Samuel Gempton

Relationship to me : G.G.Uncle. (See Joseph Gempton tag for ealier years. See also New Zealand Gemptons tag)

Samuel Gempton (1859-1926)

In 1881, the Census shows Samuel as Mate on board the trawler Competitor (1871). The Master was shown as Eliezer Johnson (1857-1923). Eliezer was brother of George Bath Johnson (1861-1951). George would marry Samuel's sister Bertha (1861-1952) in April 1882. George is listed as Seaman (3rd hand). Samuel married Mary Ann Davies also in April 1882.

The 1891 Census shows Samuel (32) and Mary (32) living at No10 Grotto Terrace. Children are shown as Samuel (3) and George (1) Mary Ann (b.1883) Elizabeth (b.1885) and George (b.1886) all died in infancy.

Samuel's sister Bertha (29) and husband George Bath Johnson (29) are shown as living 2 doors away at No.8. Grotto Terrace was significant in Brixham history as it housed the entrance to Brixham Cavern. John Philp, a house builder, discovered the cave complex when he was digging the foundations for the houses in Grotto Terrace and in 1891 was shown to be living at No.11

The images below show Grotto Terrace in Mount Pleasant Road together with the extent of the cave complex which was uncovered. The name Grotto Terrace no longer exists - the houses have been renumbered to become part of Mount Pleasant Road. The Terrace was developed to have 11 properties.

Photo of Grotto Terrace showing the fisherman's cottages. Cavern Steps lead down to Fore Street which is then a short walk to the harbour. Many of the sailing trawlers that gave Brixham its' fishing legacy can be seen with their sails raised inside the breakwater. The sails were manufactured using a red ochre die to give them a distinctive appearance which set them apart from trawlers from other ports.

1901 Census, Samuel was shown as "Master of the Annie" being in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, South Wales. The sailing trawler "Annie" - BM18, was built by S. Dewdney & Sons in Brixham and was launched in 1886. The owner was listed as Samuel Gempton and the address was registered as 6 North View Road.

In the same census in 1901 his wife Mary (42) is shown living 3 houses away in Mount Pleasant Road. Children listed as Samuel Jnr (13) George Blackmore (11) William John (9) and Herbert (7).

In 1901 Joseph Gempton is shown living with his son-in-law George Bath Johnson and daughter Bertha. Joseph died in June 1903. (1824-1903). George Johnson had moved his family from Grotto Terrace to Killiney - a house further along Mount Pleasant Road.

The church shown in many early photos of Brixham (see image of harbour above) was built in the 1800's as a Wesleyan Chapel which was never consecrated. The fisherman used the church as a landmark when returning to harbour. The church was demolished in 1960 to make way for housing. This church was in Elkins Hill and was often mistaken for St Peter's Church or The Church of the Fisherman.

St Peter's Church was located at the bottom of Elkins Hill - at the top of St Peter's Hill (a steep walkway from Fore Street).

The above image is a document presented to Samuel Gempton by fellow parishioners of the Church of St Peter the Fisherman presented to him before leaving for New Zealand.

On 21st July1907, Samuel Gempton (48) Mary (48) Samuel (19) George (17) William (16) Herbert (14) emigrated from the UK to New Zealand, on the ship Arawa, arriving in Wellington in the same year.

In 1906, Samuel purchased the trawler Nora Niven from Selby, Yorkshire, on behalf of The New Zealand Trawling and Fish Supply Company, Napier NZ (see New Zealand Gemptons tag). He continued fishing from Napier until 1913 and retired after 40 years at sea to become Verger of St John's Cathedral in Napier.

In April 1923, Samuel returned home to Brixham with several other family members including his grandson Arthur George Gempton who was 3 years old at the time. The voyage took over seven weeks on the SS Osterley arriving on the 18th June 1923. Whilst in Brixham the family stayed with Samuel's sister Bertha Johnson at Killiney, Mount Pleasant Road. They returned to NZ from Tilbury Docks on the 15th September aboard the SS Orsova. Samuel Gempton died in Napier in 1925, his wife Mary Ann having died 6 years earlier in 1919.

This could be a photo of BM18 Annie with Samuel Gempton and crew.

1. Tall white house. 1901. Samuel's residence in Mount Pleasant Road.

2. 1901 residence of Bertha Johnson (Samuel's sister). Killiney - Mount Pleasant Road. Joseph Gempton lived there until his death in 1903.

3. 1891. No 10 Grotto Terrace (white house) where Samuel lived. Mr Philp, the house builder who discovered Brixham Cavern lived at No.11.

4. Image of 107 Mount Pleasant Road (was Grotto Terrace) shows the entrance to Brixham Cavern still existing in the front wall. Below shows how they advertised when the Cavern was open to the public.

This photo and frame were found in an antique shop in New Zealand. The image is of William John Gempton (1890-1976) who lived in Napier New Zealand.He was trained as a saddler who went to war (WW1) aged 28 with 42nd Reinforcements D Company in August 1918. He never married and in later life became a caretaker and property manager in Napier. He was born in Brixham in 1890 before his father Samuel emigrated to N.Z. with his family in 1907. Like his father, he was to become verger of Saint John's Cathedral in Napier for many years.

Below is a copy of a document written by Arthur George Gempton reflecting on his early life and includes some family photos. Click on the arrow in the top right hand corner to open the document.

Image of BM18 Annie moored in Brixham Harbour