Yeovil people
Reverend robert harbin
Clerk of Newton Surmaville
Robert Harbin was born at Newton Surmaville House in 1764 (not 1759 as frequently stated online - note the date of his parent's marriage) and baptised at St John's church on 9 November 1764. He was the third of the six children of Swayne Harbin (1718-1781) of Newton Surmaville and Barbara née Abingdon (1729-1809), who were married on 26 November 1760 at Salisbury, Wiltshire. His two older siblings were Wyndham (1761-1837) and William (bapt 2 February 1763 - 22 October 1823), while his younger siblings were John (bapt 27 June 1766), Henrietta (bapt 16 September 1767 - bur 17 January 1804) and Charles (bapt 29 September 1769, at Bradford Abbas, Dorset.).
Robert went to Wadham College, Oxford University, (as did his brothers Wyndham and John) matriculating on 26 April 1782, at the age of 17. He achieved his Bachelor of Civil Law degree in 1789. He became a clerk in Holy Orders, but specific details are yet to be found.
On 27 June 1799, at Membury, Devon, Robert married Mary Kellow. They were to have one son, Charles, born around 1800 at Newton Surmaville House. Charles would later become a clerk in Holy Orders, like his father. Charles married Abigail Rose Warry (1800-1884) on 17 May 1826. He became rector of Teston, near Maidstone, Kent, where he died on 7 April 1875. A second son, George Harbin, was baptised at St John's church on 2 December 1801
Robert Harbin died on 12 March 1808, aged 48. He was interred in the family vault in the north transept of St John's church on 17 March 1808. Mary died on 15 January 1868, at Snowdon Cottage, Chard, aged 88.
For the Harbin family tree - click here
Gallery
The entry of the 9 November 1764 baptism of Robert Harbin, "son to Swayne Harbin Esq." from St John's parish register.
Robert Harbin's entry in Oxford University Alumni, 1715-1886, Vol II.
From this notice published in the 16 December 1799 edition of the Sherborne Mercury, it appears that Robert and William were selling off odd lots of land, mostly in East and West Coker, but also a field called Lark Hill (Lot 5).
The announcement of the marriage of the Reverend Robert Harbin and Mary Kellow in the 11 July 1799 edition of the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette.
The entry in St John's parish register recording the 28 March 1800 baptism of "Charles son of the Revd Robert Harbin and Mary his Wife bapt privately March ye 28" indicating that Charles was baptised at Newton Surmaville House rather than St John's church.
The record of the 2 December 1801 baptism of Robert and Mary's second son, George, in St John's parish register.
The entry of the 17 March 1808 burial of Robert Harbin, from St John's parish register.
The somewhat belated announcement of Robert Harbin's death in the 23 April 1808 edition of the Oxford Journal.
The announcement of Mary Harbin's death in the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette's edition of 23 January 1868.
The memorial, primarily to Wyndham and Swayne Harbin, in the north transept of St John's church. The inscription reads "Underneath are deposited the Remains of Wyndham Harbin Esq. Son of William and Elizabeth Who married Abigail the Daughter of Richard Swayne of Gunvill in the County of Dorset Esq. He died February 26 1740. Also the Remains of Swayne Harbin Esq only son of Wyndham and Abigail Who married Barbara the Daughter of George Abingdon of Over Compton in the County of Dorset Esq by whom he left five Sons and one Daughter. He departed this life on the 8th Day of February 1781, Aged 63. He was an affectionate Husband and tender Parent and a faithful Friend. His Widow in sincere regard to his memory caused this Monument to be erected. Also the remains of Barbara Harbin the above named Widow, who died June 13 1809. Also of the Rev Robert Harbin BA the third Son of Swayne and Barbara Harbin who died March 12 1808 Aged 48. Also of William Harbin Esq their second Son who died Oct 22 1823 Aged 61. Also of Wyndham Harbin Esq their eldest Son and Heir who died unmarried May 3 1837 Aged 76. Also of Rhoda Harbin. Widow of the above named William Harbin Esq third daughter of Edward Phelips of Montacute Esq who died Aug 27 1846 Aged 87."
