These notes were made by John Ingle Dredge (1818–1897), who was vicar of Buckland Brewer for many years [note 1]. Dredge appears to have copied the entries in 1891 from a book of handwritten records that he found in the vestry of the parish church at Huish.
The notes cover the period 1534 to 1782, and were made by more than one member of the Yeo family. Many of the entries are followed by the Latin phrase laus deo (Praise be to God). Dredge comments: ‘the marginal interpretations are in various hands and are subsequent to the central portion’.
The spelling, capitalisation and punctuation (the latter mostly omitted from the transcription below) are all inconsistent, but it is not possible to tell whether these variations were introduced by Dredge or follow the original document. Dredge added a few of his own comments in square brackets – these too are omitted from the transcription below. It is not clear why some of the entries are numbered. The bold sub-headings and the use of an ellipsis to indicate missing words are not present in the original.
Leonard and Arminella Yeo
The ages of the Children of Leonard Yeo Mercer & Citizen of London by his Wife Arminell daughter of Corbet and Relict of Jus Brock of London Mercer & which Leonard lived at the Unicorne in Cheapside in Bow Parish
Margaret Yeo Born Febr 25 1534.
George Yeo born on Saturday at four in the Morning decem 9 1536.
Nicholas Yeo born feb 5 between 11 & 12 at noone 1538
Robert Yeo born on Wednesday between 4 & 5 in the afternoon Decem 3 1540.
Mary Yeo born on Sunday Aug 18th at Nine at night 1542
Elizabeth Yeo born on Saturday July 11 at 8 at night 1545
Leonard Yeo and Sarah Fortescue
The birth and age of the children of me Leonarde Yeo of Huish Esq & Sarah my wiefe
George Yeo borne at Phillie the 20th of ffebruarie 1597 between 6 & 8 of the clock in ye fore noone and baptised there on the 26th of the sayd moaneth
Elizabeth Yeo borne at Weare Gifforde the 25th of Maye 1601 between 5 & 6 of the clock in the afternoone
Arthur Yeo borne at Weare Gifforde the 4th of Aprill 1604 between 7 & 8 of the clock in the forenoone and baptised there the tenth of the sayd moaneth
Sarah Yeo borne at Huish the 23rd of Maye 1605 between the houres of 3 & 4 of the clock in the afternoone
Margaret Yeo borne at Huish the 4th of December 1606 between the houres of 3 & 4 in the morning
Leonarde Yeo borne at Huish the 6th of August 1608 & baptised the 21st of the sayd moaneth Hee dyed at Mastreicht in Brabant ye 29th of 8ber 1656 in ye 48th yeere of his age. Leonarde Yeo tooke his journey the second of June 1636 towardes the Netherlands for the service of the states in theire worries. 1626 as I believe when hee first went over
Anthionie Yeo borne at Huish the 8th of Maye 1611 & baptised there the 19th of the sayd moaneth
George Yeo and Elizabeth Bassett
Leonarde Yeo the sonne of George Yeo was borne at Collaton in the parrrish of Newton fferres on the seventh of December 1624 betweene six & seven of the clock in the forenoone and baptised there on the nineteenth of the foresayd moaneth. Married Joan ye daughter of John Gifford and had issue; dyed at Huish Aprill 13 1687
Elizabeth Yeo the daughter of George Yeo was borne at Heanton Court in the parrish of Heanton on the first of Maye 1622 betweene 7 & 8 of the clock in the afternoone and was baptised there on the next sabbouth daye
She married Paul Yeo of North Petherwin Esq
Arthur Yeo the sone of George Yeo was borne at Heanton Court in the parrish of Heanton on the first of August 1626 betwene eight & nine of the clock in the forenoone and was baptised there the sixth of the sayd moaneth
Sarah Yeo the daughter of George Yeo was borne at Collaton in the parrish of Newton fferres on the 13th of October 1628 betwene five and seven of the clock in the forenoone & baptised there the 19th of the sayd moaneth
Anne Yeo the daughter of George Yeo was borne at Huish the 18th of August 1635 and was baptised there the 30th of the sayd moaneth
