Our visit to the small Devon town was prompted by the discovery that a long line of the Johnston ancestors had been living in the district – all the way back to the 1400’s. The family name was Wreford.

My great Great grandmother was a Wreford and with her daughter Ann they arrived in Australia in 1857 and soon after Ann married John Johnston – recently arrived from Ireland (via 6 years in America).

I didn’t expect to find any direct relatives in the village but I wanted to get a feel for the village; perhaps understand why the family left for Australia, and explore the church for any records.

The village has 4 principal establishments – 2 churches, the pub and the general store. About 2000 people in the parish according to the publican.

The St Mary Church of England established circa 1200AD

 

The London Inn – the local pub where we celebrated our wedding anniversary with a real pub meal.

And of course the “Dream Shed” – the Airbnb establishment where we stayed. Which turned out to be quite adequate – but neither a shed or a dream – just what we needed though for 2 nights.

 

 

A quick visit to the church of England on our arrival – and we were quickly on the trail of the Wrefords. The headstone nearest the entrance was the first surprise. A search of the cemetery revealed another 3 Wrefords.

 

 

 

But the big surprise was inside the church – hanging on the wall was a photocopied index of all deaths and burials in the parish – dating back to the 1600’s – produced by a local parishioner and sorted in order of Surname/Christian Name/date of death. Five pages of Wrefords!! All of my ancestors were there!! So I think my research of that line of the Johnston tree is now complete.

 

 

So that’s my roast beef and yorkshire pudding – and my week’s supply of vegetables!!

The London Inn was an interesting way to celebrate our anniversary.

 

 

Now to Woodbury park for some golf.