This section has been included as the participants appear in the life story of Reginald Watts Shepard, my grandfather. The people concerned are Reginald's uncle Amos Watts Shepard and Amos's sister Sabina. It also displays how lives can change quite dramatically following the death of parents through the fairly turbulent story of Sabina and her children.
Amos Watts Shepard 1852 – 1939
(Great great uncle)
Amos Watts Shepard was born in Dorchester Q3 1852 vol 5a page 326
The census record for 1861 is shown under John Wesley Shepard 1843 - 1892
The census record for 1861 is shown under John Wesley Shepard 1843 - 1892
Amos Watts Shepard married Sarah Ann Swaffield Dorchester Q3 1874 vol 5a page 567 recorded as Shephard
The 1901 census record is shown under Reginald James Watts Shepard 1886 - 1951
The 1911 census record is shown under Marmaduke Arthur Shepard 1881 - ????
Sarah A Shepard died age 69 in Dorchester Q3 1924 vol 5a page 285
It appears that Amos died age 86 in 1939 and was buried in Stratton on 06/06/1939
In 1889 Kelly’s Directory of Dorsetshire shows Amos Watts Shepard in the Commercial section. "Shepard Amos, shopkeeper."
In 1895 he appears in the same publication as "Shepard Amos, shopkeeper and wheelwright"
In 1915 Kelly’s records him as "Shepard Amos, builder & wheelwright."
The 1911 census record is shown under Marmaduke Arthur Shepard 1881 - ????
Sarah A Shepard died age 69 in Dorchester Q3 1924 vol 5a page 285
It appears that Amos died age 86 in 1939 and was buried in Stratton on 06/06/1939
In 1889 Kelly’s Directory of Dorsetshire shows Amos Watts Shepard in the Commercial section. "Shepard Amos, shopkeeper."
In 1895 he appears in the same publication as "Shepard Amos, shopkeeper and wheelwright"
In 1915 Kelly’s records him as "Shepard Amos, builder & wheelwright."
Sabina Shepard 1850 – 1896
(Great great aunt)
Sabina Shepard was born in Stratton Dorchester Q3 1850 vol 8 page 55. The census records for 1851 and 1861 in which she appears are shown under John Wesley Shepard 1843 - 1892, that for 1871 is shown above under Amos Watts Shepard 1852 – 1939.
Sabina Shepard married George Hawker in Dorchester Q1 1880 vol 5a page 531.
George Hawker was born in Dorchester Q1 1852 vol 5a page 354. The census for 1861 and 1871 show him living with his family in Bradford Peverell which is only a short distance from Stratton. In 1881 in the first census after their marriage Sabina and George are shown in the census also living in Bradford Peverell.
Sabina Shepard married George Hawker in Dorchester Q1 1880 vol 5a page 531.
George Hawker was born in Dorchester Q1 1852 vol 5a page 354. The census for 1861 and 1871 show him living with his family in Bradford Peverell which is only a short distance from Stratton. In 1881 in the first census after their marriage Sabina and George are shown in the census also living in Bradford Peverell.
Sabina's first marriage was to last only a few years as George Hawker died in Dorchester Q3 1885 at the age of 33 vol 5a page 197
Sabina married again this time to Walter Trevett in Dorchester Q4 1887 vol 5a page 711. From the 1891 census it is possible to see that Walter already had children when he married Sabina. Sarah aged 12, Anne aged 11 and Flora aged 9 from his marriage to Sarah Sprackling. Apparently Walter George Trevett from his marriage to Amelia Pucket had died before his first birthday in 1882.
Walter and Sabina had a son Henry Walter Trevett in 1890
In the 1891 census Walter’s daughters Anne and Flora are still living with Sabina in Winterborne St Martin. The census for 1891 is shown under Henry Watts Shepard 1845 – 1886. The census shows that Anne was born in Winterborne probably Steepleton and Flora in Nottinghamshire. Sabina has at this time provided a home to her widowed sister in law Frances Shepard.
Unfortunately Sabina was no luckier this time around as Walter died aged 42 when his son was less than 1 year old in Dorchester Q1 1891 vol 5a page 249. There is a discrepancy in age here between the death entry age 42 and Walter’s age in a subsequently discovered census record in Fordington 1881 where he is shown as 35. In order for decisions I have made of a family relationship between Walter and Isabella Trevett, who I believe to be his sister, to make any sense I am assuming here that the death entry should have been 45 which would give us a birth year of about 1846.
