Philip Passmore (1772 - 1818)

Born 1772 in North Molton, Devon, England

Ancestors

Died 1818 at about age 46 in North Molton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Philip was born in 1772. He was baptized on the 20th April 1772 in North Molton. He was the son of Philip Passmore and Margaret Kingdon. Philip married Elizabeth Slader at All Saints Church North Molton, by licence. They could also both sign their names. Witnesses to the marriage were his father Philip and his brother-in law Michael Slader. His occupation in 1801 recorded on the marriage entry was the same as his father a woolcomber. Philip was a beneficiary in his father's will of 1804 in which he receives all of his personal estate goods. He was also executor of the will. On Philip's burial record from 1818, he is described as having been Parish Clerk for 9 years. This ancient position in the parish carried with it a wide range of duties which varied slightly from one place to another Essentially, he was the priest’s assistant. His role which included singing and helping in church services, carrying out practical jobs, and also teaching in the church school. It sometimes carried with it administrative duties. This corresponds with Philip Passmore apparently having at least two occupations. As well as his burial, he was also described as being parish clerk in the baptism record of his son William on the 9th May 1813, and a schoolteacher in the baptism record of Michael on the 30th August 1816. Philip appears in a fragile volume of the Vestry Minutes for North Molton in 1809 and 1812. The signature of P Passmore appeared on October 2nd 1809 under an 8 day Vestry held this day to out poor children apprentices to fir masters. We adjudge the the following persons ought to take apprenties (here following names), Signed by us: Including P Passmore from the choice of Philip Passmores in parish at this time. This is almost certainly the subject of this report, giving approval of the choice of potential apprentice masters for poor children in the parish. The 1812 entries say: On the 30th March 1812: Memorandum if Philip Passmore and John Kingdon get the bells regularly chimed the ensuing year, that they shall be paid one guinea and if not done to the satisfaction of the parishioners they shall not be paid anything for chiming the said bells. There is another entry: Easter Monday March 30th 1812: I P Passmore do agree to keep the church clock winded up regularly for one year from the date hereof, and keep the same in repair for the sum of 2 pounds and the said clock shall kept thence in respect of keeping time. Philip was also constable of the parish, which was not like a modern policeman. It was not necessarily a full time job back then, but was someone to be summoned when the need arose to maintain law and order, and sometimes to carry out tasks such as escorting prisoners to court. Here are some entries from the Overseers Accounts from the latter days of his life: Casualty for the 11th month January 8th 1816, paid Philip Passmore Constable 4 shillings. Casualty for the 12th month February 4th 1816, paid Philip Passmore Constable 5 shillings. Thirteenth month March 4th Philip Passmore Constable 3 shillings. Sums paid since last month (March) Philip Passmore, journey to Nadrid (a farm near North Molton) one pound and 6 pence. Casualties for the first month April 1st 1816, paid Philip Passmore Constable 3 shillings. Also on this day, paid Philip Passmore 5 pounds for schooling base children (illegitimate children). Casualties for the first month April 30th 1816, paid Philip Passsmore 1 shilling to teach Mr Handford to weave. 4th March 1816, paid Philip Passmore for schooling poor children. It doesn't record how much he was paid. January 1816, paid Philip Passmore Constable 4 shillings. April 3rd 1817, paid Philip Passmore, one years schooling 5 pounds. Third month May 27th 1817, paid Philip Passmore Constable 1 shilling 6 pence. Fourth month, June 24th, paid Philip Passsmore 1 shilling or teaching Mr Handford to weave. This shows that not only was he constable for North Molton, he was also getting paid for teaching the poor of the parish which was nice. Philip was only 46 when he died in 1818. His last occupation was an innkeeper. He left a will proved nearly 4 years after his death on the 19th April 1822 at the Archdeaconary Court of Barnstaple. He makes his sons Philip and William executors of the will, and leaves them his clothes in equal shares to both of them. He appoints Mr Roger Abbott and his brother William as trustees and guardians until his sons reach 21. Witnesses to the will were his brother William Passmore and John Rumbelow. He was buried on the 29th December 1818 in North Molton.

Sources

• Ancestry.com, England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).
• Ancestry.com, England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).
• Ancestry.com, England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).