OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: August 16, 2018
Webpage updated: June 28, 2021

        

WATER SAFE TO DRINK  |  PLYMOUTH LEAT (DRAKE'S LEAT)  /  BURRATOR RESERVOIR
WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM SHILLIBEER (1788-1869)

William Shillibeer was said to have been born in the Parish of Sheepstor in 1788, following the marriage of his parents, Mr George Shillibeer and the widow, Sarah Andrew at Stoke Damerel Parish Church the previous year.

His mother died in 1829 and Mr George Shillibeer in 1833, when the post of Plymouth Corporation's agent and superintendent of the Plymouth Leat between Head Weir and Jump passed to him.

Like his father before him, William Shillibeer married a widow, Mrs Mary Dawe, at Stoke Damerel Parish Church.  That took place on June 4th 1834.  Mary brought with her a daughter, two-years-old Miss Elizabeth Dawe.  At the time of William's and Sarah's baptism at Walkhampton Parish Church on June 30th 1837, their father was stated to be an innkeeper at 'Doustiland Barn', otherwise Dousland Barn.  By 1841 the family had moved in to Redstone Farm, Sheepstor, where in addition to William Shillibeer and Sarah Burnstoll Shillibeer, there was now George Shillibeer.  William seems to have assisted his farmer on his 12-acre farm.  By 1851 Eliza Shillibeer and Amos Shillibeer had joined the family, both George and Amos attending Walkhampton Village School.

When William Shillibeer died the post of Water Bailiff passed to Mr Amos Shillibeer (1849-1939).