Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Floyer Bulstrode Pope

Wine Merchant

 

Floyer Bulstrode Pope was born in Kingcombe, Toller Porcorum, Dorset in January 1843 and baptised at Toller Porcorum on 27 January 1843. He was the son of farmer Thomas Pope (1814-1885) and Sarah nee Wilmot (b1816). Thomas and Sarah's children were - Tom (b1842), Floyer Bulstrode, John Wilmot (b1845), Elizabeth Wilmot (1846-1912), William Wilmott (b1848), Sarah (b1850), Emma (b1853), Alice A Phillips (b1855) and Francis E (b1860).

In the 1851 census Thomas Pope was recorded as the farmer of 800-acre Manor Farm, Horningsham, Wiltshire, employing "about 50 labourers". 8-year-old Floyer was recorded as a 'scholar at home'. The 1861 census was all but identical but shortly thereafter, Floyer moved to Yeovil.

He had clearly amassed some wealth, since in March 1867 he was recorded by the Western Gazette as having donated £5 (around £560 at today's value) to the Special Appeal for the Yeovil Dispensary and District Hospital, with a further donation of five guineas (around £620 at today's value) made in 1871.

On 15 October 1868, at Winterborne St Martin (today known as Martinstown, four miles southwest of Dorchester), Dorset, Floyer married Sophia Hawkins (1847-1939), the daughter of farmer William Hawkins and his wife Elizabeth. Floyer and Sophie were to have ten children (although four died in infancy), all born in Yeovil - Florence Hawkins (1869-1948), Walter Floyer (1870-1870), Dudley Bulstrode (1871-1945), Sophie Beatrice (1872-1956), Alice Maud (1873-1957), Arthur Leonard (1876-1962), Edith Neale (1877-1877), Rupert Cyprus (1878-1879), Hubert Wyndham (1881-1935) and John (1882-1882).

On his marriage certificate 25-year-old Floyer gave his occupation as a wine merchant of Yeovil. His father and father-in-law were recorded as yeomen.

The 1871 census recorded Floyer, Sophia and one-year-old Florence living in Kingston. Living with them were Floyer's siblings William and Elizabeth as well mas a cook and a housemaid. Floyer gave his occupation as a wine merchant.

The Post Office Directory of 1875 listed Brutton & Pope as Wine and Spirits Merchants of Princes Street. Floyer's partner was brewer and wine merchant Joseph Brutton.

In September 1875, Floyer was the Jury Foreman at the inquest into the death of Henry Turberville (brother of Lorna Doone author RD Blackmore) at the Three Choughs Hotel.

By the time of the 1881 census, Floyer had moved his family to live above his shop premises at 9 Princes Street, today known as Wyndham House. Floyer and Sophia lived there with children Dudley, Sophia, Alice, Arthur and Hubert, Floyer's sister Emma, a governess, a nursemaid and a housemaid.

Floyer Pope died at his home, Wyndham House, on 24 February 1885. He was 42 years old. He was buried in Yeovil on 26 February 1885.

Sophia continued to live in Yeovil and the 1891 census listed her at 10 South Western Terrace in Station Road with her daughter Alice and a boarder. Sophia described herself as "Living on my own means" while 17-year-old Alice was a pupil teacher. The picture was similar in 1901, but by this time Alice had left home and her 31-year-old schoolmistress sister Florence was living with her mother. By the time of the 1911 census, Sophia and Florence were living at 24 Market Street. Sophia died in Somerset on 11 November 1939, aged 92.

 

 

Floyer Bulstrode Pope's 27 January 1843 baptism record from the Toller Porcorum parish register.

 

The record of Floyer and Sophia's 15 October 1868 marriage from the parish register of St Martin's church, Martinstown, Dorset.

 

An advertisement from the 1883 edition of Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser. Although Floyer is known to have been the senior partner of Pope Brothers, I have been unable to identify the other Pope brothers. Note that Floyer's business had expanded with premises in North Lane and Clarence Street as well as the original Princes Street premises.

 

A colourised photograph of the northern end of Princes Street dating to around 1900. Floyer's home and business premises, Wyndham House, is at centre left (behind the two streetlights) with a private garden before being converted to shops.

 

Courtesy of Jack Sweet  -  This photograph features in my book 'Yeovil From Old Photographs'.

Station Road and Yeovil Town Station photographed in 1896 by John Bell. The terrace of buildings at left, still there today, is South Western Terrace built by Levi Ridout. After the death of Floyer Pope, Sophia and her children moved to 10 South Western Terrace where she was listed in the 1901 census.

 

The notice of Floyer's death in the 27 February 1885 edition of the Bridport News.

 

The record of Floyer's burial in Yeovil on 26 February 1885 from St John's parish register.