Vital Statistics
Gilbert Pinsent: 1758 – 1835 GRO1176 (Tenant Farmer, Abbotskerswell & Kingsteignton)
Margaret Snow: 1756 – 1843
Married: 1790: Kingsteignton, Devon
Children by Margaret Snow:
Thomas Pinsent: 1790 – 1804
Mary Snow Pinsent: 1793 – 1890 (Married George Wills, 1832, Abbotskerswell, Devon)
William Pinsent: 1797 – 1882 (Farmer & Bookseller; Married Jane Crockwell, Coffinswell, Devon, 1822)
John Pinsent: 1799 – 1858 (Farmer; Married Ann Brock, Abbotskerswell, Devon, 1831)
Family Branch: Hennock
PinsentID: GRO1176
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Gilbert Pinsent was the third eldest of John Pinsent and Susanna (née Pooke’s) surviving sons. His birth record seems to be missing but, if his age at death was 77 years as reported, he would have been born in around 1758. He was probably born in Newton Abbot. Both of his parents died in 1772 and Gilbert and his younger brothers (Charles, Samuel and Joseph Pinsent) went to live with their grandparents Thomas Pinsent and Mary (née Gale) at “Pitt Farm” in Hennock.
Gilbert’s grandmother and his grandfather died in 1744 and 1777 respectively; so the brothers were in fact brought up by his son, their uncle, Thomas Pinsent, and his wife, Mary (nee Mudge). They had no children of their own and were probably very pleased to have them around. It is worth noting that Gilbert and William Pinsent (possibly his son?) were called upon to witness the will and codicil of Samuel Mudge, Gent., of Lindridge Hill in Kingsteignton, in 1821 (Inland Revenue Wills: 1821).
Whether Gilbert was formally apprenticed to work at “Pitt” I do not know; but he was certainly brought up to be a farmer seems to have been very successful at it. Gilbert had moved out by the time his uncle, Thomas Pinsent of “Pitt”, died. When he did so, he left £50 apiece to the five “sons of (his brother) John Pinsent.” Gilbert’s younger brother Charles had the good fortune to inherit “Pitt.” His life is described elsewhere.
Gilbert had married Margaret Snow by license in Kingsteignton in 1790 and had three sons; of whom two (William Pinsent and John Pinsent) lived to maturity, married and had children of their own. They also had a daughter, Mary Snow Pinsent who also married.
Gilbert was a tenant farmer at “Ponswin”, east of Stoney Copse in Kingsteignton from 1797 (if not earlier) to 1824, and paid £1 13/4d in Land Tax annually for the privilege. While there, he was assigned apprentices by the local parish guardians. Some, such as Thomas Carnell (in 1805) and George Joslyn (1818) were for work on the farm at “Ponswin;” however, others, such as James Tapp (1811) and Sally Stephens Towell (1818) were given for nearby by properties at “Lindridge Hill” and “Church Gate Estates.” Gilbert had probably added to his rental holdings (Kingsteignton Apprentice Register: 1775-1823).
Gilbert also apprenticed an eleven-year old girl called Elizabeth Carnell (Thomas Carnell’s sister?) as an apprentice in 1812 and Deborah Cass uses a transcript of the original, signed, indenture in her book “Writing your Family History: A Practical Guide” (Crowood: 2012) to illustrate how these documents were worded – at least in Devon in the early 1800s. It was a two-way commitment. Elizabeth was expected to learn about and help with the housekeeping and husbandry, and Gilbert was to look after her until she reached the age of 21-years or, with his permission, married earlier.
Gilbert and his younger brother Charles (who owned land at “Lower Albrook” – north of the village of Kingsteignton) were contemporaries of Thomas Pinsent (the DEVONPORT draper – see elsewhere) who farmed at “Greenhills” on the southern outskirts of Kingsteignton. They were all men of influence in the district and Gilbert, along with his son (?) William, were called upon to witness the will and codicil of neighbour, Samuel Mudge of “Lindridge” in 1820 (Inland Revenue: Stamp Act Wills: 1820). Gilbert was politically active; that same year he supported the nomination of a Mr. E. P. Bastard for Member of Parliament (Exeter Flying Post: Thursday 16th March 1820).
