Bishops Tawton and Barnstaple property

[karen.J]

Hi,

I am trying to locate a dwelling or group of dwellings owned by John Jerritt and auctioned off in 1843. If any one has any information or can direct me to an old map or picture I would be very grateful. The property was known as Rumsam House in Rumsam, Bishops Tawton. Is it still standing?

My second interest is the history of 98 High Street, Barnstaple where Johns wife Fanny Jeanes Jerritt lived after the auction of Rumsam until her death in 1863, the census tell me it was used as a Day school, any information and pictures would be wonderful.

Thank you,
Karen

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Karen

Both buildings are still standing. What I take to be Rumsam House is now surrounded by a modern housing estate - it looks early nineteenth century to me, but I'm no expert & it could be slightly earlier.

98 High Street is a fine town house (now disfigured by a fashion shop fascia) possibly second half 18th century frontage with an older core. It has one of the few remaining examples of local plasterwork in a ceiling, still preserved "floating" in the shop interior. A book that has details of the High Street in the nineteenth century gives the following occupiers for the period you're interested in:

1827-1853 John Besley, grocer & tea dealer (previous generations of the Besleys also lived there)
1851 Census I guess you have
1860-65 William Hill, hairdresser & perfumerer
1865-70s John S Clarke, painter, decorater & paper hanger
As you know, there was also a day school in the premises in 1861 with Fanny Maxwell (music & drawing) and Elizabeth Hutchings (governness) in occupation.

I assume that the front part of the premises was let & the Jerritts lived in the main part of the building/upstairs.

North Devon Record Office have a couple of leases dated 1820 & 1823 relating to property at Rumsam and John Jerritt.

I can take photos of the properties if you're interested - send me a PM so I've got your email address if you would like them

Steve

[karen.J]

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for the information. I had a copy of John Jerritt's will and was intrigued by the amount of property he owned, he also seemed to have a warehouse at ?Castle Quay in Barnstaple.  He may have been involved in the timber trade, his brother James Jerritt was a cabinetmaker.

Karen

[Old Bristolian]

Hi Karen

Castle Quay as it existed in the 1840s/50s is no more I'm afraid - the whole site was redeveloped in the late 19th century for a railway station & power station (now mostly housing/offices)/ I'll check & see if I've any old photos for the area

Steve

[Jmritter]

Hi. I realize this is a long shot because this thread is over 10 years old, but it's worth a try. John Jarritt was my 4x great-grandfather and I'm looking for any information out there on him (haven't been able to find much so far). Please let me know if there's anything on him you'd be willing to share. Thanks.

[sarah]

Hello Jmritter,

Although the post is 10 years old, karen.J was last online in 2017 and when now be notified of your reply by email.

Regards

Sarah