John PIKE [Parents] was born about 1851 in Teignmouth, Devon, England. He died on 28 Apr 1906 in South Molton, Devon, England. He married 1 Emily MELHUISH in 1890 in Exeter, Devon, England.
1891 British census:
Dwelling: 4 Brixham Terrace
Census Place: Withycombe Raleigh, Devon, England
Source: FHL Film 6096786 PRO Ref RG12 Piece 1676 Folio 24 Page 4 Family 29PIKE John, head, M, age 40, b. Teignmouth, Devon, Occ. Living on his own means
PIKE Emily, wife, M, age 24, b. Tiverton, Devon
PIKE Ann, mother, W, age 76, b. Luton, Devon, Occ. Living on her own means
PIKE Gwendoline E., daughter, -, age 5m, b. Exmouth, Devon
WALTERS Emma, servant, S, age 21, b. Tavistock, Devon, Occ. General Servant Domestic----------------------------------------------------------
1901 British Census:
Dwelling: Lansdown Villa
Census Place: South Molton, Devon, England
Source: PRO Ref RG13 Piece 2141 Folio 67 Page 1 Family 2PIKE John, head, M, age 50, b. Teignmouth, Devon, Occ. Living on own means
PIKE Emily, wife, M, age 35, b. Washfield, Devon
PIKE Gwendoline E., daughter, S, age 10, b. Exmouth, Devon
PIKE Dorothy E., daughter, S, age 6, b. Exmouth, Devon
PIKE Olive M., daughter, S, age 1, b. Exmouth, Devon
PIKE Ann, mother, W, age 85, b. Luton, Devon, Occ. Living on own means
QUICK Trena, servant, S, age 18, b. Torrington, Devon, Occ. General Servant Domestic----------------------------------------------------------
Notes from Bob Lush, 2007:JOHN PIKE, husband of EMILY PIKE nee MELHUISH
The inquest upon the death of John Pike appeared in both the Tiverton Gazette & E Devon Herald 8 May 1906 p6c8, and the Southmolton Gazette 5 May 1906. Except for the first paragraph, the remainder of the report is the same in each newspaper. The report below is from the Southmolton Gazette. The first paragraph in the Tiverton Gazette is as follows:
The sympathy of many Tiverton people is extended to Mrs Pike, of Southmolton, who has lost her husband under tragic circumstances. Mrs. Pike was a daughter of Mr. John Melhuish, formerly of Hatherland Farm, Washfield, who was a respected member of the old Tiverton Highway Board. She was at one time an assistant in the drapery business now carried on by Mr Pulsford in Tiverton. For the last few years she has been living at Southmolton, where a few days ago her husband shot himself in a summer house in his garden.SUICIDE AT SOUTHMOLTON.
Mr. John Pike, of Gunsdown-villas, Southmolton, committed suicide on Saturday morning by placing the muzzle of a gun in his mouth and shooting himself. He had of late been much depressed, and is said to have been upset by the contents of a letter received that morning. Deceased came from the neighbourhood of Exmouth to reside at Southmolton some years ago, and was of a reserved disposition. He leaves a widow and three children.At the inquest held at Fern Bank on Monday last by Mr. G. W. F. Brown, of Barnstaple, Mr. G. H. Mountjoy was chosen foreman of the jury.
The Coroner, in opening the proceedings, said the following letter addressed to Mr. Bastin, solicitor, of Exmouth, was left behind:
Dear Mr. Bastin, -Why didn't you write to me as promised. I know there is something wrong, when I placed the sale in your hands, and myself as well, so that you could put me right. Why do you always write through Crewes and Son? Pike. You are responsible for my death.
It appeared that Mr. Pike had been desirous of disposing of one of two houses he possessed at Exmouth. Mr. Bastin, his solicitor, had placed the matter in the hands of Messrs. Crewes and Son, but another firm of land agents, Messrs. Blackmore and Son, had introduced a client who was prepared to pay £825 for the property. The deceased, however, declined to sell under £850. Mr. Bastin's client consented to pay this sum, whereupon Messrs. Crewes and Son offered £870 free of commission. On this Mr. Pike wrote Mr. Bastin asking his advice. Mr. Bastin then ascertained that the letter of acceptance of Messrs. Blackmore's offer had been stamped and that therefore the preliminary contract had been completed. Mr. Bastin had been communicated with and was present, with Mr. A. P. Seldon who was prepared to produce all the correspondence between the deceased and Mr. Bastin. Apparently the deceased expected a letter from Mr. Bastin on Saturday morning, and its non-arrival evidently preyed on his mind, but from the evidence that would be produced there was no justification for the letter deceased left behind.
