Baxters of Covehithe
& South Cove
Covehithe and South Cove
Covehithe lies on the coast between Lowestoft and Southwold and was once a busy port until the sea erode the coast line and destroyed the harbour, market place and some of the village. The church is dedicated to St Andrew and was built in the fifteenth century. The church was badly damaged during the Civil War and became to large for the parishioners to maintain so in 1762 a smaller church was build in the nave of the original church reusing materials from the old.
South Cove lies two miles in land from Covehithe. It is so named to distinguish itself from North Cove. The church is dedicated to St Lawrence.
William Baxter (1722 – 1781)
William was the son of either William Baxter (of Reydon) and Mary Robson was born on 27th December, 1722 and baptized the 13th May, 1723, in Walpole Independent Chapel or he was the son of John Baxter and Anne Field baptized the 23rd December 1722 in Thorington. The village of Bramfield is adjacent to both the villages of Walpole and Thorington.
Marriage
Marriage License Bond: 20 Mar 1748 – William Baxter and Frances Darby. Groom of South Cove. To be married at Bramford.
William married Frances Darby (c.1728 – 1793) on the 20th March, 1748, Bramfield.
Children
William and Frances had the following:
| Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 11 Feb 1749 | Mary | Daughter of William and France Baxter | Parish church of South Cove |
| 12 Aug 1752 24 Aug 1752 |
Sarah | Daughter of William and France Baxter | Parish church of South Cove Wrentham Independent Chapel |
| 12 Jan 1761 | Deborah | Daughter of William and France Baxter | Parish church of South Cove |
| 04 Sep 1763 | Hannah | Daughter of William and France Baxter | Parish church of Covehithe |
| 21 Jun 1766 | William | Son of William and France Baxter | Parish church of Covehithe |
Death
South Cove St Lawrence
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 22 Sep 1781 | William Baxter | |
| 26 Jul 1793 | France Baxter | Widow of William Baxter aged 65 |
What happened to the children of William Baxter and Frances Darby of South Cove?
Sarah Baxter (1752 – ?)
Marriage
Sarah married George Nunn (1744 – 1811) possibly the son of Richard Nunn and Rebecca Aldis, 6th January, 1773, Ipswich St Matthew’s.
Hannah Baxter (1763 – 1846)
Marriage
Hannah married George Grayston (c.1764 – 1836), possibly (currently I have no proof) the son of Samuel Grayston and Elizabeth Baxter, Elizabeth being the daughter of John Baxter and his second wife Elizabeth Manning of Thorington. From the parish registers of Covehithe:
“George Grayston of this parish single man and Hannah Baxter of this parish single woman married in this church by banns this second day of February, 1786. In the presence of Thomas Rix and Edward Helton.”
William Baxter (1766 – 1846)
Marriage
William married Maria Stern (c.1772-1840) the daughter of Ann Stern/e. Maria was recorded as a child when baptized in 1772. From the parish registers of Wenhaston:
“William Baxter of this parish single man and Maria Stern of the same single woman married in this church by banns this fifteenth day of May, 1792. In the presence of Simon Goddard and Mary Goddard.”
From what I can tell William and Maria had no children.
Note
I found the following note in the parish register of Covehithe for 1796:
“On the 17th Jan. a person bring a paper (found in the Pocket Book of Robert Row formerly Clerk of Cove parish) declaring him to be William Baxter and Son of William Baxter and Fanny his wife & to have been privately baptized June 1st 1766 was received into the congregation of Covehithe.”
Census
1841
| Dwelling – Wrentham | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| William Baxter | 75 | Ind | Y |
| Lydia Roberts | 20 | Y | |
| William Roberts | 1 | Y | |
William Baxter Roberts was baptized on the 07 Jun 1840, Wrentham, the son of Lydia Roberts. Lydia Roberts was the daughter of Samuel Roberts (1792 – 1876) and Lydia Blowers. That would be the Samuel Roberts named in William’s will below.
Directories
| Directory Name | Year | Place | Private / Commercial | Name and Service |
| Suffolk History Gazetteer and Directory | 1844 | Wrentham | Commercial | Baxter Wm. Beerhouse |
Tithe
William appears twice in the tithe apportionments. Firstly he is recorded in 1840, South Cove as the occupier of between 1 and 20 acres which would consist of a small holding or larger house. Secondly he is recorded in 1841 Wrentham as the owner and occupier of less than 1 acre of land likely to consist of cottages, shops or gardens.
