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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Devon Lookup Requests => Devon => England => Devon Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 12:27 BST (UK)

Title: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 12:27 BST (UK)
On an 1851 Census image, I have an ancestor's place of birth as being 'Simonds Down, Devon'. Only problem is, I can't find any trace of it or variant spellings. Does anybody have any idea where this might be?

Thanks

TN
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: Necromancer on Friday 21 September 07 12:37 BST (UK)
Can you quote the 1851 Reference please - it might be possible to trace the person in a later Census with a more specific PoB  :)
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 12:55 BST (UK)
I'm pretty sure the reference is: HO 107/1862 Folio: 330 Page: 15

Unfortunately the ancestor in question died at some stage before 1856 (when her elderly, widower husband migrated to Australia). I think I found her on the 1841 in Hawkchurch, Dorset, but it said born in the county.


Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: AMBLY on Friday 21 September 07 13:05 BST (UK)
Was she Elizabeth LEIGH or Elizabeth MILLER?
Both are listed on IGI as marrying a Rufus WHITE in Dorset - the former in Hawkchurch., which is where this one in 1851 iis - thinking if she can be spotted on IGI.  If you have her death cert, was her age consistent with a YOB as approx 1781?

I wondered if it was meant to be a Phonetic rendering of Sydenham?

Cheers  ;D
AMBLY
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 13:18 BST (UK)
The one I'm interested in is Elizabeth LEIGH, and unfortunately I don't have the death cert.

The writing is pretty clear which is why I was so confused, so I think a phonetic version sounds likely. I thought that it could be a rendering of a placename like Symonston?
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: AMBLY on Friday 21 September 07 13:36 BST (UK)
Hi

I have to ask this  >:( so big apologies  if I've got the wrong end of stick....

Have you got the right Rufus & Elizabeth -  Did your Rufus come to Australia 1856?
Becasue I am sure that 1851 Rufus of your reference (who says born abt 1786 Hawkchurch)   is still in Hawkchurch 1861, with his age wrong by 10 years to young,  but still at the same address, with the same neighbours and same occupation (Gardener).
Ref 1861: RG9 /Piece - 1371 -  Folio: 108 -  Pg 14

Then a death for him in 1867 Axcminster RD age 81 (which matches the 1851 age).

On the other hand, the OTHER Rufus White born abt 1786 Hawkchurch, is in Somerset in 1851:

1851: Ilminster, Somerset
Ref: HO107 -  Piece 1927 -  Folio: 124 - Pg 8
Address: Dye Mills
Head: Ruffus WHITE 64, AG Lab, b Hawkchurch Dorset
Wife: Elizabeth WHITE 74, b Membery Devon

Cheers
AMBLY
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 13:45 BST (UK)
Ahhhhh....

Thankyou AMBLY. I think you're right and I was wrong (I remember reading a thread in the main board about pointing out errors like that - I, for one, am very grateful). Yes, my Rufus did travel to Australia in 1856.

If he was in Somerset in 1851, it would explain how his daughter Ann married William CHANNEL in Somerset. Funnily enough I had been wondering just this evening how she would have found her way there...

Thanks once again :)

TN
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: AMBLY on Friday 21 September 07 13:52 BST (UK)
Phew  ;D  ;D
Glad I was able to help - I looked and looked again, before I really thought, nope, I'm sure.....

I guess the 2 Rufus are probably related though, maybe cousins!

Do you have access to the Census to get the full details of the Somerset one? Happy to post it up if you need it  ;D

Cheers
AMBLY

PS still wondering where Simonds Down is though, too  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 14:08 BST (UK)
Private message sent (Simonds Down still has me baffled too. Even if it's not directly relevant anymore I'm intrigued....)
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: AMBLY on Friday 21 September 07 14:47 BST (UK)
It's very intriguing - 2 Hawkchurch Rufus' same age, 2 Devon Elizabeth's both a bit older than the hubby! 

At least your new Elizabeth, has a place of birth you can find on a map  ;D  ;D  ;D

Have just sent you a mail  ;D

Cheers
AMBLY
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: tn17 on Friday 21 September 07 15:08 BST (UK)
Why am I reminded of Seinfeld's Bizarro world? hmmm....

Thanks once again for all of your help :) And the things you found on Rufus Jnr as well - he also made the trip over here as well, so he is certainly of interest.
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: Leonie White on Sunday 16 July 17 11:38 BST (UK)
I think I may have stumbled on an answer as to where Simonds Down is for those searching for the birth place of Elizabeth White - nee Leigh as listed on the 1851 census. There is a large manor just outside of Axminster called Symondsdown House - what are the chances that this is where she worked and lived before marriage to Rufus White at Hawkchurch. It may have at that time been a farm and she was employed there in the house. Makes a whole lot of sense to me
Leonie
Title: Re: Simonds Down?
Post by: AMBLY on Sunday 16 July 17 14:15 BST (UK)
Sounds good to me too  ;D Good find Leonie - and welcome to Rootschat!

Gosh - a decade on, TN!

Cheers
AMBLY