George Biddlecombe of Winsham
An exploration of his will and the Beneficiaries mentioned therein. Followed by expanding the research to include him and his family, together with any links to other Biddlecombe families in the series.
This is part of a series of articles about the Families of Biddlecombe and variations of that name. The introduction to the series is Families of Biddlecombe and variations of that name - START. If you have not visited the introduction yet might I suggest that you do so.
George Biddlecomb's Will
George Biddlecomb's Will
The primary source of information about George Biddlecomb of Winsham is again his Last Will and Testament
The last Will and Testament of George Biddlecombe of Winsham
The above two images are from Ancestry, indexed to George Biddlecombe. It is an extract from the record book of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858. To think that each will presented to the court is copied, in full, by hand. As it is a copy in a registry book, and they are apparently very aware of the cost of paper or parchment, there is no layout to the text. It is just continuous writing without space, paragraphs or punctuation. The original will may or may not have had a different layout.
I is very difficult to read the above images without the benefit of zoom, so below is a collection of images in more detail.
Below is my initial transcription of the above Will. It is not a proper transcription as I have added spacing, layout and a small amount of punctuation, all to aid readability.
This is the last Will and Testament
of me George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman
I give and bequeath unto Samuel Aplin of Ipswich xxx two hundred pounds
And to Ruth Hallett his Sister two hundred pounds
And to Elizabeth Page his Sister two hundred pounds
To be paid to them xxx by my Executor hereinafter named within twelve months after my decease
I give unto my Mother Mary Aplin Widow my small silver tea pot and stand and sugar basin with purple glass belonging to it and cream jug
I also give to my said Mother one annuity or yearly sum of eight pounds to be paid for by my said Executor for and during the rest of her natural life by equal quarterly payments and the first payment to be made on the quarter day first happening after my decease
And I xxx my xxx and personal estate with the payment thereof give devise and bequeath all that my dwelling house shop stable barn garden and orchard now occupied by Daniel Hitchcock situate in the High Street of Winsham in the County of Somerset xxx xx to the use of the said Daniel his heirs executors an administrators according to the nature and tenure thereof and for all my estate and interest therein but subject nevertheless to the payment of the sum of two hundred pounds to my executor hereinafter named and I do hereby expressly declare that the said Daniel Hitchcock may if he so thinks fit refuse to take the said dwelling house and premises upon the terms of the before mentioned bequest to him and I xxx that he will within 2 months after my decease signify to my Executor his intention to take the said house and premises or to reject it. And in the event of this xxxx to take the same it is my will that the said Daniel Hitchcock shall be permitter to occupy the said dwelling house shop and premises so long as he pleases to do so at the yearly cost of thirty pounds but this permission is not to be construed into a power to hold possession and let the same to any other person my object being to enable him to carry on the business in the house in which he now resides without the fear of being ejected so long as he shall carry on the same for own benefit
And this bequest and permission are made upon this express xxx that the said Daniel Hitchcock as and shall within six months after my decease to the satisfaction of my Executor to be signified by writing under his hand release me from all liabilities on account of the business which the said Daniel Hitchcock is now and has been for some years carrying on in my name. And I do hereby for the satisfaction of my family declare that I have no interest whatsoever in such business and that I allowed it to be carried on in my name for the benefit of the said Daniel Hitchcock only the store and boot debts the sole property of the said Daniel Hitchcock
I give to my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe of Sherborne Schoolmaster the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid him in twelve months after my decease by my Executor
I also give to my Sister Mary Biddlecombe of Thorncombe one hundred pounds to be paid within six months after my decease in manner hereinafter mentioned the said Mary Biddlecombe being indebted to the above named Daniel Hitchcock in the sum of xxxx pounds and upwards I xxx that the xxxx so bequeathed to her be paid to the said Daniel Hitchcock in part discharge of such debt and if the said Mary Biddlecombe shall refuse to sign the proper receipt for the same it is my will that the receipt of the said Daniel Hitchcock for the said sum of one hundred pounds on account of the said Mary Biddlecombe shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executor for the same.
