yeovil people

Susan Trenchard chaffey

(1827-1863)

 

Susan Trenchard Chaffey was born in Thorncombe, Dorset, on 19 October 1827 the daughter of Benjamin Chaffey (1805-1849) and Susan née Trenchard (1799-1830). Susan was baptised on 9 September 1828 at Winsham Independent Chapel. Benjamin was listed in the 1841 poll book for Thorncombe as being the owner-occupier of a house, land and factory known as Sprake's Factory in Thorncombe.

Benjamin and Susan had three children, all born in Thorncombe; George Trenchard (b18206), Susan and Benjamin Junior (1829-1884). Shortly after Benjamin Junior's birth, Susan died in 1830. Within a few years, Benjamin Senior remarried and his new bride was Grace Ann Webb (1806-1877). Benjamin Snr and Grace were to have six children; Richard (b1835), William (b1837), Ann (b1839), Harriett Webb (1840-1914), Elizabeth (b1842) and Grace Ann (b1847).

In the 1851 census, Benjamin Jnr was listed as a 'general factor' in a small shop in Castle Street, Keinton Mandeville. He was aged just 21 and was living there with his 22-year old sister listed simply as ST Chaffey (Susan Trenchard Chaffey) acting as his housekeeper, together with an assistant in the shop and a house servant. Susan would remain single.

During the following decade, Susan and Benjamin moved to Yeovil. In the 1861 census, Benjamin was listed as living in Commercial Buildings, Middle Street with a young house servant. He was aged 31, and gave his occupation as a wool merchant. Also in the 1861 census, Susan was listed at Thorncombe as a visitor at the home of her widowed step-mother Grace Chaffey. 33-year-old Susan, however, lived with her brother in Commercial Buildings.

Susan Trenchard Chaffey died in Yeovil on 10 May 1863. She was aged just 35.

 

gallery

 

The record of Susan Chaffey's baptism from the register of the Winsham Non-Conformist chapel.

 


This photograph features in my book 'Yeovil - The Postcard Collection'.

A postcard of 1911 of Lower Middle Street looking towards the Triangle with the new Co-operative Society building built in 1910. The building at right was Commercial Buildings where Susan and her brother Benjamin lived in the 1860s. All the buildings at right were demolished for the Glovers Walk shopping precinct project of the 1960s.

 

 

Will of Susan Trenchard CHAffey

 


From my collection

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me Susan Trenchard Chaffey of Commercial Buildings in the Town of Yeovil in the county of Somerset Spinster . I give unto my half Sister Annie Webb Chaffey the Sum of Nineteen pounds and nineteen shillings to be paid to her within six Months after my decease I give devise and bequeath All my real Estate and also all the residue of my personal Estate and Effects unto and to the use of James Ebenezer Whitby of Yeovil aforesaid, Gentleman and Elias Lyndall Whitby of the same place Glove Manufacturer their heirs executors and administrators respectively according to the natures and qualities thereof respectively Upon trust that the said James Ebenezer Whitby and Elias Lyndall Whitby or the survivor of them his executors or administrators or other the Trustees or Trustee for the time being of this my will  (hereinafter called and intended to be comprehended by the designation "my Trustees or Trustee") shall and will stand seized and possessed of my said real and residuary personal Estate (subject to the payment thereout of my funeral and Testamentary Expenses and just debts) with power to sell and part thereof respectively and invest the proceeds of such sale and to vary any securities upon which the same or any part of my said residuary personal Estate may or at any time hereafter to be invested as and when my Trustees or Trustee may think expedient (which last mentioned power during the life of my dear Brother Benjamin Chaffey shall not be exercised without his consent in writing) In trust to pay the Annual Income thereof or permit the same to be received by my said Brother Benjamin Chaffey or his assigns during his life And after his decease As to as well the [corpus ?] as the Annual Income of my said real and residuary personal Estate Upon trust for all and every the Children and child of my said Brother Benjamin Chaffey who shall be living at the time of his death in equal shares and proportions if more than one as Tenants in common and to be paid and payable on the youngest of such Children attaining the age of Twenty one years and if there shall be but one such Child then for such one Child absolutely And in case any Child of the said Benjamin Chaffey shall die without having acquired a vested interest in the said trust Premises leaving any issue who shall survive him then my Will is that the share of such Child who shall die without having acquired such vested interest as aforesaid shall be Upon trust for his or her said Issue to be divided between them if more than one in equal shares as tenants in common And in case the said Benjamin Chaffey shall die without leaving any such Child Children or other Issue as aforesaid or all such shall have died witho9ut having acquired a vested Interest in the said trust Premises then my Will is that the said trust Premises shall be held (subject to the life Interest of the said Benjamin Chaffey therein) Upon trust for all and every my half Brothers and half Sisters to be divided between them if more than one in equal shares as Tenants in common And if but one then for such one absolutely  I devise and bequeath all Estates vested in me as Mortgagee with their appurtenances unto and to the use of the said James Ebenezer Whitby and Elias Lyndall Whitby their heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively according to the natures and qualities of the same premises Subject nevertheless to the Equities affecting the same respectively but the Monies secured thereon to be considered as part of my residuary personal Estate And I hereby appoint my said Brother Benjamin Chaffey and the said James Ebenezer Whitby and Elias Lyndall Whitby joint Executors of this my Will In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand this sixth day of March one thousand eight hundred and sixty three

ST Chaffey - signed by the said Susan Trenchard Chaffey, the Testatrix, as her last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses -

Jno Glyde, Solicitor, Yeovil - William Fancourt Tomkyns, Surgeon, Yeovil

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn

 

Susan's will was proved at Taunton on 28 December 1863 by her three executors. Her effects were valued at "Under £1,500" (around £150,000 at today's value).