Samuel Wakely of Bridport (organist)

[B.E.]

Hi,
I understand Beaminster Gallery Quire have attempted in the past to trace some detail about Samuel Wakely, supposed organist and composer of Bridport in Victorian times. What I don't know is whether or not they've tried the rootschat route.

His dates are listed as c.1820-1882, but I can't find him using standard ancestry.com searches. Does anyone maybe have any more information about him?
Thanks,
B.E.

[nanny jan]

Hi,

FreeBMD have this marriage:


Samuel Wakely      SepQ  1859     Bridport    5a   727

bride either  Sarah Matthews   or  Selina Pomeroy.


Could  that be your man?



Nanny Jan

[B.E.]

Nanny Jan,
Thanks - yes I'd spotted that one earlier, but there have been so many Wakelys around Bridport over the years it's rather difficult to tell for certain. I was puzzled that I couldn't find any census info on him when he apparently lived in the area through at least four censuses. He apparently played the organ at one of the local churches during much of that time.

Other hints have been a Samuel Wakely (Snr?) b 1788 and a Samuel Wakely (Jnr?) b 1839 - the latter maybe linked to the marriage you mentioned? There's also a Samuel Wakely on the Symondsbury Tithe Map of 1839.

Do you have access to the 1841 census record than includes SW Jnr? Could you possibly tell me where he lived and who else was in the household?

[nanny jan]

Sorry but I can only access 1881 census.   



Nanny Jan

[B.E.]

No probs. I've started looking at other spellings. It looks as though SW Jnr was "Wakley" in 1861, when he was living in South Street, Bridport, with his wife Selina (nee Pomeroy, presumably).

I still can't find any obvious candidates for my man in 1841 or later as either Wakley, Wakely or Wakeley.

[nanny jan]

Have you looked at the Bridport page on the Dorset OPC site?



Nanny Jan

[B.E.]

Yup, that's where I got Samuel and Selina from.

[nanny jan]

Hi,

If you think he was born/baptised in Bridport then Dorset FHS have transcribed some Bridport parish registers and offer a search service.   Unfortunately their hq is now shut until 4th January but you could send them an email.


Nanny Jan

[B.E.]

Nanny Jan,
It's not important enough to justify either shelling out for a search or traipsing to Poole. If I can't get a free answer from the comfort of my own armchair, then it will spoil the fun entirely!

I'm actually acquainted with a Wakely (from the Bridport Funeral Directors dynasty) and am following up on that front too.

But I'm grateful for the trouble you've taken to respond.

Merry Christmas!