Taunton Courier 10 Aug 1898 Notes and Queries includes DUDDERIDGE and HAYES

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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 10 Aug 1898
Page 4 Column 6 & 7

Notes and Queries.

NOTES.

ESTATES WHICH MYSTERIOUSLY CHANGE HANDS. - It is curious to notice how unfortunate people sometimes lose their lands without being able to assign any reason for their misfortune. Doubtless, there are many in West Somerset to-day whose ancestors held extensive estates, but through some trifling circumstance these estates suddenly changed hands, and the descendants of to-day have not the slightest idea as to how the transference took place. The following is an interesting case in point. In the years 1806 or 1807 there was born on John DUDDRIDGE, son of Mr. James DUDDRIDGE, of Minehead, and latterly of Kingswood, near Stogumber, county Somerset. This Mr. John DUDDRIDGE resided at Halsway, in the parish of Crocombe, but towards the close of his life settled at his father's home at Kingswood, Stogumber, where he died in September, 1875, and was buried at Stogumber, leaving three sons and three daughters. He is mentioned in “The Register of persons entitled to vote in the Williton polling district of the Western division of the county of Somerset, 1847,” as follows:- “Crocombe. - DUDDRIDGE, John, of Halsway, in this parish, occupier of land, Lower Halsway Farm.” In addition to this he had an interest in certain properties at Yard Farm, Kingswood, Bicknoller, consisting of two houses, &c., which brought him in certain moneys, but just before his death these moneys ceased, but why no-one could possibly tell. Mr. Joseph DUDDRIDGE, however, his son, who has resided for years at Quantock Moor, Bicknoller, has naturally always felt interested in the matter, and would be glad for any information concerning the old property. He describes his father as being “a very easy man, who did not trouble to look after the matter, and a certain Mr. ROWDIFF buying the land the houses were pulled down.” Surely, however, this did not put and end to the business. Perhaps some readers of “Notes and Queries” can fling some light on the question. - PARADISE BURLAND.

QUERIES.

327. - JOAN PINE. - Could any one give me the date of the birth or baptism of Joan PINE, born about 1690 in one of the parishes in or around Taunton? She is supposed to have been the granddaughter of Henry, son of Andrew PYNE gent., of Bishop's Hull, and Katherine, his wife. - PARADISE BURLAND.

329. - THE CLUB COURT AT NORTON. - Can any reader of “Notes and Queries” tell me how the court referred to in the Note headed, “Another Norton Story” originated, and also what ultimately became of Mr. John DUDDERIDGE, “ My Lord's” son? - PARADISE BURLAND.

332. - BURGLARY AT PYRLAND HALL. - I have heard that about 100 years ago Pyrland Hall was the scene of a particularly daring burglary, in connection with which there were many interesting features, but I have never heard particulars of the story. If any reader of Notes and Queries can give me any information with regard to it I should be greatly obliged. - HOUSEHOLDER.

335. - UNCLAIMED MONEY IN CHANCERY. - About 150 years ago there lived at Hillfarrance a certain Mr. JENNINGS. He had three children, viz., Martha, Fanny, and Mary, who married a Mr. CATTLE. Of these, Miss JENNINGS lived the greater part of her life as companion with Mrs. and Miss NORTH, of Huntholler, and only once during this long companionship did she incur the odium of the NORTHs, to whom her engagement with a Mr. Isaac LANGFORD was distasteful. Upon seeing this, Miss JENNINGS appeared to discourage Mr. LANGFORD's advances, and died a reputed rich old maiden lady. Unfortunately for her relatives, however, they happened to sorely offend Miss JENNINGS, with the result that she only bequeathed some of them £5 a-piece, and “permitted the rest of her money to go into Chancery.” So goes the story, and surmising it to be correct, the question is – To whom does the money in Chancery now really belong? It would appear that Miss JENNINGS's sister Fanny was the next of kin. She married in 1784 a Mr. George DUDDERIDGE, of Allarford, and died in 1825, leaving a family of six children. Of these the eldest was Miss Martha DUDDERIDGE, afterwards Mrs. James HAYES, of Oake. Mrs. HAYES died in 1861, leaving seven children, of whom the eldest surviving child appears to have been Miss Mary HAYES, who married a Mr. CHORLEY, of Hillcommon. When Mrs. CHORLEY died some years since she left three sons, viz., Mr. CHORLEY, of Bradford (living 1886), Mr. CHORLEY, of Bristol, and Mr. CHORLEY, of Cheddon. The next of kin, therefore, would be Mr. CHORLEY (if living), of Bradford, and should he be endeavouring to get the money of his great aunt, Miss JENNINGS, out of the Court of Chancery the writer wishes him every success. In 1887 a great effort was made by Mrs. Isaac BOWERMAN, of Parsonage Cottage, Higher Nynehead, Wellington, to obtain the treasure, but she was nonsuited. True she was the next of kin of a child of Mrs. Fanny DUDDERIDGE, viz., Mrs. George HAWKIN(S)?, whose eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary FRY, was Mr(s)?. BOWERMAN's mother, but Mrs. BOWERMAN's grandmother was the fifth child of Mrs. Fanny DUDDERIDGE, and not the eldest, consequently she could not prove her claim. The object of the writer in recording this story is to know whether the details are correct. He is aware that those interested do not mind this publicity, but would some of them, kindly correct any mistakes? - PARADISE BURLAND.

CORRESPONDENTS' REPLIES TO QUERIES.

327. - JOAN PINE. - Is the Andrew PINE referred to in this query the one who died in 1648, at Hill Bishop's, leaving £100 to his son Andrew, and £50 to his son Henry PYNE, and the executors of whose will were those worthy divines “Mr. George NEWTON, of Taunton, and my gossip, Mr. Henry JAMES, of Kingston, both whose beautiful feet are to me beyond expression” (sic)?

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