Gilbert and Margaret’s eldest son, Thomas Pinsent, died young. Their second child, Mary Snow Pinsent, lived and married a widower, George Wills, in Ilsington in 1832. He was an affluent farmer. Their third child, William Pinsent, started out as a farmer but later in life drifted into other less lucrative professions. He died in the Newton Abbot Union Workhouse in 1882. His life, and that of his younger brother John Pinsent – who stuck with farming and took over their father’s farm on his death in 1835 – are also discussed elsewhere.
In 1824, Gilbert left “Ponswin” and moved to “Aller Barton”, a farm owned by Rev. G. Baker of South Brent on the eastern boundary of Abbotskerswell parish. “Aller” was valued at £24 16s per annum in Land Tax and Gilbert shared the property with Richard Turner until around 1829, and with William Bickford up until at least 1831 – when the tax records come to an end. While living there, Gilbert also farmed “Lang Bridge” (valued at £1 10s) in the same parish and “Brent” in nearby Kingskerswell (valued at 7s 7d). They too belonged to Rev. Baker. Gilbert also shared “Mudgery Down” and “Catslades”, in Marldon (owned by a Mrs. Easterley) with other farmers from 1826 to 1831. He may have farmed the “Catslades” portion, which was taxed at 13s 9d by himself in 1829. In 1830, Gilbert added “Goldmoors” in Wolborough, owned by Robert Codners, to his holdings at a land tax of £1 7/4d. He was a busy man! However, he had two sons and they, presumably, helped him manage his holdings.
The Rev. Baker retained the timber rights for his properties and offered 100 oak, 56 elm and 60 ash trees “of large dimensions” for sale by auction on 23rd February 1826 (Exeter Flying Post: Thursday 16th February 1826). Prospective purchasers were advised to see Mr. Pinsent at “Aller”. Trees were a valuable resource – particularly oaks as they were much prized by the Royal Navy. By that date Gilbert had probably handed the day-to-day running of the farm to his son, John.
Gilbert was a wealthy farmer at a time when the rural economy in England was in crisis – it was an issue that his brother Joseph Pinsent regularly complained about in the press. Grain prices were low because of cheap imports and farmers were forced to mechanize to reduce costs. Gilbert and his son John, and another farmer named Mr. T. Elliott, were seen to be using threshing machines and they received threatening letters that accused them of putting people out of work.
In the event, Gilbert’s farm was spared but Mr. Elliott’s farmhouse, his infrastructure, his barns and threshing machine were burnt down on the 22nd December 1830. Unfortunately for Mr. Elliott, they were not insured. The likely culprits had been seen lurking in the village but there is no indication that anyone was ever caught or convicted (Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle: Monday 13th January 1831).
Gilbert died at “Aller Barton” and was buried in Kingsteignton in November 1835. His son John continued to work the farm and his mother, Gilbert’s widow, Margaret (née Snow) is described as being “independent” in the 1841 Census, so she retained some wealth and standing in the community. She died in Abbotskerswell in December 1843 and was buried in Kingsteignton early in January 1844.
Her son, John surrendered “Aller” back to its owner and “Kelly’s Directory of Devon” suggests that much of it had fallen into the hands of the “Aller Vale Fine Arts Pottery Co.” by 1902. The area had long been known for its clay deposits and that was where the future lay. John moved to “Ware Barton”, a farm in Kingsteignton, in 1847. His life is discussed elsewhere.
Family Tree
Grandparents
Grandfather: Thomas Pinsent: 1691 – 1777
Grandmother: Mary Gale: 1690 – 1774
Parents
Father: John Pinsent: 1728 – 1772
Mother: Susanna Pooke: 1730 – 1772
Father’s Siblings (Aunts, Uncles)
Urith Pinsent: 1714 – 1751
Thomas Pinsent: 1717 – 1802
Julian Pinsent: 1719 – 1721
Robert Pinsent: 1721 – 1783
Gilbert Pinsent: 1724 – 1794
Julian Pinsent: 1726 – xxxx
John Pinsent: 1728 – 1772 ✔️
Mary Pinsent: 1731 – xxxx
Male Siblings (Brothers)
John Pinsent: 1751 – 1753
John Pinsent: 1753 – 1821
Robert Pinsent: 1753 – 1787
Thomas Pinsent: 1754 – 1785
William Pinsent: 1757 – 1835
Gilbert Pinsent: 1758 – 1835 ✔️
Charles Pinsent: 1765 – 1765
Charles Pinsent: 1766 – 1826
Samuel Pinsent: 1767 – 1775
Joseph Pinsent: 1770 – 1835
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