Sabina married again this time to Walter Trevett in Dorchester Q4 1887 vol 5a page 711. From the 1891 census it is possible to see that Walter already had children when he married Sabina. Sarah aged 12, Anne aged 11 and Flora aged 9 from his marriage to Sarah Sprackling. Apparently Walter George Trevett from his marriage to Amelia Pucket had died before his first birthday in 1882.
Walter and Sabina had a son Henry Walter Trevett in 1890
In the 1891 census Walter’s daughters Anne and Flora are still living with Sabina in Winterborne St Martin. The census for 1891 is shown under Henry Watts Shepard 1845 – 1886. The census shows that Anne was born in Winterborne probably Steepleton and Flora in Nottinghamshire. Sabina has at this time provided a home to her widowed sister in law Frances Shepard.
Unfortunately Sabina was no luckier this time around as Walter died aged 42 when his son was less than 1 year old in Dorchester Q1 1891 vol 5a page 249. There is a discrepancy in age here between the death entry age 42 and Walter’s age in a subsequently discovered census record in Fordington 1881 where he is shown as 35. In order for decisions I have made of a family relationship between Walter and Isabella Trevett, who I believe to be his sister, to make any sense I am assuming here that the death entry should have been 45 which would give us a birth year of about 1846.
Sabina Trevett died age 45 in Dorchester Q1 1896 vol 5a page 208.
The Children of Sabina Shepard 1850 – 1896 and George Hawker 1852 - 1885
Charles Henry W Hawker 1881 - ????
(1st cousins 2 times removed)
Charles Henry W Hawker born in Muckleford Dorchester Q2 1881 vol 5a page 353. The census for 1891 is shown under Sabina Shepard 1850 – 1896. In 1901 Charles Hawker is working as a Gardener in the household of George Hicks in Winterborne St Martin. His birth place is given as Bradford Peverell when in the 1891 census it is shown as Muckleford. These two hamlets are only 1 mile apart so this is almost certainly the same person. Charles Henry W Hawker married George’s daughter Annie Eliza Hicks in Dorchester Q3 1903 vol 5a page 758
The Children of Sabina Shepard 1850 – 1896 and Walter Trevett 1847 - 1891
Henry Walter Trevett 1890 - ????
(1st cousins 2 times removed)
Henry Walter Trevett was born in Dorchester Q2 1890 vol 5a page 335. The census for 1891 is shown under Henry Watts Shepard 1845 – 1886. In 1901 Henry Trevett is 11 years old and is shown as a pauper living in the Dorchester Union Workhouse on Damers Road. He is one among many, the census shows a total of 55 male and 33 female inmates of whom 21 are children
In 1911 Henry has joined Charles Hawker in Martinstown where he is working as a Nursery Labourer and living with the Hicks family. The census for 1911 is shown under Charles Henry W Hawker 1881 - ????
So what is the previous history of Sabina's second husband Walter Trevett?? Prior to his relationship with Sabina, Walter had been married twice as shown in the following details.
Walter Trevett 1847 - 1891
Walter Trevett was born in Martinstown in about 1847. I have not found a suitable birth record unless the following entry is him. Given the naming of his first child it is possible. George Trevett born in Dorchester Q3 1847 vol 8 page 107.
In 1851 he is 2 years old and living with his family in Winterborne St Martin. In 1861 I have found Walter and his brother Frank lodging with the Bilke family in Alverstoke Hampshire. In 1871 Walter is back in Dorset lodging in Long Bredy with the Bartlett family. Between 1871 and 1881 Walter had married, had three children and separated from his wife.
In 1851 he is 2 years old and living with his family in Winterborne St Martin. In 1861 I have found Walter and his brother Frank lodging with the Bilke family in Alverstoke Hampshire. In 1871 Walter is back in Dorset lodging in Long Bredy with the Bartlett family. Between 1871 and 1881 Walter had married, had three children and separated from his wife.
Walter Trevett and Sarah Sprackling
This section deals with Walter’s first marriage to Sarah Sprackling. I have found the marriage of a Walter Trevett and Sarah Sprackling in Dorchester Q2 1872 vol 5a page 673 A record exists of the birth of a Sarah Spracklen in Dorchester Q3 1844 vol 8 page 54. In 1871 in Winterborne St Martin there is a Sarah Spracklin age 26 living with her Agricultural Labourer father Matthew and four siblings.
In 1881 there is a census record of a Sarah Trevett working as a servant in Leicester for George Royce a Shoe Manufacturer and his family, who was born in Martinstown and is aged 37. She appears as unmarried but the age and birthplace are reasonable for Walters first wife. Leicester is only 34 miles south of Southwell, the birthplace of their third child Florence. Certainly a lot closer to Southwell than Martinstown. So it is possible that Sarah was visiting acquaintances in the area when she gave birth to Florence.
