 1871 they were living in Southover, Burton Bradstock and the family consisted of Henry Northover 39 labourer, Ellen Northover 35, Richard Northover 14, John Northover 12, Amelia Northover 10, Stephen Northover 6, Joseph Northover 4 and George Northover 1. The couple had three more children in the 1870’s William Northover, Charles Northover and Bessie Northover 4. 

Henry Northover died at the young age of 48 in Burton Bradstock on 5 Apr 1879

Henry died in Jun 1879 aged 48 in the Bridport district, two years before his mother. His wife Ellen Northover lived to the age of 74 and was buried at Burton Bradstock on 18 Aug 1909.

Henry and Ellen Northover nee Coomb's eleven children were Richard Northover, John Northover, Mary Amelia Northover, Edith Northover, Henry Stephen Northover, William Northover (died young), Joseph Northover, George Northover, William Northover b1872, Charles Northover and Bessie Northover.

NOTE Alan Metcalfe and his grandmother Jean Northover kindly sent a copy of their family tree which shows Henry Northover's descendants down to the present day through his son William Northover b1872.

93.6 Richard Northover (1807-1807)

Richard was baptised on 19 Apr 1807 at Swyre, one year before his mother Ann Northover nee Roper died leaving Robert Northover a widower with five children. Richard died as an infant and was buried in on 14 June 1807.

Six Children of Robert Northover (1772-1851) & his second wife Elizabeth Bird

93.7 John Palmer Northover (1812-1888)

1815 Swyre baptisms. Northovers made up a significant portion of the baptisms including brothers Henry & John

John Palmer Northover was born in 1812 and for an unknown reason was baptised several years later on 16 Apr 1815, after having been privately baptised on 12 Aug 1812. His baptism was one month after his younger brother Henry.

John & Thomas Northover imprisoned for 'leaving work'.

John seems to have avoided getting into trouble with the law, except for two ‘minor’ misdemeanours. On 11 May 1833 John Northover 20, along with cousin Thomas Northover 20, both single labourers from Swyre were convicted of ‘leaving work’ and sentenced to fourteen days hard labour in prison. John’s description was given as 5ft 7, dark brown hair, dark grey eyes, dark sallow skin and a double chin.

Dorchester Prison 17 Jan 1835: John & Thomas Northover imprisoned for trespass

The second incarceration was for the crime of trespass. John 21 & cousin Thomas 22 were sentenced to 14 days hard labour for this crime. Their heights were listed as 5 ft 7  & 5ft 8 respectively. At this time landowners were closing off their lands and pursued the full extent of the law to enforce 'their rights'.

John Palmer Northover married Jane Purchase 16 Jun 1835 at Swyre

John Palmer Northover married Jane Purchase at Swyre on 16 Jun 1835. Jane’s sister was a witness at their wedding. Six years later in 1841 John Northover 25 and Jane Northover 25 were living in ‘Hockars House’ with their daughters, Ann Northover 4 and Elizabeth Northover 2. In 1846 John was a witness at brother Henry’s wedding. Living in their house in 1851, were John Northover 37 ag lab, Jane Northover 38, Elizabeth Northover 12, William Northover 9, Ann Northover 7 (the first Ann died in 1842), Henry Northover 4 and Alice Northover 1. All were born in Swyre.

1861 Census Swyre: John & Jane Northover nee Purchase & their five children

In 1861 at Swyre there were two more additions to the family, which then consisted of John Northover 48, Jane Northover 47, William Northover 19, Henry Northover 14, Alice Northover 12, John Northover 9 and Elizabeth Northover 7.

1871 Census Swyre: John & Jane Northover nee Purchase with children John & Elizabeth Northover

By 1871 the older children had left to make their own way in life, and the family had shrunk to include John Northover 38 ag lab, Jane Northover 57, John Northover 19 ‘apprentice to blacksmith’ and Elizabeth Northover 17 net braider.

In 1881 their residence was described as no.12 Swyre. Although most children had left home, some were still sharing the house. Living there were John Northover 69 now working as a carrier, Jane Northover nee Purchase 68 net braider, unmarried daughter Elizabeth Northover 27 net braider, Jane’s unmarried sister Anna Purchase 77 net braider and granddaughter Mary E. Manuel 11 scholar.

Jane Northover nee Purchase died in 1885 and John Northover died in 1888. Both were buried in Swyre.

93.8 Henry Northover (1815-1888)

Henry was baptised on 12 Mar 1815; see above.

Dorchester prison 1828: Young boys Henry & Charles Northover gaoled for one month for  'stealing turnips'.

At the age of 13, along with a cousin, Charles Northover (who was only 12), Henry was imprisoned for one month with hard labour, on 20 Dec 1828 for stealing turnips. They were in gaol over Christmas and released on 19 Jan 1929. However this was only the start of Henry’s wayward ways.

On 27 Sep 1834 Henry Northover, 19 year old labourer (‘son of Robert’) was found guilty of smuggling and sentenced to six months hard labour in prison along with four other men. His physical description was; height 5ft 8, brown hair, dark grey eyes and sallow skin.

Dorchaster Prison: Two Henry Northovers gaoled for poaching 16 Nov 1836

On 16 Nov 1836 two Henry Northovers, who were also cousins were jailed together. They were Henry Northover 27 (b1808) son of Richard Northover (see 79.6) and Henry Northover 21 (b1815) son of Robert Northover. Both were found guilty of poaching and sentenced to 3 months hard labour. They were discharged on 4 Feb 1837.

1840 Dorchester prison. Henry Northover gaoled for "leaving service" (leaving work). Physical description below

For the fourth time in his young life, Henry, "son of Robert" was gaoled. Once again he was imprisoned for a minor misdeameanor; that of 'leaving service' or leaving work. For this crime he was given 2 weeks gaol with hard labour. He was released on 15 March.

In 1841 Henry 20 (really 24) was living at Swyre with his parents; Robert Northover 70 and Elizabeth Northover 60 and siblings Mary Northover 20, Martha Northover 15  and Amelia Northover 15 (all ages were rounded down), but in the early 1840’s he moved the short distance to Puncknowle.

Henry Northover b1815 married Susannah Tompkins 6 Sep 1846 at Puncknowle

In 1844 Henry’s sister Mary Biles Northover married James Tomkins b1820 in Puncknowle. At the wedding Henry would have met James Tompkin’s sister Susannah (if he didn’t know her already) and a romance developed. (Susannah was born in Puncknowle in 1829.) On 6 Sept 1846 at Puncknowle, Henry 31 year old bachelor married the much younger woman, Susannah Tomkins 17, who was ‘under age’ and needed her parent's permission. Both were residents of Puncknowle at the time. Henry gave his occupation as seaman. The fathers were listed as Robert Northover fisherman and Richard Tomkins mason. Witnesses at the wedding were Henry’s siblings John and Martha Northover. Interestingly, only young Susannah was able to sign her name. Once he was married and had family responsibilities, Henry seems to have kept out of trouble with the law. Either that, or he made sure he wasn’t caught! On 17 March 1847 Henry and Susannah’s first child (Shadrack) James Northover was baptised.
In 1851 Henry Northover 35 lab, Susannah 21 netter and second son Robert 1 were living in Hines Rd, Puncknowle, but young James aged 4 was staying a few doors away with his widowed grandmother Mary Tomkins 53.

1851 Census Swyre: Henry & Susannah Northover & family

Ten years later in 1861 they had moved back to Swyre and the family had expanded to include; Henry Northover 46 lab, Susanna Northover 31 netter, James Northover 13 ag lab, Robert Northover 11, Abigail Northover 8, George Northover 4 and Louisa Northover 2.

1871 census Swyre: Henry & Susannah Northover & family 

In 1871 some children had left home but others had been born; with the family now made up of Henry Northover 56 ag lab, Susannah Northover 41, James Northover 24, Louisa Northover 12, Amelia Northover 9, Alice Northover 5, Ruth Northover 3 and Henry J Northover 1. The 1881 census listed the family living at the same address as; Henry Northover 66 ag lab, Susan Northover 51, Amelia Northover 19 net braider, Ruth Northover 13, Henry Northover 11, Richard Northover 8 and mother-in-law Mary Tompkins 85.

During her child bearing years Susannah had at least ten children who were (Shadrach) James Northover 1848, Robert Northover 1850, Abigail Northover 1853, George Northover 1857, Louisa Northover 1859, Amelia Northover 1862, Alice Northover 1866, Ruth Northover 1868, Henry J Northover 1870 and Richard Northover 1873. With that many mouths to feed it is not surprising that in times of hardship, people resorted to breaking the law.