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
All the rest Residue and Remainder of my xxx personal xxx leaseholds and other estates and all my property xxx find or xxxx subject to the payments hereinbefore mentions and xxx the house and premises before xxx to the said Daniel Hitchcock if he shall refuse to that the same upon the terms of this me Will I give devise and bequeath the same xxxx unto my Brother James Aplin of Forde Abbey Yeoman to and for his own absolute xx and benefit xx to his heirs executors and administrators respectively
And I appoint the said James Aplin sole Executor of this my Will and I devise and bequeath all estates vested in me upon trust or by way of mortgage unto the said James Aplin his heirs executors administrators respectively upon the trusts affecting the same.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal to this my Will this twenty second day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty six
George Biddlecombe
Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Biddlecombe as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses
Lot Palmer – Winsham – Tailor
Wm Dommett Solr Chard
This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset Gentleman.
I revoke the bequest of the dwelling house shop and orchard which in my Will I gave to Daniel Hitchcock subject to the payment of two hundred pounds to my Executor and instead thereof I give and bequeath the said dwelling house shop and orchard which is situate in the Church Street of Winsham aforesaid and is now in the occupation of the said Daniel Hitchcock unto the said Daniel Hitchcock his executors administrators and assigns absolutely for all my town estate and interest in therein and I also revoke the bequest of two hundred pounds by my said Will given to Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page and instead thereof give and bequeath the each of them the said Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds to be paid to them by my Executor out of my property. And I declare that the receipts of the said Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page shall be xxxx a sufficient discharge for the said xxxx without the receipts of their respective husbands
In all other respects I confirm my said Will
Dated this thirteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty six
George Biddlecombe
Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Biddlecombe as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Wm Dommett Solr Chard -- Lot Palmer
| Date of Will | 22 August 1846 |
| Date of Codicile | 13 October 1846 |
| Date of Proving | 19 March 1848 |
The quest to find the surname of Daniel.
He is not part of the Tithe Apportionment record, so on to the 1841 Census.
This was another case of a read through as the search for George Biddlecombe did not find any 1841 Census records. It was worth going through page by page though. Surprisingly there is no clear Enumerators route. The places recorded appear to be for each residence, jumping from one street to another. Church Street is long and populous but there appears to be only one entry, that of George Biddlecombe and his crew.
On the way there I found a tailor.
In Pools Lane, Josiah Palmer, aged 40, a Tailor, and his family. Is this the Palmer that witnessed the Will? The current Pooles Lane is off Church Street, between the school and the church.
On to the main event.
In the only entry for Church Street that I found, George Biddlecombe, a Draper, of 45 years of age, not born in the County of Somerset. Living with Joan and Ann Biddlecombe, and Mary Dickison or Pickison, all of Independent Means. Two more Drapers, Daniel Hitchcock, aged 25, and Lot Palmer, aged 75. The former is probably the Daniel mentioned in George's Will and the latter one of the Witnesses.
The other witness could be William Dommett, Sol otherwise Solicitor, also Atts Law, Attorney at Law. Not totally definitive, but it does seem to fit.
People in the Will of George Biddlecombe of Winsham
| Name | Stated relationship | Assumed relationship | Assumed previous name | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Aplin | |||||
| Ruth Hallett | Sister | Ruth Aplin | Ruth Aplin married William Hallett on 19th May 1831 | ||
| Elizabeth Page | Sister | Elizabeth Aplin | Elizabeth Aplin married Thomas Page on 25th December 1845 | ||
| Mary Aplin | Mother, Widow | Mary Biddlecombe, Mary Boon | |||
| Daniel Hitchcock | Business Associate | Winsham | |||
| Joseph Biddlecombe | Brother, Schoolmaster | ||||
| Mary Biddlecombe | Sister | Thorncombe | |||
| James Aplin | Brother | Forde Abbey | |||
| James Aplin | Executor / Executrix | ||||
| Lot Palmer | Witness, Tailor | Winsham | |||
| William Dommett | Witness, Solicitor | Chard |
People mentioned in the Will
Apart from the witnesses
Samuel Aplin
Samuel Aplin
Extract from will pertaining to Samuel Aplin
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath unto Samuel Aplin of Ipswich xxx two hundred pounds ...
