Chard Genealogical Records
Chard Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Transcriptions of 255 parish baptism registers. They list children, their parents' names, residences, occupations and sometimes other details.
Transcriptions of copies of parish registers that were compiled for the Bishop of Wells.
A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.
An index to births registered at the central authority for England & Wales. The index provides the area where the birth was registered, mother's maiden name from September 1911 and a reference to order a birth certificate.
Chard Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
An index to marriages in Chard listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.
Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1609 and 1855.
An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.
An index of 369,186 Somerset marriages. Condition and residence may be included.
Chard Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.
Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.
Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.
Burial records covering those buried at Blessed Virgin Mary, Chard_. This resource is an index and may not include all the details that were recorded in the burial registers from which they were extracted.
Chard Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
Digital images of books the list people eligible to vote in Somerset. Includes addresses and nature of that address.
An early census of men able to serve in the militia.
Newspapers Covering Chard
Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Taunton district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.
A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.
A weekly newspaper that circulated through Wales and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. It published general news, literature, commentary, family notices, adverts etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.
A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.
A regional newspaper covering the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.
Chard Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.
Summaries of 1,616 wills that may detail family relationships, land ownership and other details.
An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.
A calendar to wills and admons granted by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains year of the grant, name and residence.
Chard Immigration & Travel Records
A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.
A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.
An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.
Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.
Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.
Chard Military Records
An index to almost 11,000 men connected with Somerset who died during WWI.
An early census of men able to serve in the militia.
A history of the regiment in the run-up to and during the Napoleonic Wars.
A list of names found on World War One monuments in Somerset, with some service details.
A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Somerset, with some service details.
Chard Court & Legal Records
A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.
Transcripts of a large number of records detailing investigations into deaths.
An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.
Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.
Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.
Chard Taxation Records
A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.
A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.
Chard Land & Property Records
A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.
Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.
Chard Directories & Gazetteers
An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.
Chard Cemeteries
Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.
Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.
Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.
An index to burials at Cemetery, Chard. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of their death or burial and their age.
An index to vital details engraved on over 100,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.
Chard Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Chard Histories & Books
Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and images of churches in Somerset.
A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Somerset. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.
Chard School & Education Records
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Chard Occupation & Business Records
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.
Histories of Somerset pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.
Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.
An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Chard
Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
Chard Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and descriptions of Somerset's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Chard Church Records
A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.
An index to vital details engraved on over 25,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.
Biographical Directories Covering Chard
Brief biographies of thousands of notable Somerset men.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
Chard Maps
Digital images of maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.
Chard Reference Works
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
Chard is a very ancient town, and once a place of some consequence, sending representatives to parliament in the time of Edward I. and the two succeeding reigns. It is supposed to derive its name from Cerdic, a famous Saxon general. It is at present but an indifferent place, consisting of two principal streets, and a long row of houses, called Crow-lane.
The market, which is held on Monday, is a very large one for cattle and corn: it is also the largest market for potatoes in England, thirty waggon-loads being frequently brought on a market-day, during the season, and seldom less than twenty.
Three fairs are held here, viz., May 3rd, August 5th, and November 2d.
The church is a large and handsome edifice, consisting of a nave, chancel, north and south aisles, north and south transepts, and a tower at the west end.
CHARD, anciently called “Cerde,” or " Cherde,” from Cerdic, King of the West Saxons, is a municipal borough, market and union town, parish and the head of a county court district, at the extremity of the county, on the confines of Devon and Dorset, with stations on the Great Western and London and South Western railways, 142 ½ miles from London, 13 south-east from Taunton, 8 west from Crewkerne and 5 south-west from Ilminster: it is in the Southern division of the county, Ilminster petty sessional division, Taunton bankruptcy court district, hundred of Kingsbury East, rural deanery of Crewkerne, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The London and South Western railway has a branch to Chard from Chard junction, and the Great Western a line from Taunton to Chard.
The town is paved, lighted with gas by a company from works at Furnham, and supplied with excellent water from a natural spring at the west end of the town, a little off High street. The stream divides itself above Holyrood street into two branches, which run through the principal thoroughfares.
