Yeovil People
Richard Taylor
Master Butcher of Court Ash House
Richard Taylor was born on 23 June 1843 at Wells and was baptised on 19 July 1843 at St Cuthbert, Wells. He was the eleventh of the thirteen children of butcher Robert Taylor (1804-1889) and Elizabeth née Millard (1805-1870) of Southover, Wells. Robert and Elizabeth's children were; Frederick Edwin (b1824), Matilda Susannah (b1826), Maria Jane (b1827), Stephen Henry (1829-1829), Elizabeth Martha (1930-1896), Sophia (1832-1835), Prucella (1833-1898), Henry George (bc1835), Sarah Emma (1838-1911), Charles William (bc1840-1904), Richard, Emily Selina (c1846-1894) and Martha Ann (c1847-1898).
In the 1851 census, seven year old Richard was recorded living with his parents and five of his siblings at Southover, Wells. When he left school, Richard was articled to a solicitor, although this was not to last long as the profession was too inactive for him. The family were still in Southover in the following 1861 census, at which time 17-year-old Richard gave his occupation as an apprentice plasterer and painter. He then joined his brother in a large pork, ham and bacon curing business in Wells.
In 1870 Richard's mother died and in the census of the following year 67-year-old widowed Robert Taylor was recorded at 20 South Street, Wells. Living with him were his three youngest children; Richard, Emily and Martha, aged 27, 25 and 23 respectively and all unmarried. There was also a young servant living in. Although Robert was listed as a retired butcher, Richard gave his occupation as a butcher.
On 5 December 1871, at the church of St Mary, Chilthorne Domer, Richard married Sarah Streets Pearse (1850-1918), some seven years his junior. Sarah was the daughter and youngest of the seven children of farmer of 270 acres John Raymond Pearse (1810-1887) and Elizabeth née Willmington (1815-1897) of Shortlands Farm, Chilthorne Domer.
Richard and Sarah were to have seven children (an eighth child whose name is not known died in infancy); Clara Alice Sarah (b1873, Devizes, Wiltshire - 1942), John Richard Brake (bc 1875, Devizes - 1957), Linda Elizabeth (1877, Devizes - 1959), Ethel Jane (bc 1881, Castle Cary), Beatrice Pearse (bc 1883, Marlborough, Wiltshire - 1964), Thomas Robert (1886, Chilthorne Domer - 1923) and Wilfred George (bc 1889, Yeovil - 1960).
As may be seen from the birth places of their children, Richard and Sarah moved around quite a bit during early years of their marriage; being in Devizes during the 1870s, then moving briefly to Castle Cary, then Marlborough, Chilthorne Domer and finally settling in Yeovil in 1883. He appears to have set up several butchery businesses at Devizes, Castle Cary and Marlborough. On moving to Yeovil he purchased the premises and business of Harry Hallett at 91 Middle Street.
The 1881 census recorded Richard and Sarah at High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire where he gave his occupation as a 'Master Butcher employing 3 men'. Living with them were daughters Clara and Ethel, two domestic servants, an assistant butcher and a butcher's clerk.
Owing to heart trouble, Richard sold his business in 1890 and retired to Court Ash House, now the site of the old Odeon Cinema. The 1891 census recorded 47-year old Richard as a retired butcher, living at Court Ash House with Sarah, their five youngest children, a general servant and a nurse. The listings in the 1901 census and the 1911 census were similar.
As well as owning Court Ash House, Richard also owned 89, 90 and 91 Middle Street and 42 and 43 South Street - all described in his will as "Messuages or dwellinghouses shops and premises". He also came to own 92 Huish, 4 Peter Street and a house on Reckleford Hill - although these latter properties are not mentioned in his will, and had probably been sold by the time of his death. (It should be noted that most of the streets referred to here have been re-numbered.) All of these properties he rented out in the years before his death, as evidenced by the adverts shown in the Gallery below.
Of poor health in his final years, Richard died at Court Ash House on 19 June 1914 aged 70. He was buried in Yeovil Cemetery on 24 June. His will was proved at Taunton the following September and his effects were valued at £11,413 2s (in excess of one million pounds at today's value). Sarah died in Yeovil on 28 April 1918, aged 67.
Gallery
The entry of Richard's 16 July 1843 baptism in the register of St Cuthbert's church, Wells.
A contemporary sketch of Court Ash House by an unknown artist.
An aerial view of St John's church taken in 1924. At top left is the large Court Ash House (now the site of the Odeon cinema building) set within its extensive grounds that reach across the top of the photograph. This was the residence Richard Taylor purchased and his family lived from 1891 to around 1924 - the date of this photograph.
