William Dowdall, painter & glazier of Barnstaple was mentioned in the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette of 7th July 1827 as an insolvent debtor. He was in partnership with a man called Rew.
A William Dowdall (an incorrigible vagabond) was given a sentence of 3 months on the treadmill for 'leaving his family chargeable to Loxhore'. North Devon Journal 13th Sept 1832