yeovil people

Jabez Northover Fudge

Hairdresser, later outfitter & hosier of Middle Street

 

Jabez Northover Fudge was born in Yeovil on 27 February 1864. He was the son of carpenter, shopkeeper and newsagent John William (or Wellman) Fudge (b1812) and his wife Sarah (b1821, Milborne Port). He had an older brother, Albert JW, born in Yeovil in 1858.

In the 1871 census the family were living in Middle Street. John gave his occupation as a carpenter and Sarah gave hers as a general shopkeeper. Seven-year-old Jabez was listed as a scholar. By the time of the 1881 census, Jabez had moved to Wimborne, Dorset, where he was living as a hairdresser's apprentice with hairdresser George Lock and his family.

By 1891, Jabez had returned to live in Yeovil. His parents were both retired and it is likely that Jabez took over his mother's shop premises at 87 Middle Street. The census listed him as a hairdresser and the head of the family. Living with him were his parents.

On Christmas Day 1893, at Milborne Port, Jabez married schoolmistress Caroline Eliza Stickland (b 8 November 1864 - , the daughter of glover Jasper Stickland (1833-1867) of Milborne Port and Eliza Brake (1828-1910). On his marriage certificate, Jabez noted his profession as hairdresser and address at time of marriage as Christ Church, Birmingham. Jabez and Caroline were to have three daughters; Muriel Kate (1895-1981), Phyllis Rosalind (1897-1913) and Sylvia Mary Elsie (1902-1941). They initially lived in Birmingham, where their first daughter Muriel was born, but within a couple of years had returned to live in Yeovil.

Following their brief stay in Birmingham, the 1901 census found Jabez and his family back at 87 Middle Street. Whitby's Yeovil Almanac Advertiser of 1903 listed Jabez as a hairdresser of that address, as did Kelly's Directory of 1919. It appears that Jabez gave up hairdressing since his receipt of 1912 (see Gallery)  and Kelly's Directory of 1923 listed him as a hosier, still at 87 Middle Street. From the receipt he traded as J Northover Fudge.

The 1939 England and Wales Register listed Jabez and Caroline living at 32 St Michael's Avenue. Jabez gave his occupation as a retired tradesman.

Jabez Northover Fudge died in Yeovil during the spring of 1949. He was aged 84. Caroline died in Yeovil at the beginning of 1951, aged 86.

 

gallery

 

The entry of the marriage of Jabez Fudge and Caroline Stickland on Christmas Day 1893 from the parish register of Milborne Port.

 


From my collection

Jabez's receipt listing his tailoring and outfitting products and services - quite a wide variety for a hairdresser!