Richard Sheaf (1845 - 1911)

Born 1845 in Bickmarsh, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Charlotte Elizabeth (Cutting) Sheaf — married 25 Mar 1879 in Wix, Essex, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died Dec 1911 at about age 66 in High Cogges, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

This profile is part of the Sheaf Name Study.

Richard was born in 1845. He was the son of Thomas Sheaf and Ann Fletcher and was baptised at Welford on Avon, Gloucestershire on 11 Apr 1845. ^{[1] [2]}

Richard did not follow his father and grandfather as a farmer, but went into the drapery business at an early age.

In 1861, he was living in the village of Mickleton in the Grocer's and Draper's Shop owned by Charles and Elizabeth Hemming, "Grocer, Draper and Baker employing 3 men". Richard was then aged 16, an apprentice draper, born Bidford.

By 1869 he had moved to Oxford. He was mentioned in the Will (made 1869) of his uncle, Richard Fletcher - "Richard Sheaf of Oxford, Draper's Assistant".

In the 1871 census he was living in what seems a remarkable establishment at No 12, Magdalene Street, Oxford, the home commercial premesis of John C Cavell, "Magistrate, Alderman and Draper" known as Elliston & Cavell's - Richard Sheaf (26, Draper's Shopman, born Welford WAR). This household consisted of John Cavell himself, 15 young men (Draper's Shopmen), 4 young women (Draper's Shopwomen), 2 Draper's Clerks, a Housekeeper, a Cook, 3 Housemaids, a House Boy and 3 Draper's Porters. ^[3]

On 23 Mar 1879 Richard married Charlotte Elizabeth Cutting. They were married at Wix, Essex. ^[4][5] In the census of 1881, Richard was described as a Draper in his own business, in Market Square, Witney, He also had his younger brother Frederick Sheaf working for him as a Draper's Assistant :- Richard Sheaf (36, Draper employing 2 men and 2 girls, born Bickmarsh), Charlotte E Sheaf (30, born Wix, Essex), Louie W Sheaf (11 months, born Witney), Frederick Sheaf (26, brother, Draper's Assistant, born Bidford WAR). In the household there were also 2 young women shop assistants, and 2 female domestic servants. ^[6]

In 1887, Richard Sheaf's business partnership with Mr Mackrill (Witney, Oxford mercers, drapers and tailors) was dissolved, due to debts incurred by Sheaf. Bucks Herald 3 Sep 1887

In the next 10 years the family increased to 7 children, and the business progressed to Church Green, Witney. In 1891 the household consisted of: Richard Sheaf (46, Draper and General Outfitter), Charlotte E Sheaf (39), Louie W Sheaf (11), Mary E Sheaf (10), William Sheaf (7), Rosamond Sheaf (6), Eva Sheaf (5), Hilda Sheaf (4) and George Sheaf (3). There was also a young male draper's assistant, and a female domestic servant. ^[7]

By 1901 they were in High Street, Witney:- Richard Sheaf (56, Draper and Clothier, born Welford), Charlotte E Sheaf (50), Rosamond (16, Draper's Apprentice), Eva Sheaf (15, School Teacher), Hilda Sheaf (14) and George Sheaf 912). They also had a middle-aged, single lady boarding with them, Miss Pauline Twisdale, who was described as "a professor of French, Italian and Music".

By 1911, Richard had moved to High Cogges, Oxfordshire where he was living with Charlotte and their daughter Eva. Richard was described as an insurance agent. ^[8]

He died in Dec 1911 and was buried at Cogges, Oxfordshire on 9 Dec 1911 aged 66 years. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NYH4-HMB : 22 March 2020), Richard Sheaf, 1845.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26PN-7SK: 1 October 2014), Richard Sheaf, 1845; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: 2012); citing Birth Registration, Stratford On Avon, Warwickshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
3. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD86-GTR: 25 April 2019), Richard Sheaf in entry for John C Cavell, 1871.
4. ↑ Essex Standard 29 Mar 1879, Find My Past.
5. ↑ "England, Essex Parish Registers, 1538-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WQ95-BHMM: 14 January 2020), Charlotte Elizabeth Cutting in entry for Richard Sheaf, 23 Mar 1879; citing Marriage, Essex, England, United Kingdom, Essex Record Office, England.
6. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27H-BVLV: 11 December 2017), Richard Sheaf, Witney, Oxfordshire, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: n.d.); citing p. 6, Piece/Folio 1516/20, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,469.
7. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4G7Z-5PZ: 2 May 2019), Richard Sheaf, Witney, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Oxfordshire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
8. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7KC-JNH: 22 July 2019), Richard Sheaf, Cogges, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com: n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
9. ↑ Oxfordshire Parish Register Transcripts (Oxfordshire Family History Society), CD.