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Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Bruce Beanlands on 31/12/2021, 11:57 am

I am trying to locate my 2x great grandmother, Elizabeth Rowdon (B.FEB 28 1833 Barnstaple, D.10 MAR 1918 St Austell, Cornwall) during the period between 1851 census and the 1864 when her first born was born out of wedlock in Exeter. There are a number of Elizabeth Rowdon/Rowdens in the 1861 census but none were born in Barnstaple. Locating her during this period may help me in my quest to identify the father of Walter Gillespie Rowdon, my great grandfather.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Deborah on 31/12/2021, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

The middle name GILLESPIE may be a clue. It was not a common name in Devon and in 1861 seemed to centre around Tiverton.

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Bruce Beanlands on 31/12/2021, 3:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Thanks you Deborah. I was thinking the same abt Gillespie. Tiverton is close to Exeter where she was living with her brother, William Rowdon, in 1864. I did find an Elizabeth Rowdon as a border in the 1861 census in Tiverton living within 1/2 mile of a few Gillespies. Not sure it is her her as the census has a sister, Edith, there (I do not have an Edith as a sister) and that they were born in Tiverton.

I have started plotting out potential Elizabeth's and Gillespies on a Google map:
https://www.google.ca/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1JqvcQiGxNxTZySUfUq-PDQk6nZL2KESJ&ll=50.73947957694148%2C-4.011236498265888&z=9

Can you think of anywhere I could look to find her other than the census?

Thank you again for your help

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Deborah on 1/1/2022, 11:37 am, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Where have you located Elizabeth's baptism/birth and who were the parents? There's a baptism for an Edith at Swimbridge - 4 miles away, parents George & Miriam. The 1841 census shows an 11 year old ELizabeth, so born ca 1830/1.

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Bruce Beanlands on 1/1/2022, 12:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Sorry. My reply got posted in the wrong place in the thread. My fault.

John Rowdon from Nymet Tracey and Elizabeth (Burzacot) Rowdon from Barnstaple were Elizabeth's parents. She was living with them in the 1841 and 1851 census in Barnstaple. There is no listing of a sister named Edith though...

I will keep looking

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by judith on 1/1/2022, 8:45 am, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

possible father is Felix Gillespie, on 1861 census Tormoham, (Torquay), a land surveyor for Ordinance survey, single, born Ireland aged 26. Would have been mobile if he was doing survey work. He could have moved on before she knew she was pregnant.
Gillespie not maiden name of her mother, John Rowden me Elizabeth Buzacott (Buscott?), Nymet Tracey, also known as Bow, 1825.(Her older siblings born there)

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Bruce Beanlands on 1/1/2022, 11:38 am, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Thank you for the lead Judith! I saw the Felix Gillespie but could not make out his occupation initially. I will add it to my list.

John Rowdon from Nymet Tracey and Elizabeth (Burzacot) Rowdon from Barnstaple were Elizabeth's parents. Still trying to locate her in 1861. Any thoughts?

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Bruce Beanlands on 1/1/2022, 11:49 am, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

John Rowdon from Nymet Tracey and Elizabeth (Burzacot) Rowdon from Barnstaple were Elizabeth's parents. She was living with them in the 1841 and 1851 census in Barnstaple. There is no listing of a sister named Edith though...

I will keep looking

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Judith on 2/1/2022, 12:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Edith and Elizabeth on 1841 in Tiverton, which is where they say they were born on later census, so dont think this is your Elizabeth.

Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863

Posted by Judith on 2/1/2022, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Locating Elizabeth Rowdon from 1852-1863"

Could be working as a cook, servant,1861 in Exeter St Leonards,and employer who filled in the form put Down St Mary,as her birthplace, as that was where she came from before working for him? cant find a baptism there for her at Down St Mary, age is right on the census.
Birth cert of Walter would give you the place where he was born.

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