North Petherton in the 1859 Post-Office Directory

Extracted from Harrison, Harrod & Co.’s Bristol Post-Office Directory and Gazetteer, 1859

Prepared from the supplied directory PDF parts

Scope and source note: Primary source: Harrison, Harrod & Co.’s Bristol Post-Office Directory and Gazetteer, with the counties of Gloucestershire and Somersetshire, 1859. The North Petherton material was found mainly in Part 16, printed pages 760 and 763-773. A related administrative reference to Durston in the hundred of North Petherton appears in Part 18, printed page 864. Entries are transcribed from the directory wording; where the directory gives only “North Petherton” as the address, that is recorded as the place/address. Exact streets within North Petherton are generally not supplied in the source.

Headline findings: The directory gives 104 North Petherton directory entries across 22 categories, including 100 distinct names or organisations. It identifies the parish church, post office, two educational systems, two boarding-school entries, a former corn market, two annual cattle fairs, and the River Parrett and Taunton and Bridgwater Canal passing through the parish.

Source abbreviations: P16 = Part 16 of the supplied directory PDF; P18 = Part 18. Page numbers are printed page numbers in the original directory, not PDF page numbers.

1. Place information, church, schools, post office, market and fairs

TopicInformation foundSource
Status and locationNorth Petherton is described as a considerable village and parish in the hundred of North Petherton, situated 3 miles south by west from Bridgwater.P16 p.760
PopulationPopulation in 1851: 3,825.P16 p.760
MarketA very large market, chiefly for corn, had formerly been held there, but was long disused by 1859.P16 p.760
FairsTwo considerable fairs for cattle, etc., were held on May 1 and on the Monday before November 13.P16 p.760
WaterwaysThe River Parrett and the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal passed through the parish.P16 p.760
Parish churchThe church was dedicated to St Mary and described as a fine building, similar in character to St Mary at Taunton, with a lofty and elegant tower.P16 p.760
Church livingThe living was a vicarage in the deanery of Bridgwater and diocese of Bath and Wells. Rev. J. W. Robinson was incumbent.P16 p.760; P16 p.764
SchoolsThe parish had two schools: one on the system of the National Society and one on that of the British and Foreign School Society.P16 p.760
Boarding schoolsThe directory also lists T. S. Crasswell and Miss Leversage (ladies’) under Schools at North Petherton. The source mark means they took in boarders.P16 p.772
Post officePost Office receiver: William Avant. Letters were received through Bridgwater, which was also the nearest Money-order Office.P16 p.760
Clubs/groupsNo clubs or recreational societies were identified in the North Petherton entries. The named societies connected to the parish are educational: the National Society and the British and Foreign School Society.P16 p.760

2. Wider references to the hundred of North Petherton and administration

Note: The entries below are not all within the village/parish of North Petherton. They are included because the source explicitly links them to the hundred of North Petherton or North Petherton administration.

Place / institutionInformation foundSource
BridgwaterDescribed as a flourishing and populous market town in the hundred of North Petherton.P16 p.743
North Petherton Petty SessionsJohn Ruddock, solicitor of King Street, Bridgwater, is listed as clerk to the magistrates of the North Petherton Petty Sessions.P16 p.752
BawdripParish in the hundred of North Petherton, about 3.5 miles north-east from Bridgwater; church of St Michael; Independent place of worship; day school for boys and girls.P16 p.755
ChedzoyParish in the hundred of North Petherton, 2.5 miles east by north from Bridgwater; church of St Mary; Rev. George Matthews, M.A., incumbent.P16 p.756
PawlettParish in the hundred of North Petherton, 5 miles north from Bridgwater; church of St John; small day school for girls.P16 pp.760-761
St Michael ChurchParish in the hundred of North Petherton, 5.5 miles south from Bridgwater; perpetual curacy; Rev. G. F. Hodson, B.A., curate; population 30.P16 p.761
WembdonParish in the hundred of North Petherton, 1.5 miles north-west from Bridgwater; church of St George; Rev. Charles Alston incumbent; population 819.P16 p.762
DurstonParish in the hundred of North Petherton, 4.5 miles from Taunton; church of St John; Rev. John G. Goorick incumbent; population 258.P18 p.864

3. People, shops, businesses and professional entries in North Petherton

How to read this section: Each row is a directory entry found with North Petherton as the place/address. The entries are grouped under the directory category in which they appeared. Some people appear in more than one category; these cross-references are noted where clear.

