yeovil people
Ambrose Seward
Mercer and Gentleman of Yeovil
Unfortunately for us, there were several Yeovil men named Ambrose Seward or Seaward - most likely different generations of the same family - and many records refer to them. However, determining which is which, is quite difficult.
In 1647 an Ambrose Seaward was recorded as the Constable of the Borough of Yeovil in the Quarter Sessions when a petition was presented by Thomas Brooke, John Pawly, Giles Fry and Steven King "Shewing that in the tyme of the late greate contagion in Yevell wherein manie hundred soules died, and the sickness growing soe daungerous that noe living would undertake to bury the deade infected bodies: And thereupon Gregory Reinoldes being then Constable of the hundred, and Ambrose Seward constable of the burrowe of Yevell, persuaded your petitioners to undertake the carrying and burying of the dead bodies, and promised to pay xiiijd [14d] for everie day so longe as they would undertake that daungerous service, which your petitioners did truly and diligemtly perform by the space of eleaven weeks to the great hazard of their lives, and loss of earninge other better daily wages abroade, which they were abridged of a long tyme together. But so it is the said Reynoldes dyinge your poor petitioners cannot get their wages from the said Seward soe that they are like to lose that which they so daungerousdly laboured for, unles your worshippes will be pleased to yeale them relief."
An Ambrose Seward was a mercer (a dealer in textile fabrics, especially silks, velvets, and other fine materials) in the Borough and produced his own farthing tokens during the Commonwealth when no official copper coinage was produced. He was Warden of the Woborn Almshouse in 1661 and Custos in 1663. In 1664 the Poor Rate return recorded that he paid eight shillings a month for a property in the Borough and a further eight shillings a month for a property in Kingston - sixteen shillings a month was a substantial monthly Poor Rate sum (around £115 at today's value), suggesting that Ambrose was fairly affluent. It is likely that this Ambrose Seward was the one recorded as Ambrose Seward Snr in the Poor Rate Returns of 1684 and 1689.
His likely son, also Ambrose Seward, was recorded as a mercer in the Woborn Muniments and was also Custos of the Almshouse in 1695 and again in 1704. He served as a Churchwarden from 1706 to 1708. In 1736 he was mentioned in Parliamentary papers as Ambrose Jnr, glover, and in a lease dated 29 December 1737 he was described as Ambrose Jnr, Linendraper. This Ambrose Seward had at least two daughters; Elizabeth, baptised at St John's church on 14 July 1702 and Mary baptised on 3 January 1703/4.
The Ambrose Seward under discussion here was also mercer and was described as a gentleman. He was probably born in Yeovil around 1725. His father was most likely the last-mentioned Ambrose Seward, and his mother was Mary Morehead (presumably she remarried after the death of Ambrose's father). He had a sister Ann, who became Ann Howard upon marriage.
The monthly Poor Rate Return listed Ambrose as paying 1s 8d per month for a property in the Borough in 1760, the same year he became Custos of the Woborn Almshouse. He was a Warden of the Almshouse thereafter, becoming Custos again in 1774.
Ambrose Seward wrote his last will and testament (see below) in 1775.
He served as a Warden of the Woborn Almshouse from 1775 until 1777 and was recorded as a mercer in the Woborn Muniments of 1777.
A report of 1820 by the Charity Commissioners refers to Ambrose Seward leasing the Church House [see Gallery] in the Borough - "The Church-house is now held by Peter Daniell, esq. as the assignee of three distinct leases of different parts thereof. The lease of the principal part bears date 18th July 1778, and was granted by Edward Phelips and others as the surviving trustees, in consideration of the surrender of a term of 99 years, determinable on the death of Mary Morehead [Ambrose's mother], described to be then in a weak state of health; and a fine of 30l (£30) to be laid out for the benefit of the town and parish of Yeovil, to Ambrose Seward for 99 years, if T Barret aged 16, J Bullock aged 16, and Edward Bartlett aged 15, should so long live, at the rent of 20s; and the premises are described as being a messuage or dwellinghouse consisting of the kitchen and little room within the same; a large chamber over the kitchen; the cellar; the yard or backside; the great chamber, facing the borough and market-house, with a garret of cock-loft over; and three chambers, within the said chamber, facing the aid borough and market-house, and all ways and appurtenances to the same belonging."
Ambrose Seward died in Yeovil at the end of 1778 and his will was proved in London on 16 February 1779. Apart from his mother and sister, his will of 18 July 1775 makes no mention of a wife or children and his wealth is distributed to others.
