Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Henry EtherIdge

Accountant, Insurance Agent, Auctioneer and Town Surveyor

 

Henry Etheridge, or Etheredge, was born in Broughton, Hampshire, in 1786. Nothing is known of his early life or when he moved to Yeovil. However, he was certainly living in Yeovil by 1812 when, at the age of 26, he married Ann Cox on 25 February 1812 at St John's church. (During this period Nonconformists had to be married in the established church but were free to have their children baptised in their own church). It is possible that this Ann Cox was the daughter, or niece, of Ann Cox who wrote her will in December 1818, just before her death, that mentions Henry Etheridge and several of his children (although it doesn't mention Ann as Henry's wife)

From his will (see below), we know that Henry had at least six sons, all born in Yeovil, to his first wife, Ann née Cox.

• James Cox (born 20 January 1813. Baptised 18 April 1813, Independent chapel ). Died October 1849 at Yeovil, aged 36). Married Arabella Peacock (1815-1882), of Yeovil, on 21 December 1836 at All Hallows, Bread Street, London. Daughter Arabella Adey (born October 1837 at Poole, Dorset, died 2 February 1902 Southsea, Hants). James was recorded as a "Chymist, Druggist, Grocer, Dealer and Chapman of Yeovil" when he was declared bankrupt in January 1839.
  
• Thomas (b 13 August 1815, baptised 8 October 1815, Independent chapel). In the 1871 census he gace his occupation as a "Calenderer and Finisher". Married to Margaret (b1827, Scotland) and had two sons, both born in London; Thomas Henry (b1847) and Edward R (b1857).
  
• Edward (b 4 August 1822, baptised 20 October 1822, Independent chapel - son of Henry and Anne). No further information.
  
• Alfred (b 1823). Surveyor and Accountant of Wine Street, Yeovil. Married Ann (b1826, Barnstaple, Devon). Children William Henry (b1852) and Alfred James (b1854, Kingston, Yeovil. Died 9 January 1939, USA).  Alfred and family emigrated to USA in 1855.
  
• John (born 24 October 1824, baptised 12 June 1825, Independent chapel - son of Henry and Anne). No further information.
  
• George Octavius  (born 25 July 1829, baptised 18 October 1829, Independent chapel - son of Henry and Anne). In the 1851 census, George was recorded as a 21-year-old unmarried warehouseman, living in 3 Bridge Place, Southwark, Surrey. He married Rosanna Hughes (1830-1896) on 19 February 1857 in Sydney, Australia. They had five sons and a daughter; WIlliam S Hughes (1858-1880), Lucy Arabella Hughes (1860-1935), Charles W Hughes (b1862), Percy Hughes (1864-1938), George Alfred E Hughes (1868-1936) and Thomas Hughes (1871-1922). George died 12 February 1874, Balmain, Sydney, Australia
  

From the 1818 will of Ann Cox (possible mother or aunt of Henry's wife, Ann), further children are recorded as follows (albeit with little or no detail) -

• Henry Etheridge 'the younger'
  

• William Etheridge 'another son'

• Lucy Etheridge

It is not known when Henry's wife Ann died (possibly in childbirth with George in 1829), but on 6 December 1831, at St John's church, 45-year-old Henry married 40-year-old Sophia Bollen. Henry and Sarah did not have children.

Henry joined the Yeovil Lodge of Brotherly Love of Freemasons on 25 February 1823. At the time of his initiation he was aged 36 and was described as a grocer living in Yeovil. He became Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1831.

In 1824 he was listed in Pigot's Directory as an agent for the West of England Fire Insurance company. His address was given as the Borough, but from Edward Bullock Watts' map of October 1829 (see below) it is known that his address was in Wine Street. In fact he was actually on the corner with the Borough, between Middle Street and Wine Street, the site would later (1860) have the Medical Hall built on it.

In the will of James Cayme the Elder, dated 1828, Henry Etheridge was described as an "Accountant... of Yeovil".

