PARISH HISTORY - Digory Gordge
The first Digory Gordge we know of was a merchant privateer in Cornwall. Digory died in 1643.
Digory’s fourth child (and only son) was also christened Digory Gordge. He was born in Cornwall in 1629. He married Elizabeth and became a farmer in Stanton St Gabriel (at Westhay Farm, which was then known as West Gabriel's) and a Customs Agent by the age of 30. Most likely, he was granted the farm for his services to Cromwell’s Parliament.
Digory’s eldest son was also christened Digory Gordge in 1659. He took over his father’s farm and ran it with his wife Ann. But he only outlived his father by eight years and was buried at Whitchurch Canonicorum in 1716.
Digory’s eldest son was also christened Digory Gordge in 1694. He took over the family farm at Westhay and also became a customs officer. He died in 1755 and he too was buried at Whitchurch.
Digory’s eldest nephew was christened Digory Gordge. He was born and died in Charmouth (just outside the parish of Stanton St Gabriel) and was prosecuted in 1765 for aiding and abetting smugglers. The parish council seems to have paid his fine.
In 1903, at the age of 94, a Digory Gordge was interviewed in the South Wales Evening Post. He told how, as a boy, he smuggled tubs of French brandy and once hid with his brother in a church and heard the preventive men shouting ‘Where be they? Which way be they gone?”
Digory’s fourth child (and only son) was also christened Digory Gordge. He was born in Cornwall in 1629. He married Elizabeth and became a farmer in Stanton St Gabriel (at Westhay Farm, which was then known as West Gabriel's) and a Customs Agent by the age of 30. Most likely, he was granted the farm for his services to Cromwell’s Parliament.
Digory’s eldest son was also christened Digory Gordge in 1659. He took over his father’s farm and ran it with his wife Ann. But he only outlived his father by eight years and was buried at Whitchurch Canonicorum in 1716.
Digory’s eldest son was also christened Digory Gordge in 1694. He took over the family farm at Westhay and also became a customs officer. He died in 1755 and he too was buried at Whitchurch.
Digory’s eldest nephew was christened Digory Gordge. He was born and died in Charmouth (just outside the parish of Stanton St Gabriel) and was prosecuted in 1765 for aiding and abetting smugglers. The parish council seems to have paid his fine.
In 1903, at the age of 94, a Digory Gordge was interviewed in the South Wales Evening Post. He told how, as a boy, he smuggled tubs of French brandy and once hid with his brother in a church and heard the preventive men shouting ‘Where be they? Which way be they gone?”
Also in 'Parish History':
Vikings ~ Fishtrap ~ Desertion ~ Recent times ~ Saddening agents ~ Digory Gordge ~ Buildings & Archaeology ~ Old photos
Vikings ~ Fishtrap ~ Desertion ~ Recent times ~ Saddening agents ~ Digory Gordge ~ Buildings & Archaeology ~ Old photos