Henry Northover b1815 died at Swyre and was buried on 2 Jan 1888 aged 73. His widow continued to live in Swyre with four of her unmarried children.

1891 Census Swyre: Widowed Susannah Northover living with with four of her sons and a grandson

In 1891 Susannah was the head of the household which consisted of Susan Northover 61, Robert Northover 42 mason (like Susannah's father), Ruth Northover 23 net maker, Henry Northover 21 ag lab, Richard Northover 18 ag lab and grandson Herbert W Darby 5. Susannah Northover nee Tomkins died in Weymouth in 1898 aged 68.

93.9 Nany (Mary) Northover (1817-?)

Nany (or Mary) was the first daughter born to Robert Northover (1772-1851) and his second wife Elizabeth Bird. She was baptised at Swyre on 5 Oct 1817 but no more is known about her life and presumably died as an infant prior to the next child who was also called Mary.

93.10 Mary Biles Northover (1820-1880)

Mary was baptised at Swyre on 2 Apr 1820. In 1841 aged 21 she was living with her parents in Swyre, but at some time in the next three years she moved the short distance to Puncknowle to live (and probably work).

Mary Northover married James Tompkins on 21 may 1844 at Puncknowle

On 21 May 1844 she married James Tomkins at Puncknowle. Her father was listed on the marriage registration as Robert Northover, fisherman. Two years later, Mary’s brother Henry married James’ sister Susanna Tomkins.

1851 Census Wraxall: James & Mary Tomkins nee Northover & family

By 1851 they had moved 10 miles to Wraxall, where James was working as a carter on a farm and Mary worked as an ag lab. At this time there were two children living with them and they were Richard 5 and Kesia 2. They had been living in this hamlet for at least two years because Kezia was born in Wraxall in 1849.

1861 Census Melbury Bubb: James & Mary Tomkins nee Northover & family

In that decade the family moved again, this time eight miles to Holywell St, Melbury Bub. Living there in 1861 were James Tomkins 40 carter and Mary Tomkins 41 and their children Richard Tomkins 15 ag lab, Kezia Tomkins 12 scholar and John Tomkins 9 plough boy. They also had two lodgers staying with them; recently widowed brother-in-law Benjamin Rendall 33 fisherman and Henry Clark carpenter. On 14 Oct 1867 daughter Kezia 20, married carpenter Peter Barrett 21 at Bridport.

1871 Census Winterbourne Herrinston: James & Mary Tomkins nee Northover & family

By 1871 the family had moved to the outskirts of Dorchester at Winterbourne Herringston and James (badly written) Tomkins 49 was listed as an ag lab, Mary Tomkins 50 laundress, Richard Tomkins 24 (b1847) unmarried carter, John Tomkins 19 unmarried ag lab, Robert Rendell 13 nephew ag lab and Cyril A Barrett 3 grandson. Mary Tomkins nee Northover died in April 1880 at Dorchester aged 60.

1881 Census Fordington: Widower James Tompkins was living with his daughter and her family

The widowed James Tomkins moved in with his daughter and her husband at Grey’s Orchard, Fordington, Dorchester. Living there in 1881 were Peter W. Barrett 35 carpenter, Kezia Barrett nee Northover 33 laundress, Gertrude Barrett 6, James Tompkins 59 father-in-law and Rose Prowse 18 servant. James Tomkins died in 1886 at Dorchester aged 64.

93.11 Martha Northover (1822-1905)

Martha was baptised on 17 Feb 1822 and was living with her parents at Swyre in 1841. On 6 Sept 1846 Martha was a witness at brother Henry’s wedding to Susannah Tomkins at Swyre.

Martha Northover married John Churchill on 23 Jul 1849 at Swyre.

Three years later on 23 July 1849 Martha 27 married John Churchill, sailor from Puncknowle at the parish church in Swyre. Her father was listed as Robert Northover fisherman and witnesses to the wedding were Robert Tompkins and Joseph Churchill. Interestingly the very next wedding (in the following month) was that that of Robert Tompkins, thatcher to Elizabeth Churchill and witnesses at that wedding were the newly married John and Martha Churchill nee Northover. To give some idea of the number of ‘Northovers’ in Swyre, almost half of all marriages in the 1840’s, involved members of the extended Northover family.

1851 census Burton Bradstock: Martha Churchill was pregnant and living alone

In 1851, Martha Churchill nee Northover 28, although married and pregnant, was living alone in South Over, Burton Bradstock, presumably because her sailor husband was away working on a ship.

Martha's son John Churchill was baptised at Burton Bradstock on 8 Jan 1854

Martha's son was born in 1852 (EBI). Husband John must have returned from his last voyage because he was present at the baptism of his son (also named John) at Burton Bradstock. The baptism seems to have been delayed by two years awaiting father John to return from abroad.

1861 Census Burton Bradstock: Martha Churchill nee Northover was working as a servant and supporting her son John

A few years later in 1861 Martha was a 38 year old widow and was working as a live-in servant for a widower named Charles Tucker 50 ag lab at his house in Burton St. Martha’s run of misfortune came to an end when Charles proposed to her. As Martha continued to live in Southover, Charles was probably a neighbour who she had known for some time.

Martha Churchill nee Northover married Charles Tucker at Burton Bradstock on 17 Jun 1862

On 17 Jun 1862 Martha Churchill nee Northover 40 year old widow, married Charles Tucker 50, widowed labourer at Burton Bradstock. Martha’s father was listed as Robert Northover, fisherman. A witness at the wedding was Mary Ann Gale.

1871 census Southover, Burton Bradstock: Charles & Martha Tucker nee Churchill nee Northover

From 1871 to 1881 Martha Tucker nee Churchill nee Northover net braider, was living in the same place (Southover) with her second husband Charles Tucker ag lab. However Charles passed away in the 1880’s leaving Martha widow for the second time. In 1891 at the age of 70 she was living alone once again in her Burton Bradstock house.

1901 Census Puncknowle: Martha Tucker was living with her nephew

At the turn of the century in 1901 Martha aged 80 moved back to Puncknowle (near the town of her birth) to live with her nephew Richard Tompkins 61 (son of her sister Mary Tompkins nee Northover) and his wife Elizabeth 47. Martha Tucker nee Churchill nee Northover died in the Puncknowle workhouse in 1905 and was buried at Puncknowle on 23 May aged 84.

93.12 Amelia Northover (1825-1861)

Amelia was the last child born to Robert Northover fisherman and his second wife Elizabeth Northover nee Bird. She was baptised on 30 Nov 1825 at Swyre and was living with her parents at the time of the 1841 census.

Amelia Northover married Benjamin Rendell at Swyre on 19 Jun 1848

On 19 Jun 1848 Amelia married Benjamin Rendell fisherman at Swyre. Interestingly, whilst Amelia was of full age, Benjamin was listed as a minor (under 21). No father was listed for Benjamin, which suggests he was born out of wedlock, but Amelia’s father was Robert Northover fisherman. Witnesses to the wedding were older brother James Northover and William Moore, the husband of cousin Rebecca Moore nee Northover (see 77.9). Benjamin Rendell signed the marriage registration indicating a level of education, but Amelia made her mark.

Like Amelia’s brothers, Benjamin Rendell was also well known to the guards at the Dorchester Prison. At the age of 18 he was charged with assault and sentenced to 1 month in prison and a fine of £1. He served his time and somehow he managed to pay the fine. Then the following year on the 4 Mar 1846 when he was 19, he was convicted of trespass and of robbing an orchard (stealing fruit) and sentenced to 4 months in prison.

After their marriage in 1848 the couple settled in Swyre and in 1851 the family consisted of Benjamin Rendal 23 fisherman, Amelia Rendal 26 and Elizabeth Jane Rendal 4 months. The family were living next door to Amelia’s parents Robert and Elizabeth Northover nee Bird.

Amelia Rendell nee Northover burial "She dropped down dead of heart disease in her own house ...." 

Amelia Rendell nee Northover died quite young and was buried in Swyre on the 1 Feb 1861 aged 34. A note in the Parish record says ‘she dropped down dead of heart disease in her own house while washing the bedroom floor in the middle of Jan 30th’.

