On the same trip as Torquay, we ventured to West Monkton and Creech St Michael, to search out the Langs' and Hubbards' birthplaces. Charlotte Lang was from West Monkton, b. 1809; her father William was a Blacksmith in the village (1841 census). She and John Hubbard were married in St Augustine's Church, West Monkton, 29 August 1833, had Edward Lang Hubbard in 1839, but by 1841 were living in East Brent, some way away. Julia Hubbard (Antony's wife) was born in East Brent 1846/7, but was baptised in St Augustine's.
West Monkton and Creech St Michael are not that far apart, as can be seen from the 'places of note' map... the fact that the M5 cuts between them is conveniently pushed to the bottom in this lovely depiction! Bathpool is also noted in their story, as the birthplace of other children, and obviously John, a Blacksmith, took work where he could find it, moving often, and sometimes listed in the Big House or on the estate of a well-to-do farmer. | Apart from the cars, The Street looks much like it would have done in 1847, the church being opposite this end. It's not obvious now where the Smithy was in the village, although on one old map it is located north of the village, and in this photo there is a large gate in the house on the left, which also might have been a forge. |
The Smithy in Creech St Michael also looks very much like the postcard image from Derek's account, despite the yellow flashy car (and our van) in front! We showed the image to blokes in the pub next door, because we wondered if people could remember it as a forge: they said "Mark" who lived there now was an amenable chap who would show us round, but we didn't take up the offer!