Prior to our first meeting Margaret provided me with copies of a number of nineteenth century family documents, the details of which provided the all important evidence that our two families were directly related. This presented me with the much needed information regarding the origins of my ancestor Robert Trevett, who had arrived in London abt.1800. The documents also promoted the idea that the family was from Huguenot stock.

The focus of the research, based on the information provided, was therefore to establish the French origins of the Trevett family and to resurrect a search, pursued by Margaret’s father in 1945, for two family chests. These chests had once held the few possessions that represented all that remained of the past lives of the young Huguenot Trevett family that had struggled ashore on the southern coastline of England from the South of France sometime during 1715.

The key document provided by Margaret contained a typed copy of memoirs prepared by Robert Trevett, and later by his son Isaac, which were found in a note book currently held by the family. The memoirs provide an invaluable insight into Margaret’s ancestors over much of the nineteenth century, detailing members of the family and their lives in West Dorset. The papers are duplicated at Annex 1 to this report, and it is recommended that they be read at this point. In addition I have provided at Annex 2 an elaborated version of these details encompassing the results of personal research into the family, including a number of supporting images.

It is not my intention to offer further comment on the information provided other than highlight the references that carry the evidence of association between Margaret and my family. The first example is provided by Robert who commented that in 1836 he had made a trip to London; whilst there he stayed with his Uncle who ‘kept a lot of buses and horses’. That would have been

Robert Trevett who, with his son John, ran an omnibus business basewd in the Paddington area of North London.

The second key reference is provided by son Isaac who records that in January 1855 his father took him to London. Whilst there they went to visit his father’s cousins in St John’s Wood. This would have been to John Trevett who had taken over the running of the family omnibus business after his father’s death ten years earlier; John and his family lived in a large detached house in Warwick Ave, St John’s Wood.

This information provided the much welcomed key that opened the door to the next stage of research into my own family; a door that had been locked for the previous five years. It provided me with the lead to the origins of my 3 x great grandfather Robert Trevett, the brother of Margaret’s direct ancestor Daniel. (the parish register for Netherbury, Dorset, records Robert’s baptism as 26 July 1782, and his father as John Trevett, a carpenter and wheelwright of Netherbury).

The memoirs of Robert and son Isaac weren’t the only written materials with origins in the 19^th century that had been passed on to Margaret by her family. The additional material, primarily in the form of extracts from a memorial of John Deane Freeman written by his daughter, was key in encouraging my detailed research into the Freeman family.

The memorial is copied at Annex 3 and again I would advise that it be referred to for the detail. In essence it is providing a link between the family of Samuel Trevett and the Freemans through the marriage of his daughter Sarah to Joseph Freeman on 22 July 1792. In addition it referred to Samuel’s Huguenot origins and to the continued existence of a chest that was originally used by Samuel’s parents in their flight from France in 1715. However, it needs to be emphasised that, as can be seen, the written details fail to provide any defined link to Margaret’s family. How, therefore, did the Freeman material come into their possession; the implications of which do encourage a suggestion of an association?

Included with John Freeman’s memorial is a covering letter (also at Annex 3) from a G. Herriot to Isaac Trevett (Margaret’s great grandfather) written in 1909. Mr Herriott had been employed by the Duchy of Cornwall as a Land Steward from 1865 to 1899 whilst living at the Duchy’s HQ of Lostwithiel, near Fowey, Cornwall. It is known that the Freeman family was a major quarrier of stone on the Duchy lands in the West Country and therefore it is more than conceivable that Mr Herriot and John Freeman had struck up their apparent close friendship initially through official contacts. Mr Herriot’s links with Isaac Trevett appeared more formal, and again initial contact was probably encouraged through his official capacity as an officer of the Duchy.

In providing Isaac with the ‘John Freeman’ memorial Mr Harriott was explicitly encouraging the view that Samuel Trevett was an ancestor. However, no evidence is provided to support such a hypothesis. In later years Margaret’s aunt undertook research in order to elaborate on the genealogical information contained in the material thus perpetuating the family tradition that had been adopted by Isaac.

So, having experienced a five year drought in my efforts to advance my family research beyond 1800 I was suddenly provided with evidence of the origins of my earliest known ancestor Robert Trevett, together with an associated detailed family history of his previously unknown brother Daniel. A most thrilling experience.

