Robert Wait (alias Wayte) 1695 - 1755 Farmer of Rangeworthy and Iron Acton in Gloucestershire, and of Norton Malreward in

AND HIS FIRST WIFE

Rachel (Daniels or Ford) ? - 1747

by Geoffrey Audcent © 2014, Mendip Road, Yatton,

William Wait (1669-1754) Farmer of Castle Combe

Robert Wait (1695-1755) Farmer of Rangeworthy and Norton Malreward

Abstract – Robert Wait was born and baptised at Castle Combe in Wiltshire in 1695 (os). He was a successful farmer at Rangeworthy and Iron Acton (where he was the tenant of Acton House Farm) in Gloucestershire, before moving to northern Somerset in 1744, where he took over a large farm at Norton Malreward.

Robert had nine children by his first wife. She was an early Methodist and travelled to Kingswood every Sunday to hear the Methodist ministers who preached there. Following her death in 1747 Robert remarried and had one further child.

In 1749 Robert made a will, describing himself as a farmer of the parish of Norton Maleward, in good health and in perfect mind and memory “thanks be given to God therefore”.

Robert died in 1755 and was buried at Norton Malreward. His will was proved in London at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury in July 1755 with administration of all goods, chattels and credits granted to his eldest son.

Robert Wait (alias Wayte) 1695 - 1755 Farmer of Rangeworthy and Iron Acton in Gloucestershire, and of Norton Malreward in Somerset

AND HIS FIRST WIFE

Rachel (Daniels or Ford) ? - 1747

Six-Times-Great-Grandparents to Mrs Sandra Audcent (nee Russell)

Robert Waite was born on 19 January 1695 at Castle Combe in Wiltshire (the “prettiest village in ”).1 He was baptised there in the parish church of St. Andrew’s on 6 February 1695 (old style, new style 1696), and was the son of William Waite and his wife Jane.2

Robert became a farmer, first in Gloucestershire and subsequently in Somerset.

Robert married his first wife before 1723 (as their eldest son was born in November 1723). She was named Rachel, although her surname is disputed - according to Burke’s ‘Landed Gentry’ her surname was ‘Daniels’, but she could equally be the Rachel Ford who is recorded as marrying a Robert Wait by licence on 12 November 1722 at St Michael’s in . The marriage allegation and bond are preserved in the Bristol records office and might help to prove this (by confirming the bride and groom’s parish of residence) but are unfit for production.

From 1723 to the mid-1740s Robert and Rachel resided in various parishes in southern Gloucestershire. In 1823 they were at Wapley-Cum-Codrington (where their first-born was baptised), and from 1730 to 1740 they were at Rangeworthy a small village on the old coach road from Bristol to Dursley (where they had four children baptised).

During the early 1740s they were at Iron Acton, where Robert is recorded as the tenant of Acton House Farm (as evidenced by a bundle of receipted bills for payments for land tax, rates, and building repairs made by him, which were allowed against rent).3 Robert rented Acton House Farm from the wealthy Long family.4 The Overseers’ accounts are preserved in the Bristol records office but are unfit for production.

An account written many years later (relating to the death of their son) records that Robert and Rachel had “engaged in the farming business …. in which they were greatly favoured with

1 His date of birth is from Sir Bernard Burke, ‘Dictionary of the Landed Gentry, Volume 2 (pages 1482-3 in the 1852 edition and pages 1584-5 in the 1863 edition). 2 From the parish register, which states that “Robt” son of “William and Jane Waite” was baptised on 6 February 1695 (old style, new style 1696). 3 National Archives: The Estate, household, personal and business papers of the Long families of Rood Ashton, South Wraxall, Whaddon, Draycot Cerne and elsewhere: 947/1130 - Bundle of receipted bills for payments for land tax, rates, and building repairs made by Robert Wait, tenant of Acton House Farm; Robert Batten and subsequently his widow Hannah, tenants of the Manor Farm; Jacob Highnam, tenant of the White Hart public house; and allowed against rent. (dates 1741-1747) 4 Acton House Farm remained in the ownership of the Long family until the mid-Nineteenth century. See Gloucestershire Arcives, ref D6700/2/19b: Acton House Farm and Two-Pool House, includes sale particulars (1804- 1856). prosperity by a kind and gracious Providence.” 5 This account also states that in April 1744 Robert and his wife left Rangeworthy and moved to Norton Malreward in northern Somerset, where they took over a large farm. At first they encountered some hostility from the villagers owing to ignorance and suspicion of their Methodist principles and practice. However, the family soon won the respect of the local community through their conduct and conversation, which were “uniformly exemplary”, and which greatly lessened the prejudice against them.

