Brian Wood lives in Brisbane, Australia. He has spent 10 years trying to track down the story of his Great Great Grandfather
He died called John Wood in 1889 but was almost certainly born William Haydon and I think came from Starcross or nearby (His probate clarifies the two names)
I got as far as visiting Starcross cemetery several years ago, found lots of Haydons, but cant piece together the right potential person/family
I have a mix of fact and family legend
I would be so grateful if you can help or pass me on to someone who may be able to
I have detailed what I know below
Facts
Born around 1808-1811
Was in the Royal Artillery from 1832-1853 including serving in Jamaica
Married a Jane Fry and eventually settled in North East England
Large numbers of his descendants across 3 lines have had Haydon as a middle name (even to my son!)
One of his sons lived in a house called Starcross in Monkseaton, Whitley Bay (later a residential care home)
His census records have 2 x different possible birthplaces (Chudleigh or Bristol; quite probably both wrong). His occupation changed from in army in 1851, to Chelsea pensioner in 1861 to “Landowner of 45 acres in Devon” in 1871 to unemployed painter in 1881.
Possibilities/family legends
He “was conned” out of a farm at some stage and could have been a wealthy landowner ( I have found From GENUKI a William Haydon was the occupier of a East Church and SHortridge Farm sold at Auction in 1821; and note some links of Haydons to Staplake farm)
He deserted from the navy to join the army and changed his name to avoid detection (Army is proven, cant find any old naval records).
Seemingly his gravestone had John Wood on it, but was crossed out for Haydon. Grave destroyed in WW2.
He was from Kenton/Starcross. There was a tapestry family tree including him in the church in Starcross that my parents saw.
There have been 2 previous requests for information on the Haydon family:
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