I'm trying to confirm the link between the Champneys family of Yarnscombe, Devon and an Alexander Cottell who was born in Marhamchurch, Cornwall in 1696.
The following Cottell family history is taken from a pamphlet “A History of the Cotel, Cottell or Cottle Family” which was published by W H Cottell in 1871:
‘…In tracing out the pedigree of this family the writer found, at the Record Office, Fetter Lane, two Chancery Bills, which narrate how Alexander Cottell of Marhamchurch, gentleman, being a widower and an old man and all his three sons being dead, married in the year 1695, Phoebe, daughter of John Gifford, of Launcells, gentleman, and had issue, Alexander Cottell, and dying in 1696, left his said wife Phoebe guardian to the estate of his infant son and heir; and how, within one month of the old man’s death, she intermarried with one Francis Keast, “who had for many years been a servant belonging unto the said family.” In a short time after, the said Phoebe dies, and then John Gifford, the grandfather, as next friend to the infant representative of the dead January and May, filed the bills in Chancery to obtain possession of a farm, lands, and other properties of the child, which were then held by and being appropriated to the use and benefit of the said Francis Keast.
This Alexander Cottell grew to manhood, and after serving his articles in Penzance as an attorney, about the year 1720 married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Samuel Phillips, of Pendrea, and for some time resided at the manor-house of Aldercombe, in the parish of Kilkampton, which had been held for many years on lease for lives by the Cottell family. His wife dies on the 17th of August, 1727, in her 30th year (as recorded on a monument in Kilkampton Church), and he soon after married Ann, daughter and heiress of Joyns Champneys, Esquire, of Yarnscombe, Devon. He appears to have led a reckless life, and to have dissipated the whole of his property. The living descendants of this gentleman have not been traced; those, however, of his uncle Mark, are represented by the Cottells of St. Tudy, near Bodmin.’
I can find records to support many of the persons and events mentioned above but it’s quite difficult to directly confirm the marriage of Alexander Cottell and Ann who was the daughter and heiress of John Champneys esquire of Yarnscombe, Devon. I can find the following record:
m. Alexander Cottell & Anne Bowen, 13/6/1730, Ilfracombe, Devon (IGI)
Ilfracombe is about 15 miles from Yarnscombe. Perhaps this Anne Bowen was marrying for a second time and perhaps her maiden name was Champneys? This suggests the following series of events which I'm trying to find records to confirm:
b. John Champneys, christened 13/1/1685 at Yarnscombe, Devon (d. 1717 or earlier)
Father: John Champneys, Mother: Joyce Lamb
m. John Champneys (b. 1685) & female X
?
b. Anne or Ann Champneys (daughter of John Champneys & female X)
?
m. Anne Champneys (daughter of John Champneys & female X) & male Bowen
?
d. male Bowen no later than 1730
?
m. Alexander Cottell & Anne Bowen, 13/6/1730, Ilfracombe, Devon (IGI)
?
Children of Alexander Cottell & Anne Bowen:
b. William Cottell (eldest surviving son, so born before 1738)
?
b. James Cottell, christened 27/8/1732, Ilfracombe, Devon (IGI), d. < 1738 (?)
b. James Cottell, christened 26/12/1738, Ilfracombe, Devon (IGI)
b. Henry Cottell, christened 26/12/1738, Ilfracombe, Devon (IGI)
I’d much appreciate any assistance towards finding any direct links between Cottell, Champneys & Bowen as mentioned above.
Best regards,
CM
