Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Edward Field

Baker of Vincent Street

 

Edward Field was born in Stoford on 24 February 1863 and baptised at Barwick on 3 April 1863. He was the sixth of the nine children of baker Robert Field (1823-1887) and Louisa née Pool (1826-1891). Robert and Louisa's children, all born in Stoford, were; Robert (b1851), Henry (b1854), Thomas (b1856), Alice Mary (b1860), John James (b1862), Edward, Charles (b1865), Albert Robert (b1866) and Flora Louisa (b1870).

The family was recorded living in Stoford in the 1871 census, in which Robert gave his occupation as a baker employing one man and one boy (his son Henry). 8-year old Edward was listed as a scholar. The 1881 census was similar except that now 18-year old Edward was recorded as a baker alongside his father and elder brother.

Robert Field died in the autumn of 1887, aged 64. Following his father's death, Henry took over the bakery business and Edward worked for him  In the 1891 census Henry and his family, together with Edward, three baker's assistants and two domestic servants were living at the Stoford bakery. Both Henry and Edward gave their occupations as bakers. Their mother, Louisa, died in the autumn of 1891, aged 65.

During the summer of 1897, Edward married Yeovil-born Edith Dora Jesty (1869-1959) at Yeovil. They set up home in Yeovil, in Edward's new bakery on the corner of  Earle Street and Vincent Street. They were to have five children, all born in Yeovil; Edward George Douglas (1898-1959), Leslie Robert (b1900), Henry Gordon (b1901), John Howard (b1903) and Dora Mary (1905-1975).

In the 1901 census Edward and Edith, together with their two eldest children, a baker's assistant and a domestic servant, were listed at 2 Earle Street. 38-year old Edward gave his occupation as a baker.

Edward died in Yeovil in 1908, aged just 45 years. Edith died on 6 February 1953, aged 84.

 

 

The record of Edward's baptism of 3 April 1863 at Barwick.

 

Edward's advertisement in the 1895 edition of Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser.

 

An enlargement from the previous advertisement showing the steam ovens in Edward's bakery.

 

Looking north along Vincent Street photographed in the 1960s. At right is the junction of Earle Street with the 'Vincent and Earle Street Stores' on the corner. Between 1897 and 1908 this was the home and bakery of Edward Field.

 

Photographed in the 1960s, the Vincent and Earle Street Stores had earlier been Edward Field's home and bakery, with Earle Street off to the right. At left is the back of the first house on the south side of Vincent Place.