Catalogue description John Lear, shoemaker

Born in Chudleigh, when he was 14 was privately apprenticed to William Milford, shoemaker, after a year Milford shut up shop and he worked for George Babbage, shoemaker for 3 ½ years by the week, he went to Dawlish with Mr Punvill at so much a pair for 12 months, then to Starcross with Mr Toby, on the same basis, he was then drawn into the militia, after 2 ½ years he volunteered into the Marines at Plymouth, after 10 ½ years he was discharged and came back to Chudleigh and agreed with Mr Latham, shoemaker, by the pair for about 3 ½ years, then he went to Ashburton and lived in lodgings and worked for different masters for 7 ½ years when he got married in Ashburton, for 2 years before marriage he served Mr Williams in Broadhempston but lived in Ashburton