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
...
Codicil
... I also revoke the bequest of two hundred pounds by my said Will given to Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page and instead thereof give and bequeath the each of them the said Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds to be paid to them by my Executor out of my property. And I declare that the receipts of the said Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page shall be xxxx a sufficient discharge for the said xxxx without the receipts of their respective husbands
In 2021, the relative value of £200 0s 0d from 1846 ranges from £20,600.00 to £791,600.00, a lot of money.
Samuel Aplin
BIRTH Abt. 1815 • Thorncombe, Devon, England
DEATH
Birth and Baptism
July 23rd 1813
Samuel, Son of Samuel Aplin of the Parish of Pitminster, Farmer, and of Hannah his wife was baptised by Tho Golding
Born June 30th preceding.
Dealing with the last item first. Initial interpretation could be that Samuel was born 30th June 1813, as that is preceding July of the same year, but that would render the word preceding redundant and superfluous. However, it could mean the year before, rendering his date of birth as being 30th June 1812.
More importantly, his parents names are unexpected as is the parish of Pitminster. Pitminster is approximately half way between Winsham and Williton, both mentioned in the Marriage record below.
The record comes from Piece 1421: Pitminster, Fulwood Chapel (Independent), 1802-1836. Were Samuel Aplin's parents non-conformist? Did non-conformists' have to marry in the Established Church?
I have turned the pages of the register form the above record to the end of the register in 1836. The naming convention for dates of birth varies, including full date for previous years, to same year for that. So is 'same year' to be interpreted as being the same as 'preceding'? Inconclusive. Also, in that period, there are no other baptisms recorded to Samuel Aplin and Hannah. There are several other families with multiple families. Perhaps a task for another day is to go in the opposite direction.
There is another record which I would like to draw to your attention before concluding that the above record is pertinent.
The record is an extract of the 1841 Census for the Parish of Pitminster, Somerset
Starting with Where born first, the record states with a 'y' that the whole family, including the two servants where born in the same county as Pitminster was in, which is Somerset. This is at variance to my expectation, which was a 'N' reflecting born in Devon, Thorncome. Samuel and Hannah match the parents on the baptism record, but are not as expected. The Samuel Aplin, son, is 26 years of age, an is a Butcher. According to Ancestry, this would give him an Estimated Year of Birth of 1815. the census is for 1841, but the marriage of Samuel Aplin to Jane Adams, in Winsham, (not her Parish) was in 1834, so they had been married about seven years. However, there is no Jane Aplin mentioned on the return.
Hannah's Estimated Year of Birth was 1791. Hannah would have been about 24 years of age when she gave birth to Samuel. Again, another expectation, this time for later children.
My current conclusion is that this is not the same family and the baptism record is discounted. However, I will leave the above notes in place as their presence may help other people from assuming that this data correlates to and is correct for Samuel Aplin of Ipswich, as mentioned in George Biddlecombe's will.
Alterative Baptism records for Samuel Aplin remain elusive at the moment.
Marriage
Samuel Aplin of this Parish, Bachelor and Jane Adams of the Parish of Williton, Spinster were married in this Church by License this twenty first Day of July in the Year One thousand eight hundred and thirty four By me Geo Ware. Vicar
This Marriage was solemnized between us Samuel Aplin -- Jane Adams
In the Presence of George Biddlecombe -- Elizabeth Aplin
The Parish was Winsham, Somerset, the same as George Biddlecombe residence at the date of his will.
A newspaper clipping
July 21, at Winsham, Mr. Samuel Aplin, youngest son of Mr. Aplin, of Thorncombe, to Jane, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Adams, of Billbrock, Somerset.
Oh for a letter, a single extra letter. An initial for Mr. Aplin, of Thorncombe would have been so helpful.
The newspaper was The Western Flying Post or Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury
28 Jul 1834, Mon · Page 4
Part of the front page that carried the marriage notice. First thing of note, a front page without massive headlines trying to lure you in to read the article. No the offering was announcements, you had to buy the paper to find out what was inside. or go to a newspaper reader, who would read it to people who could not read. However, looking at the price, seven pence, of which 4d was tax, perhaps you could pretend not to read to avoid the tax.
