William Hancock

William Hancock was born in about 1793, in Hemyock. It seems likely he was baptised at Dunkeswell or possibly Hemyock his baptism and census returns say not known.

He was married to Mary Dyer at Hemyock, 31 March 1820. It is unclear if they were both of the parish.

William was buried at Dunkeswell, 22 Oct 1870, aged 78.

Mary probably died in the early months of 1841, before the census that year in June.

In 1841, William was living with a son and daughter at a property named ‘Roughancy’, in Dunkeswell. This may be one of perhaps a terrace of cottages, as three other families are listed there. Two sons are living at properties named Stentwood and Bywood.

In the 1851 census, William and daughter, Maria were living at Botton Moore, Dunkeswell. This doesn’t seem to be the name of a property but an area. Perhaps someone could tell us?

This photo of William is dated 1869.

William and Mary had 5 children, all baptised at Dunkeswell:

• Thomas baptised 22 Apr, 1821 (see following);
• John baptised 25 Dec, 1823;
• James baptised 16 Apr, 1826;
• Hugh baptised 28 Dec, 1828; see notes below
• Maria baptised 22 Feb, 1835.

Thomas Hancock was born in Hemyock on 1 March, 1821 and baptised on 22 April, 1821 at Dunkeswell. The family still have a hymn book that was given to him for his birthday. This information comes from that book.

Picture of Thomas Hancock and wife Hannah (nee Buttle)

This photo of Thomas and Hannah, nee Buttle, was taken by A E French & Son, South Street, Wellington, about 1896.

Hannah Buttle was born Yarcombe and baptised there on 16 September, 1826. Her father’s family came from Churchstanton.

Thomas and Hannah were married on the 3 May, 1852, at the Independent Chapel, Wellington.

They had eight children:

• Mary (known as Polly) born 1853;
• Eli born 1855;
• Thomas born 1857;
• William (see following) born 20 July, 1859; died 9 Jan, 1944, Buxted, Sussex;
• Sarah Jane (known as Janie) born 1860; died 31 Jan, 1846 and buried with her parents at Rockwell Green;
• James born 1864;
• Emily born 1868;
• Herbert born 1869.

Thomas died 9 Nov, 1904. Hannah died 18 Feb, 1901. They are both buried at Rockwell Green.

Hugh Hancock born Dunkeswell about 1828 married Mary Burrows born 1831 Luppitt, they were married in Luppitt 9th July 1861 and had five children, William b 1861 Luppitt, Elizabeth bpt 8.11.1863 Luppitt,
John bpt 27.11.1864 Luppitt, James bpt 29.9.1867 Luppitt, Elizabeth Ann bpt 1.4.1872 Luppitt.
Hugh was burried in Luppitt 29.10.1900 age 73. More information at http://www.luppitt.net family trees.

Another William Hancock, son of Thomas and Hannah, had a market garden and shop in Wellington, Devon but he was the only one of his family that we know of, to leave the Somerset/Devon borders.

William Hancock, son of Thomas and Hannah.

He married Emily Herrrin at Wellington Independent Chapel in 1885. Emily died 14 Oct, 1904, in Manningham, Yorkshire.

Their children all born at Wellington:

• Elsie born 10 Sept, 1887;
• Laura born 4 Aug, 1889;
• Kathleen  born 1890;
• Reginald & Percival (twins) born 26 Nov, 1891;
• Sydney  born 1893;
• Annie  born 1897 and died in 1900;
• Marion born 1900.

He went with his wife and 7 children to farm on the Dales. His wife had kidney failure and was told by her Doctor to move to an area with softer water which would benefit her.

We know today, this would make no difference and sadly she died 2 years later, William having uprooted the family, leaving his business.

Now aged 47, William remarried two years later, to Mary Illingworth, at Manningham’s Toller Lane Chapel on 2 June, 1906.

Mary Illingworth was born in Manningham.

They had two children:

• Marjorie born 9 Jul, 1907;
• Doreen born 31 Dec, 1911.

Later, William moved to Sussex and so we know nothing of his 7 siblings left in this area.

Thanks to Rosalind Hodge for supplying this detailed information – and patiently correcting our errors!