Yeovil People

Henry Whitmash

Gentleman and Banker of Hendford

 

Henry Whitmash, known as Harry, was born in 1772, probably the son of Henry Whitmash (d1799) of Batts Place, Trull, Somerset, and Sarah née Cooth (d1809).

Around 1792 Henry married his first wife, Sarah Ann (1770-1815, née Bethell? - see note below), although the record of their marriage has not been found. They lived in Hendford, (see Gallery) and probably had at least twelve children, all born in Yeovil, as follows -

 

 

John Whitmash was born in 1795 and baptised at St John's church on 25 December 1795. John died, aged 33, in May 1829, when he was thrown from the gig he was driving after the horse bolted. He sustained a fractured skull and expired almost immediately. John was reported in the press as a "coach proprietor of Taunton" and "one of the sons of Mr Whitmash, of Yeovil, the extensive coach proprietor and banker". His remains were interred in the family vault of St Mary Magdalene, Taunton. He left a wife and two children.

Elizabeth Whitmash was born 24 July 1799 and baptised at St John's church on 15 August 1799. She is mentioned in her father's will of 1843 and her uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left her £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over £400,000 today). There is no further information concerning her.

Henry George Whitmash was born on 13 October 1797 and baptised at St John's church on 25 February 1803. He  joined the Yeovil Lodge of Brotherly Love in 1821, giving his age as 24. His occupation was given as a glover. He was living at home in Hendford with his father and siblings in the 1841 census, and he is mentioned in his father's will of 1843 and his uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left him £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over £400,000 today). There is no further information concerning him.

------------------------

Note: Henry and Elizabeth appear to have been favoured by their uncle William Morling Bethell above their surviving siblings in his will of 1848. It is likely that Henry and Elizabeth's mother, Sarah Ann, was William Bethell's sister and therefore Sarah Ann née Bethell.

------------------------

William Whitmash was born on 7 December 1800 and baptised at St John's church on 25 February 1803. In 1820, William joined the Lodge of Brotherly Love. His age was declared as 20 and his profession was recorded as of the East India Company. He died on 14 August 1830. The Liverpool Mercury reported in its death notices; "On Friday last, William Whitmash, aged 29 years, son of Henry Whitmash, Esq., banker and coach proprietor, of Yeovil, Somersetshire. He fell overboard a vessel in the Prince's Dock [Liverpool], and was drowned before any assistance could be given."

Sarah Whitmash was born in 1803 and baptised at St John's church on 14 September 1803. She married glove manufacturer and later Mayor of Yeovil Robert Tucker. However, Sarah died on 3 April 1831 aged just 27. They had four daughters but only one survived to adulthood, Sarah Anne Whitmash Johnston, who died in Brighton, Sussex, on 28 November 1853, aged 25.

George Whitmash was born in 1804 and was baptised at St John's church on 31 October 1804. George "of Hendford" died on 7 January 1833, aged 28, and was buried in St John's churchyard on 12 January 1833.

Edward Whitmash, "the son of Harry Whitmash and Sarah Anne his wife" was born on 27 January 1806 and baptised at St John's church on 5 February 1806. Edward died before his first birthday and was buried in St John's churchyard on 18 October 1806.

Maria Whitmash was born in 1809 and baptised at St John's church on 18 February 1809. She married sailcloth manufacturer Thomas Weare Templeman (1790-1861) on 6 March 1827 at St John's church. He was the son of the Rev. John Templeman of Lopen. They were to have six children. In his will, Henry Whitmash left his daughter Maria £500 (around £50,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to around £700,000 today). This was later reduced, in a codicil, to £400 with £100 to be divided between her children and the children of her sister Mary). Her uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left her £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over  £400,000 today). Maria died in Radipole, Dorset, on 10 September 1878, aged 69.

Ann Whitmash may have been a twin sister of Maria, above, as both were baptised at St John's church on the same day. In his will, Henry Whitmash left his daughter Ann £550 (around £55,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to around £760,000 today) and her uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left her £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over £400,000 today). In the 1851 census, Ann and her sister Agnes (see below) were listed living in Kingston next door to the Red Lion Inn, together with their aunt Elizabeth Cabbell and a servant. The 1861 found the spinster sisters Ann and Agnes, now aged 52 and 46 respectively, living at Pitney Cottage, Kingston, with a domestic servant. Both Ann and Agnes were listed as annuitants. Ann died in 1891.

