In the late 15th or early 16th century (1486-1493 or 1504-1515) William Leche, of Ashburton, a weaver, son of William Leche, took William Hamlyn of Ashburton to court for detaining deeds relating to land in Ashburton
National Archives C 1/538/53
John Wydecomb, John Devyll, John Wyndeyate and William Noseworthy, wardens of the 'instawre' of St Andrew in Ashburton parish church, John Knolle (Knolling), its sexton and others defended the action, saying that the property now belonged to William Whyte..
Between the same dates (1529-1532) John Wynter claimed that land at Furselegh should have reverted to him at the end of a lease granted by William Larstoke the elder and the younger to Thomas Elys the elder of Staverton, husbandman. The lease had instead been passed on to the sons of Thomas Elys: Roger, John and Thomas.
National Archives C 1/690/8
National Archives C 1/1421/40-46
In 1598 Ellis Coake of Ashburton, a tanner, claimed that Leonard Miller of Ashburton and Christina Kellye, widow had withheld bequests made to him in the wills of his parents.
National Archives C 2/Eliz/C16/13
The defendants had, they alleged, forced entry, seized cattle, damaged fences, and depastured land in Caten in the manor of Ashburton.
Records of the Star Chamber and other courts
National Archives STAC 8/124/15
Walter Gruite claimed that amongst other misdemeanours the defendants had diverted water from his mills at Ashburton.
Records of the Star Chamber and other courts
National Archives STAC 8/160/21
1758 'Whereas Elizabeth, the wife of John Tapper, of Ashburton, Devon, did on Monday 12th September 1757, go off from her said husband. This is to give notice, whoever entertains her shall be prosecuted as the law directs; and if any person credits her they must expect not to be paid from JOHN TAPPER'
The General Evening Post, (London) from Saturday December 31st to Tuesday January 3rd 1758
The item on the breach of promise action by Anna Cockey against John Smith has now moved to the Cockey family page (People and properties)
An affiliation order was an order for a man to provide upkeep for an illegitimate child
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/glossary.aspx
1851 Newton Abbot Petty Sessions:
William Hutchings, of Ashburton, was ordered to pay 2s a week to Mary Ann Chalk, plus costs.
The 1851 census shows 26 year old Mary Ann Chalk in the household of Elizabeth Cove in North Street. Mary Ann is Elizabeth's sister - the next entry is that of William Chalk, aged 7 months, shown as Elizabeth's nephew.
1851 census HO107, Piece 1871, Folio 323, p20
Thomas Francis was ordered to pay 2s 6d a week to Elizabeth Whiddon of Ashburton, plus costs
William Coneybear, 'an old pensioner' was ordered to pay Ann King 2s 6d a week plus costs. Both were from Ashburton.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 1 March 1851 p4 col2
1853. Elizabeth Skews claimed maintenance for her child from the father, Thomas Ireland Searle. After a 'lengthened investigation' he was ordered to pay 2s 6d per week plus £1 2s 6d costs.
Western Times 2 July 1853 p7 col2
1874 Mary Jane Stone of Ashburton summoned Robert Lethbridge, a porter of the South Devon Railway Co., 'to show cause etc'. This was presumably an affiliation order, as Lethbridge was ordered to pay 2s per week plus costs.
The birth of a Robert Lethbridge Stone was registered in the Newton Abbot district in the March quarter of 1874
Western Times 24 April 1874 p7 col2
http://www.freebmd.org.uk
In 1851 Doctor Daniel Yeo, a painter and glazier of Ashburton, sought damages from a builder named Ireland, also from Ashburton. Mr. Ireland's son had been an apprentice to the painter, but had gone to America before his 'time' was up. As the father was named on the indenture, £10 was being claimed from him.
The Judge queried the plaintiff's name - was it, he asked 'Doctor Daniel Yeo ?' Mr Tucker, acting for the plaintiff, answered that it was.
Judgement on the case was reserved for the time being.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 11 October 1851 p3 col6
In 1851 Doctor Daniel Yeo is living with his wife Susan in Ashburton. Aged 39, He was born in St Germans, Cornwall.
The Cornwall OPC database shows Doctor Daniel Yeo being baptised in St Germans in September 1811, the son of James and Susannah.
http://www.cornwall-opc-database.org
1876 At the County Court. Edgcumbe v Wilcocks. Edgcumbe and Wilcocks lived next door to each other, and Edgcumbe claimed £1 for the damage down to his plants by Wilcocks' fowls, when they got over the wall between the two properties.
Judgement was given for 2s 6d plus costs.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 17 June 1876 p4 col2
1876 also saw a bitter dispute amongst the heirs of Mr Husson, of the Globe Inn, who had died in March 1875, leaving about £5000. Mr Husson's brother, a draper, supplied the mourning, but the following year there was a dispute over who had ordered it. The draper took other members of the family to court, and the case, Husson v Husson and Langler, was heard at Newton County Court.
It appeared that the draper had taken orders for mourning clothes before the will was read and the executor named - eldest son Edward Husson. On the will being read there was 'much unpleasantness', as Edward Husson had been left the bulk of the estate, with the other family members being left a small field and £400 each.
Most of the family paid for their own mourning, but Walter Husson, a nephew of the deceased, and George Langler, married to a niece, claimed that Edward had said that he would provide the mourning clothes. In addition they claimed that the executor had determined the style of clothing worn, and was therefore responsible for the debt.
The judge described the case as 'one of the most disgusting cases he had ever heard'. The verdict was awarded to the plaintiff.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 18 August 1876 p7 col5