I received the recent note from Chris Ward – a cousin in Australia, and did a little digging on Crewkerne, and found the following (below) from 1850. There are quite a few Stembridges mentioned.
G’day David,
I don’t recall getting the message from Peter Hammett!! I haven’t established the STEMBRIDGE roots back in Bridport although undoubtedly they originated in Crewkerne in Somerset. I did find some reference to some old research done in the United States in the 1950s which suggested there were only two brothers but it was too difficult for me to pursue the story from this side of the world. I have recently seen a note that Kindness BREEDLOVE was born ca 1767 and died ca 1808 and married William STEMBRIDGE Jr. on January 22, 1785.
Chris
HUNT & CO.S 1850 DIRECTORY & TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN OF CREWKERNE. in all places, where there are objects worthy of detail or observation, there should be a short printed Directory, for the use of the stranger. Dr.Johnson.
Is a parish and market town in the hundred of its name, which is derived from a Saxon word, signifying the Cottage on the Cross, it is 10 miles S.W. by S. from Ilchester and 132 W.S.W. from London.; within these last few years it is considerably improved, a handsome building, Stuckeys bank, a National School, and other new houses have been added, and more are in progress. It is a compact, well-built place, reposing in a valley, sheltered on all sides by verdant and richly cultivated hills; from these eminences the varied prospects that meet the eye are delightful and beautiful in the extreme; on Rana Hill, westward of Crewkerne, there formerly stood an ancient chapel, which contained the bones of St. Ranus; and at Haselbury, a celebrated recluse, named Wulfric, led a life of penance and great abstinence, inhabiting a small cave, and clothing himself in a raiment of finely wrought iron; he was visited by many distinguished personages of that time, amongst whom were Henry I. and Stephen. The church, which is cruciform, is of great beauty, its fine gothic proportions, with its elaborately wrought window-frames, and a handsome tower rising from the centre are beautifully detailed, part of the building is surrounded by lofty trees which add considerably to its effect;the living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Winchester; there are also chapels for Baptists and Wesleyans. A grammar-school is established here which is very ably conducted; the manufactures are principally girth web, hemp and tow spinning, and rope and twine making,which are carried on to a considerably extent, and employ a great number of hands, a literary and scientific institution has lately been established here with apparent benefit and success; The market-days are Saturdays, and there are great Spring markets for sheep, lambs, &c. in April and May; a fair is held annually on the first of September. In the neighbourhood of the town is Hinton House, the seat of the Earl Poulett, and near the church were formerly the remains of an abbey, but they have been lately removed and a modern building is now erected on its site. At the census taken in 1841, the population of Crewkerne amounted to 4414.
Post-office, East street. Post Master, John Budge. Letters are delivered daily, from London, Bristol, Birmingham, and the north, at 8 a.m. From Bridport, Beaminster and the East at 9 a.m. From Bridport and Beaminster, at 5 30 p.m.
Despatches for Bridport and Beaminster at 7 a.m.; for Bridport, Beaminster, and the east at 4 30 p.m., and for London, Bristol, Birmingham, and the north at 5 20 p.m. Box closes for Bridport, Beaminster, and the east at 4 20 p.m., and for London, Bristol, Birmingham, and the North at 4 40 p.m., but letters may be posted by affixing an additional stamp until within 5 minutes of the despatches.
Money Orders are granted and paid daily ( Sundays excepted ) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
| Nobility, Gentry, & Clergy.
Ayre Rev. Joseph Watson, Parsonage Auctioneers and Appraisers. Patch John, Abbey street Bakers. Fry Thomas, West street Banks. Stuckeys Banking Company, Sheep market street; manager, Loveridge Chas. Warre; Basket Makers. Holt Henry, North street Beer Retailers. Collard James, West street Blacksmiths. Blake Chas. Wm. East street Booksellers, Bookbinders, Stationers, & Printers. Clark Thos, Fred. Sheep market street Boot & Shoe Makers. Bishop George, Church street Brewers & Maltsters. Budge Edwd. & Standfield William Thos. & Co. Hermitage Brewery Cabinet Makers. Bishop Eli, Sheep market street Carpenters. Bishop John, Gouldsbrook terrace Chemists and Druggists. Galpin Walter, Market place Chimney Sweepers. Hunt John, Hermitage street China, Glass, &c. Dealers. Jefferies Christiana, Market place Coopers. Bartlett William, Tower hill Curriers. Adam John, Goulds square Fire & Life Assurance Agents. Atlas ( F.&L.) Templeman and Son, Church street |
Flax and Tow Spinners.
Mathews Thomas, and Mathews Thomas, jun. Popels Well Girth Web Maufacturers. Bird Robert, South street Grocers and Tea Dealers. Budge John, East street Grocery and Sundries Dealers in. Eyres James, East street Hair Cutters. Howe Samuel, Church street Inns and Public Houses. Antelope, North st. Gusney John Ironfounder. Hayward Giles ( and agricultural implement manufactr), East st Ironmongers. Ewens Wm. Sheepmarket street Linen and Woollen Drapers. Bicknell Wm.Cox, Market place Millers. Brice Charles, Dinnington mills Milliners and Dressmakers. March Elizabeth, North street Nursery and Seedsman. Chard James, Haselbury Painters. Howe Geo. (& gilder) Church st Plasterers and Tilers. Hillard Charles ( plasterer only) , East street Plumbers and Glaziers. Munford Jas. (& painter) South st Rope & Twine Manufacturers. England George, Haselbury Saddle and Harness Makers. Clarke Sealey, Crewkerne Sail and Cloth Manufacturers. Ford Isaac, West Chinnock Schools. Bull Charles, West street |
Solicitors.
