Genealogy Chat

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In my quest for the Taylors of Surrey, I have Thomas Stephen Taylors Will proved 1853 when he was licensed victualler in Wimbledon. Now on his youngest daughters birth cert (the one after 1837!) his occupation was listed in 1838 as a 'Coach Master' of High Street, Wandsworth. I have just been trawling documents on line and see a will for Thomas Taylor, Coach Master of Wandsworth dated 1851. Im assuming a Coach master was someone who had a business hiring out coaches - a bit like the motorised version of a company now. Now, this cant be him doing two wills at different times can it, as the last one would be the one proved. So who is this chap then and is it worth me shelling out another £3.50 (already wasted one lot today trying to find his mothers will) or just pure coincidence?

Heather The question I would be asking myself is... Would a Coach Master (in Wandsworth) being an occupation that probably gave a fair income change his occupation to a Victualler (in Wimbledon)?....Unless of course there was some family connection to the trade. Took over from a deceased sibling, favourite Uncle left him the business ect???? But I guess you have confirming info from the Victualler's Will as to wife/children ect which means you are happy he is 'yours' Personally I would be hitting the credit card again :((( Chris

Heather, have you searched the Historical Directories website (I think they have a directory of London for 1852) to see how many Taylor entries athere are in Wandsworth, You might see that these two are one and the same> Alternatively, have tou found either or both in the 1851 census. However, by the time you read this you'll probably have spent the £3.50 to download the will and have the answer to the question 'is it relevant?' Fingers crossed. Pete

Hi, no it is the right chap - there was a family connection to licensed victualling - goes right into the 1920's. And he is Thomas Stephen on all docs so I know it is his will. And of course the wife and kids are all the same on the 41 when he was in Wandsworth and in the 51 when he was in the Inn, albeit some variation in dates of birth. I suppose it could be an uncle. I have so many Thomas Taylors in a row I start to forget which is which. I think there is also a will of another one of the Taylors, this time with a pub in Richmond. I know Thomas Stephen Taylor had connections to Richmond as he names 'his good friend, Pork Butcher, Richard Berridge of Richmond to be my executor'. Mmm, so not £3.50 but £7 now and then theres the builder in Richmond ..........................or and another licensed victualler in Wandsworth. I just had to go and check Thomas Stephens place of birth, cos I got worried I had someone with same wife name and same kids! But we're ok. On the 1841 he is of this county and when at the pub in 1851 his pob is Wandsworth.

Had a look through the Death duties index entries for 1851, but I can't see a Thomas Taylor from Wandsworth, which is a bit strange. I was hoping it would tell us who his executor was which might have helped. Sorry. Kate.

Thats very kind of you Kate. Blow it, I shall spend the £3.50 (though that is a bottle of wine at Tesco!)

Well £3.50 poorer and no wiser guys. He hardly mentions anything apart from his wife Alice, no mention of children or anything that could help. And boy was he god fearing, half the will is his hope of resurrection!

Not being funny, but, are you sure the will was 1851???? Are you sure it wasn't 1808??? ''Description Will of Thomas Taylor, Coachmaster of Wandsworth , Surrey Date 01 February 1808'' I looked to see if there was a will for the wife, because it could have been her who mentions all their children! Couldn't see one that was a good match :O(( Merry

Thanks Merry, suppose I could have had a senior moment - I will go back and check. He could still be the father as my chap was born 1808! Either way, will not a lot of use. I was going to ask you to read it for me, but instead spent an hour trying to make out all his grovelling to the powers that be. You may be right as Kate said she couldnt see one in 1851. May be getting confused with the licensed victualler Taylor in Richmond. Gawd, another few cells must have gone. Im really watching poor old Mike Baldwin with a lot of sympathy lately. Dont like this getting old and dotty at all. Wheres the purple hat? Im hoping its just a case of me rushing everything on here cos Im supposed to be working and have to keep minimising if hubby strolls in for a file!