Hunt/Creech Ancestors Somerset

Today we meet my 8th GGM Joan Hunt, who was born in Stogumber, Somerset, to Joseph Hunt (b.1666 - the year the great fire of London raged out of control) and Mary Hallett (b 1668, a year Titus Oates was alleged to have formulated a 'Popish Plot' to have Charles II murdered and a Catholic put back on the throne of England. This resulted in many attacks against Catholics in the country). Joan was born in 1690, the year the Battle of the Boyne was won by the forces of William of Orange, just a year after William and Mary took the throne after ousting James II. Joan married Robert Creech in 1714 and they lived in Porlock, Somerset. 
Joan lived until 1765 so would have seen 5 different monarchs on the British Throne. William and Mary, Anne, George I, George II and George III.

Timeline history 

Titus Oates in the pillories at Temple Bar. 
Titus Oates was implicit in the Popish Plot of 1678. Oates claimed that Catholics were plotting to kill Charles II and such was the nature of society then that many were taken in by his claims.

William and Mary.
William of Orange remained a soldier despite very poor personal health. He died after a fall from his horse Sorrel in 1702 (8 years after the death of Mary) - It was thought his horse may have encountered a mole hill, and Jacobites used to toast "The little Gentleman in black velvet" in tribute to the mole that may have innocently caused the death of William.

Queen Anne (sister of Mary and daughter of James II) reigned for just 12 years. There was a verse all school children learned about her.

'Queen Anne's dead, poor Queen Anne,

If she was plain, she wore a pretty frown,

If she was dull, she wore a pretty fan,

And almost looked alive, underneath her crown.'

George I was the Elector of Hanover and a Stuart through his mother Sophia took the crown in 1714. He remained in Hanover for much of his 13 year reign, never bothering to learn to speak English as he detested the country and its language. He was a very unpopular King with the English. He had his wife Sophia Dorothea imprisoned in Celle for 20 or so years until her death in 1726 for alleged infidelity.

George II ruled for 33 years, he was the last King of England to be born outside the country. He didn't get very good press as he was short tempered and grumpy, but all in all did a better job of Kingship and foreign policy than his father did.

George III unfortunately is still remembered for his 'Madness' and for losing America for the British. He was a family man who would have been happier being a simple farmer (in fact, one of his nicknames was 'farmer George') and bringing up his children whom he adored. His son The Prince of Wales, later George IV plotted against him along with his brothers which broke George's heart.



In the 18th Century, my ancestors may have been wearing clothing such as this...