Yeovil People
The Sealy Family
Of Yeovil
Robert Sealy (1)
The earliest of the Sealy family to appear in the records, was Robert Sealy (1). He lived in Taunton, but nothing is known of his life other than he had at least one son, Robert Sealy (2).
Robert Sealy (2) - (1656-1733)
Robert Sealy (2), the son of Robert Sealy (1), was born in Taunton and baptised at St Mary's church, Taunton, on 4 January 1656. Robert (2) moved to Yeovil and on 27 December 1688, he married Agnes Brown at St John's church.
In his will of 1723, Robert Sealy (2) referred to himself as a yeoman. Early references to yeomen usually refer to Knights' retainers but later the term came to mean a freeholder or tenant engaged in agriculture. The major difference from the minor gentry was that a yeoman would put his own hand to work rather than employ servants. Economically yeomen could, and many did, acquire substantial wealth and in the 16th and 17th centuries were the backbone of the rural economy.
Robert (2) and Agnes had at least one son, Robert Sealy (3) and a daughter Elizabeth who later married John Genge.
Robert Sealy (2) wrote his will in March 1723 and died ten years later in 1733, aged 77. Since Agnes is not mentioned in his will, she is presumed to have predeceased him.
Robert Sealy (3) - (1698-1733)
Robert Sealy (3) the son of Robert Sealy (2) and Agnes née Brown, was baptised on 27 November 1698 at St John's church.
Robert Sealy (3) had at least one son, Samuel Sealy (1) in 1727 and a daughter Elizabeth who later married John Genge.
Robert Sealy (3) died in 1768 and was buried at St John's church on 4 March 1768, aged 69.
Samuel Sealy (1)
Samuel Sealy (1) was the son of Robert Seal;y (3). He was born in Yeovil in 1727 and baptised at St John's on 21 October 1727.
He was married to Mary and had at least two children; Mary, baptised at St John's church on 30 April 1755 and Samuel (2), who was baptised at St John's on 3 March 1760
Samuel (1) was a glove manufacturer, and records exist (see Gallery) for at least three young lads he took on as apprentices during the 1760s. He also served as Churchwarden at St John's church from 1753 to 1755.
Samuel Sealy (1) died in Yeovil in 1768, aged 40.
Mary Sealy (b1755)
A Lease and Release dated 5/6 October 1773 recorded dealings between Joseph Hodges of Yeovil, innholder, Edward Burton, surgeon, and Edward Boucher the Younger, gent. of Yeovil for "... a Messuage in Pitt Lane or Middle Street, formerly called The Higher Three Cups and now known as The Castle. Bond for £300 between above in trust for Mary Sealy, daughter of Samuel Sealy, glover of Yeovil, decd. and Mary his wife also decd."
On 25 April 1775, at St John's church, Mary married Richard Peddle of Yeovil.
Samuel Sealy (2)
Samuel Sealy (2) was born in 1760 and baptised at St John's church on 3 March 1760.
On 17 May 1781, at St John's church, Samuel (2) married Mary Wright by license. They were to have four children, all baptised at St John's church; Mary (1792-1793?) was baptised on 20 February 1782 and her father was recorded as Mr Samuel Sealy, indicating an unusual degree of respect. Samuel Sealy (3) was baptised on 28 February 1784 and a second daughter named Mary was baptised on 5 March 1784. This indicates that the first child named Mary had died in infancy but also, since she was baptised a few days after her (twin?) brother, that this Mary was quite poorly at the time. A second son, named John (1786-1835), was baptised on 24 June 1786.
Samuel Sealy (2) was a glove manufacturer, like his father. However, it transpires that he had financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt in February 1785.
The SEALY FAMILY TREE
gallery
The record of the baptism of Robert Sealy (2) on 4 January 1656 from the parish register of St Mary's church, Taunton.
The record of the marriage of Robert Sealy (2) and Agnes Brown on 27 December 1688 from the parish register of St John's church, Yeovil.
The The record of the baptism of Robert Sealy (3) on 27 November 1698 from the parish register of St John's church.