1861 Census; Benjamin Rendell 33 year old widowed fisherman living with sister-in-law Mary Tompkins nee Northover

The 1861 census occurred not long after Amelia’s death. Benjamin a 33 year old fisherman was probably suffering serious grief and went to live with Amelia’s sister Mary Tomkins nee Northover and her family at Holy Well, Melbury Bubb. (see above). His four children, (Elizabeth) Jane Rendell 10, John Rendell 7, Robert Rendell 3 and William Rendell 1 remained in Swyre living with their elderly grandmother Elizabeth Northover nee Bird 79. They were living next to Frederick Northover 36, Jane Northover nee Coombs 24, Caroline Northover 4, Louisa Northover 10 months and Frederick’s brother Enos Northover 26 and widowed grandmother Atery Northover 77 nee Gibbs (sister-in-law of Elizabeth Northover nee Bird). Frederick Northover’s family were wrongly named with the surname Rendell by the enumerator.

The shock of losing his wife seemed to send Benjamin Rendell 36 year old labourer from Swyre, back to his irresponsible ways. In 1863 he was convicted of ‘leaving his family’ of four children, but the record does not detail the custodial sentence.

Benjamin did not appear in the 1871 census and the children seem to have been ‘farmed out’. In the census of that year, Robert Rendell 13 was living with his aunt Mary Tomkins nee Northover (see above), William 12 was living with his grandmother Jane Symes 66 in Swyre, Elizabeth Jane Rendell 20 was visiting her aunt and uncle in Portland, but what happened to John Rendell is unknown.

In 1875 Benjamin remarried Bridget Roach, but the following year, Benjamin 46 was convicted of assaulting his new wife. By 1881 Benjamin 50 and Bridget 46 had moved to New St, Weymouth and he was working as a cattle drover. Benjamin Rendell died on 4 Jun 1888 aged 61.

94.0 Henry Northover (1774-1836)

Swyre baptism record 1774: Henry Northover was the second son of James & Sarah Northover.

Henry was baptised on 12 Jun 1774 at Swyre and was the second son of James Northover (1745-1802) and Sarah Symes and younger brother to Robert Northover b1772.

Henry Northover married Mary Gibbs at Swyre 6 Apr 1804

Henry married Mary Gibbs 21 on 6 Apr 1804 at Swyre, seven weeks before brother Arthur married Mary’s sister Atery (Audrey) Gibbs. After their wedding they settled at Abbotsbury, about 4 miles east of Swyre and that was where their first baby William Gibbs Northover was baptised on 19 April 1805. The family moved back to Swyre where more children were born over the next few years. They were Jane Northover on 9 Jun 1811, James 14 Nov 1813, Charles 19 Jan 1817 and Joseph Northover 7 Nov 1819.

Swyre burials 1836: Henry and his uncle Robert died a month apart and were buried at Swyre

Henry Northover died in Swyre in 1836 aged 61. He died one month after his uncle, Robert Northover b1753. Henry was the only son of James and Sarah Northover who seemed to have avoided serving time in gaol. However, one of his sons, Charles, followed the family tradition of unlawful activities (see below).

Henry's son James Northover married Elizabeth Cheney 15 Jun 1840 at Puncknowle

On 15 June 1840 son James Northover b1813 married Elizabeth Cheney at Puncknowle (see 95.3). James’ father was listed as Henry Northover, fisherman. In 1841 Mary Northover 55 widow was living in Swyre with adult children William Northover 35, Jane Northover 30, Charles Northover 20 and Joseph Northover 20 (ages rounded down). Son William married Ann Hardy in Abbotsbury on 15 Apr 1845.

1851 census Swyre Mary Northover  widow living with two unmarried adult sons

By the 1851 census Mary Northover 69 ‘netter of twine’ was listed as a widow living in Swyre with two of her unmarried adult children; Jane Northover 39 and Charles Northover 34 fisherman.  At that time there were many related Northovers living within a few doors of each other including Mary’s brother-in-law's Robert Northover and Arthur Northover with their families.

The following year on 13 Nov 1852 Mary’s son, Charles Northover, married Caroline Hutchings at Stanton St. Gabriel, a fishing village 10 miles west of Swyre. No father was listed for Charles, possibly because Henry Northover died in 1836. (See Below)

According to the parish record Mary Northover nee Gibbs died and was buried at Swyre on the 10 Feb 1855 aged 72

95.0 Five Children of Henry Northover (1774-1836) & Mary Gibbs (1783-1855)

A diagram showing the descendents of Henry & Mary Northover nee Gibbs (blue & grey).

95.1 William Gibbs Northover (1805-1872)

15 May 1805 Abbotsbury: William Gibbs Northover son of Henry & Mary Northover nee Gibbs

William was the first born child of Henry and Mary Northover nee Gibbs and was given his mother’s maiden name as a middle name (a common practice). According to the parish record he was baptised on 15 April 1805 in Abbotsbury, but the family moved the four miles back to Swyre soon after, for the birth of his brothers and a sister. William’s father Henry Northover died in Swyre in 1836.

1841 census Swyre: William living with widowed mother Mary & three siblings

In 1841 William 35 was living in Swyre with his widowed mother Mary Northover 55 and unmarried siblings Jane Northover 30, Charles Northover 20 and Joseph Northover 20 (ages rounded down).

Dorchester prison: William Northover 37 imprisoned for poaching with physical description

For most of his life William appeared to lead a law abiding life, but this came to an end on 17 Dec 1842. At that time William Northover, a 37 year old fisherman from Swyre, was charged with poaching and sentenced to three months hard labour in prison. He was described as being quite tall at 6 ft. with hazel eyes, a mole on the left cheek and thin hair on the forehead. He was released on 16 Mar 1843.

William Gibbs Northover married his cousin Ann Hardy on 2 Jan 1845 at Swyre

On 2 Jan 1845 William Northover 40 a fisherman, married a cousin at Swyre. The marriage listed his wife as Ann Hardy spinster, and her father as GGGGGF Richard Northover b1777, fisherman.  Ann Hardy was probably born at the end of 1803 and was baptised at Puncknowle on the 29 Jan 1804 (see 77.1). She was the illegitimate daughter of GGGGGM Mary Hardy born prior to Mary’s marriage to GGGGGF Richard Northover and baptised two weeks before their wedding.  Circumstances suggest that Richard was indeed Ann’s father, and as Richard Northover was William’s uncle, Ann Hardy was his cousin. Neither William nor Ann were literate (they used an ‘x’ to sign their names). The fact that both William and Ann were in their forties could be one reason why they had no children. A note in the margin of the parish record says that this marriage was the first to be conducted in the new church at Swyre. Sister Jemima Northover and her husband Henry Northover (married in 1836) who lived in Puncknowle, were witnesses at the wedding (See 77.4).

1851 Census Swyre: William & Ann were living next to many relatives including his uncle Robert & Arthur Northover

In 1851 William Gibbs Northover 45 fisherman and Ann Northover 42 (really 47) were living alone in Main St, Swyre in a small ‘Northover enclave’. In a group of three adjacent houses were Uncle Robert Northover and his wife Elizabeth Northover nee Bird, Uncle Arthur Northover and his wife Atery Northover nee Gibbs, and Benjamin Rendell and his wife Amelia Rendell nee Northover. Five of the males were fishermen and probably worked together.

1861 Census Swyre: William & Ann Northover & lodger Henry living next to cousin Thomas Northover & his family

In 1861, William Northover 56 fisherman and Ann Northover 57 were living with unmarried lodger Henry Northover 54 fisherman (b1808-see 79.3), next to Clay Hanger Dairy in Swyre.

Dorchester Prison Record: William & Henry Northover imprisoned for poaching along with physical description of the men

At the age of 62 William succumbed to temptation a second time and was arrested for poaching. On 22 Oct 1867 William Northover of Swyre, married fisherman with no children (along with his unmarried lodger Henry Northover 59) was sentenced to three months in prison. He was described as being quite tall (5ft 11) with hazel eyes and he claimed this was his ‘first’ imprisonment.

1871 census Swyre: William & Ann Northover nee Hardy

In 1871 William Northover 66 fisherman and Ann Northover 67 were still living near Clay Hanger Dairy. William died the following year and was buried on 7 Apr 1872 at Swyre aged 67 and his wife Ann Northover nee Hardy died two years later and was buried on 10 Jun 1874 aged 69 at Swyre. There were no known children.

