Job Wells (1813 - 1874)

Born 1813 in Wallingford, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Amelia (Clack) Wells — married 7 Jan 1839 in Wantage, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 3 Jan 1874 at about age 61 in Newbury, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gerald Wells [send private message]

Biography

Job was born in 1813 at Wallingford, Berkshire. He was the sixth child of Job Wells and Anne Haskins. According to Rudkin he was baptised on 15 February 1813 at St Mary's church, Wallingford^[1].

Job's father, Job Wells of Wallingford, had married Anne Haskins of Newbury. The couple first settled in Wallingford, but after the family of ten had been born in Wallingford the family moved to Newbury. This was sometime after the birth of the youngest child in 1821 and before the death of Job's father in 1831.

In April 1835 Job took over full ownership of the "wine and spirit trade" that he had held in partnership with his maternal uncle John Haskins, when it was known as Haskins and Wells. This was reported in notices in the Berkshire Chronicle and Bucks and Windsor Herald as follows. NEWBURY. MR. JOHN HASKINS begs respectfully to inform his Friends and the Public, that from a late severe illness, he has been advised to withdraw altogether from the bustle of business; he has therefore made arrangements with his Nephew (Mr. Job Wells) to carry on the Wine and Spirit Trade by himself. The Firm of Haskins and Wells has consequently been dissolved by mutual consent; and it is that all debts owing to the said Firm may be paid to Mr. Job Wells, who will also discharge all debts owing by the said Firm, after they have been presented and examined. He takes this opportunity to return his sincere thanks for the kind support they have favoured him with since he has been in business, and to solicit a continuance of the same in behalf of his Nephew. Newbury, April 21, 1835 - and - Mr. JOB WELLS, having made arrangements with his Uncle, Mr. John Haskins, to carry out the Wine and Spirit trade by himself, ventures, at this time, to solicit from his friends and the public a continuance of their kind support. He begs to thanks them for their past favours to the late Firm, and to assure them their future orders shall have his best attention. Newbury, April 24, 1835. ^[2] Prior to his uncle John Haskins (1789-1861) becoming involved in this business, in 1830, it had been in the hands of his uncle Edward Pointer Haskins (1791-1841), and prior to that it was run by his maternal grandfatherEdward Pointer (-abt.1794).

On 7 January 1839 - exact date from Rudkin^[3] - Job Wells married Amelia Clack. The marriage was registered at Wantage, Berkshire, in the first quarter of the year. Wantage was Amelia's home town.

At the 1841 census the couple are recorded as resident at the Market Place, Newbury, Berkshire, where Job is a wine merchant. Present are Job Wells, wife Amelia Wells and daughter Ann Wells (1). Also present are James Shorter (14, in subsequent census determined as a nephew) and two of undefined status, possibly servants - aged 20 and 11.

In late 1844 he was one of the several nephews and neices of Thomas Wells who were beneficiaries of his will. His uncle had been a wine and brandy merchant in Wallingford.

In the 1851 census the family are still at Market Place, Newbury - where the wine merchant business is. Present are Job Wells (38, wine, ale and spirit merchant, born Wallingford), Amelia Wells (38, born Wantage), and children Ann Wells (10), Job Haskins Wells (7), Amelia E Wells (5), Edwards Wells (3) and Thomas Wells (1), all children born in Newbury. Also present are neice Rhoda Purnell (16, scholar, born Charlton - by Wantage - Berkshire), nephew James Shorter (24, merchant's clerk, born Broad Blunsdon, Wiltshire) and two servants - house maid and house servant.

Also at the 1851 census Job's mother Ann Wells was living closeby at Speen, Newbury, along with Job's two spinster sisters Mary Ann (38) and Louisa (31). Later in 1851 Job's mother died, aged 71.

Job's son Job Haskins Wells died in August 1853, aged 10 years.

A son, William Dudley Wells, was born in 1853 and died in the same year, aged 10 weeks.

