I Might Be Able to Help with Ancestors Living in Taunton 1820's to 1830's

[Cynfran]

Hello Les. Could you please see if there are any members of the Goodridge family mentioned? Thank you for your kind offer, whatever the outcome. Regards, Cynfran

[Les de B]

Sorry Cynfran, no mention of the Goodridge Family.

Although there are 17 pages of names in the general index of the book, and 5 pages of names in the tradesman's index, I guess the author still forgot a lot of names 

Les

[Cynfran]

Thank you so much for trying Les. Regards, Cynfran

[ringwarrior]

Is there any mention of Thomas Sparks, confectioner, his daughter Emily or any member of the Skinner family please?

[Westy11]

Hi

I am wondering if you could have a look for Maria Allen; Maria's husband was an Independent Minister (Richard Pearsall Allen) and he died in Dec 1825 at St Pauls Independent Congregational Chapel at Pauls Street in the parish of Taunton, Somerset.  Maria would have been about 47 years old.  As yet I haven't located her death but it is possible she is alive during the time frames of your book.

Maria may have lived with her  husband's by now adult children all females.

Thanks so much for offering the service.
Mxmar0

[Les de B]

Firstly, my apologies for not replying sooner as I've only just returned from a 5 week holiday in US and Canada.

Ringwarrior - sorry, there is no mention of either the SPARKS or SKINNER familes in the book.

Mxmaro -  sorry, no mention of Maria or Richard ALLEN, however, the family name of ALLEN is mentioned a few times. Perhaps they may be related?

1) "Four other old houses still standing were (3 named) and ALLEN, saddler. There were many old houses in the town at that time with half doors, that is a door opening half way down from the top. On the lower part of which the old people were often seen leaning over and chatting with friends. The last two door of this kind I recollect were at ALLEN's, the saddler and the old Crown and Sceptre Inn".

2) "In these days the roads were watered by "Pumpy ALLEN" in a very simple way, but not in a satisfactory way. He did it in the following manner; throwing a wad of straw on which he placed a brick, into the running gutter, he soon had a litle pond, using a long pole to which attached a sort of small coal scuttle, with this primitive article he threw the water over the roads - and very often into passing carriages, carts and against pedestrians".

There is another full paragraph in reference to "Pumpy ALLEN". If you think he is related I can type that paragraph out for you. Briefly, it describes him playing scared music and singing hymns  in the middle of the night in a laughable affair. Also, it describes him as having a club foot and paralyzed hand.

3) A description of an old court yard is given with the names of the occupants, including ".......Sally ALLEN, a laundress......."

4) In the Tradesmen Index of the book, only the surname of ALLEN is mentioned for "Masons and Builders" , "Barbers and Perfumers" and "Saddlers & Harness Makers".

Les

[Westy11]

Hello Les

Thanks for getting back to me; much appreciated.  The names and scenario's you mention don't 'ring a bell' unfortunately. 

Your holiday sounded just great ... 

Kind regards
Mxmar0

[rg_anderson]

Hello all - I've stumbled upon this very useful and interesting chat while researching various pubs in Taunton. I live in Taunton and work as an archaeologist and historian, the Goldsworthy Recollections are a very important resource for social history in the town, and for placing various buildings and businesses. I can offer some small help to you all in pinpointing various names and places - for instance, the Sugarloaf Inn (Andymking on page 6 of this thread), although given as in Bishops Hull parish, stood at the junction of what is now Park Street and Cann Street, across the road from St John's Church in the town, near the West Gate turnpike - the parish of Bishop's Hull was much larger back then, and when you search online for Bishop's Hull now you will be directed to the village of that name, several miles from the edge of the parish where it met with the town of Taunton!
If there are any queries which I can help with please shout - give me a day or two to attempt them, and I apologise in advance if the day job slows me down in replying!

[Les de B]

Hi RG - firstly Welcome to RootsChat, a great site for family researching!

Thanks for your interest in this topic concerning Goldsworthy's Recollections of Taunton. This was my little attempt to help other RootsChatters with their research. I've gained so much from this site over the years, and it always feels good if you can (try to) return the favour. I found this book while researching my Taunton ancestors of the early 1800's to 1820's - John Hooke WEST and Hannah BOWDITCH. They appear in the book, albeit briefly, with Hannah has a couple of lines from memory.

Les