RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Somerset => Topic started by: Les de B on Tuesday 17 June 08 13:54 BST (UK)
-
A couple of weeks ago I posted a topic regarding the book "Recollection of Old Taunton" http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,307463.msg1888131.html#msg1888131 and whether anybody had a copy they could give me information from. The book relates to a resident of Taunton, Somerset, who lived there from about 1817 until his death in 1896. In 1883 he wrote the book about the residents of 1820's to 1830's, describing who lived where and what they did as he walked down the streets of Taunton.(amendment - he mostly describes tradespeople and their businesses as he walks the streets though some non-business people are mentioned - I'm still happy to check any possibility)
As nobody replied to me with a copy, I purchased one and had it shipped to me from England. As I indicated the author walks down each street in 1883 idenitiying each house and its occupant who lived there in 1820' and 1830's, and he also tells a few local stories as well.
The book is indexed (though not 100% complete) with the residents' names. If you think your ancestors may have been in Taunton during 1820's and 1830's, give me their details, and I will see if I can find them.
Unfortunately, some of the details are very scant such as one of my ancestors John WEST "....next came West, a spirit merchant, and further on some maiden ladies......." That was his only reference, while another ancestor was given a physical description, her grandchild's name and information about a portrait painted of her.
So you may just get a surname/occupation/dwelling (majority of cases), but then again quite a few lines down to the clothing they wore, or a whithered foot, a fight they were involved, where they drank and who with, and other personal snippets of information.
Anyway, if you think you may have a ancestor from that time/place, I'm glad to try and help find he/she in the book.
Les
-
Hi Les
Looking for the Butti surname in Taunton. Joseph Butti from Italy married Maria Shattock. Children born in the 1920`s. Thanks
Nicola
-
Looking for the Butti surname in Taunton. Joseph Butti from Italy married Maria Shattock. Children born in the 1920`s. Thanks
Hi Nicola
Good news - bad news. Found both surnames, but very little detail.
Just briefly. When the book was originally written in 1883, there was no index, but one was inserted during later versions (mine 1992), however, the author did originally write an appendix of all tradesman. So a name may appear in the appendix, but because it doesn't appear in the general story of the book it does not appear in the index.
Your Butti does not appear in the index, but appears in the appendix of Names of Professional Men and Tradesman of Taunton (around 1820's to 1830's).
I've added all names for this particular trade as they all appear to be Italian, and you may recognize another name. Everyone else in the village appears to be English.
Travelling Jewellers
John Marzaritti
Joseph Butti
Peter Camarado
John de Maria
Peter Nolfi
Louis Schalfino
Shattock (surname only) appears in both appendix and index. Appendix details;
Painters and Plumbers
Shattock
(there another 10 names under this trade)
Index details relate to page 14. Its a bit vague but I think the author is describing James Street. Although Shattock is only briefly mentioned I'll give you a few lines to give you an idea of his neighbours.
.....Baldwin who sold toys came next, and Chapman a shoemaker adjoined. The "Spread Eagle" kept by Tite was next door. The next house was an old peaked one which was afterwards pulled down and a new one built, the first occupier being Oliver Leigh. Shattock, a plumber and glazier, Joyce a druggist, Hodges a shoemaker. Fickus a confectioner and Bath's hucksters shop followed......
Hope these scant details help in some way.
Regards
Les
-
What a fascinating book you must have. I often feel with this hobby of our, that although we have a few basic details of our ancestors, we do not really know what they were like or the lives they lead. I wonder if you could see if a branch of my family are mentioned in your book.
The Clinch or Clench family lived in Taunton at least from the early 1800’s. The earliest ancestors were John and Elizabeth Clinch / Clench. They had 2 sons baptised in Taunton, John in 1817 and James in 1815. Elizabeth was a nurse working in Taunton hospital in the 1841 census. In 1851 she is living with her son John at “Bales Point” Taunton. John went onto to become a policeman whereas his brother. James (my ancestor)worked for the gas works. By the mid 1800’s this was the only family of that name in the town.
best wishes
-
Sorry Peewee, I can't find Clinch/Clench listed in either the Index or Appendix. Most of the people mentioned are shop owners/tradesmen, so I suppose there is more chance if your ancestors was one of those.
Don't feel too bad though, another Rootschatter PM'ed with a number of names, and I dind't find any for him/her either - just "luck of the draw" I suppose.
Speaking of luck, in my original posting of this topic I indicated I found one ancestor in the book and mention was made of a portrait. The authour of the book actually mentions the artist's name, and the fact that he (the author) actually owned the portrait at one stage.
I ended up Googling my ancestor's name and the artist's name in the million to one chance I would find something, and I did! The painting is currently in the Royal Albert Museum, Exeter. The website displayed a copy of the painting plus some family history which I never had before. It also makes reference to the author of my book. Yes, one can be lucky in this big world of family research ;D
Les
-
Many thanks for looking anyway.
-
Hi Les de bee,
Doing some research or a Ballard family in Taunton, could you look in your book to see if any referances appear there !!
Thanks In Advance :)
Adrian Ballard (formaly of Bristol Now of Cornwall)
www.ballardsfield.com
www.ballardgen.com
-
Hi Les
I'd be grateful for anything on the name of GILL in Taunton. I know that one Innkeeper originated from Manchester but there were several so far unconnected GILL families, and Coachmen featured amongst some of them traversing the county towns.
Also, perhaps less likely, DEAN[E] perhaps with Chard origins? One that I know of - William, a Shoemaker, with wife Sarah and family - was subjected to a Removal Order from Chard 1832 to Taunton St Mary Magdalen, so may have previously enjoyed a decent living, presumably obtaining settlement via employment in Taunton. In 1841 he was back in Chard, but all too soon disappeared off the radar ........
-
Sorry Dee-Jay, nothing on Ballard, Gill or Dean(e).
You did mention coachmen, and though none of the names you mentioned are listed in the book, there is a brief first hand account of coaches/coachmen in the book;
"The arrival and departure of the North Devon and Bridport Mails, and other coaches, was the great event of the day; you would see the tradesmen at their shop doors, with their aprons and straw hats, taking the greatest interest in changing and putting to. The horn would blow, and off they would go, and all was quiet again. The coachmen and guards were men of great importance, and also great drinkers".
Some of the coachman were named, but not Gill. Also there is a list of shoemakers, but no Dean(e).
The book deals with the author's boyhood memories around 1820's to 1830's. Unfortunately, your families didn't jog his memory. :(
Les
-
Hi Les,
I have my gg grandfather who was transported to Tasmania in 1840. He was living in Tauton before he was transported. His name was William Barclay Snow,his parents were Joseph Snow and Carloline Snow [nee Barclay].
Thankyou Johngirl. :) :)
-
Hi Johngirl
Unfortunately, my offer of assistance is once again somewhat wanting, although SNOW gets the briefest of mentions.
The current publisher's Index of surnames has nothing, but the author's Appendix of Tradesmen has "Hatters - Snow".
Sorry, not much to go on there.
Les
-
Thanks for trying Les De Bee
:)
-
Hi Les,
Just wondering, is there any PRUST 's on there please
Daizi
-
Thanks, Les. It's good to get confirmation of Coachmen's social standing as well as their 'Achilles heel'!
-
Sorry Daizi, Can't help you with the Prust surname. There are over 350 surnames in the index, and I can't seem to help anyone at them moment.
Les
-
Thanks, Les. It's good to get confirmation of Coachmen's social standing as well as their 'Achilles heel'!
Yes, I did notice the "Achilles Heel", but didn't know how to mention it without offending - you've covered it very diplomatically! ;)
Les
-
Hey Les
No problems, was just a thought, thanks any way
Good Luck
Daizi
-
Hi Les,
Your book sounds so interesting,
wondering if you have the names of
James Webber - Carpenter
Robert Strong - Sailor.
They were the fathers of
William Webber and Louisa Strong who were married
in Taunton,living at Melody Buildings.
Fingers crossed.
Bennett
-
Sorry Bennett, can't find either surname. My "Sorry" replies are starting to sound like a recording. Apart from my two ancestors, and my reply to the first request, I can't "back a winner" with any others at the moment.
