From the journal of Miss Susanah Wellington (1819-1838) of Yeovil, Somersetshire. Her diary includes copies of letters and a record of the last few years of her life.
Susanah’s beautifully neat copperplate writing is still readable after 180 years.
We left the house at the shop early in September 1835 which was the same summer as I left school and commenced teaching.
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Susanah turned sixteen in the summer of 1835, she had finished her schooling and began teaching music lessons in Yeovil with her sister Jane. They taught the pianoforte and most likely music composition, harmony and voice accompaniment.
The latest fashions for young ladies in 1835.
Pigot’s Trade Directory of Somerset 1830 lists George WELLINGTON, – Chymist and Druggist, Borough, Yeovil. Susanah’s father had a chemist shop in the Borough, which was in the centre of the market town. The family must have lived in the second and third storeys above the shop.
A pencil sketch from about 1810 of the Borough, Yeovil by G E Madeley, shows the Shambles on the left and the Market House to the right. George Wellington’s ‘Chymist and Druggist’ shop was situated in the Medical Hall visible behind the old Market House and the sign of the Greyhound Inn on the far right.
Susanah doesn’t tell us where in Yeovil the family moved to in 1835. They probably relocated to a larger house to accommodate their growing family.
Between 1835 and 1845 George WELLINGTON was expanding his business. He was in partnership with his eldest son, George Edwards WELLINGTON, and they opened a second shop in Glastonbury in about 1838. The General Directory for the County of Somerset 1840 lists George WELLINGTON & Son, Chemists & Druggists and also Grocers & Dealers in Sundries, with businesses in High Street, Glastonbury and the Borough, Yeovil.
This 1839 painting of High Street, Yeovil by Henry Burn (1807–1884) shows the Mermaid Inn archway and large overhanging sign on the left. The building on the other side of the street is Granger’s chemist and druggist shop.
The Wellington family relocated to Glastonbury for a few years in the late 1830s. Susanah developed consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis) and died there in June 1838.
The 1841 UK Census records the Wellington family living back in High Street, Yeovil. The household listed George WELLINGTON with six of his children – Jane, Fanny, Rosa, Lucy, Rebecca and Ellen. His wife Elizabeth was vacationing in Weymouth with her ladies maid, and his youngest son Frederick was away at boarding school. Also listed in the household were staff and servants – a druggist’s apprentice, three young shop hands and a ten year old female servant.
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Sources: Susanah Wellington’s Journal, BUCK family collection. You can read more about it here: susanah’s journal – somerset to sydney. Pigot’s Directory – Somersetshire 1830; General Directory for the County of Somerset 1840; UK Census Online; The History of Yeovil’s Pubs by Bob Osborn.
branches of our family 
It’s fun to see what the fashions were like back then. Based on the picture, it looks like hoop skirts may have been in style.
. . . and puffy sleeves and lots of lace (reminds me of a 1980s bridesmaids dress).
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Hi,
Just for info – your “sketch from about 1810 of the Borough” is actually by GE Madeley and dates to 1831. The sign doesn’t read “Grocer Chemist Druggist”, it reads “Granger Chemist Druggist” (email me for a clearer copy). Similarly in the 1839 painting, it doesn’t read “Chemist Grocer Druggist”, it reads “Chemist Granger Druggist”. This was Edward Granger (see http://www.yeovilhistory.info/granger-edward.htm). George Wellington’s premises was the Medical Hall in the Borough – you can see it in the background of the 1810 sketch behind the ‘Greyhound Inn’ sign (see http://www.yeovilhistory.info/medicalhall.htm). For more info on George Wellington see http://www.yeovilhistory.info/wellington-george.htm
Hope this helps.
Regards
Bob Osborn