Person:Robert Savage (1)

Robert Savage was baptised on 7th August 1785 at Winchester in Hampshire, son of Sarah Savage, formerly Parker, and her husband Barzillai Savage, a labourer. Robert was the third of their nine children.

Robert’s father Barzillai died in May 1808.

Six months later, on 17th November 1808, aged 23, Robert married Ann Stevens at the church of St Maurice in Winchester. They went on to have a daughter called Ann in 1809 and a son called Edward in 1811, who were both baptised in the parish of St Maurice where Robert and Ann had married.

In November 1811, just a month after baby Edward’s baptism, the family left Winchester and moved nearly 70 miles south-west to Weymouth on the Dorset coast. Robert took possession of a house there and tried his hand at being a billiard table keeper, presumably trying to cater to the tourist trade that was developing there. Weymouth was one of the first tourist resorts, with King George III having made it his summer residence fourteen times between 1789 and 1805, and many of those affluent enough to take holidays followed the king’s lead.

The venture did not last, and Robert later reported that they stayed for about eighteen months before returning to Winchester. They were certainly back in Winchester by June 1814, when their next child was baptised. From 1814 to 1828 all the children’s baptisms show that the family lived on Water Lane, which is on the eastern side of Winchester, alongside the River Itchen, in the parish of Winchester St John. Robert was described on their children’s baptisms as being a pattern maker and last maker (lasts being the wooden blocks around which shoes and boots are made). In total, Robert and Ann had nine children between 1809 and 1831.

The family’s financial position seems to have been precarious at times. In 1816 Robert was subjected to a settlement examination by the Overseers of the Poor of the parish, which may indicate either that the family had needed to claim poor relief, or that they were considered to be at risk of needing to claim it. The purpose of such examinations was to establish whether there was a different parish which had the legal responsibility to pay the poor relief. The fact that the family had spent time in Weymouth had clearly raised doubt in the officials’ minds.

As well as working as a last maker, Robert took on other jobs, including milkman and deputy apparitor (carrying out various duties to support the local magistrates). Despite these efforts, their financial position remained unstable, and in 1822 Robert was described as an insolvent debtor.

Robert did later regain some standing; in 1827 he was elected as one of the Sergeants-at-Mace (or Town Sergeants) of the city. As part of this role he also became keeper of the City Bridewell.

Robert and Ann’s eldest daughter married in 1828. Their first known grandchild was born in 1831, being baptised only three months after Robert and Ann’s youngest son had been baptised.

In January 1834 Robert and Ann’s second daughter, Elizabeth, died aged seventeen.

Ann died on 14th March 1835. She was buried the following day at St Maurice’s Church in Winchester. She was said to be either 44 or 45 years old. Her youngest son was only about four years old at the time.

Four months after Ann’s death, Robert married again. His second wife was a widow called Mary Ann Strickland. They did not marry in Winchester, but at St Mary’s Church in Portsea, in the suburbs of Portsmouth, some thirty miles from Winchester. The witnesses to their marriage were Mary’s daughter (also called Mary Ann) and Robert’s nephew William Savage (Robert’s brother Joseph’s son). The following year young Mary Ann Strickland and William Savage would marry each other in the same church.

Robert and Mary returned to Winchester after their marriage.

In May 1836 two prisoners escaped from the Winchester City Bridewell whilst in Robert’s custody, and were not recaptured. Shortly afterwards it appears strong words were had between Robert and members of the council – in June it was reported that Robert had written a formal letter “expressing his regret at the expression made use of to some members of the council at a former meeting”.

In August, Robert faced charges of neglecting his duty in connection with the two escapees. He attended a council meeting where he presented evidence from a woman who had information on how the prisoners had escaped, in an effort to exonerate himself. He does not appear to have been successful, and in September 1836 he and two other Town Sergeants were relieved of their posts and new sergeants appointed.