Yes, it is an interesting book. Only just over 60 pages, plus a few illustrations and a map, but full of first hand local history of Taunton (if your ancestor gets a mention!) .
Les
-
Hi Les,
No need to say "Sorry", ;D
it was kind of you to take the time to have a look,
much appreciated btw.
Many thanks.
Bennett
-
Hi Les,
I would be most interested in any Pleass entries. In the 1841 Census William Pleass is described as 55, a clock maker living in Silver Street. ( He was also a silversmith.) Actually, any Pleass mentions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Lyn
-
Hi Les
I am wondering if there are any Andrews mentioned in the book, some of the trades I have for them are bricklayers, builders and labourers.
Thanks
jericho
-
Sorry Lyn, no mention of the family name - PLEASS. The author's annex lists the surnames of 7 silversmiths/jewellers, but no PLEASS, then again your ancestor may have been a bit after the author's memories of Taunton in the 1820's/1830's.
As a matter of interest the author describes Silver Street where your ancestor lived as "Silver Street was a dirty and very immoral place, noted for the residence of a class known as The Great Social Evil.", That was his original recollection, but later on in the book when he revisited Taunton he wrote, "Silver Street has been widened, near the Royal Marine Inn and greatly improved in appearance, as well as in morals".
Of course, your ancestor lived at the good end of the street ;)
Les
-
Hi Jericho, yet another "sorry" - no find for ANDREWS in the index or author's annex.
Les
-
Hi Les
Thanks for taking the time to look it was worth a try.
jericho
-
Thanks Les :)
I appreciate the look up. I'll add that little snippet re Silver Street to my Pleass and Poole info. (The two families both lived there about the same time.) Every little bit helps to paint a picture.
Warmest wishes,
Lyn
-
Hi Lyn. Glad you liked the snippets. It gives the ancestors a little bit of "blood & bone" rather than a page just full of names and dates.
The following website gives you a lot of photo's of old Taunton.
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/ASP/pics.asp?Place=Taunton
I also Googled (images) "Silver Street, Taunton", and got a few photographs of Silver Street Taunton. If you do that search, your first result page will have a number of photographs. If you click onto the B&W photo - top row - second from left, that will take you to a site for the Poole Family of Taunton. Don't know if you have checked it out before, or whether they are related to your Poole, but worth a try if you haven't.
Les
-
........my Pleass and Poole info. (The two families both lived there about the same time.) Every little bit helps to paint a picture.
Hi Lyn
As I indicated eariler no PLEASS surnames, but I just checked POOLE, and found 3 snippets on that surname. No christain names mentioned - interested?
Les
-
Hi Les,
Thank you!!! Sadly, I don't think they are my Poole family but Ill keep on reading and make a note of it just in case. LOL!
:) Lyn
-
snip
As I indicated eariler no PLEASS surnames, but I just checked POOLE, and found 3 snippets on that surname. No christain names mentioned - interested?
Yes please!
-
As I indicated, no christian names, but there may be something there to identify them, if not now, maybe later on...........................?
Page 7 - "The space between Fickus' shop on one side, and Billet's house on the other was called 'The Opening', after passing, which to enter Poole's garden, you had to go through a covered passage belonging to some old cottages; further up was Poole's house and garden which extended to Mount Lane, all of which is now called Billet Street"
Page 10 - "At the entrance of Hunt's Court, in Fore Street, was a stationer's shop, kept by a nice old gentleman named Poole, who wore powder".
Later in Page 10 still in Fore Street "Poole & Kinglake's Bank came next, then some old houses, on the side of which the Institution and new Markets are built."
The author's Tradesman Annex includes the surname POOLE only, under the headings of Innkeepers (Crown & Sceptre) - Greengrocers - Masons and Builders - Stationers - Mercers and Tailors.
If you can identify any Poole on the page references, I can give you a further extract from the book either side of that reference to "paint" a further picture of the times. I'm not quite sure whether you would be related to the Poole of the Bank though?
Unfortunately, not a great deal, but hopefully something there for you.
Les
-
Thanks Les,
I appreciate all the effort you have put in for me. Nothing rings any bells but I'll file it all away for future reference.
Warmest wishes,
Lyn
-
Hi again Les deB,
I have another request from you. This time I wanting you to see if there is anything on the ROSE family. I have just found my husbands gg grandfather lived in Somerset before he was transported to Tasmania. In particular a Joseph ROSE.
Thankyou
Johngirl :)
-
Hi Johngirl
Unfortunately, no Rose surnames mentioned.
I'm having very little success with any of the names supplied by RootsChatters. Maybe I should change the topic to "With Some Luck I Can Help with Ancestors Living in Taunton" :-[
Les
-
No worries Les,
I think you are doing a great job. You can`t help it if they aren`t there.
Thankyou for trying to help your fellow rootchatters. :) :)
Johngirl. :)
-
Hi Les
I was wondering if you could see if the surnames MOUNTSTEVENS (various spelling), WIMBRIBGE/WEMBRIDGE, BOON(E) or CHANNING is in your wonderful book please.
Thanks very much
Marian
-
Hi Marian
Some goodnews/bad news for you.
Bad news first - didn't do any good with MOUNTSTEVENS (various spelling), WIMBRIBGE/WEMBRIDGE, or BOON(E).
Good news - found CHANNING under the author's annex of tradesmen "Innkeepers - Channing - The Royal Marine".
Further good news if your ancestor was named Rab CHANNING, Taunton's champion wrestler! This name only gets mentioned once, but there is a bit about the author's witnessing wrestling matches in Taunton, which no doubt involved Rab CHANNING.
If you think its your CHANNING, I'm quite happy to type it out for you later, rather than type it out now, and he's not yours.
Les
-
Hi Les
Thank you ever so much for looking for my relatives, one find is better than none thank you.
As for Rab Channing, Ive got him in my notes but not on my tree yet - I cant find out where he is connected yet! So Ill save your fingers for the moment, but thanks for offering to do a type up for me, if I ever find he is linked Ill come creeping then.
all the best
Marian
-
Les ..... you are most generous as usual.... do you see any BELL surnames in the book.
They flitted from Taunton to North Petherton which are only six miles apart to look for partners etc.
Joe in Sydney
-
Hi Joe - nothing found in the Tradesmen Annexure or Index for BELL, however, found this with the book's illustrations/notices;
"Ryan's Olympic Circus'. Holway Lane, Taunton. For the benefit of Dimond & Bell, on Saturday April 15th 1826, there will be a performance at 2 o'clock on which occasion Mr Ryan will appear on the tight rope and go through the whole of his wonderful feats".
No christian name, but if you can find a link with the surname Dimond, it may be connected to your Bell.
Les
-
Thanks for looking Les ........ you have prompted me to search for Dimond and Bell in Taunton to see if anything shows up.
The Taunton Courier of 1815 here; http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/news/TAUN1815.HTM
shows reference to both names which I found quite interesting.
All leads taken very seriously!!
Joe
-
Hi Joboy
I just wanted to thank you for putting that link in, I did find some of the people I was looking for, so that was really interesting.
thanks again
Marian
-
Hi Les
was wandering if you would be kind enough to see if any CLARK were there
my great grand father william john Clark was born Taunton 1846 living near minehead somerset in 1861 census he was a harness maker he married an Elizabeth from Long Sutton
thankyou debra fom oz :)
-
Hi Debra
Could't find the surname CLARK, but did find the surname CLARKE in the index seven times;
1. Rev. W.R
2. patten, clog & basket maker
3. Coachman
4. Joseph, ready made clothes shop
5. Harnessmaker
6. Hotel, formerly Sweet's.
7. Coachman for 20 years and keeper of "Old Angel" Inn.
In your posting you did mention harnessmaking, so I will give you that reference (No.5), though it doesn't indicate a great deal;
".........and Sweet, who I think was an ironmonger. Clarke, the harness maker lived next door; you had to mount four or five stone steps (some of them projecting on the footway) before you entered his shop. Gillard, a shoemaker, Upham, a hatter..........."
Yes, not a great deal there. I can give the extract for the others if you wish? Maybe the coachman are related to harnessmakers?
I see your ancestor was born in 1846, whereas the book relates to residents of the 1820's and 1830's (or thereabouts). Though could still be related?
