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Wondering if any one has information on William Cuff (died 1814), my 4th great-grandfather. I've located burial records in Axbridge as well as marriage records. He married Sexa Day (1782-1869) in Axbridge on Feb 25, 1805. He was a resident of Weare at the time of the marriage and a tailor. I'm hoping to find out info about his birthdate (perhaps 1775 or 1779) and where he was born, along with info on his parents.

Any help appreciated - I'll be in England next week for business and hope to make a side trip to Somerset to see were my forefathers emigrated from.

Submitted by on Thu, 22/09/2016 - 18:23

Hi, a William Cuff was my 3x great-grandfather. I believe he was baptised in Banwell in 1800 and was buried there in 1868. He married an Elizabeth ? in 1819 at Chard, she was also buried in Banwell in 1873. Their daughter, Elizabeth, baptised 1831 [Winscombe or Sandford] married my 2x GG John Lancaster in 1851 at Banwell.John was a journey-man butcher.and both he and Elizabeth were Buried in Banwell in 1892 and 1890 respectively.

They had 8 children, Thomas baptised 1860 at Banwell was my GG. He married Elizabeth Denham in 1880 at Bedminster, Bristol.and their son Thomas was my grandfather. Thomas and his two brothers fought in the 2nd World War.

Hope you enjoy your visit to Banwell. The last of my aunties died there recently, two weeks befor her 100th birthday.

I hope to hear from you. Jane from Nottingham

Submitted by on Wed, 23/11/2016 - 18:06

I finally have a moment to report back on my trip to the Axbridge area in early October.

I greatly enjoyed the 2 days that I spent exploring the town and walking in the surrounding Mendips. It is a quite beautiful area. I never made it to Banwell but did spend time in Axbridge, finding 2 buildings in which my ancestors lived in, including the old George Inn, now a antique's shop on the main square. A third building, listed as on the church steps in the 1841 census has been taken down but pictures of it were on display in the local museum. Walking to Cross Peak afforded spectacular views of the country side. It's lovely up there. The church's in Compton Bishop, Axbridge, Shipham, and Rowberrow all held special meaning as I have found various ancestors in all of their archives.

I also greatly enjoyed the little museum in Axbridge in which a display on the old carriage houses helped me to locate the George.

In the display on Axbridge Clockmakers I found that a Robert Cuff was a clock maker in the mid 1700's in the area. I have not been able to find records of him in church registries in the area but I have located a couple of books on clockmakers in Somerset. One book is called 'Somerset Clockmakers' by J.K. Bellchambers. There is a second book called 'The Clockmakers of Somerset 1650 - 1900 by A.J. Moore, but at 220 pounds it's a bit out of my price range. Before purchasing one and having it sent across to the US I was wondering if anyone out there had a copy and could let me know if Robert Cuff is mentioned. If he is, it would make a great Christmas present to myself!

Thanks,
K from Fort Collins, USA

Submitted by Pat Hase on Wed, 23/11/2016 - 21:08

How great to read of your experiences - thank you for reporting back. There are copies of both the books you mention on the shelves - L68.1 - in the Local Studies Section of Weston Library where we hold our Saturday Help Sessions - perhaps one of the volunteers will have time to take a look for you to see if Robert CUFF is mentioned.

Submitted by on Fri, 25/11/2016 - 18:28

Thank you for the offer. I'll hope that someone has a few free minutes!

Submitted by on Wed, 23/11/2016 - 21:25

Street
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I'm very envious! Which one of your ancestors lived in the George Inn? I believe my 6th great grandfather Edward Tyley and his wife Phebe once lived there in the late 1700's. Wasn't it still being used as an Inn recently?

Submitted by on Fri, 25/11/2016 - 18:48

It was my 5th great-uncle, William Harris Day. He, and in some instances his wife Mary, is shown as the owner in directories dating between 1830 and 1850. His son, Richard Day, then became owner by 1861 and he eventually conveyed the deed to William Fowler. There are also supporting entries in the census records for those time periods. (Much of this info that was not in the census records I got from the display on the Inns of Axbridge in the Kings Hunting Lodge Museum in Axbridge - so thanks to whomever put that display together!!) it's very well done. When I looked at the photos I took of the display that concerned the George I did not see Edward or Phebe Tyley mentioned. I'll send you the info I have about the George separately.

Submitted by on Thu, 24/11/2016 - 9:41

archive.org also have quite a a number of clockmaker books. I did notice that there are Cuff clockmakers in Bristol & London - not sure if these are related to your family?

Good luck on your research,

Andrew Ferrier

Submitted by on Sun, 19/08/2018 - 16:38

Hi Jane

I have a William cuff born 1799 (Banwell) and baptized 9th Feb 1800 (Banwell) who married a Elizabeth Marshall from Wiltshire and were married in bedminster on the 29th March 1819

Do you think this is the same William as in your tree, look forward to hearing from you soon

Paul

Submitted by Pat Hase on Sat, 26/11/2016 - 15:15

There are three books which mention Clockmakers by the name of CUFF.

Bilbie & The Chew Valley Clockmakers by James Moore, Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker

Has this entry:

Cuff Robert Axbridge 1744 1782

There was a very large family of clockmakers of this name centred on Frome in the late 18th & early 19th century. No clocks made by him have been recorded. He was working with the BROCK family, Thomas PAGE, John BILBIE and Thomas WILLIAMS were each in turn in Axbridge. It may be that he worked only on church clocks.

Meare Church Warden's Accounts

1744 Paid CUFF for cleaning ye Clock 5-0
1761 Robert CUFF for righting the Chuch clock 10-6

Axbridge Church Warden's Accounts

1749 Mr CUFF for clensing the Chimes 10-0
1750 Mr CUFF for looking after he clock 5-0

plus other items for Glastonbury, Westbury & Wookey

Somerset Clockmakers by J K Bellchambers (a used copy is available on Amazon) contains some information about the Wells Cathedral Clock which includes:

1725-6 Mr Cuff received £24 5s 6d for fitting a hammer to the new clock bell and for mending the clock chimes and jacks (The Shepton Mallett man)

This doesn't give a first name but elsewhere in the book under Shepton Mallett it does list:

1720 CUFF, William Longcase clock Bishops' Palace Wells also sundial in palace ground.
1750-95 CUFF, William (2) Longcase clock also Bristol
1777 CUFF, John - per rate book
1782 CUFF, widow - per rate book, probably John's widow

Will send details from the other book directly to you. If you find this helpful perhaps you might like to become a Full Member? Thanks to Roy Smith and Joan & David Tyler for looking out this information.

Submitted by on Tue, 29/11/2016 - 15:37

Hi Pat,

Thank you so much for the research and information!!! It is far more than I ever thought anyone would do and is so appreciated. I haven't had the chance to absorb it all and fit it into the Family details but I plan to do so soon.

I'll reply separately to the email from you about additional information.

Again, thank you!
Keith

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