Walter, William

Singer

Collection date: Aug 1908

Area: Somerset - Mendips (Harptree & Priddy)

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William Walter at Wells Union Workhouse (1829-?): age 81, 2 songs (incl ‘Mary in the Silvery Tide’ FT1801 published in Folk Songs from Somerset vol5) on 26 Aug 1908: William Walter was baptised on 23/4/1829 at Glastonbury St John, son of John Walter, blacksmith and his wife Esther. He was described in most censuses as a haulier and labourer, living in Northload St Glastonbury with wife Eliza, who was a glover. They had 2 children. His name had always been spelled without an ‘s’ but in 1901 census William Walters was listed as an inmate in Wells workhouse, which is where Sharp met him (ref RG13/2316 f102 p4). Sharp (FSS5 p84) says that Walter was also a ‘dowser’. No date of death.