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

 

 Transcribed by Bob Osborn

 

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