The record of Samuel Sealy (1), glover, taking on Thomas Masters as an apprentice for £25 per annum. The record, from the Register of Duties paid for Apprentices' Indentures, is dated Wednesday 16 April 1760.
The record of Samuel Sealy (1), glover, taking on Bartholomew Davey as an apprentice. The record, from the Register of Duties paid for Apprentices' Indentures, is dated 19 February 1763.
The record of Samuel Sealy (1), glover, taking on Henry Collins as an apprentice. The record, from the Register of Duties paid for Apprentices' Indentures, is dated Saturday 18 April 1767.
The record of the burial of Samuel Sealy (1) on 24 February 1768 from the parish register of St John's church.
The record of the 25 April 1775 marriage of Mary Sealey (1) and Richard Peddle from the parish register of St John's church.
The record of the 27 May 1781 marriage of Samuel Sealy (2) and Mary Wright from the parish register of St John's church.
The record of the baptism of Mary Sealy (2), daughter of Samuel Sealy (2) and Mary née Wright on 5 March 1784 from the parish register of St John's church.
The notice of the bankruptcy of glove manufacturer Samuel Sealy (3) from the 21 February 1785 edition of Aris's Birmingham Gazette.
The 1723 will of Robert Sealy (2)
In the Name of God Amen
I Robert Sealy
of Yeovil in the
County of
Somerset Yeoman
being weak of
body but of
sound memory
(thanks be given
to God
therefore) Do
the Twenty third
day of March
Annoque Domini
172⅔
make this my
last Will and
Testament in
manner and form
following (viz)
Item I give unto
my Sister
Elizabeth Wife
of John Genge
the Sum of One
Guinea Item I
give unto all
the Children of
my said Sister
Elizabeth Genge
the Sum of One
Guinea each Item
All the rest of
my Lands and
Tenements Goods
and Chattles of
what nature or
kind soever I
give and
bequeath unto my
Son Samuel Sealy
his Heirs
Executors or
Administrators
for Ever And I
do likewise
constitute and
appoint my said
Son Samuel Sealy
sole Executor of
this my last
Will and
Testament
revoking and
renouncing all
other Wills
before by me
made And I do
also desire my
two loving
Friends Robert
Glisson and
William Newman
Executors in
Trust to see
this my Will
performed And I
do give unto
Robert Glisson
One Guinea to
buy him a Ring
And also I give
unto William
Newman One
Guinea to buy
him a Mourning
Ring
In Witness
whereof I have
hereunto set my
hand and Seal
the day and Year
first above
written
Robert Selly
Signed Sealed
and Delivered by
the Testator as
his last Will
and testament in
the presence of
us Item I give
unto Thomas
Guppy One Suit
of Cloaths that
I wear in Common
And I give unto
my Brother John
Genge my best
Suit of Cloaths
in the margin
write before the
Sealing hereof
Henry Jenkins
Will
Collins
[Lun?]
