yeovil people

Amelia 'Millie' Hutchings

A domestic servant and dressmaker, typical of many young Yeovilian ladies

 

Amelia Hutchings, known as Millie, was born in Yeovil in the spring of 1862. She was the middle child of the seven children of tailor John Hutchings (1834-1896) and Sarah nee Minchington (1829-1908). John and Sarah's children - all born in Yeovil - were Elizabeth (b1856), Ellen (b1861), Millie, James (b1864), William (b1866), Mary Jane (b1870), and Henry J (b1873).

In the 1871 census the family were living in Back Kingston (today's Higher Kingston). John gave his occupation as a tailor, Sarah gave hers as a dressmaker while Ellen, Millie, James and William were scholars. Mary Jane was only one year old.

By the time of the 1881 census, 18-year old Millie was living at 12 Peter Street and working as a general domestic servant to Harriett Morrish, the mistress of a preparatory school. The 1891 census recorded that Millie had moved back in with her parents, who were now living in Sparrow Lane (today's Sparrow Road). 28-year old Millie gave her occupation as a dressmaker, like her mother.

In the autumn of 1896, 34-year old Millie married railway porter William James Grant (b1869) at Yeovil. They were to have seven children; Elsie May (b1893), Arthur (b1895), Willie (b1899), Lillian (b1900), Dorothy Ellen (1902-1961), Thomas Henry F, known as Tommy, (b1904) and Edith Amelia (1905-1973). Although Elsie and Arthur are listed in the 1901 census as the daughter and son of William and Millie, their birth dates indicate they were born before their parents' marriage. However, in the 1911 census William and Millie stated that they had been married for fourteen years and had only ever had five children! A mystery.

In the 1901 census William and Millie, together with their four eldest children and Millie's widowed mother Sarah, were listed at 15 Mudford Road. William and Mille were at the same address in 1911, together with their children Willie, Lillian, Dorothy, Tommy and Edith. 

Millie died in Yeovil in the late spring of 1921. She was 59 years old.

 

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From my collection

Amelia 'Millie' Hutchings, photographed by John Chaffin & Sons circa 1880.