The family did not sever all their links with Iron Acton - in 1776 Robert’s son (William) was mentioned as the freehold owner of a “house and land” at Iron Acton (which was leased to a Mrs Cadle, widow) - doubtless he had inherited this property from Robert. 6

Robert’s wife and sons were notably devout in her Christian faith and became early Methodists. It was recorded that after being “brought to a knowledge of the truth” Rachel “embraced it with her whole heart.” From 1739 Kingswood became the cradle of the early Methodist movement, where John Wesley and George Whitefield preached outdoors to huge crowds of up to 10,000 people on Hanham Mount. Every Sunday Rachel travelled (with her son teenage son William) from Rangeworthy to Kingswood, to hear the Methodist ministers who preached there. She continued to do so after moving to Norton Malreward. This involved round trips of over 20 kilometres.

Robert and Rachel had three sons and five daughters and who survived long enough to be named in Robert’s last will and testament, made in November 1749:- 7

1. Jane Wait. Baptised at Wapley-Cum-Codrington (near Westerleigh) on 29 November 1723. She married a Mr Williams (before November 1749) and was left £50 of good and lawful money in her father’s will. 2. William Wait (“otherwise Wayte”). Born 12 July 1725 at Rangeworthy and baptised at Doynton, Gloucestershire, on 9 August 1725. He was his father’s principle heir and acted as executor of his father’s estate in 1755. He bought the property from the Lansdown family at Woodborough and moved there. The property was the childhood home of John Locke – one of the greatest philosophers of the early modern period. William was a prominent and pious Methodist. He died 27 August 1806 aged 81 and was buried on 4 September 1806 at Norton Malreward. The will of William Wait, Gentleman of , Somerset, was granted probate on 14 October 1806 (PROB 11/1451). He married in February 1759 Elizabeth Wiltshire, of Bradford-on- – regarded by John Valton in 1785 as one of the three most pious Methodist women in the South West of England (The Lives of Early Methodist Preachers Part Three, page 120). They had the following children baptised at Norton Malreward. He was buried at Norton Malreward on 4 September 1806. Had issue.

3. John Wayte. He was left £80 in his father’s will. Jane “the wife of John Waite of the Parish of Whitchurch” was buried at Norton Malreward on 17 May 1762. He may be the John Waite recorded as paying land tax for a messuage in Castle Street, Bristol, up to March 1761 (after which the property was taken over his Daniel Waite, grocer, who continued to pay land tax on the property until 1789).

5 This information, and certain other details about Robert and Rachel the obituary of their son William, in The Methodist Magazine 1808, Volume 31, pages 130-4. 6 The Poll at the Election of a of the Shire for the County of Gloucester, Begun on Monday the 6th, and Continued Until Friday the 17th of May, 1776. The Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley, William Bromley Chester, Esq., Candidates (1776), page 23. 7 The parish registers at Norton Malreward also refer to the burial of William, the son of William Wait on 21 May 1760, and to Priscilla, the daughter of Mr William Wait on 21 Sept 1766. These are probably Robert’s grandchildren.

4. Elizabeth Wayte. She was left £50 in her father’s will.

5. Daniel Wayte. Baptised at Rangeworthy on 22 March 1730. He was left £80 in his father’s will. He became a grocer of Bristol and was involved in the trial of Jonathan Britain (see The Gentleman's and London magazine 1772). His son was Daniel Wait Esq, alderman of Bristol, and died at Bristol in 1813 aged 53 (see The European magazine & London review, 1813, Vol 64, page 268).

6. Mary Wayte. Baptised at Rangeworthy on 21 June 1732. She was left £50 in her father’s will. She was married by licence to William Chilton, a carpenter of Whitchurch. They are ancestors of the Russell family.

7. Sarah Wayte. She was left £50 in her father’s will.

8. Susannah Wayte. Baptised at Rangeworthy on 28 July 1737. She was left £50 in her father’s will.

9. Robert Wait. Baptised at Rangeworthy on 26 November 1740. He must have died young as he was not mentioned in his father’s will.

Rachel died just three years after the move to Somerset and was buried at Norton Marleward on 16 October 1747. Two years later, on 12 November 1749, Robert made a will, describing himself as a farmer “of the parish of Norton Maleward in the county of Somerset”, in good health and in perfect mind and memory …. “thanks be given to God therefore”.

