Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Sarah Jane Barge née Lukins

China & Glassware Dealer

 

Sarah Jane Lukins was born in Taunton in the autumn of 1844. She was the daughter and second of the six children of shoemaker Robert Lukins and his wife Caroline. Robert and Caroline's children were; Mary Ann (b1843), Sarah Jane, Virtue (b1847), Susan (b1852), John (b1854) and Robert (b1857).

By the time of the 1851 census, Robert Lukins had moved his family to Yeovil and the census listed them in Middle Street. Robert gave his occupation as a cordwainer while Sarah was described as a 6-year-old scholar. The 1861 census recorded the family living in Wine Street. Robert described himself as a shoe maker and both 16-year-old Sarah and her older sister Mary Ann were listed as shoe binders.

In the summer of 1870, at Yeovil, 25-year-old Sarah married 21-year-old Yeovil-born cabinet maker William Henry Squibb Barge (1849-1883). They were to have seven children, all born in Yeovil, during the thirteen years between their marriage and William's death; Nellie Beatrice (b1872), Ada (b1876), William H (b1877), Gertrude L (b1878), Alice A (b1880), Albert Cecil (1881-1952) and Arthur John (b1883).

The 1871 census recorded William and Sarah as a separate household but living with Sarah's parents in Wine Street. By the time of the 1881 census, William, Sarah and their five children were listed at 40 Middle Street. William gave his occupation as a 'cabinet maker employing 1 man and 2 boys'.

William Barge died in Yeovil on 9 July 1883. He was just 34 years old. In the 1891 census, Sarah was listed as a 46-year-old widow together with her seven children at 40 Middle Street which was noted in the census as a 'China Shop'. Sarah gave her occupation as 'China & Glass Business' and her 19-year-old daughter Nellie was listed as her assistant. The 1895 edition of Kelly's Directory listed Mrs Sarah Jane Barge, 40 Middle Street, as a vendor of patent medicines and, in a separate listing, as a china, glass and earthenware dealer of the same address.

At the time of the 1901 census Sarah and six of her children (William had left home) together with her mother Caroline Lukins were at 40 Middle Street. Sarah gave her occupation as 'Glass & china dealer (Shopkeeper)' while Nellie was now working as a milliner, Ada was a confectioner's assistant, Gertrude was a schoolmistress, Albert was a shorthand typist, Arthur was an outfitter's apprentice and Sarah's 79-year-old widowed mother was a retired glass dealer.

The 1911 census at 40 Middle Street listed Sarah, Nellie and Arthur together with a lodger. Sarah was listed as a 'China, glass & earthenware dealer' Nellie was listed as 'Domestic help & Business (China Dealer's Assistant)' and Arthur was listed as 'Helping in Business (China Dealer's Assistant)'.

Sarah died on 1 April 1914. Her will was proved at Taunton on 20 October 1914 and her effects were valued at £469 2s 5d (around £48,000 at today's value).

 

 

From my collection

A receipt, dated 25 May 1911, from Sarah's shop in Middle Street.