Edward William Whitmash was baptised at St John's church on 21 November 1810. However, an 1811 entry in St John's parish register recorded; "Edward William Son of Henry Whitmash Esq & Sarah Ann his Wife was born Nov 12 1810 and christened May 1 1811". His uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left him £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over  £400,000 today). On 17 January 1865, at St Clement Danes, London, 54-year-old Edward, bachelor and 'gentleman of Taunton' married 39-year-old Mary Ann Merson. He died in 1875 aged 65.

Agnes Bethell Whitmash was born in 1813 and baptised at St John's church on 12 April 1813. In his will, Henry Whitmash left his daughter Agnes £550 (around £55,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to around £760,000 today) and her uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left her £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over  £400,000 today). She remained unmarried and died at her sister Mary's home (see next), on 5 January 1881 aged 68.

Mary Whitmash was born in 1815 and was baptised at St John's church on 16 May 1815. On 29 May 1838, she married glove manufacturer Henry Bryant Phelps (1814-1888) who was a Town Commissioner, then a Special Commissioner and was a member of Yeovil's first Town Council. Mary and Henry lived at Convamore, in Back Kingston. They had two children; Henry Jnr (1840-1893) and Ellen Maria (1842-1900). Her uncle William Bethell's will of 1848 left her £330 (around £34,000 at today's value, but with an income value equating to over  £400,000 today). Mary died on 11 November 1893, aged 78, at Swallowcliffe, Yeovil. 

 

 

Henry's wife, Sarah Ann, died in Yeovil on 10 May 1815. She was aged 45. On 16 May 1816, "At Pitminster, near Taunton, Henry Whitmash, esq. banker of Yeovil" married Sarah Cabbell, of Pitminster. She was the fifth of the six children of John Cabbell MD (1732-1793) and Mary nee Burridge (1733-1813).

 Sadly, his second wife Sarah died in Yeovil on Sunday 2 December 1838. Her sister Elizabeth Cabbell (b1775) had lived with Henry and Sarah and continued to do so after Sarah's death. Elizabeth was left an annual sum of £25 per annum (around £2,500 at today's value, but with an income value equating to around £35,000 today) by Henry.

Before joint stock banks were permitted outside London by the Act of 1826, the financial needs of local businessmen were met by private country banks, which provided safe custody for deposits of gold, issued banknotes and honoured cheques. Henry Whitmash established a private bank, known as Henry Whitmash & Richard Brown, in Wincanton in about 1796. It was known as Whitmash & Co by 1805, Whitmash & White by 1811 and Henry Whitmash & William Lambert White by 1813. William Lambert White was a solicitor in Yeovil. Both Whitmash and White served as Churchwardens and trustees of Woborn's Almshouse, and both became Town Commissioners in 1830. In 1808 the bank opened a branch in Yeovil and from then it was also known as the Yeovil & Wincanton Bank. This was in a building adjoining the old Angel Inn. The Wincanton business appears to have closed in 1818. In 1835 the bank was acquired by Stuckey's Banking Co, but the trading name was retained until 1837. Banknotes were printed in £1, £5, and £20 denominations, but only the £1 and £5 notes are known to have been issued.

Alongside his banking interests, Henry also ran coaches for many years (see Gallery) as partner in the company of Henry Whitmash, Thomas Rogers & Co. The 1841 census recorded Henry at home in Hendford with children Henry Jnr, Elizabeth, Ann and Agnes together with his sister-in-law Elizabeth Cabbell and two domestic servants.

The Poll Books of both 1832 and 1834, listed Henry Whitmash of Hendford as eligible to vote due to owning freehold lands in Mount Pleasant - some fifty years before the roads and houses were built. Pigot's Directory of 1842 listed "Henry Whitmash esq., Hendford" in the Gentry section.