95.2 Jane Northover (1811-1859)

Jane was the second child born to Henry and Mary Northover nee Gibbs. She was born in Swyre on 30 Mar 1811 but baptised on 9 Jun 1811. In 1841 Jane Northover 30 was living in Swyre with her widowed mother Mary Northover 55 and her brothers William Northover 35, Charles Northover 20 and Joseph Northover 20 (ages rounded down).

1851 census Swyre: Jane Northover 39 livin g with mother Mary 69 & brother Charles Northover 34 fisherman

In 1851 Jane Northover 39 unmarried, was still living with her elderly mother and younger brother Charles Northover 34 unmarried fisherman in Swyre. Jane died 29 April 1859 at Swyre aged 48, a few months before her uncle Arthur Northover aged 79 (see 96.0). There is no record of a marriage and there are no known children.

95.3 James Northover (1813-1874)

James Northover was baptised at Swyre on 14 Nov 1813 one month before his cousin Ann Northover

James was baptised at Swyre on 14 Nov 1813, one month before his cousin Ann Northover, daughter of Arthur and Artery Northover. In fact half the baptisms on this page were Northover babies.

James Northover married Elizabeth Cheney at Puncknowle on 15 Jun 1840

At some stage he moved to Puncknowle (probably for work) and formed a relationship with local girl, Elizabeth Cheney. On 15 June 1840 James Northover b1813 married Elizabeth Cheney at Puncknowle. The fathers were listed as Henry Northover, fisherman and James Cheney blacksmith. A witness at the wedding was Sarah Cheney. The young couple settled in ‘Knackershole’, Puncknowle. Their first daughter Sarah Northover was baptised on 7 Aug 1840 but died four days later. 

1851 Census Puncknowle: James & Elizabeth Northover nee Cheney & 2 daughters

By the time of the 1851 census Elizabeth had given birth to two more daughters; Mary born in 1843 and Elizabeth born in 1846. James worked as a farm labourer and Elizabeth worked from home as a ‘netter of twine’ along with her eight year old daughter Mary, whose occupation was given as a netter of twine as well. In 1853 they had their fourth daughter Selina Northover. They were at the same address in 1861 and James 47 was working as a fisherman. The household included James Northover 47, Elizabeth Northover 45, Mary Northover 17, Elizabeth Northover 15 and Selina Northover 6.

Elizabeth Northover married William Thorner on 25 Dec 1865 at Puncknowle

On Christmas Day 25 Dec 1865 daughter Elizabeth Northover 20 married William Thorner 22 labourer, at Puncknowle. Elizabeth’s father was listed as James Northover labourer. The witnesses at the wedding were George Barrett and older sister Mary Northover.

1871 Census Puncknowle: James & Elizabeth Northover nee Cheney & daughter Selina and grandson William

By 1871 they had moved to Hines Lane Puncknowle and James Northover 56 fisherman and Elizabeth Northover nee Cheney ‘fisherwoman’ were looking after a grandchild; William Northover 8 months. Their youngest daughter Selina 17 was a braider of nets.

Selina Northover married Joseph Cheney on 25 Dec 1871 at Puncknowle

On Christmas Day that year, (exactly six years after her sister), Selina Northover 18 married Joseph Cheney 22 labourer at Puncknowle. Witnesses at the wedding were married sister Elizabeth Thorner nee Northover and her husband William Thorner. Joseph Cheney was a cousin of Selina Northover, as their parents; Joseph Cheney b1810 and Elizabeth Northover nee Cheney b1814 were siblings.

James Northover died three years later on the 3 May 1874 at Puncknowle aged 60.

95.4 Charles Northover (1817-1882):  A Giant of a man

Charles was baptised in Swyre on 19 Jan 1817 by his parents Henry and Mary Northover nee Gibbs. He had many ‘run ins’ with the law starting from boyhood onwards. At the age of 13 on 20 Dec 1828 Charles Northover 12 and his cousin Henry Northover 13 (b1815 -See 93.8) were charged with stealing turnips. ( See above) They were sentenced to one month with hard labour in prison and spent Christmas in jail. They were released on 19 Jan 1829. However this was only the start of Charles’ wayward ways.

Dorchester Prison: The two records above provide details about Charles Northover charged with 'riot & assault' in 1838

On 2 Jan 1838, Charles 19, along with seven others, was involved in a ‘riot’ where he was charged with resisting arrest and assault. He paid a fine of 1 shilling and was discharged. As he was over 6 foot high he would have been a good fellow to have on your side in any dispute. Like his uncle Arthur Northover b1780, Charles was quite tall.

At the time of the 1841 census Charles 20 was living in Swyre with widowed mother Mary Northover 55 and his siblings William Northover 35, Jane Northover 30 and Joseph Northover 20. (ages rounded down)

Charles Northover 30 gaoled for smuggling in 1847

Charles who was described as a 30 year old single fisherman from Swyre was back in trouble on 30 Jul 1847 and was sentenced to 3 months in prison for smuggling and given a 25 pounds fine. In 1851 Charles Northover 34 unmarried fisherman was still living with his mother Mary Northover 69 and unmarried sister Jane Northover 39 in Swyre. Charles’ two uncles Robert Northover and Arthur Northover were living in houses a few doors away with their families forming a Northover ‘enclave’.

Charles Northover married Caroline Hutchings in Stanton St Gabriel 13 Nov 1852

The following year on 13 Nov 1852 Charles Northover 35 unmarried  fisherman from Swyre married Caroline Hutchings 25 at Stanton St. Gabriel, a fishing village 10 miles west of Swyre. No father was listed for Charles as his father Henry died in 1836.

1861 Census Swyre Charles & Caroline Northover with their two children

By 1861 Charles Northover 44 fisherman and wife Caroline Northover 34 had set up home in Swyre and had two children; Charles Northover 6 (born in Waytown in 1855) and Rhoda Northover 4 (born in 1857). Either hard times or temptation caused Charles to return to criminal ways.

On Christmas Eve 1869 Charles Northover was gaoled for smuggling.

On 24 Dec 1869 (Christmas Eve) Charles Northover 52 year old fisherman from Swyre, married with two children, went before the court for smuggling. His physical description was an impressive height of 6ft 4, brown and grey hair, dark hazel eyes and swarthy skin tones. A note mentions that this was his second time before the court for smuggling.

1871 Census Puncknowle Charles 54 & Caroline Northover nee Hutchings 44

By 1871 Charles 54 fisherman and Caroline 44 had moved to Puncknowle and were living alone, but soon after that, Charles and Caroline gave up the fishing life and took a new direction. Taking up a farming career may have needed at least a little bit of capital, which suggests Charles may have made some profit from his smuggling sideline.

Rhoda Northover married John Spencer 4 Apr 1874 at Chilcombe

On 4 Apr 1874 daughter Rhoda 18 married John Spencer, a 21 year old farmer (working for his father-in-law) at Chilcombe. Rhoda’s father Charles Northover was now listed as a farmer and the two witnesses were John and Sarah Spencer. All parties signed their names.

Charles Northover married Augusta Gerrard 13 Sep 1876

On 13 Sept 1876 son Charles Northover 24 (should be 21, unless he was a bit older when he was baptised) carpenter married Augusta Gerrard 24 at Burton Bradstock and once again father Charles was listed as a farmer.

1881 Census Uplyme, Devon: Charles & Caroline Northover farmers with daughter Rhoda & her husband

The 1881 census confirmed Charles’ new life as a farmer at West Hill Farm, Uplyme, Devon (15 miles from Swyre). Charles 64 was farming 20 acres along with Caroline 54, married daughter Rhoda Spencer nee Northover and her husband John Spencer 26 ag lab.

Charles Northover died on 1 Nov 1882. Probate on the will of ‘Charles Northover farmer, late of West Hill Farm, Uplyme’, Devon, was proved on 19 Jan 1883 by his widowed wife Caroline Northover nee Hutchings. He left effects to the value of £97.

95.5 Joseph Northover (1819-1861)

Joseph was baptised at Swyre on the 17 Nov 1819 and was the youngest child of Henry Northover and Mary Gibbs. At the time of the 1841 census Joseph Northover 20 was living in Swyre with widowed mother Mary Northover 55 and his siblings William Northover 35, Jane Northover 30 and Charles 20 (ages rounded down).

Joseph Northover married Jane Tompkins 22 Jul 1847 at Puncknowle

At some stage in the mid 1840’s Joseph moved to Puncknowle and met local woman Jane Tompkins. On 22 Jul 1847 Joseph 28 then a seaman, married Jane at Puncknowle. Joseph’s father was listed as Henry Northover fisherman and Jane’s father was Richard Tompkins yeoman.They settled in Puncknowle and Jane had her first baby the following year. Son Henry was baptised on the 30 April 1848.