Les
-
Hi looking for the surname fudge, trying to find out the parents of John fudge born abt 1815, 1830
thanks onecoat
-
Sorry Onecoat, the surname FUDGE does not appear in any of the Indexes within the book.
Les
-
Many thanks for looking, back to the drawing board, john fudge parents dont seem to want to be found for some reason,
regards onecoat
-
Hi there
How very kind of you to do these looks ups for us.
I am interested in Robert Huett, and his wife Eleanor Hucklebridge. How long they were in Tauton I'm not sure, but they lived there when my GGgrandafather was born in 1820.
-
Hi sjohnstone
Couldn't find Huett surname, but surname of Hucklbridge appears twice, though not Eleanor, but Tom (probably related?).
1) In the author's Tradesmen Appendix; "Painters and Plumbers - Hucklebridge"
2) The author's description of North Street "......next came Bishop, a printer. There was a large china shop near, the owner of which was Banfield. Next door was Tom Hucklebridge's plumbing and glazing shops, and adjoining, Richard and Stephen Reeves' coach manufactory.........." Unfortunatley, not a great deal, at least something is better thant nothing when family researching. Just a note, Huckelbrdige's reference did state "shops" (plural).
Les
-
Thanks so much Les de B. What an amazing book you have!
-
Les de B - Many thanks for your service. How about the LANE & LOCK family? Will this be a hit or a miss in your book?
Current head of this family tree is my 3xGGF Robert LANE (n. c1812), Ironfounder, and 3xGGM Elizabeth LOCK (n. c1809, spinster) who m. 21.7.1831 at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Taunton. They appeared to have had at least four children according to the 1851 census (then at White Hall, Taunton).
Thanks,
Mark
-
How about the LANE & LOCK family? Will this be a hit or a miss in your book?
Hi Mark
Yes, this was a "hit & miss" result i.e. a hit with LOCK surname, but nothing for LANE. Unfortunately, no christian names mentioned, but an occupation of Coal Merchant which I presume is associated with Irongmonger?
1) Author's Tradesman Appendix - "Coal Merchants - Lock", though there was also a heading of "Cutlers, Ironmongers & Tinmen", but no Lock under that heading.
2) Part description of East Street ".........the three shops next were occupied by Spencer, a confectioner, Trapnell, a grocer, and Parsons, a currier, then came five private residences, the occupier's names being Cornish, Seaward, Beadon, Lock and Noble; next came Jack Bastable's open clog, patten last shop; Murrey a baker lived next door............."
3) This excerpt relates to the author's walk through Taunton in 1886, not of his memories of 1820's/30's ".... the shop now occupied by Lock, the baker, stands on the site of an open blacksmith's shop, owned by man named Kallend, where could be seen and heard bellows blowing, hammering, fires blazing, sparks flying and horses shying......" I can't really decipher where the author was talking about, but I think its somewehere around the old Turnpike Gate area(?).
4) Author describing describing the Castle Inn "...........Jim Hollier, the head ostler, was usually seen and heard halloing to the other ostlers, or talking to Best about Day and Martin's blacking, or with Lock, the waiter. Long Jim Saunders, chubby-faced, Bill Miller, bandy-legged Jack Stradling, the post boys dressed in yellow jackets........"
5) Author describing working conditions of about 100 "roughest and coarsest men" working on the river in relation to coal barges. "........the merchants who employed these men were Badcock, Davey, Hammet, Kinsbury, Lock, Stone, Trood, Ball, Joyce, Lleewellen, Potter, Foxwell, Pring and Pain."
So, nothing really there to confirm your LOCK ancestors, only surnames and occupation. Hopefully, you might be able to match them up somewhere else - good luck!
Les
-
Les - Much obliged.
-
Any chance you could do a quick look for JOHN MATTERFACE, Whitesmith (tin) (b 1796) who, I believe, lived in Taunton abt 1812-21, with his young family? He may have married a local girl (Sarah Hooper) at St Mary Magdalene's on 26 DEC 1811.
Thank you!
-
Sorry Deb, neither MATTERFACE nor HOOPER surnames appear in the Indexes.
Les
-
Thanks very much for looking!
Deb
-
I have determined that my great grandfather, Charles Edward Leigh, migrated from Taunton to the U.S. in 1852. I am now looking for any information that might tell me his father's name. Does the book have reference to the family Leigh?
Thank You.
-
Hi "nebrfan"
Don't know if this helps you any;
In the authors Appendix of Professional Men & Tradesman I found under the headings these surnames only;
LEGAL - Leigh
GROCERS - Leigh
In the book itself I found these mentions of Leigh;
P.13 = ".....coming up North Street, on the same side, you had to pass through posts by the side of Oliver Leigh's grocery shop. Next to Leigh lived Aaron Smetham, an auctioneer and tailor................"
P.14 = ".....the next house was an old peaked one which was afterwards pulled down and a new one built, the first occupier being Oliver Leigh. Shattock, a plumber and glazier, Joyce, a druggist followed......."
P.15 (this whole page describes an area called the Parade, and some of the Taunton Militia characters) ".....the well known faces of the Leighs, Beadons, Liddons (etc) have all vanished............"
There was also Mr Lee and son Herbert (theatre manger and son), and Robert Newton Lee (election songs).
Hope you can find a connection somewhere there.
Les
-
Les, Thank you so much. You are so generous with your time to respond so quickly to the numerous requests you get. I am an attorney myself and find it intriguing that you found the family name under LEGAL. Much appreciate your efforts.
Richard a/k/a nebrfan
-
Hi Les,
Happy New Year!
Just came across your posting. Sounds like a fascinating book.
Several of my ancestors came from the Taunton area - surnames LOCK(E), STUCKEY, SUTTON and MILLARD.
I've seen your posting on LOCKs (but unfortunately don't recognise any of them :( )
Does your book cover Bishops Hull as well as Taunton?
My STUCKEY (Samuel) was a bootmaker in Castle Street, Bishops Hull in 1851 having moved up from Topsham, Devon some time before 1837 (he married Elizabeth MILLARD at St. Mary Magd in 1837).
I'd really like to find my William SUTTON who was a retired soldier (left the army in 1819) originally from Kingston St. Mary, but returned to Taunton. He was living in Bishops Hull in 1841. His wife Mary died in 1838 at the Sugarloaf Inn, Bishops Hull.
Many thanks,
Andy
-
Hi Les,
Sounds like an interesting book - I had some BALLARD family in Taunton - any chance you could see if they are metioned..
appreciated
Adrian
www.ballardgen.co.uk
-
Hi Andy
Unfortunately, the book only covers Taunton, not Bishops Hull.
In any case, I looked for all the names supplied, and only found Jim and Dick (known as "The Babbler")STUCKEY. Being an unusual name, perhaps they might be related?
They both get a couple of mentions over 2 pages in the book regarding an election. It would take me too long to type these pages out. However, if you are interested, send me a PM with your email address, and I will scan the pages and send them to you that way.
Les
-
Hi Adrian
Sorry, no BALLARD surnames at all listed in the book's indexes.
Les
-
Hi Les,
Many thanks for looking.
I thought that STUCKEY was an unusual name - that is until I looked in Somerset, where there seems to be rather a lot of them.
Best regards,
Andy
-
Hi Adrian
Sorry, no BALLARD surnames at all listed in the book's indexes.
Les
Thank for looking Les :)
-
Les, since my last request I have found that my great grand father, Charles Edward Leigh, married a lady named Amelia Jones Kerle and am wondering if the family name Kerle appears in the book.
Thank you again for your willingness to provide information from the book.
Richard
-
Hi Richard
Sorry, I can't help you with this one - no family name of KERLE appears in the book's index.
Les
-
Thanks for checking
-
Hi Les. I am having trouble with my Saunders ancestors who lived in Taunton. Samuel Saunders was born about 1832 and married Mary Ann Garland 1856 in Paul's meeting house, Paul St, Taunton. According to the marriage cert his father was Richard, a Shoemaker. I thought I had found the father Richard in Taunton but he was not a shoemaker and he did not have a son Samuel. Do you knwo of either of them in Taunton in 1830's
Bill Craig
-
Hi Bill (and welcome to RootsChat)
I checked the Tradesman's Index of the book, and could find no SAUNDERS, including 18 names listed as shoemakers.
