Walter Bown(1843 – 1910) : Bills Record

A written record of bills paid or of goods purchased. March 4^th 1859

(He would have been 16 years of age at that time.)

Transcript and some Analysis of the written notes:

Grocers Bill.

Mr Walter Bown to Frank Barnstable

Was Walter Bown or his parents carrying on a grocery business in 1859?

Hosiers Bill. (Stockings, gloves, flannel)

Mr Walter Bown bought of Will Hucker.

Mercers Bill. (Silk, satin, flowered silk)

Mr Charles Bown bought of J Solway.

J Solway: John Solway was first listed as a Tailor in Kelly’s in 1866.

There is no record of any Solway in the 1851 Middlezoy census.

In the 1861 Middlezoy census John Solway is listed as draper & tailor, born Othery, aged 42, married to Jane, dressmaker, born Lydford, aged 41.

(This info from Sandra at merice.lippiatt@btinternet.com via the Ancestry Somerset message board on 270406)

In 1880 Charles Bown (65) borrowed £15 from John Solway, putting up the deeds of his house as security.

Hosiers Bill.

Mr F Marshall bought of W Locock.

A William Locock was listed in 1866 Kelly’s Dir as Master at the National School.

No record of any Marshall or Locock in 1851 census.

Drapers Bill. (Fine serge, cloth)

Mr F Bown bought of Walter Bown.

In 1859 Walter Bown was aged 16.

In 1875 Walter Bown(32) was listed in Kelly’s directory as a tailor, Charles Bown(60) his father was listed as a farmer.

Ques: Why was Walter Bown, at age 16, writing out records of bills?

Ques: Was he training to be a tailor?