Joseph & Elizabeth Coldridge of Doddiscombsleigh
Joseph COLDRIDGE, born in Doddiscombsleigh in 1825, is the eighth son of John & Betsey COLDRIDGE, and like his older brother William he is a farmer in Doddiscombsleigh all his life. He appears to have had 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Joseph COLDRIDGE's marriage at the age of 31 to Elizabeth DIGGINES, also born in Doddiscombsleigh, was registered in December 1856 in Exeter.
Joseph COLDRIDGE, age 30, Bachelor, Farmer, residing Mary Arches Street, son of John COLDRIDGE, Farmer, married Elizabeth DIGGINES, Spinster, residing Mary Arches Street, daughter of William DIGGINES, Inn Keeper, on 17th October 1856 in the Parish Church of St Mary Arches Exeter after banns. Both signed. Witnesses Celia COLDRIDGE and Charles DICKER.
1861 census for Doddiscombsleigh
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Doddiscombsleigh Holmbush Farm |
Joseph COLDRIDGE Elizabeth COLDRIDGE John COLDRIDGE Elizabeth COLDRIDGE Mary Ann COLDRIDGE Henry BOLLEY Edward BURNETT Sarah FERRIS |
34 32 4 3 1 26 17 14 |
Head Wife Son Daughter Daughter Servant Servant Servant |
Farmer Farmer's Wife Farmer's Son Ag. Labourer Ploughman Housemaid |
In 1861 Joseph and Elizabeth have a young family and they are looking after the 230 acre Holmbush Farm rather than his older brother William as might be expected.
John COLDRIDGE was baptised on 22nd March 1857 in Doddiscombsleigh, giving his abode as "Popple House", and his birth was registered in March 1857 in St Thomas, only 3 months after they were married.
Elizabeth COLDRIDGE was baptised on 21st March 1858 in Doddiscombsleigh, giving her abode as "Holmbush", and her birth was registered in March 1858 in St Thomas.
Mary Ann COLDRIDGE was baptised on 19th February 1860 in Doddiscombsleigh, giving her abode as "Holmbush", and her birth was registered in March 1860 in St Thomas.
1871 census for Doddiscombsleigh
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Doddiscombsleigh Woodah Farm |
Joseph COLDRIDGE Elisabeth COLDRIDGE Mary Ann COLDRIDGE Thomas COLDRIDGE William COLDRIDGE Mary Ann CARPENTER Henry BOLLEY Robert DENSHAM |
45 43 11 9 7 22 35 19 |
Head Wife Daughter Son Son Servant Servant Servant |
Farmer of 130 acres Farmers wife Scholar Scholar Scholar General Servant Farm Labourer Farm Labourer |
In 1871 Joseph and Elizabeth have moved from Holmbush to Woodah farm, half a mile to the west of Doddiscombsleigh village.
Thomas COLERIDGE was baptised on 14th July 1861 in Doddiscombsleigh, giving his abode as "Holmbush", and his birth was registered in September 1861 in St Thomas.
William COLDRIDGE was baptised on 16th August 1863 in Doddiscombsleigh, giving his abode as "Woodah", and his birth was registered in September 1863 in St Thomas.
1871 census for Exeter
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Exeter St Stephen King's Lodge College |
John COLDRIDGE | 14 | Pupil |
In 1871 Joseph & Elizabeth's son John is at school in Exeter. Their daughter Elizabeth is also in Exeter, staying with John & Elizabeth. (there are too many Elizabeths)
1881 census for Doddiscombsleigh
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Doddiscombsleigh Woodah Farm |
Joseph COLDRIDGE Elisabeth COLDRIDGE John COLDRIDGE Elisabeth COLDRIDGE Mary A. COLDRIDGE William COLDRIDGE Elisabeth COLDRIDGE Kate T HOWARD Henry BULLEY George COUNTER Emma TODD |
55 52 24 23 21 17 52 22 45 20 14 |
Head Wife Son Daughter Daughter Son Visitor Boarder Servant Servant Servant |
Farmer Farmer Farmer School Mistress B S Farm Servant (Indoors) Farm Servant (Indoors) General Servant |
In 1881 Joseph & Elizabeth are still at Woodah farm with all their children except Thomas. Elizabeth COLDRIDGE, their visitor, was born around 1829 in Exeter. She is probably the widow of Joseph's brother John who died in 1880.
The following announcement appeared in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette on Friday 21st January 1881. However, Mary Anne still appears on the 1881 Doddiscombsleigh census:
OTTERY ST. MARY. SCHOOL BOARD. An application was read from Miss M. A. COLERIDGE, of Doddiscombsleigh, asking to be allowed to take the post of assistant-mistress at the Board's school, without salary. Very good testimonials were received, and the Board unanimously acceded to the request, the appointment to date from the 10th January.
There are records of Joseph & Elizabeth's daughter's marriages:
Mary Anne COLDRIDGE's marriage at the age of 25 to Ben Woolley STEADHAM was registered in September 1885 in St Thomas.
Elizabeth COLDRIDGE's marriage at the age of 29 to William BRADRIDGE was registered in September 1887 in St Thomas. A notice in the Western Times records the marriage on 15th August at Doddiscombsleigh Church: William BRADRIDGE of Sutton, South Brent to Elizabeth (Bessie), eldest daughter of Mr. J COLERIDGE of Woodah, Doddiscombsleigh.
