Samuel Prowse (abt. 1766 - abt. 1845)

Born about 1766 in Tormoham, Devon, England [uncertain]

Husband of Gertrude (Mudge) Prowse — married 18 Jan 1791 in Tormoham, Devon, England

Descendants

Died about 23 Mar 1845 at about age 79 in Tormoham, Devon, England [uncertain]

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Biography

Samuel was born about 1766. Samuel Prowse baptism nearby at Kingskerswell 13 November 1766 son of John Prowse and Mary.

Samuel Prowse married Gertrude Mudge 18 January 1791 at Tormoham (aka Tormohun) both signed their names and witnesses by John Prowse and Nicholas Mudge.^[1]

Their children (All baptism entries parish Tormoham):

• Samuel, b. 9 December 1791 baptised 6 January 1792
• Thomas, b. 6 October 1794 baptised 31October 1794
• Nicholas, b. 18 August 1796 baptised 8 September 1796
• Robert, b. 17 October 1798 baptised 15 November 1798
• John, privately baptised 1 October1800 (intro to Church 9 December 1802)
• Elizabeth, baptised 9 December 1802
• Gertrude, baptised 13 March 1806

Tormoham Apprentice Records: 24 March 1819 William Furze aged 9 years (son of John & Loveday Furze) to Samuel Prowse Merchant.

1841 England and Wales Census at George Street, Torquay, Devon, England:^[2]

• Head: Samuel Prowse, 75-79, b. Devon, Independent;
• wife: Gertrude Prowse, 75-79, b. Devon.

Samuel Prowse of Torquay buried at Tormoham 23 March 1845 aged 79.^[3]

Gertrude Prowse of Torquay buried 15 December 1845 aged 80.^{[4] [5]}

Research Notes

Per Malcolm Stephen Prowse, 21 Apr 2024: So Samuel Prowse's parents were John Prowse and Mary. A marriage at Tormoham 24 January 1758: john Prowse of the parish of Kingkerswell and Mary Allward of this parish by licence (entry shows no signatures or witnesses).

The children of John Prowse and Mary: all baptised at Kingskerswell Mary 23 November 1758 Daughter 7 May 1761 John 23 June 1763 (Burial 20 September 1831 Torquay aged 68) Samuel 13 November 1766 William 27 April 1769 notes on this William later Thomas 29 October 1772

There are no burial entries for John or Mary at Kingskerswell. There is a John Prowse buried 15 September 1806 in Torquay and a Mary aged 81 in Torquay 27 January 1813. These were the times that Torquay really started to expand so it is possible that they lived later in life in Torquay, especially as 3 of their sons settled there.

The Parish Records for Kingskerswell only begin in 1752 (the earlier ones lost) but I have searched a pretty complete Bishops Transcripts but there are no earlier Prowses. Searching for a John Prowse in the other surrounding parishes is some ask - still working on it! Perhaps Highweek or the others nearby with a wealth of Prowses.

William Prowse married Joanna Cumming 9 January 1794 at Tormoham both signed OTP witnessed by Stephen Cumming Jnr and Thomas Prowse. Their children: 4 daughters: Mary 1794 (born 15 Nov and baptised 12 Dec) , Elizabeth 1799 (born 18 Sept and baptised 10 Oct), Joanna 1802 (baptised 30 Mar), Catherine 1804 (baptised 9 Feb).

They had a son William Prowse born 28 October 1797 and baptised 1 December 1797. We find him in 1841 Census at Warren Hill Villa in Torquay aged 45 a Brewer (also mentioned in trade directories as a Brewer). He was buried at Torquay aged 71 on 6th January 1866.

Sources

1. ↑ "England, Devon and Cornwall Marriages, 1660-1912", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGY9-ZSDQ : Sun Mar 10 06:23:31 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel Prowse and Gertrude Mudge, 5 Jan 1791.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQY9-5FF : Fri Mar 08 17:44:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel Prowse and Gertrude Prowse, 1841.
3. ↑ "England, Devon, Parish Registers (Devon Record Office), 1529-1974", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6TZQ-T56R : Thu Apr 18 22:47:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel Prowse, 1846.
4. ↑ "England, Devon, Parish Registers (Devon Record Office), 1529-1974", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6TZC-BC3M : Thu Apr 18 22:47:38 UTC 2024), Entry for Gertrude Prowse, 1845.
5. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JMZ-Z4F : 31 December 2014), Gertrude Prowse, 1845; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Newton Abbot, Devon, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.