Yeovil's Virtual Museum

William BrETT

Dowlas, Linen Cloth and Sailcloth Maker of Middle Street

 

William Brett is thought to have been born in Somerset around 1730. Unfortunately there were several men called William Brett during this period and it is not possible to determine which is the man in question here. Consequently, nothing is known of his early life.

The name of his wife remains unknown, but from his will we know that William had three daughters; Catherine (d1839), Elizabeth and Ann.

Catherine married George Harvey of Sherborne, Dorset, by banns at St John's church on 3 July 1792. They were to have a son, George (1797-1845). Catherine and George lived in Sherborne.

Ann married Frederick Mactyre (or McTier) of Marlborough, Wiltshire, by license on 29 December 1795 at St John's church. Their son, Brett McTier, was born in Yeovil in 1798, and his baptism was recorded in the Independent Church Register of Births on 7 March 1798. From his will, it appears that William Brett clearly was not impressed with his son in law.

Elizabeth married Edward Dudley Jackson of Yeovil, by banns at St John's church on 25 June 1795.

In 1762, William Cayme was apprenticed to William Brett, a dowlas maker of Nether Compton. Later, certainly by 1771 (see Gallery) Brett moved to Yeovil where he was recorded, as a linen draper, in partnership with a member of the Daniell family. The Brett / Daniell partnership was dissolved in 1778 at which time William Brett and William Cayme became partners, trading as Brett & Cayme -  a sailcloth manufacturing business.

On 9 January 1789, Brett and Cayme took out fire insurance with the Sun Fire Office for the Middle Street premises of 'William Brett and William Cayme, sailcloth and dowlas makers'.

The Universal British Directory of 1790 recorded William Brett as a Sailcloth, Dowlas & Tick Manufacturer.

In the Land Tax Redemption Register of 1798 in the Borough of Yeovil, William Cayme, as the occupier of a property, is recorded as paying £2 3s 2½d to William Brett, the property owner. Both William Brett and William Cayme owned, at different times, the South Street property known as The Mill House.

 

This is a scarce copper halfpenny token from my collection issued in 1797 during the French Wars when another national shortage of currency occurred. It was produced for late eighteenth century sailcloth manufacturers Brett & Cayme of Yeovil. The obverse has script 'B&C' over 'YEOVIL' over 1797. The reverse featured a man working a large box weaving loom. It is 29mm in diameter and has a smooth edge.

 

On 1 June 1780, at St John's church, William Cayme married Mary Ann, one of the daughters of William Brett, and in his will dated 19 February 1799 William Brett left a quarter of his immense personal estate ".... unto my Son in Law William Cayme of Yeovill in the County of Somerset Lincloth Manufacturer....". By this time William Brett was aged 69 and had retired to Warminster, Wiltshire. He died shortly after writing his will (see below - which was proved on 6 July 1799) and William Cayme became sole owner of the business at which time he took on his sons Robert and Giles as partners. William Cayme retired in 1811, leaving the business to be run by his sons.

 

 

 

The entry of Fryday 8 October 1762 in the Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures listing William Cayme apprenticed to William Brett of Nether Compton, Dorsett, Dowlas Maker.

 

The Settlement Certificate of Alice Oldis, dated 17 September 1771, in which she testifies that she "... hired herself to one William Brett of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Linman for a year at the Wages of three pounds and three shillings... ".

 

William Brett's signature as a witness to the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth to Edward Dudley Jackson at St John's church on 25 June 1795.

 