Hayward
Proved
at Wells the
11th day of
April 1733
The 1764 will of Samuel Sealy (1)
This is the last Will and Testament
of me Samuel
Sealy of Yeovill
in the County of
Somerset Glover
I give and
devise all and
singular my
Freehold
Messuages
Tenements Lands
and
Hereditaments
whatsoever
situate lying
and being in the
parish of
Yeovill
aforesaid to my
Son Samuel Sealy
his Heirs and
Assigns for ever
I give to my
Daughter Mary
Sealy the sum of
five hundred
pounds and as
for and
concerning all
the Rest and
Residue of my
Goods Chattels
Ready Money
Debts and
Securities for
Money Household
Goods and all
other my
personal Estate
whatsoever and
wheresoever and
of what Nature
kind or Quality
soever (subject
to the payment
of my Debts and
Legacys to my
said Daughter
Mary) I give and
bequeath the
same to my dear
Wife Mary Sealy
provided always
and my Will is
that my said
Wife Do and
shall within one
year after my
decease release
and quit Claim
at the Costs and
Charges of and
unto my said Son
or such other
person or
persons as shall
be then entitled
to my said
Freehold estate
under this my
Will and by such
Conveyances in
Law as he or
they shall
require all and
every Right
Title Claim or
Demand
whatsoever of my
said Wife of in
and to or out of
my said Freehold
Estates and in
case my said
[Will - should
this not read
'Wife'?] shall
refuse to
execute and make
such Releases
upon Request
then and in that
case it is my
Will that my
Wife so refusing
shall take not
Benefit from the
Bequest to her
hereinbefore
contained but in
that case and
upon her so
refusing I give
and bequeath all
and whatsoever
is given to her
unto my said Son
Samuel Sealy if
he shall be then
living and if
not then living
to such other
person or
persons as shall
be then intitled
unto the
possession of my
said Freehold
Estates by
virtue of and
under this my
Will his Heirs
Executors
administrators
and assigns to
my said Wife I
commit the
Custody and
Tuition of my
said Children
during their
respective
Minorities and I
hereby make my
said Wife my
sole Executrix
of this my last
Will and
Testament for
and during so
long time as She
shall live and
after her death
I do appoint Mr
Edward Burton
and Mr Edward
Boucher the
Younger both of
Yeovill
aforesaid
Executors
thereof and if
my said Wife
shall happen to
die before my
said Children or
either of them
shall have
attained their
respective Ages
of twenty one
years I do in
such case
appoint the said
Edward Burton
and Edward
Boucher to have
the Government
and Tuition of
them during
their respective
Minorities And I
do hereby
declare that my
said Executors
and Trustees or
either of them
their or either
of their
Executors or
Administrators
shall not be
charged or
chargeable with
or accountable
for more Money
or Effects than
he or they hall
actually receive
by virtue of
this my Will nor
with or for any
Loss which may
happen of the
said Moneys or
Effects or of
any part thereof
so as such Loss
happen without
their willful
Default nor the
one of them for
the other of
them or for the
Acts Deeds
Receipts or
Disbursements
the one of the
other And also
that it shall
and may be
lawful to and
for my said
Trustees and
each of them
their and each
of their
Executors and
Administrators
by and out of
the premisses to
deduct and
reimburse
themselves
respectively all
such Loss Costs
Charges and
Expences as they
any or either of
them shall
sustain expend
or be put unto
for or by Reason
of the
performance of
this my Will or
the Trusts
hereby reposed
in them or the
Management and
Execution
thereof or any
other thing in
anywise relating
thereunto and
lastly I do
revoke all
former and other
Will or Wills by
me at any time
heretofore made
and declare this
only to be my
last Will and
Testament In
Witness whereof
I have to this
my last Will and
Testament
containing two
Sheets of paper
to each Sheet
set my Hand and
my Hand and Seal
to the last
sheet thereof
this tenth day
of January in
the year of our
Lord one
thousand seven
hundred and
sixty four and
in the fourth
year of the
Reign of our
Sovereign Lord
George the third
by the Grace of
God of Great
Britain France
and Ireland King
Defender of the
faith and so
forth
Sam[ue]l Sealy
Signed Sealed
published and
declared by the
said Samuel
Sealy the
Testator as and
for his last
Will and
Testament in the
presence of us
who at the
Request of the
said Testator
have attested
the same in his
presence and in
the presence of
each other
Nath[anie]l
Butler Batten
William
Izard
Hugh
Godsell
This Will was proved at London the
fourth day of
March in the
Year of our Lord
one thousand
seven hundred
and sixty eight
before the Right
Worshipful
George Hay
Doctor of Laws
Master Keeper of
Commissary of
the prerogative
Court of
Canterbury
lawfully
constituted by
the oath of Mary
Sealy Widow the
Relict of the
said Deceased
and sole
Executrix named
in the said Will
to whom
Administration
of all and
singular the
Goods Chattels
and Credits of
the Deceased was
granted she
having been
first sworn by
Commission duly
to administer
Transcribed by Bob Osborn