William Yeo (1808–1857) was the fourth son of Isaac Yeo and Mary Hammett. He married Mary Ann Spears at Inwardleigh on 2 July 1832.
William and Mary Ann had four children before William’s death at the age of 49. His probate record describes him as ‘William Yeo late of the City of Exeter innkeeper deceased who died 26 October 1857’.
The 1851 census for Exeter records William running the Blackmoor Head public house in West Street, Exeter. Mary Ann is listed with him, as are their four children. They were:
– Samuel Spear Yeo (1832–1914)
– John Yeo (born 1841)
– Mary Jane Yeo (1845–1876)
– William Yeo (1848–1922)
The 1861 census records William’s widow Mary Ann Yeo running the Blackmoor Head, with the same four children listed. A receipt dated 2 March 1877 is held at the Devon Heritage Centre (under ref. D71174/11) for an item or items on account for John, William and Samuel Spear Yeo, ‘sons of Mrs Mary Yeo’.
Samuel Spear Yeo appears to have followed his parents and become a publican. The 1871 and 1881 censuses for Exeter record him in Quay Lane, occupation licensed victualler. Samuel’s wife Jane is recorded in 1871 but had died by 1881. Their daughter Bessie Yeo is recorded in both years – she later married Edwin Glade at Holy Trinity, Exeter in 1884.
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