Yeovil's Virtual Museum

George Stephens

Glover

 

Very little is known of George Stephens. He was born in Yeovil in 1809 and baptised at St John's church on 19 November 1809. He was the son of John and Emma Stephens.

On 17 September 1832, 22-year-old George married 19-year-old Elizabeth Hann at St John's church. Elizabeth (b1812) was the eldest daughter of Robert Hann (1787-1856) and Lydia née Down (1784-1856)

The 1834 Poll Book recorded that George Stephens lived in Clarence Place and was eligible to vote because he owned a freehold house at Tarret's (see map below).

George wrote his will in September 1837, but had died by 1842 when his will was proved. He would have been about 32 years of age.

 

 

 

The record of George's 19 November 1809 baptism, from St John's parish register.

 

The record of George and Elizabeth's 17 September 1832 marriage, from St John's parish register.

 

 

Map based on the 1842 Tithe Map with field names added from the 1846 Tithe Award. George Stephens' land known as Tarratt and mentioned in his will was, by this time, divided into four parcels - 731, 732, 734 and 735 - in the top left quadrant.

 

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me George Stephens of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Glover I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth All my Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever subject to the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences To have and to hold to her my said Wife her executors administrators and assigns subject as aforesaid absolutely for ever I give and devise unto James Tally Vining of Yeovil aforesaid Gentleman all that my freehold piece or close of Land called Tarrett's situate on Hendford Hill in the parish of Yeovil aforesaid To hold the same with the appurtenances unto the said James Tally Vining his heirs and assigns To the uses upon the trusts and for the interests and purposes following that is to say To the use of my said Wife Elizabeth and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life without impeachment of waste And from and after her decease to the use of all and every my Children which shall attain the age of twenty one years or be under that age leaving lawful issue their heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and if but one such Child then to the use of such only Child his or her heirs and assigns for ever And in case I shall die without leaving any Child who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years or be married and leaving issue then immediately after the decease of my said Wife to the use of my Mother Emma Stephens and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life without impeachment of waste And from and immediately after her decease to the use of my Brother Robert Stephens and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of waste And from and immediately after his decease to the use of my brother John Stephens and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life without impeachment of waste And from and after his decease to the use of my sisters Mary Stephens and Sarah Stephens and their assigns for and during their joint lives and the survivor of them and her assigns for and during her life without impeachment of waste And from and immediately after the decease of such survivor to the use of the heirs and assigns of my said Brother Robert for ever I appoint my said Wife Elizabeth sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of September 1837

George Stephens

Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Stephens the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereto

J T Vining Sol[icito]r Yeovil        M H Vining        Geo Vincent Clerk to Mr Vining

Proved at London 20th June 1842 before the Judge by the Oath of Elizabeth Stephens Widow the Relict the sole Executrix to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Transcribed by Bob Osborn