Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Edwin Vaughan Brook

Pastrycook and Confectioner of Middle Street

 

Edwin Vaughan Brook was born in North Cadbury in 1838 and baptised at St Michael's church, North Cadbury on 14 October 1838. He was the son of tailor Samuel Brook and his wife Eliza. The 1841 census recorded Samuel and Eliza, together with their two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth Anne (b1836) and 2-year-old Edwin.

What happened to Edwin's family is unknown, but the 1851 census recorded 13-year-old Edwin living with his 15-year-old sister Elizabeth in Wraxhall Road, Ditcheat, Somerset. Elizabeth gave her occupation as a servant, while Edwin gave his as a farm labourer.

At some time during the next decade it appears that Edwin moved to Yeovil and on 15 December 1861, 23-year-old Edwin married 22-year-old Yeovil-born Mary Jane Jesty at Holy Trinity church. Edwin gave his occupation as a confectioner of Middle Street - despite the fact I could not find him in the 1861 census. Mary (b1839) was the dressmaker daughter of boot and shoe maker Israel Jesty (1811-1869) and Priscilla nee Tizzard (1810-1867).

Edwin and Mary were to have seven children, all born in Yeovil - Albert Edwin Vaughan (1862-1933), Henry (b1867), Willie (b1872), Florence (b1874), Olive (b1876), Sidney (b1878), and Emily, known as Lilly (b1881).

The 1871 census recorded Edwin and Mary in Middle Street with their eldest three sons, aged 9, 5 and 2. Their home, and Edwin's pastrycook and confectioner's premises, was at 13 Middle Street, to the west of the Castle Inn (see Gallery).

The 1881 census again recorded Edwin as a baker and confectioner, with his family living above the bakery. Much the same was recorded in the 1891 census, with both 52-year-old Edwin and his 28-year-old son Albert listed as confectioners.

By the time of the 1901 census, Edwin had moved his family to 40 The Avenue. Edwin was listed as a retired confectioner, 27-year-old Florence was a dressmaker, 23-year-old Sidney was a tailor and 20-year-old Emily was a milliner.

Mary Jane Brook died in Yeovil during the spring of 1916, aged 79. Edwin Vaughan Brook, of 40 The Avenue, died on 23 June 1919 aged 82. His will was proved at Taunton  on 21 November 1919 and his estate valued at £7,346 8s 10d (around £430,000 at today's value).

 

 

Edwin Brook's baptism entry in the parish register of St Michael's church, North Cadbury on 14 October 1838.

 

The record of the 15 December 1861 marriage of Edwin and Mary from the Holy Trinity parish register.

 

From my collection. This photograph features in my book "A-Z of Yeovil"

This hand-coloured postcard was post-marked 1904 but the original photograph actually dates to about 1890 when the licensee was John Wilkins and his name appears under the Castle Hotel sign that projects into the road at high level. Edwin Brook's home and bakery premises was the beige-coloured three-storey building immediately beyond the blue-coloured building.

 

Edwin's advertisement in the 1879 edition of Whitby's Yeovil Almanac Advertiser. This was Edwin's only advertisement in a Yeovil trade directory.