1806 will of Reverend Robert Harbin
This is the last Will and Testam[en]t
of me Robert Harbin
of Newton Sur Mavile within the parish of Yeovil in the County of Somerset
Clerk being of
sound and
disposing Mind
memory and
understanding
[whereas ?] my
dear Wife Mary
Harbin will be
entitled on my
Decease to the
Copyhold or
Customary Estate
Lands and
premises called
Godworthy
Situate and
lying within the
parish and part
and parcel of
the Manor of
Membury in the
County of Devon
and which I hold
under the Law of
the said manor
for the Term of
her Widowhood
according to the
Custom of the
said Manor of
Membury yet
notwithstanding
the Same and in
Token of the
great Love and
Affection which
I have for her I
give and devise
unto my said
dear Wife Mary
Harbin the Sum
of four hundred
pounds of good
and lawful Money
of the United
Kingdom of Great
Britain and
Ireland current
in England to be
paid to her
within Six
Months next
after my Decease
to and for her
own use and
benefit also I
give and
bequeath unto my
said dear Wife
Mary Harbin all
her Jewels
Watches Rings
Clothes and my
[household ?]
Goods Books
Plate Linen
China Furniture
Liquors and
Utensils
whatsoever to
and for her own
use benefit and
disposal also I
give devise and
bequeath all
that my advowson
and perpetual
Right of
presentation of
in and to the
Rectory and
parish Church of
East Chelborough
Lucam otherwise
Luckam in the
County of Dorset
with all and
Singular the
Glebe Lands
Tithes Oblations
Rights Members
and Appurt[enance]s
thereto
belonging and
also all that
the Said
Copyhold or
customary Estate
and premises
called Godworthy
lying within the
parish and part
and parcel of
the Manor of
Membury
aforesaid and
all my Estate
Right Title and
Interest thereto
(Subject
nevertheless to
the Widowhood of
my said dear
Wife Mary Harbin
therein) and
also all the
Rest Residue and
Remainder of my
Estate and
Effects
whatsoever and
wheresoever unto
John Kellow of
Membury
aforesaid
Gentleman and
William Harbin
of Sherborne in
the said County
of Dorset
Gentleman and
the Survivor of
them and the
Heirs Ex[ecut]ors
and Adm[inistrat]ors
of such Survivor
upon Trust
nevertheless and
to and for the
Ends Interests
and purposes
hereinafter
mentioned
expressed and
declared of and
concerning the
Same that is to
say upon Trust
that they my
said Trustees or
the Survivor of
them his Heirs
Ex[ecut]ors and
Adm[inistrat]ors
shall and do as
soon after my
Decease as the
same can or may
be done either
publicly or
privately
absolutely sell
and dispose of
my said Advowson
and perpetual
Right of
presentation of
in ant to the
Rectory and
parish Church of
East Chelborough
Lucam otherwise
Luckam aforesaid
with its Rights
Members and
Appurt[enance]s
thereto
belonging to
such purchaser
or purchasers
and for the best
price or prices
that can be had
or gotten for
the Same as they
in their
Discretion shall
think fit and
collect and
receive all and
every Sum and
Sums of Money
due and owing to
me and thereby
and therewith in
the first place
pay and
discharge all
Costs and
Charges in and
about the
proving of this
my Will my
Funeral Expences
and attending
such Sale or
Sales as
aforesaid and in
the next place
to pay and
discharge all
and every Debt
and Debts Sum
and Sums of
Money as shall
be justly due
and owing from
me to any person
or persons
whatsoever at
the Time of my
Decease and then
to pay the
Legacy or Sum of
four hundred
pounds before
hereby by me
given unto my
said dear Wife
Mary Harbin and
from and after
the payment and
Discharge
thereof and of
every part
thereof and
Subject thereto
upon Trust that
they my said
Trustees and the
Survivor of them
his Heirs Ex[ecut]ors
and
Administrators
shall
immediately
thereafter
invest the
overplus Rest
and Residue of
the Money so to
be raised and
collected as
aforesaid in
some or one of
the public Funds
of this Kingdom
in the Names of
them the said
John Kellow and
William Harbin
or the Survivor
of them his Ex[ecut]ors
or Adm[inistrat]ors
upon the Trusts
and to and for
the [word
illegible]
Intents and
Purposes
hereinafter
declared of and
concerning the
same (that is to
say) Upon Trust
that they do and
shall apply all
the Dividends
and Interest of
the said
Securities so as
aforesaid to be