1851 census Puncknowle: Joseph and Jane Northover nee Tompkins

In 1851 Joseph 32 fisherman and Jane 27 were living in Parish Rd, Puncknowle, but son Henry must have been visiting other family members on that night. Two daughters were baptised in the 1850’s; Ann on 19 Jun 1851 and Jane Northover on 20 Jan 1855.

Joseph Northover died at the young age of 40 in 1859 with his death registered at Blandford (EDI. This was 30 miles from Puncknowle. His wife Jane Northover nee Tomkins was left a widow having to care for her three children Henry Northover 13, Ann Northover 10 and Jane Northover 6, who were all attending school.

1861 Census Burton Bradstock: Jane Northover 36 was living with children Henry 13, Ann 10 & Jane Northover  6

By 1861 Jane 36 'twine braider' (rope maker) had moved to Burton Bradstock with her three young children. Although a widow she was described as 'married' on the census. However at her wedding a few years later she was confirmed as being widowed.

Jane Northover nee Tompkins married Thomas Miller at Burton Bradstock on 12 Dec 1864

On 12 Dec 1864 Jane Northover nee Tomkins widow, married bachelor Thomas Miller boatman's mate at Burton Bradstock.

1871 Census Burton Bradstock

In 1871 Jane Miller nee Northover nee Tomkins 48 and Thomas Miller 50 Greenwich pensioner were living at South St, Bridport with Jane’s daughter Annie Northover 19 dressmaker. They were at the same address in 1881 but this time the residents were Thomas Miller 55 (really 60) fisherman, Jane Miller 58 and granddaughter Alice J. E. Northover 8. Jane Miller nee Northover nee Tompkins died at Preston (16 miles from Burton Bradstock) in 1907.

96.0 Arthur Northover (1780-1859)

Arthur was the third son of James and Sarah Northover nee Symes who managed to survive to adulthood. He was baptised at Swyre on 17 Oct at the same time as his sister Dinah Northover. They may have been twins.

Arthur Northover married Atery (Audrey) Gibbs on 28 May 1804 at Swyre

He married Atery (Audrey) Gibbs (born 1784 in Puncknowle) on 28 May 1804, one month after brother Henry married Mary Gibbs in the same church (See 95.0). Mary may have been Atery’s sister, which meant two brothers married two sisters.

Arthur and Atery had six children before 1818; who were Fanny Gibbs Northover 1804, Charity Northover 1806, Frederick Northover 1808, Henry Northover  1811 (died as a young child), Ann Northover 1813 and Henry Northover 1816.

Dorchester prison Record: Arthur Northover 38 married with 5 children guilty of smuggling.Physical description below

On 23 May 1818 Arthur Northover 38 of Swyre, a married man, who was almost 6ft tall, with five dependent children, was found guilty of smuggling. His physical description included "freckled in the face, pock marked on the forehead and a burn on the back of the right hand". The sentence was ‘to be kept in prison until he paid a £25 penalty’. Apparently he could not afford the fine and was released after one year after agreeing not to be involved in smuggling in future.

Dorchester prison record 1822: Brothers Robert & Arthur & cousin James Northover gaoled for assaulting customs officials

Life settled down for a few years and Atery had two more babies (Dinah and Louisa who appear to have been twins) in the early 1820’s. On 25 May 1822, temptation got the better of Arthur and along with older brother Robert 53 (regarded as the leader) and cousin James Northover 41, Arthur was involved in another infamous incident on the coast. The three Northover men were charged with assaulting customs officers and sentenced to 6 months in prison. They were released on 25 Jan 1823. Poor Atery was probably pregnant during the time Arthur spent in prison, because her ninth baby (Elizabeth Caroline Northover) was born soon after he regained his freedom and baptised on 23 Apr 1823 (three months after Arthur was released).

Arthur 45 & Henry 37 Northover along with Richard Tomkins charged with assaulting customs officers

Arthur was again in trouble on 18 Mar 1825 when he was charged with assault ("feloniously assaulting persons employed to prevent smuggling"). He paid a surety of £50 and 2 sureties of £10 each for 2 years and does not seemed to have been gaoled at this time. As Atery’s final child John Northover was born in early 1826 (baptised on 22 May 1826) it is possible he did not serve the full term. Later that year, Arthur appeared in court again. On 26 Oct 1826 Arthur Northover and Henry Northover 18 (b1808) were sentenced to 12 months hard labour for assaulting customs officers. As they were released on 15 March 1827, this court case may be an extension of the 1825 one, because the release date is almost exactly two years after their initial sentence. We know that all these prison sentences were served by the same man because the prison record was cross referenced with each of his previous trials.

Dorchester Gaol Record 1841: Arthure Northover 60 imprisoned for smuggling for one month

Even at the age of 60 Arthur had not entirely given away his unlawful activities and was again in court on 1 Feb 1841 for smuggling. He was described as a 60 year old married fisherman with seven children from Swyre. He was very recognisable from his height which was 5ft 11, dark hair and hazel eyes. His fingers showed the wear and tear of a hard life with many cuts and one finger ‘very crooked’ and another with an enlarged joint. The magistrate must have felt sorry for him because his sentence was relatively light at one month.

1841 Census Swyre. Arthur & Artery & their family of six children

Arthur was released from prison on 28 Feb, well in time to be home for the 1841 census. At that time the members of their Swyre household consisted of Arthur Northover 60 labourer, Atery Northover 55, Louisa Northover 20, Dinah Northover  20, Caroline Northover 15, John Northover 15, Eliza Northover 15 and Frederick Northover 11 (Frederick was a grandson- the son of Atery’s daughter, unmarried mother Charity Northover (ages were rounded down). They were living next to Arthur’s brother Robert Northover b1772, his wife Elizabeth and his family and widowed sister-in-law Mary Northover (wife of deceased brother Henry) and her family were a few doors away too.

1851 Census: Arthur and his family lived in a "Northover enclave in Swyre

In 1851 living in Main St, Swyre were Arthur Northover 69 fisherman and Atery (wrongly spelt as Agatha) Northover 68 and on this date they had the following visitors; grandchildren Eliza Northover 25 'teacher of children', Frederick Northover 18 fisherman (born to unmarried mother Charity) and Enos (George) Northover 17 fisherman (born to unmarried mother Mary Northover on 22 Sep 1833).

Arthur Northover died in Swyre on 21 Sep 1859 aged 79.
NOTE Eliza Northover as a teacher was one of the first Northovers to take up a profession. She probably had little training apart from her own schooling.

1861 Census Swyre: Artery was living with son Frederick & his wife Jane & their family

In 1861 the widowed Atery 77 was living in Swyre with her grandson Frederick Northover 31 ag lab, his wife Jane Northover nee Coombs 24, their two daughters (Caroline Northover 4 and Louisa Northover 10 months) and another unmarried grandson Enos (Ernest) Northover 26 ag lab. The family was wrongly named ‘Rendell’. (NOTE: Enos was described as a brother to Frederick in the census, but was probably his cousin George Enos Northover, born to Frederick's unmarried aunt Ann Northover in 1833; see below). Frederick and his family were living next to Atery’s widowed sister-in-law Elizabeth Northover nee Bird 79 and the four abandoned Rendell children that Elizabeth was caring for (see 93.12). Atery Northover nee Gibbs died at Swyre on 24 Jan 1865 aged 82.

97.0 Ten Children of Arthur Northover (1780-1859) & Atery (Audrey) Gibbs (1783-1865)

Below is a diagram showing The Descendants of Arthur Northover and Atery Gibbs (yellow & pink)

Arthur and Atery had ten children. All were listed in the Swyre Parish baptismal record with Arthur’s occupation usually given as labourer and fisherman for the last few children. The main events in each person’s life are listed below.

97.1 Fanny Gibbs Northover (1804-1870)

Fanny was born on the 19 Nov 1804 and baptised in Swyre on 16 Dec 1804.