Clergy, gentry, and named residents

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Brodmeade, T. P.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.763
Chapman, C.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.763
Crosswell, H.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.763
Hodson, Rev. G. F.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonAlso appears as curate of St Michael Church in the hundred of North Petherton.P16 pp.761, 763
Jones, J. W.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.763
Robinson, Rev. J. W.Vicar/incumbent; clergy/gentry listingNorth PethertonIncumbent of the vicarage of St Mary, North Petherton.P16 pp.760, 764
Shields, Rev. J. W.Clergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.764
Starkey, AnthonyClergy/Gentry listingNorth PethertonName as printed.P16 p.764

Post Office

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Avant, WilliamPost Office receiverNorth PethertonLetters were received through Bridgwater; Bridgwater was the nearest Money-order Office. William Avant is also listed as a tailor.P16 pp.760, 772

Bakers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Adams, J.BakerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Harden, RichardBakerNorth PethertonAlso listed as a shopkeeper.P16 pp.764, 772
Heal, ThomasBakerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Heal, WilliamBakerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Tazer, WilliamBakerNorth PethertonSpelling transcribed as printed.P16 p.764
Tucker, J.BakerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Warner, L.BakerNorth Petherton P16 p.764

Basket makers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Evis, JohnBasket makerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Slocombe, WilliamBasket makerNorth PethertonAlso listed as a beer retailer.P16 pp.764-765
Warner, JohnBasket makerNorth Petherton P16 p.764

Beer retailers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Durham, HannahBeer retailerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Hodge, CharlesBeer retailerNorth Petherton P16 p.764
Owens, GeorgeBeer retailerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Slocombe, WilliamBeer retailerNorth PethertonAlso listed as a basket maker.P16 pp.764-765
Wright, CharlotteBeer retailerNorth Petherton P16 p.765

Blacksmiths

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Bayer, JohnBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Bennett, JosephBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Browning, SilasBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Browning, WilliamBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Evans, JohnBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Hunt, WilliamBlacksmithNorth Petherton P16 p.765

Boot and shoe makers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Haynes, JohnBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Irish, EliBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Mulford, PhilipBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Perkins, CharlesBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Richards, HenryBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.765
Richards, RichardBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.766
Williams, RichardBoot and shoe makerNorth Petherton P16 p.766

Brewers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Starkey, ThomasBrewerNorth Petherton P16 p.766

Brick makers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Colthurst, Symons, and Co.Brick makersNorth PethertonBusiness/company entry.P16 p.766
Fursland and Co.Brick makersNorth PethertonBusiness/company entry.P16 p.766

Butchers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Rogers, JamesButcherNorth Petherton P16 p.766
Rogers, JohnButcherNorth Petherton P16 p.766

Carpenters and wheelwrights

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Aish, GeorgeCarpenter; wheelwright alsoNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.766
Amery, HenryCarpenterNorth Petherton P16 p.766
Chick, JohnCarpenter; wheelwright alsoNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.766
Davey, SolomonCarpenterNorth Petherton P16 p.766
Pleass, JamesCarpenterNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Ridge, JamesCarpenter; wheelwright alsoNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.767
Slocombe, CharlesCarpenterNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Townsend, HenryCarpenterNorth PethertonAlso listed as a shopkeeper.P16 pp.767, 772
Williams, JohnCarpenter; wheelwright alsoNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.767