Given that Walter married Amelia Pucket in 1881 this would mean that he must have parted from his first wife between 1872 and 1881 before Sarah Trevett appears as an unmarried woman in Leicester and also before the birth of Sarah J Trevett in 1875.
I have found the following extract concerning divorce in the 19th century.
"Divorce in Victorian England was very difficult to obtain. For most people marriage was an indissoluble union, terminable only by death. The only reason accepted for getting a divorce was adultery, and this was only valid for men. A woman could not use adultery as the sole reason for trying to obtain a divorce. She also had to claim and prove her husband engaged in incest, bigamy or excessive cruelty. Clearly, there was a double-standard in granting divorces to men and women. Although these strict laws on divorce were modified in the mid-nineteenth century making divorces more accessible to both men and women, there was still a stigma that was placed on people (especially women) who got a divorce. Many felt that although the marriage was dissolved in the eyes of the law, it was still binding in the eyes of God. As a result, divorces were still scarce in the nineteenth-century"
If Walter was already involved with Amelia Puckett in the late 1870’s, then possibly this would provide sufficient grounds for a divorce. It would also support the move away from Dorset for Sarah Trevett.
There is evidence that a Sarah Trevett died in Southwell Q4 1886 age 42 vol 7b page 237 she would have been born in about 1844.
After Sarah Trevett dies in 1886 her daughter Florence Trevett returns to Dorset and goes to live with Charles Bowring and his wife Isabella Trevett in Melcombe Regis.
In 1881 there is a census record of a Sarah Trevett working as a servant in Leicester for George Royce a Shoe Manufacturer and his family, who was born in Martinstown and is aged 37. She appears as unmarried but the age and birthplace are reasonable for Walters first wife. Leicester is only 34 miles south of Southwell, the birthplace of their third child Florence. Certainly a lot closer to Southwell than Martinstown. So it is possible that Sarah was visiting acquaintances in the area when she gave birth to Florence.
Given that Walter married Amelia Pucket in 1881 this would mean that he must have parted from his first wife between 1872 and 1881 before Sarah Trevett appears as an unmarried woman in Leicester and also before the birth of Sarah J Trevett in 1875.
I have found the following extract concerning divorce in the 19th century.
"Divorce in Victorian England was very difficult to obtain. For most people marriage was an indissoluble union, terminable only by death. The only reason accepted for getting a divorce was adultery, and this was only valid for men. A woman could not use adultery as the sole reason for trying to obtain a divorce. She also had to claim and prove her husband engaged in incest, bigamy or excessive cruelty. Clearly, there was a double-standard in granting divorces to men and women. Although these strict laws on divorce were modified in the mid-nineteenth century making divorces more accessible to both men and women, there was still a stigma that was placed on people (especially women) who got a divorce. Many felt that although the marriage was dissolved in the eyes of the law, it was still binding in the eyes of God. As a result, divorces were still scarce in the nineteenth-century"
If Walter was already involved with Amelia Puckett in the late 1870’s, then possibly this would provide sufficient grounds for a divorce. It would also support the move away from Dorset for Sarah Trevett.
There is evidence that a Sarah Trevett died in Southwell Q4 1886 age 42 vol 7b page 237 she would have been born in about 1844.
After Sarah Trevett dies in 1886 her daughter Florence Trevett returns to Dorset and goes to live with Charles Bowring and his wife Isabella Trevett in Melcombe Regis.
The Children of Walter Trevett 1846 – 1891 and Sarah Sprackling 1874 - 1886
Sarah Jane Trevett 1874 - ????
There is a birth entry for Sarah Jane Trevett in Dorchester Q2 1874 vol 5a page 347.
Searching for Sarah J Trevett, who would have been 16 years of age in 1891 produces the following census entry where she is housemaid to the Vicar of Winterbourne St Martin.
No trace in 1901 or 1911
Annie Trevett 1876 - ????
Anne Trevett was born in Dorchester Q2 1876 vol 5a page 363. I have located Annie Trevett who is still in Winterborne St Martin working as a Housemaid in 1901. I have not managed to find Annie Trevett in 1911
Florence A Trevett 1878 - ????
I have not been able to find any record of a birth for a Flora Trevett but there is a Florence Maria Trevett born in Southwell Nottinghamshire Q1 1878 vol 7b page 368 who in 1881 was living in Melcombe Regis with Charles Bowring and his wife Isabella nee Trevett.
Annie Trevett 1876 - ????
Anne Trevett was born in Dorchester Q2 1876 vol 5a page 363. I have located Annie Trevett who is still in Winterborne St Martin working as a Housemaid in 1901. I have not managed to find Annie Trevett in 1911
Florence A Trevett 1878 - ????
