Roger Donne’s Miscellany: Descendants of Benjamin Snell

SNELL

Parents

George SNELL = Mary Ann DEACON

Married 16 Aug 1851, Chapel of East Stonehouse, Devon

George

Born 18 Nov 1816, Wayton House, Landulph
Christened 31 Jan 1817, Landulph
Died 5 May 1905, Park, Landulph
Buried 10 May 1905, Landulph Parish Church
Recorded in the 1871 Census as a Farmer of 500 acres. Farms were rented in the Parish of Landulph, Cornwall, and the holdings comprised the farms of Park, Clifton, Salter Mill and Tinnel
1851 Census
Folio 491 Page 3
In the 1851 census, George Snell is recorded as a landed proprietor, the head of a household living at Wayton. The household includes his widowed mother, Mary aged 76, and his nephew Joseph, aged 8 born at St Dominick. The houshold also includes a house servant Hannah Short.



George Snell of Landulph applied for a game license and obtained certificate 16 September 1836
A lease is held in the CRO, Ref AD430/21 concerning the Park, and Waddevers tenements from the Duchy of Cornwall to George Snell of Park, dated 11 Mar 1868. The extent of the holdings are set at twenty-five acres, one rodd and six perches. The document is witnessed by B Snell, Wayton, Landulph. It makes several conditions and descrbes the way in which the land is to be managed, as follows:
-Timbers, minerals, stone, slate, chalk, excepted
-£5 extra rent for every £100 spent by the duchy on draining, fencing or inclosing.
-Additional rent of £50 for every acre broken up for tillage without license.
-£10 additional rent for every acre of arable, meadow or pasture not cultivated according to course of husbandry prescribed.
-Ditches to be scoured yearly, hedges dressed and cleaned, drains made and maintained. Buildings to be insured against fire.
-Cropping: one-quarter to be sown grass only to be cut for hay once or for green or cattle food.
-Not more than one-quarter turnips or other green crop not pulse.
-Not more than one-quarter arable to be in wheat.
-Two crops of corn or anything else not to be taken in succession.
-Pasture to be mowed once a year only, then well manured.
-Orchards especially young trees to be protected.
-In spring of last year on every acre to be sown with summer corn (e.g. barley or oats) one bushel or perennial rye seed, ten pounds af good red clover seed, five pounds of good white clover and trefoil seed (incoming tenant to pay for seed).
-After corn crop of last year no stock except sheep in the previous spring.
-Dung to be given to incoming tenant and hay left to be paid for at valuation.
-George Snell is to keep field book(s) showing yearly cropping.




People entitled to vote

All the Voters Lists included so far are for elections after The Representation of the People Act 1832, The Act redrew constituency boundaries, giving seats to the growing industrial towns and cities, and removing them from some of the previous so-called Rotten Boroughs and Pocket Boroughs. It also increased the numbers entitled to vote by reducing the value of the qualifying land and adding categories such as copyright holders, long-term lease holders and some tenants. It's been estimated that the reforms increased the electorate to roughly 1 in 6 of the total male population of England and Wales, (Different qualifications existed for both Scotland and Ireland.)

George Snell appears on lists for 1852/53 and 1864/65, qualifying with freehold land known as Wadevers

Mary Ann

Alias Mary Ann SNELL (16 Aug 1851)
Christened 4 Dec 1831, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 11 Jan 1922, Landulph, Cornwall
Mary Ann Deacon was the daughter of the publican at the Royal Oak, in the village of Cargreen, situated on the Cornish bank of the River Tamar. Reputedly, she was wooed by George Snell of Park, who decided to take a wife in his mid 30's. He became attached to the publican's 18 year old daughter after making her a acquaintance on his daily rides of inspection around his estate. However, he decided that she should be 'educated' before the marriage, and sent her away for one year's tuition on how the wife of a country farmer should behave. By all accounts the subsequent marriage was very succesful.

