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Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by John Reffell on 10/3/2025, 10:00 am

I have been trying to understand why my 3x gr-grandfather Joseph REFFELL (1786-1862) was in Devon around 1810 having been born in Shere, Surrey in 1786.
On 4 April 1810 he married Elizabeth HATCH (1784-1864) from Rattery at St. Mary, Totnes.
Their only child Henry Hatch REFFELL was born on 1 March the following year in Marylebone, where they spent the rest of their lives.Both ended up in the workhouse at Fulham.
I have an article about him on my website at https://www.reffell.org.uk/the-reffell-family-history-website/people/victualler-of-shere-goose-gaggle-green/
I wuld be very grateful to any help/ideas/knowledge that would help me break down this long-standing brickwall.
John

Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by Sally Topliss on 11/3/2025, 11:05 am, in reply to "Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?"

Just a thought. Did he meet Elizabeth in London, perhaps she had gone there for work but they went back to Rattery for the marriage?

Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by JUdith on 13/3/2025, 10:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?"

Perhaps Elizabeth was working in service for a wealthy family from Devon who went to London, (to their London house?), and met him in London, and when she went back to Devon he went back there too and married her.

Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by John Reffell on 12/3/2025, 10:30 am, in reply to "Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?"

Thank you Sally,
I had not thought of that...
I'm guessing that Devon to London would have been quite a journey in the early 1800s, pre-dating the railways by around 40 years.

Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by JUdith on 18/3/2025, 2:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?"

There is a wealthy family there according to Genuki, the Carew family, who may well have had links to London.

Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?

Posted by John Reffell on 18/3/2025, 3:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Why was my 3x Gr-Grandfather in Devon?"

Ohh, that's a good lead thank you!

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