However, there was more. From the same source I had been provided with information that suggested a direct family association with Samuel Trevett and with that his Huguenot origins. I will admit to having accepted the link as ‘fact’ and with that the prognosis that by researching ‘Samuel’ I would be advancing my knowledge of my direct ancestors. This was to spark a three year comprehensive research of the Freeman family, with Sarah nee Trevett and Joseph Freeman at the hub.

It is not my intention to draw together the wealth of information accrued from my Freeman research; however, I felt it appropriate to recount the results of my quest for the Trevett family chest referred to in the John Freeman memorial mentioned above. These findings are contained in a report prepared in 1997, at a time when I was still committed to the view that Samuel was a direct ancestor. The report has been copied at Annex 4.

More recent research has revealed that Sarah Trevett was born to Susan and Samuel Trevett in Hoxton (Hackney), East London, in about 1771. Despite exhaustive research of Huguenot records, both in the UK and in France, I have been unable to find any trace of Samuel’s life before 1771, and with that details of his parents. This does raise the question as to the authenticity of the Huguenot claim made by Samuel Trevett to the Freeman family at the time of his daughter Sarah’s initial association with Joseph Freeman in the 1790’s.

My research into the earlier life of Samuel Trevett, that I began to carry out in earnest during 2000 after managing to pull myself away from the Freeman research, centred around the villages of West Dorset and encouraged the compilation of an exhaustive record of all ‘Trevett’ entries contained within their parish records.

Although unsuccessful in establishing any positive details relating to the illusive Samuel I did unearth evidence that undermined the very foundation of the family tradition that linked us to Huguenot ancestry; the view that had been encouraged almost 100 years earlier by Mr Harriott.

Evidence obtained from parish records and family wills has in fact progressed our family back to the end of the 16^th century, with Robert Trivet of Long Bredy. Aside is a picture of the broken headstone of Robert’s son Robert (Junior) (died 1708) resting against St Peter’s church, Long Bredy (the headstone is a listed National Monument). The attached ‘Descendants Chart’ for Robert Trivet (see Annex 5) provides the results of my research to date in relation to the Trevett ‘family tree’; the supporting family history has not been copied within this report.

During the earliest days of my research into the Trevett family I could not help but be intrigued by the various accounts written of the descendants of the Trevett families that had arrived on our shores with William the Conqueror in 1066. The families were to hold lands in Somerset, and elsewhere, for the next 400 years or so, holding key posts in the governing of the county/country whilst often maintaining close links with the crown. At that early stage in my research any possibility of a direct link with these Norman families was very much a ‘flight of fancy’.

Recent contact with other researchers of the Trevett family has encouraged me to revisit this early idea of a Norman link, particularly with their suggested evidence of a direct link between the 16^th century Trevetts of Long Bredy and the earlier significant Trevett families of Somerset. Alas there are a number of gaps in the projected family line produced by others, so there is still much to do before any claims to Norman ancestry can be substantiated.

For interest I have attached at Annex 6 a copy of John E Trivett’s web site report ‘THE TRIVETT FAMILY HISTORY 1040 –2000’. This provides a useful insight into the results of his research to date. I am currently untangling the results of my recent research of the early Trevett families of Somerset; once completed I will be looking to prepare a report expanding on John’s information.

From a personal viewpoint my fortuitous association with Margaret Caen generated the much sought after origins of my ancestor Robert Trevett, who had arrived in London with his brother Thomas in about 1800. There was also of course the joy of finding a new ‘cousin’, with Margaret’s ancestor Daniel being the brother of Robert.

The material provided by Margaret ignited a most enjoyable and satisfying three to four year period of research into the Freeman family and the assumed Huguenot origins of our family. As we now know this led us down a blind alley. However, returning to the earliest known facts brought me back on track and from that further research revealed the identification of our earlier ancestors, with Robert Trivet, who died in Long Bredy in 1674, now heading our family tree.

I trust that you find this limited trip into the Trevett family history of interest. I would welcome any additional material that would provide any further insight into Daniel Trevett and his family.

