In Issue 6 we told the story of Ann Stentiford and what a story! To
say the least, she lived a full life - perhaps not a surprising one to
an inner city social worker of the 21st century but for her day,
absolutely outrageous. Yet, more than 250 years after the Stentifords first
arrived in Sampford Courtenay, there were still Stentifords living there
as the 20th century began. The 17th century John Stentiford, who brought
his branch of the family across from southern Dartmoor and was described
in the Sampford parish register as a "worthy" - that
most complimentary of Devonshire terms, might have been rather surprised
to find his name perpetuated by descendents of our very own "Miss
Naughty" but in a twist of fate, that was what happened and
curiously enough, Ann's grandson, the last Stentiford to live in the
village, was also named John.
Ann Stentiford's name turns up in
several parish registers, vestry minutes, parish papers, bastardy orders
and a number of
Stentiford family trees. It would seem that in total she gave birth to
five illegitimate children, the first being William who was baptised 11
September 1811 at Sampford Courtenay when Ann herself was barely 18. He
was named after Ann's father who died young, leaving a widow and four
small children to the tender mercy of Sampford parish who got them off
their hands by negotiating a contract with the parish of North
Tawton for their "care".
Ann had her first baby in Sampford Courtenay; at his baptism he
was named William and the register was marked with the letters BB
standing for "Base Born". She left to go to South Zeal
to make a new life for herself - which she seems to
have done quite successfully. Baby William was left behind in Sampford
Courtenay in the care of others.