This story appears to be corroborated by an entry in the 1851 Census. Mary Ann Deacon is listed as resident at 104 Union Street, East Stonehouse. She was listed as age 19, scholar, and niece of the head of household, who was Ann Deacon. Ann Deacon was aged 59, domestically employed and living with one daughter and 3 sons, as well as her niece.
Photograph of a sampler worked by Mary Ann. It records the following:
Mary Ann Deacon is My Name I with
My Needle I work the Same
By my Performance you my see
What care my Parents take of me
Finished September the 28th 1843
In the 12th Year of her Age

Mary Ann Deacon's Sampler dated 1843
Mary Ann Deacon's Sampler dated 1843

Mary Ann's Sampler prior to conservation
Mary Ann's Sampler prior to conservation

Children

Alice Mary

Alias Alice Mary REW
Born 12 Jul 1853, Park, Landulph
Christened 25 Aug 1853, Landulph, Cornwall
Died ABT Jun 1901, Plymouth RD

George Frederick

Born 30 Jul 1855, Park, Landulph
Christened 19 Aug 1855, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 18 Oct 1865, Park, Landulph
Buried 20 Oct 1865, Landulph, Cornwall
George Frederick Snell and Albert Edmund Snell died in childhood and are buried in a grave adjacent to that of their parents in Landulph Parish Church (see picture - the children's grave is on the right)

Grave of George Snell's Eldest Sons
Grave of George Snell's Eldest Sons

Beatrice Elizabeth

Alias Beatrice Elizabeth BROWNING
Born 16 Sep 1857, Park, Landulph
Christened 4 Nov 1857, Landulph, Cornwall

Lucy Alberta

Alias Lucy Alberta HORE
Born 1860, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 27 Jan 1860, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1941, Plymouth
Buried 1941, Bristol

Albert Edmund

Born 17 Jun 1862, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 24 Jul 1862, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1 Apr 1870, Landulph, Cornwall
George Frederick Snell and Albert Edmund Snell died in childhood and are buried together in a grave adjacent to that of their parents in Landulph Parish Church (see picture - the children's grave is on the right)

Emily Maude

Born 17 Jul 1864
Died 18 Jul 1864

Louisa Jane

Alias Louisa Jane SPEAR
Born 22 Jul 1865, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 6 Aug 1865, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1925, Landulph, Cornwall

Ernest Augustus

Born 22 Nov 1867, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 15 Dec 1867, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1962, Landulph, Cornwall
As the eldest surviving son of George Snell, Ernest continued to farm at Park until his retirement.

Ernest Augustus Snell, seated right, pictured with his two brothers
Ernest Augustus Snell, seated right, pictured with his two brothers

Frederick Charles

Born 5 Sep 1870, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened 25 Sep 1870, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 1956, South Africa
Emigrated to South Africa. Fought in the Boer War and reputedly went to the Klondike. Known to my mother as "Uncle Fred".

I have a newspaper clipping of his obituary (source/ exact date unknown, but possibly " Cornish Times" about 1957), as follows:

"A cable arrived last week, anouncing the death in South Africa of Mr Fred Snell, second son of the late Mr George Snell of Park, Landulph. He leaves a widow and two daughters, two sons having pre-deceased him. He was 87 years of age.

"As a young man he emigrated to Canada to take up farming. Then he joined the Mounted Police and saw life at Klondyke during the gold rush, where he had many adventures.
"When the Boer War broke out, he and two pals joined the Strathcona Horse. In a letter to his relatives he told of their journey of over 500 miles, on foot mostly, to a steamer to enlist. He was in several skirmishes but came off unscathed, though a bullet once went just over his head, and at another time, when shells were bursting too near, the men left their trench, and he saw a shell occupy it. When leave was granted, he came to England.

"Many of the older parishioners will remember his homecoming to Park, all beflagged and crowded, and a mock salute was fired by the farmers and sportsmen to the hero, all in the good old days of long ago.

"At a crowded concert in the Rectory Room, he was presented with a gold watch, suitably inscribed, subscribed by the parishioners.

"He took a commission, and when the Boer War was over, he settled down as a trader in "Pilgrim's Rest," where a gold mine had been opened up. From all accounts he had a charmed life, and was successful in all his ventures."

