Isaac Dawe

     
     Isaac Dawe was born on 23 Dec 1852 at Cockingford Mill, DEV, ENG, rather than in Lidford (according to the 1861 census). The most likely birth registration in the indices around this time is an Isaac Daw reg. in Newton Abbot in the March qtr of 1853 (5b/125), although there is also a Tavistock registration for an Isaac Smith Daw in the Sep qtr, who turns out to be a first cousin once removed (son of Isaac Daw and Elizabeth Melony Staddon). Subsequent info from David³ provides the exact date, and revised place.^1,3,4,5 Some sources show Isaac Dawe was born cir. 1854 at Widdecombe, DEV, ENG, (1881 census) and others say Buckland in the Moor(1891) I haven't attempted to rationalise all of these other than: Buckland in the Moor is a small parish, Widdecombe both a village and slightly larger parish and Lidford a very large parish. I have however found a reference to Cockingford in relation to Widecombe in the Moor.^6,7,8
     Isaac Dawe married Amy Follett, daughter of Daniel Follett and Harriet Leaman, on 30 Dec 1879 reg. Dist of Newton Abbot, DEV, ENG, the cert showing Isaac Dawe as a baker, son of Thomas Daw (sic) a miller.^6,9,10
     Isaac Dawe remarried on 7 May 1887 in the Register Office, Newton Abbot, DEV, ENG, to Thirza Stevens, daughter of William Stevens and Louisa UnknownSurname, the cert reading: Isaac Daw 34, widower, miller and baker residing Lurghcombe Ashburton, s/o Thomas Daw, miller, dec. Thirza Stevens 35, (indexed as Thirze Stephens and actually 37) spinster residing North St Ahsburton dtr of William Stevens dec. labourer. Witnessed by Ellen Daw and Thos Willcocks Certified by Elias Ford, Registrar and John Alsop Superintendent Registrar.^2,11,12
     Isaac Dawe died aft. 1901 ?Dartmouth, DEV, ENG; poss. the 64 yr old reg. Totnes Mar qtr 1917 5b/311.^7,11
     
     The census of 7 Apr 1861 showed William, Thomas, Richard, Nathaniel, David, Isaac and Robert in the household of their parents Thomas and Elizabeth Taylor at Cockingford, Par. of Widecombe, DEV, ENG, enumerated as Thomas Dawe, miller, 51, b Tavistock, wife Elizabeth, 43 (or 41?), b Nth Tawton. Sons: William, 19, miller, b Nth Tawton; Thomas, 15, ag lab; Richard, 13, ag lab; Nathaniel, 11, scholar; Isaac, 8, scholar; Robert, 6, scholar;all b Lidford; David, 3, b Widecombe.¹ Isaac Dawe appeared on the census of 7 Apr 1871 at Cockingford Mills, Widecombe, DEV, ENG, in the household of Thomas Dawe and Elizabeth Taylor as son of Thomas.¹³
     Isaac Dawe was shown as the head of the household in the census of 3 Apr 1881 in a North St Shop, Ashburton, DEV, ENG, with Amy enumerated as Isaac Daw, baker, 27, wife Amy, 23, attends to shop, both b Widdecombe, DEV. Dtr Louisa, 8m, b Ashburton. Visitor: Louisa Follett, 18, guest in house, b Widdecombe (Amy's sister); Edward Luscombe, 18, unm, baker's man, b Ashburton.¹⁴
     Isaac outlived his wife Amy Follett who died bef. Apr 1886.^6,15 In 1890 Isaac Dawe was a baker (according to a Devon directory) in North St, Ashburton, DEV, ENG.¹⁶
     The census of 5 Apr 1891 showed Isaac, with his son David, at Coombhead Cross, Diptford, DEV, ENG, enumerated as Daw: Isaac 37 head mar (no wife present) labourer b Buckland in the Moor; Son David 9 scholar b Ashburton.⁷
     Isaac Dawe appeared on the census of 31 Mar 1901 at Croters? Hill, Dartmouth, DEV, ENG, with Thirza Stevens, enumerated as Dawe: Isaac 48 gen. lab b Ashburton; wife Thirza 48 b Holne DEV; Children: David 19 gen lab; Elsie 13 both b Ashburton; Frederick 7. Boarders: William Easley 29 b Blackawton; John H Tucker 27 b Kingsbridge, both gen labs.¹¹
     The only Isaac b Devon c 1854 on the Sth West 1881 census cd is the one b Widecombe in the Moor, married to Amy Follett and living Ashburton. Amy appears to have died 1886, probably giving birth to Jessie. In 1891 Isaac appears as married with son David but wife not present, and Thirza pops up elsewhere as married and with a dtr Thursa E and husband not present. Thursa E could be the Elsie with both Isaac and Thirza in 1901, so I eventually concluded that these two Isaacs are one and the same and that Thirza is his 2nd wife. I admit to having had some doubts about the change of occupation though, esp. as an 1890 directory still shows an Isaac Daw as baker in North St Ashburton. The marriage cert. of Isaac² and Thirza confirms my conclusions.¹⁷ As of 1881, his surname was also spelt Daw (also in 1891, although 1901 shows as Dawe).⁶