Taylors of Bath

[PrawnCocktail]

I am trying to trace my husbands tree, and have come to a halt with William Taylor, bookbinder of Bath.

I know plenty about William and his family from about 1841 onwards. They stayed in the same place, Trim Street, and worked the bookbinding business for 3 generations.

Before 1841, all I have is an advert for his business in 1838, and his marriage to Hannah Blagdon in 1831 at Walcot St Swithin.

William is reputed (Census information) to have been born about 1808 in Bath. There's a number of candidates baptised around that time, but nothing seems to stand out.

There's:
1809    son of WIlliam & Hannah (Bath St James)
1810    son of Israel & Sarah (Walcot)
1808    son of John & Hannah (Walcot)
1809    son of Thomas & Hannah (Walcot)

On the one hand, there is an Edwin Taylor, son of Thomas, in Walcot, who is noted as a bookbinder on the 1851 Census. Was there a relationship factor, or is Taylor just such a common surname that it's co-incidence?

On the other, the name Francis runs through the family. There are quite a lot of Francis Taylors in Bath, baptised mostly in Bath Abbey, but I can't find a William linked to them.

Have I missed something? I'm beginning to wonder if a DNA test is the only way through!   

[suzard]

witnesses at marriage may give further clues

Page 240 Marriage by Banns Walcot St Swithins
William Taylor o.t.p. Bachelor
Hannah Blagdon o.t.p. Spinster
witnesses Thomas Taylor & Elizabeth Blagdon
all signed

could Thomas be brother??

Suz

[PrawnCocktail]

witnesses at marriage may give further clues

could Thomas be brother??

Which is what I wondered, with Edwin. John & Hannah Taylor have a son Thomas in 1807. But not a Francis in sight, and when every generation going forward has one, I'm a bit wary of a simplistic connection to John & Hannah.

[Hystericalwriter]

There is this Georgian newspaper project which might cough up some information for you:

https://www.batharchives.co.uk/georgian-newspaper-project

Anne

[Bookbox]

Have you tried the British Book Trade Index? Very useful for bookbinders, printers and all related trades.
http://bbti.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/search/advanced/

[PrawnCocktail]

Not seen that one before! Thanks, Bookbox.

There's an interesting Edmund Taylor of 10 Abbey Chyd, Bath, which address also seems to be associated with our WIlliam. Does anyone know where "Abbey Chyd" was in Bath?

There's also another William Taylor, Bookseller, Publisher, Librarian, 1760 - 1795.

[Hystericalwriter]

Perhaps it's the Abbey Churchyard. If you don't know Bath then its now an open paved area with the Pump Rooms on one side, the Abbey on another and shops facing the Pump Rooms.

Anne

[PrawnCocktail]

Of course! Thank you, Anne!