The Gerrard Family
From Beaminster to Swanage, Dorset, UK
Beaminster is an attractive town, set amidst steep hills dividing deep cuts of farmland. Centred on a square and a 1906 market cross, it is largely made of yellow-golden stone from Ham Hill and local quarries. The church of St. Mary
has an early 16th Century tower - - magnificently pinnacled and figure sculptured-- and is rated as one of the most splendid in the county of Dorset. More about this church can be found at www.beaminster1.org.uk
Richard Gerrard
In 1800, on June 3rd, Richard Gerrard married Elizabeth Pullman, in St. Mary's Church, Beaminster, Dorset. From the baptism records, they had 5 children.
William Gerrard, baptised 19 September 1800
Henry Gerrard, baptised 23 February 1803
Mary Gerrard, baptised 31 March 1805, born on 11 Feb 1805
Elizabeth Gerrard, baptised 20 September 1807
Thomas Gerrard, baptised 29 October 1809, born 29 Sept 1809
On the 29th September, 1809, Thomas Gerrard was born in Beaminster, Dorset, and baptised in the Norman font pictured, on 29th October 1809.
This font comes from the Norman church which was pulled down and replaced by the present church in the mid fifteenth century. It was thrown out as part of the church's restoration in 1863, but found in the stonemason's yard in 1927 and returned and restored to its rightful place.
He married Ann Vile, also born around 1810. However, it is not clear yet whether she came from Ilminster, Somerset or Beaminster, as the 1851 and 1881 censuses give different information. There is also some difficulty reading the writing on Harriet's birth certificate, giving Ann's name. Was she a Vile or a Nile?
Vile or Nile? Click to enlarge.
I am still searching for their marriage, but I know it did not take place in Beaminster. I would guess it was in Ilminster where Ann was born. Thomas was a carpenter and moved with his family from Dorchester to Lytchett Matravers.
According to the 1851 census, Thomas and Ann had four children.
Lydia Gerrard, born 1841 Dorchester
Henry Gerrard, born 1848 Dorchester
George John Gerrard, born 1850 Lytchett MatraversIn 1881 we find Thomas and Ann Jarrard living at 3 Stanley Street, Melcombe Regis, Dorset, both aged 71. Melcombe Regis is now part of Weymouth.
Painting of Fordington
At the age of 28 she married Henry Walter White, a carpenter (born around 1844 in Swanage), in the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Dorchester, Dorset on 26th December 1866. Witnesses were Thomas Gerrard and Annie Davis White.
Harriet, around 1895
Harriet had 9 children when this photo was taken. She and Walter were living in Swanage, at Mount Pleasant. Their nine children were
Ann J. White, born about 1870
Alice Mary White, born about 1871
Julia Hannah White, born about 1873
Emma Elizabeth White, born about 1874
Lydia Amard White, born about 1876
Harry Walter White, born about 1877
Thomas Gerrard White, born about 1879
William Gerrard White, born about 1881
A photo of this family can be seen on the White Family web page. Lucy White, known as Kitty, was my grandmother. Both Harriet and Walter were alive in 1901, still living in Mount Pleasant Lane, Swanage, with Walter being a builder, carpenter and joiner.
Swanage, Dorset
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George John Gerrard, Harriet's brother, married Elizabeth Lovelace Martha Groves in 1872 and had four daughters, Bessie, Florence Susan, Harriet Lily and Alice Lydia. Below is a photo of George, with a "grandmother" and two of his daughters, Florence Gerrard on the left, and Harriet Lily Gerrard on the right. They were twins, born 28 February 1878.
George Gerrard was a watch repairer with a shop in St. Vyvyans Street, Camborne. In 1881 he was staying at a lodging house in Redruth, Cornwall. His wife Elizabeth Gerrard was living at 11 Walpole Street, Melcombe Regis, Dorset with their four daughters, and a grandmother, Ann Prangley. Elizabeth Gerrard met with a untimely death. She was shot by James Hawke in Penzance on 28th July 1886. Four people were killed in this incident, but George survived and later remarried a lady named Emma. George Gerrard died in 1909 in Redruth.
At the moment I know very little about the Gerrard family and their ancestors. Perhaps you can help?
If so, I would be pleased to hear from you!
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Last update on 24 March 2003
