yeovil people

charles vining

Mason, Master Builder & Brick Maker

 

Charles Vining was born in Yeovil during August 1780 and was baptised (albeit as Charles Viney) on 27 August 1780 at St John's church. He was the son of brick maker Richard Vining (1) (1752-1816) and Maria née Smith (1753-1839). He was to become a mason and master builder and on 4 April 1808, aged 27, he was married at Limington, just a couple of miles north of Yeovil, to Sophia Hobbs originally from Portsea, Hampshire. Charles and Sophia were to have six children; James Tally (1809-1871), Charles (b1811), Joseph (b1813), Richard (1815-1891), Sophia(1818-1821) and a second daughter was called Sophia (b1824).

Charles was known to be in a partnership with Thomas Dampier as glove manufacturers, Vining presumably being a sleeping partner. The partnership was dissolved in July 1836.

Charles was recorded in the 1832 poll book as living at Picketwitch (not the late pub of that name, but a large house in the vicinity). He was listed in the poll book by virtue of owning a freehold house in Kingston. The entry was repeated in the 1834 poll book as well is that of 1846. Behind the House was a name given to a field to the immediate north of Picket Witch House, the home of the Vining family, and where according to the 1846 Tithe Apportionment where the brickyard was located.

He was listed as a Brick Maker in Pigot's Directories of both 1830 and 1842 as well as in Robson's Directory of 1839. An example of one of his bricks is photographed below. The brickyard was continued by his son Richard (2), certainly by 1842 as witnessed by the annotation on the map below.

On the site of his father's brick yard he built Kingston House (photographed below) in the Regency style, probably in the 1830s, which became the home of his son James Tally Vining at least from 1842. It later became part of the Park School. He also built Swallowcliffe House, probably for wealthy glove manufacturer George Mayo, around 1830.

Sophia died in 1847 and in the 1851 census Charles Vining, by now a 70-year-old widower, was living in Hendford. However at this time Hendford in fact included the western side of Princes Street as far as Park Road and from his position in the census it would seem that Vining was living in one of the houses just before Old Sarum House (lately the Prezzo restaurant). He gave his occupation as retired builder and was living with his son Charles Jnr, unmarried and aged 44 with his profession being listed as solicitor's general clerk.

Charles Vining died on 6 November 1855 aged 75.

 

For the Vining Family Tree - Click Here

 

Map

 

This extract of the 1842 Tithe Map shows the Ilchester Road coming from centre bottom before Marsh Lane splits off to the right. Parcel 1083, 'House Garden and Brickyard' (Picket Witch House),  was owned and occupied by Charles Vining and then his son Richard Vining (2).

 

gallery

 

The record of Charles Vining's baptism (albeit as Viney) in St John's parish register.

 


Courtesy of Brian Murless, Archivist of the Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society

A brick manufactured in Yeovil by Charles Vining and bearing his C/V strike mark. This particular brick came from Hainbury Mill and dates to the 1830s.

 

This Regency house, Kingston House, was built by Charles Vining on the site of his father's old brick yard and was the home of his son James Tally Vining. It later became part of the Park School. The school is now closed and the building is soon to be demolished.

 

Picket Witch House, Ilchester Road, was the home of Charles Vining and then his son Richard Vining (2).