An article on Shepton Mallet Turnpike, I must return to read that, and perhaps add it to my Turnpike series.
Another marriage, but this time between Jane's parents.
Banns of Marriage between Thomas Adams and Sarah Meddick both of this Parish of Luxborough were published on April the 5th 12th 19th 1812 G. Nibbs.
No. 130 Thomas Adams of this Parish of Luxborough, Bachelor and Sarah Meddich of this Parish of Luxborough, Spinster were Married in this Church by Banns this twentysecond Day of April in the Year One Thousand eight Hundred and twelve by me George Nibbs, Minster.
This Marriage was solemnized between Us Thomas Adams -- The mark x of Sarah Meddich
In the Presence of Samuel Palmer -- John Webber
Children
John Biddlecombe Aplin 1835
Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Charmouth in the county of Dorset in the Year 1836.
May 22nd John Biddlecombe Son of Samuel & Jane Aplin. Abode Charmouth, Profession, Draper, performed by James.
A middle name of Biddlecombe helps conformation of this record.
Mary Jane Aplin 1837
Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Old Cleeve in the county of Somerset in the Year 1837.
1837 10 December Mary Jane daughter of Samuel & Jane Aplin. Abode Billbrook, Profession, Draper, performed by Wm Newton.
From a page turn to the end of the register in 1843, a quick scan, there appears to be no other baptisms for Samuel and Jane.
Perhaps they moved away from the parish of Old Cleeve, near Watchet, Dunster and Minehead on the North Somerset coast.
Sarah Jessie Aplin 1846
Josey T Aplin 1847
Samuel Adams Aplin 1849 and Rosa Emma Aplin 1851
Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Old Cleeve in the county of Somerset in the Year 1851.
20th Feby 1851 Born in {----} 1849 Samuel Adams Son of Samuel & Jane Aplin. Abode Billbrook, Profession, Assistant in a shop, performed by John Henry Kirwan, Curate
July 20 1851 Rosa Emma daughter of Samuel & Jane Aplin. Abode Billbrook, Profession, Assistant in a shop, performed by John Henry Kirwan, Curate
There appears to have been a gap of about eight years between successive births. Samuel Aplin has changed profession in that period from Draper to Assistant in a shop, which seems on the face of it, regressive.
From other information both Josey T and Samuel Adams were born in Ipswich Suffolk. Perhaps Samuel was baptised when they came back to be with the family.
Thomas Joseph Aplin 1853
Fredrick Robert Alpin 1856
Census
1841 Census
1851 Census
| House Number | Given Name | Surname | Relationship | Age | Estimated Birth Year | Gender | Birth Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | Thomas | Adams | Head | 61 | 1790 | Male | Exton, Somerset, England |
| 78 | Sarah | Adams | Wife | 59 | 1792 | Female | Luxborough, Somerset, England |
| 78 | Jane | Aplin | Daughter | 37 | 1814 | Female | Luxborough, Somerset, England |
| 78 | John | Aplin | Grandson | 15 | 1836 | Male | Charmoth, Dorset, England |
| 78 | Mary Jane | Aplin | Granddaughter | 13 | 1838 | Female | Old Cleeve, Somerset, England |
| 78 | Jessey | Aplin | Granddaughter | 4 | 1847 | Female | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
| 78 | Samuel | Aplin | Grandson | 2 | 1849 | Male | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
| 78 | Rosa | Aplin | Granddaughter | 5 Mo | 1851 | Female | Old Cleeve, Somerset, England |
| 78 | Thomas R | Cridland | Visitor | 4 | 1847 | Male | Taunton, Somerset, England |
On the day of the 1851 Census Jane Aplin nee Adams is back with her parents. The children are there as Thomas and Sarah's grandchildren, but Samuel Aplin is missing from this list. Therefore there is a Samuel Aplin somewhere else on a Census return. Recognising him will be made all the more difficult as he is on his own, not with a selection of known naems.
