Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Robert Glisson

Wealthy Linen Draper and Land Owner

 

Robert Glisson was born in Yeovil around 1700. He was possibly the son of Samuel Glisson (c1683-1745) of Wincanton and possible siblings were John (bc1707), Samuel (bc1709) and Thomas (b1714).

In 1723, Robert Glisson was made executor of the will of Samuel Sealy (2), who described Glisson as my "loving friend". He was related to glove manufacturer Henry Penny (1691-1742). Glisson, noted as "my kinsman" and "my Cousin", was named in Penny's will as a Trustee.

On 18 December 1726, at Mere, Wiltshire, Robert married Betty Suter (1709-1765) the 17-year-old daughter of Abraham Suter (1678-1727) of Wolverton, Mere. Robert and Betty were to have five daughters, all born in Yeovil -

Bettey Glisson was baptised at St John's church on 20 August 1729. On 9 June 1758 she married Richard Manning at St John’s church.

Mary Glisson was married on 30 October 1758 to John Wright at St John’s church.

Ann Glisson was baptised at St John's church on 21 May 1737. It is likely that she died in infancy as there is no further mention of her in the records.

Martha Glisson was baptised at St John's church on 15 October 1742. On 25 April 1764 she married Thomas Andrews of Mudford at St John's church.

Sarah Glisson was married on 10 December 1767 at St John’s church, to Robert Winter of Sherborne, Dorset.

Robert became a successful linen draper of the Borough and Hendford (the manor, not necessarily the road of that name). His property in the Borough was probably his shop and accommodation over, for which he paid one penny a month in 1729, as recorded in the Poor Rate Return. By the time of the 1760 Poor Rate Return, after he had made his fortune, he was paying 2s 4½d a month- a substantial sum for an equally substantial property (only one property in the manor paid more and of the 60 properties taxed, more than 90% paid less that 5d).

In his will of 4 May 1761 (below), Robert Glisson left all his lands, including Larkhill, French Grass Ground, Thorney Bush, Fir Tree Ground, New Close and Three Marle Grounds (Marle Close), to his four daughters - Betty the wife of Richard Manning, Mary the wife of John Wright, Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson - although ensuring payments from the produce of the rents went to his widow Betty for her life (she died just four years later in 1765). By 1777, the lands were held by Robert Glisson's daughter Mary, wife of John Wright.

In a Lease for a Year of 14 February 1777,  in my collection, Mary leased the lands to her brothers-in-law Richard Manning of Culmstock, Devon, and Robert Winter of Sherborne, Dorset, who had married Sarah Glisson in 1767 (after her father's will). Although Martha had married Thomas Andrews in 1764, neither are mentioned in documentation referring to the lands, since Martha had died in 1767, aged 37.  

The following day, an Indenture of 15 February 1777, in my collection records the sale of the lands by Mary to her brothers-in-law Richard Manning and Robert Winter for £840 (around £140,000 at today's value).

Robert Glisson died in early 1767 and his will was probated on 4 July 1767. 

 

 

The lands, coloured green, owned by Robert Glisson at the time of his 1761 will. He also owned lands in Back Street (today's South Street) the locations of which are presently unidentified.

 

 

The record of the 20 August 1729 baptism of Bettey Glisson from St John's parish register. The fact that Robert Glisson is attributed the title 'Mr' - one of four men accorded such title out of 54 - indicates the esteem with which the young 20-something Robert Glisson was held.

 

The record of the 21 May 1737 baptism of Ann Glisson from St John's parish register. Again, Robert is attributed the title 'Mr'. The fact that Ann does not appear in later records indicates that she likely died in infancy although her burial does not appear to have been recorded in St John's parish register.

 

 

In the Name of God Amen I Robert Glisson of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Linen Draper considering the Uncertainty of this Life and being of a Sound and Perfect Mind Memory and Understanding do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I commend my Soul to God through Christ and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrixes hereinafter named and as for my Worldly Estate I dispose thereof as follows Imprimis I give and devise all my Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever either in Possession Reversion Remainder or Expectancy with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances unto my four daughters Betty Manning Mary Wright Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson their Heirs and Assigns forever as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants Subject to and Chargeable with the Annuity or Yearly Sum of Twenty Pounds hereinafter mentioned and also Chargeable with the Legacies hereinafter given to my said Daughters Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson And I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my Wife Betty Glisson and her Assigns during the Term of her natural Life one Annuity clear Yearly Rent or Sum of twenty pounds of good and lawful Money of Great Britain Free of Taxes and all other Deductions Parliamentary or otherwise to be yearly issuing and going and paid out of and Chargeable upon all and singular my Lands Tenements and Hereditaments aforesaid by equal half yearly payments at the two most usual Feasts or days of Payment in the year that is to say the Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel the first payment thereof to be made on such of the said days as shall first and next happen after my decease and I do hereby charge and subject all and singular my Lands Tenements and Hereditaments with and to the payment of the said Annuity of twenty pounds accordingly and my Will is that in case the said Annuity or yearly Sum or any Part thereof shall be behind and unpaid by the space of thirty days next after either of the said Feasts or Days of Payment whereon the same is hereinbefore directed to be paid as aforesaid than and so often it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Betty Glisson my Wife and her Assigns to enter upon all or any part of my said messuages Lands and Hereditaments and distrain for the same or so much thereof as shall be in arrear and all Costs and Charges occasioned by non payment thereof I give unto my said Daughter Sarah Glisson five hundred Guineas of good and lawful Money of Great Britain I also give unto my said Daughter Martha Glisson five hundred Guineas of good and lawful Money of Great Britain which Legacys my Will is shall be paid in three Months next after my decease and I hereby charge and subject all my Lands and Hereditaments with the payment of the same accordingly I give unto my said Wife the use of all my Plate and Household Goods during the Term of her natural Life and I direct that immediately after my death an Inventory or Particular be made and taken of the same and from and after the death of my said Wife I give and bequeath my said Plate and Household Goods unto my said daughters Betty Manning Mary Wright Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson equally to be divided between them share and share alike I give and bequeath all the rest and Residue of my Goods Chattels Personal and Testamentary Estate whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore disposed of unto my said daughters Betty Manning Mary Wright Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson equally to be divided between them share and share alike and I do hereby make and appoint my said daughters Betty Manning Mary Wright Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson joint Executrixes of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made In Testimony whereof I the said Robert Glisson the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament subscribed my Name and set my Seal the fourth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty one and in the first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth

Rob[er]t Glisson

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us who at the Request of the said testator have attested the same in his presence and in the presence of each other

Ann Batten     Nath[nie]l Butler Batten     Robert Batten   1761

 

This Will was proved at London the fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and sixty seven before the Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Betty Manning Wife of Richard Manning Mary Wright Wife of John Wright and Sarah Glisson Spinster the Surviving Executrixes named in the said Will to whom Administration 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