In Pigot's Directory of 1830 he was again listed as an agent  the West of England Fire Insurance company, but on this occasion his address was noted as being in Wine Street. He was also listed as an agent for the West of England Fire & Life Insurance company in the Somerset Gazette Directory of 1840, Hunt & Co's Directory of 1850 and Slater's Directory of 1852 - all noting the address as Wine Street. From at least 1837, Henry worked as an auctioneer (see Gallery).

Around 1837 Henry moved from the site of the future Medical Hall to a location further along Wine Street. In the 1841 census Henry, together with his second wife Sophia (b1791, Odcombe - 1854), boys John  and George and a domestic servant, were listed in Wine Street. Henry gave his occupation as a commission agent.

The 1846 Tithe Apportionment noted that Henry was the owner of several houses - two parcels of land/property (Parcels 539 and 540) were occupied by William Symes (who would have sub-let them) and were both noted as 'Houses, Gardens & Orchards' and a further two parcels (Parcels 1061 and 1062) were occupied by John Tomkins (again, who would have sub-let them) and were both noted as 'House, Garden & Orchard' (see Maps). Although it is not proven, it is likely that Henry later owned four houses, little better than slums, in a court known as Etheridge's Court, off South Street and close to Wine Street. These only appeared named as such in the 1851 census.

Henry's position in the 1851 census locates him close to the Wine Vaults. At this time 65-year old Henry gave his occupation as an auctioneer and was living with Sophia, granddaughter Sophia and a domestic servant.

Sophia died, aged 63, in the summer of 1854 at Yeovil. Henry died in Yeovil during the autumn of 1855, aged 69.

 

 

This map is based on Edward Bullock Watts' map of October 1829. Henry Etheridge's premises are noted at left, on the corner of Middle Street and Wine Street. The site would later (1860) be the site of the Medical Hall.

 

An extract of the 1842 Tithe Map. In the Tithe Apportionment of 1846, Henry Etheridge was noted as owning Parcels 539 and 540 - seen at centre and running from Goldcroft (left of centre) to Milford Brook seen running parallel to Eastland Road at right. Both plots were occupied by William Symes (who would have sub-let them) and were both noted as 'Houses, Gardens & Orchards'.

 

An extract of the 1842 Tithe Map. In the Tithe Apportionment of 1846, Henry Etheridge was noted as owning Parcels 1061 and 1062. Today this would be the whole of the northern side of Sparrow Road, from Roping Road (running vertically at left of centre) and Goldcroft (running from top right of centre to bottom right). Both plots were occupied by John Tomkins (who would have sub-let them) and were both noted as 'House, Garden & Orchard'.

 

 

The record of Henry Etheridge's marriage to Ann Cox, on 25 February 1812, from St John's parish register.

 

The entry of Henry's joining the Lodge of Brotherly Love on 25 February 1823. His occupation was given as grocer and his address as Yeovil.

 

This sketch, made by GE Madeley to illustrate his map of 1831, shows the Borough seen from High Street - roughly the view seen today from the north end of King George Street. The Shambles is to the left and the Market House is to the right. The buildings at far left still stand today, that to the left is Clement White's shop, today's 8 High Street, at this time occupied by draper Benjamin Ryall whose name appears above the door. In the background, behind and to the right of the Market House is the building predating the Medical Hall (rebuilt in 1860) - at this time occupied by Henry Etheredge.

 

Courtesy of David Chapman

In September 2023, during restoration works to Trinity House in Peter Street, a plaque was discovered (see Gallery) dated 1836 - presumably indicating Trinity House to be possibly the first house to be built in Peter Street. The plaque records the "Party Wall" between a Mr Higgins and a Mr Etheredge. Neither Higgins nor Etheredge are recorded as living in Peter Street. I could find no record at all concerning Mr Higgins, but Mr Etheredge was presumably Henry Etheredge - an accountant, insurance agent, auctioneer and town surveyor who lived just around the corner in Wine Street. It is therefore assumed that Messrs Higgins and Etheredge were adjoining property owners, rather than residents.

