Lawrence, Abraham

Singer

Collection date: Dec 1905

Area: Somerset - Hambridge surrounds

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Abraham Lawrence (1842-?): age 63, 2 songs on Xmas day 1905 and 2 songs on 8 Apr 1906: Abraham was baptised on 8/10/1842 at Stocklinch Ottersey church, youngest son of George Lawrence, labourer and his wife Mercy. His older brother George (b 1830) was one of Sharp’s informants in Apr 1905. Abraham married his first wife Susan Woodland on 8/10/1867 at Stocklinch Ottersey. He made a mark against his name but she could sign her name. He was 25, a labourer; she was 28, a kid glove maker, daughter of Samuel and Betty Ann Woodland. Abraham & Susan had moved by 1871 to Whitelackington and had 2 children there (Samuel b1872 & Mary b1876) but wife Susan died in Dec 1889.

Abraham was remarried on 1/11/1890 at Stocklinch Magdalen church to Jane Best, widow aged 35. She brought two of her own children (George & Ellen) to the marriage and Abraham & Jane had 3 more children together. In 1901 census Abraham was listed as 58, a mason’s labourer (RG13/2291 f46 p6). So, when Sharp met Abraham Lawrence on Christmas Day 1905, Abraham was 63, living at Strawberry Bank, Ilminster and was celebrating Christmas with 3 young children aged 13, 9 and 4. Quite a challenge at his age! He was living in the High Street in Ilminster at the 1911 census. Abraham’s date of death to be confirmed.