John Trevett** (Carpenter of Netherbury)

Moved to Poorton 1812

Frederick Harden Trevett Olivia Mary Trevett b. 1908 d. 1966

b. Sherborne 1904

d. Twickenham 1949

m. Mary Cornelius 1934 Thomas Trevett Maxwell b. 1946

Margaret E Trevett b. 1936 Patricia Mary Trevett b. 1947

m. S Caen 1959 m. R Bates 1973

Robert Caen b. 1962 Germany

Sharon Caen b. 1968

My mother (Harriett Gale) was the daughter of one John Gale, also a Carpenter of Poorton but her mother, dying while she was quite young, her grandmother took her under her care and brought her up to womanhood. Her grandmother and grandfather, whose name was Philip Shiner, no relation to the said Henry Shiner, being particularly fond of her. It was about this time my father made his appearance at Poorton when an intimacy sprang up and an attachment formed for my mother. Her grandfather, occupying a freehold house and garden, which they intended at their decease to become the property of their daughter.

My father, knowing this and being on friendly terms with the old people thought he would marry my mother and make her home his home, the old people living with them till their decease.

My father then began thinking of starting a little business himself, which he did soon after his marriage. He being a little ingenious at many things in the business, he soon was able to find sufficient to keep himself fully occupied. My mother keeping a little school for children.

In the course of time I made my appearance and almost the first that I have any recollection of is one day being out at play with some of the schoolchildren, I ran fast down the footway in the garden, tripping myself, fell on a flat stone and caused a wound in my cheek bone which I shall carry to my grave, which they told me at the time.

My mother, keeping a small school for children, I had not to leave home for the first rudiments of learning and so year after year passed away, the family almost yearly increasing which number at last sixteen. As I grew up I began to make myself useful in the shops with my father, until I became old enough and strong enough to take a load of tools and accompany my father to the different places, Milton, Hook, Kingcombe Toller, etc. etc. and as my father had not the Smithing business at this time he had to depend on the country Smiths for all he wanted and to take his wheels to their shops for bonding. About this time he took orders for a light cart of Mr Pope of Higher King to make, the wheels being too light to be bonded with strokes he applied to the Smiths near but they had never tyred any before and were not able to undertake it. My father had to take the wheels to the Coach Builders at Dorchester for tyring. When my father came home with the wheels he was surprised to see them engaged at it and began to explain their mode of doing it.

I mention these incidents showing that there has been progress in this as well as most other manufacture.

There was not enough in the business to keep a workman but father took on an Apprentice, one Joseph Sash of Poorton.

After a few years the business began to increase and my father added the Smithing business to the other.

I was about this time about fourteen years of age. I thought it was about time for me to go through a few useful rules in Arithmetic so my father placed me at Powerstock at one Webbers a schoolmaster. Making the best use of the time while there, which was a little over six months, for about this time my father felt disposed to leave Poorton and take up his abode at Melplash.

Taking some building previously occupied for storing ……, no floors, so father

had a plain floor and joint laid for a living room upstairs and another floor to the attic for a sleeping room, so we managed the wood part of the business on the ground floor and had a small rough shop put up in the yard for the Smithy department. I then left the Powerstock school being required at home.

After we began to be a little settled business began to increase a little till a few years passing away we were able to put on several hands. I was always pleased to be full of orders and was particularly struck and interested in the iron department so that in time I took the whole upon me and was enabled to fit up and turn iron axles with tyres, heavy and light tyre wheels without taking them to Dorchester, and any other iron work required.

At last I found I could better employ my time by attending to the business other ways so we took on a Smith regular, any particular things required I managed to attend to and at this time I was not willing many country Smiths should outwork me. Another thing I was pleased to do, namely Letter Signs, wagons, carts etc. – also engrave brass plates.

In 1836 I felt I should like to have a trip to London and as there were not railways, I had to go by stagecoach. I was in London a few weeks and as my Uncle kept a lot of buses and horses running, and build his own, I assisted them in that a little.

On my return from London I was unwilling to return to take up my abode with the family so I took lodging with some quiet people at one of Brown’s cottages, Half Moon for some considerable time, at last I got tired out to sleep. I got father to put up the house which is occupied as the Grocer’s shop. I got two rooms first finished and put up my bed at once, the other room being finished afterwards was let to a labourer. The understanding was that I was to place my time in trade against a share in the business, which never took place.

After a year or two passing my Father came to me one morning saying he should give up the business and have an Auction sale and dispose of the whole stock and that I may take on if I like. He should sell the whole of the premises also.

Of course I was not provided to take off the stock or to purchase the premises as I had received no regular pay from my Father, he told me I must try my friends.