The only SAUNDERS listed in the General Index was for Jimmy SAUNDERS;
"Long Jim SAUNDERS (4 others also named and described), the post boys, dressed in yellow jackets, buckskin breeches and boots, were seen chatting and joking with the chambermaid, or taking their morning draught of hot ginger". Also, "As you turned into North Street, the first house was the Castle Tap, which was frequented by coachmen, guards, postboys and market people. This Tap was kept by Jim SAUNDERS, who went to the tap so often that at last Death tapped him upon his shoulder".
I could find no mention of the surname GARLAND.
Paul's Meeting House was mentioned - "All the Churches and Chapels have undergone great alterations both inside and out. Paul's Meeting was a plain substantial looking edifice, far superior to the present nondescript. The inside was plain and simple, and the dress of the congregation corresponded. They had a worthy pastor in the person of the Rev.T.LUKE".
Remember, this book was written in the 1880's using the author's memory of the 1820-30's, so there is a possibility he just doesn't remember your SAUNDERS?
Les
-
Thanks Les. Can you tell me the name of the book please
Bill
-
Thanks Les. Can you tell me the name of the book please
Bill
Edward Goldsworthy's "Recollections of Old Taunton" - first published in 1883. The views of Edward Goldsworthy who lived in Taunton from 1817 to 1896. Abridged quote from Preface - "I am writing this to show the condition of the streets of Taunton and the habits of the people 50 or 60 years ago, and also to show what changes have taken place since that time".
Its only a small book, some 70 pages including Tradesman's Index, General Book Index, and map. There are 34 illustrations, which are only included in the 1976 and 1992 reprinted versions (I have 1992 version).
Les
-
Hi Les
Could you look up the surname Billing for me
Thanks Heather
-
Hi Les
Could you look up the surname Billing for me
Thanks Heather
Hi Heather
Sorry, I couldn't find BILLING listed in the general ndex, however, I did find the surname BILLINGS listed in the Tradesmen's index under the general heading "Shoemakers". This index lists the profession and surname only - not even a first name or initial.
Les
-
Thanks for looking
Heather
-
Hi Les
Thank you ever so much for looking for my relatives, one find is better than none thank you.
As for Rab Channing, Ive got him in my notes but not on my tree yet - I cant find out where he is connected yet! So Ill save your fingers for the moment, but thanks for offering to do a type up for me, if I ever find he is linked Ill come creeping then.
all the best
Marian
-
Hi Les
I have alredy asked you about Billing. could you try Northam for me
Many thanks Heather
-
Heather - Sorry, no trace of NORTHAM surname in any of the book's indexes.
Happy Bunny - Yesterday you quoted a previous posting from this topic but you didn't make a request for anything. I see you are only "new" here, and you may be having teething problems getting used to the format. If so, just try again, its not a problem - we were all "newbies" once ;)
Les
-
Hi Les
I was wondering if I could take you up on the offer from last Sept in doing a write up for me on Rab Channing - I think I now know where he fits in.
Thanks very much - I hope Im not being too cheeky
thanks again
Maz
-
Hi Les
I was wondering if I could take you up on the offer from last Sept in doing a write up for me on Rab Channing - I think I now know where he fits in.
Thanks very much - I hope Im not being too cheeky
thanks again
Maz
Hi Maz - not a problem.
Rab CHANNING gets a brief mention in a section concerning wrestling. No doubt it paints a picture of what he did during the early days of Taunton. "Wrestling was another amusement. The Devonshire wrestlers frequently came to Taunton to contend with men of the town and neighbourhood. Rab Channing and Tom Grainer were our local champions. Wrestling is a very healthy and useful exercise, but when the contest is carried on by kicking shins with hobnailed and toe-tipt boots it becomes a very painful and dangerous amusement. I have seen men kicking away at each other's shins until they were scarecly able to stand from pain and loss of blood; when they could not get at each other's shins, each would try to lift his opponent bodily off his legs and dash him with great force to the ground. Boys of course imitated the men. You may ask the cause of people's minds being in such a low and brutal condition as to be pleased with such degrading passtimes as I have endeavoured to describe. One of the causes may be attributed to the long war which had just ended; it had brutalized men's feelings, and made them coarse minded and indifferent to blood and danger."
I hope that gives a little "blood & bone" (no pun intended) to your ancestor.
Les
-
Thanks ever so for that Les
He certainly was a colourful character!!!
best wishes
Marian
-
hi Les, would you be so kind as to look for a moore family, blacksmith. in taunton . thank you, john.
-
Hi John. The only MOORE's found in the index were a coachman and a Lieutenant. In the body of the book, there was no further description of them, nor their first names.
Les
-
hi Les, thank you, that was good of you to look. john.
-
Hello Les
Would you be able to see if there are any Macey or Macy in your book please.
Thank you very much
Jill
-
Sorry Jill, can't help you - no mention of a Macey/Macy in the book's indexes.
Les
-
Ok Les, thank you for looking anyway.
Jill
-
Hello,
Would you be able to look for Gaylard/ Gayland ?
Many Thanks
Dolly.
-
Hi Dolly. I'm afraid there weren't any Gayland/Gaylard in the book's main index. The closest thing I found was in the Tradesmen Index under Innkeepers - Garland "Nags Head".
That's the only mention which probably doesn't help that much - sorry.
Les
-
Hi Les,
Thank you for the look up - the surname has been spelt in various ways,the Inn Keeper at the Nags Head may well be related .
Cheers
Dolly.
-
Hello Les
Could you look up the name PERKINS in your book, please
My GGG grandparents lived in Taunton from at least 1810 to 1856, mainly in St James Street. John Perkins (1785-1851) married Betty KING at St. Mary's Taunton in 1810. They had eleven children that I have traced - their eldest Elizabeth PERKINS married Francis WOODFORD in Taunton in 1830, and emigrated to NSW Australia in 1838, sailing on the 'JAMES PATTERSON' from Plymouth to Sydney with 3 children and several family members.
Kind regards
Colin Perkins
-
Hi Colin, and welcome to RootsChat - a great site for Family Tree information, though not a great deal on this occasion. I was hoping with all that information you supplied I might find something interesting. Didn't find a great deal, but hopefully, you may make something out this?
PERKINS - not a mention in the indexes.
KING - not a mention in the indexes.
WOODFORD - Professional Index; "Medical - Physicians - Woodford"
WOODFORDE - Tradesmen Index; " "Cabinet Makers - Woodforde"
WOODFORDE - Professional Index; "Medical - Surgeons - Woodforde"
WOODFORDE - Main Index - P.28 - the author is describing Christmas festivities "The ringers were a lot of strong, substantial lokking fellows; they wore broad-brimmed hats, long coats, bracless breeches and steel buckles in their shoes. The last pig-tail I recollect was worn by one of these men, named Woodforde".
As you can see there are no first names given, which makes things a little hard to confirm.
There were 3 brief mentions of St.James Street "The entrance to St.James Street was very narrow, just inside it stood several old thatched houses and the old Turks Head and White Horse Inns. In this street lived a lot of coal merchants (6 are named)". That was the author's recollection when he was a child, while the other 2 references relates to St.James Street as an adult in the 1880's and the widening of the street and the pulling down of the thatched houses.
Les
-
Hello again Les.
Very many thanks for your efforts
Best regards
Colin
-
Hello there
I hope you might be able to help with any information on the name Moore, especially Richard and or Martha.
Thanks if you can find anything.
-
Hello,
Could you have a look for the surname of Wines please?
-
I hope you might be able to help with any information on the name Moore, especially Richard and or Martha.
Hi Trafalgar05
There were 2 references to the surname MOORE, but unfortunatley, no first names mention.
1) MOORE was mentioned amongst the names of 10 coachmen, with this description "The arrival and departure of the North Devon and Bridport Mails, and other coaches, was the great event of the day; you would see the tradesmen at their shop doors, with their aprons and straw hats, taking the greatest interest in changing and putting to. The horn would blow, and off they would go, and all was quiet again. The coachmen and guards were men of great importance, and also great drinkers".
2) And another brief mention ".......next to the Post Office lived a Miss MILES, and afterwards Lieut.MOORE. The next 2 houses were inhabited by a carpenter and a mason.........."
