Visitors since Oct 2006
Referring to parish records and taking account of research conducted by other Gould genealogists, it would appear that the Gould family line in North Molton extends back to 1732. Much research is required to validate this information and whilst full details are included on the graphical 'My full tree' page, detailed information is only provided from 1785.
The first proven knowledge of the family in North Molton begins on 17 March 1785, with the birth of John Gould to parents George and Jane Gould.
At the age of 37 on 29 July 1822, John married 25 year old Mary Fisher at All Saints parish church. Baptism records indicate that John and Mary had four children as follows.
| 20 July 1823 | George |
| 02 April 1826 | Jane |
| 28 September 1829 | John |
| 01 February 1834 | Susan |
The 1841 census places John and Mary and the two girls at Bridge Street, North Molton. The location of the boys, George and John has yet to be established.
John Gould (senior) died of 'Dropsy' at the age of 58 on 20 November 1843; he was buried at All Saints church. His death was followed by that of his 25 year old son, George on 29 October 1848.
The 1851 census reveals that the family had to some extent separated. Jane is unaccounted for, but has perhaps married or moved away from the parish. John is working as a labourer for William Lock, a North Molton farmer and Susan is shown as a parish assistant with the Stoneman family. Mary is shown as a pauper - formerly weaver and has a blind visitor staying with her at 'Roberts' North Molton; the visitors name was John Radford.
On 29 September 1851, still at the age of sixteen, Susan gave birth to a son whom she later named John, perhaps after her father.
Mary Gould married John Radford at All Saints church, North Molton on 02 June 1854.
In October 1858 at the age of 23, Susan who was still unmarried, gave birth to a daughter called Sarah Jane. Sadly, Sarah Jane died during or shortly after birth and was baptised at All Saints church, North Molton on 13 October 1858.
The 1861 census of North Molton shows Mary as wife to head of the house, John Radford. Also in the property is Mary's grandson John Gould. Susan was living as a house servant with the family of William Shapland, a farmer of 186 acres.
Susan gave birth to a further child, Philip George Gould late in 1862. Philip was baptised at All Saints church on 28 December 1862.
On the night of the 1871 census Susan is at home in North Molton at 'Hodges' with her widowed for the second time mother, Mary Radford. At this time, Susan is shown as a washer woman aged 36. Also in the property are her sons John and Philip George.
Whilst the exact date and reason is unknown, John Gould moved to Kingsbrompton in Somerset some time between 1871 and 1876. John establishes the next generation in the story which can be followed by selecting the Kingsbrompton link from the menu.
Mary Mary Radford died in 1876 at the age of 78 and was buried an All Saints, North Molton on 22 March 1876.
At the age of 42, Susan married William Chapple, a 52 year old widower labourer from North Molton. The marriage took place at All Saints church, North Molton on 26 March 1877. William had four children from his previous marriage to Mary Ann.
The 1881 census records Susan as Susan Chapple aged 46 and living at 'Roberts', North Molton. At the same address is her husband William and his children Henry aged 12, Mary Ann 10, Harriet 7 and Esther 5.
Susan died on 07 January 1885 in North Molton from bronchitis, and was buried at All Saints, North Molton on 11 January 1885. She was only 50 years old.
North Molton, Gould burial records covering the period 1859 to 1938 have been reproduced here.