In his will of 1843 (see below), Henry left generous legacies to his surviving children, with the bulk of his estate being left to his only surviving son, Edward. Henry Whitmash died on Sunday 5 March 1843 at Yeovil and buried in St John's churchyard on 11 March 1843. He was aged 70.

 

GALLERY

 

The entry of Henry's second marriage, to Sarah Cabbell, of 16 May 1816 from the parish register of St Andrew & St Mary's church, Pitminster.

 


© Trustees of the British Museum

The obverse and reverse of a five pound note of the Yeovil & Wincanton Bank of Henry Whitmash and William Lambert White, featuring a drawing of St John's church. From the period 1808 to 1835, at which time £5 would be worth in excess of £300 at today's value. Notes were printed in £1, £5, and £20 denominations, but only the £1 and £5 notes are known to have been issued.

 

An advertisement in the 12 May 1834 edition of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, noting two of Henry's coaches; the London-bound 'The Traveller' and the new addition to his coaches, 'The Little Magnet', that left the Fleur de Lys in High Street every morning for a round trip to Salisbury.

 

The entry of Henry Whitmash's burial in St John's parish register.

 

The notice of sale from the 12 April 1845 edition of the Western Flying Post, of Henry's property adjoining Stuckey's Bank (now the site of the Westminster Bank). His land stretched all the way to Waterloo Lane.

 


This colourised photograph features in my book 'Secret Yeovil'.

This photograph, one half of a stereoscopic pair, was taken around 1870 and looks down Hendford with High Street at extreme left. At extreme right is Stuckey's Bank, facing High Street, and the slightly shorter three-storey building alongside was Henry Whitmash's property described in the notice of sale above.

 