In his will he made a number of bequests including the sums of £80 each to his two sons, £50 each to his five surviving daughters, and the payment of £6 per year to his elderly father (who was still living at Castle Combe). He also bequeathed £13 per year to Betty Davfters “if ever it please God she shall become my lawful wife….as long as she continues a widow”. He left the further sum of £100 to be divided between his children and made allowance for any children which might subsequently result from his anticipated-marriage to Betty Davfters. The residual of his estate, including all lands, messuages, tenements, monies, securities and all that he possessed within doors and without, was bequeathed to his eldest son William, who was also named as the sole executor of the estate.

Robert achieved his wish of marrying Betty Davfters. Their wedding took place sometime between November 1749 and September 1753 (although it did not take place at Norton Malreward). William and his second wife had at least one child:-

10. Samuel Wait Baptised at Norton Malreward on 23 September 1753.

Robert died on 21 May 1755. He would have been around 60 years old. He was buried at Norton Malreward on 23 May 1755.

Probate on the will of “Robert Wayte or Wait, Farmer of Norton Malreward, Somerset” was granted on 8 July 1755 in London at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.8 Administration of all goods, chattels and credits was granted to his son “William Wait otherwise Wayte”.

8 The National Archives, reference: PROB 11/817/50: Prerogative Court of Canterbury: Will of Robert Wayte or Wait, Farmer of Norton Malreward , Somerset. 08 July 1755.

The church of St Andrew, at Castle Combe (before its restoration in 1850) where Robert was baptised in 1695/6.

The font in which Robert was baptised.

The parish church at Rangeworthy, Gloucestershire where Robert and Rachel had four of their children baptised.

George Whitefield – he was one of the Methodist evangelists who preached at Hanham Mount in , who Rachel probably heard.

The parish church at Norton Malreward in Somerset, where Robert and Rachel are buried.

Documentation

Abstract of the will of Robert Wayte, farmer of Norton Malreward, Somerset

In the name of God amen. [12.11.1749] I Robert WAYTE of the parish of Norton Malreward in the County of Somerset, farmer, being in good health & perfect mind & memory, thanks be given unto God therefore, calling into mind the Mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once? to die, do make & obtain this my last Will & Testament, that is to say, Principally & ffirst of all I give & recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it & my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discreation of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching? such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give demise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form. Imprimis I give & bequeth to my dr Jane WILLIAMS 50P of good & lawful money of England to be paid in 4 years after my decease. Item I give to my son John WAYTE 80P to be paid in 2 years after my decease Item I give to my dr Elizabeth WAYTE 50P to be paid in 2 years after my decease Item I give to my son Daniel WAYTE 80P to be paid in 3 years after my decease Item I give to my dr Mary WAYTE 50P to be paid in 4 years after my decease Item I give to my dr Sarah WAYTE 50P to be paid in 5 years after my decease Item I give to my dr Susannah WAYTE 50P to be paid in 6 years after my decease Item I give to my father William WAYTE 6P pa & every year after my decease during his natural or respective Lifetime to be paid every quarter of a year Item I give to Betty DAVFTERS if ever it please God she shall become my lawful wife Betty WAYTE 13P pa & every year from the day of my death to be paid every quarter of a year as long as she continues a widow & no longer if ever she be lawfully Married to another Man Then & from that present time I give 100P more to be equally divided between my aforesaid children [7 named as above] & further if either of these my said chn dye before the payment of their portions become due & leave no child, then his or her portion shall be equally divided between everyone of the rest the Executor excepted, but if either of them leave child or chn, then their portion shall be given to the child or equally divided if they dye possessed of more children than 1 & arte to be taken that the child or chn may have it. And if the aforesaid Betty DAVTERS should become my Wife Betty WAYTE & should have a child or chn by me whether or ffemale Item I give to every Male Child 60 & to every ffemale child 50 P to be paid to them at 21 years of age Item If I should dye without marrying her the said Betty DAVTERS, then I give 200P more to be equally divided between every one of my aforesaid chn [7 named as above] the Executor & all over & above their 1st portions I give to my son William WAYTE, whom I likewise constitute make & ordain my sole executor of this my last will & testament all & singular my said Lands Messuages Tenements, all my Monies, Securities for money, with all that I possess within Doors & without, by him freely to be possessed & enjoyed. And I do, hereby utterly disallow revoke & disannul all & every other former Testaments Wills Legacies & Bequests & Executors by me in any ways before named, willed & bequeathed, ratifying & confirming this & no other to be my last Will & Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the Day & Year above written - Robert WAIT signed sealed published pronounced & declared by the said Robert WAYTE as his last Will & Testament in the presence of us the subscribers

- The mark of Hannah HASKINS, James HARDING.