Fanny Gibbs Northover married James Martin at Swyre 18 Oct 1830

Fanny married James Martin cordwainer of Puncknowle on 18 Oct 1830 at Swyre. Witnesses at the wedding were William Northover (cousin) and Charity Northover (sister). They had seven children who were; John Martin 1831, Jane Martin 1832, Elizabeth Martin 1833, Charlotte Martin 1835, Charles Martin 1838, Marianne Martin 1840 and Isaac Martin 1842. Their first son John was baptised on 20 Mar 1831 at Swyre. The baptismal record stated that his parents were James and Fanny Northover (should be Martin) and listed James’ occupation as cordwainer. Apart from the surname, everything else fits, so it looks like an error was made in that regard. According to the children’s baptismal record James and Fanny’s residence became Shipton Gorge in 1833 and then Bridport in the mid 1830’s. Youngest son Isaac passed away in 1850 aged 8.

1841 Census Bridport: james & Fanny Martin nee Northover & six children

In 1841 the family was living in South St, Bridport and consisted of James Martin 40 cordwainer, Fanny Martin 37 net maker, John Martin 10, Jane Martin 8, Elizabeth Martin 7, Charlotte Martin 5, Charles Martin 3 and Marianne Martin 4 months.

1851 Census Bridport: James & Fanny Martin nee Northover with their three children living in South St.

Ten years later in 1851 James Martin 49 cordwainer and Fanny Martin 46 twine braider were still in South St, Bridport with children Jane Martin 18, Charlotte Martin 16 and Charles Martin 13. The children’s occupations were listed as twine spinners. Things were much the same in 1861. James Martin 60 cordwainer and Fanny Martin 58 were living in South Street with daughter Charlotte Martin 25 twine spinner.

Fanny Martin nee Northover died in Bridport in 1870 aged 67. After his wife’s death James moved in with his daughter Jane Hood nee Martin who also resided in South St., Bridport. He passed away in 1884 aged 84.

97.2 Charity Northover (1806-1838)

Charity was born 0n 31 Aug & baptised on 25 Sep 1806 by parents Arthur & Artery Northover

Charity was born on 31 Aug 1806 and baptised at Swyre on 21 Sep 1806. On 4 Apr 1818 at the young age of 12, Charity, along her younger brother Frederick and two of her cousins, was found guilty of destroying hedges.(See above) The authorities dealt out harsh punishment to the three youngsters. All were sentenced to jail terms in Dorchester Prison. GGGGF Henry Northover 11, Sarah Northover 14 and Frederick Northover 10 all received 14 days jail. However the fourth member of “gang”, Charity Northover 12, was singled out for a longer term of one month jail. Perhaps she gave the authorities some cheek! Charity was released on 2 May 1818.

Fredick Northover was baptised by unmarried mother Charity Northover on 24 Jan 1830

At the age of 23 on 2 Jan 1830 unmarried mother Charity gave birth to a baby son; Frederick Northover (possibly named after her younger brother-see below).

Charity Northover married Joseph Symes 19 Jan 1832 ar Swyre

On 19 Jan 1832 Charity married Joseph Symes at Swyre and later that year on 18 Nov 1832 their first daughter, Sarah Symes, was baptised at Swyre. In 1833 Charity was a witness at her younger sister Ann’s wedding. According to the parish record, on 5 Oct 1838 another boy, John Symes, was baptised and another daughter Mary Symes was baptised on 14 May 1837. Twelve months later on 10 Apr 1838 baby Mary was buried at Swyre and five days later on 15 Apr 1838 at the age of 31 Charity Symes nee Northover died and was buried at Swyre.

97.2a Frederick Northover (1830-1876)

After the death of his mother, first born son Frederick Northover was cared for by his grandparents Arthur and Atery Northover and this was where he resided in 1841 and 1851 (see 96.0).

Frederick Northover married Jane Coombs on 6 Nov 1856 at Swyre

On 6 Nov 1856 Frederick married Jane Coombs at Swyre. A witness was cousin (George) Enos Northover b1833. No father was listed for Frederick. By 1861 Frederick and his wife Jane had set up their home in Swyre and living there at that time were Frederick 31 and Jane 24, their two daughters (Caroline 4 and Louisa 10 mths) and Frederick’s widowed grandmother Atery Northover 77 (NB the wrong surname was given). Tragically Jane Northover nee Coombs aged 32 died in 1869 leaving Frederick to look after five children under the age of 13.
In 1871 Frederick Northover 40 widowed ag lab was doing his best to care for children Caroline Northover 14, Frederick Northover 8, Emily Northover 6 and Elizabeth Northover 3. Louisa was staying with an aunt; her mother’s sister, Lydia Churchill nee Coombs. Fortunately Frederick had the assistance of a live-in housekeeper Sarah Symes 38 (probably his unmarried step-sister b1832-see above).

Frederick died at the young age of 44 and was buried at Swyre on 2 Apr 1876

More tragedy followed later that year when eldest daughter Caroline aged 14 died and was buried at Swyre on 2 July 1871. Frederick Northover died at the age of 46 on 2 Apr 1876 at Swyre.

There are some records that tell of what happened to the four remaining orphaned children after their mother died. Louisa was living with her mother’s sister in 1871, but there is no further information about her life.

Frederick b1863 went to work as a labourer, married Dorcas Mears in Preston in 1892, but died young at the age of 34 and was buried at Broadway, Dorset on 8 Mar 1897. Of his three sons one predeceased him and the other two were killed in WW1 in France.
Emily Northover b1865 became a servant at the Crown Inn in Puncknowle and was working for her great uncle Henry Northover b1815 (see 93.8) in 1881. The following year on 11 April, Emily married James Darby at Abbotsbury. Her brother Frederick was a witness at the wedding. She died aged 57 on the 21 Aug 1922 at Litton Cheney. Elizabeth Northover 13 gained a job as a nursemaid servant for the Roper family in Puddle Hinton in 1881. In 1891 she was working as a servant in St Peters, Dorchester, but there is no information about her life after that date.

97.3 Frederick Northover (1808-?) Son of Arthur 

Frederick Northover was born on 23 Aug & baptised 25 Sep 1808 by parents Arthur & Audrey Northover

Frederick was born to Arthur and Atery on 28 Aug 1808 and baptised on 25 Sep 1808 at Swyre. On 4 Apr 1818 at the young age of 10, Frederick, along his older sister Charity and two of his cousins, was found guilty of destroying hedges. The authorities dealt out harsh punishment to the four youngsters. Frederick was the youngest, but still received a sentenced of fourteen days in Dorchester Prison. No more is known about Frederick.

97.4 Henry Northover (1811-1815)

Henry Northover was born 15 Mar 1811 and baptised 9 Jun 1811 by parents Arthur & Artery Northover at Swyre

Henry was born on 15 Mar 1811 and baptised 9 Jun 1811 by parents Arthur & Artery Northover at Swyre. Sadly he died three years later on 12 Mar 1815.

97.5 Ann Northover (1813-1856)

Ann was baptised on 19 Dec 1813 at Swyre by parents Arthur & Artery Northover. 

Dorchester Gaol Record: Ann 19 & cousin Sarah Northover 26 charged with stealing wood 23 Apr 1831. Discharged

At the age of 19 Ann Northover (braider of nets) and cousin Sarah Northover 26 fisherwoman (uncle Robert Northover's daughter) were charged with stealing wood. Luckily on this occasion they were bailed and released on 14 May 1831 for "want of prosecution".

Ann Northover married Richard Motyer on 8 Aug 1833 at Swyre

On the 8 Aug 1833 Ann married Richard Motyer (also spelt Moucher) at Swyre. A witness at the wedding was older and recently married sister, Charity Symes nee Northover (see 97.2).  The next wedding at Swyre (three weeks later) was cousin Richard Northover b1805 (son of GGGGGF Richard b1777) to cousin Elizabeth Northover b1803 and Ann was probably in attendance.

Prior to the marriage Ann had given birth to her first child George Enos Northover and he was baptised six weeks after the wedding on 22 Sept 1833 (but Ann was still listed as unmarried woman, which she was, at the time of the birth). Ann and Richard Motyer set up home in Swyre and Ann had the following babies; Joseph Henry Motyer 22 Mar 1835, Mary Ann Motyer 4 Dec 1836 and Sabina Motyer 14 Oct 1838.

1841 Census Puncknowle: ichard & Ann Motyer nee Northover with 5 children living at Knackers Hole.

In 1841 the family was living in Knackers Hole, Puncknowle and included Richard Motyer 30, Ann Motyer 25, (George) Enos Motyer 8 (Enos had taken Richard’ surname), Joseph Motyer 7, Mary Motyer 6, Sebina Motyer 4 and Sarah Motyer 10 months. Another baby (John Motyer) was born in 1842 and then the family moved 17 miles to Misterton Somerset. The move may have been as a result of grief from the death of young Sabina who did not appear on the next census.

