Say, George

Singer

Collection date: Aug 1908

Area: Somerset - Mendips (Harptree & Priddy)

---

George Say at Axbridge Workhouse (1841-1913): age 67, 19 songs during Aug/Sept 1908: Two of his songs were published in Folk Songs from Somerset vol5 - Fanny Blair' (The Deserter) FT1809; and 'The Robber' (Roud 490):

Sharp visited George Say in Axbridge workhouse on 5 separate occasions. George was baptised at St John the Baptist, Churchill on 7/11/1841, son of Thomas Say, agricultural labourer and his wife Ann. George was an agricultural labourer himself and spent most of his life in Churchill village. He was still single aged ‘55’ in 1901 (RG13/13/2328 f36 p5) but is strangely listed as a widower, aged 71, in the Axbridge Union workhouse in 1911 census. It’s stated that he had been married for 9 years with three children but no marital record is forthcoming. it was also noted that he was blind from the age of 67. He was probably blind when he met Sharp, therefore. He was buried in Congresbury on 20/11/1913.