Early Life
In 1881 Horton George Stamp’s grandfather George (a nurseryman from Exeter) and grandmother Elizabeth Stamp were living in Cross Cottage, Bishopsteignton with their fifteen year old son George (Horton’s father) who was a scholar. They also had the curate and his wife as lodgers. Horton’s father George (25 years old in 1891) was not destined for a long life. He was to marry Lavinia (age 20 years ) in 1889 and they had moved to 9, Clanage Street, Bishopsteignton by 1891. Their son Horton George was born in 1898 a few months after his father died.
Tragically Horton’s mother, Lavinia, died in 1900. He was taken in by his grandmother Elizabeth, 76 years old at the time, and was living in West Town, Bishopsteignton in 1901. Ten years later Elizabeth, now 86 years old, was recorded in the 1911 census as living in Fore Street, Bishopsteignton. However, maybe she was too elderly or infirm to look after him, as Horton is recorded as being in St Boniface Children’s home in Sampford Peverell , where there are some very poignant photos which could possibly include him. He remained there until he left to become a gardener.[1]
His grandmother Elizabeth died on 13th February 1913 and her probate indicates she left about £278 to an accountant in Edgecumbe (possibly in trust for her grandson?). This may explain the amount Horton passed on to his siblings later.
Military Experience
Horton appears to have joined, under age, the Wessex regiment in 1915 (2nd August) living at 55, Bitton Street, Teignmouth at the time and this is where his uncle Richard William Ponsford and sister Hettie were recorded as living in 1911. However, his war record was with the Royal Army Medical Corps with the Service No 404050. It is possible that Horton was a consumptive, like his parents, and this may be the reason why he was in the Medical Corps. He survived the war but was discharged on grounds of sickness on 11th May 1919.
Death and Burial
Horton died a year later on 21st May 1920 at the Smyrna Sanatorium in Torquay. He is buried in St John’s Parish Church, Bishopsteignton. He was awarded the Silver Medal which, it seems, his sister applied for after the war.
His commemoration can be viewed here STAMP_HORTON_GEORGE
However, the War Graves Commission Commemoration says he was the husband of Lavinia (who was, in fact, his deceased mother).
His name appears on the Bishopsteignton Roll of Honour but not on the War Memorial.
Descendants
It seems that Horton bequeathed an estate of £318, which was a considerable sum, to Hettie Elizabeth Stamp who probably was his sister. It seems the family was split when their mother died. The other legatee was Ada Mary Davis (wife of Henly Davis) who seems to be, from other family ancestry trees, another sister and there are living descendants from her side. If you are part of this family line we would love to hear from you.