Robert and the other two sergeants who had lost their positions did not feel that their dismissal was just. In particular, it had been their belief that the post of Town Sergeant was an appointment for life; as far as they could see vacancies for new sergeants had only previously arisen from the deaths of incumbents. As such, they secured the services of a lawyer and in November 1836 made a claim against the council for loss of earnings they would otherwise have earned for the rest of their lifetimes. It was reported that the post had been worth about £36 per year. Robert claimed for £268, representing just over seven times the annual rate. The other two men claimed for similar amounts.

The case went on for about four months. Eventually, in March 1837, the council agreed to pay the men a one off payment of £25 each.

Robert went back to his old trade of being a last maker. At least three of his sons also worked as last makers as adults.

In July 1840, Robert’s daughter Caroline died aged 17.

The 1841 census finds Robert and Mary living on Lower Brook Street in Winchester with Robert’s youngest son Edwin. Somewhat ironically, given Robert’s former job, his son James appears in the census as an inmate of the Hampshire County Gaol in Winchester. Robert’s elderly mother Sarah also appears in the 1841 census on Lower Brook Street, living with Robert’s brother Joseph, who was the Town Crier.

Robert’s mother died in March 1842, when she was said to be 87 or 88 years old.

Robert died in Winchester on 1st November 1847, aged 62, having been suffering with consumption. He was buried three days later at St Lawrence’s Church in the city. A notice in the local newspaper described him has having been for “many years one of the Town Sergeants”, and also noted that he was the uncle of William Savage, who had become quite a prominent shopkeeper in Winchester, and would later become an early photographer in the city.

Mary survived Robert by seven years, in which time she went to live with her daughter Mary and son-in-law William Savage, Robert’s nephew.

1. ↑ England. Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. (FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Findmypast).

   ch. 7 Aug 1785, St Lawrence, Winchester, Hampshire: Robert son of Barzillai & Sarah Savage

   This baptism has been linked to the Robert Savage who married Ann Stevens on the basis that it is around the time implied by the age given when he died, and in the same city that he spent most of his adult life. Moreover, when he died he was described in the local newspaper as being the uncle of William Savage, who had become a prominent shopkeeper in Winchester. That William was the son of a Joseph Savage, whose age suggests that he was born around 1788, and Barzillai and Sarah had a son called Joseph baptised in 1788.

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 409; Book 6; Folio 16; Page 27, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: Lower Brook Street, Winchester (St Maurice), Hampshire
   Robert Savage, male, 55 [1781-6], Last M[aker], born in county
   Mary Savage, female, 57 [1783/4], born in county
   Edwin Savage, male, 10 [1830/1], born in county

3. ↑ Death certificate, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   REGISTRATION DISTRICT WINCHESTER & HURSLEY
   1847 DEATH in the Sub-District of Winchester in the County of Southampton
   No.	When and where died	Name and surname	Sex	Age	Occupation	Cause of death	Signature, description and residence of informant	When registered	Signature of registrar
   406	First of November 1847 Parish of St Lawrence	Robert Savage	male	62 years [1784/5]	Last Maker	Consumption certified	Grace Budd present at the death Square, Winchester	First of November 1847	Charles Mayo, Registrar

   
4. ↑ England. Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991. (FamilySearch, Ancestry.com).

   bur. 4 Nov 1847, St Lawrence, Winchester, Hampshire: Robert Savage

5.   Hampshire Archives Catalogue
   81088/9/4.

   Winchester St John's Parish, Overseers of the poor, Settlement papers
   Robert Savage, Melcombe Regis, Dorset: settlement examination, Nov 1816
   Took a house in Melcombe Regis in November 1811 and stayed approx 18 months

6.   Hampshire Chronicle & Courier (Winchester), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
   Page 1, Monday 4 Feb 1822.

   NSOLVENT DEBTORS COURT OFFICE,
   No. 9, Essex-street, Strand.
   PETITIONS of Insolvent Debtors, to be heard before his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the county of Southampton, at an adjournment of the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to be holden at the Grand Jury Chamber, of the Castle of Winchester, in and for the said county, on Saturday the second day of March, 1822, at the hour of eleven o’clock in forenoon…
   ROBERT SAVAGE, formerly of Weymouth, in the county of Dorset, billiard-table keeper, and late of Winchester, in the said county of Southampton, last-maker, deputy-apparitor, and milkman…

7.   Southampton Town & County Herald (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
   Page 2, Monday 5 Feb 1827.