Death
Timeline
| Name | Place | Event | Source | Age | Date | 18 00 | 18 10 | 18 20 | 18 30 | 18 40 | 18 50 | 18 60 | 18 70 | 18 80 | 18 90 | 19 00 | 19 10 | 19 20 | 19 30 | 19 40 | 19 50 | 19 60 | 19 70 | 19 80 | 19 90 | 20 00 | 20 10 | 20 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Aplin | Thorncombe, Devon | Birth | Ancestry Trees | 0 | Abt 1813 | # | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samuel Aplin | Baptism | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jane Adams | Luxborough, Somerset | Birth | 0 | 1813 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jane Adams | Luxborough, Somerset | Baptism | 0 | 21 Aug 1813 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samuel Aplin | Winsham, Somerset | Marriage | Record | 21 Jul 1834 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jane Adams | Williton, Somerset | Marriage | Record | 21 Jul 1834 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Biddlecombe Aplin | Birth | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John Biddlecombe Aplin | Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset | Baptism | Record | 22 May 1836 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mary Jane Aplin | Old Cleeve, Somerset | Baptism | Record | 10 Dec 1837 | # | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| --- GAP --- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For a register of Wills that may potentially be included in this series and some hints about Wills, go to my 'Last will and testament article', which opens in a new window.
Ruth Hallett
Ruth Hallett
Extract from will pertaining to Ruth Hallett
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
And to Ruth Hallett his Sister two hundred pounds ...
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
...
Codicil
... I also revoke the bequest of two hundred pounds by my said Will given to Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page and instead thereof give and bequeath the each of them the said Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds to be paid to them by my Executor out of my property. And I declare that the receipts of the said Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page shall be xxxx a sufficient discharge for the said xxxx without the receipts of their respective husbands
In 2021, the relative value of £200 0s 0d from 1846 ranges from £20,600.00 to £791,600.00.
Ruth Aplin
B:Abt. 1807 Thorncombe, Devon, England
D:abt 1875 Thorncombe, Dorset, England
Lets start Ruth's story with her marriage.
Ruth Aplin married William Hallett, both of the parish of Thorncombe by licence on 19th May 1831 in the Parish Church of Thorncombe, in the presence of John Aplin and Elizabeth Aplin.
If Ruth married when she was 21 she would have been born about 1810.
Elizabeth Page
Elizabeth Page
Extract from will pertaining to Elizabeth Page
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
And to Elizabeth Page his Sister two hundred pounds ...
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
...
Codicil
... I also revoke the bequest of two hundred pounds by my said Will given to Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page and instead thereof give and bequeath the each of them the said Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds to be paid to them by my Executor out of my property. And I declare that the receipts of the said Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Page shall be xxxx a sufficient discharge for the said xxxx without the receipts of their respective husbands
In 2021, the relative value of £200 0s 0d from 1846 ranges from £20,600.00 to £791,600.00.
Elizabeth Aplin 1816–1866
BIRTH ABT. 1816 • Devon, England
DEATH MAR 1866 • Thorncombe, Dorset, England
Lets start Elizabeth's story with her marriage.
Elizabeth Aplin married Thomas Page, Bachelor and Spinster respectively. Both of full age and of the parish of Thorncombe by Banns on 25th December 1845 in the Parish Church of Thorncombe, now in the county of Devon, in the presence of William Hallett and Ruth Hallett. Elizabeth's Brother in Law and sister who married in 1831. Thomas Page was a Yeoman, as was his father Michael Page and Elizabeth's father Joseph Aplin.
If Elizabeth married when she was 21 she would have been born about 1824, at the latest.
