Walter Chugg (not a direct relative to the Canadian Chugg family) 1841 age 25 Agricultural laborer Bishop's Cottage East Down - no idea where this is in East Down.
Map of East Down:
Possibly the Bishop's Cottage: This building is beside the East Down Church of St. John The Baptist.
It is possibly where Walter, his wife Elizabeth and their first daughter Ann lived in 1841. Walter was an agricultural laborer at the time.
1850 Churchill - farmer - Mills. On the old maps, East Down Mills is located where the corn mill and other mills and buildings are located at a junction of roads and along a small stream. The location is at the Hamlet of Bugford. In 1850, Walter Chugg and family is loacted at Bugford farming 7 acres of their own and also running the corn mill. The census of 1861 also records Walter and family at Bugford. But between 1861 and 1871, Walter buys more land - 40 acres and moves his family to Chittlehamptonholt. We see Walter improve his fortunes through the years and through his hard work.
Walter Chugg lived at Bugford Cottage with his family from 1850 through 1861 , at least. He had 7 acres here and ran the corn mill.
The corn mill at Bugford 2018. Former worksite of Walter Chugg 1850 - 1861 +.
Bugford Cottage: former home of Walter and Elizabeth Chugg 1850 - 1861.
Walter Chugg 1871 Census Chittlehamptonholt , White More Farm - 40 acres.
The Chugg family is located at White More Farm in Chittlehamptonholt by 1871. Note that Snidles farm is just down the road occupied by the Webber family. The images below show White More Farm as Whitmore Pig Farm and Snydles farm is found in the same location as identified on the 1871 census. The images are from Google Earth. The farms are still operational nearly 150 years later. And we know the actual farm of Walter Chugg of history. We can even see what possibly might have been Walter and Elizabeth's home, which stands today. We even see the name of the farm mortared into the farm wall.
Possible home of Walter and Elizabeth Chugg and family 1871. White More Farm, Chittlehamptonholt, East Down, Devon.
Map of Whitemore Pig Farm and Snyldes Farm 2018: Both farms still exist. The look of the land that Walter and his family farmed in 1871.
It is noted on genealogy sites that Walter Chugg is buried in East Down along side St John The Baptist Church. Date of death is listed as 1881. The fascinating part of this story is that much of the records indicate how Walter and Elizabeth worked and raised a family beginning in the Bishop's Cottage, working as an agricutural laborer, saving money to buy 7 acres, working and saving money to buy 40 acres. The determination and will to improve his station in life was a hall mark of Walter Chugg. How could it not be? He improved his station in life as he worked, and as the census provides the evidence. The location images show us in dramatic fashion how Walter Chugg lived his life.
While the Canadian Chugg family certainly had some of its roots in East Down, I have no connection of Walter Chugg to the Canadian Chugg family. I do not know why I was compelled to tell some of Walter's story. I do know that Walter's life was there waiting for us. I know that his farm life was a symbol of the farm lives of many Canadian Chugg family members. His work ethic is that of Chugg family members. His roots are our roots. Perhaps Walter or Elizabeth shared this story with us, so that we would not forget, so that our lives would be validated by those of Walter and Elizabeth. Their work continues today by others. The farms continue. The walks that this couple walked are still here today. We can walk them, even if we are thousands of miles away. Somehow this is another of those important Chugg family stories that needed to be told.
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