Sorry, not much there.
Les
-
Could you have a look for the surname of Wines please?
Hi Magnacarta
Sorry, the surname WINES does not get a mention in any index of the book.
Les
-
Thankyou for looking :)
-
Hi Les
Do you by any chance have a Philip Ryder who was a blacksmith, possibly in 'north town'.
Many thanks.
-
Sorry Lentilsoup, Ryder (or similar) does not appear in any of the indexes.
Les
-
Thank you for looking Les - has helped to know he wasn't it Taunton then.
Lentil
-
Les, if you are still offering, I am looking for an Edward Palmer Smith, of whom it was said "he made hundreds walk", so we think he was an orthopedic bootmaker. Although he probably lived in the latter part of the 1800's, I'm hoping there might be some mention of him.
Thanks, John
-
Hi John, and welcome to RootsChat - a great site for family researching, both helping and getting help.
Unfortunately, your ancestor isn't mentioned in the book. Oddly, there isn't even one Smith mentioned in the 100's of names :o
Les
-
Thanks for trying Les. I'm amazed at the dearth of Smiths in Taunton. Makes me wonder if he really did come from there. My maternal grandfather, Edward's son, was a bit reticent about his family. My grandmother told my sister that Edward's wife left him and he died of a broken heart. I know he was dead at the time my grandparents married, so this is all very secondhand. Maybe he is entirely a work of fiction! ;D
John
-
................so this is all very secondhand. Maybe he is entirely a work of fiction! ;D
John
Don't worry, only the other week I finally established that an old family legend about my g grandfather was in fact true. It only took me about 15 years to do so :o
Les
-
Les,
Are there any Oxenhams mentioned? A John Oxenham was a Solicitor/Attorney there between 1820 and 1830
regards
-
No Oxenhams mentioned in the book's general index, however, in the Tradesman/Professional Index under the heading of "Legal", the surname Oxenham does appear with 17 other "Legal" surnames.
Les
-
Thanks for looking
regards
-
Les
Please could you see if there are any Bakers who are blacksmiths. Looking particularly for Robert Baker. Baker is to Taunton what Smith is to the rest of the country! Your did a look up for me before for another blacksmith. Let's hope this one is there.
Many thanks
Sue
-
And I've just found, courtesy of kind helpers on this site, that my great grandfather was Edwin Palmer Smith, not Edward, and contrary to family lore, rather than his wife leaving him and the kids, he seems to have abandoned them, so in 1901 they were in the Taunton Union Workhouse! Talk about skeletons in the closet.
John
-
Hannes - sorry I couldn't be of any further help.
John - there are plenty of skeletons in the closet "out there" to be found.
Sue - bad luck again. Baker does not appear in the General Index. In the Professional/Tradesman index the only Baker surnames are listed under "Cabinet Makers" and "Coopers".
Not forgetting, the book is not an offical record, but the memoirs of a local resident. Although the author does name quite a few people, I presume(?) he forgot about some too. I just wish I could find something of interest for one of my fellow RootsChatters ;)
Les
-
That's ok Les - thank you for looking.
I think they must have been pretty down the food chain.
Sue
-
Les,
I've only just joined the forum and picked up this thread. In a posting in January 2009 you mentioned rightly that the book does not cover BISHOPS HULL, but there is an interesting foonote on page 49 of the 1992 edition mentioning RUMWELL, which is in the parish of BISHOPS HULL:
"Sixty years ago it was dangerous to go very far into the suburbs at night, as robberies with violence were very common. The following places had a bad reputation, namely Quaker's Burying Ground, Rumwell, and the low road by Fairwater. Of course this was before the canal and railway were constructed, and before there were any police, or the suburbs lit with gas. Doctors and others, who were obliged to go into the country at night, never stirred without a bludgeon or a life protector. These life protectors were made of twisted whalebone, and loaded with lead at each end."
Since reading this I tend to keep quiet about my Rumwell ancestors!
Regards, Peter
-
Hi Peter, and welcome to RootsChat - a great site for family researching.
I have the same 1992 edition, and you are correct about the mentioning of Rumwell, which I was unaware of it being in Bishops Hull. Yes, 2 sets of eyes are better than one.
Hope you found the book as inteersting as I did. There's some good first hand information in it, and that's why I started this topic, hoping to help some one with a least some snippet of information. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to help too much with the majority of requests :-[
Les
-
Les,
Thanks for the welcome. I am sorry to say I haven't read the book from cover to cover as my interest lies mostly in Taunton Deane, not Taunton itself. But it is a fascinating book. I had hoped that RICHARDS the blacksmith mentioned on page 6 might have been my ancestor Peter Richards from Trull. But Pigot's Directory 1830 has him listed as Thomas RICHARDS.
Another book I find very useful is Robin Bush's "Somerset : The Complete Guide". He concludes his entry on Bishops Hull with a note on Rumwell, which contains this comment related to my previous posting:
"Also on the A38 a steakhouse preserves the name of Stone Gallows ; with Ilchester, one of the two principal execution sites in the county, in use by c. 1575 until 1810 and chiefly remembered for the notorious day on 15 April 1801 when nine men were hanged together for theft."
Clearly it had lost its deterrent value by the 1820s/1830s.
Keep up the good work!
Peter
-
Hello,
Could you pretty please see if there any Annely/Anneley's in the book you have? :) :)
-
Sorry Rachey, nothing in the book's indexes with same/similar spelling.
Les
-
Thank you for looking, much appreciated :) ;D
-
Hi
That sounds like a great book. I have been trying to find an Edward Johnson born abt 1811/12 in Taunton married to a Mary Elizabeth (maiden name Lever) born abt 1816/17, both lived in Taunton in according to the census of 1841. I think he may have been married to a Lousa born about 1810 also! but can't be sure. They had about 11 children that I can find between them.
Thank you.
Jude :D
-
Hi Jude, and Welcome to RootsChat, one of the best family research forums on the net - if not the best ;D
Unfortunately, no first name mentioned re the JOHNSON below. Could he be your's?
JOHNSON was mentioned amongst the names of 10 coachmen, with this description "The arrival and departure of the North Devon and Bridport Mails, and other coaches, was the great event of the day; you would see the tradesmen at their shop doors, with their aprons and straw hats, taking the greatest interest in changing and putting to. The horn would blow, and off they would go, and all was quiet again. The coachmen and guards were men of great importance, and also great drinkers".
Couldn't see any mention of LEVER in the indexes.
Good luck in your research ;)
Les
-
Hi Les,
Thanks for the offer of help - My gggGrandfather John Beard (a plasterer or mason) married Marian or Marion Goldsworthy in Taunton in 1828. I'd appreciate knowing anything your book might have on either individual or families.
Much appreciated,
Jbarnes
-
Hi jbarnes. Could not find the surname of BEARD in either General or Tradesman's index. The surname only of GOLDSWORTHY appears in the Tradesman's Index of "Gun Smiths".
Of course, Edward Francis GOLDSWORTHY is the authour of this 1883 book, who lived in Taunton from 1817 until his death in 1896.
Les
-
Thanks for checking your book for any trace of the Beards, Les.
Subsequent information now suggests that my initial hopes were unfounded and the Goldsworthy connection may not have existed in this case, so I will start digging again in hope of finding a clue...somewhere.
-
hi there,
my ancester , ellen cornwall was born in taunton in 1831. her father was staggart cornwall, a musician. i believe he must have been working there at the time as other children were born elsewhere;
could you help me?
thank you for your time,
stephanie
-
Welcome to RootsChat Stephanie :)
Unfortunately, I can't help you with your Cornwall ancestor - he does not appear in the book's indexes. Hopefully, you may have some luck with him in another topic on RootsChat.
Les
-
Yes I believe a family I am interested in lived in Taunton in the early 1800s - They were Thomas Merrick, in 17th Regiment and his wife Amelia Elizabeth Merrick. I think they'd moved to Bath by 1822.
-
Sorry Tullagh, the MERRICK family name does not appear in the book's index.
Les
-
Hello Les
Many thanks for your kind offer .
Would there be any information on Stream Lane Taunton .I cannot find it on a modern map .Also any mention of Woodbury's or Millers .