purchased unto
my Said dear
Wife Mary Harbin
during the Term
of her natural
Life And her
remaining my
Widow Sole and
unmarried for
the Maintenance
and Education of
my Children and
from and
immediately
after the Death
or Marriage of
my Said dear
Wife Mary Harbin
then upon Trust
that my said
Trustees and the
Survivor of them
his Ex[ecut]ors
or Adm[inistrat]ors
do and shall
immediately
thereafter
either publicly
or privately
sell and dispose
of my said
copyhold or
Customary Estate
and premises
called Godworthy
with its Rights
members and
Appurt[enance]s
thereto
belonging to
such purchaser
or purchasers
and for such
price or prices
as can be had or
gotten for the
same and as they
in their
Discretion shall
think fit and
invest the Money
arising by the
Sale or Sales
thereof and the
Rents and
Profits that
shall grow due
and be received
in the mean time
in some of one
of the public
Stocks or Funds
of this Kingdom
in the Names of
them the said
John Kellow and
William Harbin
or the Survivor
of them his Ex[ecut]ors
and adm[inistrat]ors
upon the Trusts
and to and for
the [word
illegible]
Intents and
Purposes
hereinafter
declared of and
concerning the
same that is to
say that my said
Trustees and the
Survivor of them
his Ex[ecut]ors
or Adm[inistrat]ors
do and shall
apply the
Dividends and
Interest of the
Securities so as
aforesaid to be
purchased by the
Money from the
Sale or Sales or
the Rents of my
Copyhold or
Customary Estate
as also the
Dividends and
Interest of the
said Securities
before Directed
to be by them
purchased with
the overplus
Money arising
from the Sale of
my said Advowson
and the Residue
of my Monies as
aforesaid or so
much of the Same
Interest and
Dividends as
shall in the
Discretion of my
Trustees and the
Survivor of them
his Heirs Ex[ecut]ors
or Adm[inistrat[ors
be thought
proper and
necessary in and
upon the
Maintenance and
Education of all
and every such
Child or
Children as
shall be living
at my death or
shall be born in
due time after
my Decease
equally share
and share alike
until they shall
respectively
attain the age
or ages of
Twenty one years
and when and as
my said Children
shall
respectively
attain their age
or ages of
Twenty one years
Then upon Trust
to pay assign
and transfer the
Funds and
Securities in
which the Same
Residue and
Monies shall
have been so
invested equally
into and amongst
all my said
Children who
shall attain the
said age of
Twenty one years
when and as they
shall
respectively
attain the same
and in case
there shall be
only one such
Child which
shall attain
that age then in
Trust to pay
assign and
transfer the
said Securities
and produce
thereof to such
only Child and
in case any or
either of my
said Children
shall happen to
die before he
she or they
shall have
attained the
said age of
Twenty one years
then the share
or parts shares
or parts of him
her or them so
dying to go to
and amongst and
be in Trust for
the surviving
Child or
Children and be
equally divided
between or
amongst them
share and share
alike if more
than one and be
payable when and
as his her or
their original
shares or parts
shall by virtue
of this my Will
become payable
and be liable to
the same
Contingencies of
Surviving to and
amongst the
surviving Child
or Children in
case of the
Death of any
other of my said
Children in
manner aforesaid
as I have
hereinbefore
directed
concerning his
her or their
original shares
or parts but in
case it shall
happen that all
my said children
shall happen to
die before they
shall attain the
age of Twenty
one years then
and in such Case
my Will and Mind
is and I do
hereby order and
direct that the
said Trust
Monies and
Securities shall
be equally
divided between
the Issue of
such of my
Children as
shall have been
married share
and share alike
and in Case all
my said Children
shall happen to
die without
leaving any
Issue lawfully
begotten then
and in such case
I will and
direct that the
said John Kellow
and William
Harbin or the
Survivor of them
his Ex[ecut]ors
and adm[inistrat]ors
shall from
thenceforth
stand and be
possessed of
such Residue and
the Securities
to be purchased
therewith as
aforesaid and
the Dividends
Interest Produce
and Profits
thereof to for
and upon the
following uses
