yeovil people

Samuel daniell (2) the younger

Grocer, mercer and linen draper

 

The Daniell family were very wealthy mercers and glovers who came to Yeovil in the seventeenth century from East Coker. The first was probably William Danyel, mercer of Yeovil. At the Quarter Sessions of 7 August 1658, his wife Mary stated that on searching the box of her late servant Abigail Hobbs she found a great variety of goods she believed were stolen from her husband's shop. The judge heard a "very unsatisfactory explanation by the said Abigail".

Samuel Daniel (2) the Younger was born in Yeovil around 1680, the son of Yeovil glove manufacturer and owner of the Swan Inn in Middle Street, Samuel Daniel (1) the Elder and Mary née Saunders.

Samuel (2) the Younger was variously described as a Grocer, Mercer and Linen Draper and he became very wealthy. He was certainly involved with the Swan Inn as an indenture dated 8 September 1707 recorded "Samuel Daniell the elder of Yeovil, mercer, Samuel Daniell the younger of Yeovil, mercer, son and heir of Samuel Daniell the elder, and Samuel Whetcombe of Weymouth, John Saunders, gentleman of Yeovil, and Jeremiah Hayne - messuage in Henford; messuage at the sign of the Swann in Middle Street or Pytt Lane." It is therefore most likely that the 1715 reference recording Samuel Daniel as the owner of the Swan Inn was Samuel the Younger rather than his father. In his will, dated 9 August 1729 transcribed below, Samuel described himself as a grocer.

He was recorded in 1729 when his house was taxed one pound (the Window Tax) for having more than thirty windows - one of the largest properties in the town. At the same time his father, Samuel Snr, was taxed six shillings since his property had between ten and twenty windows.

Samuel (2) and his wife Hannah nee Hayne (the daughter of linen draper Jeremiah Ahyne)  had at a daughter Mary, who was baptised at  St John's church on 4 July 1708, a daughter Elizabeth and at least two sons, Samuel (3) (baptised at St John's church on 14 June 1710) and John. Samuel (3), eventually called 'the Younger' when his grandfather died, was a 'Mercer of Yeovil' like his father, but also styled himself 'Banker' in his will of 1797. John, who became known as John Daniell the Elder when his son came of age, was a rich and influential Yeovil banker who built Hendford House (today's Manor Hotel) in 1776.

In its edition of 22 March 1780 the Caledonian Mercury noted "Messrs John and Samuel Daniell, bankers, at Yeovil". These were the sons of John Daniell the Elder.

Samuel Daniell the Younger died in Yeovil in the year he wrote his will - 1729.

 

See Daniell Family Tree

See Inter-relationships of Daniell, Old & Goodford families

 

 

The Will of Samuel Daniell (2) the Younger, 1729

 

 

 

In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Daniel the Younger of Yeovill in the County of Somersett Grocer being att present weake in body but of a sound and understanding memory (thanks be to God) Doe make this my last Will and Testament in the manner following Imprimis I give devise and bequeath all my lande tenements and hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever whereof or wherein I am seized of any Estate if Inheritance in possession or Revertion unto my loving wife Hannah Daniel her heirs and Assignes forever And I do hereby committ the Custody Care and Guardianshipp of All my Children unto my said wife untill they shall attaine their respective ages of one and twenty yeares Item all the rest of my personall Estate goods and chattells of what nature or kind soever I give devise and bequeath unto my said wife whome I do hereby nominate and appoint sole Executrix of this my Will In witness whereof I the said Samuel Daniel the Younger have hereunto sett my hand and seale this Ninth day of August Anno Domini One Thousand and Seaven hundred and twenty Nine

Saml Daniel Jun.

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Daniel the Younger to be the last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have on his request and in his presence Subscribed our names as witnesses hereto John Newman Jere(miah) Hayne Sam Hooper Esq

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn