The Family of Caroline Walter and William Whittle
A genealogical account of the family of Caroline and William Whittle of Babcary
Chapel, Somerton
Caroline Walter was the daughter of , Somerset, England.
Caroline Walter aged 9 is listed in the 1851 census at Greenhill Farm, Foddington, with her parents.
In 1861 she was living in Broad Street, Somerton where she was a draper’s assistant at the shop of Joseph Williams
(?on the corner of New Street). Her grandmother (1789-1871) lived next door and is described as a proprietor of house(s).
In 1871 Caroline was a draper's assistant in the household of Henry Fernie in Warwick Street, Leamington. By 1881 Caroline was living with her
mother and brother Phillip in and is described as a draper/grocer. In 1883, Kelly's Directory describes her as a milliner, draper and
grocer in West Street, the purveyor of 'a choice assortment of fancy goods'.
Caroline married William Whittle (1837-1903) at the Wesleyan Chapel, Somerton on 22nd December, 1885 witnessed by her brother
and sister Susan ().
In 1891 they were living in Babcary next to the schoolmaster, William was described as a farmer and they had a nephew, Fred Walters aged 11
staying with them, born Super Ely in Wales (son of ).
In 1901 William was living alone. After his death in 1903 probate was granted to his brother John Whittle - value £438.
The Whittle Family
The Whittle family had a long connection with Babcary and there were several Whittle/Walter marriages in the 18th and early 19th centuries, including Caroline's
grandmother Mary Whittle (1756-1834) with William Walter. The Whittle chest tomb at Holy Cross
was restored in recent years.
William Whittle was the third of eight children born to farmer Jacob Whittle (1802-1870) born in Babcary and his wife
Elizabeth Whittle (1813-1889). In 1881 William was farming at Church Farm, Babcary with his sister Sophia Whittle (1836-1903) as housekeeper.
Next door at Fernleigh Lodge lived his mother and sisters Susan Whittle and Elizabeth Whittle, all described as gentlewomen.
Susan Whittle probably died in December 1881 aged 44 years. In 1891 his sister Sophia was living with another brother, John Whittle
who married Caroline Bengefield in 1869 and
farmed in Wincanton district. Sophia died in 1903. In 1911 sisters Sarah H and Elizabeth Kathleen were living at Church Street, Babcary. Sophia,
Jane Whittle (1838-1898) and Sarah Whittle (1847-1923) are commemorated in the churchyard of Holy Cross, Babcary.
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