Yeovil People
Edward Boucher (1)
Edward Boucher, Tobacconist of Court Ash House ?
Edward Boucher (1) was probably born around 1660, but we know very little about him. He was a tobacconist of Yeovil.
His wife was Frances and they had at least three daughters, all born in Yeovil; Mary (b1682), Sarah (b1686) and Hanah (b1690). He had at least one brother Francis, a locksmith of Yeovil.
In 1689, the monthly Poor Rate Return recorded that Edward was appointed as Yeovil's Overseer and from 1693 until 1695 he served as Churchwarden at St John's church.
In 1724, tobacconist Edward Boucher (1) gave a brass candelabrum to St John's church. The candelabrum was sold in 1859, and the money raised was used to buy gas fittings for the church. The Gentleman's Magazine, in 1824, described the candelabrum as a "handsome candelabrum of two branches, surmounted by a dove bearing an olive branch, and suspended from the ceiling in the centre of the church: it was inscribed 'the gift of Mr Edward Boucher, Tobacconist, 1724. Richard Rennells fecit, Bristol'.
In his will of 1725, his wife Frances was still living but there is no mention of his three daughters who had presumably all died by this time. Much of his estate, therefore, was left to his 'cousins' (actually nephews) Edward Boucher (2) and John Boucher, the sons of his brother Francis. Interestingly, he bequeathed "... that my part of my orchard called Courtash which is now in my own possession unto my Cousin John Boucher son of my brother Francis Boucher and to his heirs and assigns for ever...". It may be that Court Ash House was already built at this stage or, more likely in my opinion, that John Boucher was the builder of the house.
Edward was also a benefactor of the Charity School and, by his will, gave a close of pasture land called Beer's Close in Yeovil, the rent to go towards clothing four poor boys of the parish of Yeovil in blue; also for binding them apprentices and in augmentation of the master's salary.
It is not known when Edward Boucher (1) died.
Reduced boucher Family Tree
John Boucher (towards top right) inherited Court Ash House from his uncle, Edward Boucher (1) and left it in his will to his own nephew Edward Boucher (3), who in turn left it to his own son Edward Boucher (4). Edward (4) then left it to his son Francis Boiucher.
Gallery
A contemporary sketch of Court Ash House by an unknown artist.
Will of Edward boucher (1), 1725
In the Name of God Amen I Edward Boucher of Yeovill in the County of Somerset Tobacconist being weak of body but of a disposing mind and memory thanks be therefore given to God for the same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following Imprimis I give devise and bequeath all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever or wheresoever within the [inserted = said] County of Somerset of Kingdom of England except the dwelling house wherein I now live Scituate in Yeovil aforesaid unto Frances my Wife for and during the term of her natural life she not plowing up any of the Meadow or pasture Ground or cutting down any of the Trees or committing any manner of Waste thereon Item I do hereby also give all that my said Messuage Tenement or dwelling house with the Outhouses Buildings and appurtenances wherein I now live Scituate in Yeovill aforesaid unto the said Frances my Wife her heirs and assigns for ever and from and after the decease of my said Wife I give and dispose of my said land and [the words "houses and tenements" scratched out] as followeth Item I give and devise all those my three Grounds called [Quest ?] Field and Boors Close containing twelve acres which I purchased of Mr John Ridout and also all those two grounds which I purchased of Mrs Rebecka Cary called Boscomes ground containing Ten and also all those three Closes of pasture which I formerly purchased of John Game called Marle Close and Three Corner Close containing seventeen Acres be the said [inserted = 'several'] Number of acres more or less with their appurtenances Scituate lying and being in Yeovill and Pitney or one of them in the said County of Somerset unto my Cousin Edward Boucher his heirs and assigns forever Item I give and devise all that my Close of pasture ground called or known by the name of Beers Close with its appurtenances also lying and being in Yeovill aforesaid unto my said Cousin Edward Boucher his heirs and assigns for ever upon the trust and confidence that he do pay over the clear yearly rents and profits thereof to the Treasurer of the Charity School of Yeovill aforesaid for the time being for ever for and towards the Clothing four such poor boys of the said parish of Yeovill in blew [that is, in blue colour] as shall be from time to time nominated and put into the said School by the said Edward Boucher his heirs and assigns and also for the binding out such boys apprentices after