This Will was proved at London [8.7.1755] before Rt Hon Sir George LEE, knight Doctor of Laws, Maker? Keeper or Commissary of the PCC lawfully constituted by the oath of William WAIT otherwise WAYTE the son of the deceased & sole executor named in the said will To whom Administration was granted of all & singular the Goods Chattels & Credits of the said deceased having been 1st sworn by Commission duly to administer.

Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society, Volume 6, Sept. 1908, pages 130-2 (Notes and Queries):

383. THE WAIT FAMILY OF BELLUTON AND BRISTOL.—(Proc., VI, 82, where it is explained that "Mr. W— of Bolton," Journal, 5 March 1790, should be " Mr. W[ait] of Belton," this being the customary pronunciation of Belluton House, near ). The memoir of this Mr. William Wait (Meth. Mag., 1808, p, 1SO-4) is the record of a very beautiful family history, for three generations at least moulded by an earnest Methodism of the oldest pattern. It also contributes a few small details to the early history of the local Methodism. When, for example, Pensford suddenly reappears in the Journal, 22 Oct., 1760, after an interval of more than twenty years, it was at the solicitation of Mr. Wait and his saintly wife [See John Valton in E.M.P., vi, no] that the preachers first, and then Wesley himself, again visited the place. When Wesley drove out to see Mr. Wait, his friend was supposed to be dying. He recovered, however, and lived until 27 August, 1806. When turning over the management of his large estates to his youngest son Daniel, he charged him to keep up the family traditions of open hearted hospitality to the preachers, and of generous attachment to Methodism. In the Bristol Society-roll for 1797, Daniel Wait is entered as a member in his father's class at Pensford. The brief but appreciative obituary notice of this Daniel Wait of Belton, who died 20 April, 1830, (Math. Mag., 1830, p. 445) is a clear-cut character sketch. Through his son Daniel Charles, and his granddaughter Priscilla, the wife of James Workman, Esq., the family is still represented, as holding the Belluton property.

The Memoir of William Wait says that his youngest brother, another Daniel Wait, went into business life in Bristol. In Wesley's autograph roll of the Bristol membership for 1783 he appears thus with his wife and son : Daniel Wait ) m. Grocer Castle Street. Jane ) m. Daniel ) u.

The Directories of 1787 and 1793 give us; "Daniel Wait and Sons, grocers." The only record of Daniel the elder which I have seen is the notice of his death in a Bristol newspaper of 22 Aug. 1807: "On Tuesday morning died at his house, in Square, Mr, Daniel Wait, many years a respectable grocer of this city, whose strict integrity through life gained him the esteem of all his acquaintance." But his son Daniel is known to students of Methodist constitutional history as one of the little band of Bristol gentlemen, Church-Methodists, who stood doggedly for " The Old Plan," during the long debates which filled the years between the death of Wesley and the Plan of Pacification in 1795. He was a trustee of the Old Room in the Horsefair, and of Guinea Street Chapel. His signature: "Daniel Wait, junr. is appended to the inhibition served upon Henry Moore by the "Old Planner" trustees, excluding him from the pulpits of both places, on the ground that not the Trustees but the Conference had appointed him to the Bristol Circuit and its chapels. (The full text of the inhibition may be found in H. Moore's Life, by his daughter ; or in Wes. Meth. Mag., 1845, pp, 319-20, note to

Stamp's Life of Charles Atmore). He was a man of weight in the City of Bristol: Alderman, Sheriff, Mayor, Governor of the Incorporation of the Poor, and a partner in the Castle Bank. He lived in Stokes Croft, and died 2 Sept., 1813. - His grandson, W. Killigrew Wait, in the life of the City and in Parliament, more than sustained the tradition of public service far on into the middle of the nineteenth century.

In Sir James Musgrave's Obituaries, I find " Wait Dan., grocer, London, to April, 1728 (H.R.C. 22)." This can hardly but be connected with the Belluton and Bristol family, but the representatives at Pensford, to whom I am indebted for some help, do not know of any connection. The Rev. G. Alex. Allen, Cudworth, Ilminister, to whom I am indebted for help, says: " He could only have been a collateral relation of the family in which we are interested. Probably one of the Southampton and Isle of Wight Waits from whom our Waits come."—B.J.P.