1851 census Misterton, Somerset. Richard & Ann Motyer nee Northover & nine children

In 1851 the family consisted of Richard Moucher 46 ag lab, Ann Moucher 34, Joseph Moucher 15 weaver, Mary Ann Moucher 13 weaver, Sarah Moucher 11 scholar, John Moucher 9 scholar, Elizabeth Moucher 7 scholar, Dipha (Dinah) Moucher 5, Louisa Moucher 3 and Frederick Moucher 1. The spelling of the surname changed from Motyer to Moucher from this census onwards.

Ann Moucher nee Northover had one more child (Ellen was her eleventh known baby) in 1853, before she died in 1856 at the age of 43. In 1861, widower Richard Moucher 56 was living in Misterton with three young children Dinah Moucher 16, Frederick Moucher 11 and Ellen Moucher 8. Sarah Moucher 13 was working as a servant for the Lawrence family. By 1881 Richard Moucher 76 was living in a poor house at Fordington as a pauper. He died there in 1887.

97.5a Four Daughters of Richard Motyer (Moucher) & Ann Northover migrated to Australia

Four of Ann’s daughters migrated to Australia in the 1800’s. Elizabeth Moucher married Lawrence Dunne and settled in Queensland. Mary Ann Moucher married Samuel Osborne in 1857 at Misterton, England and migrated to NSW in 1858 with their infant son on the ship ‘Alfred’. Sarah migrated to NSW as a single woman on the same ship in 1858 and married William Cook at Ipswich in 1861. Dinah arrived in the Colony in 1862 and married Henry Wyatt ‘on the 22nd December, 1866 at the Wesleyan Parsonage (Ipswich) ...'Miss Dinah Moucher of Gatton, (is the) fourth daughter of Mr. Richard Moucher, of Misterton, Somersetshire.’

The following information comes from; www.merriottfamiliesgenealogy.net/moucher.htm

‘During the 1840s, a single family named Moucher arrived in Misterton from Swyre, Dorset. The family consisted of Richard Moucher, his wife Ann (nee Northover) and their children.

One daughter of the family (Mary Ann b1838) is of particular interest to me, as she was the first wife of Samuel Osborne...  and she & her husband and their first child George Amos emigrated to Queensland, Australia in 1858.  Shortly after their arrival, Mary Ann was delivered of a second son, but she soon succumbed to child birth fever, with her newborn son only living a short while longer. Samuel remarried in 1860 and had three more sons.  Unfortunately George Amos died of scarlet fever in 1861 - thus Mary Ann's Australian story came to an abrupt end. Prior to marrying Samuel Osborne in 1857, Mary Ann baptised another son, Francis Moucher, in 1855. His father is not known; Francis was buried in May 1857 at Misterton, the month before his mother married Samuel Osborne.’

‘Four daughters of Richard & Ann Moucher emigrated to Queensland, Australia.  Only Mary Ann was married before emigrating.  The other three managed to live much longer lives than poor Mary Ann. Mary Ann and her husband Samuel Osborne arrived in Moreton Bay (Brisbane) on the "Alfred" on the 19th of September, 1858.  Note that Ann Moucher nee Northover, mother to the family, had died in 1856. Also on that particular voyage of the Alfred, was Mary Ann's younger sister Sarah. Elizabeth Moucher arrived  on the "Winefred", into Moreton Bay 14 Jan 1874, aged 28.’

97.6 Henry Northover (1816-1881)

Henry was the second child of that name born to Arthur and Atery Northover (see above). His older brother died as a baby in 1815, so when his mother Atery, had another baby boy later that year, they named him after the deceased son. Henry was baptised on 11 Feb 1816 at Swyre.

Dorchseter prison: Henry 13 & cousin Charles imprisoned for 1 month for stealing turnips

On 20 Dec 1828 Henry Northover 13 (b1815 Swyre), and cousin Charles Northover 12 (b1817 Swyre -see 95.4) were charged with stealing turnips. They were both sentenced to 1 month in prison.

Henry Northover married cousin Jemima Northover 25 Aug 1836 at Puncknowle

On 25 Aug 1836 Henry 21, married his cousin Jemima Northover b1809 (daughter of Richard Northover and Mary Hardy see 77.4), who was seven years older than him, at Puncknowle.

Jemima gave birth to their first child, Frederick Northover in late 1838 and he was baptised at Puncknowle on 10 Feb 1839 (See 77.4a). They did not have long to enjoy family life. Later that year on 11 Oct 1839 Henry Northover, 23 fisherman of Puncknowle, married with one child was found guilty of smuggling and imprisoned for six months. His physical description was 6 ft. 2, brown hair, hazel eyes and sallow skin. (He was tall like his father, Arthur.) He was discharged on 10 April 1840. This was a hard time for Jemima as she was left alone to look after baby Frederick but was also pregnant with her second child (Charles) who was born in early 1840. Charles Northover was baptised on 4 Mar, but sadly he passed away that same year.

1841 Census Puncknowle: henry & Jamima with young son Henry living at Knackershole

Henry seemed to keep out of trouble after his first interaction with the courts. In 1841 he was listed as the occupier of  Lot 57 in ‘Knackers Hole', Puncknowle and in the census of that year his family consisted of Henry Northover 25, Jemima Northover 25 and Frederick Northover 3. They were living in a cottage on the southern outskirts of the hamlet in ‘Knackers Hole’, Puncknowle, next to James 25 and Elizabeth Northover 25. On 2 Jan 1845 both Henry and Jemima were witnesses at the Puncknowle wedding of cousin William Gibbs Northover (son of Henry Northover fisherman) and Ann Hardy (see 77.1). During the 1840’s Jemima gave birth to four more children, who all died young. They were Emily Northover 1842-1850, Dinah Northover 1845-1846, John Northover 1847-1850 and Alfred Northover 1849-1849. The fact that John and Emily were buried on the same day suggests infectious disease may have been the cause of their deaths.

1851 census Puncknowle: Henry, Jemima & son Frederick Northover

In 1851 Henry 36 carrier and Jemima Northover 42 twine netter were living in Main St., Puncknowle with their one surviving, son Frederick 13 scholar. Later that year Jemima gave birth to her last child, Ann Northover, who was baptised on 10 Dec 1851 at Puncknowle.

By 1861 Henry had changed his occupation from carrier to tavern keeper at the local pub called “The Crown Inn”. This 16th century establishment still exists today, but is probably much classier than in Henry’s day. Jemima was a net maker, Frederick 23 a seaman and Ann 9 was a scholar (a student). They also had their niece Emily Gape b1843 aged 18 (daughter of Jemima’s sister Mary who died three years before in 1858 -see below) living with them and working as a servant to help out in the Inn. Jemima Northover nee Northover died on 22 Jul, 1862 aged 53.

Henry Northover 48 year old widower married Elizabeth Fyle on 26 Aug 1863 at Puncknowle

On 26 Aug 1863 at the age of 48, Henry widowed innkeeper, married Elizabeth Fyle 52 spinster at Puncknowle. The fathers of the couple were listed as Arthur Northover fisherman and John Fyle stone cutter. Both Henry and Elizabeth were unable to sign their names. One of the witness was John Reech Bishop who was also a witness at Jemima's brother Thomas Northover's b1813 wedding (see 77.6).

1871 Census Puncknowle Henry & Elizabeth Northover nee Fyle & son William Northover at the Crown Inn, High St

Henry would have found the extra help with running the Crown Inn in High St, Puncknowle from his new wife very useful. In 1871 Henry Northover 55 inn keeper, Elizabeth Northover 62 and unmarried nephew William Northover 14 were living and probably working at the Inn.

1881 Census Puncknowle: Henry 65 year old innkeper of the crown Inn, Puncknowle

Ten years later in 1881 Henry Northover 65 innkeeper and Elizabeth Northover 70 had the help of servant and great niece Emily Northover 18 (daughter of nephew Frederick Northover b1830) servant and nephew and boarder William Moore 23 (son of sister Rebecca Moore nee Northover).

Later that year Henry Northover innkeeper of Puncknowle died on 22 Dec 1881 aged 65. His will with an estate to the value of £189, was proved by his son Frederick Northover also innkeeper of Puncknowle on 22 Jul 1882. Henry was buried at Puncknowle two days after Christmas on 27 Dec 1881.

