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Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Jeanette Lee on 17/4/2023, 5:14 am

Hello. I hope you can help me. My paternal grandmother was Gertrude Louise Sheppard (nee Early) and was born 4 August, 1887 in Dawlish, Devon. Her parents were Besse Hall (nee Hooper born 1852 in Totness, Devon) and Richard Dewdney Early (born March, 1854 in Listleigh, Devon). Richard's parents were William John Early, born 29 January 1826 in Stoke, Canon, Devon and his wife, Anne Early (nee Dewdney) born 22 July, 1827 in Chagford, Devon.

I believe there is a fountain and possibly a (sea) wall named after the Early family in Dawlish, Devon. My husband and I are coming from Australia and are due to visit this area in the coming weeks and we would love to be able to see some of my family's history - assuming that the research we have done is correct and that the family stories have not been distorted and embellished too much over the decades.

Could you please pass on my request to the appropriate people in your Historic Society? Any information that can be passed on to me would be gratefully accepted. Otherwise, please let me know where I could go while I am in your neck of the woods to find out more of my family history.

Thank you so much,

Jeanette Lee (nee Sheppard)

PS My Paternal Grandfather was Alfred Sheppard, born 7 November, 1892 in Devon. His parents were Rachel Ann Maria Sheppard (nee Parker) born September, 1858 in Lynton, Devonshire, and Henry Charles Sheppard born August, 1859 in Dillingham, Dorsetshire but they married in Barnstaple, Devonshire in 1884. As you can see we have strong connections to the Devon area.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Joan Smith on 21/4/2023, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Early/Sheppard family"

both William Early and his wife Anna give their Birth Place as Bovey Tracy in the 1861 Census but as Stoke Canon and Chagford in 1881 There is a possible marriage for William Eardley
sic and Anna Dewdney in Chagford in 1848 In 1851 they have been recporded as Hurley.....with a 2 year old child which fixes theor marriage in around 1848.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by JUdith on 22/4/2023, 3:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

Don't know if you have seen this, on familysearch.org, William baptised 20.1.1826, son of John and Mary. Fathers occupation rat catcher, died 21.12.1825 So he was baptised after his father had died. How sad, perhaps husbands death brought on labour for the mother? Second name after his father.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 22/4/2023, 3:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

There was a brother Thomas Early son of John and Mary, baptised 25.12.1824 Stoke Canon.
Have not found him on census yet.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Jeanette Lee on 23/4/2023, 6:29 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

Judith, thank you so much for all your information. I'm in the deep rabbit holes of sorting out our itinerary for our UK holiday/visit, but I will get back to the family history side of things this week.

Thank you also to everyone else who has also responded to my requests for information. I really appreciate all your efforts and interest.

Kindest regards,
Jeanette Lee.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 23/4/2023, 8:54 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

There is a Holiday Inn Express Exeter East, which is within walking distance of Devon Heritage centre. (Literally across the road) We stayed there years ago, very convenient for research, and park and ride.(you can use the bus, even though your car in the car park of Holiday Inn, you have to pay anyway.)
Check it out on line. Good luck with your plans, dont forget to keep your itinerary and details in your hand luggage (just in case!)Our luggage went astray on trip to canada, luckily had details of the places we were staying in etc in hand luggage!got the luggage back next day.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Jeanette Lee on 27/4/2023, 6:23 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

Continuing on from my previous questions, which you have all been so wonderful in furnishing your responses and suggestions, I am now at the point of booking some accommodation in the Dawlish/Devon area. Is there any way I can find out where Richard Dewdney Early and his family (being my grandmother as a baby) would've been living at the time he was building Early's Wall and the Fountain??

Kindest regards again and thank you for all your help,

Jeanette Lee.

PS I have my extended relations here in Australia trying to find any photos etc of my Great Grandfather Richard Early.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 27/4/2023, 11:37 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

If you can get a look at the 1881 census (ancestry/findmy past), you should be able to view the actual entry. Left hand column has street details, and some numbers usually. You might need to go back to previous page to find where they started, and on to next page to find where the next street starts. (you would be able to do this in the record office,). Might be worth going there first, and then going to Dawlish. Richard was a mason on census, which is consistent with him building a wall!!