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me William Brett late of Yeovill in the County of Somerset but now of Warminster in the County of Wilts Gentleman First I commend my Soul to God through Christ and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the direction of my Executor hereinafter named I give devise and bequeath all and singular my Real and Personal Estate whatsoever and where soever unto my Son in Law William Cayme of Yeovill in the County of Somerset Lincloth Manufacturer his Heirs Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns respectively according to the nature of my Estate and Interest therein To the uses upon the Trust and for the intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared of and concerning the same (that is to say) Upon Trust that the said William Cayme do and shall in the first place by and out of my Personal Estate pay unto the respective Trustees named in the respective Articles made on the Marriages of my Daughters Catherine Harvey Elizabeth Jackson and Ann Mactyre respectively all and every Sum and Sums of Money by [me ?] Covenanted to be paid and now due and payable under and by virtue of such Articles respectively Upon the Trusts and for the intents and purposes in such Articles respectively contained and after payment thereof and reserving a sufficient Fund for satisfying the several bequests and Donations hereinafter by me given I hereby direct that the whole of my Residuary Real and Personal Estate except the East end of a Cottage at Merriott hereinafter disposed of be divided into four equal parts one fourth part whereof I direct the said William Cayme to pay into the hands of John Hookins of Yeovill aforesaid Banker and my Son in Law The Reverend Edward Dudley Jackson upon the Trusts and to and for the intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared of and concerning the same (that is to say) Upon Trust that they the said John Hookins and Edward Dudley Jackson and the Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease place out and invest the whole of the said fourth part of my said Residuary Estate on such Real or other Securities (except the Stocks or Funds of Great Britain) as they in their discretion shall think fit with full power to alter and carry the same [two words illegible] and do and shall during the natural life of my Daughter Catherine Harvey Wife of Mr George Harvey pay the Interest and produce thereof from time to time as the same shall be received into the proper hands of the said Catherine Harvey and during the term of her natural life as [word illegible] for the use [Comfit ?] and support of herself as for the Maintenance Education and bringing up of all and every such Child and Children which the said Catherine Harvey now hath or may hereinafter have by the said George Harvey her Husband and so as the same be no way liable or subject to the Debts Engagements power of disposal controul or intermeddling of the said George Harvey her present or any after taken Husband and her receipt and receipts Signed by her with her own proper hand shall from time to time notwithstanding her Coverture be a sufficient Discharge or Discharges for the same or for so much thereof as shall be therein acknowledged or expressed to be received and from and after the decease of her the said Catherine Harvey Upon Trust that they the said Trustees and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators do and shall pay transfer and Assign the said fourth part of the said Residuary Estate and the Interest which shall be then due therein unto such Child or Children of her the said Catherine Harvey as aforesaid in such proportion manner and form and at such time or times during her natural life by any Deed or Deeds writing or writings with or without power of revocation to be by her Sealed and Delivered in the presence of and attested by two Credible Witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in writing to be by her signed and Published in the presence of the like number of Witnesses shall notwithstanding her Coverture direct or appoint And in default of such direction or appointment upon Trust that they the said John Hookins and Edward Dudley Jackson and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators do and shall pay and [devise ?] the same fourth part of my said Residuary Estate and the Interest which may be then due thereon unto and amongst all and every the Children (if more than one) of her the said Catherine Harvey who shall be living at her decease in equal shares and proportions and in Case there shall be but one Child of her the said Catherine Harvey living at the time of her decease Then in Trust for such only Child his or her Executors or Administrators and my will is that in Case the said Catherine Harvey shall at any time hereafter during the natural life of the said George Harvey her Husband by writing under her hand request the said John Hookins and Edward Dudley Jackson or the Survivor of them to advance and [word illegible] unto the said George Harvey a part of the said fourth part of my said Residuary Estate hereby intended to [several words illegible] for the benefit of my said Daughter Catherine and her Children as aforesaid for the purpose of establishing him in [word illegible] trade or calling and the said Executors shall think it expedient so to do (but not otherwise) it shall be lawful for them my said Trustees to advance and hand unto the said George Harvey at Interest on his own Bond any sum not exceeding four hundred pounds And my will further is that in Case all or any of the Children of the said Catherine Harvey shall during her life time become [word illegible] and live separate and apart from their said Mother that then and in such Case the said Trustees shall have full power and authority from time to time to pay and apply so much of the Interest and produce of the said fourth part of my said Residuary Estate as they in their discretion shall think proper for the support Maintenance and beneficial advantage of such Child or Children respectively and as for and concerning one other fourth part of my said Residuary Estate I direct the said William Cayme to pay the same unto the said Edward Dudley Jackson for his sole and proper use benefit and [word illegible] disposal And as for and concerning one other fourth part of my said Residuary Estate I directt the said William Cayme as soon as conveniently may be after my decease to pay the same unto them the said John Hookins and Edward Dudley Jackson and the survivor of them his Executors and Administrators