George Yeo the sone of George Yeo was borne at Huish the 20th of June 1638 about nine of the clock in the forenoone and was baptised there on the first of July
Marie Yeo borne at Huish the 14th of 8ber 1640 about five of the clock in the after noone & baptised there on the first of November following. Mary Yeo died at Plymouth the 31st of Octob 1656 beeing then 16 years old 1 month & 16 dayes
Paul Yeo and Elizabeth Yeo
Leonard Yeo son to Paul Yeo of North Petherwin by Elizab his wife was borne at Huish on Thursday the 11th of Aprill 1644 and baptised there on Easter Monday the 22 of ye sayd moneth
Leonard Yeo and Joan Giffard
George Yeo the son of Leonard Yeo borne at Brightleigh the 23rd of Sept 1652 about 10 of the clock in the forenoone and christened there the 9th of October following. Witnesses Art Bassett, Geo Yeo and his granddaughter Gifffard. George dyed at Huish of an appoplective fit on Tuesday Sept 7 1714 about 12 of the clock at noont & buryed the Thursday following in Huish church under the seate of that family of Lovestone cit in being our burying place aged 61 years wanting 16 dayes
John Yeo his 2nd son borne at Huish the 6th of Septr 1654 bt the houres of 12 and 1 at noone and christened there the 20th day. Witnes: Jo Giffard, Rob ffortescue, Bridg Giffard for my sister Sparke. John dyed an infant
2. Leonard Yeo his third son borne at Huish the 1st of Aprill 1656 bet 8 & 9 of the clock in the morning and christened ye next day. Jo Giffard his unckle, Art Giffard for Phill Harris his unckle, Mr Ackland of Hawkridge. Leo dyed an infant
3. Robert Yeo the 4th son borne at Huish the 27th of September 1657 about 1 of the clock at noone and christened the 8th of October. Witnesses Rob Roll of Heanton, Jonathan Sparke of ye ffriery, Eliz Yeo of Petherwin
John Yeo the 5th son borne at Huish the 17th of March 1658 bet 3 & 4 of ye clock in the afternoone and christened ye 24th of March. Witnesses Jo Giffard of Bickleigh his uncle, Eliz Harris his aunt
Joane Yeo the eldest daughter borne at Huish the 12th of March 1660 bet 3 & 4 of ye clock. Joane Yeo dyed at Huish a single woman January 31 1725
Elizabeth Yeo his second daughter borne at Huish the 13th of Octob 1661 bet 2 & 3 of ye clock in the morning and chrustened ye 20th day. Witnesses Jo Spare of ffriary in Plymouth, Mrs Grace Courtney of Nolland, Mrs BridgetGifford her aunt. Eliz Yeo dyed when a girle
Thomas Yeo borne at Huish the 5th of June 1663 about 6 in the morning & christened the 14th. Witnesses Tho Beare of Huntshaw, Rob Vigures of Stone, Mar Giffard of Biddiford. Thos Yeo was killed in a sea engagment in the Mediterenian between the English and French a private seaman
Joane the [widow] of Leonard Yeo: Joane dyed at Torrington of the smalle-pox Nov 6th 1702 and buried in Torrington church aged 75 yeares & almost 9 months being borne feb 25 1626
George Yeo and Gertrude Coffin
George Yeo above married Gertude the sixthe daughter of Richard Coffin of Portedge Esq October 1682 with whom he had £1100 portion and had issue following
Leonard Yeo the son of the sd George borne at Huish March 26th 1684 and baptised there April 1st 1684. Witness Richard Coffin and Leonard Yeo, grandfathers and Dorothy Pine his aunt
Leonard dyed an infant May 31 1684 and buried at Huish
George Yeo the 2nd son borne at Combe in Roborough July 16th 1686 and baptised there July 27th 1686. Witness John Giffard of Brightley his uncle, Roger Wollacombe of Combe his uncle, Joane Yeo his grandmother. George dyed at Oxford Exeter College Dec 19 1704 in the forenoon and layes there buried aged 18 years 5 months and three days
Richard Yeo third son borne at Collaton in Newton Ferres Sept 12 at night 1687 and baptised there the 18th. Witness Martin of Chaddlewood and Robert Yeo his uncles, Jane Wollacombe of Come and Mary Martin of Chaddlewood his aunts
Richard Yeo and Elizabeth Dell
Richard Yeo the third son borne of the sd George and Garthrude but the eldest that came of age married Mrs Elizabeth Dell niece of Mr John Gilbert of Alscot in the parish of Langtree June 26 1711 . . . by whom he had issue following
