Benjamin Underdown (1762-1853)

Benjamin was born in approximately 1762 and was baptised in the local parish church at Northleigh, Devon on 6th October 1762. His parents were Thomas and Joan Underdown (nee Cox).

He was the 9th of 18 children. His siblings were Sarah, Jane (Jenny), Robert, Abraham, Thomas, James, Phillip, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth, Molly, Agnes, Noah, Emanuel, Anne (died young), Susanna and Ann. Benjamin was 13 when his youngest sister Ann was born.

Marriage
Benjamin married on 13th September 1789 at Colyton in Devon to Elizabeth Bishop. Details of her family are currently unknown, but Bishop is a common surname in the district in which Benjamin lived. Witness to Benjamin and Elizabeth’s marriage was James Bishop, likely to be father or brother of Elizabeth. The couple would have eight known children together.

Move to Southleigh
Between 1793 & 1795 the family moved from Northleigh to Southleigh, a town of similiar size and in close proximity, but further south then Northleigh. The reason for the move is yet to be determined. The first two of Benjamin's children were baptised in Northleigh while the others were baptised in Southleigh.

A likely cause is the death of Benjamin's father, Thomas in April 1795. It is known from the will of Benjamin's brother Samuel that Samuel and his brother Robert inherited land from their father, and it is likely that brother Emanuel inherited a lease to Hornshayne farm. What and it Benjamin inherited any property at this time is unknown. If he did, this could have provided a reason for the family to move residence.

Brother's wills
Benjamin's brother Robert died in April 1811. Benjamin was the executor of his brother Robert’s will, along with his brother Emanuel. The newspaper article that advertised this listed him as of Southleigh in 1811. On 3.10.1811, he had to sell a house in order to cover his brother’s debts. It appears that the Underdown family had been doing well financially until this time, when Benjamin's fortune's changes as the result of covering his brother's debts.

According to Samuel’s will (who died in March 1812), the debts that Emanuel and his brother Benjamin were left with after their brother Robert’s death appear to be the result of Robert purchasing a property that was never paid for during his lifetime. The property was called Northleigh Farm lying in the parish of Northleigh, and Samuel contracted with Emanuel and Benjamin the real estate in trust. The premises consisted of a barton and farm and had been purchased for the price of five thousand and seven hundred pounds. Samuel instructed his brothers in the will to sell the property to cover the outstanding amount, but it appears that the sale of the property alone may not have been enough.



Benjamin's brother Thomas died in Widworthy in 1839. It appears that he never married or had children, so he left his estate to two of his nephews and his brothers and sisters who were living. Benjamin was one of the brothers listed. Because the amount of the entire estate was valued at under 800 pounds, and a large number of his brothers and sisters were still living at the time, it is likely that Benjamin inherited only a small amount.

1841 census
In the 1841 census, Benjamin (1762) and his wife Elizabeth are living with their son Benjamin (1789) at ‘Heathhouse’ Cottage in Northleigh.

Death of wife
Wife Elizabeth died between the years 1841 and 1851. She cannot be found in the 1851 census.

1851 census
Benjamin is in the 1851 census for Devon living with his daughter Eliza and her family at Bickham, Branscombe, Devon. Branscombe is on the coast of Devon, just south of the Southleigh area. Eliza was married to James Tucker, a shepherd, and had two children, Henry (aged 29) and Samuel (aged 26) living with them. Benjamin was incorrectly recorded as ‘mother in law’ instead of ‘father in law’ and his age was recorded incorrectly as 78 years, rather than 88 years. He was listed as widowed and a pauper, formerly a farmer. His birthplace was recorded as Colyton.

Death


Benjamin died at Bickham, Branscombe on the 22/4/1853. He was 90 years old and the cause of death was recorded as old age and dropsy, not certified. A Phoeby Bancroft was present at his death and she signed the death certificate with her mark. A burial for Benjamin has not yet been located.

Children

 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Benjamin & Elizabeth Underdown
 * colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFfce0" style="color: #000000;" |Children of Benjamin & Elizabeth Underdown