I laid the matter before a friend who had been one of my Father’s best customers. He saw his attorney and laid it before him, he knowing of a person who having a few hundred to place out requested him to do so, as soon as he saw a chance – the money was provided for me on the property and a little over the amount which I expended for the stock as far as it would go on what I bought at the sale, paying for the remainder as money came in.

I then commenced my business with one man, increasing the number as orders came in. After a few years I felt an occasion to remove the mortgage, another person came forward offering to provide the required sum. I was enabled to shorten it by paying a portion myself and so, its being removed, it remained in this person’s hands till his death, which occurred about four years after.

I was then to look out another friend to provide a certain amount for me, being through mercy enable to raise a sum, nearly half myself shortening the interest again as of course there was interest yearly to meet. After three to four years on I was enabled to raise the remaining portion to have the property free.

By strict attention to the business and carrying it in temperance principles, belonging to the Blue Ribbon Army providence providing me with a son (Isaac Orchard Trevett), we have worked it up by Steam Machinery and other accommodation on the premises to a tolerable pitch, my son adding the Implement Branch to the others so that we have employ for from eight to ten hands. The Carriage Department has extended some way abroad we have a good share of custom in that, as the business has gained ground we have added suitably to the building so that we have just room and accommodation for all branches of the trade and, to use the words of an old friend visiting here lately (6 January 1882), he said "You have everything you require."

Truly we may use the words of the Psalmist and say "Goodness and Mercy has followed us all our days."

I am sure the Almighty has favoured me many ways and have many of my fellow beings.

In looking back over the past there may be some instances in a person’s life not altogether uninteresting. I may here state a circumstance or two in my experience, one for instance just as I had commenced the business, my Father who owned some premises at the upper end of Melplash, let a house to a person who was anxious to open a Beer House. Old Mr Brockland, the Vicar of Netherbury, hearing of it came over and told me I must use my influence to stop it or he would influence those customers who had promised me their order to withhold their favours. I called on him and told him it was my Father’s business but he said you must put a stop to it. I waited on his Steward and Attorney and told him of it, but he being on my side told me he would take care of that he should not do it.

This Steward and his son, both Attorneys, were I Fox esq. and S Fox esq. staunch supporters of me, his son, having considerable practice, brought me continual orders so that I very much took them at their oath. However, I did stop the opening of the Beer House as I should have felt the evil most from the men leaving their work.

Some time about the middle of 1854 I had to undertake a Funeral from Waytown to Evershot. We got over all right but on returning, the Mourning Coach, which contained two gentlemen mourners, drove before the Hearse a little distance, I rode my horse next, and the Hearse and pair came behind.

In coming down Hackthorn Hill I hear something coming rather fast behind me – I had only time to rise into a gateway before the Hearse and pair taking fright came crash into the Mourning Coach which contained the two gentlemen mourners. The pole of the Hearse went right into the hind panel of the Mourning Coach just opposite one of the gentlemen’s heads turning the carriage into the hedge, killing one horse on the spot, the gentleman coming through the side window unhurt, frightened at what had occurred, smashing one carriage and killing one horse on the spot.’

I, Isaac Orchard Trevett, son of Robert Trevett, will add a little to my father’s Life Story. I was born in Malplash, May 24^th 1842. My Mother was Hannah Orchard, only daughter of Isaac and Susan Orchard of Gerrants and Monkwood.

My first schooldays were spent at Miss Harriet Brown’s at Netherbury, who lived with her Father and Mother at a cottage at the bottom of Tower Hill, Netherbury, and which at this date (March 10^th 1919) and knocker on the door has "H Brown" engraved in it. I was at school there till I was 9 years old. Then I went to a Mr Houre’s at Beaminster and was there two years. Mr Houre died and then I went to the ‘Netherbury Grammar School’ under the Head Mastership of Edward Ludlam. I was there till Xmas 1857 when I left for good, having been head boy of the school for the last year.