-
There is a map in the book - hard to read but looks like 1849. Stream Lane is not mentioned in the street index.
Couldn't find the surname of Woodbury, but there is a brief mention of one Miller only;
"........chubby faced Bill Miller (and others named) the post boys, dressed in yellow jackets, buckskin breeches, and boots, were seen chatting and joking with Besty Callard, the chambermaid, or taking in their morning draught of hot with ginger".
Not much there to identify him as one of yours?
Les
-
Thanks for looking Les .Stream Lane is a real mystery .I have the birth certificate of my 3x grandfather 1838 born in Stream Lane Taunton but I just cannot find out where it was . As for Bill Miller I do have a William Miller who would have been a boy then . You never know may have been him !!!!
Thank you for taking the trouble to look much appreciated.
Lyn :)
-
A interesting family who were broom makers. The Palmer s
Sunday February 8, 1807: A great many of the Broom Squires as they call them were at Church. A wild set of people heretofore never coming near any place of worship. I am glad they now come to church and seem well dressed. They live on making brooms and carrying them to Taunton. Their brooms are made of Heath.
Notes were taken by the local preacher. "Paupers and Pig Killers, Diaries of a Somerset Parson"
The Palmer's lived in and around Somerset Taunton area for many years.
Suzy W
-
Hi Suzy
As per usual I couldn't find the surname (i.e.Palmer) in either the General Index or the Occupation Index, however, for some reason I checked the index for "Broom Squires", and came up with this little excerpt;
"........the 'Fleur de Lis' was next door, kept by Pidgeon. This inn has since been pulled down and rebuilt; it formerly stood some way further back than it does now, and was pitched in front. It was called 'The Jackass Tavern', and was where the Broom Squires put up. You could often see as many as fifteen or twenty jackasses tied up at a time in front of this in door. These donkeys came into the town from Broomfield loaded with brooms, then much used in stables and gardens".
Just gives you another brief "picture" of your ancestors.
Les
-
Thank you. I wonder if many of the broom makers were called Jackass ;D I know these Palmer's were not the most favored people in Somerset.
Another name that married a Palmer is Davey. Not sure if directly living in Taunton at the time, but a unusual first name of Beadon.
Cheers
Suzy W
-
Suzy, only mention of Davey is in the Occupational Index;
Masons and Builders - Davey
Millers - Davey
Unfortunately, no first names.
Les
-
Thanks Les
Suzy W
-
Hello. I was wondering if there is any mention of 'Pike'. I have Ben as a White smith + Bell Hanger / General Smith. From what I have gathered they lived in the High Street.
Thank you very much, whether there is or is not any information.
-
Sorry peb21, no mention of the PIKE surname in any of the indexes. However, High Street gets a few mentions including "All the houses in High Street between the George Inn and the ironmongers are all new; and the old Bell inn and Sarcens Head are replaced by modern built houses".
Nothing really much to go on there, though the mention of the ironmongers and the Bell inn may have a connection? Not forgetting the author is originally referring to the 1820's as a child, and when he mentions "new/modern" he is talking about his present time of 1880's when he wrote the book.
Les
-
Thank you Les.
It's very kind of you to take the time to look.
-
I would be very interested if you had any Makepeace's or possibly Potter's? I know they were living in Wellington and Taunton in 1841. Could be in Taunton in the era that you are speaking of. What a fabulous resource!
Thank you :)
Nova67
-
Hi Nova67 It is a fabulous resource - when you find something :)
Had no luck with MAKEPEACE, but the surname POTTER only appears as a Coal Merchant. There's nothing on him in particular but his name is with a group of other Coal Merchants who employed workers. There are quite a few lines on those employees and their antics.
If your POTTER was a Coal Merchant, I can type out those lines to give you an idea of who he employed?
Les
-
Gosh this has been keeping you busy for 4 years! Great job answering all these requests. Even though you have been unsuccessful with mine. Many thanks ;D
I don't think the Coal Merchant would be relevant. I wish you had one for Wellington. Still it is amazing.
-
Hi Les
My ancestors are Hancock of upper high st and the criddels of Paul St around 1820 to 1840. Would you mind having a look for me
Cheers
Les
-
Sorry Les, the Hancock family do not get a mention in the book.
Les
-
Ok Les Thanks for looking
-
Hello Les. Could you please see if there are any members of the Goodridge family mentioned? Thank you for your kind offer, whatever the outcome. Regards, Cynfran
-
Sorry Cynfran, no mention of the Goodridge Family.
Although there are 17 pages of names in the general index of the book, and 5 pages of names in the tradesman's index, I guess the author still forgot a lot of names ???
Les
-
Thank you so much for trying Les. Regards, Cynfran
-
Is there any mention of Thomas Sparks, confectioner, his daughter Emily or any member of the Skinner family please?
-
Hi
I am wondering if you could have a look for Maria Allen; Maria's husband was an Independent Minister (Richard Pearsall Allen) and he died in Dec 1825 at St Pauls Independent Congregational Chapel at Pauls Street in the parish of Taunton, Somerset. Maria would have been about 47 years old. As yet I haven't located her death but it is possible she is alive during the time frames of your book.
Maria may have lived with her husband's by now adult children all females.
Thanks so much for offering the service.
Mxmar0
-
Firstly, my apologies for not replying sooner as I've only just returned from a 5 week holiday in US and Canada.
Ringwarrior - sorry, there is no mention of either the SPARKS or SKINNER familes in the book.
Mxmaro - sorry, no mention of Maria or Richard ALLEN, however, the family name of ALLEN is mentioned a few times. Perhaps they may be related?
1) "Four other old houses still standing were (3 named) and ALLEN, saddler. There were many old houses in the town at that time with half doors, that is a door opening half way down from the top. On the lower part of which the old people were often seen leaning over and chatting with friends. The last two door of this kind I recollect were at ALLEN's, the saddler and the old Crown and Sceptre Inn".
2) "In these days the roads were watered by "Pumpy ALLEN" in a very simple way, but not in a satisfactory way. He did it in the following manner; throwing a wad of straw on which he placed a brick, into the running gutter, he soon had a litle pond, using a long pole to which attached a sort of small coal scuttle, with this primitive article he threw the water over the roads - and very often into passing carriages, carts and against pedestrians".
There is another full paragraph in reference to "Pumpy ALLEN". If you think he is related I can type that paragraph out for you. Briefly, it describes him playing scared music and singing hymns in the middle of the night in a laughable affair. Also, it describes him as having a club foot and paralyzed hand.
3) A description of an old court yard is given with the names of the occupants, including ".......Sally ALLEN, a laundress......."
4) In the Tradesmen Index of the book, only the surname of ALLEN is mentioned for "Masons and Builders" , "Barbers and Perfumers" and "Saddlers & Harness Makers".
Les
-
Hello Les
Thanks for getting back to me; much appreciated. The names and scenario's you mention don't 'ring a bell' unfortunately.
Your holiday sounded just great ... :D
Kind regards
Mxmar0
-
Hello all - I've stumbled upon this very useful and interesting chat while researching various pubs in Taunton. I live in Taunton and work as an archaeologist and historian, the Goldsworthy Recollections are a very important resource for social history in the town, and for placing various buildings and businesses. I can offer some small help to you all in pinpointing various names and places - for instance, the Sugarloaf Inn (Andymking on page 6 of this thread), although given as in Bishops Hull parish, stood at the junction of what is now Park Street and Cann Street, across the road from St John's Church in the town, near the West Gate turnpike - the parish of Bishop's Hull was much larger back then, and when you search online for Bishop's Hull now you will be directed to the village of that name, several miles from the edge of the parish where it met with the town of Taunton!
If there are any queries which I can help with please shout - give me a day or two to attempt them, and I apologise in advance if the day job slows me down in replying!
-
Hi RG - firstly Welcome to RootsChat, a great site for family researching!
Thanks for your interest in this topic concerning Goldsworthy's Recollections of Taunton. This was my little attempt to help other RootsChatters with their research. I've gained so much from this site over the years, and it always feels good if you can (try to) return the favour. I found this book while researching my Taunton ancestors of the early 1800's to 1820's - John Hooke WEST and Hannah BOWDITCH. They appear in the book, albeit briefly, with Hannah has a couple of lines from memory.