Mary Aplin
Mary Aplin
Extract from will pertaining to Mary Aplin
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
I give unto my Mother Mary Aplin Widow my small silver tea pot and stand and sugar basin with purple glass belonging to it and cream jug
I also give to my said Mother one annuity or yearly sum of eight pounds to be paid for by my said Executor for and during the rest of her natural life by equal quarterly payments and the first payment to be made on the quarter day first happening after my decease
Daniel Hitchcock
Daniel Hitchcock
Extract from will pertaining to Daniel Hitchcock
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
And I xxx my xxx and personal estate with the payment thereof give devise and bequeath all that my dwelling house shop stable barn garden and orchard now occupied by Daniel Hitchcock situate in the High Street of Winsham in the County of Somerset xxx xx to the use of the said Daniel his heirs executors an administrators according to the nature and tenure thereof and for all my estate and interest therein but subject nevertheless to the payment of the sum of two hundred pounds to my executor hereinafter named and I do hereby expressly declare that the said Daniel Hitchcock may if he so thinks fit refuse to take the said dwelling house and premises upon the terms of the before mentioned bequest to him and I xxx that he will within 2 months after my decease signify to my Executor his intention to take the said house and premises or to reject it. And in the event of this xxxx to take the same it is my will that the said Daniel Hitchcock shall be permitter to occupy the said dwelling house shop and premises so long as he pleases to do so at the yearly cost of thirty pounds but this permission is not to be construed into a power to hold possession and let the same to any other person my object being to enable him to carry on the business in the house in which he now resides without the fear of being ejected so long as he shall carry on the same for own benefit
And this bequest and permission are made upon this express xxx that the said Daniel Hitchcock as and shall within six months after my decease to the satisfaction of my Executor to be signified by writing under his hand release me from all liabilities on account of the business which the said Daniel Hitchcock is now and has been for some years carrying on in my name. And I do hereby for the satisfaction of my family declare that I have no interest whatsoever in such business and that I allowed it to be carried on in my name for the benefit of the said Daniel Hitchcock only the store and boot debts the sole property of the said Daniel Hitchcock
...
I also give to my Sister Mary Biddlecombe of Thorncombe one hundred pounds to be paid within six months after my decease in manner hereinafter mentioned the said Mary Biddlecombe being indebted to the above named Daniel Hitchcock in the sum of xxxx pounds and upwards I xxx that the xxxx so bequeathed to her be paid to the said Daniel Hitchcock in part discharge of such debt and if the said Mary Biddlecombe shall refuse to sign the proper receipt for the same it is my will that the receipt of the said Daniel Hitchcock for the said sum of one hundred pounds on account of the said Mary Biddlecome shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executor for the same.
...
All the rest Residue and Remainder of my xxx personal xxx leaseholds and other estates and all my property xxx find or xxxx subject to the payments hereinbefore mentions and xxx the house and premises before xxx to the said Daniel Hitchcock if he shall refuse to that the same upon the terms of this me Will I give devise and bequeath the same xxxx unto my Brother James Aplin of Forde Abbey Yeoman to and for his own absolute xx and benefit xx to his heirs executors and administrators respectively
...
Codicil ...
I revoke the bequest of the dwelling house shop and orchard which in my Will I gave to Daniel Hitchcock subject to the payment of two hundred pounds to my Executor and instead thereof I give and bequeath the said dwelling house shop and orchard which is situate in the Church Street of Winsham aforesaid and is now in the occupation of the said Daniel Hitchcock unto the said Daniel Hitchcock his executors administrators and assigns absolutely for all my town estate and interest in therein ...
Joseph Biddlecombe
Joseph Biddlecombe
Extract from will pertaining to Joseph Biddlecombe
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
I give to my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe of Sherborne Schoolmaster the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid him in twelve months after my decease by my Executor
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
Mary Biddlecombe
Mary Biddlecombe
Extract from will pertaining to Mary Biddlecombe
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
I also give to my Sister Mary Biddlecombe of Thorncombe one hundred pounds to be paid within six months after my decease in manner hereinafter mentioned the said Mary Biddlecombe being indebted to the above named Daniel Hitchcock in the sum of xxxx pounds and upwards I xxx that the xxxx so bequeathed to her be paid to the said Daniel Hitchcock in part discharge of such debt and if the said Mary Biddlecombe shall refuse to sign the proper receipt for the same it is my will that the receipt of the said Daniel Hitchcock for the said sum of one hundred pounds on account of the said Mary Biddlecombe shall be a sufficient discharge to my Executor for the same.
James Aplin
James Aplin
Extract from will pertaining to James Aplin
I George Biddlecombe of Winsham in the County of Somerset, Gentleman ...
I give and bequeath ...
