Margaret Lewis
Ozias Humphry was born at Honiton in 1742
- Credit: Allhallows Museum
Ozias Humphry, was born at Honiton in 1742, the eldest son of George (a peruke (wig) maker) and Elizabeth Humphry.
Under the headmastership of the Reverend Richard Lewis, Ozias was educated at Allhallows School and at the age of 15 he went to London to study art at the St Martin s Lane Academy but returned to Honiton when his father died in 1759.
The wording in George Humphry’s will was really unusual for the time – it states ‘From the great confidence I repose in Elizabeth Humphry my wife I commit the sole care of my two sons Ozias and William to her peculiar care and management to bring them up and educate them in such a manner and to such trades, businesses or professions as their natural genius and propensity shall lead or direct them I give unto each of my said sons £20 each to be paid to either of them at twenty one’.