Dabinett, Eliza

Also known as: Mrs Dabbinett

Singer

Collection date: Aug 1905

Area: Somerset - Hambridge surrounds

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Mrs Eliza Dabinett (1842-1911): age 63, 2 songs on 7 Aug 1905: Eliza Dabinett was baptised Eliza Swain on 17/7/1842 in Barrington church, daughter of Thomas Swain, labourer and wife Ann. She married Gilbert Dabinett on 19/3/1872 in Barrington church (neither could sign their names). In 1871 and 1881 she was listed as a kid glove maker.

In fact Eliza was the older sister of the singer John Swain, shepherd of Donyatt. Sharp visited John Swain first in Dec 1904 and then again on 7 Aug 1905, the very same day that he called on Eliza, his sister. Important evidence is the 1901 census, which shows Eliza, living at ‘Broadway’, Barrington (RG13/2289 f107 p12). The Broadway is a short cut road from Westport to Barrington. Sharp noted this location in FT525.

Eliza was buried at Barrington church on 28/10/1911 aged 69 ‘of ‘Broadway, Barrington’. The officiating clergyman was Rev Hamlet.

Note: Sharp used 2 ‘bs’ in her name but only one ‘b’ is ever shown in the censuses.