Emily Pike, the widow, said they had resided at Southmolton for seven years. Her uusband had property at Exmouth, and Mr. E. M. Bastin, solicitor, of Exmouth, acted for him. Correspondence had taken place between them, and deceased had decided to sell the property for £850. The agreement was forwarded to the deceased. He, however, afterwards received another offer of £875, but Mr. Bastin informed him that he could not legally dispose of the property, he having accepted the former offer. Her husband troubled over trifles, and he had been worried over her illness. On Saturday, the day of the tragedy, he breakfasted with her, and seemed in his usual spirits. They talked over the houses and she advised him not to let the loss of £40 or £50 worry him.
Ellan Baker, servant, said her master had breakfast, about 8.30 a.m. He went out shortly after 9 and she subsequently saw him in a house in the garden. She thought he looked strange and she ran for Mr. Hill, a neighbour. Deceased had been greatly worried owing to Mrs. Pike's illness. She had lived in the family nearly two years.
Mr. James Hill, retired farmer, living next door, said he was called by the previous witness about 9.30. He found deceased in the outhouse in a sitting position, with the gun between his legs. He took the gun and put it outside the door, not thinking Mr. Pike was dead. He first told Mrs. Pike, and then at her request fetched Dr. Wigham. When he first saw Mr. Pike he was sitting on a sack with some earth in it. Deceased had been upset by Mrs. Pike's illness and absence in London, but when he knew an operation I had been successfully performed he appeared relieved. Subsequently he became depressed, and sometimes appeared quite lost. On such occasions he would not recover himself for some minutes.
Emma Northam, housekeeper to Mr. Clarke, another neighbour, said she heard a gun fired off about 9.15. As Mr. Pike frequently used his gun to scare birds she took no notice.
Dr. W. Harper Wigham, M.D., said he was called to the deceased by Mr. Hill, and arrived soon after 10. He found Mr. Pike dead. There were no marks on him save in his mouth, which was blackened by the powder. The bones of the skull were shattered by the shot coming out the top of his head, and lodging in the ceiling of the out-house. Deceased died from a gunshot wound self-inflicted. Witness could draw no inferences as to his mental condition.
Mr. Seldon, on behalf of Mr. Bastin, produced the correspondence between Mr. Pike and Mr. Bastin, Crewes and.Son, and Blackmore and Son. Mr. Bastin was an old friend of Mr. Pike, having known him at Exmouth when deceased resided there, and was very upset at what had occurred, especially as such a letter had been left behind. Having been instructed by Mr. Pike, Mr. Bastin spoke to Crewes and Son re the sale of Mr. Pike's house. Blackmore and Son having got to hear of the sale, wrote Mr. Pike offering £850, less fees, and that he accepted. Crewes and Son made a better offer afterwards of £875 free. Mr. Pike wrote Mr. Bastin to know if he could get out of the contract with the Blackmores. Mr. Bastin wired that he could not, as the provisional contract had been stamped. That meant a loss of about £40. There was absolutely no foundation for what the deceased had written on the letter. In a previous letter to Mr. Bastin deceased had said how satisfied he was that Mr. Bastin was doing his best for him.
Mr. E. Bastin briefly gave evidence, in which he said he was doing all he could to expedite the settlement. The deeds were in his office. There was a small mortgage on the house and on seeing the news of Mr. Pike's death in a paper, the holder sent for them the same night.
A Juryman: There does not appear to be the slightest foundation for the statement made in the letter.
Mr. Hill (re-called) said he found the letter fastened to a board with a pin.
The Coroner summed up, and commented very feelingly on the reflection cast upon Mr. Bastin, by the letter. There was clearly no imputation deserved, and everything necessary had been done. Deceased had no one to blame but himself, and from the evidence of the widow it was clear that he was an excitable man.
The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide by shooting himself at a time when he was insane, and they attached no blame to Mr. Bastin.
The Coroner expressed sympathy with Mr. Bastin for being placed in such an awkward position.
The jury passed a vote of condolence with the widow and family.
Emily MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 in 1866 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She was christened on 15 Jan 1866. She died 2 in 1906 in Exeter RD, Devon, England. She married 3 John PIKE in 1890 in Exeter, Devon, England. Emily was employed as School Mistress.