1881 census for London
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| London, Pancras 28 Tottenham Place |
Thomas COLDRIDGE | 19 | Head | Salesman Drapers |
The 1881 London census records Thomas COLDRIDGE born in Doddiscombsleigh, whose age matches Joseph's son. I have no idea how he came to be working in London.
1891 census for Doddiscombsleigh
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Doddiscombsleigh Woodah |
Joseph COLDRIDGE Thomas COLDRIDGE Edwin HAWES Emma THOMPSON Kate GLASSON Mary ELSTON Henry BULLEY Frank CROSS Jack HUTCHINGS |
65 29 28 26 23 34 54 19 16 |
Head Son Boarder Housekeeper Lodger Servant Servant Servant Servant |
Farmer (Em'er) Farmer's Son (Em'er) Attendant Agricultural Housekeeper Schoolmistress General Serv Dom Farm Servant Farm Servant Farm Servant |
In 1891 Joseph, the last of John and Betsy's children to live in Doddiscombsleigh, is a widower living on Woodah Farm with his son Thomas. Joseph's other sons, John and William, had married and left home by 1891.
Elizabeth COLDRIDGE's death, aged 60, was registered in December 1888 in St Thomas, and her burial on 24th November 1888 is recorded in Doddiscombsleigh parish.
Joseph COLDRIDGE's death, aged 65, was registered in December 1891 in St Thomas, and his burial on 23rd October 1891 is recorded in Doddiscombsleigh parish.
Joseph COLDRIDGE of Doddiscombsleigh Devon farmer died 19 October 1891 Probate Exeter 27 January 1892 to Thomas COLDRIDGE farmer and William COLDRIDGE forage dealer Effects £716 13s. 6d.
The newspaper ads below shed some light on the workings of Woodah farm through the 1880's:
Western Times, Friday 22nd July 1887. Wanted in farmhouse, thorough WORKING ASSISTANT, treated as one of the family. Young servant kept. Mrs. COLERIDGE, Woodah, Doddiscombsleigh, Dunsford, near Exeter.
Western Times, Friday 11th May 1888. WANTED a strong active LAD in a Farm House, able to milk and make himself generally useful. J. COLDRIDGE, Woodah Farm, Doddiscombsleigh, Dunsford.
Western Times, Friday 23rd November 1888. WANTED at once for farmhouse thorough WORKING HOUSEKEEPER ; no mistress ; children ; young servant kept. Mr. COLERIDGE, Woodah, Doddiscombsleigh, near Exeter.
Bristol Mercury, Friday 18th September 1891. WANTED. In homely family in country, a YOUNG MAN to attend on invalid farmer (not mental). Comfortable home. Salary £12. T. COLDRIDGE, Woodah Farm, Doddiscombsleigh, near Exeter.
The following article appeared in the Exeter Flying Post on Saturday 28th March 1896, and may explain Thomas's migration to Essex by the time of the 1901 census:
Disastrous Fire at Doddiscombsleigh. A disastrous fire broke out early on Tuesday at Woodah Farm, Doddiscombsleigh, in the occupation of Mr. T. COLDRIDGE. The outbreak was discovered in the thatched roof of the dairy soon after four o'clock this morning, and all efforts to extinguish it being unavailing, the Exeter Fire Brigade were called. On their arrival, under Supt Pett, they found that the flames had spread to the dwelling-house, and so rapidly that some of the inmates had to escape in their night-clothes. The outbreak was soon got under with a plentiful supply of water, but not before the house, some outbuildings, and nearly the whole of their contents, including valuable machinery, had been destroyed. The damage is estimated at about £1,400. The farm, which formerly belonged to Lord Haldon, was the property of the Commercial Union. The tenant is insured in the Sun office.
A month after the fire, on Tuesday 28th Apr 1896, the following notice was posted in the Western Times:
Lost. Strayed from Doddiscombsleigh, Bay Exmoor MARE PONY, 12 hands high; expenses paid. T. COLDRIDGE, Woodah Farm, Doddiscombsleigh.
Lastly, the following notice appeared in the Western Times on Thursday 24th December 1896:
WOODAH FARM. To be let from Lady-day next the above mentioned farm situate in the parish of Doddiscombsleigh, 6 1/2 Miles from the City of Exeter, and consisting of Orchards, Buildings &c 6 Acres. Pasture 2 Acres. Meadow 15 Acres. Arable 104 Acres. Total 129 Acres. A new Farmhouse is being erected, and there are ample buildings. The tenant, Mr COLDRIDGE, will kindly show intending applicants over the Farm by appointment.
1901 census for Essex
| Address | Name | Age | Relation | Occupation |
| Essex, Bradwell On Sea | Tom COLERIDGE Emmie THOMPSON Annie WILLS Henry BULLEY |
35 35 19 69 |
Head Housekeeper Servant Servant |
Farmer Housekeeper General Servant Yardman on Farm |
The 1901 census also records Tom COLERIDGE, born in Doddiscombsleigh, as a farmer in Essex. Although his actual age is 39, he is clearly Joseph's son as he has brought his housekeeper and old Henry Bulley with him to Essex. He followed his nephew to Canada a few years later.
The following notice appeared in the London Gazette:
12th November 1909. Receiving order. Thomas COLERIDGE, Farmer, Curry Farm, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex.