RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: athel_cb on Monday 18 September 17 20:07 BST (UK)
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There is a family tradition my great[4]-grandfather survived the following disaster in South Molton: Both of his parents and his older siblings died in a fire at their house a few hours after he was born on 29th January 1748/9 in South Molton, but he was saved by his nurse, who jumped out of a window with him tied up in her apron. He was Rector of Creacombe, Devon, from 22 June 1778, and of Filleigh cum East Buckland, Devon, from 5 July 1800 until his death in 1822, when he was buried in Georgenympton.
Does anyone know of any newspaper record of this fire? I would expect it to have been reported. Not the I doubt my source, which is generally reliable, but it would be nice to have an independent account.
Alternatively it may be indicated on his gravestone, but I've never been to Georgenympton.
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The baptism register references his 'extraordinary deliverance from the flames' which took his father, mother and brothers. A memorial plaque which also references the fire can be seen at https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=147690599&PIpi=123060066
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Thanks. Exactly the sort of thing I was looking for.
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The Norfolk Chronicle, 16 Nov 1822, in reporting his death at Filleigh, describes his escape from the fire very much as described in your initial post.
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Thanks. I can't get to the report in the Norfolk Chronicle, maybe because I'm not located in the UK, but I'm glad to know that it exists.