Francis Mortimer (abt. 1650 - abt. 1705)

Born about 1650 in Down St Mary, Devon, England

Husband of Elizabeth (Datheridge) Mortimer — married 22 Nov 1682 in Zeal Monachorum, Devon, England

Descendants

Died about Aug 1705 at about age 55 in Devon, England

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Biography

Francis was born in Devon in about 1655. His parentage and exact place of birth are both unknown. He was presumably born relatively near to his later residence of Down St Mary.

He married Elizabeth Datheridge (possibly Doddridge), 22 Nov 1682 in the neighbouring parish of Zeal Monachorum. She was perhaps from a yeoman family.

He was a husbandman, or a minor farmer. He presumably farmed a small holding which was enough to subsist on, and maybe supplemented his income with other work. He would have kept a small number of livestock. He had two houses, which were probably both quite small. The family may have had one or two servants.

He passed away in about 1706, between the time his will was written in Jul 1705 and when it was proved in Oct 1706.

Will abstract of Francis Mortimer Francis Mortimore of Down St Mary, 21 Jul 1705

Leaves “easter house” to son John, and his “wester house” to his children Roger, Francis, and Elizabeth, after his wife’s death. To children Simon and Hannah, 2O/- each. Residue to wife Elizabeth, sole exor, upon condition she remain a widow. Proved 16 Oct 1706.

Research Notes

Birth year estimated: married in 1682, youngest child born 1704. He was presumably born c.1650s, but before the start of Morchard Bishop parish register in 1664.

Sources

• England Select Marriages; FHL Film Number; 0916962, 0917561, 916962, 917562
• UK, Extracted Probate Records; Name: Mortimore, Francis, Dates: 1706, Place: Downe St. Mary, Devonshire, England, Book: Burials. (Burial), Collection: Devon and Cornwall: - Wills and Administrations proved in the Bishop of Exeter, 1559-1799, Volume: Court of the Archdeaconry of Exeter., Chapter: 1706., Text: Mortimore, Francis, Downe St. Mary W. 1706
• Devonshire wills: a collection of annotated testamentary abstracts, together with the family history and genealogy of many of the most ancient gentle houses of the west of England, by Worthy, Charles, London; Bemrose & son, 1896, https://archive.org/details/devonshirewillsc00wortiala
• Mortimer History; Mortimer Will Abstracts; https://mortimerhistory.com/resources/mortimer-wills/

Research Notes

Perhaps son of either Simon Mortimer of Morchard Bishop (fl. c.1615-aft. 1662) or Thomas Mortimer of Crediton (c.1624-aft. 1660).

There is no earlier trace of Mortimers in the parish, though at the time there were Mortimer families well established in the neighbouring parishes of Morchard Bishop, Sandford and Crediton. The Morchard Bishop register dates from only 1660. Of particular interest is the individual Simon Mortimer of Morchard Bishop, fl. 1620-1662, the son of Thomas Mortimer, carpenter. Francis also had a son called Simon, who may even have been the eldest son. If that was the case, it seems likely that Francis was the son and heir of Simon. The son who seemed to benefit the most in Francis will was his son John, who was given the “easter(n) house”.