Addendum Chapter Two and Three
Tardrews
Our branch of the Tardrews can be traced back to north Devon in the late 16th century, when they were probably moorland sheep farmers living in various villages about 10 miles south west of Bideford.
The earliest one traced is William Terdrew, born around 1575, who married Jane Yeo in Bradworthy in 1601. She was the daughter Hugo and Frances Yeo (nee Bremelcombe) of Westleigh-by-Bideford, born in 1583, and whose Yeo roots in the area can be traced back to around 1525. William and Jane had five, possibly six, children over the next 10 years: Richard(1601), Ann(1603), John(1606), Epaphriditus(1608), John(1609), and Robert(1611). All were baptised in Bradworthy, with the exception of the second John who was baptised in Parkham. William died some time before Jane who died in Bradworthy in 1653, as a widow leaving a dated probate.
Their son, Epaphraditus Tardrew was baptised on 8th January 1608, and married Sara Browning in 1636, in Bradworthy. There is no definite trace of the Brownings, but in 1616 a girl called Sarah Browne the daughter of Thomas Browne was baptised in Totnes. They lived in Bradworthy where they had four recorded children: William Tardru(1637), Thomas(1638), Epaphras(1646) and Humphrey(1647). Epaphraditus died in 1657, aged 49, leaving a will proved in 1658, in which he was described as a husbandman of Bradworthy. Sarah, his widow died 30 years later in Bradworthy in 1687, aged about 70.
Their son Epaphras Terdrew was baptised in Bradworthy on 18th November 1646, and around 1676 he married Mary, in a ceremony which cannot be traced. However it seems that they ran a farm near Pyworthy, a village next to Holsworthy, and there she had two children: Richard (1677) baptised in Pyworthy, and Elizabeth(1682) baptised in Ashwater a village about 6 miles south of Holsworthy. Just under 6 months later Mary Terdrew died in Ashwater and her daughter Elizabeth may have died with her. Epaphras then managed alone for the next 3 years, until September 1686 when he married Dorothy Ball, the 30 year old daughter of William Ball in Ashwater. She and Epaphras then had four children: Sarah (1688), Epaphras (1689), Elizabeth (1691) and William (1696) all baptised in Ashwater. Dorothy Tardrew died in 1709 in Pyworthy, and Epaphras followed her in 1710.
Richard Terdrew was baptised in Pyworthy on 5th December 1677, and around 1694 he probably married a woman called Bridget. Alas the marriage record is untraceable, but produced 5 living children. Their first child, Richard was baptised in Holsworthy in 1695 and Bridget was named on the record. He died 2 years later in 1697, and was “buried in woollen”. He was followed by Anne(1697), Richard(1700), Honour(1702) and Thomas(1705), all being baptised in Holsworthy, Sutcombe Parish and their father being described as Richard Terdrew of Holsworthy ~ presumably to distinguish him from other local Richards. However in accordance with custom of the times the mother was not named in the records. Bridget Terdrew of Holsworthy died in Sutcombe in 1712, followed by her husband probably in 1714, (although a Richard Terdrew also died in Parkham in 1720).
Their son, Richard Terdrew was baptised on 23rd May 1700 in Sutcombe, and in 1729 he married Grace Squire in the same village. She was the daughter of Roger and Mary Squire, baptised in 1710 in Littleham near Bideford, where her family lived. Richard and Grace had four recorded children, all baptised in Holsworthy, Sutcombe. They were Richard “Junyor” (1730-53), Thomas (1732), Brigete (1734) and Philip (1738-1837). Richard Terdrew of Holsworthy died in 1750 in Holsworthy, but his wife Grace died in Parkham in 1766 ~ presumably at the home of her son Philip. The naming of their third child after Richard’s mother firms up the descent here and the death of Grace in Parkham confirms the relationship of that village with Philip.
Philip Terdrew was baptised on 2nd June 1738 and was apparently the progenitor of all living Tardrews. His baptism eluded discovery for many years due to the variable spelling of his surname and the fact that he moved to Parkham to live where a different but large family of Tardrews was already in residence.
Birth record for Philip Tardrew.
Philip Son of Richard Terdrew of Holsworthy and Grace his wife was baptised June the 4 - 1738 -
Document courtesy of Keith Tayton who solved this mystery after many researchers had failed.