Their son Thomas Wells died in February 1855, aged 5 years.

A daughter, Hannah Maria Wells, was born in 1855 and died in 1856 aged 8 months.

In the 1861 census Job continues with the business in Market Place, Newbury. He is now descibed as wine, spirit, ale and porter merchant. The census records Job Wells (48), wife Amelia Wells (48) and another son John (9, born Newbury). Their other children are not at the parental home at this census - Ann (20) is at the home of an uncle in Hampshire and both Amelia (15) and Edward (13) are at boarding schools in Brighton, Sussex. Also present are two resident servants - cook and general servant.

In 1869 daughter Amelia Elizabeth Wells died, aged 22 years.

The 1871 census records at least 30 years for the family in Market Place, Newbury, and business is good, with 5 people employed. Recorded are Job Wells (58, wine merchant employing 5 people), Amelia Wells (58, wine merchant's wife), daughter Ann Wells (30, unmarried, wine merchant's daughter), and son Edward Wells (23, wine merchant's son) There are two resident general servants.

Job's wife died in 1872, aged 59.

The Will with a Codicil of Job Wells, late of Newbury in the County of Berks, wine merchant, who died 3 January 1874 was proved .... by Edward Wells of Wallingford .... one of the Executors. (National Probate Calendar)

Job's death was registered at Newbury in the first quarter of 1874. He was aged 60 according to the register.

The following obituary appeared in the Newbury Weekly News. WELLS. - Jan 3, at Newbury, Job Wells, aged 61. Deeply regretted. THE LATE MR. JOB WELLS. We record this day in our obituary column the death of Mr. Job Wells, wine and spirit merchant, of the Market Place, after a lengthened and painful illness from which slight hopes were entertained of his recovery. Mr. Wells has been for many years identified with the trade of Newbury, and though he took no very active part in municipal affairs he sustained for many years, in conjunction with Mr. George Barnes, the office of Auditor for the Borough. For a considerable period he wholly maintained by his purse as well as by his personal assistance, the services at Ebenezer Chapel, Back Lane, and his unostentatious charity, and exemplary Christian character have caused him to be universally esteemed and respected in the town. ^[4]

Job's funeral was reported in the next week's edition of the Newbury Weekly News as follows. (Wikitree links have been added where they have been identified). THE LATE MR. JOB WELLS. The remains of this highly esteemed gentleman were laid their last resting place at the Cemetery, on Friday, when several tradesmen partially closed their shops. The mourners included Mr. E. Wells(Edward Wells (1847-1927)) and Mr. J. Wells(John Wells (1851-1910)), sons of deceased, Miss Wells(Ann Wells (1840-1912)), Mr. Wells M.P.(Edward Wells (1821-1910)), Mr. and Mrs. Giffard(Henry Giffard (abt.1810-1894)), Miss Binnell, Mr. and Mrs. Tubb(Louisa (Wells) Tubb (abt.1821-1875)), the Mayor of Newbury, Dr. Douglas, Mr. T. Newton, Mr, C. L. Chapman, &c. The burial service was read the Rev. E. W. Shalders, Pastor of the Congregational Church. ^[5]

Job was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery, Newbury on 9 January 1874. The original burial record posted on the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery website gives his age as 60. This accords with the Civil Registration Register. The memorial stone on his grave states he was 61.

As well as the details on Job and his wife the memorial stone lists the deaths of five of their children as follows. In Affectionate Remembrance of Amelia wife of Job Wells who died Oct. 2nd 1872 aged 59 years. Also of Job Wells who died Jan. 3rd 1874 aged 61 years. Also of Job Haskins Wells who died Aug. 26th 1853 aged 9 years & 10 months. And of William Dudley Wells who died Dec. 29th 1853 aged 20 weeks. And Thomas Wells who died Feb. 9th 1855 aged 5 years & 5 months. Also Hannah Maria Wells who died Feb. 13th 1856 aged 8 months. Also of Amelia Elizabeth Wells who died Oct. 1st 1869 aged 22 years.^[6] [1]

Note: The inscription for daughter Amelia gives her wrong year of death. She died in 1868 as noted in the Civil Register of Deaths, and is correctly described as aged 22.