Notes from Bob Lush, 2007:
Emily bap 15 Jan 1866 Washfield, father a yeoman. At 1881 census (transcript) she was 15 and was described as a schoolmistress. I now find that Emily was also a draper's assistant, to a man named Pulsford whose business was also at 14 Fore Street where Roberts and Patterson had been. Jean's mother, when she first came to Tiverton, had also been an assistant with Pulsford.
Emily married a man named John Pike. It is believed that they had three children. Two were daughters when they were living at Exmouth, Devon, and I know little about the third daughter. Gwendoline Emily born 14 Oct 1890, bap 27 Dec 1890 Withycombe Raleigh parish church. Living then at 43 Brixton Terrace, Exmouth. Father described as a gentleman. Dorothy Ellen bap 28 Dec 1894 Littleham parish church. Then living at 11 Hamilton Terrace, Exmouth. John Pike died a tragic death. See separate sheet on the inquest. After this, at some time, the daughters Dorothy and Olive were brought up by Douglas's mother Rachel.
They had the following children:
F i Gwendoline Emily PIKE was born 1 on 14 Oct 1890 in Exmouth, Devon, England. She was christened on 27 Dec 1890 in Withycombe Raleigh, Devon, England. F ii Dorothy Ellen PIKE was born 1 in 1894 in Exmouth, Devon, England. She was christened on 28 Dec 1894 in Littleham, Devon, England. F iii Olive Mabel PIKE was born 1 in 1899 in Exmouth, Devon, England.
LATHAM. married Mary Quartly MELHUISH.
Mary Quartly MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 in 1869 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She was christened on 04 Jun 1869 in Washfield, Devon, England. She married LATHAM.
Other marriages:MELHUISH, Robert Turner
Living
1881 British Census:
Dwelling: Pitt Farm
Census Place: Hennock, Devon, England
Source: FHL Film 1341520 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2159 Folio 62 Page 5Mary 11, is living with her uncle Peter and grand aunt Sarah WERE.
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Mary Quartly MELHUISH went to New Zealand and is thought to have married 3 times:1. LATHAM(?)
2. Robert Turner MELHUISH (her distant cousin), Christchurch, NZ
3. COBURN [Frances Charles James COCKBURN]Had a daughter Renee King.
In 1881 British Census, could be the Mary MELHUISH described as niece, age 11 years, staying with her uncle Peter WERE at Pitt Farm, Hennock, Devon.
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Info from Alan Buckley 2004:
Mary Quartly (Melhuish) COCKBURN. Probate No 4382. Place Nelson. Occupation, Widow. Court Nelson.
Robert Turner MELHUISH died on 09 Sep 1913 in Nelson, New Zealand. He married 1 Mary Quartly MELHUISH on 04 Feb 1896 in St Marys, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand. Robert was employed as Draper.
Info from Alan Buckley 2004:
Will of Robert Turner MELHUISH filed in Wellington Court, 7 Oct 1913. Probate No 15855. Enquiries to Archives NZ, Wellington.
Mary Quartly MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 in 1869 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She was christened on 04 Jun 1869 in Washfield, Devon, England. She married 2 Robert Turner MELHUISH on 04 Feb 1896 in St Marys, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Other marriages:LATHAM,
Living
1881 British Census:
Dwelling: Pitt Farm
Census Place: Hennock, Devon, England
Source: FHL Film 1341520 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2159 Folio 62 Page 5Mary 11, is living with her uncle Peter and grand aunt Sarah WERE.
----------------------------------------------------------
Mary Quartly MELHUISH went to New Zealand and is thought to have married 3 times:1. LATHAM(?)
2. Robert Turner MELHUISH (her distant cousin), Christchurch, NZ
3. COBURN [Frances Charles James COCKBURN]Had a daughter Renee King.
In 1881 British Census, could be the Mary MELHUISH described as niece, age 11 years, staying with her uncle Peter WERE at Pitt Farm, Hennock, Devon.
------
Info from Alan Buckley 2004:
Mary Quartly (Melhuish) COCKBURN. Probate No 4382. Place Nelson. Occupation, Widow. Court Nelson.
Mary Quartly MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 in 1869 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She was christened on 04 Jun 1869 in Washfield, Devon, England. She married Living in 1917.
Other marriages:LATHAM,
MELHUISH, Robert Turner
1881 British Census:
Dwelling: Pitt Farm
Census Place: Hennock, Devon, England
Source: FHL Film 1341520 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2159 Folio 62 Page 5Mary 11, is living with her uncle Peter and grand aunt Sarah WERE.
----------------------------------------------------------
Mary Quartly MELHUISH went to New Zealand and is thought to have married 3 times:1. LATHAM(?)