Newspapers
| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| The Ipswich Journal | 1813 | South Cove Association Member Wrentham – William Baxter |
| The Ipswich Journal | 1814 – 1819 | South Cove Association Member South Cove – William Baxter |
| The Ipswich Journal | 10 Sep 1825 | Notice to debtors and creditors All persons having any claim or demand upon the estate and effects of the late Mr John Flemingham, of Blyford, deceased are requested immediately to deliver in an account thereof to Mrs Flemingham; of Blyford, his widow and executrix; to Mr Robt. Balls of Chediston; or to Mr William Baxter of South Cove, executors, and all persons who stood indebted to the said Mr John Flemingham, at the time of his decease, are requested to pay the same immediately to either of the above. September 8th 1825. |
| The Ipswich Journal | 16 Dec 1826 | To be sold by Auction By Edward Sallows On Monday 18th December, 1826. All the household furniture, stock in trade and other effects of Mr Wm Baxter clock and watch-maker, Wrentham; comprising 4 excellent feather beds and bedding, handsome 4-post bedsteads with chintz and other furniture, mahogany dining, tea, card and other tables, bureau, mahogany, bamboo and other chairs with elbows to match, three new 8-day clocks, mahogany cases, new dial in mahogany case, 8 day clock, wainscot case by Crisp, handsome corner cupboard, floor bedside and other carpets, looking glasses, crockery, kitchen and culinary requisites, several lots of ironmongery, all the clock and watch-making tools, and a variety of useful articles, which are fully expressed in catalogues, now in circulation. The Auctioneer particularly recommends the above to the notice of his Friends and the public in general, being modern and nearly new within the last six months : the whole to be sold without the least reservation, as Mr. B. has engaged another situation. |
| The Ipswich Journal | 01 Mar 1828 08 Mar 1828 |
To creditors and debtors William Mitchell, the younger, of Wrentham, in the County of Suffolk blacksmith, having by indenture bearing date the 25th day of February instant, assigns all his personal estate and effects to William Baxter, of Wrentham aforesaid, Gentleman and Samuel Howard of the same place merchant, in trust for the equal benefit of such of his creditors who shall have executed the same within three calendar months from the date thereof. |
| The Ipswich Journal | 15 Mar 1828 22 Mar 1828 |
To Blacksmiths To be let With immediate Possession An old-established shop now in full trade, with comfortable Dwelling House and other requisites attached, situated in Wrentham, Suffolk. Enquire personally of Mr William Baxter, Inn Keeper, South Cove. |
Housing
| Location | Date | Comment |
| Wrentham | 29 August 1840 | Norwich 29th Augt 1840 Dear sir, I yesterday heard this my brother that it is no longer your wish to take transfer of your mortgage as prop{} in June last. You must however be aware that I have been taking several steps towards such a transfer, which I have incurred necessary expenses. My charge at present amounts to £2. 13. Beside nearly as much more due to Mr {Darnice} for an abstract, which will however be available in case of sale. Let me know what step you finally decide upon, with the least justifiable delay, that I may countermand my clients money. I am yours truly J W Dowson* |
* Joseph Withers Dowson (1793-1848), Solicitor, Agent to the Sun Fire Office, Bank Street, Norwich.
The Will of William Baxter
This is the last will and testament of me William Baxter of Wrentham in the County of Suffolk Beerhouse Keeper. Whereas at the time I took up money in the mortgage of my real Estate at Wrentham aforesaid my friend Samuel Roberts of Wrentham aforesaid Carpenter at my request joined me as a surety to the mortgage for the payment of the money so taken up to which Said Samuel Roberts I also stand indebted in the sum of one hundred and fifty-three pound or thereabouts and from whom I have received many acts of friendship and kindness I do hereby leave and bequest all my real and personal estate unto the aforesaid Samuel Roberts his heirs executors & administrators and assigns according to the respective indentures and tenures thereof and I appoint the said Samuel Roberts sole Executor of this my will hereby evoking all other wills. In witness who of I have hereunto set my hand this thirtifirst (sic) day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
William Baxter
Signed by the said William Baxter the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
John Read Grocer of Wrentham
John Holmes Bricklayer of Wrentham
Death
Wrentham St Nicholas
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 18 Feb 1840 | Maria Baxter | Of Wrentham aged 62 |
| 17 Oct 1846 | William Baxter | Of Wrentham aged 80 |
Epitaph:
Wrentham St Nicholas
| MARIA BAXTER
Loving wife of WILLIAM BAXTER Died 14th February 1840 aged 62 Also WILLIAM BAXTER Died 12th October 1846 aged 80 years |
What happened to the child of Joseph Baxter and Susan Cable of Covehithe?