My father gave me a month’s holiday and then I went into the Workshops to learn all branches of the trade. Whilst at the Netherbury Grammar School in January 1855 my father took me to London which to me was a most interesting journey. We drove with our pony and gig to Dorchester, 18 miles, which at that time was the nearest railway station, took tickets for Brockenhurst and then went into Lymington to see an old friend of my fathers. Slept there that night and next morning rode into Brockenhurst and took tickets for Waterloo. Arriving Southampton we were ordered to get out because we had only 3^rd class tickets, had we first or second we could have gone on but had to wait three hours. A gentleman in the same carriage also had a 3^rd class ticket and being a Mercantile Captain offered to take us to into the Docks to see the big shipping, which he did and it was a big treat to me, having only small shipping at Bridport Harbour.

We arrived at Waterloo at 6p.m. a long journey. When walked to our lodgings at ‘Dolty’s Guest House’, Queen’s Head Passage, Paternoster Row. We were there a week of more and father took me to some interesting places, St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, The Zoo, British Museum, Thames Tunnel and the Tower. On the Sunday we walked all the way to St John’s Wood to see my father’s cousins and then bus back as I was too tired to walk.

We returned home safely being at Dorchester by Tom Frampton, our stable man, with pony and gig.

On my 21^st birthday I took a leading part in the business which was carried on under the name of ‘R & I C Trevett’. My father, being a most energetic and highly-strung nervous man, overworked himself and broke down with a severe attack of ‘Monomania’ at the age of 62 and I had to take whole charge of the business. He passed away aged 72. I carried on the business will 1889 when my brother-in-law, Tom Harden, who had an Ironmongery business at Sherbourne was taken ill and died. Mr Harden, his father, (and my wife’s) handed over the business to me to sell, but did not wish to do it. I carried it on in conjunction with my Melplash business for 18 months and then by Mr Harden’s consent, I disposed of the Melplash business to two of my workmen, Mr Thomas Cozens and Mr Chas Crew, and came to live at Sherbourne.

My son, Fred, on leaving school came into the business practically as an apprentice, then went to Bridgwater for further experience, then to Croydon with Hammond and Hussey. Then home to take his place as Partner and we traded under the name of ‘Harden, Trevett & Son’ till Xmas 1917 when I retired and Fred became sole proprietor.

FAMILY BIOGRAPHIES

As mentioned above, Daniel left his home village of NETHERBURY in 1812 and moved to POORTON where he found work as a carpenter with Harry Spenner. He soon met Harriett Gale (daughter of John Gale) and married her on 6 January 1813 in Poorton. Daniel inherited a freehold house and garden from Harriett’s grandfather Philip Shiner. The couple moved into the house once they were married, living with Harriett’s grandparents.

Daniel and Harriett had 16 children.

Harriett kept a small school for the children of the village. Daniel set up his own business as a carpenter, apparently visiting the surrounding villages e.g. Milton, Hook, Kingcombe Toller, to undertake work. In 1827 Daniel extended the business to include smithing.

In about 1828 Daniel moved his family to MELPLASH where he transferred his carpenter/smithy business (see aside). The business demanded that he remove his eldest son ROBERT from his schooling in Powerstock in order for him to join him. Robert focused primarily on the smithy part of the business, which continued to flourish and soon required the need for additional hands.

In about 1840 Daniel decided to give up his business, which he agreed to sell to his son Robert, who had to obtain financial backing in order to purchase the business and associated stock.

We also learn that in about 1840 Daniel also owned property at the upper end of Melplash, which he let to a man who was keen to open it as a beer house. This was opposed by the vicar of Netherbury, Mr Brockland who sought the support of Daniel’s son Robert, a man of temperance principles, to stop the opening of the beer house. This he succeeded in doing.

Daniel died 12 September 1852 and buried in the local church of Christ Church, where the head stone can still be seen (se aside).

Before progressing on to Daniel’s eldest son Robert we will just pick up a few snippets of information about one of Daniel’s younger sons, Daniel junior.

The 1881 census shows Daniel, his wife Elizabeth and daughter Mary Jane living at Melplash Farm, with Daniel working as a Coach Builder. Although no mention is made of Daniel in the memoirs of either Robert or his son Isaac it is evident that Daniel is sharing the Trevett family home with his brother and his nephew and is working as a coach builder, possibly in the family business but not as an equal partner.

At this time Daniel junior’s only son Henry is working as a grocers assistant in Melcombe Regis.

At the time of his death in 1911 Daniel is shown to be the owner of several properties i.e. two cottages in Melplash and three cottages in Hogshill Street, Beaminster (see picture). Son Henry at this time is living at 67 Devizes Road, Salisbury.