Les
-
Hi Les
Is there any mention of the Mockridge family in your book.They lived at West Monkton,just outside Taunton.
I have Peter Mockridge (b 1794 in Pitminster) marrying Grace Harris (b 1798 in Whitelackington) in West Monkton in Oct 1825.
The youngest of their children George b 1844 ended up in Sandgate Queensland ;D
Thanks very much.
Carol
-
Hi Carol. No MOCKRIDGE in the General Index or Trades Index, however, there is a MOGRIDGE mentioned in the Tradesman Index.
Unfortunatley, that information is very scant;
MOGRIDGE - Innkeeper "Star"
MOGRIDGE - Masons & Builders
Les
-
Thnaks very much Les,yes they did change their names Mockridge/Moggridge/Mogeridge/Muckrige and so on, over the years,but mine all worked on the land.So they're not my lot ;)
All the best
Carol
-
Hello RG
Thanks so much for the reply. I would love some assistance as I still haven't located Maria Allen; I have seen a thread that she married a John Webb but to date I have been unable to confirm this information. I realise there is not much info for you to go on but to date this is all that I have.
Kind regards
Mxmar0
-
mxmar0
Paul's Meeting House was the name of the church - the street was formerly known as Pole Street, possibly because this was an area where tanners stretched their products to dry, also in nearby 'Tenter Fields'. It has corrupted to Paul Street. The chapel was never dedicted to St Paul, independent chapels are non-conformist and don't dedicate in this way. The chapel simply took the name from its location. The parish in which Paul Street lies is Taunton St. Mary's. The chapel itself was founded by Joseph Alleine in 1662. The current building, which is now named the United Reformed Church, dates from 1797, and is the building your Richard Pearsall Allen would have known. I will get to work looking for details of these individuals, give me a few days.
The given name 'Pearsall' is interesting - the Pearsalls were silk manufacturers in Taunton, and the company still exists in their premises, built as a lace factory in 1825 but making silk by 1835 and now medical suture material. Their web page is www.pearsalls.co.uk . My mother has shanks of embroidery silks with the Pearsalls label. Do you know of any family connection? If so, I can find out lots more about them.
-
hi
Was wondering if there are any Deem or Ridgway names in your book?
Much appreciated,
Yaz
-
Sorry Yaz, neither surname appears in the General or Tradesman Indexes.
Les
-
mxmar0
Paul's Meeting House was the name of the church - the street was formerly known as Pole Street, possibly because this was an area where tanners stretched their products to dry, also in nearby 'Tenter Fields'. It has corrupted to Paul Street. The chapel was never dedicted to St Paul, independent chapels are non-conformist and don't dedicate in this way. The chapel simply took the name from its location. The parish in which Paul Street lies is Taunton St. Mary's. The chapel itself was founded by Joseph Alleine in 1662. The current building, which is now named the United Reformed Church, dates from 1797, and is the building your Richard Pearsall Allen would have known. I will get to work looking for details of these individuals, give me a few days.
The given name 'Pearsall' is interesting - the Pearsalls were silk manufacturers in Taunton, and the company still exists in their premises, built as a lace factory in 1825 but making silk by 1835 and now medical suture material. Their web page is www.pearsalls.co.uk . My mother has shanks of embroidery silks with the Pearsalls label. Do you know of any family connection? If so, I can find out lots more about them.
Hello rg
No connection other than through marriage of Maria. I would love to know some history of the Pearsalls so will have a look at the web page. I eagerly await your next post & thank you so much.
Mxmar0
-
mxmar0
just checking in - your request is proving more difficult than I hoped. Just to let you know I haven't given up, plenty more avenues left yet. I'm still on the case and will let you know how it goes! Sorry it's taking a while.
I'll keep digging for your names and looking into the possibility of a connection with Pearsalls.
-
mxmar0
just checking in - your request is proving more difficult than I hoped. Just to let you know I haven't given up, plenty more avenues left yet. I'm still on the case and will let you know how it goes! Sorry it's taking a while.
I'll keep digging for your names and looking into the possibility of a connection with Pearsalls.
Thank you so much - it really is much appreciated. Is there anything more information I can provide possibly through a private message (don't know if this site enables PMs but an option).
Kind regards
Mxmar0
-
Really enjoyed reading all the posts about Taunton. Thank you.
I'm looking for Daniel Sutton ( -1799), 1st wife Hannah (1741-1775), 2nd wife Elizabeth (1748-1826), who ran or owned the New Inn (not sure if that was in Taunton or Wilton?). My mom found him in 1788-1799 Quarter Sessions of Taunton St. Mary: Eastreach, for Gray__inghouse Pugsley Est. Can anyone shed light on what this was? Looking for history & any clue of where he was born. Thanks.
-
Not much luck with the Suttons in my book. There is one mention only of that surname, that being Sutton the jeweller living in a peaked house in Fore St.
Regarding New Inn, there are 49 inns indexed in the book for Taunton in the 1820's, but none by the name of New Inn.
Les
-
Thank you for the Suttons & New Inn lookup! Charles Sutton, the jeweler, was Daniel Sutton's son.
Regards,
Celia
-
Hi Les, I am interested in any information about any of the Wines family or families living in Taunton.
Thanks in advance
Anne
-
Anne, unfortunately the closest name I can see in the index is Winslow, which doesn't help you very much :(
Les
-
I have a relative who kept a shop in East Reach or East St at this time called Emily Skinner. I would be really interested about any mention.
-
Ringwater - Although East Street and East Reach both get quite a few mentions in the book as the author describes who owned which shop, the name Skinner does not appear.
Les
-
Hi Les
I'm in pursuit of any mentions of BROMSGROVE, butchers, and variants in Taunton. Although not in my family tree I've been researching the history of BROMSGROVE'S Menagerie with links to WOMBWELL's and the Giant Joseph SEWELL who was brought from South Wales to Taunton for burial in 1829. There is also a link to lion-tamer "Manchester Jack" alias John Manchester GILL, who married Betsy BROMSGROVE, and Nat FARNHAM, the dwarf exhibited with SEWELL.
Any mentions will be most welcome!
-
Hi dee-jay
Sorry, no luck with Bromsgrove, Wombell, Farnham, Manchester Jack or John Manchester Gill. However, there was some luck with the Giant Joseph SEWELL;
"I just recollect witnessing two remarkable funerals (author describes first, then continues.....). The other funeral was at the Church of St.Mary Magdalene. It was that of a Lincolnshire giant, named Sewell, who was totally blind. He lodged with a carpenter, named Luxton, living in Church Square. There he was taken ill, with no friends or relatives to take of him: but a kind-hearted tradesman (Mr John Bluett) had him taken care of, and paid his funeral expenses. The crowd was very great to see the internment of the blind giant, which took place on the north side of the tower, where his long grave was seen for many years".
Hope that helps a little.
Les
-
Hello, There wouldn't happen to be any Chidzey/Chidgey/Chidzoy's mentioned in the book at all?
-
Thanks for the quick response, Les.
Unfortunately, the information in the quote is not accurate, for SEWELL died in Wales in July 1829, the day after he'd been exhibiting there with Nat FARNHAM.
BROMSGROVE of Taunton, his attendant, drove SEWELL's body back to Taunton in his own caravan for burial in accordance with his expressed wishes, as SEWELL had a great horror of being exposed to anatomical operations after death.
The good people of Taunton and Exeter had raised a subscription in 1827 for the provision of a caravan to enable SEWELL to exhibit himself, as he had arrived at Taunton blind and destitute. Unfortunately online access to newspaper archives in Wales is sparse at present, so coverage there is currently limited to Merlin 11th July, 1829. http://www.newportpast.com/nfs/y00t29/y1829.htm
BROMSGROVE is sometimes recorded elsewhere BROOMSGROVE, in his travels with a menagerie which appears to have been associated with Wombwell's.
-
Hello, There wouldn't happen to be any Chidzey/Chidgey/Chidzoy's mentioned in the book at all?
Unfortunately, no variants of that surname appear in the book's indexes.
Les
-
Unfortunately, no variants of that surname appear in the book's indexes.
