James Greenslade was born around 1815, later census records say Bampton, but it’s likely he was actually born in Petton, just up the road from Bampton and near the Somerset border. He probably married Elizabeth Cleeve around 1835, although a marriage has not yet been found. The 1841 and 1851 censuses found James living at Blackmoores Clef a farm just north of Petton.
By 1851, James had 4 children, having lost his third child Sarah at just 9 months and was listed as a Farmer of 28 acres and employing one man. So to all intents a reasonably well off Farmer. However by February of 1852 something had gone drastically wrong as the next records I have found for him are from the London Gazette
The London Gazette – Publication date 6 January 1852 Issue 21279 Page 60Pursuant to the Acts for the Relief of InsolventDebtors in England.See Notice at the End.The following PRISONERS, whose Estates and Effects have been’ vested in the Provisional Assignee by Order of the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors, and whose Petitions and Schedules, duly filed, have been referred and transmitted to the County Court hereinafter mentioned, pursuant to the Statute in that behalf* are ordered to be brought up.:Before the Judge of the County Court of Devonshire, holden at Exeter, on Saturday the 17th day of January 1852, at Ten o’Clockin the Forenoon.Richard Strong Cleeve, late of Petton, in the parish of Bampton, in the county of Devon, Carpenter and Farmer, and Clerk of a Chapel, (sued as Richard Strong Cleave, with James Greenslade).The London Gazette Publication date-17 February 1852 Issue-21291 Page-477 / 478COURT FOR RELIEF OF INSOLVENT DEBTORS.Saturday the 14th day of February 1852.ORDERS have been made, vesting in the Provisional Assignee the Estates and Effects of the following Persons:On their own Petitions.James Greenslade, late of Blackmore Cliff. Bampton, Devonshire, Farmer.—In the Gaol of St Thomas Apostle.The London Gazette Publication date-20 February 1852 Issue-21292 Page-511Pursuant to the Acts for the Belief of Insolvent Debtors in England.See Notice at the End.The following PRISONERS, whose Estates and Effects have been vested in the Provisional Assignee by Order of the Court for Relief ofInsolvent Debtors, and whose Petitions and Schedules, duly filed, have been severally referred and transmitted to the County Courtshereinafter mentioned, pursuant to the Statute in that behalf, are ordered to be brought up before the Judges of the said Courts respectively, is herein set forth, to be dealt with according to Law:Before the Judge of the County Court of Devonshire, holden at Exeter, on Saturday the 6th day of March 1852, at Ten o’Clock inthe Forenoon.James Greenslade, late of Blackmore’s Cliff, in the parish of Bampton, in the county of Devon, Farmer, (sued with Richard Strong Cleeve.)
It’s interesting to note that the co-defendant was Richard Strong Cleeve, who I suspect was probably a relation of Elizabeth. I was also interested to note that Richard’s job included “Clerk of a Chapel” which suggests the Cleeves may have been not conformists which may be why I have not yet found the marriage for Elizabeth and James. Having said that the Church in Petton was actually a Chapel of Ease (a satellite of the main Parish church four miles away in Bampton). So it may just be the rather messy records for the Chapel are simply missing the records I need.
By 1861 James is shown as a Farm Bailiff in Whitcombe, so I need to do some more research to find out just want happened so I will try and find time for a visit down to Exeter to see what records are held. . . To be continued.

James is my 3xGreat Grandfather.
One thought on “James Greenslade – Insolvency”