Chapman, Robert

Singer

Collection date: Apr 1906

Area: Somerset - West

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Robert Chapman at Old Cleeve (1825-1913): age 81, 2 songs (FT840/1) on 5 Apr 1906: Robert was baptised at Old Cleeve church on 24/7/1825, son of Hugh Chapman, parish clerk and wife Hannah. Hugh was a cordwainer (shoemaker) by trade but Robert was an agricultural labourer in all the censuses. Robert married Sarah Jenkins, a young widow, at Old Cleeve church on 25/5/1858. Sarah brought one child from her first marriage, a daughter Sarah Jane, who according to the 1901 census was an ‘imbecile from childhood’. Robert and Sarah had 6 children of their own. They lived next to the rectory in Old Cleeve for most of their married lives.

Rev Marson noted in the Field Notebook Words (1906/1 p12) that Robert’s father was parish clerk for 57 years and that Robert played the bass viol (presumably in the church orchestra). Robert probably died June qr 1913 aged 87 (ref Williton 5c 340).