Chemists, druggists, stationers, and china

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Painter, JohnChemist and druggist; stationerNorth PethertonThe entry reads: Painter, John (and stationer).P16 p.767
Davey, W. S.China dealerNorth Petherton P16 p.767

Farmers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Banfield, G.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Bell, David, sen.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Bell, David, jun.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Bell, HenryFarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Bell, RobertFarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.767
Bond, T.FarmerNorth PethertonListed twice in the source; recorded here once.P16 p.768
Brice, T.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Carter, R.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Cavill, T.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Coate, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Cock, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Cock, W.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Collins, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Colthurst, J. C.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Culverwell, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Day, IsaacFarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Drew, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
England, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Evered, R.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Farthing, R.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Gardener, W.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.768
Hodges, G. P.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.769
Hurman, R.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.769
Sutton, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.770
Tyler, W.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.770
Williams, J.FarmerNorth Petherton P16 p.770

Grocers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Foster, A.GrocerNorth Petherton P16 p.770
Tucker, JohnGrocerNorth Petherton P16 p.771
Williams, W. F.GrocerNorth Petherton P16 p.771

Painters, plumbers, and glaziers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Brewer, JamesPainter, plumber, and glazierNorth Petherton P16 p.771
Durman, GeorgePainter, plumber, and glazierNorth Petherton P16 p.772
Veals, JamesPainter, plumber, and glazierNorth Petherton P16 p.772

Saddle and harness makers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Churchill, JamesSaddle and harness makerNorth Petherton P16 p.772
Pursey, GeorgeSaddle and harness makerNorth Petherton P16 p.772

Schools

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Crasswell, T. S.SchoolNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol indicating that boarders were taken.P16 p.772
Leversage, MissLadies’ schoolNorth PethertonMarked with the source symbol indicating that boarders were taken.P16 p.772

Shopkeepers

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Harden, RichardShopkeeperNorth PethertonAlso listed as a baker.P16 pp.764, 772
Phillips, RobertShopkeeperNorth Petherton P16 p.772
Townsend, HenryShopkeeperNorth PethertonAlso listed as a carpenter.P16 pp.767, 772
Yeandle, JohnShopkeeperNorth Petherton P16 p.772

Solicitors

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Auber, H. P.SolicitorNorth Petherton P16 p.772
Reed, P. O. H.SolicitorNorth Petherton P16 p.772

Surgeon

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Tilsley, Nelson HoratioSurgeonNorth Petherton P16 p.772

Tailors

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
Avant, WilliamTailorNorth PethertonAlso listed as Post Office receiver.P16 pp.760, 772
Clatworthy, GeorgeTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.772
Clatworthy, WilliamTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.773
Jeanes, JohnTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.773
Preece, SimeonTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.773
Vearncombe, CharlesTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.773
Warner, StephenTailorNorth Petherton P16 p.773

Watch maker

Name / organisationRole or businessPlace/address as printedNotesSource
England, WilliamWatch makerNorth Petherton P16 p.773