The original borough, incorporated by Jocelyn, bishop of Bath and Wells, out of his manor of Chard, stands on 52 acres of land, given by him by charter, dated 1234, for the period of building a new town; previous to that period the existing dwellings probably constituted what is now styled “the old town, ’’ which was in the parish but not included in the borough of Chard. The borough sent members to parliament from 1312 to 1315 and again from 1321 to 1328, but lost this privilege by the neglect of the freemen: it was for many years governed by a portreeve and burgesses, who, together with a town clerk, constituted a self-elected corporation, without any magisterial authority; but under the provisions of the “Municipal Corporations Act, 1835” (5 and 6 Wm. IV. c. 76), the government of the town was vested in a corporation, consisting of a mayor, four aldermen and twelve councillors. The borough was extended by a Local Government Board Order on the 9th November, 1892. and by another order dated 29th September, 1893, the extended portion is also included in the borough of Chard for poor law purposes. The extension includes, on the south side “Old Town,” in which stands the parish church; on the west “Crimchard,” with the cemetery; on the north “Furnham,” with the Great Western station and the gas works; and on the east a large district including the union workhouse and the South Western station. The borough is under the jurisdiction of county police.
The church of St. Mary the Virgin is a building of stone in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of six bays, aisles, transepts, north and south porches and an embattled western tower with pinnacles and a turret, and containing a clock with chimes, presented by Mr. George England on the 50th anniversary of his wedding day, 20th June, 1886, and 8 bells, two of which were presented by G. T. Canning esq. and the rest of the peal then rehung; the chancel retains a piscina, and there are three hagioscopes, and the doorway to the rood loft staircase also remains; on the north transept wall are indistinct traces of ancient paintings, there is a memorial window in the chancel, erected in 1879. to the Rev. Henry Thompson M.A. vicar, and another to Mr. William Salter, there are tablets to the memory of Elizabeth, relict of Henry Fry, of Deer Park, Devon, who died in 1787, and to the Smith family, 1686, and several former vicars: in 1884 a pulpit of oak, on a base of Ham stone, from designs by Mr. J. D. Sedding, architect, was erected and a brass eagle lectern presented; these form a memorial to children of Mr. W. J. Tucker, town clerk: the church was restored in 1883—4 at a cost of £3,400, and affords sittings for 500 persons. The register of baptisms and burials date from the year 1649; marriages, 1652; but these are irregular up to 1663. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £283, including 3 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1890 by the Rev. John William Robinson M.A. of Trinity College, Dublin, prebendary of Wells, and rural dean of Crewkerne.
The Congregational church, in Fore street, is a building of stone in the Decorated style of the 14th century, and consists of chancel, nave and aisles with galleries on each side, organ chamber and a tower with spire, the stained west window was given by the teachers and scholars of the Sunday school: the church was erected from the designs of Mr. Stent, architect, of Warminster, at a cost considerably exceeding £2,000, and has 800 sittings: the older chapel in High street dated from 1700 and its registers from 1786.
The Baptist chapel, in Holyrood street, is a large stone edifice in the Italian style, capable of seating 500 persons. The original building dated from 1652 and its registers from 1788.
The Wesleyan church, in Fore street, erected in 1895 at a cost of £3,400, is an edifice of red brick with Bath stone dressings, in the Early Geometrical Gothic style, from designs by Mr. R. Curwen A.R.I.B.A, of London, and consists of apsidal chancel and clerestoried nave, and will seat 330 persons. At the back of the church is a large schoolroom, a minister’s vestry, three commodious class-rooms, a church parlour and out-houses. The Broadlake Baptist meeting house, in Holyrood street, and bearing the date 1803 over the door, will seat 350 persons. On the vacation of the existing pastorate this building reverts to the town. The Gospel Hall, in Combe street, is a plain building of stone with dressings of white brick, and will seat about 300 persons.
The cemetery, at the north-east end of the town, was formed in 1857 at a cost of about £3,500, and consists of about 4 acres of ground with two mortuary chapels for the Church of England and Nonconformists, and a keeper’s lodge at the entrance, it is under the control of a burial board of 12 members.