Joseph Baxter (1793 – 1879)
Marriage
Joseph married twice. His first wife was Mary Godard (1790 – 1854) the daughter of John Godard and Mary Edwards. From the parish register of Wrentham:
“Joseph Baxter of the parish of Covehithe single man and Mary Godard of this parish single woman married in this church by banns this first day of December, 1818. In the presence of John Godard and James Harvey.”
Joseph’s second wife was Emily Kent (1818 – 1896) the daughter of Simon Kent and Margaret Reeve.
| Parish Church of Norwich St Giles – 22nd September, 1855 | ||||||
| Name and Surname | Age | Condition | Rank or profession | Residence at the time of Marriage | Father’s name and surname | Rank or profession of father |
| Joseph Baxter | full age | Widower | Labourer | Covehithe, Suffolk | Joseph Baxter | Labourer |
| Emily Kent | full age | Spinster | Dressmaker | St Giles | Simon Kent | Labourer |
| In the presence of us: T Goldsmith and Sarah Goldsmith | ||||||
As far as I can tell Joseph had no children.
Census
1841
| Dwelling – Anchor Inn, Covehithe | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| Joseph Baxter | 40 | Ag Lab | Y |
| Mary Baxter | 45 | Y | |
1851
| Dwelling – Covehithe | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital Status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| Joseph Baxter | Head | M | 57 | Farm labourer | Benacre |
| Mary Baxter | Wife | M | 60 | School mistress | Frostenden |
1861
| Dwelling – Covehithe | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| Joseph Baxter | Head | M | 67 | Ag Lab | Benacre |
| Emily Baxter | Wife | M | 47 | Covehithe | |
1871
| Dwelling – Covehithe | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| Joseph Baxter | Head | M | 77 | Ag Lab | Benacre |
| Emily Baxter | Wife | M | 52 | Covehithe | |
1881
| Dwelling – Covehithe | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| Emily Baxter | Head | Wid | 62 | Annuitant | Covehithe |
1891
| Dwelling – Bagsley’s Corner, Benhall | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| John Garret | Head | Wid | 75 | Retired Farmer | Pettistree |
| Emily Baxter | Housekeeper | Wid | 71 | Covehithe | |
Tithe
Joseph appears in the tithe apportionments of 1842 for Covehithe. He is recorded as the occupier of less than 1 acre of land likely to consist of cottages, shops or gardens.
Newspapers
| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| The Ipswich Journal | 11 Jan 1896 | Baxter – 3rd inst., Emily Baxter, of Benhall, late of Covehithe, aged 76 years. |
Will Information
Joseph Baxter
Personal Estate under £200
20 May 1879. The will of Joseph Baxter late of Covehithe in the County of Suffolk labourer who died 28 March 1879 at Covehithe was proved at Ipswich by Emily Baxter of Covehithe widow the Relict the sole Executrix.
Death
Covehithe St Andrew
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 06 May 1854 | Mary Baxter | Of Covehithe aged 63 |
| 02 Apr 1879 | Joseph Baxter | Of Covehithe aged 85 |
Benhall St Mary
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 08 Jan 1896 | Emily Baxter | Of Benhall aged 76 |
Epitaph:
Covehithe St Andrew
| To the memory of
MARY The beloved wife of JOSEPH BAXTER Who died April 30 1854 Aged 63 years Affliction sore long time I bore |
| To the affectionate remembrance of
JOSEPH BAXTER Who departed this life March 28 1879 Aged 88 years He came to his grave in a full aged |
What happened to the child of Joseph Baxter and Elizabeth Howlett of Covehithe?
John Baxter (1797 – 1797)
Death
Henstead St Mary
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 29 Nov 1797 | John Baxter | Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Baxter (late Howlett spinster) infant |