Robert, the eldest son of Daniel and Harriett Trevett, was born in Poorton on 27 October 1813.

Robert gained his basic education from his mother at the local school she ran for the children of the village. At 14 years of age he was sent to school in Powerstock, where Mr Webbers was schoolmaster.

In about 1828, at the age of 15, Robert left school to join his father’s carpenter/smithy business full time, having been helping out regularly in the workshop for some years. It was about also this time that Robert’s father moved his home and business from Poorton to Melplash.

We learn from the memoirs that in 1836 Robert took a trip to London. He remained there for a few weeks ‘assisting his uncle who kept a lot of buses and horses’. [I have taken this to refer to his Uncle Robert Trevett, an Omnibus Proprietor of Paddington].

On his return from London Robert decided to leave home, and initially went to live in lodgings at the Half Moon, Melplash (see aside) where he stayed for some considerable time. He then moved to a house in the village that had been used as a grocer’s shop and which appears to have been owned by his father.

In about 1840 Robert purchased, with the help of a mortgage, the family business from his father. He commenced the business with one man, increasing the number as orders came in.

I assume that it was about this time that Robert married Hannah, the daughter of Isaac and Susan Orchard of Gerrants and Monkwood. Their first, and I assume only, child Isaac Orchard was born on 24 May 1842.

The business continues to expand, becoming more and more mechanised. In time the firm gains a reputation of providing all aspects of the carpenter/smithy trade, operating primarily as carriage builders. Eventually the business employed some eight to ten hands.

Robert lived his life on temperance principles, belonging to the Blue Ribbon Army*. He was a most energetic and highly-strung, nervous man. Unfortunately his efforts to ensure the continued success of his business took a toll on his health; at the age of 62 Robert broke down with a severe attack of ‘Monomania’. The management of the business now rested solely with his son Isaac, although the 1881 census still shows Robert as ‘Coach Builder’ with his brother Daniel operating also as a ‘Coach Builder’ from the same address i.e. Malplash Farm. Robert died at the age of 72.

NB: An extract from the Illustrated English Social History Vol iv by G M Trevelyan. "Another movement, analogous to the Salvation Army in its combination of religious and social motive, was Total Abstinence or ‘Teetotalism’. Drunkenness and excessive expenditure on drink constituted one of the major evils of city life, one of the chief causes of crime and the ruin of families, especially since spirits had largely taken the place of beer.

In the years that followed, an organised and largely successful attack was made on the drinking habits of all classes by the Blue Ribbon Army; takers of the total abstinence pledge wore the blue ribbon on their breasts, to pledge them in the face of the world to keep their promise. In the seventies the Temperance party, especially strong amongst the Nonconformists, became a force in Liberal politics; but there was an element of fanaticism in their legislative proposals to suppress the drink traffic, that long postponed more practical measures. The movement provoked the better led activities of the drink interest; the brewing companies were backed by a great army of shareholders, and in the last decade of the 19^th Century they captured the Conservative Party, with whom after 1886 the government of the country principally lay.

Although strong amongst the Nonconformists all religious bodies promoted the Temperance movement. In 1909 the Church of England Temperance Society contained 639,233 members. Of these 114,444 were pledged to ‘total abstinence’, and as many as 486,888 were juvenile members. For it was regular policy of Temperance Societies to enlist children before they acquired the taste for drink.

Isaac, the son of Robert and Hannah Trevett, was born in MELPLASH on 24 May 1842.

Isaac’s first school days were spent at Miss Harriet Brown’s, Netherbury, who lived with her mother and father in the cottage at the bottom of Tower Hill, Netherbury. He was at school there ‘till he was 9 years old. Isaac then went to Mr Houre’s at Beaminster where he was to remain for two years, at which stage Mr Houre died and Isaac moved to the Netherbury Grammar School (see picture), under the head mastership of Mr Edward Ludlum. He was there ‘till Christmas 1857 when he left for good, having been head boy at the school for his final year. After leaving school Isaac joined his father in the family business.

In January 1855 Isaac went with his father to London. They stayed a few weeks at Dolty’s Guest House, Queen’s Head Passage, Paternoster Row. Whilst there they visited his father’s cousin in St John’s Wood. [I have taken this to be John Trevett, District manager with LGOC at Iron Wharf, Paddington].