Inferred from document catalogued in the National Archives of South Africa, describing the 'Record of Conduct and Service, FREDERICK CHARLES SNELL' starting from 1901 and ending in 1906

Note the following newspaper article from Cape Times Weekly Edition 20/02/01 p24: Dateline London, Feb. 19, 1901. 100 troopers of Strathcona's Horse stated they intend to return to South Africa and join the Constabulary after a vacation in Canada.

The service records show that he enlisted in the SAC from 18 October 1901. A note on his attestation paper says that "this man is entitled to a free passage home after 5 years continuous service". His service record continues until 17 October 1906, when it is noted that he is discharged and time expired. A further note written below the discharge statement, says that he is"granted 6 months leave paid".

He joined the service as a 3rd class trooper, and was soon promoted, in the January following his enlistment in October to 2nd class trooper. In March 1902, he was promoted to Corporal and then in April 1902, to 2nd class Sergeant. He seems to have served in the Lydenburg district.

During the recruitment period he was asked for his discharge papers from the Strathcona Horse, but his reply of 19 August 1901 says that he has not recieved these. A letter in the Canadian files shows that he wrote requestign these papers but whether they were actually received is not known.

Included in the file is a letter of recommendation from Rev Sylvanus Gregory of Landulph that consideration should be given to Sergeant FC Snell of B Troop, SAC, dated Dec 03, for a commision in the SAC. It would appear that this plea was not successful.


Frederick Snell served in the Boer War in Lord Strathcona's Horse. The following extract is taken from a history of the regiment, describing its formation and service in the Boer War:

"The prairies of Western Canada in the late 1890's were considered by many to be a part of the Wild West frontier. However, in reality, Western Canada was a peaceful, well-policed area that was beginning to prosper in the young Dominion.

"In January 1900, Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal) offered to raise and equip a mounted regiment at his own expense to serve in the South African or "Boer" War.

"His Regiment was recruited largely from cowboys and frontiersmen of Western Canada and members of the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.). Command of "Strathcona's Horse" was given to the now famous Superintendent of the N.W.M.P., Sir Sam B. Steele.

"Lord Strathcona's Horse arrived in Cape Town, South Africa on April 10, 1900 and quickly became essential to the British Army. Employed as scouts because of their background as frontiersmen and cowboys, the Regiment was involved in numerous skirmishes and bloody battles against the Boer mounted riflemen. The bravery of the soldiers of the Regiment was best illustrated by the actions of Sgt Arthur Richardson during an ambush at Wolver Spruit. Upon seeing one of his soldiers fall wounded from his horse, Sgt Richardson rode back under a hail of Boer gunfire, retrieved the wounded man and brought him to safety. Sgt Richardson received the Victoria Cross for his valour."Perseverance".

"At the end of the war, in Queen Victoria's memory, King Edward VII presented the King's Colours to the Regiment. This honour is normally awarded to infantry units. Upon its return to Canada the Regiment was lauded for its contributions and service in the Boer War. Unfortunately, soon after the Regiment was disbanded. In 1909 it was reformed and named Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH(RC)).

Frederick Snell's records still exist and can be viewed in the National Archives of Canada. He was taken on strength (number 430) on March 8, 1900 at Ottawa and was posted to "A" Squadron. During his visit home in 1901, he is recorded in the census at Park, along with a visitor, Sergeant Skirving who would appear to be a friend and colleague from Canada. George Skirving is enlisted as number 429 into the Strathcona Horse, probably at the same time as Frederick Snell, after previous service in the NWMP.

Promoted and made Senior Corporal of "A" Squadron 2 Troop on March 10, 1900, and later promoted to Sergeant on Nov 12, 1900. He was discharged on March 16, 1901 at Ottawa. He was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps for Natal, Orange Free State and Belfast. Records show that he was recruited from the ranks of the NWMP.




Frederick Charles Snell went to Canada in 1891 on the "CARTHAGINIAN", which sailed to Portland in the USA on 12 March 1891 from Liverpool. His service record in the NWMP indicates that he was employed at brewery in England (probably in Plymouth) prior to emigration and that he found employment as a farm hand in Canada, prior to applying to join the NWMP. He was accepted into the NWMP on 7 November 1892 at Regina (North West Territories), engaging for 5 years service as a constable.