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 27/4/2023, 12:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

I googled Richard Early of Dawlish, and found an Article about Tucks plot, which is now York Gardens, which is where the fountain Richard Early built was located(dont know if its still there), also it says Richard Early built the sea Wall!! so you should have no problem finding that!!!
Had another thought, at the record office, there are name indexes, (staff will tell you where), which might give more details about him. Parish records might be in transcribed books, on shelves alphabetically left hand wall when standing with back to staff info desk.(far end)

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 27/4/2023, 12:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

There is a B&B at Dawlish, called The Beeches, which overlooks the cove where Richard Early built wall. Coryton Cove .You should be able to see it/be directed to the cove from there.
On the south coast path, has good reviews.
The gardens where the fountain was is very near the Station, in a triangle, not the big lawns.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 27/4/2023, 12:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

The gardens where the fountain was now occupied by mini Golf safari, right opposite the station. Complete with giraffes etc!! your cant miss it!!

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Jeanette Lee on 28/4/2023, 2:06 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

Judith, you’re a legend. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing information. I’ll definitely pop into the historical societies etc during our upcoming trip.

Cheers,
Jeanette Lee

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 28/4/2023, 10:55 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

My pleasure, have a lovely time.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Devon Family History Society on 18/4/2023, 9:14 am, in reply to "Early/Sheppard family"

Hi Jeanette, our Research Centre, Tree House in Exeter, has an extensive library including booklets, pamphlets etc on both Dawlish and Lustleigh.
Please check our website for opening hours
www.devonfhs.org.uk/treehouse
If you scroll down the page you can check what we have by searching 'Tree House holdings'
We would be delighted to see you but, in any case, have a great visit. You have some lovely places to explore
Sue
Sue Bond (Research Coordinator, DFHS)

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 19/4/2023, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

If you decide to go to Tree house, use the Honiton Road park and ride which is next to Devon Heritage centre, download a map of exeter to use when you get there. To get back to your car, you get back on the bus at the stop where you got off, but check its the right bus, as other buses use the stop
If you want to go to Devon Heritage centre, check with them about parking, they had allocated parking, when we went, not sure what the arrangements are now, I expect they will be able to give you some instructions on how to get to them.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 17/4/2023, 7:57 pm, in reply to "Early/Sheppard family"

Richard D Early was born at Lustleigh, (not Listleigh) which is near Bovey Tracey. The address on the census in 1861 is Wreyford Cottages. I googled Lustleigh Map and found there is a Wreyford path, and looking closely looks as if there are old cottages there. If you wanted to go there might be interesting to explore. Churchyard would be good too, but given the occupations might not have any headstones.
We have made a point of trying to trace family homes, and have been quite successful, not many headstones either!
I looked on Tithe map for 1839 but the name not appearing there, a bit soon for them. Looks a pretty village.
Devon heritage centre in Exeter has most information, for the whole county, staff very helpful.
Lynton and Barnstaple are on the North coast, Lustleigh on the southern edge of Dartmoor, and Dawlish on southern coast.
So hope you can allocate lots of time, and work out where you want to prioritise.
re Henry Charles Sheppard, He was born Gillingham Dorset, census 1861 living at the Queens Head, father a labourer, (not the landlord!)
Records for Dorset held at Dorchester.
You can access computers at Devon Heritage centre if you need to.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Jeanette Lee on 18/4/2023, 1:39 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

Thank you so much for your responses and suggestions. I will certainly look further. I will try to do as much as I can now from Australia so that by the time I get to Devon, I'll be able to spend time where it counts.

Thank you again and kindest regards,
Jeanette Lee

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Judith on 18/4/2023, 7:02 am, in reply to "Re: Early/Sheppard family"

p.s. forgot to say the Queens Head, Gillingham, Dorset. is still there, you could always go and stay there!! (chceck it out on Google maps.(don't confuse with Gillingham Kent!)
Enjoy your visit.

Re: Early/Sheppard family

Posted by Art on 17/4/2023, 11:59 am, in reply to "Early/Sheppard family"

Suggest you contact the Dawlish Local History group via their website. They do have a few bits on the internet but also have several publications. I'm sure their local knowledge would be invaluable

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