lindynz
I have been looking in the Hampshire Telegraph for the name Aaron Sheaf, and have come up with only 4 entries. They can't all relate to the same man, but they may relate to one of them.
There is an article in 1866, where an Aaron Sheaf applies unsuccessfully to have a licence to run a pub.
PORTSMOUTH ANNUAL LICENSING SESSIONS .
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle Saturday, September 8, 1866
THE BREWERY TAP
Mr. Cousins applied on behalf of Aaron Sheaf for a license for the “Brewery Tap”, in Kingston Crescent. The rent paid to the brewer was £28., and the rating was £21. Mr. Russell would tell them that the actual annual value was £50., there being a very large trade. The house was in the middle of Kingston-crescent, the nearest licensed house being the “Air Balloon”, and the “Admiral’s Head”, and the applicant’s being mid-way between the two.
The applicant stated that he had occupied the house seven years, and had never been fined. Mr. Russell said the annual value of the premises for which they were used was £50. The application was refused.
The next item relates to the death of an Aaron Sheaf in the Portsea Island Union House-the Workhouse in other words. Maybe Little Nell would know more about that. The date of death may well fit in with your Aaron.
Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries .
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc Saturday, August 20, 1870;
At the Portsea Island Union House, On the 13th Inst, Aaron Sheaf aged 78 years.
However, the last entry cannot fit your Aaron, but maybe a relation, but here it is anyway, as it gives some interesting local information. There was an Oyster company operating in the Isle of Wight at Cowes. In the 1870's the company sued the local council, blaming its sewerage works for the loss of its oyster beds. An Aaron Sheaf, fisherman gave an affidavit to this court.
ISLE OF WIGHT OYSTER COMPANY V. BOROUGH OF NEWPORT .
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc ), Saturday, November 8, 1873
THIRD DAY-THURSDAY
Mr. Whitehorne read the affidavit of the Aaron Sheaf, fisherman. He said he had known the Medina Fishery for the last quarter of the century. In his opinion the chief cause of the failure of the Oyster Fishery was the importation of Irish Oysters. There were more fish in the river in 1871 than in many previous seasons, and the cockles that year were in good condition. Oysters and cockles would be affected by the same causes; but he noticed no deterioration in the quality of the cockle that year. The tide ran in and out of the Medina very swiftly, and would carry away, in his opinion any sewage matter.
Tom