4. Shops, businesses and services grouped by type

TypeNo. of entriesNames / organisations
Bakers7Adams, J.; Harden, Richard; Heal, Thomas; Heal, William; Tazer, William; Tucker, J.; Warner, L.
Basket makers3Evis, John; Slocombe, William; Warner, John
Beer retailers5Durham, Hannah; Hodge, Charles; Owens, George; Slocombe, William; Wright, Charlotte
Blacksmiths6Bayer, John; Bennett, Joseph; Browning, Silas; Browning, William; Evans, John; Hunt, William
Boot and shoe makers7Haynes, John; Irish, Eli; Mulford, Philip; Perkins, Charles; Richards, Henry; Richards, Richard; Williams, Richard
Brewers1Starkey, Thomas
Brick makers2Colthurst, Symons, and Co.; Fursland and Co.
Butchers2Rogers, James; Rogers, John
Carpenters and wheelwrights9Aish, George; Amery, Henry; Chick, John; Davey, Solomon; Pleass, James; Ridge, James; Slocombe, Charles; Townsend, Henry; Williams, John
Chemists, druggists, stationers, and china2Painter, John; Davey, W. S.
Farmers26Banfield, G.; Bell, David, sen.; Bell, David, jun.; Bell, Henry; Bell, Robert; Bond, T.; Brice, T.; Carter, R.; Cavill, T.; Coate, J.; Cock, J.; Cock, W.; Collins, J.; Colthurst, J. C.; Culverwell, J.; Day, Isaac; Drew, J.; England, J.; Evered, R.; Farthing, R.; Gardener, W.; Hodges, G. P.; Hurman, R.; Sutton, J.; Tyler, W.; Williams, J.
Grocers3Foster, A.; Tucker, John; Williams, W. F.
Painters, plumbers, and glaziers3Brewer, James; Durman, George; Veals, James
Saddle and harness makers2Churchill, James; Pursey, George
Schools2Crasswell, T. S.; Leversage, Miss
Shopkeepers4Harden, Richard; Phillips, Robert; Townsend, Henry; Yeandle, John
Solicitors2Auber, H. P.; Reed, P. O. H.
Surgeon1Tilsley, Nelson Horatio
Tailors7Avant, William; Clatworthy, George; Clatworthy, William; Jeanes, John; Preece, Simeon; Vearncombe, Charles; Warner, Stephen
Watch maker1England, William

