Yeovil people

william tucker

Publican, Glove Manufacturer and Town Developer

 

William Tucker was a glover who ran the Glovers Arms from at least 1871 until his death at the turn of the century. However he was an entrepreneur with wide interests and, whether or not it was profits from his pub that facilitated his investments, he expanded into glove manufacturing and then moved into providing housing for glove workers.

William was born in Yeovil around 1838, the son of leather dresser William Tucker and his wife, Lydia. In the 1841 census William and Lydia were living in Park Street with their children Isaac, Alfred, Ann, William and baby Elizabeth. The 1851 census listed 50-year-old leather dresser William Tucker and his 55-year-old wife Lydia still living in Reckleford with their children; 24-year-old glove cutter Isaac, 22-year-old basket maker Alfred, 12-year-old glove sewer Ann and 12-year-old glover William. It would appear that Elizabeth had not survived childhood. By the time of the 1861 census William's mother had died and he was living with his father and siblings in Reckleford.

In the early autumn of 1862 William married Frances Vincent in Yeovil and by 1871 William and Frances, were at the Glovers Arms where William was listed as 'inn keeper and glover'. Living with them were their children; Frederick born 1863, William Earle (listed as Earle William ) born 1865, daughter Amy Lydia born in 1867 and adopted daughter Sarah Mary Brooks. Frederick would later become headmaster of Huish School and his brother William Earle would later join Newman Painter, a firm of Yeovil solicitors that later merged with Messrs Battens of Church Street. William Earle Tucker was Mayor of Yeovil from 1929 to 1932.

In fact William was not just a glover but actually a glove manufacturer, having invested in the business of F Blake & Co just a few doors along in Reckleford. When William began investing in town development and providing housing for glove workers, he named two of the roads he built after members of his family; Earle Street after his son and Vincent Street, as well as Vincent Place after his wife's maiden name. Also built at the same time were Cecil Street and Salisbury Terrace. Other developments William initiated, and later expanded by his son, William Earle, included Victoria Road, St Michael's Road, and Lyde Road.

William and Frances were still listed at the Glovers Arms in the 1891 census where again William gave his occupation as 'publican & glove manufacturer'. By this time William was aged 53 and Frances was 47 and living with them was 24-year-old daughter Amy who worked as a barmaid, daughter Ada aged 7 and son George aged 6.

William was also listed in several directories through the years including Kelly's Directories of 1871, 1875, 1889 and 1895, with the final entry being in Kelly's Directory of 1897.

William died on 6 December 1899 and Frances took on the license of the Glovers Arms for a year or two. She is listed as a publican in the 1901 census, living at the Glovers with two of her children and a grandchild. By 1911 she was living at 37 Hendford Hill on private means with her daughter and granddaughter. Frances died in 1932, aged 88.

 

 

Indenture 1

 

This indenture dated 22 March 1894 is a mortgage agreement in which William Tucker grants a mortgage to Catherine Elizabeth Thorne in the sum of £460 with 9 and 11 Earle Street as security.

 