At the end of 5 years service, he re-engaged for a further three and applied for 2 years service in the Yukon (Dawson). He completed his service in the Yukon, but applied for discharge in 1900 in order to join Lord Strathcona's Horse for service in South Africa. Because he did not complete his three-year engagement, his NWMP service record says that he is 'not eligible for bonus' and his future residence is described as 'gone to Africa'.

A further letter in the file from Frederick Snell, written from his family home at Park, Landulph, at the beginning of 1901, requests a copy of his discharge papers which he was unable to collect at Regina on laving Canada - presumably he had in mind a career in the South African Constabulary which would be aided by previous service in the NWMP.

He was promoted from constable to Corporal in the NWMP in 1899.
The Canadian Archives hold a copy of the letters aptent to a land grant to Frederick Charles Snell "of Dawson, in the Yukon Territory.........,Miner" of land situate in the Government addition to the Townsite of Dawson in the Yukon Territory, being "Lot numbered One in the Block lettered "O" in the Government addition to the Townsite of Dawson aforesaid as shown on a plan of the subdivision of the Group Lot numbered Twelve, in the Group numbered Two in the Yukon Territory made by James Gibbon, Dominion Land Surveyor and of record in the Department of the Interior as plan numbered 8338". This document in dated 23 December 1899.

Frederick Charles Snell, seated left, pictured with his two brothers
Frederick Charles Snell, seated left, pictured with his two brothers

Fred Snell in South Africa
Fred Snell in South Africa

Georgina Theodora

Alias Georgina Theodora ROBERTS
Born 25 Feb 1873, Landulph, Cornwall
Died 20 Feb 1942, Landulph, Cornwall

Albert Victor = Mary KING > Family

Married 6 Oct 1897, Landulph

Albert Victor

Born 2 Apr 1874, Park, Landulph, Cornwall
Christened Landulph Parish Church, Cornwall
Died 19 Dec 1963
Buried Landulph Parish Church, Cornwall
Entry in 1914 Kelly's Directory describes him as 'farmer, assistant overseer and rate collector'.

Albert Victor Snell, standing centre, pictured with his two brothers
Albert Victor Snell, standing centre, pictured with his two brothers

Mary

Alias Mary SNELL (6 Oct 1897)
Born 17 Jan 1879, Budshead, Plymouth
Died 23 Jul 1955, Rosehill, Cargreen, Landulph
Buried 27 Jul 1955, Landulph Parish Church
Mary was orphaned at the age of 2 years and was brought up by her mother's family (Braund) in Cargreen, Landulph, Cornwall, who were bakers, also running the village shop.
Said to have been a pupil at 'Gunnerside School' possibly Gunnerside School, Plymouth, Miss Stranger, Miss Hilda M Stranger Int. B.A. Lond, Miss Bertha Stranger (from Index to
to 'A Book of the Southwest, Work of reference for those who may be called upon
to recommend a locality in Devonshire or Cornwall"
Printed for the Seventy-Fifth Annual Meeting
of theBritish Medical Association, Exeter, 1907 (Pub: William Pollard, Exeter, 1907)
Gunnerside School for Girls was a private boarding school situated at 31/32 Torrington Place, North Road East, Plymouth.
It was in existence in 1890, when Miss Elizabeth Stranger was in charge. It offered a course of instruction that approximated to that required in secondary schools by the Board of Education.
The School seems to have been transformed after the Second World War in to the Gunnerside Home for Old People. It is not yet known where the name "Gunnerside" came from. (see http://www.plymouthdata.info/Schools-Gunnerside%20Private.htm







Mary King
Mary King

Cargreen, The Village Shop, 2003
Cargreen, The Village Shop, 2003

Family

George Snell's family lived at Park in the parish of Landulph, Cornwall. This was a large farm situated near the village of Cargreen on the banks of the Tamar River. They lived there from 1851, the date of their marriage, up until the death of George Snell. A family photograph taken on their 50th Wedding Anniversary exists.