97.6a Frederick Northover (1838-1898) See also chapter 77.4a

In a strange twist of life, Henry and Jemima’s eldest son, Frederick, in his later life became a member of the coastguard, whose role was to prevent smuggling and catch those responsible. Frederick was baptised at Puncknowle on 10 Feb 1839 soon after his father was jailed for smuggling (See above) In 1841 he was living with his parents at Knackerhole in Puncknowle. In 1851 the family was living in Main St, Puncknowle, which may have been the same dwelling. By 1861 his parents had become innkeepers at the Crown Inn, Puncknowle and soon after Frederick ‘went to sea’, because by the time of his marriage in 1866 he described his occupation as seaman.

On 26 Jun 1866 Frederick Northover 28 seaman married Louise Seal 26 at Puncknowle. Frederick’s father was listed as Henry Northover, Innkeeper. No doubt that the Crown Inn was full of celebration that night! Both Frederick and Louisa signed their names, indicating at least a basic education.

By 1871 Frederick’s career had taken another turn when he took up a job as ‘coastguardsman’ at Falmouth, Cornwall, where he, Louisa and baby Henry John Northover were living at 18 Berkeley Gate. His job would have made many of his ancestral relatives ‘turn in their grave’ because his role was to detect and prosecute smugglers! In 1874 the family were back living at Puncknowle in a dwelling called ‘Longhouse’ (occupied by several families), and Frederick was still working as a coastguard in an area where the Northovers were renowned for smuggling activities in the past. By 1881 he had six children; Henry Northover 13, Frederick Northover 9, Ernest Northover 7, Edward Northover 5, Louise Northover 3 and Anne Northover 1. The eldest four of were attending school.

Frederick’s father died in Dec 1881 and this initiated another change in career for Frederick. He gave up his work as a coastguard and took over the running of his father’s inn, “The Crown Inn”. The 1991 census listed the family as follows; Fredrick Northover 59 innkeeper, Louisa Northover 50 wife, Ernest Northover 17 carpenter, Edward Northover 15 grocer assistant and the three youngest Louisa Northover 13, Annie Northover 11 and Beatrice Northover 8; all scholars.

Frederick Northover died on 19 Jan 1898 aged 59, and was buried at Puncknowle. Probate was granted on 23 May 1898 to Louisa, and sons Henry John Northover, smith (metal worker) and Ernest Northover, carpenter. Effects were valued at £489.  In 1901 Louisa Northover nee Seal was still living in Puncknowle and was listed as a retired innkeeper and died in 1914. PICS Mike tree

NOTE: Henry Northover b1816 and his family ran the Crown Inn at Puncknowle for around 40 years from c1860 to c1900. The family interest in hotels continued into the next generation. Frederick’s son Henry John Northover became a licensed victualler and manager of the Whitehorse Hotel Weymouth.

97.7 Dinah Northover (1821-1843)

Dinah was baptised in Swyre on 6 may 1821 by parents Arthur & Artery Northover

Dinah was baptised on 6 May 1821 at Swyre on the same day as her younger sister Louisa. Although she was baptised on the same day as her sister, that does not prove she was a twin, as baptisms for some children were sometimes delayed for a variety of reasons. However, ages later given at various censuses suggest they were indeed twins. She was living with her parents in Swyre in 1841 at the age of 20 and up to her death in 1843 at the age of 22. Her age given at her death confirms her birth year as 1821. There were no known children.

97.8 Louisa Northover (1821-1859)

Louisa Northover was baptised 6 May 1821, the same day as her sister above

Louisa was baptised on 6 May 1821 at Swyre on the same day as her older sister Dinah. She was living with her parents in Swyre in 1841.

Louisa Northover married William Collins 9 July 1846 at Swyre

On 9 July 1846 at Swyre, Louisa married William Collins labourer. Her father was listed as Arthur Northover, fisherman and the marriage was witnessed by cousin Charles Northover b1817 and Caroline Northover nee Hutchings (see 95.4).

1851 Census Abbotsbury: William & Louisa Collins nee Northover & 2 children

Louisa and William moved to Abbotsbury to start their family. In 1851 living in Luke Cottages were William Collins 31 ag lab, Louisa Collins nee Northover 30, John Collins 2 and Mary Jane Collins 5 months. Louisa had one more child, Frederick Collins baptised in Swyre on 29 May 1853 (a note indicated the family residence was at Abbotsbury). Sadly, Louisa Collins nee Northover died in February 1858 aged 35 and although she was buried at Abbotsbury on 19 Feb 1858, her place of residence was given as Luke Cottages, Abbotsbury.

NOTE: The 1841 and 1851 censuses suggests a birth year of 1821, but the age given at her death suggests a birth year of 1823. This latter date is unlikely, as her younger sister (see below) was baptised in 1823 and probably born in that year. Taking every record into account it looks like Louisa and Dinah were twin daughters.

The 1861 census listed William Collins widowed shepherd with his three children John 11 ag lab, Mary 10 and Frederick 8 living in Luke (spelt Looke on the census). Life must have been hard if young John had to work as an agricultural labourer to help ‘make ends meet’. Nine years later William 49 married Susan Cox 30 spinster on the 22 Dec 1870 at Puncknowle.

97.9 Elizabeth Caroline Northover (1823-1894)

Elizabeth Caroline Northover baptised at Swyre by Arthur & Artery Northover

Caroline was baptised as Elizabeth Caroline on 23 Apr 1823 at Swyre. She was living with her parents Arthur and Atery Northover in 1841.

Elizabeth Caroline Northover 26 married Joseph Darby 24 Sep 1849 at Swyre

On 24 Sep 1849 Elizabeth Caroline Northover 26 married Joseph Darby (Derby) labourer from Swyre. Elizabeth’s father was listed as Arthur Northover fisherman and the witnesses were older brother Henry Northover and William Moore (husband of cousin Rebecca Moore nee Northover b1822).

1851 Census Swyre Joseph & Caroline Darby nee Northover with son John

By the time the couple settled in Puncknowle to have a family Elizabeth had dropped her first name and was using her middle name instead. In 1851 they were living in Main St and the family consisted of Joseph Darby 37 lab, Caroline Darby 28 twine netter and John Darby 2.

1861 Census Piddleton Dorset Joseph & Caroline Darby nee Northover  with 5 children

By 1861 they had moved 18 miles to Dance Farm, Piddletown and the family had grown to consist of Joseph Darby 45 ag lab, Caroline Darby 36 ag lab, John Darby 11 ag lab, Jessie Darby 8 scholar, Frederick Darby 3, Hubert Darby 3 months and Eliza Northover 40 visiting house servant (the surname Darby was misspelled).

1871 Census Gussage St Michael: Joseph & Caroline Darby & four children

Another move was made by 1871 when they were living at a new address about 20 miles away in Gussage St Michael. Joseph Darby 56, Caroline Darby 48 were still living with their four children; John Darby 21, Jessie Darby 15, Frederick Darby 13 and Hubert Darby 10. All members of the family were listed as ag labourers.

By 1881 Joseph 68 and Caroline 58 had moved 230 miles to Horwich, Lancashire for an unknown reason. Joseph was employed as a gardener, Caroline had reverted to her baptised first names of Elizabeth C. Darby and they were living with their 13 year old niece Elizabeth Northover scholar (born in Swyre).

Joseph Darby died in 1890 and Caroline moved in with her son, Frederick. In 1891, living at Heapey, Lancashire were Frederick Derby 33 soap maker, his wife Mary A Derby 32, their children Caroline M Derby 8 and Ann E Derby 5 and Frederick’s mother Elizabeth Caroline Derby 6. Elizabeth Caroline Darby nee Northover died at Horwich on 11 Jan 1894 aged 71.

NOTE: Joseph & Caroline Darby nee Northover's son John Darby b1849 married Sarah Gilbert b1852 at Moor Crichel in 1874. They had 7 children and moved to New Zealand. John died in 1929 in St Andrews, Cantebury, New Zealand.

97.10 John Northover (1826-1844)

John son of Arthur & Artery Northover was baptised on 22 May 1826

John was the tenth and final child of Arthur and Atery Northover. He was baptised on the 22 May 1826 and at the age of 15 was living with his parents in 1841 at Swyre.

John Northover 18 died in 1844 and was buried in Swyre on 14 Jan 1844

John died three years later and was buried at Swyre on the 14 Jan 1844 aged 18. There were no known children.

98.0-99.0 Reserved for Future Use