Introduction
William Newbery was the son of Richard Newbery, who initially farmed at East Chinnock and later at West Coker. After starting his career as a butcher in Norton-sub-Hamdon, William became a butter and cheese factor in Crewkerne. He farmed at Hardington Marsh from the early 1860s until 1876 while also acting as a dealer. Unfortunately, four years after leaving Hardington, he died insolvent.
Birth at East Chinnock
William was born around 1824 at East Chinnock, the first of six children born to Richard and Elizabeth Newbery. His father, Richard, was a farmer.
Move to West Coker
Between September 1836 and June 1841, William’s parents relocated from East Chinnock to West Coker. By June 1841, the family was living in Parish Lane. The 1851 census shows his father farming 100 acres from a farmhouse in Parish House Lane.
Marriage
William became a butcher at Norton-sub-Hamdon, where he met Jane Ford, the daughter of Samuel and Jane Ford. Her father farmed on a small scale and operated as a road contractor.
On 23 December 1850, William and Jane married at Norton-sub-Hamdon. At the time, William was about 26, while Jane was 35. Both signed the marriage register.
Norton-Sub-Hamdon
Their first two children were born at Norton-sub-Hamdon: Elizabeth Helen on 12 December 1853, and Richard William on 25 October 1855. When Richard was baptised on 18 November 1855, William gave his occupation as a butter factor.
Crewkerne
The family moved to Crewkerne between November 1855 and May 1858. Their third child, Mary Jane, was born at Crewkerne in 1858 and was baptised at Norton-sub-Hamdon on 23 May 1858. Although William’s occupation at that time was noted as “Butcher,” the entry may have been based on outdated information.
By April 1861, the family was residing in East Street, Crewkerne, and William had taken on the role of a butter and cheese factor.
Hardington Marsh
By 1866, William and his family had moved to Hardington Marsh, where he combined farming and dealing. The 1871 census recorded him at Marsh Farm as a Butter Factor and Farmer of 185 acres, employing three men and three boys.
Trade directories of 1866, 1872 and 1875 listed him as a farmer at White Vine Farm. However, trade directories can be unreliable.
Towards the end of his life, William experienced financial difficulties, and a fire in 1875 may have been an early indication. On Christmas morning, 1875, one of William’s bean stacks caught fire, but Francis and Ellis Dawe’s quick actions prevented the fire from spreading. A local newspaper reported that the property was insured and that arson was suspected.[1]
Less than two months later, William Newbery left the farm.[2]
Allowenshay
William and his family then moved to Allowenshay, Kingstone. In June 1878, William was diagnosed with diabetes, and he died four months later on 4 October 1878, at the age of 54.[3] His death certificate describes him as a farmer, while the probate record describes him as a farmer and butter factor.
Although the probate grant recorded a personal estate valued at “under £2,000”, William died insolvent, and his creditors administered his estate. A meeting of creditors held at the George Hotel, Crewkerne, in January 1879 declared a dividend of 5 shillings in the pound for creditors, with a further dividend to be paid later.[4]
Mary Jane’s later life
In April 1881, Mary Jane was a domestic servant in the household of the curate of Buckland St Mary. She may have died at Ilchester in February 1884, at the age of 64.
Children
William and Jane had three children: Elizabeth Helen, Richard William and Mary Jane. Elizabeth and her husband, David Ford, kept the Lamb Inn, Tintinhull, for many years. Richard became a farmer at Henlade and died at the age of 34, eight months after his one-year-old son drowned in a pond. Mary Jane married Edwin Clark Rossiter, who ran a draper’s shop at 218 Stapleton Road, Bristol, for many years.
References
[1] Western Gazette 31 December 1875 p. 5.
[2] Western Gazette, 11 February 1876, p.4.
[3] Death certificate of William Newbery.
[4] Chard and Ilminster News, 11 January 1879, p.3
