* The Pomroy family *
See also under Building Contractors, under Banks and Businesses.
The birthplace of John Hocking Pomroy varies with different censuses, but there is little doubt that he was born in Buckland Monachorum. His birth was almost certainly registered in the Tavistock registration district in 1856.
https://www.freebmd.org.uk (Pomroy spelled Pomeroy)
His father, Richard Pomroy, married Fanny Hocking in the June quarter of 1851 in the Plymouth registration district.
https://www.freebmd.org.uk (Pomroy spelled Pomeroy)
According to the GRO Gov site, the birth of a John Hocking Pomeroy (with an 'e') was registered in the June quarter of 1856. The mother's maiden name was Hocking.
A Richard Henry Pomroy's birth was registered in the December quarter of 1860, with the mother's maiden name again being Hocking.
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro - accessed 16-04-2024
The 1861 census has Richard and Fanny Pomroy living at Magpie Cottage, Buckland Monachorum, with their children Frederick, 8, John Hocking, 4, and 4 month old Richard H.
1861 census RG9/1457, folio 76, page 1
https://freecen1.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl - accessed 16-04-2024
Thomas Pomroy's birth was registered in the March quarter of 1862 in the Newton Abbot registration district. His mother's maiden name was Hocking - he was therefore a brother of John Hocking Pomroy.
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro - accessed 18-04-2024
.Thomas was born in Ashburton and attended the Grammar School.' He joined the Navy then settled in Australia in 1884.
With many thanks to Pam Wall Trimmer.
Fanny Ellen Pomroy was born in 1863 and baptised at the Methodist Chapel in Ashburton in 1864. Her parents were Richard and Fanny.
Devon Heritage Centre, archive ref 2275DADD4/107, entry no. 257
Transcript by the Devon Family History Society
John Pomroy married Mary Grace Joint in the December quarter of 1873, in the Newton Abbot registration district.
https://www.freebmd.org.uk - accessed 15-04-2024
The birth of Caroline Pomroy was registered in the March quarter of 1875, in the Newton Abbot registration district. Emma Pomroy's birth was registered in the June quarter of 1876. The mother's maiden name for both girls was Joint.
The birth of Edward John Pomroy, the son of John Hocking and Mary Grace, was registered in the third quarter of 1882.
Kate Pomroy's birth was registered in the March quarter of 1890.
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro - accessed 15-04-2024
John Pomroy, a builder and employer, was on the 1891 census with his family in Cad Lane. He was born in Buckland Monachorum, and was 37. With him and his wife Mary were Caroline, Emma, John, Fanny, Mabel and one year old Kate
FreeCEN, https://freecen1.freecen.org.uk - accessed 16-04-2024
In 1893 it was reported that Mr J H Pomroy of the Culloden Inn had had a valuable horse die of sunstroke.
The Western Times 10 July 1893, p2 col3
The Pomroy family were living in St Lawrence Lane at the time of the 1901 census. John H, the head, was born in Cornwall circa 1854. Mary G, the wife of John H, was born in Ashburton in the same year. Both John H and a son Edward John, were masons.
There were two daughters on the 1901 census: Fanny, an apprentice dressmaker who was born circa 1886; and Kate, still at school, who was born circa 1889.
Research by Bob Shemeld.
Edward John Pomroy, son of John Hocking Pomroy, stonemason, married Elizabeth Matilda Cutmore at Ashburton in September 1904. Both were of St Lawrence Lane, and Edward John was a clerk.
GRO certificate
With many thanks to Pam Wall Trimmer.
Edward John died in WWI, on the 20th September 1917, by which time he was a member of the Australian Infantry.
For more of Edward John's story, see Roll of Honour M-S, under Ashburton in Peril.
For more of Edward John's story, see Roll of Honour M-S, under Ashburton in Peril.
Mr John Hocking Pomroy received the news in October that his son had been killed about a fortnight before. Sergeant John Pomroy, of the Australians, had died in France; he had been bombing instructor of his Company. John had been in Australia for several years, but had spent a few days in Ashburton about 3 months before.
Western Times 6 October 1917, p4 col5
A partly illegible memorial commemorated the death of presumably [daughter of J H and] M G Pomroy of Yeo, who died on the 4th June 1920, aged 33. 'And of their son E J Pomroy' who died in France in 1917 aged 35.
https://www.ashburtonarchive.org.uk - accessed 19-04-202
The child who died is possibly Fanny Ellen, despite the discrepancy between her death date and the date on the memorial. Fanny Ellen's birth was registered in 1885, and she married Arthur Rainbird in the September quarter of 1908 in Devonport.
On the 1911 census Arthur and Fanny Ellen Rainbird were living in Silver Street, Buckfastleigh.They had one child (not present on the census).
1911 census RG14 series, piece no. 12837, schedule 235
Her death was registered in the Exeter registration district in the March quarter of 1920.
https://www.freebmd.org.uk - accessed 19-04-2024
* *** *
Properties bought by J H Pomroy:
Two freehold houses and two freehold cottages at the top of West Street, rental £25, £315
Totnes Times 6 March 1909, p8 col 6
A cottage in Foale's Court, £60
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 20 Jun 1919, p20 col3
A dwelling-house in West Street, £230
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 29 Nov 1924, p2 col4
Pete Webb, Past Portreeves of Ashburton, first published Ashburton 1998
In June 1933 Emma Pomroy applied through the Petty Sessions for possession of 54 West Street from Mr H Cornish. Mr Cornish said that he was building a house that should be ready to occupy in 6 weeks - an order was issued that possession would be granted in 27 days.
Western Times 30 June 1933, p14 col7
Mr and Mrs Pomroy celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 1933 - they had married on Novmber 13th 1873, at Newton Abbot. Mrs Pomroy was the daughter of the late Mr W Joint of Ashburton.
Western Times 17 November 1933, p13 col1
John Hocking Pomroy, the husband of Mary Grace, is buried in St Andrew's churchyard. He died, aged 84, on the 6th April 1935.
Mary Grace died on the 10th April 1940. She was 89.
Ashburton Archive https://www.ashburtonarchive.org.uk - accessed 15-04-2024
Left and below: Memorial to the Pomroy family in St Andrew's churchyard.
My own photographs 2024
Left: Henry C Bennett married Violet M Rainbird in the Dec quarter of 1932, in the Newton Abbot registration district.
https://www.freebmd.org.uk
A report in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette said that John lived in West Street, and had died after a long illness. In the past he had been portreeve, and a member of the council; for three years he was Chairman of the Gas and Lighting Committee. John was a trustee of various charities, and had been a special constable. The bearers at the funeral were members of the local Oddfellows Lodge.
The mourners included his daughters: Mrs Bowler, Mrs C Kellaway and Miss E Pomroy. Mr A Rainbird, his son-in-law from Exeter, was in attendance, as was Mr H Bennett and Mrs V Bennett (grand-daughter).
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 12 April 1935, p14 col5
In 1937 probate for John Hocking Pomroy was granted to Emma Pomroy, spinster. John was of 21 West Street, Ashburton, and his effects were £252 5s.
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/search-results - accessed 16-04-2024
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/search-results - accessed 16-04-2024
Left: 21 West St.
My own photograph 2024
Caroline, the daughter of John Hocking and Mary Grace, died in February 1971, aged 97. Her sister Emma was 88 when she died in January 1965.
Ashburton Archive https://www.ashburtonarchive.org.uk - accessed 15-04-2024