Hussey John, Abbey house Stay Makers. Bull Ann, West street Stone Masons. Bull Humphrey, West street Straw Hat Makers. Gange Christiana, Hermitage st Surgeons. Bowdage Emanuel, Abbey street Tailors. Bicknell Wm. Cox, & Martin Charles (& general outfitters), Market place TurnersWood. March John, North street Watch & Clock Makers. Clarke Thos. Fredk. Sheepmarket street Wheelwrights. Collard James, West street Wine and Spirit Merchants. Galpin Walter, Market place Wire Sieve Makers. Paull Henry, South street Miscellaneous. Architect, Allen James Mountford, Crewkerne Law and Public Officers. Hussey John, clerk to the commissioners of the Crewkerne turnpike roads, Abbey house. Public Buildings, Offices, &c. Alms Houses,West street, for aged people of both sexes. coachesto Bridport.Royal Mail, from the George hotel, daily, at 4 30 p.m. waggonsto Bridport and Bristol.Ford & Co., from the Swan inn, Tues. Thurs. and Sat. at 9 a.m. |
Hi!
I was researching some family history, as I am thinking of visiting the Stembridge village next year, and saw you site whilst browsing, so thought I would say a quick hello, and if you are interested I can share with you what I know. Have you had any contact with any Stembridge’s in the UK? I have been to Crewkerne for an extended family meeting, there was a Stembridge (I think David) who had put together all the research he had done on the various Somerset lines and there whereabouts now. I could get his details if you are interested in the UK genealogy? I heard we are decendents of cider makers – Agnes Stembridge saving the apple orchard from her drunken & sheep stealing brothers and turning it into a successful cider orchard – hence the Stembridge cider apple & very popular Dry Blackthorn Cider made down Stembridge lane! I would need to check with my Dad to verify that tale – I heard it when I was young.
Love from a Surrey Stembridge
Hey Polly,
thank you so much for the note. Please do share any information you have, if you’d like to forward as an email send it here.
I have had a little contact with some UK Stembridges; but not a bunch. We generally trace roots back to the 3 Stembridge Brothers from mid 1740s…. and that’s about as far as we get.
That is a very cool story about Agnes. You know there are Apple Grower Stembridges in North Georgia, in Ellijay? This is my “great” uncle Joel, who moved there in 1916 due to health issues. His son Gene took over the business, and it is called Panorama Orchards (find it here) There are at least 3 varieties of apples with the Stembridge name.
Looks like there are several in the UK as well.
Where are you located?
Thanks! David
I am also researching the UK Stembridges – my husband is descended from John Stembridge/ Sarah Burres. I’d love to be able to document what I was given for John’s ancestors… I have information back to a Peter (d. 1604) married to an Agnes, but it has not been confirmed. I’d be glad to share with either of you. Leah
Hello all, my partner is a descendant of John Stembridge born in Bradpole. He married Mary Gayford Gillingham (from Beaminster), and they had about 5 children, one being Evelyn Stembridge. Evelyn married William (Bill) Smith who had my partners mother in the late 1920’s in Portsmouth Hampshire, as he was in the navy. The family moved to Fleet in Hampshire, Bll died about 1937, but Mary Gayford was the last person to be in Fleet/Church Crookham with the surname. Mary Gayford was buried 5/6/1950 at the age of 73 at Church Crookham church, as were many of the Smith family (Bill’s parents and siblings). Hope this is of use to you, I have also been studying the name from both Bridport and Crewkerne, many of the family are related to the early 20th century Coal Merchant in South Street, Bridport. Recently I have even proved the Stembridge couple from my parents town, Camberley, in Surrey, were descended from the Dorset branch by way of a generation from Kent. The 1940’s parents of the school admission register for York Town, Camberley, lived at 91 Frimley Road. I spotted the early 20th century gent as a painter/decorator and thought I was on the wrong track, because he came from Kent. His widowed mother came from Dorset. Could anyone tell me why John’s World War 1 record states his name as John Davidson Stembridge. I have found no association to a Davidson family but know he is my John Stembridge.
I am researching my Stembridge roots. I am descended from John Stembridge/ Sarah Burres, but have not been able to rogress th line much further beyond that. Any information you could send would be appreciated. I see Leah had traced that branch back to Peter and Agnes. I’d love to see that.
Derek – It’s been a while since I looked at it but would love to send you what I have. I wish we could share Email addresses here! :(. I am on Facebook!
Leah
Derek – I am on Facebook!
Leah
Lee, you may share your email here, also your FB profile. I’m very interested in seeing what you have as well!
My email is stembridge@gmail.com
Thanks! David Stembridge
I have not done any research recently, so am still unsure where the Davidson name came from. I have John’s service book which is extremely interesting, showing him moving from South Africa to India somewhere around 1894 I believe. My now wife (partner 6 years ago), Sue, was born in 1950 by which time her parents were in Aldershot, Hampshire, her mother (Sheila) having been born in Portsmouth in the late 1920’s. Sheila’s mother Evelyn, was born a twin in 1905, at Portland, Dorset, when Evelyn’s father was in the Hussars, I believe, in South Africa, or that may have been at the time of John & Mary’s first-born, Theophilus (AKA Phil), who in later years started a building business in Yeovil, Somerset.