2. Robert Turner MELHUISH (her distant cousin), Christchurch, NZ
3. COBURN [Frances Charles James COCKBURN]Had a daughter Renee King.
In 1881 British Census, could be the Mary MELHUISH described as niece, age 11 years, staying with her uncle Peter WERE at Pitt Farm, Hennock, Devon.
------
Info from Alan Buckley 2004:
Mary Quartly (Melhuish) COCKBURN. Probate No 4382. Place Nelson. Occupation, Widow. Court Nelson.
They had the following children:
F i Living
J. EASTON.J. married Kate MELHUISH.
Kate MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 on 04 Feb 1872 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She was christened on 22 Mar 1872 in Washfield, Devon, England. She married J. EASTON.
Ann was born about 1815 in Luton, Devon, England. She married PIKE.
They had the following children:
M i John PIKE
Rev. John Robert MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 on 13 Dec 1876 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. He died 2 in 1939 in Camberwell RD, London, England. He married Rachel Smart MEIKLE.
Notes from Bob Lush, 2007:
The Reverend JOHN MELHUISH Senior (1876-1939)
From Crockford's Clerical Directories 1920 and 1930:St Paul's Vicarage, Forest Hill (with an address at 20 Tyson Road, Forest Hill)
St David's College, Lampeter
Licentiate in Divinity 1912
Deacon 1912
Priest Southwark 1813
Vicar of St Paul's, Forest Hill 1920
Curate of All Saints, Hatcham 1912-1915
Chaplain, South Wales Training College, Carmarthen 1915-1919
Temporary Chaplain to the Forces 1916-1920----------------------------------------------------------
Information provided by Keith Jeffery Mar 06, 2002:Vicar of St. Pauls, Forest Hills, Southwark, London 1920-1935
Rachel Smart MEIKLE was born on 31 Jul 1881. She died 1 in 1978 in Salisbury RD, Wiltshire, England. She married Rev. John Robert MELHUISH.
They had the following children:
F i Olive MELHUISH was born 1 in 1903 in Lambeth RD, London, England. She died 2 in 1967 in Bath RD, Somerset, England. M ii Rev. John MELHUISH was born 1 on 11 Mar 1906 in Exeter RD, Devon, England. He died 2 in 1980 in Winchester RD, Hampshire, England.
Notes from Bob Lush, 2007:
The Reverend JOHN MELHUISH Junior (1907-1980)
From Crockford's Clerical Directory 1949-1950:
Late Classical Scholar of St David's College, Lampeter
Bachelor of Arts 1927
Lincoln College, Oxford
Bachelor of Arts 1930
Master of Arts 1933
Wells Theological College 1929
Deacon 1930
Priest Coventry 1931
Curate of Stockingford 1930-1932
Chaplain to the Forces, Aldershot 1932-1933
Bordon 1933-1935
Strensall 1935
Malta 1935-1936
Palestine 1936-1939
Middle East Forces 1939-1942
Catterick 1943
East Central District 1943-1944
Commonwealth Military Forces 1944-1946
M. E. I. F. 1946-1947
Deputy Assistant Chaplain General, East Anglian District from 1947
Address: 85 Millway, London NW7; and care of War Office, London SW1.M iii Rev. Douglas MELHUISH
Len DALRYMPLE.Len married Edith MELHUISH.
Edith MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 in 1879 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She married Len DALRYMPLE.
They had the following children:
F i Living
Bertram Harry JEFFERY was born 1 on 21 May 1874 in Melcombe Regis, Dorset, England. He married 2 Amy MELHUISH on 18 Mar 1903 in St James, Exeter, Devon, England. Bertram was employed as Brewers Clerk.
Amy MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 on 21 May 1880 in Moorhayes, Washfield, Devon, England. She married 2 Bertram Harry JEFFERY on 18 Mar 1903 in St James, Exeter, Devon, England.
Charles MELHUISH [Parents] was born 1 on 08 Dec 1882 in Washfield, Devon, England. He married Edith PASSMORE.
Notes from Bob Lush, 2007:
By 1919 Charles was living at No. 5 Fairpark Road, Exeter. In 1965 Anne was living at Winslade Park, Clyst St. Mary, near Exeter. By 1998 she had moved to Torquay. Her son Richard is believed to have married Julia Parkin, and by 1980 Richard and Julia were living at Harrow, Middlesex.
Edith PASSMORE.Edith married Charles MELHUISH.
They had the following children:
F i Living