Yeovil's Virtual Museum

John Hewlett

Draper of the Borough

 

John Hewlett was born in Sherborne, Dorset, in 1781. Nothing is known of his early life, but at Sherborne on 25 December 1809, John married Mary London (1779-1847) of Sherborne, by banns. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Ann London and she was baptised on 21 February 1779 at St Peter's church, Shaftesbury, Dorset.

John and Mary were living in Yeovil at least by 1813, when their son Joseph was recorded in the register of the South Street Baptist church on 23 May 1813. Joseph died in infancy and another son was named Joseph in 1819 - it is this second Joseph that John named in his will as his executor, but this Joseph died in 1850, two years before John's will was proved.

They had at least three sons and two daughters; Joseph (b1813, died in infancy), Samuel (b1815), Joseph (1819-1850), Anna (1816-1845) and Sarah London (1823-1901).

In Pigot's Directory of 1824, and again in the edition of 1830, John Hewlett was recorded as a linen draper of the Borough. The Poll Books of both 1832 and 1834 recorded John, by virtue of him owning a freehold house in the Borough.

In February 1838, John Hewlett sat on the jury that tried James Beare for the manslaughter of Isaac Justins when he was imprisoned in the Tolle Hall.

The Somerset Gazette Directory of 1840 listed John as a draper of the Borough.

The 1841 census recorded 57-year-old John, 60-year-old Mary and their two daughters Anna and Sarah, aged 20 and 15 respectively (although bearing in mind the 1841 census rule of rounding up of young adults ages to multiples of 5) and a female servant in High Street (although, of course, the Borough is technically part of High Street). John gave his occupation as a draper.

In 1845, John's 29-year-old daughter Anna died in Yeovil and on 25 February 1847, at Yeovil, his wife Mary died aged 68. His son Joseph died in 1850, aged 31.

In its edition of 1850, Hunt & Co's Directory recorded John as a linen and wool draper of the Borough.

In the 1851 census, 70-year-old widower John Hewlett was recorded living above his shop premises with his 28-year-old unmarried daughter Sarah. John gave his occupation as a draper and Sarah gave her occupation as a draper's assistant. Living with them were another draper's assistant and a house servant.

In 1851, John was noted as an investor in the South Western Railway Company. Slater's Directory of 1852, John's last directory entry, recorded him as a linen draper of High Street.

John Hewlett died in the summer of 1852. His will was proved at London on 27 December 1872 and administration given to Sarah "by the oath of Sarah London Hewlett Spinster the daughter the surviving Executor".

 

 

This photograph features in my book "A-Z of Yeovil"

This sketch, made by GE Madeley to illustrate his map of 1831, shows the Borough seen from High Street - roughly the view seen today from the north end of King George Street. The buildings at far left still stand today, that to the left is Clement White's shop, today's 8 High Street, at this time occupied by draper Benjamin Ryall whose name appears above the door. The building next door (between today's Clement White shop and Lloyds Bank) was the home and shop of draper John Hewlett.

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Hewlett of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Draper  I give and devise my messuage or dwellinghouse outhouses Court and premises wherein I reside situate in the Borough in Yeovil aforesaid and all other my real estate unto my son and daughter Joseph Hewlett and Sarah London Hewlett and their respective heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants And as to all my stock in trade monies and securities for money goods chattels and effects and All the residue of my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever (after payment thereout of my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences)  I give and bequeath the same unto my said son and daughter the said Joseph Hewlett and Sarah London Hewlett and their respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely in equal shares as in common and not as joint tenants  And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said son and daughter the said Joseph Hewlett and Sarah London Hewlett Executor and Executrix of this my last Will and Testament  Also I give and devise unto my said son and daughter the said Joseph Hewlett and Sarah London Hewlett and their heirs All the real estate which at the time of my decease may be vested in me as a trustee  Upon trust to carry into effect the trusts and purposes affecting the same and I also give and devise unto my said son and daughter the said Joseph Hewlett and Sarah London Hewlett and their heirs All the real estate which at the time of my decease may be vested in me as a mortgagee  Upon trust to stand seized thereof subject to the Equity of redemption subsisting therein and upon the receipt or discharge of the monies secured by any Mortgage or Mortgages to execute such assurances of the legal estate of the mortgaged hereditaments as the nature of the case may require  In witness whereof I the said John Hewlett the testator have at the foot or end of this my last Will and testament contained in two sheets of paper and also at the foot or end of the first sheet thereof set my hand the sixteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty seven

John Hewlett

Signed and acknowledged by the said John Hewlett the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses

W M Watts Solicitor Yeovil      John Whitley Factor Yeovil

 

Proved at London the 27th day of December 1852 before the Judge by the oath of Sarah London Hewlett Spinster the daughter the surviving Executor to whom administration was granted having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer.

 

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn