Mead, William

Singer

Collection date: Apr 1906

Area: Somerset - Bridgwater Town

---

William Mead of Bridgwater (1842-1916): age 64, 2 songs on 12 Apr 1906: William Mead sang 2 sea songs ‘Cape Horn’ and ‘Tarry Trousers’ (FT867,870). He was born c1842, son of William Mead labourer. According to the Bridgwater Shipping Lists a William Mead was recorded as a crew member on ships for 22 of the 37 years between 1867 and 1904.

In the censuses: In 1881 William Mead Jr was a boatman, unmarried, living as a lodger in Barclay St (same street at Mr Gage). On 17/9/1882 aged 38, a bachelor mariner, he married Ellen Lowe, 32 a widow at Holy Trinity church Bridgwater. He could not sign his name. In 1901 (RG13/2283 f90 p27) they were living at 72 Barclay St with two children Florrie, 18, a servant, and William 15, brickyard boy. In 1911 William was 69, working as a bargeman, with wife Ellen and son William, also a bargeman. William died Mar qr 1916 Bridgwater 5c 473.