 

An advertisement from the 28 August 1837 edition of the Salisbury & Winchester Journal proving that Henry was working as an auctioneer by this date. He appears to have been selling the stock of druggist James Sellers. Sellers was declared bankrupt in 1838 and Henry and Sellers ended up in court over this sale. Whether or not this was the precursor to the Medical Hall is unknown. It is thought that it was at this time that Henry moved into premises in the centre of Wine Street.

Was it just a coincidence that Henry's son, James, was recorded as a "Chymist, Druggist, Grocer, Dealer and Chapman of Yeovil" when he was declared bankrupt in January 1839 I wonder?

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me Henry Etheredge of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Auctioneer I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter Arabella Adey Etheredge the daughter of my late son James Cox Etheredge the sum of ten pounds sterling I give and bequeath to my son Alfred Etheredge the sum of fifty pounds and I direct that if the said Alfred Etheredge should depart this life before my decease the said legacy of fifty pounds shall not lapse but shall be payable to his executors or administrators I give and devise all my real estate and chattels real unto and to the use of my son Thomas Etheredge and my friend Edward Raymond of Yeovil aforesaid Glove Manufacturer their heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively according to the nature thereof respectively Upon trust that they the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond or the survivor of them or his assigns or the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my death sell the same either entirely and altogether or in parcels and either by public auction or private contract with power to buy in and rescind any contract for sale of the said premises or any part thereof and to resell the same without being answerable for any loss which may happen thereby and also with power to insert any special or other stipulations in any contract for or condition of sale either as to title or evidence of title or otherwise and with power to execute make and do all such conveyances assurances and things for effectuating any such sale as aforesaid as may be necessary or expedient I give and bequeath the Residue of my Personal Estate unto the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond their executors and administrators Upon trust that they the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond or the survivor of them or his assigns or the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my death call in sell dispose of and convert into money such parts thereof as shall not consist of money And I hereby declare that the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond and the survivor of them and his assigns and the executors and administrators of such survivor shall by and out of the monies to arise from the sale of the said real estate hereinbefore devised In trust for sale and from the calling in sale and conversion into money of such parts of the said personal estate hereinbefore bequeathed as shall not consist of money and by and out of the ready money of which I shall be possessed at my death pay my funeral and testamentary expences and debts and the legacies bequeathed by this my Will and shall pay and divide the residue unto and equally between my four sons Thomas Edward John and George Octavius as tenants in common but in case any or either of them shall happen to die in my lifetime without leaving lawful issue living at their or his decease then the share or respective shares of them or him so dying shall be paid and divided unto and equally between the survivors or survivor of them and my said son Alfred as tenants in common but in case my said son Alfred shall die in my lifetime without leaving lawful issue living at his decease then the said last mentioned share or shares shall be paid and divided unto and equally between the survivors or survivor of them my said sons Thomas Edward John and George Octavius as tenants in common And I declare that a receipt or receipts of the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond or the survivor of them or his assigns or the executors or administrators of such survivor for any sum or sums of money payable to them or him under or by virtue of this my Will shall be an effectual release and discharge or effectual releases or discharges for the same or for so much thereof as in such receipt or receipts shall be expressed to be received and that the person or persons paying such sum or sums of money shall not be bound to see to the application nor be answerable for the loss misapplication or nonapplication of the same And I empower my said Trustees to retain and allow each other all their expences And I do declare that they shall not be liable for involuntary losses I appoint the said Thomas Etheredge and Edward Raymond executors of this my Will I hereby revoke all former Wills In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty four

Henry Etheredge

Signed by the said henry Etheredge the Testator as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses

James W Vining Geo [surname illegible]
Clerks to Messrs Slade & Vining Sol[icitor]s Yeovil

Proved at London 27th June 1855 before the Worshipful Thomas Pratt Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Thomas Etheredge the son one of the Executors to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to Edward Raymond the other Executor when he shall apply for the same

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn