Josias Nelder, but which one?

I have been intrigued that one family can repeatedly use the same name, generation after generation. But with the Nelder family there has been some variation if only small. The census has recorded Josias and Josiah. And also Joscas (but this could turn out to be different again to both)

I have now researched a bit more into the Josias Nelder that I mentioned in my September post. Josias was born in Sparkwell, part of the parish of Plympton St Mary. He stayed there working mainly as a Wheelwright with his Father. In the 1891 census he is listed as still living with his family, but later that year he married Emma Jane Rendle, also from Plympton St Mary.

By the time of the 1901 census Josias and Emma were still living in Sparkwell with the first 3 of their children. The initial part of Burrator reservoir had been completed in 1898 but it was planned to expand it further. Two cottages on the outskirts of Sheepstor village were knocked together to form an Inn, not only for the hundreds of men working on the Reservoir. But also the local farmers and Miners. On the 1911 census Josias was listed as Beer House Keeper, at the Park Cottage Inn, Sheepstor. The lane where the pub stood is known locally as Nelders lane.

This is where the Park Cottage Inn used to stand (should have moved my bicycle before I took the photo)

You can just about read the post that marks the spot.

In 1924 Plymouth Corporation closed the pub because of drainage problems, it has been suggested that the waste from the pub was polluting the reservoir. Josias was paid compensation, and allowed to stay on at the pub after it's closure, as he had nowhere else to live.

By 1930 the construction of the dam was complete and Josias was required to leave his home.

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Which direction?

I really enjoy writing and I really enjoy researching the family history, but I think I am losing direction. It has recently occurred to me that whatever I write about the Devon Nelders will never appear in any sort of chronological order, because that is not the nature of research. I think it would be easier to write about the discoveries I make as they happen, instead of trying to collect them together and then put them into order.

So I will start afresh and begin with what I already know. I think it would be nice to include photos, because it is possible that some of the people reading this 'Blog' have never visited Devon, even though they are interested in the Nelder family.

This is Burrator reservoir on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. It was completed in 1898 and then expanded in 1929. At the time of the 1911 census the Park Inn Pub was kept by Josias Nelder (born ca 1866) on the 1911 census it is noted as the parish of Sheepstor. Sheepstor is a small village close to the dam, but I understand that 2 local cottages near the site of the dam were knocked into one to make a pub for the men working on the dam.

From my research I have found that several pubs have been associated with the Nelder family members apart from this one. Of course the Treby Arms in Sparkwell, and also pubs in North Devon and Cornwall. I hope to add more detail about these at a later date.

One more interesting fact about Burrator reservoir. The Tors and moorland behind the reservoir were used by Steven Spielberg in his film 'War Horse'

To what else I do in my spare time. Please visit my Craft website

Alot has happened since my last post. I have done the Craft and Gift Fayre, which proved to be reasonably successful for me.

But from the Genealogy point of view - I have renewed my membership with the Devon Family History Society and ordered info from them which I know will prove useful. If only I could drag myself away from the sewing machine long enough to look at it.

I have caught up with reading their periodical magazine. A bit of bedtime reading, but fascinating to read about the discoveries other people have made. And where their research has led them.

Of all the lines in my family history I am beginning to wonder why I chose to research in more depth the family that seems to have the most members. A lot of them had 7 or more children. But fascinating all the same

To see what else I do in my spare time. Please visit my craft website

OK so I haven't been back to Sparkwell this week, as I intended but I have spent so much time online with my husbands Devon Nelder connections, that you wouldn't believe.

This subject has got me completely engrossed. I find every little bit of history that I uncover so exciting. And even better I uncover a tiny piece of information from Cornwood or Sparkwell and it sends me right back there.

To Cornwood where I have wandered among the headstones in the churchyard. To the Cornwood Inn where I have enjoyed their lovely Sunday Roasts and by no means least Fitzworthy for the Horse Riding.

Just outside Cornwood on the back road to Lee Mill I used to take my older daughter there every weekend for horse riding. She had such a good time. I would drop her off on a Sunday morning then kill a few hours somewhere, and collect her later. Or more often  just leave her for the day and collect her late afternoon. I have stood in the yard in the blazing sun, sheltering beneath a tree waiting for the 'Hack' to return. And I have sat there in my car with the engine running to keep warm, waiting for the horses return.

Sadly this Daughter is now 19 and at University, and the love of horses no longer seems so important. But I have a 9 year old, soon to be 10 who loves anything horsey! Will I once again be hanging out in Riding Stables Car Parks !

I have today established a link between the Cornwood Nelders and the Sparkwell Nelders, their families by todays standards were HUGE!!!!!. And judging by the village cottages, how did they all fit in there?

I am loving my research at the moment, but still have this nagging at the back of my mind that I should be Crafting!. My next event is only 2 weeks away at Tavistock Town Hall on 20th April 2013. And the week after that I finally get to spend some time with my sister who is visiting from New Zealand.

I am ashamed to see that it has been very nearly 12 months since I updated this blog. And I hold my hands up and admit that during this time I have not delved into the Nelder family history either.

I am so torn, trying to decide which way I should spend my time. Over the last year I have been making handmade Aprons and Placemats and trying to sell them at local Craft and Gift Fairs. I love the sewing and I love it even more when I sell something I have made. But I realise that I am also fascinated by family history, and in fact any kind of history.

My ultimate goal has always been, to research this family history and then write and publish a book about it. Wouldn't it be nice if I could use my sewing projects to fund my Geneaology research. That would be a perfect world!

I have an online shop where I sell the things I have made and a few other things aswell. please check it out and tell me what you think. Should I carry on making thing or concentrate on the Family history? Or perhaps I should try harder to do both.

Please look at my handmade items at www.moorstitches.co.uk

We have one week left of school holidays enough time to get out and do some more research.