Postscript
There were, in fact two other men called Ambrose Seward, father and son, alive in Yeovil concurrent with the Ambrose Seward of this page. In 1783 Ambrose Jnr was described as the owner of the Catherine Wheel. Since this was immediately behind the Church House described above, this Ambrose Seward must have a close relative, such as a cousin. He died in 1784. His father, Ambrose Seward Snr., was described as a mercer in 1786.
gallery
A farthing token produced by Ambrose Seward during the Commonwealth. This Ambrose was likely the great-grandfather of the Ambrose Seward under discussion here.
This sketch, made by Madeley to illustrate his map of 1831, shows the Borough seen from High Street - roughly the view seen today from the north end of King George Street. The Shambles is to the left and the Market House is to the right. The Church House, occupied by Ambrose Seward in the 1770s, is seen in the background between the Shambles and the Market House. The buildings at far left still stand today, that to the left is Clement White's shop, today's 8 High Street, at this time occupied by Benjamin Ryall, a draper, whose name appears above the door.
Will of Ambrose Seward, 1775
The Last Will and Testament of Ambrose Seward
This is the Last
Will
and Testament of
me Ambrose
Seward of Yeovil
in the County of
Somerset
Gentleman First
I give devise
and bequeath
unto Ann Knight
of Closworth in
the County of
Somerset
Spinster and
John Bullock of
East Coker in
the same County
Gentleman and to
the survivor of
them and to the
Heirs Executors
Administrators
and Assigns of
such Survivor
all my Freehold
and Chattle
Estates of what
nature or kind
soever either in
fee or for terms
of Years I shall
die seized of
interested in
and entitled
unto either in
possessions
revertion
remainder or
expectancy
subject to an
Annuity or clear
Yearly Sum of
Fifteen pounds
payable unto my
servant Mary
Pestor as
hereinafter is
mentioned In
Trust to pay and
apply the said
Annuity of
fifteen pounds
unto my Mother
Mary Moorhead
for and during
the term of her
natural Life for
the support and
maintenance of
herself and my
Sister Ann
Howard and in
case my Sister
shall happen to
survive my
Mother then I
charge and make
rechargeable all
my said estates
with the payment
of the clear
Yearly Sum of
sixty pounds
unto her for and
during the term
of her natural
life and I
direct my said
Trustees to pay
the same to my
said Sister by
four equal
Quarterly
payments to her
sole separate
and distinct use
without the
[word illegible]
of any Husband
she may
hereafter take
for which her
receipt or [over
?] only shall
from time to
time be a
sufficient
discharge for
the same the
first payment
thereof to begin
and be made in
three Months
after the
decease of my
Mother and from
and after the
decease of the
survivor of them
my said Mother
and Sister I
direct that my
said Trustees
and the Survivor
of them and the
Heirs Executors
Administrators
and Assigns of
such Survivor do
sell and dispose
of all my Estate
Right Title and
Interest therein
and thereto
subject to the
said Annuity of
fifteen pounds
at publick
Survey for the
best price that
can got for the
same and out of
the [word
illegible]
arising by such
sale to pay unto
Mrs Elizabeth
Daniel wife of
Mr John Daniel
of Yeovil
aforesaid
Gentleman her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns the
sum of forty
pounds and to
[Gertrude ?]
Bullock wife of
Mr Edward
Bullock of
Yeovil aforesaid
Butcher her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns the
sum of forty
pounds and
remainder or
surplus I direct
to be divided in
fourteen equal
shares parts or
portions which I
Give and
Bequeath in
manner and form
following that
is to say one
fourteenth share
or part thereof
unto the said
John Bullock his
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto his
Brother George
Bullock his
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto his
Sister Mary Rood
[inserted] wife
of John Rood
[end of insert]
her Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto his
Sister Alice
Masters Wife of
Thomas masters
of Yeovil
aforesaid Glover
her Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto his
Sister Grace
Foot wife of
James Foot of
Yeovil aforesaid
Roper her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns
which said John
George Mary
Alice and Grace
are the children
of John Bullock
late of East
Coker aforesaid
deceased by Mary
his wife also
deceased who was
one of the
daughters of
Samuel Seward
late of Sutton
Bingham in the
county of
Somerset
aforesaid clerk
deceased one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto the
said Ann Knight
her Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
Mary Beacham
[inserted] wife
of George
Beacham [end of
insert] late of
Yeovil aforesaid
Glover but now
of the City of
London her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
