Mabel, Mary & Bill Lee with their Mother
The end of an era. Based on the obituary I wrote for the Crediton Courier after Mabel’s death in 1998
With the death of Mabel Kathleen Lee at the age of 96 on Jan 18th 1998, Coleford lost one of its last links with the Victorian era. Mabel was born on July 31st 1901 at the New Inn Coleford. She used to love to impart to her friends at Redvers House Crediton, where she spent her last few years when introducing me.Read more...
Abraham Cann 1848
Abraham was baptised privately at home a few days old at Snells Farm (Duck Street) Colebrooke December 4th 1794. Around 1800 the Cann family moved to Eastcoombehead Farm, Colebrooke, a bigger farm. Rene Stoneman of the Stoneman family who farmed Great Heale (which adjoins Eastcoombehead) whose mother was Abraham’s niece used to describe a route which Abraham would use to get to Colebrooke in his youth.Read more...
Portrait of the Salter Sisters
THE DEVONSHIRE NIGHTINGALES Many people will be unaware of the fact that in Colebrooke cemetery lie two Colebrooke celebrities of international repute. The sisters Florence and Bertha Salter were farmers’ daughters born at Broomhill Farm in 1870 and 1872. Florence and Bertha first performed in public in 1890, when they gave a concert at Crediton Town Hall, which was a great success. Then, at the suggestion of Mr Jekyll of Exeter, who had given them singing lessons, they went to Brussels to study.Read more...
James Stone 1798 – 1841 Farmer and one time wrestler (My great great grandfather)
JAMES STONE was born at Knowle Farm, Crediton, Devon and baptised at Crediton on the March 28th 1798, the second son of JAMES STONE and ELIZABETH nee FRANCIS. He died July 28th 1841 near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He married ANN GIBBINGS on the November 1st 1828 at Coldridge, Crediton, Devon. She was the eldest daughter of RICHARD GIBBINGS and DOROTHY nee LUXTON.Read more...