This advertisement, from the 14 September 1894 edition of the Western Gazette, was for the sale of Richard's substantial holdings in Devizes, Wiltshire, following his move to Yeovil.
An advertisement placed by Richard in the 10 August 1906 edition of the Western Chronicle. This advertisement would be periodically repeated at least as late as the summer of 1909.
An advertisement placed by Richard in the 2 April 1909 edition of the Western Chronicle. This advertisement would be periodically repeated at least as late as the summer of 1912.
An advertisement placed by Richard in the 28 May 1909 edition of the Western Chronicle.
An advertisement placed by Richard in the 18 June 1909 edition of the Western Chronicle.
The record of Richard's burial on 24 June 1914, from St John's burial register. Richard was buried in Yeovil cemetery.
Will of Richard Taylor
This is the last
Will and
Testament of me
Richard Taylor
of Court Ash,
Yeovil, in the
County of
Somerset
Gentleman. I
revoke all
former Wills and
former
testamentary
dispositions
heretofore made
by me. I appoint
my Wife Sarah
Streets Taylor
my son Wilfred
George Taylor
and my
son-in-law
Herbert Ewen
Alexander of 168
Oakbrook Road,
Nether Green,
Sheffield
(hereinafter
called 'my
Trustees') to be
the Executors
and Trustees of
this my Will. I
give to each of
them the said
Wilfred George
Taylor and
Herbert Ewen
Alexander the
sum of Twenty
pounds (free of
duty) for their
trouble in
acting as such
Executors and
trustees. I give
all my plate
linen china
glass jewellery
books pictures
prints wines
liquors
furniture and
other household
effects and all
my garden
produce utensils
and other
household
effects to my
said Wife Sarah
Streets Taylor
absolutely. I
devise and
bequeath all my
real and
personal estate
not hereby
otherwise
dispersed of
unto my Trustees
Upon trust after
paying thereout
my funeral and
testamentary
expenses and
debts and the
legacies
bequeathed by
this my Will and
the expenses of
keeping my real
estate in
reasonable
repair and
insured against
loss or damage
by fire to pay
to or permit my
said wife to
receive the net
profits and
income thereof
during her life
such payment to
or receipt by my
said wife to
commence as soon
after my decease
as such profits
and income shall
be received. And
after her
decease I give
my
dwellinghouses
shops and
premises situate
and being Nos 90
and 91 Middle
Street Yeovil
aforesaid and
now in the
occupation of my
sons Thomas
Robert Taylor
and Wilfred
George Taylor
and also my
dwellinghouse
shop and
premises situate
and being No 89
Middle Street
and now in the
occupation of Mr
Watt to my said
sons Thomas
Robert Taylor
and Wilfred
George Taylor as
tenants in
common in equal
shares. And as
to the residue
of my estate and
effects Upon
trust to sell
call in and
convert into
money and to pay
to my daughters
Linda Elizabeth
Taylor, Ethel
Jane Alexander
and Beatrice
Pearse Taylor
One hundred
pounds each and
to stand
possessed of the
residue of the
net moneys
derived from
such sale
calling in and
conversion
(hereinafter
called the
residuary trust
funds) In trust
for all my
children who
shall survive me
in equal shares
as tenants in
common subject
nevertheless as
hereinafter
mentioned.
Provided always
and I hereby
declare that the
share of my son
John Richard
Brake Taylor of
and in the
residuary trust
funds shall be
Two hundred and
fifty pounds
less than each
of my other
children's
individual
shares thereof.
And my Trustees
shall retain
such share of my
son John Richard
Brake Taylor and
hold the same
upon the trusts
following (that
is to say) In
trust to invest
the same with
power to vary
the investments
and to pay the
income of the
said share and
the investments
representing the
same unto the
said John
Richard Brake
Taylor during
his life subject
nevertheless to
the proviso
hereinafter
contained And
from and after
his decease then
In trust for all
his children who
being sons shall
attain that age
of twenty one
years or being
daughters shall
attain that age
or marry in
equal shares and
if there shall
be but one such
child then the
whole to be in
trust for that
one child. And
if there shall
be no such child
then In trust
for such of the
brothers and
sisters of the
said John
Richard Brake
Taylor as shall
be living at his
decease in equal
shares. Provided
also and I
hereby expressly
declare that if
my said son John
Richard Brake
Taylor shall
during the
lifetime of my
said Wife to the
knowledge of my
Trustees or
either of them
remain in Yeovil
for more than
one calendar
month in any
year then and in
such case the
trust
hereinbefore
contained in his
favour shall
thereupon cease
and determine
and in lieu
thereof I direct
that my Trustees
shall after the
decease of my
said Wife pay to
my said son John
Richard Brake
Taylor during
his life one
half only of the
income of the
share of and in
the residuary
trust funds
given in trust
for him and his
children as
aforesaid and of
the investments
representing the
same And shall
stand possessed
of the remaining
half of the
income of such
share upon the
like trusts as
are hereinbefore
declared of and
concerning the
capital of such
share after the
death of my said
son John Richard
Brake Taylor.