From my collection

This indenture made the Twenty second day of March One Thousand eight hundred and ninety four Between Catherine Elizabeth Thorne the Wife of Frederick Thorne of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Glover (hereinafter referred to as 'the Borrower') of the one part and William Tucker of the same place Innkeeper (hereinafter referred to as 'the Lender') of the other part Whereas the Borrower is siesed of the hereditament hereby mortgaged for an estate in fee simple in possession free from encumbrances as her separate property And whereas the Lender has at the request of the Borrower agreed to lend the Borrower the sum of Four hundred and sixty pounds upon having the repayment thereof with interest earned in manner hereinafter appearing Now this Indenture witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of Four hundred and sixty pounds to the Borrower now paid by the Lender the receipt whereof the Borrower hereby acknowledges The Borrower hereby covenants with the Lender to pay the Lender on the Twenty second day of September next the sum of Four hundred and sixty pounds with interest thereon in the meantime after the rate of Five pounds per cent per annum computed from the date of these Presents And also so long after that day as any principal money remains due under these presents to pay the Lender interest thereon after the same rate by equal half yearly payments on the Twenty second day of March and the Twenty second day of September And this indenture also Witnesseth that for the consideration aforesaid The Borrower as beneficial Owner hereby conveys unto the Lender All those two plots of Land situate in the Parish of Yeovil in the County of Somerset on the Northern side of Earle Street in Yeovil aforesaid Together with the two messuages or dwellinghouses and outbuildings erected on the said two plots of Land or on some part thereof respectively and Numbered 9 and 11 Earle Street aforesaid and which said premises are now in the respective occupations of Edward Ostler and Herbert Jennings To hold the said premises Unto and to the use of the Lender in fee simple Provided always that the said sum of Four hundred and sixty pounds with interest thereon shall be paid on the Twenty second day of September next according to the foregoing covenant in be half the said premises shall at the request and cost of the Borrower be reconveyed to the Borrower And the Borrower hereby covenants with the Lender that the Borrower will at all times during the continuance of this security keep the messuages and belongings comprised herein insured against loss or damage by fire in the sum of Four hundred and sixty pounds at the least in some Insurance Office approved by the Lender and will on demand produce the Lender the Policy of such insurance and the receipt for every premium payable in respect thereof And also that if default shall be made in keeping the said premises so insured it shall be lawful for the Lender to insure and keep insured the same in any sum not exceeding the amount aforesaid and that the Borrower will on demand repay to the Lender all monies expended for that purpose by the Lender with interest thereon at the rate aforesaid from the time of the same having been advanced or paid and that until repayment the same shall be a charge upon the said premises hereinbefore conveyed And it is hereby agreed that the Borrower shall not (except with the consent in writing of the Lender) exercise the power of leasing or of agreeing to lease conferred by the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1888 on a Mortgage while in possession but it shall not be necessary to express such consent in any such Lease Provided always And it is hereby further agreed that the Lender shall not be answerable for any involuntary losses which may happen in or about the exercise of any of the powers and trusts rested in the Lender as Mortgagee under these presents And it is hereby declared that where the context allows the expressions 'the Borrower' and 'the Lender' need in these presents include (besides the Borrower and the Lender) all persons claiming title under them respectively In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written
Signed Sealed and Delivered by the before named Catherine Elizabeth Thorne in the presence of Wm E Tucker Earle St. Yeovil

 

Indenture 2

 

This indenture dated 31 October 1908 is a mortgage agreement attached to the above indenture and drawn up after the death of William Tucker.

 


From my collection

 

This indenture made the Thirty First day of October One thousand nine hundred and eight Between Fred Willy Tucker of Yeovil in the county of Somerset Schoolmaster and William Earle Tucker of 'Marlands' Yeovil aforesaid Accountant of the one part and the within named Catherine Elizabeth Thorne of the other part Whereas the within named William Tucker died on the sixth day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninety nine having made his will dated the twenty fourth day of March One thousand eight hundred and ninety and thereby appointed the said Fred Willy Tucker and William Earle Tucker (hereinafter called 'the Mortgagees') executors thereof who duly proved the same in the Principal Probate Registry on the fifth day of February One thousand nine hundred Now this Indenture Witnesseth that in consideration of all principal money and interest secured by the within written Indenture of Mortgage having been paid and satisfied (the receipt whereof the mortgagees as the personal representatives of the said William Tucker deceased hereby acknowledge) the Mortgagees  as the personal representatives of the said William Tucker deceased hereby acknowledge) the Mortgagees as such personal representatives as aforesaid hereby convey unto the said Catherine Elizabeth Thorne All the hereditaments and premises comprised in the within written Indenture of Mortgage To Hold unto and to the use of the said Catherine Elizabeth Thorne in fee simple freed and discharged from all principal money and interest secured by and all claims and demands under the said Indenture of Mortgage
In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first before written

Signed Sealed and Delivered by the above named Fred Willy Tucker in the presence of Percy E Tucker Clerk to Messrs Newman Paynter & Co Solicitors Yeovil

Signed Sealed and Delivered by the above named William Earle Tucker in the presence of Percy E Tucker Clerk to Messrs Newman Paynter & Co Solicitors Yeovil