Census

Name: Job Wells
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1841
Event Place: Newbury, Berkshire, England
Residence Note: ??? Market Place
Gender: Male
Age: 25-29
Age: 25
Birth Year (Estimated): 1812-1816
Birthplace: Berkshire
Registration District: Newbury Union
Parish: Newbury
County: Berkshire

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Job Wells M 25-29 Berkshire
Amelia Wells F 25-29 Berkshire
Ann Wells F 1 Berkshire
James Shorter M 14
Ann Langfield F 20-24 Berkshire
Mary Pike F 11 Berkshire^[7]

Name: Job Wells
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1851
Event Place: Newbury St Nicholas, Berkshire, England
Registration District: Newbury
Residence Note: Market Place
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Wine Ale And Spirit Merchant
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1813
Birthplace: Wallingford, Berkshire

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Job Wells Head M 38 Wallingford, Berkshire
Amelia Wells Wife F 38 Wantage, Berkshire
Ann Wells Daughter F 10 Newbury, Berkshire
Job Haskins Wells Son M 7 Newbury, Berkshire
Amelia E Wells Daughter F 5 Newbury, Berkshire
Edward Wells Son M 3 Newbury, Berkshire
Thomas Wells Son M 1 Newbury, Berkshire
Jane Butler Servant F 20 Ashford Hill, Hampshire
Esther Rolls Servant F 27 Appleton, Berkshire
James Shorter Nephew M 24 Broad Blunsdon, Wiltshire
Rhoda Purnell Niece F 16 Charlton, Berkshire^[8]

Name: Job Wells
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1871
Event Place: Newbury, Newbury, Berkshire, England
Enumeration District: 6
Gender: Male
Age: 58

Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Wine Merchant
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1813
Birthplace: Wallingford, Berkshire

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Job Wells Head M 58 Wallingford, Berkshire
Amelia Wells Wife F 58 Wantage, Berkshire
Ann Wells Daughter F 30 Newbury, Berkshire
Edward Wells Son M 23 Newbury, Berkshire^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Pedigree of Wells of Wallingford, Major H. R. E. Rudkin, January 1933
2. ↑ Berkshire Chronicle and Bucks and Windsor Herald - Saturday 2 May, 1835 (p.3, col. 4)
3. ↑ Pedigree of Wells of Wallingford, Major H. R. E. Rudkin, January 1933
4. ↑ Newbury Weekly News - 8th January, 1874
5. ↑ Newbury Weekly News - 15th January, 1874
6. ↑ Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery Newbury
7. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQRH-B4P : 13 December 2017), Mary Pike in household of Job Wells, Newbury, Berkshire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
8. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SG85-R8K : 23 October 2017), Rhoda Purnell in household of Job Wells, Newbury St Nicholas, Berkshire, England; citing Newbury St Nicholas, Berkshire, England, p. 37, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
9. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFXV-7TJ : 10 December 2017), Edward Wells in entry for Job Wells, 1871.

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915 for Job Wells, 1839, Q1-Jan-Feb-Mar

• 1841 England Census for Job Wells, Berkshire, St Nicholas, Newbury, District 7

• 1851 England Census for Job Wells, Berkshire, Newbury, 1c

• 1861 England Census for Job Wells, Berkshire, Newbury, District 6

• 1871 England Census for Job Wells, Berkshire, Newbury, 6

• England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915 for Job Wells, 1874, Q1-Jan-Feb-Mar

• England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 for Job Wells, 1874

• Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery Newbury. http://www.fnrcnewbury.org.uk/persondetails.asp?PersonID=3281

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Gilly Wood for creating Wells-5612 on 7 Oct 13.