Jane Edwards
Wife of Francis
Edwards of the
City of London
Attorney at Law
her Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
Isabella
Mitchell of East
Coker aforesaid
Widow her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns
which said Ann
Mary Jane and
Isabella last
mentioned are
the children of
Thomas Knight
late of Yeovil
aforesaid
Gentleman
deceased by
Elizabeth his
Wife also
deceased late
Elizabeth Seward
Sister of the
said Samuel
Seward deceased
one other
fourteenth share
or part thereof
unto Samuel
Rendell of Cerne
Abbas in the
County of Dorset
Gentleman his
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns
deceased one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
Mary Howard of
Yeovil aforesaid
Spinster
Grandaughter of
the said Samuel
Seward her
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
Mary Burdett
otherwise
Burnett of
Sutton Bingham
aforesaid
Spinster Seward
her Executors
Administrators
and Assigns one
other fourteenth
share or part
thereof unto
William Burdett
otherwise
Burnett late of
the same place
Millwright his
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns and
the other
remaining
fourteenth share
or part thereof
unto Robert
Burdett
otherwise
Burnett of
Halstock in the
County of Dorset
aforesaid Miller
his Executors
Administrators
and Assigns
which said Mary
Burdett William
Burdett and
Robert Burdett
otherwise
Burnett are the
children of
Peter Burdett
otherwise
Burnett late of
Sutton Bingham
aforesaid Miller
deceased by Ann
his wife late
Ann Seward one
other of the
Daughters of the
said Samuel
Seward deceased
Also I Give
Devise and
Bequeath to
Elizabeth Cayme
[inserted] widow
of Richard Cayme
[end of insert]
of Yeovil
aforesaid Hosier
deceased the sum
of forty pounds
Also I Give and
Bequeath unto
Mary Ludgate
widow her Sister
the sum of forty
pounds which
said [word
illegible] last
mentioned
Legacies I
direct to be
paid in one
month after my
decease and I
Give and
bequeath the
said annuity or
the yearly sum
of fifteen
pounds for the
payment of which
I have before
subjected all my
real and Chattle
Estates unto the
said Mary
[Pester ?] for
and during the
term of her
natural life to
be paid her by
my said Trustees
by four even
quarterly
payments the
first payment
thereof to begin
and be made in
three Months
after my decease
and I charge and
make chargeable
all the rest
residue and
remainder of my
Goods Chattels
and Personal
Estate with the
payment of my
Debts the
Legacies to the
said Elizabeth
Cayme and Mary
Ludgate and my
Funeral Expenses
which I direct
be decent and
becoming my
station and
after payment of
the same which I
devise to be
done with all
convenient speed
I direct that my
Mother be paid
out of the
surplus if any
the sum of forty
pounds and the
residue I give
and bequeath
equally between
the said Ann
Knight and John
Bullock their
Executors
Administrators
and Assigns and
in case my said
Residuary
personal Estate
shall not be
sufficient to
discharge the
same then I
charge and make
chargeable all
my said real and
Chattle Estate
with the
payments of the
same and I do
hereby forgive
and discharge
all Debts of
what nature or
kind soever that
shall be due and
owing to me from
my said Mother
and Sister or
either of them
at the time of
my decease also
discharging my
said Trustees
from all Debts I
may there over
to them the
Annuity and why
I have by this
[word illegible]
given them to be
excepted out of
such Discharge
and I trust my
said Trustees to
permit and
suffer my said
Mother to
inhabit the
Tenement I now
live in for her
life if she
chuse it And
Lastly I
nominate
constitute and
appoint the said
Ann Knight and
John Bullock
joint Executors
of this my last
Will and
Testament In
Witness whereof
I have hereunto
set my Hand and
Seal this
Eighteenth day
of July in the
year of our Lord
one thousand
seven hundred
and seventy five
- Amb Seward -
Signed Sealed
Published and
Declared by the
Testator as and
for his last
Will and
Testament
containing four
sheets of paper
annexed together
to the first
three of which
he has to each
set his Hand and
to the last his
Hand and Seal in
the presence of
us who at his
request and in
the presence of
him and of each
other do
subscribe our
names in Witness
thereof - James
Upcott Thos
Hobbs John
Bishop
This Will
was
proved at London
the sixteenth
day of February
in the Year of
our Lord one
thousand seven
hundred and
seventy nine
before the Right
Worshipful Peter
Calvert Doctor
of Law Master
Keeper or
Commissary of
the Prerogative
Court of
Canterbury
lawfully
constituted by
the oaths of Ann
Knight Spinster
and John Bullock
the Executors
named in the
said will to
whom Adm[inistrati]on
was granted of
all and singular
the Goods
Chattels and
Credits of the
Deceased having
been first sworn
by Commission
duly to
administer.
Transcribed by Bob Osborn