And I also
declare that if
any dispute of
doubt shall
arise as to
whether my said
son John Richard
Brake Taylor has
committed a
breach of the
conditions
aforesaid the
decision of the
Trustees or
Trustee for the
time being of
this my Will
shall be final
and conclusive.
Provided also
and I hereby
declare that my
Trustees shall
retain the share
of my daughter
Clara Anna Sarah
Scott of and in
the residuary
trust funds and
hold the same
upoon the trusts
following (that
is to say) In
trust to invest
the same with
power to vary
the investments
and to pay the
income of the
said share and
the investments
representing the
same unto the
said Clara Anna
Sarah Scott
during her life
without power of
anticipation
while under
coverture. And
from and after
her decease then
In trust for all
her children who
being sons shall
attain the age
of twenty one
years or being
daughters shall
attain that age
or marry under
that age in
equal shares but
should there be
only one such
child then In
trust as to one
half part of the
share of the
said Clara Anna
Sarah Scott for
such child and
as to the
remaining half
part of the said
share or if
there shall be
no such child
then as to the
whole of the
said share In
trust for all my
children who
shall be living
at the decease
of the said
Clara Anna Sarah
Scott in equal
shares. Provided
also and I
hereby declare
that if any
child of mine
other than the
said John
Richard Brake
Taylor and Clara
Anna Sarah Scott
shall die in my
lifetime leaving
a child or
children who
shall survive me
and being a son
or sons shall
attain the age
of twenty one
years or being a
daughter or
daughters shall
attain that age
or marry under
that age then
and in every
such case the
last mentioned
child or
children shall
take (and if
more than one
equally between
them) the share
which his her or
their parent
would have taken
of and in the
residuary trust
funds if such
parent had
survived me and
attained the age
of twenty one
years. Provided
also and I
hereby declare
that the value
of my said
dwellinghouses
shops and
premises known
as Nos 89, 90
and 91 Middle
Street shall be
taken to be the
sum of Four
thousand two
hundred pounds
and for the
purposes of the
division of the
residuary trust
funds under this
my Will such sum
of Four thousand
two hundred
pounds shall be
deemed to form
part thereof and
my said sons
Thomas Robert
Taylor and
Wilfred George
Taylor shall
each be charged
with the sum of
Two thousand one
hundred pounds
(being one half
of such sum of
Four thousand
two hundred
pounds) as
having been paid
to them in
respect of their
shares of and in
the residuary
trust funds and
if such sum of
Four thousand
two hundred
pounds shall be
found to exceed
the amount of
the share to
which each of my
said sons Thomas
Robert Taylor
and Wilfred
George Taylor is
entitled they
shall pay to my
Trustees the
amount of such
excess. Provided
also and I
hereby declare
that my Trustees
shall offer my
Messuages or
dwellinghouses
shops and
premises known
as Nos 42 and 43
South Street,
Yeovil and also
the piece of
land adjoining
the last
mentioned
premises for
sale to my said
sons Thomas
Robert Taylor
and Wilfred
George Taylor
(notwithstanding
the said Wilfred
George Taylor is
a Trustee of
this my Will) at
the sum of Eight
hundred pounds
and if they
shall jointly
decline such
offer but one of
them my said
sons Thomas
Robert Taylor
and Wilfred
George Taylor
shall be
desirous of
purchasing the
premises
comprised in the
offer so
declined by my
said sons then
my Trustees
shall offer the
said premises so
declined by my
said sons to him
so desiring to
purchase at the
price aforesaid
and if my sons
shall decline
such offers my
Trustees shall
sell the said
premises to any
person or
persons and in
such manner as
they may think
fit. And I
declare that my
said sons shall
be allowed one
month within
which they must
either accept or
decline such
offer and if
they or he shall
not accept the
same within such
month they or he
shall be deemed
to have declined
it. And I
further declare
that upon any
sale made by my
Trustees the
statement in
writing of my
trustees that
that the offers
made to my said
sons have not
been accepted
shall be
conclusive
evidence to the
purchaser to the
fact so stated.