On his 21^st birthday Isaac took a leading part in the family business of R & IO Trevett. Isaac took over the running of the business after his father’s break down in 1875. An 1880 Trade Directory carries an entry for the Company i.e. Robert & Isaac Trevett, Coach & Carriage Builders, that suggested an expansion at some stage to Bere Regis. As mentioned previously the 1881 Census shows Isaac still living at Melplash Farm with is father and Uncle Daniel

Isaac carried on in the family coach building business ‘till 1889 when his brother-in-law, Tom Harden, who had an Ironmonger’s business in Sherbourne, was taken ill and died. Tom Harden’s father handed over the business to Isaac to sell; which he chose not to do and for the next 18 months he took on the responsibility for the running of both businesses. At this time he chose to leave the family coach builders at Melplash, and he sold the business to two of his workmen, Thomas Cozens and Chas Crew. Isaac then moved to SHERBOURNE to concentrate on the running of the Ironmonger’s business.

In 1909 Isaac and his family were living at Elmdene, South Street, Sherbourne (see aside), situated just yards from the family business. It is known that the house was built in 1897; I wonder whether Isaac and his family were the first residents? Later, possibly following Isaac’s death in 1925, the house was used as a hotel and then since 1931 as a boarding house for the Sherbourne School. It was renamed ‘Wallace House’ after the Very Reverend Alexander Ross Wallace, who was headmaster at Sherbourne School from 1934 to 1950.

Isaac was to be joined in the business by his son Fred, who took over the business following Isaac’s retirement at Christmas 1917.

Frederick was born 25 August 1876 to Isaac and Emma Trevett at MELPLASH [the 1881 census suggests that Frederick was in fact born at Netherbury, as was his sister Alice]. In about 1891 the family moved to SHERBOURNE when his father opted to concentrate on the running of his Ironmonger’s business, previously owned by his brother-in-law.

After leaving school Fred went into the Ironmongers business as an apprentice, then went to Bridgewater for further experience and then onto Croydon with Hammond and Hussey. He then returned home to take his place as partner in the business, which then traded under the name of Harden, Trevett & Son (see aside). Fred became the sole proprietor when his father, Isaac retired in 1917; this coincided with the death of Fred’s first wife Fanny.

The business became a limited company in 1926, trading as Harden, Trevett & Son Ltd, Ironmongers, Hardware and General Merchants operating from South Street, Sherbourne.

The directors at this time were Frederick Isaac Trevett, who was living at Thornford Cottage, Thornford, Sherbourne; and George Charles Brooks, a Hardware Merchant of Picton House, Greenhill, Sherbourne. The shares were allocated to Frederick (2001), his second wife Annie Louise (197), and to George Brooks (501).

On 30 June 1936 Annie Louise took over the directorship of the company from George Brooks, and in 1939 she and husband Frederick moved their home to domestic premises above the shop on South Street.

We next learn that Frederick died 2 June 1943, and on 25 August 1943 Mary Trevett of South Street was appointed a Director. I’m unsure as to Mary’s relationship with Frederick. The company was put into voluntary liquidation on 15 September 1943.

During his lifetime in Sherbourne Fred was an active member of the Sherbourne Cricket Club, and during the 1920’s he captained them to various successes. He was also known to have been a keen motorist, owning one of the first cars in Sherbourne.

From information contained in excerpts from the memoirs of John Deane Freeman – dates etc. checked at Somerset House (after 1838) Bunhill Fields and records in the Guildhall Library. (this research was undertaken by relative of Margaret Caen)

Sarah Trevett b. 1771

William Freeman John Freeman Alice Freeman b 1804

d. 1874,

Wandsworth

(London Classified Directory 1836

gives William & John Freeman,

Stone Merchants, 27 Millbank,

Westminster)

Excerpts from the memorial of the late John Deane Freeman, Granite Merchant of Penryn, Falmouth & London etc. written by his daughter.

‘My father was born at 54 Millbank Street, Westminster on Sept. 19^th 1824. His father was descended from an old Yorkshire family and inherited much of that firmness and strength of character natural to that County. My father always rejoiced in being able to own himself of Huguenot descent and some years ago gathered together all available information in reference to it. In answer to enquiries he had the following from his Uncle William

From his Aunt Alice Freeman

At the death of his Aunt in 1874 my Father received a large oak box being one of two that had the few possessions that the Trevetts were able to smuggle out of France at the time of their flight to England. His Grandmother, Sarah Trevett, was married July 2^nd 1792 to Joseph Freeman when her Father, Samuel Trevett, was present. They are both buried in Bunhill Fields and the inscription on the headstone is –

In a lecture at Falmouth my father said –

COPY of letter enclosing above extract. Addressed to Isaac Trevett esq. Elm Dene, Sherbourne, Dorset.

