The Shellard Family of West Littleton
The Shellard family name can be found in a number of parishes in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset. The three memorials at West Littleton are for a family living in the parish, many of them for all their lives.
William Shellard married Ann Ettell on 29th April 1841 in the Parish Church of Batheaston Somerset, by licence.
William was the son of Edward Shellard a Farmer and Ann Ettell the daughter of Jonathan Ettell a Market Gardener.
1841 The 1841 census (taken 6 June 1841) shows William and Ann living in West Littleton and describes William as a Farmer born in the county of Gloucestershire and Ann not born of the county as she was born in Somerset.
The memorial (below) at West Littleton records the death two of the children of William and Ann.
“Mary Shellard who died 9th May 1842 aged 9 weeks daughter of William and Ann Shellard”, and
“Also of Ann Shellard on 22nd December 1871 aged 25 years, daughter of William and Ann Shellard"
1849 Birth registration shows Matilda and Elizabeth Shellard births registered June ¼ 1849, Chipping Sodbury XI 255, probably indicating they were twins.
1851 The census describes the family living in village of West Littleton
William is described as born in Dyrham and his wife Ann born Batheaston
William is also described as a farmer of 206 acres. Their daughters are also listed on the
census Jane (10), Mary (8), Ann (6), Elizabeth and Matilda both aged 2.
- William and Ann living together in West Littleton with their unmarried daughters Jane (19), Mary (17) Anne (15) and Elizabeth (11) and Matilda (11). William is described as a Farmer of 180 acres.
1864 The Memorial at West Littleton (below) describes “Ann wife of William Shellard, died October 8th 1864 aged 57 years.”
- The Census describes William as a widower. Farmer. Living West Littleton with his daughters Jane (28), Anne (25), Elizabeth (22), and Matilda (22)
1871 The memorial (above) records the death of Ann Shellard on 22nd December aged 25 years, daughter of William and Ann Shellard
1880 Elizabeth Shellard daughter of William and Ann, married Charles Cowley
1881 The Census describes William age 70 living at “Farm house, West Littleton” with his daughter Jane aged 38 years
1887 William Shellard died October 23rd 1887 Aged 83 years
1891 The census details Jane living with her sister Elizabeth Cowley and her brother in law Charles and their family at The White Hart Inn, The Folly, Cold Ashton.
Charles Cowley is described as an Inn Keeper and Farmer.
1901 The census details Jane still with her sister Elizabeth Cowley and her brother in law Charles and their family at The White Hart Inn, The Folly, Cold Ashton.
Charles Cowley is described as a Farmer (Grazier).
1910 Charles Cowley (husband of Elizabeth) died.
1911 The census details Jane still with her sister Elizabeth Cowley who is now widowed. The four Cowley children are living at home and working the farm. They are now living at Tolldown Inn Farm Dyrham.
1927 Jane Shellard died on 30th January 1927 aged 84, at Tolldown, Dyrham and is described on the death certificate as the “Spinster daughter of William Shellard (deceased) Farmer.”. The informant was A.C.Cowley her nephew, who was probably Arthur Charles Cowley, as named on various census.
The same year, Elizabeth Cowley (nee Shellard) died 3 November at Toll Down Dyrham.
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY
OF
JANE SHELLARD
Who passed peacefully away January 30th 1927
Aged 84 years
“THY WILL BE DONE ”