52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 14 - Brick Wall - John Smith

This year I have decided to take part in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks blogging prompts.

The theme for Week 14 (April 1-7): Brick Wall.

I have chosen my 4 x great grandfather John Smith (c1756-C1846?) as a Brick Wall ancestor to write about for this week's theme.

John Smith married Mary Croot on 12 January 1786 in St John the Baptist Church of England, Bishopsteignton, Devon, England.
The marriage banns notice referred to John as a "sojourner" in the parish of Bishopsteignton, but the marriage entry said he was "of this parish". ¹ Wikipedia defines a sojourner as "a person who resides temporarily in a place." ² John was likely an agricultural labourer.

John and Mary had the following children:

• William Smith born c1786, baptised 27 March 1786 Bishopsteignton parish. ³
• John Smith born 10 November 1787, baptised 14 November 1787 Ashcombe parish. Died in infancy, buried 2 December 1787 Ashcombe. ⁴
• Susanna Croot Smith born 9 November 1788, baptised 10 November 1788 Ashcombe parish. ⁵
• Richard Smith born 10 January 1791, baptised 17 January 1791 Ashcombe parish. ⁶
• Mary Smith born 15 August 1793, baptised 18 August 1793 Ashcombe parish. ⁷
• John Smith born 15 October 1795, baptised 5 November 1795 Ashcombe parish. ⁸
• Elizabeth Smith born c1798, baptised 30 January 1798 Bishopsteignton parish. ⁹
• Ann Smith born c1801, baptised 25 January 1801 Ideford parish. ¹⁰
• Thomas Smith born c1807, baptised 7 June 1807 Bishopsteignton parish. ¹¹

The parish register entries from Bishopsteignton refer to John's and Mary's abode as a Luton, a hamlet in the parish of Bishopsteignton.

What became of John?

The Devon Burials database at FindMyPast does not include any John Smith burial for Bishopsteignton, Ashcombe or Ideford parishes. A combined search for Smith burials in all three of these parishes gave only 15 results - revealing that Smith is perhaps a little less common as a surname in this region of England than in other regions. (see the 1881 frequency map for Smith in England on the Forebears web site for interest). Many of these 15 results were in the 1600s and early 1700s, so not currently relevant to my research.

Of the burials that were relevant, Mary (Croot) Smith is very likely the 76-year-old Mary Smith from Teignmouth buried in Bishopsteignton parish on 2 August 1837.¹²
John's and Mary's youngest son, Thomas Smith, my 3 x great grandfather, is the 55-year-old Thomas Smith from Teignmouth buried at Bishopsteignton on 26 August 1862. ¹³
I have yet to place the 31-year-old Rebecca Smith of Bishopsteignton who was buried in that parish in 1819. ¹⁴

A search of the Devon Burials database for Smith in West Teignmouth and East Teignmouth parishes gives 83 results. Two candidates to be my ancestor John Smith are among the results.

Possible John Smith (No. 1).
A 65-year-old John Smith from West Teignmouth was buried in the parish of West Teignmouth on 19 January 1823.¹⁵ This would make him born in c1758.

Possible John Smith (No. 2).
A 90-year-old John Smith from the Workhouse Newton was buried in the parish of West Teignmouth on 29 September 1846.¹⁶ This would make him born in c1756. I have the death certificate for this John, which states he was an 87-year-old labourer (note difference to 90 in the burial register) who died on 27 September 1846 at 'Union Workhouse Wolborough'. Unfortunately, no information helping to identify his family is given. The informant on the certificate is: "John Blackmore present at death Union Workhouse Wolborough."¹⁷

During my research for this post this past week I have come across a few interesting archival references to the name Smith, and particularly to the name John Smith, in relation to the parishes of Bishopsteignton and Ashcombe. Do they refer to the same John Smith? Only some thorough research and a bit of luck could help to break this brick wall.

References

1. "Banns of Marriage between John Smith sojourner in & Mary Croot of this Parish were published Novr 27 & Decr 4 &; 11 1785. No. 172. John Smith of this Parish and Mary Croot of this Parish spinster were Married in this Church by Banns this twelfth Day of January in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Six by me H. Distin Vicar This Marriage was solemnized between Us { The mark x of John Smith { The mark of x Mary Croot In the Presence of [Thos?/Jas?] [Mager?] Richd Boone [Parish Clerk]" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Marriages and banns, 1754-1805, image 61 of 98; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Marriages and banns, 1754-1805, 2202A/PR/1/6, no. 173, Smith-Croot marriage (1786); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
   
   "John Smith sojourner in this Parish Batchelor & Mary Croot of this Parish were married by Banns the 12th day of Jan'y." "England, Devon Bishop's Transcripts, 1558-1887," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-34111-3725-70?cc=2515875 : 16 February 2016), 004392273 > image 200 of 299; citing The Devon Record Office, Exeter.
   