they shall be thought fit according to the Rules and Foundations of the same School and that the said Treasurer do apply the remainder of the Rents and profits of the said Close to the augmentation of the Masters' Sallary of the said School or to such other uses Intents and purposes as the said Treasurer together with the said Subscribers or the Major part of them shall from time to time think most advantageous and for the benefit of the said School Item I give and devise after the Death of my said Wife all that my Close of arrable ground lying in Preston Lane and also all that my acre of Ground lying in Westfield called Clayshard Which I purchased of Thomas Francis and also all that my Close of pasture Ground called Loyds containing four acres be it more or less which I purchased of Benjamin Coggan Scituate in Yeovill and Pitney or one of them with the appurtenances my half acre of Land in Staftord {Stoford ?} together with that my part of my orchard called Courtash which is now in my own possession unto my Cousin John Boucher son of my brother Francis Boucher and to his heirs and assigns for ever Item I give further unto my said Wife the use of all my household Goods Implements utensils Stock in Trade the growing or accruing Interest of all moneys that shall at the time of my Death be out on any Scrutiny whatsoever together with the benefit and profit of the Trade and Stock as shall be therein at my Death for and during the term of her life upon Condition that she do not lessen or commit permit or suffer any act whatsoever to prejudice any of the Securities for money or imbezill any of the original Stock in Trade or other my personal Estate which shall be either out at Interest or in her power or possession at the time of my death but shall be ready to go her utmost in Conjunction with the said John Boucher and Edward Boucher for the preserving and securing the same And my Will desire and meaning is that immediately on my Death a just and perfect Inventory be taken of all my bonds bills Mortgages ready money Stock in trade securities for money as also of all other my personal Estate whatsoever and that true Copyes thereof be delivered to my said Kinsmen John Boucher and Edward Boucher and from and immediately after the Death of my said Wife I give and devise unto Mary Francis Daughter of Thomas Francis the Chest of Drawers the Bed Bedstead and all things thereunto belonging now in the now Chamber of my aforesaid dwelling house Item I give unto my Brother Georges two Children to wit Sarah and Catherine one hundred pounds equally to be divided between them I also give unto my said Cousin Katherine Boucher the Chest of Drawers Bed and Bedstead in my Daughters Chamber Item I give unto Elizabeth daughter of my Cousin Spoor Boucher ten pounds Item I give unto Edward Collins son of my Cousin Henry Collins my Silver Cup and to Edward Francis Son of my Cousin Thomas Francis I give my other Silver Cup and to Edward son of my said Cousin Edward Boucher I give my Silver Tankard and my desire is that all the money Legacies and other Legacies hereinbefore given shall be paid and delivered by my said Cousins John Boucher and Edward Boucher out of my personal Estate hereinafter mentioned to be devised to them in Six Months after the decease of my said Wife to whom after her decease and payment of my Just Debts I give and devise all my personal Estate of what nature and kind soever equally to be divided between them share and Share alike Item I also give all that my dwelling house Garden and that part of the Orchard thereunto belonging Called Court Ash in Yeovil aforesaid now in the possession of [Mr ?] Sandys unto my said Cousin Edward Boucher his heirs and assigns for ever And my Will and meaning further is that I do hereby give full power and authority to my said Wife to deduct for her self and take to her own use out of my personal Estate the sume of three hundred and twenty pounds and dispose thereof as she shall think fit and also by her last Will and Testament in writing to give and dispose of one Moyety or the half in deal of all my household Goods remaining in my said dwelling house at my Death other then what thereof is herein before by me particularly given otherwise any thing herein before contained to the contrary and of this my Will do make my said Wife Frances Executrix In witness whereof I the said Edward Boucher have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of April anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred and twenty five
Ed[ward] Boucher
signed sealed published and declared by the said Edward Boucher to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have on his request and in his presence subscribed our names as Witnesses (the razure above being made before the Execution)
Abra[ham] Forrester Edward Hayward Jam[es] Hooper
Transcribed by Bob Osborn