Thread: Brick Wall: Jacob Ley the Tanner, Cockington, Devon

My brick wall, or at least one of them, is attempting to trace the father of Jacob Ley of Cockington, Devon. According to information from Cockington Court, and various links at the national archives, Jacob was a tanner, and "An eighteenth century document describes to a Tanyard erected by Thomas Ley, at which Jacob Ley was the tanner, wherein there is as large a trade carried on as in any yard in Devon". Jacob was married to an Elizabeth. There were 4 children: Elizabeth Ley (abt.1767-bef.1779), Jacob Ley (1769-aft.1859), George Ley (1770-?) and Jane Ley (abt.1772-?). Jacob Ley (1769-aft.1859) was an ancestor and was Rector of Ashprington, Totnes, Devon. I have more details of this link, and can supply lots of information/details, including links to photos taken by Lewis Carrol (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) of a Jacob Ley (18063-1881) and Elizabeth Ley Hussey (1852-?). My ancestry comes via George Frederick Ley (1821-1883), grandson of Jacob Ley the Tanner, and who was grandfather to my grandmother, Ermyntrude Ley Mitcheson (1894-1975).
I have not been able to trace the Thomas Ley referred to in relation to the Tanyard, but assume this to be a relative of some sort. Another possible relative, and possibly father to Jacob (the tanner) is William Ley. It is possible that William Ley, Surgeon, was grandfather to Jacob Ley, George Ley and Jane Ley and Father to Jacob Ley, tanner (The National Archives | Access to Archives) 48/13/3/1/91 24 March 1779.
Any help with this brick wall would be most appreciated.
Ken Campbell

I have found references to Jacob in the paper including his marriage April 29 1801, wondered if you have already looked BUT have found his death notice

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, February 10, 1859
February 2, the Rev. Jacob Ley rector of Ashprington, in his 91st year

Deaths Mar 1859
LEY Jacob Totnes 5b/143

Thought this was worth a look

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, January 30, 1823
On Monday, aged 80, Elizabeth Ley, of the same parish.......St Sidwell's

Not sure of the area and there also appears to be a Thomas Ley who is a Rev so not sure if I am helping out!

Now I think I have found something to help

NISI PRIUS .
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, August 4, 1825
There was an indictment for libel, preferred at the last Spring Assizes, by the Rev Jacob Ley, of Ashprington, against Mr William Pollard, of Torquay, Surgeon, for sending two letters to him imputing to the prosecutor improper conduct in not removing his son, Mr Wm Ley, from his service by reason of his unfitness for the medical profession.

Have saved the article

Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries .
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, November 22, 1827
On Thursday at Cockington by the Rev. Jacob ley, Capt. George Woolacombe, R. N. to Mary Elizabeth, 2nd daughter of George Ley, Esq.

Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries .
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser
April 6th, at Ashprington Rectory, Caroline, the wife of the Rev. Jacob Ley

Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries .
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, September 13, 1855
On September 3, at Cockington, Anne, the widow of George Ley, Esq., in her 81st year.

elaine
Thanks for your efforts and references. One of the problems is a succession of generations with individuals called Jacob Ley, not to mention a series of unrelated Jacobs as well. Then with Thomas and William there seems to be even more. However, your refernce to the death of Jacob Ley rector of Ashprington (2 Feb 1859) was most useful - before that I only had an approximation.

The reference to Elizabeth Ley, death aged 80 in Jan 1823 would mean she was borm about 1743. Not sure where the link might be. The earliest Elizabeth Ley that I have was born abt 1767, but appears to have died in or before 1779. However, I'll keep a note of this.

The reference to indictment for libel by the Rev Jacob Ley, of Ashprington against Mr William Pollard does sound particularly interesting. Most grateful if you could send me the article - if that is possible. email removed by AA staff please exchange email addresses by private message). I have quite good information on Jacob Ley, rector of Ashprington, including the follwing children: Jacob (1803-1881), John (1805-aft.1881), Elizabeth (1810-aft.1881), Margaret Jane (1813-?), George Frederick (1821-1883), Sarah Jane Hill (1824-aft.1891), and Caroline Margaret Isabella (?-1882). However, the implication of the indictment for libel is that there may have been a William Ley as well. I have no information on any son called William.

I have information on the marriage of Mary Elizabeth Ley to George Woolacombe, R. N. He was Vice Admiral, and there os quite good informaiton on him and the succeding generations of Woollcombe.

The reference to
"Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries .
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser
April 6th, at Ashprington Rectory, Caroline, the wife of the Rev. Jacob Ley"
... Do you have the date for this? The best I have for the death of Caroline Rebecca Ley, wife of Jacob Ley the rector of Ashprington is after 1851.

Of course, I'm still looking for information on the birth of Jacob Ley the tanner from Cockington, and his parents.

Once again, thanks for all of your efforts.
Regards
Ken