2. Wikipedia contributors, "Sojourner," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sojourner&oldid=874082319 (accessed March 31, 2019).
3. "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, image 22 of 76; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, 2202A/PR/1/4, William Smith baptism (1786); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
4. "John Son of John and Mary Smith was Born November ye 10th and was Baptized November ye 14: 1787" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 40 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, John Smith baptism (1787); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter. "John, son of John, and Mary Smith was Buried December ye 2nd:1787" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 50 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, John Smith burial (1787); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
5. "Susanna Croot Daughter of John and Mary Smith was Born November ye 9th and was Baptized November ye 10th:1788" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 28 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, Susanna Croot Smith baptism (1788); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
6. "Christenings for the year 1791... Richard son of John and Mary Smith was Born January ye 10th and was Baptized January ye 17th" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 64 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, Richard Smith baptism (1791); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
7. "1793... Mary Daughter of John and Mary Smith was Born August ye 15th and was Baptized August ye 18th" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 65 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, Mary Smith baptism (1793); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
8. "1795... John son of John and Mary Smith was Born October ye 15th and was Baptized November ye 5th Henry Mugg Curate""Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ashcombe St Nectan, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, image 66 of 78; citing Ashcombe Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms, marriages and burials, 1732-1812, 462A/PR/1/3, John Smith baptism (1795); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
9. "Baptisms in the year 1798...Jany...30 Elizabeth dr of John & Mary Smith Luton" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, image 34 of 76; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, 2202A/PR/1/4, Elizabeth Smith baptism (1798); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
10. "Baptisms 1801...Jany 25th Ann, Daughr of John & Mary Smith" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Ideford St Mary, Baptisms and burials, 1765-1812, image 27 of 52; citing Ideford Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms and burials, 1765-1812, 2453A/PR/1/4, Ann Smith baptism (1801); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
11. "Baptisms for the year 1807...June 7 Smith Thomas son of John and Mary" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 1 April 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, image 40 of 76; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Baptisms and burials, 1758-1812, 2202A/PR/1/4, Thomas Smith baptism (1807); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
12. "Page 48. Burials in the Parish of Bishopsteignton in the County of Devon in the Year 1837 No. 377 Mary Smith [Name.] Teignmouth [Abode.] August the second [When buried] 76 [Age.] John Comyns [By whom the Ceremony was performed.]" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Burials, 1813-1863, image 50 of 102; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Burials, 1813-1863, 2202A/PR/1/18, p. 48, no. 377, Mary Smith burial (1837); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
13. "Page 99. Burials in the Parish of Bishopsteignton in the County of Devon in the Year 1862 No. 799. Thomas Smith [Name.] Teignmouth [Abode.] Aug 26 [When buried.] 55 [Age] W.R. Ogle Vicar [By whom the Ceremony was performed.]" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Burials, 1813-1863, image 101 of 102; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Burials, 1813-1863, 2202A/PR/1/18, p. 99, no. 799, Thomas Smith burial (1862); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
14. "Page 7. Burials in the Parish of Bishopsteignton in the County of Devon in the Year 1818+9... No. 53. Rebecca Smith [Name.] Bishopsteignton [Abode.] third of March [When buried.]
    31 [Age] John Comyns [By whom the Ceremony was performed.]" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); Bishopsteignton St John, Burials, 1813-1863, image 9 of 102; citing Bishopsteignton Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Burials, 1813-1863, 2202A/PR/1/18, p. 7, no. 53, Rebecca Smith burial (1819); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
15. "Page 39. Burials in the Parish of West Teignmouth in the County of Devon in the Year 1823 No. 307. John Smith [Name.] West Teignm. [Abode.] Jany 19th [When buried.]
    years 65 [Age] J. Salter [By whom the Ceremony was performed.]" "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); West Teignmouth St James the Less, Marriages and burials, 1813-1847, image 185 of 346; citing West Teignmouth Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Marriages and burials, 1813-1847, 4062A/PR/1/7, p. 39, no. 307, John Smith burial (1823); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
16. "Page 197. Burials in the Parish of West Teignmouth in the County of Devon in the Year 1846... No. 1572 John Smith [Name.] Work House Newton [Abode.] Septr 29th [When buried.] 90 yrs [Age.] F. Walker Curate [By whom the Ceremony was performed.] " "Devon, Parish Registers Browse", database with images, FindMyPast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk: accessed 30 March 2019); West Teignmouth St James the Less. Marriages and burials, 1813-1847, image 343 of 346; citing West Teignmouth Parish (Devon, England). Parish Registers, Marriages and burials, 1813-1847, 4062A/PR/1/7, p. 197, no. 1572, John Smith burial (1846); Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter.
17. Death certificate of John Smith, died 27 September 1846, Wolborough, Newton Abbot, Devon, England. General Register Office, England. Registration Year:1846, Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep, Registration district: Newton Abbot, Volume: 11, Page: 102.

© 2019. Australian Genealogy Journeys. This post was originally published at https://ausgenjourneys.blogspot.com/2019/04/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-week-14-brick.html
52 Ancestors in 52 weeks is © Amy Johnson Crow