William Yeo (1808–1857, fourth son of Isaac Yeo and Mary Hammett) married Mary Ann Spears at Inwardleigh in 1832. William and Mary Ann had four children before William’s death at the age of 49 [note 1].
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:
– Samuel Spear Yeo (see below)
– John Yeo (born 1841)
– Mary Jane Yeo (1845–1876)
– William Henry Yeo (1848–1922).
The 1861 census records William’s widow Mary Ann Yeo running the Blackmoor Head, with the same four children listed [note 2].
Samuel Spear Yeo (1832–1914) appears to have followed his father’s occupation and to have become a publican [note 3]. He married Jane Raddon Tucker in 1862, with whom he had six children:
– Bessie Yeo (1864–1934, married Edwin Glade)
– William Spear Yeo (1865–1866)
– Mary Ann Yeo (1867–1867)
– Mary Jane Yeo (1868–1869)
– Jane Yeo (1870–1870)
– Alice Maud Yeo (1873–1952, married Sydney Walter Lee) [note 4].
Samuel’s wife Jane died in 1880, and four years later he married Matilda Milford (née Short, widow of Samuel James Milford). They had three sons:
– Samuel Arthur Spear Yeo (1885–1966, married Hilda Mary Charity, three children)
– Bretton Hall Spear Yeo (1886–1886)
– Stephen John Spear Yeo (1889–1957, married Rosina Richards) [note 5].
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Notes
1. His probate record describes him as ‘William Yeo late of the City of Exeter innkeeper deceased who died 26 October 1857’.
2. 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’.
3. 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. His daughter Bessie Yeo is recorded in both years.
4. Son Gerald Sydney Yeo Lee (1899–1969, married Esther Mabel Andrews)
5. Son David Ronald Spear Yeo (1924–2008, married Anna Joy Cotterell).