   WINCHESTER…
   At a meeting of the Mayor Alderman, and Common Counsel, holden at the Guildhall on Friday, Mr. Robert Savage, last-maker, was elected one of the Serjents at Mace of the City in the place of Mr. Walter deceased.

8.   Hampshire Chronicle & Southampton Courier (Winchester), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
   Page 1, Monday 13 Jan 1834.

   Died, on Wednesday, aged 17, Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr Robert Savage, keeper of the City Bridewell.

9.   Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle (Portsmouth), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
   Page 4, Monday 16 Mar 1835.

   Winchester,
   SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1835…
   Died, on Saturday last, aged 44 years, Ann, the wife of Mr. Robert Savage, of this city.

10.   Hampshire Chronicle & Southampton Courier (Winchester), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 1, Monday 16 Mar 1835.

    Died, last week, Ann, the wife of Mr. R. Savage, Keeper of the City Bridewell, aged 44.

11.   Hampshire Chronicle & Southampton Courier, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 1, Monday 30 May 1836.

    WINCHESTER…
    Two prisoners escaped from the City Bridewell on Monday, and have not since been heard of.

12.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 3, Saturday 18 Jun 1836.

    WINCHESTER.- At a meeting of the Council on Monday… A letter from Robert Savage was also read, expressing his regret at the expression made use of to some members of the council at a former meeting…

13.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 2, Saturday 20 Aug 1836.

    WINCHESTER, AUG, 20…
    A Meeting of the Town Council – adjourned from the 8th instant – took place at the Guildhall on Monday last.
    Robert Savage, the late keeper of the Bridewell, produced the evidence of a woman as to the mode of escape of two prisoners from his custody, with a view to exonerate himself from the charge of neglect of duty.

14.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 2, Saturday 1 Oct 1836.

    WINCHESTER, OCT. 1…
    A meeting of the Town Council took place on Thursday, at St. John’s House, (the Guildhall being under repair). The Town Serjeants for the year ensuing were elected, and the bye laws of the council agreed to.- Messrs. Newlyn, Savage, and Pearman were removed from their situations as Town Serjeants, and Messrs. Wm. Manns, Hunter, and Grant, were elected in their stead…

15.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 3, Saturday 12 Nov 1836.

    WINCHESTER, NOV. 12…
    James Pearman, Robert Savage and Richard Newlyn, three of the late town clerks, then preferred claims for compensation for removal from their offices. The claims stated the amount of the fees and emoluments of the office to law, amounted to 36l. 8s. 0d. annually, for the last five years, and the sums claimed was as follows:-
    £. s. d.
    By Mr. Newlyn…………………………………263 1 9
    Savage………………………………… 268 2 7
    Pearman……………………………….. 293 3 1
    On the motion of Mr. Bird, the court then adjourned to the 7th of December.

16.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 2, Saturday 10 Dec 1836.

    WINCHESTER, Dec. 10.
    An adjourned meeting of the Town Council took place on Wednesday, for the purpose of considering the claims of the late Town Sergeants, Richard Newlyn, Robert Savage, and James Pearman, for compensation, in being removed from their offices.- Mr. C. Wooldridge, who is employed by the parties to prosecute their claims, stated the grounds on which they applied to the court – viz., that on searching the corporation books, no instance is found of a town sergeant, or sergeant at mace, having been discharged from his office. That the persons appointed to that office were regularly sworn in, and continued in it till their deaths. The new appointments immediately following the death of the last holder of the office. Only one instance could be found where a town sergeant at mace had been dismissed, and that was for misconduct. He cited instances where, on the death of a town sergeant his emoluments had been continued to his widow for some time, and also where the emoluments of the office had been continued to a town sergeant after his successor had been appointed on account of bodily infirmity. On these grounds he continued that they were entitled to compensation, as having been removed from an office for life. He called the claimants before the court, who were sworn, and stated that the emoluments of the office for the last five years to have averaged 36l. yearly. Mr. Wooldridge having closed his case, reserving to himself to make further remarks at the next meeting, if he should think it essential; some discussion took place as to the time which the court the adjourn, and it was finally fixed for the 26th of January, when Mr. Bird will cross-examine the witnesses, and oppose the claims on behalf of the Council.