Les
A shame. Many thanks for taking the time to look, though. :)
-
Dee-jay
Welsh Newspapers on line http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home
Search for "Sewell" and restrict year to "1829" using slider bars. Several reports (including "The Merlin") with one article referring to Bromsgrove and the drive back to Taunton.
-
Bless you, hanes teulu! You've made my day and undoubtedly that of the BROMSGROVE researcher I've been assisting! We felt intuitively that James BROMSGROVE of Taunton was someone very special, and now - thanks to you - we have the evidence to prove it.
We're indebted to you.
-
Bless you, hanes teulu! You've made my day and undoubtedly that of the BROMSGROVE researcher I've been assisting! We felt intuitively that James BROMSGROVE of Taunton was someone very special, and now - thanks to you - we have the evidence to prove it.
We're indebted to you.
Dee-Jay, glad you got something from this topic, albeit "through the back door" :-) Thanks to hanes teulu for your input - this site relies on people like you!
Les
-
Hi Les
Looking for the Butti surname in Taunton. Joseph Butti from Italy married Maria Shattock. Children born in the 1920`s. Thanks
Nicola
Hi Nicola - 6 years too late, I know, but I'd be interested to find out what you know about Joseph and Maria (who I think are my GGGparents). As far as I know, they had 4 children, born 1833-1852 (presumably you meant 1820's, rather than 1920's?) Thanks.
-
Dear Les
I hope you still about; this is a very old thread.
Please can you look for the following names:
BAILEY
LISSON
MATTHEWS
Also, if you could provide any names noted as hairdressers or perfumers, I would appreciate it.
Fingers crossed you get this and thanks in advance.
DougNZ
-
Hi Les,
I am in the throws of looking at my Family tree and have found this links to this as one of my ancestors appears to come form Taunton - John Knott born 1826 baptised 14th May in Paul Street Independent Chapel, parents Edward and Sarah Knott - any information would be greatly received.
Kind regards,
Catherine R
-
DougNZ
Sorry, just noticed your post from 2016! Not really worth the wait, but in the book there are certain heading and names. Under the joint title of "Barbers and Perfumers" are these names only;
Allen
Bailey
Grant
Holburd
Kinsbury
Piper
Pomeroy
Ree
Whitcombe
Turle
It doesn't indicate who was what.
Les
-
Catherine R
Unfortunately, the surname KNOTT, does not appear, but there is mention of only the surname NOTT under the heading of "Grocers".
Les
-
Thank you for taking the time to look, could be a misspelling I don't suppose first names are mentioned?
Catherine
-
Hi Les,
Thank you for your offer.
In the town, I have a John Poole and his wife Ann - who have been driving me insane for a while- so any mention of the surname would be most helpful! Additionally, the Maul, Criddle and Silvester families are of interest.
-
Thank you for taking the time to look, could be a misspelling I don't suppose first names are mentioned?
Catherine
A very warm welcome to Rootschat and good luck with the search.
Were Edward and his son both bakers?
-
Edward was a baker but that is when he is in London, no idea what his father did, hence the ask.
Catherine
-
Edward was a baker but that is when he is in London, no idea what his father did, hence the ask.
Catherine
I was trying to establish a link between the John Knott, age, 15, baker on the 1841 Census (FindMyPast) and the burial of Edward Knott, age 34, Taunton on Mar 17 1829 (FindMyPast). The Bristol Mirror, 14 Mar 1829 under DEATHS has - "At Taunton, Mr Knott, baker".
On the 1841 Census John Knott is living with a Mary Ann Stone, also a baker, which possibly links to the 1822 marriage of Edward Knott and Sarah Stone, Taunton.
-
Clarkey500
You said any surname of POOLE would help - I find only the surname mentioned.
On Page 7, I think(?) the author is talking about East Street (His directions are a little hard to follow) - "At the corner was Billet's house, and next Welsh the surgeon.The space between Fickus' shop on one side, and Billet's house on the other, was called 'The Opening', after passing which to enter POOLE's garden, you had to go through a covered passage belonging to some old cottages. Further up was POOLE's house and garden which extended to Mount Lane, all of which is now called Billet Street".
Page 9 "At the entrance of Hunt's Court , in Fore Street, was a stationer's shop kept by a nice old gentleman named POOLE, who wore powder. Then came a dirty chandler's shop kept by Bob Bucknell".
Under the list of occupations;
Innkeepers - POOLE - "Crown and Sceptre"
Grocers - POOLE
Masons & Builders - POOLE
Mercers & Tailors - POOLE
Stationers - POOLE
Bank Merchants - POOLE & Kinglake
Best of luck with all of them! I couldn't find the other 3 surnames you mentioned.
Les
-
Clarkey500
You said any surname of POOLE would help - I find only the surname mentioned.
On Page 7, I think(?) the author is talking about East Street (His directions are a little hard to follow) - "At the corner was Billet's house, and next Welsh the surgeon.The space between Fickus' shop on one side, and Billet's house on the other, was called 'The Opening', after passing which to enter POOLE's garden, you had to go through a covered passage belonging to some old cottages. Further up was POOLE's house and garden which extended to Mount Lane, all of which is now called Billet Street".
Page 9 "At the entrance of Hunt's Court , in Fore Street, was a stationer's shop kept by a nice old gentleman named POOLE, who wore powder. Then came a dirty chandler's shop kept by Bob Bucknell".
Under the list of occupations;
Innkeepers - POOLE - "Crown and Sceptre"
Grocers - POOLE
Masons & Builders - POOLE
Mercers & Tailors - POOLE
Stationers - POOLE
Bank Merchants - POOLE & Kinglake
Best of luck with all of them! I couldn't find the other 3 surnames you mentioned.
Les
Thank you for your help. :)
I will look into this.
-
Hi
If the offer still stands, are there any mentions for Babb?
Tks
-
Sorry "RustyNuts" (?) the surname BABBS does not appear in the book.
Regards
Les
-
Tks for looking,
You're doing a great job!
-
Hi. Thanks so much for offering the "look-up" service. It is a big help for those of us who will not be able to travel to your area.
I am looking for Dean ancestors who I think came from that region. They may have been Deanes at that point in time.
The only occupation I know for their male descendants was smithing.
Common or recurring male names are Jacob Dean, Jacob Clay Dean, William Dean, David Dean, Zachariah and Jonathan.
Thanks!
-
Hi
Hope you are still offering 'look ups'
I'm researching the Macgeorges/Mcgeorges of East Street. According to the baptism records for the children of Jonas and Fanny he was a smith/whitesmith
Many thanks
-
I have found that Daniel Herbert was baptised in the Paul Street Independent on Feb 1st 1802; I wonder whether there is a record of his birth? I believe his father, Daniel, was a corporal in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, stationed in Exeter in 1801 until October 1802 when the troops moved to Nottingham. I wonder why, then, the christening happened 40 miles away in Taunton? His mother was Mary, probably nee Rogers; I wonder if there is a Rogers family there? Is there mention in the Paul St records of a child of Corporal Herbert's dying 29th Jan 1802?
I'd be grateful to know these things.
Jennie
-
A warm welcome to Rootschat.
FindMyPast has an image of the baptism of -
"Feb'y 17th 1802 - Baptized Daniel son of Dan'l and Mary Herbert - born 1st inst't in the town of Manchester a corporal in the 6th or Iniskilling Reg't of Dragoons
-
Thank you for confirming that detail re Daniel Herbert for me. I wonder whether there is the record of his sibling's death in the weeks before his birth ... if you could find that for me please.
My research is the Ross Bridge in Tasmania where Dan was the convict overseer. The bridge is unique in the world owing to its 180 carved archstones and 6 keystones. Most of them have been attributed to Dan Herbert, transported for highway robbery in Saddleworth Yorkshire, in 1827.
I cannot find a record of his apprenticeship; I can only suppose he gazed up at the hunky punks and maybe went to Bath to be influenced and impressed by stone carvings.
-
Hi Les - I just found this thread on Rootschat. Rab Channing was my 3rd gr grandfather. I would be very interesting in seeing anything you have as mentioned to Marion in - "Innkeepers - Channing - The Royal Marine". Not sure if this is an article or a book but anything that can throw light on this notorious criminal will be greatly appreciated! Many thanks, Anne in Hamilton, Ontario