Introduction
Ellis Brake’s life exemplifies upward social mobility. After working as a footman at Hardington Rectory in the early 1850s, he moved to London, where he initially became a policeman. Following a brief return to domestic service in the early 1860s, he entered the pub trade and became the landlord of an inn in Kennington and later in Putney. When he died in 1879, his estate was valued “under £3,000”, which was about sixty times more than his father’s estate.
Childhood at Yetminster
Ellis was born at Yetminster in about 1828. His father, Peter Brake, was a miller.
Hardington Rectory
By 1851, Ellis was a footman at Hardington Rectory. There, he met his future wife, Susan Daw Snaydon Beer, who worked as a housemaid. She was born at Hardington in about 1826, the daughter of George and Jane Beer. Her father, George Beer, a farmer, died in 1837, when Susan was about eleven.
On 26 April 1855, Ellis witnessed the will of his employer, the Rev. Henry Helyar.
Life in London
Within the next eighteen months, Ellis and Susan moved to London, where they married at St Marylebone parish church on 2 October 1856. When they married, Ellis worked as a policeman in Islington, while Susan lived in Marylebone.
Return to domestic service
By 1861, Ellis and Susan were in service at Burghfield Rectory, Berkshire. Ellis was the coachman, and Susan was the cook. In 1863, while still at Burghfield, they had a daughter, Alice Mary.
Life as a Pub Licensee
In June 1865, Ellis became the licensee of the Archduke Charles pub in White Hart Street, Kennington Lane, Surrey, where he remained until June 1876.[1]
Newspapers provide glimpses of his life at the pub. In January 1867, he was fined 15s for having false measures.[2] In April 1867, he advertised for a barmaid.[3] In June 1869, he donated five guineas to the Licenced Victuallers’ Asylum, Old Kent Road, which suggests business was good.[4]
On 17 March 1868, Ellis was granted letters of administration for his deceased father.[5] Following his mother’s death in December 1873, he sold two freehold cottages located in Church Street, Yetminster, on 25 September 1874.[6] His share of the proceeds may have helped him to become the landlord of the Cedar Tree, Wandsworth Lane, Putney, which was his address by 1878.[7]
Death
Ellis died at the Cedar Tree on 20 November 1879, at the age of fifty-one, probably due to a stroke.[8] He left an estate valued at “under £3,000,” which he bequeathed to his wife for her lifetime and, after her death, to his daughter.[9]
Later life of his widow and daughter
In December 1879, Susan transferred the licence of the Cedar Tree to herself but did not remain there long. By April 1881, she and her daughter moved to Spa Place, Chipping Hill, Witham, where she lived with her brother, William Beer, until his death in 1886.
Susan died on 29 March 1909 at the age of 83, leaving effects valued at £142-10s-5d.[10]
Their daughter, Alice, died a spinster at Severalls Mental Hospital, Colchester, on 20 June 1928 at the age of 65.[11]
References
[1] The Era, 11 June 1865, p.7; South London Press, 24 June 1876, p.6.
[2] South London Press, 12 January 1867, p 10.
[3] Morning Advertiser, 9 April 1867, p.8.
[4] Morning Advertiser, 2 July 1869.
[5] National probate calendar. Peter Brake’s estate was valued at “under £50.”
[6] Western Gazette, 11 September 1874, p.4. Ellis’s brother, Abraham, was available to arrange viewings, while Ellis was available to provide further information.
[7] Post Office Directory
[8] His death certificate recorded the cause of death as “Apoplexy.”
[9] The will of Ellis Brake, dated 3 November 1875, proved at the Principal Registry on 29 November 1879.
[10] National probate calendar.
[11] National probate calendar. She died intestate, leaving an estate valued at £3,590-19s-1d. Letters of administration were granted to Grace May Donne Brake, the daughter of Ellis’s brother, George Brake.