I have not been able to find any record of a birth for a Flora Trevett but there is a Florence Maria Trevett born in Southwell Nottinghamshire Q1 1878 vol 7b page 368 who in 1881 was living in Melcombe Regis with Charles Bowring and his wife Isabella nee Trevett.
The census for 1891 is shown under Henry Watts Shepard 1845 – 1886.Flora Trevett has managed to elude all my best efforts in finding her in 1901. She should be 23 years old at that time. I can find no marriage records that would be possible nor any death register entries so the 1901 census should show her somewhere under her birth name but there is nothing that I can find that would fit her age and birthplace. One possible reason for this is that she may be going under the name Florence Maria Trevett but I cannot find her under that name either.
Building Florences history meant trying to determine why she would be living with the Bowring family in Weymouth in 1881 Isabella would appear to be her aunt based on relative ages and I needed to find a link to her father Walter. I have found an Isabella Trevett who was born in Dorchester Q2 1842 Vol 8 page 60 . In 1851 she is living with her mother Mary Mitchell nee Trevett and her Stepfather next door to Daniel Bartlett and his wife for whom she later became a housemaid. Her stepfather Thomas Mitchell married Isabellas mother Sarah Trevett in Dorchester Q1 1847 vol 8 page 113 two years before the birth date of Walter Trevett.
Building Florences history meant trying to determine why she would be living with the Bowring family in Weymouth in 1881 Isabella would appear to be her aunt based on relative ages and I needed to find a link to her father Walter. I have found an Isabella Trevett who was born in Dorchester Q2 1842 Vol 8 page 60 . In 1851 she is living with her mother Mary Mitchell nee Trevett and her Stepfather next door to Daniel Bartlett and his wife for whom she later became a housemaid. Her stepfather Thomas Mitchell married Isabellas mother Sarah Trevett in Dorchester Q1 1847 vol 8 page 113 two years before the birth date of Walter Trevett.
In 1861 Isabella is working as housemaid for Daniel Bartlett
Isabella Trevett married a James Curtis in Dorchester Q2 1861 vol 5a page 709. This confirms the Trevett link to the two Curtiss boys. William A L Curtis was born in Weymouth Q1 1866 vol 5a page 337 and Henry James Curtis was born in Weymouth Q2 1870 vol 5a page 323. In 1861 Isabella is shown in the Weymouth census as married and living with her two young sons but her husband James Curtis is not there. It appears that her future husband Charles’ brother William is in the same house as a lodger and given the number of different names it looks as though the property was probably quite large and occupied by two family groups and several single lodgers of varying trades. I have not been able to find James Curtis anywhere in 1871. I have also not succeeded in locating a death register entry that can be definitely attributed to James.
We must assume that James died prior to Isabella Curtis marrying Charles Bowring in Weymouth Q3 1875 vol 5a page 551.
Returning to the question of what Florence Trevett is doing living with the Bowrings we can see that Florences age is correct compared with that for Flora in the 1891 census. She is listed as Charles’s niece although I believe she is actually Isabellas niece. So what is the family relationship between Isabella and Walter, Florences father? It is possible they are brother and sister but I have not been able to find Walter and Isabella living together.
Returning to the question of what Florence Trevett is doing living with the Bowrings we can see that Florences age is correct compared with that for Flora in the 1891 census. She is listed as Charles’s niece although I believe she is actually Isabellas niece. So what is the family relationship between Isabella and Walter, Florences father? It is possible they are brother and sister but I have not been able to find Walter and Isabella living together.
Walter Trevett and Amelia Pucket
Walter Trevett married Amelia Pucket in Dorchester Q1 1881 vol 5a page 511. Amelia had been born in Dorchester Q4 1859 vol 5a page 356. There is one child of the family,. Walter George Trevett was born in Dorchester Q2 1881 vol 5a page 348 and died the following year in Dorchester Q2 1882 vol 5a page 233. Amelia Trevett died age 26 in Dorchester Q1 1886 vol 5a page 271 and subsequently Walter married Sabina Sheppard in 1887
Walter Trevett married Amelia Pucket in Dorchester Q1 1881 vol 5a page 511. Amelia had been born in Dorchester Q4 1859 vol 5a page 356. There is one child of the family,. Walter George Trevett was born in Dorchester Q2 1881 vol 5a page 348 and died the following year in Dorchester Q2 1882 vol 5a page 233. Amelia Trevett died age 26 in Dorchester Q1 1886 vol 5a page 271 and subsequently Walter married Sabina Sheppard in 1887