the burgoins

The Burgoins

Many generations of Burgoins have been agriculturalists in east Devon.
 In the early 1800's they farmed in Sowton , near Exeter  and towards the end James Burgoin took his family to Elliott's farm, Venn Ottery , whilst his eldest son Henry stayed to farm in Sowton .  James bought the farm house including 165 acres, 200 sheep, 5 cart horses and 4 buildings. I believe James also ran Metcombe farm and was very involved in the local community, he was a shrewd businessman and was well respected. He died in 1909, his funeral was so well attended that mourners had to stand in the aisles and outside the church in the rain.
The deceased held many public offices including those of Guardian and Rural councillor and  was at the time of his death church warden, chairman of the local conservative committee and a school manager. The family advertised in the Devon and Exeter gazette to thank everyone for their condolences as there were so many they were unable to do this personally.
The farm was then left to his son Thomas and wife Rebecca to continue working.  Sadly after only a short time another tragedy affected the family.
 Just before Christmas in 1911 Thomas, 35, disappeared after he was thought to have gone rabbiting in the morning. After he had not returned, fearing an accident had occurred,  the farm hands were sent out to look. No trace of Thomas was found so as a last resort farm hand Henry Wheaton was sent to check the outbuildings. He found at 9.45 pm, Thomas partially hidden by straw in the hay loft over the stable with a gun beside him. Although he had no financial or love difficulties he had had an accident a few weeks before which had made him depressed and unable to sleep at night. The verdict was recorded as " suicide whilst of unsound mind."
What a sad end for Thomas, he is buried at Venn ottery along with his father.

In addition to this in 1926, his nephew Ernest James Burgoin died from a shooting accident in Sowton . He shot himself in the leg whilst out rabbiting and was admitted to hospital on the Thursday and by Sunday gangrene set in and death occurred. In a local paper I found a story referring to the burial of Ernest where the gravedigger,  whilst working on his grave had an adjoining memorial weighing several hundredweight fall on to him, trapping Mr Dunster down in the grave and breaking his leg! It required several men to set him free.

When the Burgoins left Elliott's farm it was sold on to Mr Burrows for £ 5,325 which included " a handsome old fashioned residence and outbuildings, five labourers cottages and 145 acres"