George Yeo his first son burn at Huish Aug 20 1712 about ten a clock at night and was baptised there Sep 18 following. Witness George Yeo his grandfather, John Gilbert his great uncle, Jane Wollacombe and Dorothy Giffard his great aunts
Elizabeth Yeo borne at Huish on Thursday Sep 11 1713 between six & seven the clock in the morning and baptised there Oct 1st following. Witness Richard Coffin of Port Esq her great uncle, Roger Giffard of Halsbury her great uncle, Mary Gilbert and Mary Yeo her great aunts
March 26 1715 my wife was deilvered of a daughter on Saturday . . . in the afternoon & baptised Gertrude. Witness William ffortescue of Buckland Esq, Leo Yeo of Petherwin, Jane Wollocombe of Combe, Agnes Giffard of Halsbury her great aunt
4. John Yeo second son borne at Huish July 24, 1716, being Tuesday at 11 at night, and Baptised. [Witness] Roger Wollocombe of Combe Esq., Robt. Pearce of Somersetsh, Joane Yeo, Doroth Spurnsen
Died at Southill in the county of Cornwall Decr ye 28, 1764 and buried in Huish Church, universally beloved & respected
5. Mary Yeo third daughter borne at Huish the 2 of Sept 1719 [note 2], 30 minutes past 3 in the morning & Baptised the 19 following. [Witness] Oriesiphorus Sheeres Esq, Annabella Rolle, Hester Ley
6. Richard Yeo the 3 son and sixth child was borne at Huish on Sunday morning being the 14 day of Decembr, 1718, about 15 minutes after 3 of the clock. Married 1750 to Elizabeth Beanband. Died May ye . . . 1782 & Buried in Huish Church
7. Jane Yeo 4th daughter & the Seventh Child was borne at Huish on Tuesday morning being the 2 day of May 1721, about 53 minutes after Eight. Married April the 23, 1756 to Jos: Freeman of Plymouth
8. Susanna Yeo 5 daughter & Eight Child was borne at Huish on Wednesday Decem. 26, 1772, about 43 minutes after two of the clock in the afternoone. Married June the 26, 1766 to the Revd Mr Leonard Herring
George Yeo and Anne Beresford
George Yeo son and heare of Richard Yeo Esq by his wife Eliz was marryed on Tuesday the 24th of January 1787 by Dr Midleton at St Brides Church London to Mrs Anne Berisford daughter of Edward Berisford of Sudbrook in the countie of Lincoln Esq by Isabella youngest daughter of Roger Rooe of Normanton Turvill in the county of Leicester Esq & which Anne was devisee & Executix to her uncle Edward Rooe of Normanton Esq a linnen draper of Cornhill London and fishmonger and citizen of London
Their children:
Isabella Elizabeth Yeo born in Essex Street in the parish of St Clements Danes in the City of Westminster about 10 of the clock in the morning on Thursday Oct 26 1738. And dyed the August following of the small pox at Hamstead
Isabella Yeo born at Normanton Turvill in the parish of Thurleston in the county of Leicester on Thursday June 5th 1740 about a eleven a clock at night. Died at Normanton when a girl
Edward Rooe Yeo born at Huish on Saturday morning about 50 minutes after six the 3 of July 1742 and baptised there. Died at Normanton December ye 24 1782
Richard and Elizabeth Yeo
Elizabeth Yeo wife of Richard Yeo died Feb the 19 1749 Richard Yeo died May the 28 1750 and was both buried in Huish church under the Great Seat in the corner of Huish church
George Yeo [note 3]
The 5th of December 1742 . . . to Laucstock and thence to Modbury when Sr Edm ffortescue the sheriffe of Devon was taken there wth many others and I continued in Kings service from that time till the 16th of ffebruary 1645 when the rout was at Torringto given by Sr Thomas ffairefax.
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Notes
1. For an obituary published in 1898 see this article from GENUKI.
2. Corrected in the diary to read ‘1717’.
3. This entry, apparently written by George Yeo of Huish (1597–1671) describing his part in the Battle of Torrington, is followed by seventeen lines of accounts totalling his expenditure of £220 during his service to the king.