He rented the farms of Park, Clifton, Salter Mill and Tinnel.

Family record found in 1871 Census
                                       Position Marital
Name in Family Status Age
ADAMS, MARY Servant U 20
GILL, JANE Servant U 23
SNELL, GEO Head M 54
SNELL, MARY A Wife M 39
SNELL, ALICE M Daughter U 17
SNELL, BEATRICE E Daughter - 13
SNELL, LUCY A Daughter - 11
SNELL, LOUISA J Daughter - 5
SNELL, ERNEST A Son - 3
SNELL, FREDK C Son - 6M0
More info on above names:
                                                                
Approximate Birth
ADAMS, MARY DAIRYMAID 1851 LANDULPH, Cornwall
GILL, JANE HSEMAID 1848 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, GEO FRMR 500ACRES 1817 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, MARY A - 1832 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, ALICE M - 1854 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, BEATRICE E SCH 1858 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, LUCY A SCH 1860 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, LOUISA J SCH 1866 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, ERNEST A - 1868 LANDULPH, Cornwall
SNELL, FREDK C - 1871 LANDULPH, Cornwall
Copy of the marriage certificate obtained from Plymouth Register Office, 11 April 2000
Records that marriage took place in the chapel of East Stonehouse, Church of England, with minister Puklethwaite officiating. Witnesses were Ann Deacon and William Lamoureux. Fathers recorded as Benjamin Snell (gentleman) and William Deacon (licenced victualler). Ages recorded as full (George) and minor (Mary Ann); she must have been 19 years old at the date of her marriage.

The 1901 census records the houshold as follows:
George Snell - Head (Retired Farmer)
Mary A Snell - Wife
Ernest A Snell - Son (Farmer)
Frederick C Snell - Son (Sergt Lord Strathcona's Mounted Infantry)
Georgina Snell - Daughter
George Skivring - Visitor, (Sergt Lord Strathcona's Mounted Infantry) born in Ontario, Canada, age 25 (one of Fred's friends?)
Elsie Gill, servant, age 14


1891 Census
SNELL George Head M M 74 Yeoman(Em'er) Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Mary A Wife M F 58 Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Lucy A Dau S F 30 Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Louisa J Dau S F 25 Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Ernest A Son S M 22 Farmers Son(Em'er) Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Georgina T Dau S F 18 Cornwall - Landulph
SNELL Albert V Son S M 17 Farmers Son(Em'er) Cornwall - Landulph
BARRETT Kate Servnt S F 14 Domestic Servant(Em'ee) Cornwall - Landulph

Piece: RG12/1808 Place: St Germans-Cornwall Enumeration District: 4
Civil Parish: Landulph Ecclesiastical Parish: Landulph
Folio: 34 Page: 8 Schedule: 61
Address: Cross Park



Household as recorded in 1881 Census:
George SNELL M Male 64 Landulph, Cornwall, England Farmer Of 481 A Employing 8 Lab & 4 Boys
Mary A. SNELL M Female 49 Landulph, Cornwall, England
Lucy A. SNELL U Female 21 Landulph, Cornwall, England
Louisa J. SNELL U Female 15 Landulph, Cornwall, England
Georgina T. SNELL U Female 8 Landulph, Cornwall, England Scholar
Frederick C. SNELL Male 10 Landulph, Cornwall, England Scholar
Albert V. SNELL Male 7 Landulph, Cornwall, England Scholar
Emma WILLIAMS U Female 22 Landulph, Cornwall, England Dairy Maid
Jane DAWE U Female 17 Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, England House Maid

Source Information:
Dwelling Park
Census Place Landulph, Cornwall, England
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 2282 / 40
Page Number 13


Snell Family Group on the 50th Wedding Anniversary (1901)
Snell Family Group on the 50th Wedding Anniversary (1901)

George and Mary Ann, 50th Wedding Anniversary (1901)
George and Mary Ann, 50th Wedding Anniversary (1901)

Grave of George & Mary Ann in Landulph Churchyard
Grave of George & Mary Ann in Landulph Churchyard