for the support Maintenance and benefit of my Daughter Ann Mactyre (Wife of Frederic Mactyre and of the several Children of the said Frederic Mactyre born of her Body upon the like Trusts and for the like intents and purposes in all respects as hereinbefore expressed and declared of and concerning the said fourth part of my said Residuary Estate hereinbefore directed and disposed of for the benefit of my said Daughter Catherine Harvey and her Children as aforesaid (Except only that the said Trustees shall not be at Liberty to advance or lend any part of the property to the said Frederik Mactyre it being my intention and I hereby expressly direct that he shall take no benefit by virtue of this my will or any of the provisions herein contained And in Case the said Ann Mactyre shall happen to die without bearing and Child or Children of her Body lawfully Issuing then upon this further Trust that they the said John Hookins and Edward Dudley Jackson and the survivor of them his Executors and Administrators do and shall pay assign and transfer the said fourth part of my said Residuary Estate and the Interest then due thereon unto and amongst such person or persons as would have been [word illegible] thereto by virtue of the Statute for the Distribution of Intestate Estates in Case the said Ann Mactyre died [several words illegible] And as for and concerning the remaining fourth part of my said Residuary Estate my Will is that the said William Cayme do retain and withold the same for his own proper use and benefit and my Will further is that the Messuage of Dwelling House in the Middle Street in Yeovill aforesaid wherein I lately lived and now in the occupation of the said William Cayme with all and singular the ware houses loockshops and other Buildings Court yard Garden and Premises thereto adjoining and belonging and also the Cottage or Tenement in Back Street which I purchased of Miss Marchaunt with the Buildings thereon [two words illegible] and likewise the Stable in Back Street as aforesaid built on a Piece of Ground which I purchased of Mark Wills and all other my Lands and Hereditaments in Yeovill aforesaid hereinbefore by this my Will intended to be vested in the said William Cayme His Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns respectively be taken and accepted by the said William Cayme [margin note inserted = in the Sum of four hundred pounds in part of the fourth part of my said Residuary Estate hereinbefore given to the said William Cayme] I give unto the person who at the time of my death shall be Pastor or Teacher of the Congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Calvinist Persuasion at the Chapel lately erected and built for service worship in Yeovill aforesaid [see note below] the sum of ten Guineas And whereas a Sum of Money now remains due from the Trustees for building the above mentioned Chapel Now I do hereby order and direct my Executor to pay the Sum of thirty pounds out of my Personal Estate towards liquidating such Debt Provided the other Members of the said Congregation do and shall in one year next after my decease pay off and discharge the remainder of such Debt I give unto John Kiddes of Nether Compton as an acknowledgement of his long and Faithful Service ten Guineas I give unto James Hann of the same Place [Weaver ?] ten Guineas I give unto my Servant Eleanor Leveridge in Case she shall be in my Service at the time of my decease ten Pounds I give unto my late Servant William Budgell twenty pounds which said four Legacies my will is shall be paid within six Months next after my decease I give unto Anna Chick (Wife of John Chick of Hinton Saint George a Monthly Sum of eight shillings for and during the term of her natural life And I hereby direct the same shall be paid into her own proper hands for which her receipt above notwithstanding Her present or any future Coviture shall be a sufficient Discharge it being my intention that the said Monthly Sum of eight shillings shall not be liable to the Debts Controul or disposal of her present or any future Husband I give unto Mary Periam of Yeovill aforesaid Spinster the weekly Sum of One shilling for and during the term of her natural life and I give unto Eleanor Sugg of the same place Widow the like weekly Sum of One shilling for and during the term of her natural life I give and bequeath the Eastend part of a certain Cottage in the Parish of Merriott in the County of Somersett which I am entitled unto for the remainder of a term of Years determinable on lives unto Susanna Gyles (Wife of Hugh Gyles or Preston) for all my Estate and Interest therein I make and appoint the said William Cayme Executor of this my last Will and Testament And I do hereby expressly declare that my said Trustees or either of them their or either of their Executors or Administrators shall not be Charged or Chargeable with or accountable for more of the said Trust Monies than they shall actually receive nor with any loss which may happen of the same or any part thereof so as such loss happen without their wilful Default nor the one of them for the other of them or for the Acts Deeds Receipts or Defaults the one of the other And also that it shall and may be lawful to and for them and every of them to deduct and reimburse himself and themselves respectively out of the said Trust Monies all such loss Costs Charges and Expences as they or either of them shall be put unto or sustain in the execution of the Trusts of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said William Brett have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper to the three first sheets thereof set my hand and to this fourth and last sheet thereof my hand and Seal the nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine and in the thirty ninth 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

W[illia]m Brett

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Testator and of each other

Mary Marder     Jos: Wilkins     Edm[un]d Batten

 

This Will was proved at London the sixth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine before the Worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of William Cayme the Sole Executor named in the said Will to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased was granted having been first sworn duly to Administer

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn

Note: The "Congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Calvinist Persuasion at the Chapel lately erected" referred to in the above will, was the Calvinist Tabernacle in Tabernacle Lane.