Samuel Parnell    

My 4th Great Grandfather, 1781 - 1837

​Samuel was born in 1781 to Thomas and Ann Tozer at Stokeinteignhead. Samuel married Susanna Hoar in 1803, aged 22 and the couple had a large family of six children – Samuel (Junior), Susanna Hoar, Jane, Thomas, William and Mary Ann. I noticed that Susanna gave their firstborn daughter her maiden name as a second name.   

​For most of Samuel’s life he lived in Fore Street, Totnes and was a shoemaker. ‘Samuel and Samuel, Junior’, was listed as one of fifteen boot and shoe makers in the town. All the boot and shoe makers were on Upper or Lower Main Street. (Note - It appears that street names have since changed and it is likely that Upper Main Street is now High Street and Lower Main Street is now Fore Street). The photograph above is of Fore Street, Totnes (date N/K).

I also found records of two apprentices to Samuel. His apprentices were Richard and Andrew, aged only 12 and 10 respectively. 

​Samuel died in 1837. His death was noted in the Western Times (Exeter) as follows: “Mr Samuel Parnell, boot and shoe maker – a very respectable member of society, and one of the Totnes seventy-three”. Other obituaries mention that he was a ‘zealous and unflinching reformer and one of the Totnes 73’. So far, I do not understand who the ‘Totnes 73’ were, although it seems linked to liberal politics and electoral reform. In an 1836 newspaper article about a 'Great Reform Dinner' celebrating 'the liberal interest' at Totnes, it was stated that "at the end, opposite the entrance, was a banner bearing, in the rays of the sun, the names of the minority of 73 who, some years ago, had voted for Mr Mayne". The reform referred to was electoral reform. 

Prior to the 1832 Reform Act, few people had the right to vote and many parts of the country had virtually no representation.  Bribery and corruption were rife.  Samuel's eldest son, also called Samuel, was heavily involved in the sometimes murky world of 1800s politics.  His story reached parliament when he was accused of being 'the great briber'.