17 Churchfield Road, E

4^th July 1909

Dear Mr Trevett

The memorials of my friend J D Freeman were lent to me the other day and Mrs Jones had a peep into the Book; on seeing the reference to the Huguenots and the Trevett family, she said she was sure the reference would interest you to read; therefore having much leisure I have copied out all relating to the subject and now beg to enclose it to you in case you may not have a like record of your ancestors. Mrs Jones said you had been talking to the Huguenots when here and no doubt you have read all about them ere now although I must say it is all new to me.

Trusting you and yours are all well and with kindest regards, in which all here join,

Believe me

Yours sincerely

G Herriot (signed)

It needs to be borne in mind that the following report was prepared in 1997 at a time when I was convinced that Samuel Trevett was my ancestor, and that therefore I was related to the Freeman family.

Brian Trevette

In 1715 a young Huguenot couple named Trevett arrived in Plymouth, together with their four year old son Samuel, having arrived by ship from Bordeaux where they had boarded to escape the religious persecution which they were no longer able to endure in their home country of France. The few possessions which they were able to smuggle out of France were carried in two large oak chests, which they bought ashore on their arrival at Plymouth (?).

I trust that the above serves to offer a flavour of the circumstances surrounding the passage of the Trevett Family Chest(s) through the 19th and early 20th centuries, together with the reason for my intense interest in the Freeman family i.e. they were to be my gateway to the Huguenot Chests. During the course of my research of the Freeman family I had recorded a significant amount of information about individuals (some 300) and their various undertakings, particularly their Stone Merchant/Quarrying business. But the primary focus of this letter is supposedly the Trevett family, so my story of the Freemans will have to wait till some future date.

So where were we? Oh yes, in Falmouth in the year 1949 and hot on the trail of the chest. The time gap had certainly shortened from 1873; so much so that I was now becoming even more optimistic that I would in fact succeed in my quest. Armed with the knowledge that we have a Mrs Freeman living in Falmouth in 1949 I researched the wills index at Somerset House. My efforts were rewarded when I discovered the will of Miss Daisy Marion Freeman who died in 1964. So my 'Mrs Freeman' was in fact a 'Miss Freeman' and unbelievably her will made specific reference to 'her Huguenot chest'. The executor of the will was Daisy's nephew John Anthony Deane Freeman c/o Lloyds Bank, Surrey. So we were getting even closer, and a scan of the Surrey telephone directory offered us a J A D Freeman of Shillingford; could this be the one?

You can imagine my excitement when on phoning J A D Freeman I was to find that: yes he was the nephew of Daisy; and, yes he did have the Trevett Family Chest in his possession. I made arrangements to visit John and his wife Pru and found that they lived in an imposing Georgian Mansion that had once been the home of Lord Winterton. The chest had pride of place in the large dining room amongst an impressive array of other antiques. I have enclosed scans of photographs that I took on that visit; they include the house, the chest and the printed inscription which is placed within a glass frame on the lid of the chest.

I had succeeded in my quest, much to the surprise of many of my family. So what is there left?

I have yet to conclude my research of the Freeman family, which will have to include a journey to Cornwall to visit a Margaret Powell, a direct descendant of Sarah Trevett and Joseph Freeman. Margaret, aged 83, is an author who has undertaken detailed research of the Freeman family in Cornwall; although she has already passed material to me it is evident that her 13th century cottage in Penzance is full of Freeman memorabilia. I am also waiting to hear from John Tonkin, a Cornish art historian who has also researched the Freeman family through their connections with the art world; this includes Margaret Powell's grandfather, the marine artist Charles Napier Hemy RA and her grand aunt Mary Freeman who also exhibited at the RA. By the way, John Freeman's (the present guardian of the chest) wife Pru is the daughter of the French artist Verpilleux. So as you can see there is still more research to do before I close the book on the Freeman family, not least of all is the tracking down the second Trevett Family Chest.