Trusts Intents
and Purposes
that is to say
upon Trust to
pay the Interest
Dividends and
produce of the
Said Residue
unto my said
dear Wife Mary
Harbin and her
Assigns during
the Term of her
natural Life and
from and after
the Death of my
said Wife & in
Case of all my
said Children
dying as
aforesaid
respectively
under age
unmarried and
without Issue
then and in such
Case I give
devise and
bequeath the
said Residue or
the Funds and
Securities in
which the same
shall have been
invested
originally share
and share alike
unto and amongst
my Brothers and
Sister their Ex[ecut]ors
Adm[inistrat]ors
and Assigns to
and for their
own use and
benefit
respectively and
I do hereby
devise the
Guardianship
Care and
Education of my
said Children
during their
Minorities as
aforesaid unto
my dear Wife
Mary Harbin and
the said John
Kellow and
William Harbin
or the Survivors
and Survivor of
them But it is
my Will and
Desire that the
Guardianship of
my said Wife
shall cease on
her Marriage and
ceasing to
remain my Widow
And I do hereby
nominate
constitute and
appoint my said
dear Wife Mary
Harbin and the
said John Kellow
and William
Harbin Executrix
and Ex[ecut]ors
of this my last
Will and
Testament
provided always
and my [word
illegible] and
Mind is and I do
hereby order and
direct that the
Receipt and
Receipts of my
said Trustees or
the Survivor of
them or the
Heirs Ex[ecut]ors
or Adm[inistrat]ors
of such Survivor
to any purchaser
or purchasers of
my said Advowson
and Right of
Presentation to
the Rectory and
parish Church of
East Chelborough
Lucam otherwise
Luckam and of my
said Copyhold or
Customary Estate
Lands and
Premises or any
part thereof
shall be an
absolute [acecmittance
?] and Discharge
[acecmittances
?] and
Discharges to
all and every
such purchaser
or purchasers
for his her or
their respective
Purchase Money
or Monies for
the whole or for
so much thereof
for [waste ?]
such Receipt or
Receipts shall
be given and
that such
purchaser or
purchasers or
any or either of
them shall not
be obliged to
look to the
application or
Misapplication
or
Nonapplication
thereof or of
any joint
Trustees and
Executrix and
Ex[ecut]ors
hereinbefore
named and the
Survivor of them
and the Ex[ecut]ors
and Adm[inistrat]ors
of such Survivor
shall and may at
all Times in the
first place
reimburse and
indemnify
themselves
himself and
herself
respectively out
of the said
Trust premises
respectively all
Such Costs
Charges Damages
and Expences as
they or either
of them shall or
may at any time
expend lay out
and be put unto
for or by reason
or means of all
any or either of
the Trusts
hereby in them
reposed and that
neither of them
shall be
answerable for
any Loss which
may happen to
any of the said
Trust premises
unless such Loss
happen through
his her or their
wilful Neglect
or Default nor
one for the
other or others
of them nor for
more Monies than
shall actually
come to each of
their Hands
respectively but
each and every
of them for his
her or their own
Acts Deeds
Receipts
Neglects and
Defaults only
nor for any Loss
which may happen
by occasion of
depositing any
Money in the
Hands Keeping or
Custody of any
public or common
Banker In
Witness whereof
I the said
Testator Robert
Harbin have to
this my Will set
my hand and seal
this Seventh Day
of May in the
year of Our Lord
one thousand
Eight hundred &
Six
Robert Harbin
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator Robert Harbin 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
Subscribed our
Names as
Witnesses
thereto
James Brook John Samson Dare
Ann Love
Servants
to Mr Harbin of
Newton aforesaid
This Will was proved at London on the Twentieth Day of June in the year of Our Lord
one thousand
Eight hundred
and Eight before
the Right
Honourable Sir
William Wynne
Knight Doctor of
Laws Master
Keeper or
Commissary of
the Prerogative
Court of
Canterbury
lawfully
constituted by
the oaths of
Mary Harbin
Widow the Relict
John Kellow and
William Harbin
the Brother of
the deceased the
Executors named
in the said Will
to whom Adm[inistrati]on
was granted of
all and singular
the Goods
Chattels and
Credits of the
said deceased
having been
first sworn by
Com[missi]on
duly to adm[iniste]r
Transcribed by Bob Osborn