I desire that all my silver plate be divided as equally as possible between my Brother Joseph Biddlecombe, my said Executor hereinafter named Samuel Aplin Ruth Hallett and Elizabeth Pane and I give the same to them accordingly
All the rest Residue and Remainder of my xxx personal xxx leaseholds and other estates and all my property xxx find or xxxx subject to the payments hereinbefore mentions and xxx the house and premises before xxx to the said Daniel Hitchcock if he shall refuse to that the same upon the terms of this me Will I give devise and bequeath the same xxxx unto my Brother James Aplin of Forde Abbey Yeoman to and for his own absolute xx and benefit xx to his heirs executors and administrators respectively
And I appoint the said James Aplin sole Executor of this my Will and I devise and bequeath all estates vested in me upon trust or by way of mortgage unto the said James Aplin his heirs executors administrators respectively upon the trusts affecting the same.
James Aplin yeoman 1802-1872
B:1802 Thorncombe, Devon, England
D:08 Jun 1872 Thorncombe, Devon, England
James Aplin of Forde Abbey is the subject of the Location called Forde Abbey Farm in this article.
James Alpin is recorded as being at Forde Abbey Farm on the day of the Census 30th March 1851. An aside. When the 1851 census was taken on 30 March total population was recorded as 17,922,768.
James Alpin was the Head of the Household and he was 47 years of age. His occupation is stated as Farming 350 Acres employing 16 agricultural labourers. The 350 acres stated here is larger that the 313 stated in the Tithe Apportionment for his plots under Forde Abbey Farm, but it is over a decade later, so is not incongruous. He is recorded as being born in Dorset, in the Parish of Thorncombe, (was in Devon until 1844).
His wife is named as Sarah, aged 43, also born in Thorncombe. Her calculated year of birth was 1808, with James being 1804.
All the children are also born in Thorncombe and are unmarried.
Joseph Aplin, Son aged 21 giving a calculated birth year of 1830, Male. He is also employed on the Forde Abbey Farm
Samuel Aplin, Son aged 7 giving a calculated birth year of 1844, Male
Haney Lucy Aplin, Daughter aged 5 giving a calculated birth year of 1846, Female
Sarah Aplin, Daughter aged 3 giving a calculated birth year of 1848, Female
Louisa Aplin, Daughter aged 1 giving a calculated birth year of 1849, Female
Also shown on the 1851 Census is;
Maryann Barlett, Servant aged 20 giving a calculated birth year of 1831, Female Recorded as born in Burstock, Dorset, England
There is a gap in children between 1830 and 1844, which could be for several reasons, but is probably because they have moved away from home.
George Biddlecombe
George Biddlecombe
George Biddlecombe b. 1793
George Biddlecombe was born on 24th April 1793 to Joseph Biddlecombe and Mary Biddlecombe nee Boon
Birth and Baptism
Using the Dorset OPC for the Parish of Thorncombe;
22-Nov-1807; Joseph BIDDLECOMBE (born 23-Sep-1791) son of the late Joseph BIDDLECOMBE & Mary his wife
22-Nov-1807; George BIDDLECOMBE (born 24-Apr-1793) son of the late Joseph BIDDLECOMBE & Mary his wife
Both Joseph and George were baptised together on 22 November 1807, some 26 years after the baptism of John in 1781. At a time when the majority of baptisms were of infants it is a surprise that Joseph was 16 years, 2 months old and George was 14 years, 6 months, 30 days old at date of their baptisms. Noting that Joseph died before 22 November 1807, was he perhaps the reason for the delay in their baptism.
Joseph and George Biddlecombe baptism record. On the same page William son of George Pomeroy and Betty daughter of Richard Bailey, both surnames of interest to me.
George Biddlecombe parents
Parents of George Biddlecombe
George Biddlecombe has stated in his Will that his mother is Mary, presumably Biddlecombe at the time of his birth.
From the record of George's baptism on 22 November 1807, his parents were Joseph Biddlecombe and Mary Biddlecombe with her maiden name of Boon from elsewhere.