17.   Hampshire Chronicle & Southampton Courier (Winchester), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 1, Monday 20 Feb 1837.

    A meeting of the Town Council of this city and borough was held on Thursday, at the Guildhall, pursuant to adjournment from the 26th of January, when the further investigation of the claims of the Town Sergeants to compensation for the loss of their offices was resumed. Mr. C. Wooldridge, who appeared in support of the claims, said, as some of the Council were absent when he opened the case at the last meeting, he would briefly observe that the evidence which he had adduced, and the documents to which he had referred, on that occasion, clearly shewed the circumstances in which his clients were placed – that they were entitled to hold office for life. Without further preface, therefore, he should proceed to call his evidence, and claim his right to reply. The first witness called was Henry Grant, one of the present Town Sergeants, the effect of whose testimony was, that he held a similar office for 25 years under the old Corporation, having succeeded a person name Lonon, who was in the situation for many years previous to his death. After his first appointment Grant stated that he never asked to be continued again, and after his first election he was never again elected, and thought he was to continue in office for life. Richard Newlyn, one of the claimants, being examined by Mr Twynam, said he had received £30 a year for market tolls, which he had always considered to be the perquisites of the Town Sergeants; but had no means of showing that they were so, besides what he himself understood, and had never heard of any grant of them being made by the Corporation. He had never kept any regular account of the annual amount, but in stating them at £30 a year he spoke from recollection. He had never heard that the Corporation objected to the tolls being taken by the Town Sergeants – in fact, the Mayor gave them authority to collect and received the tolls by virtue of their office. He understood that there was latterly an intention of taking them away, and substituting a salary. The Town Sergeants paid about £4 for rates on account of the Market House. The testimony of Robert Savage and Jas. Pearman, the other claimants, was in corroboration of that given by the preceding witness. Mr Wooldridge then read various entries from the Corporation records, commencing as far back as the 15th century, to shew that the appointments in question had been, from that time to a very recent period, invariably filled up only when vacancies occurred in consequence of death, except in one instance, wherein a man was dismissed for a misdemeanour. This closed the case on the part of the claimants; and, after a short conversation, it was agreed to postpone further proceedings till Monday the 6th of March, at 10 o’clock, when Mr Twynam will be heard in opposition to the claims.

18.   Hampshire Advertiser & Salisbury Guardian (Southampton), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 3, Saturday 11 Mar 1837.

    WINCHESTER, MARCH 11…
    MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL.- A meeting of the Municipal Council took place on Monday, for the purpose of deciding on the claims of the late town sergeants. Mr. Twynam argued at considerable length against the claim, and produced various documents, being extracts from the records of the corporation, to show that these officers had never been considered as officers for life. The most material and conclusive part of his evidence was the corporation rolls, by which it appeared that since the year 1816 the corporation had appointed these officers annually. On the production of this evidence, Mr. Wooldridge admitted that he must abandon his position that the offices were life; but he contended that the customary usage warranted his clients in supposing that they held their offices for life, and that they could claim compensation, as displaced from offices which, in all probability, they would have continued to enjoy for life under the old law.- After some discussion it was admitted that the claims could be supported for one year only, and a resolution awarding to each of the claimants 25l. was finally agreed to.

19.   Hampshire Chronicle (Winchester), in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Page 1, Saturday 6 Nov 1847.

    WINCHESTER...
    Died, on Monday, in this city, Mr. Robert Savage, aged 62, many years one of the Town Sergeants, and uncle to Mr. William Savage, Fancy Needlework Warehouse, in the Square.