John Duffett

S. of Thomas Duffett & Joan Lemon

John Duffett
Bap. 25.12.1811 at Stalbridge, Dorset, England
Occ. Baker
Marr. Mary Ann Lush 20.8.1840 at Stalbridge, Dorset
Died in January 1851 at Stalbridge, Dorset (buried 8th of January)

Children

Walter
Clement
John
Alfred
Sarah Ann

NOTE

Mary (b. 1818), of Stalbridge, Dorset. She re-married after John's death to Benjamin Harris (DUFFETT, Mary-Ann, 1820, mbb, HARRIS, Benjamin, 1825, 24 Feb 1853, 28, B, Labourer, Stalbridge, Benjamin, Harris, Carpenter, 33, W, Stalbridge, George, Lush, John Harris Sarah Harris X, 1825, 1820, RE09/183, M1326, X). They had 4 children: Joseph, Samuel, Eliza & Henry.

They may have had another child called Nehemiah (DUFFETT, John, Anne, 1843, Nehemiah, M, 13 Oct 1843, Stalbridge, Labourer, 5206C, RE06/1484). "If they are twins, they may have quickly baptised Nehemiah before he died, if he was very ill." (Thanks to Teresa Francis for this possibility).

DUFFETT, John, 1813, mgb, LUSH X, Mary-Ann, 1819, 20 Aug 1840, B, 27, B.... Thomas, Duffett, Labourer, 21, S.... George, Lush, Labourer, George Curtis Jane Dike X, 1813, 1819, RE09/022, M1165
DUFFITT, John, 1812, za, 08 Jan 1851, 39, Stalbridge, 1812, B4464, RE08/1173

The cottage (formerly called End House) was for quite a few years owned by the Harris family, and then passed to the Parsons family. I believe it was occupied / owned successively by:- Henry Harris and his wife Bessie (nee Inkpen) Eliza Ann Harris (“Lily”) and her sister Elsie Louise Harris (neither ever married). I do not know when the house passed from Henry to Lily & Elsie, although I’ve been told that Henry was still alive in the 1920’s. On the death of Elsie in 1976, the property passed to the Parsons family, after which it underwent significant renovation and extension. A little more on the individuals: Henry was the son of Benjamin Harris and Mary Ann Duffett, but I do not know if Benjamin & Mary lived in End House. Benjamin and Mary were married in February 1853, three years after Mary’s first husband (John Duffett) died. Mary’s maiden name was Lush. Henry (born 1858) and Bessie must have married in the period 1875-82, although I do not have the date. Bessie was known for her singing ability. They had several children: Bessie Sylvia Amanda (b1882, never married, went into service as a housekeeper), Henry Willie (b1889, postman, breeches maker / tailor. Lived in Back Lane and then The Ring), Agnes Clara (b1886, became an accomplished soprano), Eliza Ann (b1888), Benjamin Charlie (b1891), Bertie Frank (always known as Frank) (b1894), Eva Annie (b1898) and Elsie Louise (b1899). Goodness knows how (or if) these offspring occupied that small cottage with their parents! Elsie worked as secretary to the owner of the Milk Factory (C & G Prideaux), in their office which fronted onto the High Street opposite the market cross. The factory was sited at the bottom of Gold Street (the site subsequently occupied by Stalbridge Motors). Elsie and Lily used to make their own wine, which they readily shared with visitors. Out of interest, while the house was occupied by Henry, I believe the adjoining house was occupied by Billy Brown, who I’m told had a wooden leg. Billy was a recognised craftsman and was one of the two people who carved the chancel screen in the church. Some time later, that adjoining house was occupied by Bertie (Frank) Harris and his wife Dorothy (nee Andrews). By Dave Harris

The last 3 children of John & Mary Ann were found by Lynda Lawrence via this 1861 census of Stalbridge Wood lane.

Benjamin Harris 37 ag lab (all were born at SB)
Mary Ann wife 40
John Duffett male 15 ag lab
Alfred Duffett 13 ag lab
Sarah Duffett 11 ag lab
Joseph Harris 7 scholar
Henry Harris 2 s scholar

Descendants of Mary Ann Lush will be interested in 'My Harris Lineage'.