8Weddings and a Funeral

Eight Weddings and a Funeral

By 1840 there was a small cottage standing on the site of the present Stoke House. It was parallel to Dark Lane and consisted of just two rooms with stairs up to a loft bedroom. When the Poor House (situated astride what is now the front gate of Stoke House) was pulled down, village speculators bought the site and rebuilt Stoke House sometime in the 1860s. When Thomas and Mary Hembrow retired from Frog Lane Farm and moved there, their eight daughters were already married, mostly to sons of other local farmers.

And this is a family reunion at Stoke House. Here are the details of the Eight Weddings:

21st March 1844 Thomas Gent of full age, bachelor, Yeoman of Stoke, son of Thomas Appleby Gent, Yeoman. Married Ann Morris Hembrow, of full age, spinster of Stoke, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Yeoman.

29th August 1844 William Barrington Elworthy, of full age, bachelor, Jeweller of North Curry, son of John Elworthy, Builder. Married Elizabeth Hembrow, of full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Farmer.

6th April 1848 William Burrough of full age, bachelor, Farmer of Chard, son of Richard Burrough, Farmer. Married Mary Jane Hembrow of full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thos Hembrow, Yeoman.

22nd April 1852 Thomas Hembrow, full age, bachelor, Yeoman of Stoke St Gregory, son of William Hembrow, Yeoman. Married Eliza Hembrow, full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Yeoman.4th May 1854 James Small, full age, bachelor, Yeoman of Stoke St Gregory, son of (blank) Small, Yeoman. Married Sophia Hembrow, full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Yeoman.

23rd April 1857 John Keats Southwood, full age, bachelor, Yeoman of North Curry, son of Francis Southwood, Yeoman. Married Emma Hembrow, full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Yeoman.

22nd February 1859 George Hicks, full age, bachelor, Farmer of Chard, son of John Hicks, Farmer. Married Ellen Hembrow, full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, Farmer.

15th February 1866 Thomas Jeanes, full age, bachelor, yeoman of North Curry, son of Thomas Jeanes, yeoman. Married Sarah Hembrow, full age, spinster of Stoke St Gregory, daughter of Thomas Hembrow, yeoman.

WOW!

Outside Stoke House, with its original Somerset Style Porch

Thomas and Mary's children were all brought up at Frog lane Farm, and when the couple retired to Stoke House, their son in law Thomas Jeanes and his wife Sarah took over at Frog Lane. They had six children; Frances, Mary, Thomas, Emily, John and William. Thomas Hembrow, who married Eliza, took over at Slough Court. Their children were Thomas, Isabella, Araminta, Albert and Herbert. By 1911 Herbert was still unmarried but was living in a 7 room house with his sisters, Isabella, unmarried at 50, and Araminta, a 45 year old widow.

And The Funeral . . .

Albert Pipe, willow grower, and his wife Julia (nee Bobbett from Woodhill Farm) had moved to Stoke House from Turkey Cottage. He died there in late 1926 and is funeral was reported in the Taunton Courier: "THE LATE A. G. PIPE. FUNERAL AT STOKE ST. GREGORY. IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE. It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. Albert George Pipe, which occurred last week at his residence, Stoke House, Stoke St. Gregory, after only a short illness, at the age of 62 years. Dr. Moorhead had been in attendance, and recently had been in consultation with another practitioner over the case; but despite all skill and attention, Mr. Pipe gradually sank. Widespread sympathy is felt for Mrs. Pipe and her son in their sad bereavement. Although never taking any active part in village affairs, the deceased was a well known figure, and was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he came in contact. This fact was demonstrated in a striking manner by the large attendance at the funeral on Saturday afternoon, when the remains were laid to rest in the parish churchyard, amidst every manifestation of sympathy and respect. The Rev. W. Price, minister of the Baptist Church, conducted the first portion of the service at the residence, and afterwards officiated at the graveside. The obsequies were completely devoid of ostentation." His wife Julia lived another 26 years.