John Judd (1740-1824) was the son of Hugh Judd (1700-1785) and Mary Lee He was born in Great Torrington and baptised there on 10 September 1740. 

 

He married Grace Denbow (1734-1803) at St Michael’s Parish Church, Great Torrington, on 26 May 1765. She was the daughter of George Denbow (1704-1761) and Grace Allen (1706-1765). Their marriage certificate records John as a husbandman and Grace as a spinster. They lived in Great Torrington around 1772-1774 until John became a yeoman farmer. At the time of the birth of their son, Anthony, in 1776, they were living at North Healand Farm, St Giles in the Wood - they had seven children.

Grace died in Great Torrington on 18 June 1803 and was buried the following day in St Giles in the Wood. 

John was apparently forced off North Healand Farm in favour of his son Peter and became destitute. He is buried in St Giles in the Wood.  His gravestone was found leaning against the perimeter wall of the graveyard when visited in July 2018. 

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No explanation can be found yet as to why John was forced off his land but on his gravestone there is a 'verse' that would seem to imply that his sister took care of him when he lost his living. Another story 'lost in time'.