I have an ancestor, one William MORTIMER or MORTIMORE (sometimes without the E). In shipping records to Australia in 1842, William gives his place of birth as: North Allerton, Devon.
I am aware that there is a small village called Allerton in Devon, and that there is a 'NorthAllerton' in North Yorkshire, but I am not able to pinpoint a North Allerton in Devon. Does it exist? It seems unusual and unlikely that a person from the north of Allerton in Devon would be so specific in their shipping record to include the north unless it were a larger location.
I really am unsure as to how likely that William was even from Devon, given that the only record of his time in England is his appearance in the 1841 census, when he was living in St. Leonard's, Sussex. Could William be referring to a Manor or farm, rather than a village?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
John