Thursday, 10 October 2013

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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