Will of Henry Whitmash, 1843

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me Henry Whitmash of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Esquire made this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three as follows (that is to say) I direct that my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be first paid and after satisfaction thereof I give and bequeath unto my daughter Maria Templeman the sum of five hundred pounds in pursuance of the promise I made to her on her marriage to and for her sole use and benefit and free from the control debts or engagements of her present or any future husband and I direct that the receipt or receipts of the said Maria Templeman notwithstanding her coverture shall be a sufficient discharge for the said sum of five hundred pounds or any part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Phelps the sum of fifty pounds I also give and bequeath to all of my grandchildren that shall be living at my decease the sum of two hundred pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike and to be paid to them respectively within one year next after my decease and I direct that the receipt and receipts given by them notwithstanding the minority of any or other of them shall be good and sufficient discharges for the same it being my intention that the same shall be considered as pocket money and that they are to do what they please with it I also give and bequeath to Sarah Pappos now or late of number six Camara Place Camara Square Chelsea the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid to her free of all duty deductions or abatements within three months next after my decease I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Whitmash during the life of my daughter Elizabeth Whitmash one annuity or clear yearly sum of twenty pounds In trust to apply the same in such manner for the maintenance and support of my said daughter Elizabeth as she the said Ann Whitmash shall think most proper and advisable to be paid and payable to the said Ann Whitmash by four equal quarterly portions without any deduction or abatement whatsoever and the first payment to begin and be made at the expiration of three months next after my decease and I do hereby charge all and singular my real and personal property so hereinafter given and disposed of to my son Edward [inserted = William] Whitmash with the payment of the said annuity or yearly sum of twenty pounds to my daughter Ann Whitmash for the life of my said daughter Elizabeth with full power and authority for the said Ann Whitmash to enter thereon to recover the same when in arrear and all costs and charges of such recovery by distress and sale in like manner as rents are recoverable by law I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry George Whitmash during the term of his natural life one annuity or clear yearly sum of fifty two pounds so that he shall have no power to alien or anticipate the same or any part thereof to be payable and and paid to him by equal weekly payments in every year without any deduction or abatement whatsoever the first payment to begin and be made at the expiration of one week next after my decease and I do hereby charge the payment of the same on all that my estate and lands and hereditaments at Bishops Hull in the County of Somerset with full power and authority to the said Henry George Whitmash to enter on the said premises and to recover the same when in arrears and all costs and charges of such recovery by distress and sale in like manner as rents are recoverable by law And whereas I have for some years past paid to Elizabeth Cabbell who now lives with me one annuity or clear yearly sum of twenty five pounds and for the purpose of securing such annuity or annual sum to her for her life I hereby charge the payment of the same half yearly on all that my house and lands at Preston in the County of Somerset the first payment to begin and be made at the expiration of six months next after my decease with full power and authority for the said Elizabeth Cabbell to enter on the said premises and to recover the same or any part thereof when in arrear and all costs and charges of such recovery by distress and sale in like manner as rents are recoverable by law I also give devise and bequeath to my daughters Ann Whitmash and Agnes Bethell Whitmash All that my estate and lands at Preston aforesaid occupied by Henry Pudden subject to the aforesaid annuity of twenty five pounds payable to Elizabeth Cabbel To hold to them for and during so long a time as they both shall remain single and unmarried share and share alike as tenants in common and from and immediately after the marriage of one of them the said Ann Whitmash and Agnes Bethell Whitmash during the lifetime of the other I hereby give devise and bequeath all that the said estate and lands at Preston subject as aforesaid to the one of my said daughters that shall be unmarried her heirs executors administrators and assigns subject to the payment of four hundred pounds within six months afterwards to the other of my said daughters Ann Whitmash and Agnes Bethell Whitmash the sum of five hundred and fifty pounds each and that until the same be paid and discharged they shall hold and stand possessed of as a security for the payment thereof a certain Deed or Judgment Bond now in my iron chest dated the eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty two given to me by my son Edward William for securing the sum of eleven hundred pounds and until the same be paid they shall be paid by my Executor hereinafter named five per cent per annum interest thereon I also give and bequeath unto my said daughters Ann Whitmash and Agnes Bethell Whitmash equally between them ten shares which I hold in the Guardian Assurance Society together with all my furniture household goods and property except money and securities for money that shall be in my house at Yeovil at my decease and as to all the Rest and Residue and Remainder of my property both real and personal not hereinbefore disposed of and of what nature or kind soever the same may be I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my son Edward [inserted = William] Whitmash his heires executors administrators and assigns for ever And I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Edward [inserted = William] Whitmash whole and sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other will or wills by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in three sheets of paper set my hand and seal; as follows to the first two sheets hereof my hand and to this third and last sheet my hand and seal the day and year first above herein written - Henry Whitmash
Signed sealed published declared and delivered by the testator Henry Whitmash as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto the word "William" being first interlines in the last line of the first sheet hereof and between the eleventh and twelfth twenty third and twenty fourth and twenty fifth and twenty sixth lines of this last sheet the word shall between the third and fourth lines and the word "shall" between the third and fourth lines and the word "heires" between the twenty third and twenty fourth lines of this last sheet - Josiah Davis Henstridge Somerset John How Henstridge

This is a Codicil to my last will and testament signed and sealed by me Henry Whitmash this fourth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty three immediately after the execution of my said will whereby I revoke the legacy of five hundred pounds given to my daughter Maria Templeman and do give her in lieu thereof four hundred pounds and I also give and bequeath to the children of the said Maria Templeman and Mary Phelps the sum of one hundred pounds equally between them share and share alike In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written - Henry Whitmash
Signed sealed and delivered by the testator Henry Whitmash as and for a codicil to his last last will and testament in the presence of us - Josiah Davis    John How

Appeared Personally John How of Henstridge in the county of Somerset Innholder and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the codicil hereunto annexed to the last will and testament of Henry Whitmash late of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Esquire deceased the said Codicil being endorsed on the said will and bearing the date the fourth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty three and with reference to the execution of the said codicil he the deponent further saith that on the said fourth day of February the said testator subscribed his name as now appears to the said codicil and at the foot or end thereof in the presence of this deponent and of Josiah Davis the other subscribed witness thereto (then both present with the said testator at the same time) and thereupon this deponent and his said fellow witness subscribed their names to the said codicil (as now appears) in the presence of the said testator - John How - On the eighteenth day of October 1843 the said John How was duly sworn to the truth hereof Before me - Nath Bridges Vicar of Henstridge Somerset

Proved at London with a codicil 26th October 1843 before the Judge by the Oath of Edward William Whitmash the son the sole Executor to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn by Commission only to administer.

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn