George & Celia Coldridge of Exeter
George COLDRIDGE, born in Doddiscombsleigh in 1819, is the fifth son of John & Betsey COLDRIDGE and just 2 years older than my great-great-grandfather Charles. When he appears in the censuses he is living in Exeter working as an organ builder. He had 1 daughter by his first marriage.
George COLDRIDGE, age 30, bachelor, Organ builder, residing The Friars Walk, son of John COLDRIDGE, Farmer & Celia NICHOLLS, age 29, spinster, residing Upper St Paul, daughter of Henry NICHOLLS, Relieving Officer – Marriage 25th September 1852 in the Parish Church of St Mary Steps Exeter after banns. Both signed. Witnesses Jarvis NICHOLLS and Merina COLDRIDGE.
George COLDRIDGE & Celia NICHOLLS – Marriage registration September (Q3) 1852 in Exeter.
1861 census for Exeter
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Exeter St Sidwell⧉ Holy Trinity Paragon Place |
Nathaniel PIDGEON Ann PIDGEON George COLDRIDGE |
53 60 40 |
Head Wife Visitor |
Porter Organ Builder |
| Exeter St David⧉ St Mary Arches Mary Arches St |
Charles DICKER Elizabeth DICKER Laura COLDRIDGE James EASTERBROOK |
68 60 8 22 |
Head Wife Boarder Boarder |
Organ Builder Cabinet Maker |
In 1861 George was living in Exeter like most of his brothers. In the census his status is given as widower and I found the following records:
Henry Nichols COLDRIDGE – Birth registration June (Q2) 1857 in Exeter.
Henry Nichols COLDRIDGE – Death registration September (Q3) 1857 in Exeter. [†]
Celia COLDRIDGE – Death registration December (Q4) 1857 in Exeter. George & Celia had only been married for 5 years when Celia died.
A notice of Celia's death appeared in the Exeter Flying Post on Thursday 7th January 1858:
December 21, in Upper Paul-street, Exeter, aged 36, Celia, the beloved wife of Mr. George COLDRIDGE, and daughter of Mr. NICHOLLS, of Kingsbridge.
George and Celia's daughter also appears in the 1861 census. Presumably this is George's normal abode given the uncommon occupation of both George and his landlord Charles DICKER.
Laura Nicholls COLDRIDGE – Birth registration June (Q2) 1853 in Exeter.