The Town Hall, erected in 1834, near the site of the earlier hall, a picturesque building in the Gothic style, which stood in the middle of Fore street at the junction of Holyrood and Combe streets, is a building of Bath stone in the Classic style, surmounted by a tower with cupola, which contains an illuminated clock; the large hall will hold 250 persons, under the town hall are placed two small cannon, given by Richard Wheadon in 1842. Opposite the present building stood in former days the old market house, used as an assize hall by Judge Jeffreys in 1685.
The borough has a mayoral chain, with large vesica shaped pendant, on the lines of the ancient seal, which exhibits a quaint device of two mediaeval peacocks, with foliated sprays in the centre. On either side are medallions bearing shields and crowns, the one emblazoned with the arms of Edward I. who granted the first charter dated 7th January, 1285, and the other the Royal Arms. The chain itself is composed of a series of links in scrolls, forming the figures “96” between larger foliated shields of fanciful design. The links and shields have been presented by those gentlemen who are living and have served the office of mayors, and by descendants or relatives of deceased portreeves and mayors, the first link having the date 1699. The chain was worn by the mayor for the first time on Sunday, April 18th, 1897.
The police station is in Silver street.
The Corn Exchange, in the rear of the Town Hall, erected at a cost of nearly £1,200, is a spacious building with a stage and is used as a ball room, &c. and as the volunteer drill hall.
The Masonic Lodge. No. 1.053 (Prudence and Industry), holds its meetings at the lodge room, George hotel, Fore street, on the last Wednesday in the month from September to April, and an installation is held on the 2nd Wednesday in May.
The staple manufacture of the town, which formerly consisted of cloth, has been superseded by that of lace, employing about 1,000 hands. In addition to lace factories there are iron and brass foundries, machine works, linen collar factories, a brewery, rope and twine factories, and a cloth manufactory.
The market day is Saturday. A stock market is held in Fore street on alternate Mondays.
Fairs are held on the first Wednesdays in May, August and November, There are branch banks here of Stuckey’s Banking Company Limited and the Wilts and Dorset Banking Company Limited.
The club rooms of the Liberal Club Company Limited and the Liberal Association are in Fore street.
The L Co. of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Prince Albert’s Somersetshire Light Infantry, have their head quarters at the Corn Exchange, at the rear of the Town Hall, and number in all 108 officers and men.
John Wheadon esq. of Crimchard, who died in February, 1866, bequeathed £1,500 to the poor of the parish and borough of Chard, £500 each to the parishes of Winsham, Combe St. Nicholas and Buckland St. Mary, and £250 to the parish of Creech St. Michael; these sums are invested in the funds in the names of the ministers and churchwardens of the respective parishes, and the dividends are distributed annually by them on Christmas Eve in such manner as they think proper, the gift in each parish being called “Wheadon’s Charity.”
Harvey’s Hospital was founded and endowed in the 15th year of Charles II. (1663—4) Richard Harvey, of Exeter, for 16 poor persons, and was rebuilt in 1842; the income amounts to £458 yearly, and each inmate has two rooms, a weekly allowance of 5s. to single persons and 6s. to married, and also coals, sheets, blankets and medical attendance.
There are other charities of about £3 for distribution in money.
Chard was the scene of some of the atrocities of the notorious Judge Jeffreys, after the failure of Monmouth’s rebellion in June, 1685, twelve of the rebels condemned at Taunton being hanged here on a tree known as “Hang Cross Tree,” which formerly stood at the foot of the town, nearly opposite the site of the present London and South Western railway station.
Many Roman coins have been found here at various times, some of which, with other articles, were collected by the late Mr. Arthur Hull, of Newhays, Chard, and were afterwards bequeathed by him to the Corporation.
The town was the scene of a battle in the Parliamentary war, when the Royalists, under Colonel Penruddock, were defeated.
The manor belonged to the see of Bath and Wells till 1801, when it was alienated for the redemption of the land tax to Earl Poulett, whose trustees hold a court baron in the parish every year.
The population of the borough in 1901 was 4,437; the area is 403 acres; rateable, value, £16,515. The population of the parish was estimated in 1892 at 1,760, including 6 officers and 134 inmates in the workhouse; area, 4,759 acres; rateable value, £11,460.
