Thomas Brailey born 1811 Bishops Tawton son of William of High Overton Farm, Bishops Tawton, Devon.
A merchant & farmer of Bishops Tawton, he took over the farm called High Overton from his father. He would have been a person of social standing.
Thomas Died 27-12-1864 aged 53 through inflammation of the lungs.
A sale of all machinery and farm stock on March 20th 1865 by the Executors.
Thomas married Sarah Emma Long born 1814, relict of Rev.Henry William Gardener late of Newport, Barnstaple.
The marriage was at St. Andrews, Clifton 29-6-1842. The Church was bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1942 and never rebuilt.
After the farm was sold, Sarah Emma lived at 2 Newport Terrace, Barnstaple. Died aged 59 March 18th 1873
All the wills held at Exeter were destroyed in 1942, probably as it was the peak of the Governments paper reclamation program.
Time line for Thomas Brailey
1834
Game Licence of £3 13s 6d purchased
1841
Thomas lived at the Old Vicarage with his sister’s Eleanor and Grace, and two servants.
His occupation is merchant.
Th. must have moved after this time to High Overton Farm.
1842 marriage
Increased his subscription to the North Devon Infirmary to £1.1s
Thomas also conveyed “the useage” of the Tawton Mills part 1&2 to four other parties.
Thomas’s and Sarah’s children are:
William Albert born Jun. 26th 1843
Thomas Long born Nov 17th 1844
Selina Emma Long born Aug 5th 1846
Henry Gardener born Aug 10th 1848
Annette Clara born 1857 no record found
1842 August 12th Sale of: Evan’s tenement adjoining Tawton Mills conspiring of 7 ¼ acres of orchard, meadow and marsh land and all those buildings and lofts. Purchased by Th.Snr.
1843 April Lime kilns for sale also Newport Inn, wharfs and loading ground. Brick kilns and brick yard plus two cottages. Th.snr. purchased
1845 Parliamentary Committee on the Taw valley railway extension notes that lime is being supplied from the Bishops Tawton lime kilns, owned by Th.Brailey snr. There are seven lime kilns in the area.
1847 Sep. Th.snr leasee of property from the Dean and Chapter of Exeter in Bishops Tawton. Complaint against railway gangers of the Taw Vale Co. for damage to a gate. Case dismissed. Also payment for land taken for the railway, which is referred to regularly. Also the disputes between the Toll collectors of Roads and there losses as the railway travel emerges.
1848 Appealed to the Court of Chancery
1848 Separate case against Th.snr for raising the bank on the lime kilns at Pill and making navigation of barges under the bridge dangerous.
1851
2, Victoria Place Quay, Instow, Barnstaple, Devon, England
Thomas, Selena and Henry lodging at the house of William Winch master builder with a governess Fanny Briton age 20 and other lodgers.
1851 Th.snr his wife Sarah and eldest son Wm. Bishops Tawton name spelt Brealey
1853 Th.snr a Member of the Bath & West Agricultural Society
1858 To let a commodious dwelling house (Old Rectory) in Bishops Tawton.
1860 Many references to Thomas snr. Exhibiting quality horses and livestock over the years.
Timber belonging to Th.Snr.washed down to the Barnstaple slipway in the flood of that year. He owned the saw mill.
1861 Find My Past wrongly listed as “Barley”
Higher Overton Farm 133 acres merchant and farmer employing 7 labourers, one boy and 3 women
1861 Children of Thomas & Sarah at High Overton Farm
William Albert 17 1843
Thomas Long not found 1844
Selina Emma 14 Scholar 1846
Henry Gardener 12 Scholar 1849
Annette Clara 4 at home 1857
Also Cook/dairy maid, Housemaid and Houseboy
1862 Th.snr. address is Evans Tenement freehold occupier. In Persons entitled to vote 1862/63
1863 A conveyance of useage Tawton Mills part 1&2 to Robert & Charles Chichester.
Robert a landed proprietor of Hill Barton. Charles a J.P. and Deputy Lieutenant for Devon of Grenofen house Tavistock, son of Robert.
The third part held by Thomas Brailey.
1863 March 26th. “Bishops Tawton a dull village, celebrated the Royal marriage in style. A large party was held with Th. Brailey as Vice.” Newspaper reference
1864 Thomas senior died.