Father
Joseph Biddlecombe 1769–1798
BIRTH ABT. 1769 • Thorncombe, Devon, England
DEATH 1798 • Thorncombe, Devon, England
Birth and Baptism
Birth thought to be about 1770.
Marriage
Marriage of Joseph Biddlecombe and Mary Boon, both of Broadwindsor, on 27th October 1790
A Joseph Biddlecombe married Mary Boon, both of the Parish of Broadwindsor in the County of Devon, in the Parish Church by Licence on 27th October 1790. The witnesses were William Boon and James Brown. William Boon could have been Mary Boon's father. More to do to check that.
Children
Death and Burial
Mother
Mary Boon 1770–1855
Birth and Baptism
Birth thought to be about 1770.
Marriage
Marriage of Joseph Biddlecombe and Mary Boon, both of Broadwindsor, on 27th October 1790
A Joseph Biddlecombe married Mary Boon, both of the Parish of Broadwindsor in the County of Devon, in the Parish Church by Licence on 27th October 1790. The witnesses were William Boon and James Brown. William Boon could have been Mary Boon's father. More to do to check that.
Presumably Joseph Biddlecombe died and Mary Biddlecombe became a widow. George Biddlecombe's Baptism record on 22nd November 1807 indicate that his father was already dead at that time.
Marriage of Joseph and Mary Biddlecombe widow on 27th June 1802
Presumably Joseph Biddlecombe died and Mary Biddlecombe became a widow.
Joseph Aplin, using the signature version instead of Applin, married Mary Biddlecombe, both of the Parish of Thorncombe in the Parish Church by Licence on twenty seventh day of June 1802 in the presence of Samuel Phillips and Willm Hawkins.
If this is correct Joseph Biddlecombe died before 1802, and the Aplin children of Mary were born after 1802.
If this is correct Joseph Biddlecombe died before 1802, and the Aplin children of Mary were born after 1802.
The marriage certificate of Elizabeth Page nee Aplin stated that her father was Joseph Aplin, Yeoman.
Children
Death and Burial
An extract of the 1851 Census.
A Mary Aplin, a widow, is a Lodger at Partway, in the Parish of Thorncombe. The family she is lodging with appear to be Richard Bowditch and his wife Susannah. Mary is recorded as being 81 with a calculated year of birth of 1770, in Crewkerne, Somerset. She is of Independent Means. Richard is a dairyman of 70 years of age. Were they all living together in the Dairy House and Garden referred to as Plot 406 in the Tithe Apportionment. That is at Partway, by comparing the locations on two maps, all as detailed within the part about Forde Abbey Farm above under Locations. Plot 406 has the Landowner of John Francis Gwyn Esquire and James Aplin is the Occupier. Being occupier in Tithe Apportionment terms does not necessarily mean in residence. By 1851, the new Forde Abbey Farm yard and buildings had been constructed. Previous to that it is probable that James Aplin lived in the vicinity of Forde Abbey. The James Aplin of Forde Abbey is the brother of George Biddlecombe according to the latter's will.
Just a short distance away lies Forde Abbey Farm, where in 1851, James Aplin is resident.
Pulled from James Aplin tab.
James Alpin is recorded as being at Forde Abbey Farm on the day of the Census 30th March 1851. An aside. When the 1851 census was taken on 30 March total population was recorded as 17,922,768.
James Alpin was the Head of the Household and he was 47 years of age. His occupation is stated as Farming 350 Acres employing 16 agricultural labourers. The 350 acres stated here is larger that the 313 stated in the Tithe Apportionment for his plots under Forde Abbey Farm, but it is over a decade later, so is not incongruous. He is recorded as being born in Dorset, in the Parish of Thorncombe, (was in Devon until 1844).
His wife is named as Sarah, aged 43, also born in Thorncombe. Her calculated year of birth was 1808, with James being 1804.
All the children are also born in Thorncombe and are unmarried.
George Biddlecombe Wife
Wife of George Biddlecombe
Current understanding is that George Biddlecombe never married.
George Biddlecombe children
Children of George Biddlecombe
Current understanding is that George Biddlecombe never had any children.
James and Ann Biddlecombe of Enmore Somerset
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