And I also
declare that as
regards my real
property until
the sale thereof
my Trustees
shall be at
liberty to let
or demise the
same either from
year to year or
for any term of
years at such
rent and subject
to such covenant
and conditions
as they shall
think fit to
accept
surrenders of
leases and
tenancies to
expend money in
repairs and
improvements and
generally to
manage the
property
according to
their absolute
discretion. And
I also declare
that any money
required for
repairs or
improvements may
be raised either
out of income or
out of the
capital of my
estate as my
Trustees shall
under the
circumstances
think fair and
equitable. And I
also declare
that the power
of appointing
new Trustees
conferred by
Statute shall
foir the
purposes of this
my Will be
vested in my
said Wife during
her life. And I
also declare
that my Trustees
may postpone the
sale and
conversion and
any part of my
residuary real
and personal
estate after the
death of my said
Wife for so long
as they shall
think fit and
that the rents
profits and
income to accrue
from and after
the decease of
my said Wife of
and from such
part of my
estate as shall
for the time
being remain
unsold and
unconverted
shall after
payment thereout
of all
incidental
expenses and
outgoings be
paid and applied
to the person or
persons and in
the manner to
whom and in
which the income
of the proceeds
of such sale and
conversion would
for the time
being be payable
or applicable
under this my
Will if such
sale and
conversion had
been actually
made. And lastly
I declare that
my said son
Wilfred George
Taylor
notwithstanding
he is a Trustee
of this my Will
shall have full
liberty to
purchase any
part of my
estate at any
sale thereof by
auction as
freely as though
he were not a
Trustee. In
witness whereof
I have hereunto
set my hand to
this my Will
contained in
this and the
four preceding
sheets of paper
this third day
of November One
thousand nine
hundred and
thirteen.
Signed and
acknowledged by
the said Richard
Taylor the
Testator as and
for his last
Will and
Testament in the
presence of us
at the same time
who at his
request in his
presence and in
the presence of
each other have
hereunto
subscribed our
names as
witnesses
Richard Taylor
Wm Wills Henley,
Solicitor,
Yeovil
George JW
Flower, Surgeon,
Yeovil
This is a
Codicil to the
last Will and
Testament of me
Richard Taylor
of Court Ash
Yeovil in the
County of
Somerset,
Gentleman, which
Will bears the
date the third
day of November
One thousand
nine hundred and
thirteen. I give
to my Wife Sarah
Streets Taylor a
legacy of One
hundred pounds
and I direct
that the same
shall be paid to
her within three
calendar months
after my
decease. I
bequeath to my
daughter Clara
Anna Sarah Scott
after the death
of my said Wife
a legacy of One
hundred pounds.
And whereas by
my said Will I
have bequeathed
to my daughters
Linda Elizabeth
Taylor, Ethel
Jane Alexander
and Beatrice
Pearse Taylor on
the death of my
said Wife One
hundred pounds
each. Now I
hereby bequeath
to each of my
said three
daughters on the
death of my said
Wife an
additional sum
of One hundred
pounds. And I
direct that any
sums owing by me
to any or either
of my said
daughters at my
decease shall be
paid to them as
it is not my
intention or
desire that the
legacies
bequeathed to
them shall be
considered as in
any way
discharging my
indebtedness to
them. And
whereas by my
said Will I
declared that
the share of my
said Son John
Richard Brake
Taylor of and in
the residuary
trust funds
should be Two
hundred and
fifty pounds
less than each
of my other
childrens
individual
shares thereof
Now I hereby
declare that my
said Will shall
be read and
construed as
though the sum
of Seven hundred
and fifty pounds
had been
inserted therein
instead of the
said sum of Two
hundred and
fifty pounds.
And whereas by
my said Will I
declared that
the value of my
Dwellinghouses
shops and
premises known
as Nos 89, 90
and 91 Middle
Street, Yeovil,
should be taken
to be the sum of
Four thousand
two hundred
pounds. Now I
hereby declare
that my said
Will shall be
read and
construed as
though the sum
of Three
thousand four
hundred pounds
had been
inserted therein
instead of the
said sum of Four
thousand two
hundred pounds.
In all other
respects I
confirm my said
Will. In witness
whereof I have
hereunto set my
hand this twenty
first day of
February One
thousand nine
hundred and
fourteen.
Signed and
acknowledged by
the said Richard
Taylor the
Testator as and
for a Codicil to
his last Will
and Testament in
the presence of
us at the same
time who at his
request in his
presence and in
the presence of
each other have
hereunto
subscribed our
names as
witnesses
Richard Taylor
George JW
Flower, Surgeon,
Yeovil
Wm Wills Henley,
Solicitor,
Yeovil
On the 23rd day
of September
1914 Probate of
this Will (with
one Codicil) was
granted at
Taunton to Sarah
Streets Taylor,
Wilfred George
Taylor and
Herbert Ewen
Alexander, the
Executors.
Courtesy of
Bob Allan
Transcribed
by Bob Osborn