Rev. James John Rowe

Rev. James John Rowe, inherited a share in Old England estate, Jamaica, through his wife Elizabeth Williams Rowe née Johnson (q.v.). He was the son of James Rowe of Redland (q.v.), part of the Rowe family descending from James Rowe of Great Torrington whose will was proved in 1785, and which included the brother of James Rowe of Redland, Hon. William Rowe (q.v) of St Elizabeth. James Rowe of Redland and Hon. William Rowe of St Elizabeth were the sons of William Rowe of Great Torrington (q.v.) and almost certainly the grandsons of James Rowe of Torrington whose will was proved in 1785. That will directed property in Jamaica and Devon to the testator's son William Rowe, and spoke of 'the small pittance I have reserved' for his other children, share and share alike: his will identifies those children as Rev. John Rowe, Judith and Mary. The will of William Rowe of Great Torrington proved 11/11/1785 shows him to have been the father of of James and William, inferred to be James Rowe of Redland and Hon. William Rowe of St Elizabeth .

1. In the later censuses, the Rev. James John Rowe gives his birthplace as East Down, Barnstaple, Devon, for which there is a very likely match in the parish records: James John Rowe, baptised 06/01/1796, East Down near Barnstaple, Devon, parents James Rowe and Louisa Philippa. This would give him the siblings Louisa Sophia (baptised 21/12/1796), Lucy Catharine (baptised 09/01/1798), George William Joseph (baptised 08/11/1799), Charles Frederick (baptised 16/11/1800) and Augustus Durbin (baptised 24/02/1802), all baptised in East Down, parents James Rowe and Louisa Philippa. Also likely: Elizabeth Ann (baptised 17/02/1805 in St Andrews, Clifton, Gloucester, parents Jas Rowe and Louisa Philippa.) Very likely match for the marriage of his parents: James Rowe married Philippa Louisa Durbin in Bristol, 16/12/1793 (especially given the middle name of their fourth son, Augustus Durbin Rowe).

2. Eldest son of James Rowe of East Down, Devon, matriculated Magdalen Hall 02/07/1823 age 27, BA 1827, MA 1830.

3. Married Elizabeth Williams Johnson by license, 09/09/1823, in St Mary-le-bone, both of this parish, witnesses included Elizabeth James and Ann Williams (both q.v.).

4. Stipendiary curate, Duncton, 21/12/1827 and curate, Berrow, 26/04/1833.

5. From the records of the christenings of his children and their birthplaces as listed in the censuses, he was living in Marylebone, London, in 1824, Littlehampton, Sussex, in 1825, 1826 and 1829, Ashington, Sussex, in 1830, Kentisbury in North Devon around 1837 and Hills Court, Exeter, around 1842.

6. Presented to the parish of St Mary Arches, Exeter, Devon, in 1841.

7. James John Rowe was still Curate of St Mary Arches, Devon, in the census of 1851, age 55, living with his wife Elizabeth W. Rowe, five of his children, his two aunts Elizabeth James and Ann Williams (see 2, above) and four servants, when he was living at Mount le Grand, Exeter. Also curate of St Mary Arches in 1861, at 8 Mount le Grand, age 65, living with his wife, two visitors and two servants. By 1871 he had become Rector of Morchard Bishop in Devon, where he was living in the Rectory with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, sister, two grandchildren and four servants. By 1881 he was a widower, age 85, at the same address and although he is listed as Curate of Morchard Bishop, his eldest son James John Rowe junior is at the same address and listed as "Curate in Charge". In this census he was living with two sons, a daughter and four servants.

8. His second son Charles William Rowe matriculated at Lincoln's College, Oxford, on 07/06/1845 age 18 and became incumbent of Bundawa [Bundarra?], New South Wales; he died 11/12/1859. His third son George Herbert Rowe was listed in the census of 1881 at the Rectory, Morchard Bishop, as "Landowner, New Zealand."

9. James John Rowe died at the Rectory, Morchard Bishop, on 15/05/1884, leaving effects worth £576 3s. His will was proved at Exeter on 06/08/1884 by his son James John Rowe junior and his daughter Julia Valeria Rowe, his executors.

10. NB Caribbeana Vol. III carries an alternative genealogy, showing Catherine Williams marrying William Ricketts Johnson and having a daughter Elizabeth Williams Johnson, then remarrying William Rowe, and having a son William Rowe, Archdeacon of Cornwall Jamaica, with her daughter from her first marriage Elizabeth Williams Johnson marrying 'Rev. James Rowe' (1795-1884), her stepson and the son of William Rowe. In light of the above, this last information on the paternity of Rev. James John Rowe, who certainly married Elizabeth Williams Johnson, appears incorrect: Rev. James John Rowe was the nephew of Catherine Williams' second husband, rather than her step-son.

T71/860 Manchester claim nos. 421 (Old England) and 424; will of James Rowe of Great Torrington proved 07/09/1785 PROB 11/1134/37. The will of James Rowe of Redland proved 29/11/1821 identifies James John Rowe as his first son,his wife as Louisa Philippa and his brother as 'William Rowe of St Elizabeth.'; will of William Rowe of Great Torrington PROB 11/1135/249

1. https://www.familysearch.org/search/records/index#count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3Arowe~%20%2Bbirth_place%3A%22Devon%2C%20England%22~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1790-1820~%20%2Bfather_givenname%3AJames~%20%2Bfather_surname%3ARowe~%20%2Bmother_givenname%3ALouisa~; Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com, England and Wales, Marriages and Banns, 1538-1940 [database online] [database online].

2. Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1715-1886 [database online].

3. Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online].

4. Clergy of the Church of England database: http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/persons/CreatePersonFrames.jsp?PersonID=40485 [accessed 03/04/2012].

5. 1851 census online; https://www.familysearch.org/search/records/index#count=20&query=%2Bsurname%3Arowe~%20%2Bbirth_place%3Aengland~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1820-1845~%20%2Bfather_givenname%3A%22James%20John%22~%20%2Bfather_surname%3ARowe~%20%2Bmother_givenname%3A%22Elizabeth%20williams%22~ [accessed 03/04/2012].

6. Times 25/01/1841.

7. 1851 census online; 1861 census online; 1871 census online; 1881 census online.

8. Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1715-1886 [database online]; 1881 census online.

9. National Probate Calendar 1884.

10. Vere Langford Oliver, Caribbeana Vol. III 'Johnson of Jamaica' and 'Rowe of Jamaica.'