5. Alphabetical index of North Petherton names and organisations

Name / organisationCategoryRole / descriptionNotesSource
Adams, J.BakersBaker P16 p.764
Aish, GeorgeCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter; wheelwright alsoMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.766
Amery, HenryCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter P16 p.766
Auber, H. P.SolicitorsSolicitor P16 p.772
Avant, WilliamPost OfficePost Office receiverLetters were received through Bridgwater; Bridgwater was the nearest Money-order Office. William Avant is also listed as a tailor.P16 pp.760, 772
Avant, WilliamTailorsTailorAlso listed as Post Office receiver.P16 pp.760, 772
Banfield, G.FarmersFarmer P16 p.767
Bayer, JohnBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Bell, David, jun.FarmersFarmer P16 p.767
Bell, David, sen.FarmersFarmer P16 p.767
Bell, HenryFarmersFarmer P16 p.767
Bell, RobertFarmersFarmer P16 p.767
Bennett, JosephBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Bond, T.FarmersFarmerListed twice in the source; recorded here once.P16 p.768
Brewer, JamesPainters, plumbers, and glaziersPainter, plumber, and glazier P16 p.771
Brice, T.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Brodmeade, T. P.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.763
Browning, SilasBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Browning, WilliamBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Carter, R.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Cavill, T.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Chapman, C.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.763
Chick, JohnCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter; wheelwright alsoMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.766
Churchill, JamesSaddle and harness makersSaddle and harness maker P16 p.772
Clatworthy, GeorgeTailorsTailor P16 p.772
Clatworthy, WilliamTailorsTailor P16 p.773
Coate, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Cock, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Cock, W.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Collins, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Colthurst, J. C.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Colthurst, Symons, and Co.Brick makersBrick makersBusiness/company entry.P16 p.766
Crasswell, T. S.SchoolsSchoolMarked with the source symbol indicating that boarders were taken.P16 p.772
Crosswell, H.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.763
Culverwell, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Davey, SolomonCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter P16 p.766
Davey, W. S.Chemists, druggists, stationers, and chinaChina dealer P16 p.767
Day, IsaacFarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Drew, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Durham, HannahBeer retailersBeer retailer P16 p.764
Durman, GeorgePainters, plumbers, and glaziersPainter, plumber, and glazier P16 p.772
England, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
England, WilliamWatch makerWatch maker P16 p.773
Evans, JohnBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Evered, R.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Evis, JohnBasket makersBasket maker P16 p.764
Farthing, R.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Foster, A.GrocersGrocer P16 p.770
Fursland and Co.Brick makersBrick makersBusiness/company entry.P16 p.766
Gardener, W.FarmersFarmer P16 p.768
Harden, RichardBakersBakerAlso listed as a shopkeeper.P16 pp.764, 772
Harden, RichardShopkeepersShopkeeperAlso listed as a baker.P16 pp.764, 772
Haynes, JohnBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.765
Heal, ThomasBakersBaker P16 p.764
Heal, WilliamBakersBaker P16 p.764
Hodge, CharlesBeer retailersBeer retailer P16 p.764
Hodges, G. P.FarmersFarmer P16 p.769
Hodson, Rev. G. F.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingAlso appears as curate of St Michael Church in the hundred of North Petherton.P16 pp.761, 763
Hunt, WilliamBlacksmithsBlacksmith P16 p.765
Hurman, R.FarmersFarmer P16 p.769
Irish, EliBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.765
Jeanes, JohnTailorsTailor P16 p.773
Jones, J. W.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.763
Leversage, MissSchoolsLadies’ schoolMarked with the source symbol indicating that boarders were taken.P16 p.772
Mulford, PhilipBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.765
Owens, GeorgeBeer retailersBeer retailer P16 p.765
Painter, JohnChemists, druggists, stationers, and chinaChemist and druggist; stationerThe entry reads: Painter, John (and stationer).P16 p.767
Perkins, CharlesBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.765
Phillips, RobertShopkeepersShopkeeper P16 p.772
Pleass, JamesCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter P16 p.767
Preece, SimeonTailorsTailor P16 p.773
Pursey, GeorgeSaddle and harness makersSaddle and harness maker P16 p.772
Reed, P. O. H.SolicitorsSolicitor P16 p.772
Richards, HenryBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.765
Richards, RichardBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.766
Ridge, JamesCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter; wheelwright alsoMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.767
Robinson, Rev. J. W.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsVicar/incumbent; clergy/gentry listingIncumbent of the vicarage of St Mary, North Petherton.P16 pp.760, 764
Rogers, JamesButchersButcher P16 p.766
Rogers, JohnButchersButcher P16 p.766
Shields, Rev. J. W.Clergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.764
Slocombe, CharlesCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter P16 p.767
Slocombe, WilliamBasket makersBasket makerAlso listed as a beer retailer.P16 pp.764-765
Slocombe, WilliamBeer retailersBeer retailerAlso listed as a basket maker.P16 pp.764-765
Starkey, AnthonyClergy, gentry, and named residentsClergy/Gentry listingName as printed.P16 p.764
Starkey, ThomasBrewersBrewer P16 p.766
Sutton, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.770
Tazer, WilliamBakersBakerSpelling transcribed as printed.P16 p.764
Tilsley, Nelson HoratioSurgeonSurgeon P16 p.772
Townsend, HenryCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenterAlso listed as a shopkeeper.P16 pp.767, 772
Townsend, HenryShopkeepersShopkeeperAlso listed as a carpenter.P16 pp.767, 772
Tucker, J.BakersBaker P16 p.764
Tucker, JohnGrocersGrocer P16 p.771
Tyler, W.FarmersFarmer P16 p.770
Veals, JamesPainters, plumbers, and glaziersPainter, plumber, and glazier P16 p.772
Vearncombe, CharlesTailorsTailor P16 p.773
Warner, JohnBasket makersBasket maker P16 p.764
Warner, L.BakersBaker P16 p.764
Warner, StephenTailorsTailor P16 p.773
Williams, J.FarmersFarmer P16 p.770
Williams, JohnCarpenters and wheelwrightsCarpenter; wheelwright alsoMarked with the source symbol for wheelwright also.P16 p.767
Williams, RichardBoot and shoe makersBoot and shoe maker P16 p.766
Williams, W. F.GrocersGrocer P16 p.771
Wright, CharlotteBeer retailersBeer retailer P16 p.765
Yeandle, JohnShopkeepersShopkeeper P16 p.772