Petty Sessions are held at the Town hall the second Mon. in every month The following places are included in the sub-division:-Buckland St. Mary, Chaffcombe, Chard, Combe St. Nicholas, Cricket St. Thomas, Knowle St. Giles, Wambrook, Whitestaunton & Winsham.
CHARD UNION
Board days, alternate Mondays at 11 a.m. at the Union house.
Chard Union comprises the following places: -Ashill, Broadway, Buckland St. Mary, Chaffcombe, Chard borough, Chard parish, Chillington, Combe St. Nicholas, Crewkerne, West Crewkerne, Cricket Malherbie, Cricket St. Thomas, Cudworth, Dinnington, Donyatt, Dowlishwake, Hinton St. George, Ilminster Within & Without, Ilton, Kingstone, Knowle St. Giles, Lopen, Merriott, Misterton, Seavington St. Mary, Seavington St. Michael, Shepton Beauchamp, Stocklinch, Wayford, West Dawlish, White Lackington, Whitestaunton, Winsham, Wambrook. The population of the union in 1901 was 24,250; area, 55,062 acres; rateable value in 1901, £134,655.
The Workhouse, at the eastern extremity of the town, was built in 1837 at a cost of about £9,000, & will hold 319 inmates.
PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Rev. Prebendary Robinson M.A. vicar; 8.30 am. 11 am. 3 & 6.30 p.m.; daily 10 am. & 6.30 p.m.
The Church of the Good Shepherd for the Parish of Furnham, Rev. Charles Richard Elringiton M.A. incumbent; Rev. Francis Leonaird Ewens, curate; 8.15 & 11 am. 2.30 & 6.30 p.m.; daily, 8.30 am. & 8 p.m.
Baptist, Holyrood street, Rev. Alexander MacDonald; 10.30 am. & 6 p.m.; Monday 8 p.m.
Baptist (Broadlake), Holyrood street, Rev. Wm. Elliott; 10.30 am. & 2.30 p.m.; Thur. 7 p.m.
Congregational, Fore street, Rev. Frederick Thos. Hyde; 10.30 am. & 6 p.m.; Tues. 7.30 p.m.
Wesleyan Methodist, Fore street, Rev. Frederick Balch; 10.30 am. & 6 p.m.; Thur. & Sat. at 8 p.m.
Gospel Hall, Combe street; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30p.m. Tues. & Fri. 7.30 p.m.
SCHOOLS
Chard Endowed School, in Fore street, was founded in 1671 by W. Symes, of Poundsford. The school-house, a building of squared flint with Ham stone dressings, bears the date 1583; the old school-room, probably built in 1670, has annexed a modern dining-hall & class-rooms, & attached is a gravelled playground, playing field & lawn-tennis court &c.; a chemical laboratory was provided in 1901, & a detached building is available as a sanatorium for infectious cases. There is also a spacious gymnasium. Thomas Wakley M.D., M.P. for Finsbury, founder of the “Lancet,” was educated here. Boys who have been two years in the school are eligible to compete for the Dyke exhibitions of £60 per annum, for four years at Oxford, & house exhibitions of £25 per annum are offered from time to time.
Under the Borough Extension Scheme the former School Boards were abolished, & in November, 1892, a new board of 9 members was formed, called the School Board for the United District of the Borough & Parish of Chard”.
Board, High street, erected in 1872, for 190 boys, 120 girls & 130 infants; average attendance, 168 boys, 153 girls & 110 infants.
Board, South End, erected in 1874, for 153 boys, 153 girls & 172 infants; average attendance, 135 boys, 141 girls & 136 infants.
The school at Tamworth is alo under this School Board.
Most Common Surnames in Chard
| Rank | Surname | Incidence | Frequency | Percent of Parent | Rank in East Kingsbury Hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Larcombe | 102 | 1:56 | 32.90% | 284 |
| 2 | Harris | 99 | 1:58 | 4.70% | 12 |
| 3 | White | 92 | 1:62 | 3.17% | 3 |
| 4 | Long | 60 | 1:95 | 8.31% | 89 |
| 4 | Hawker | 60 | 1:95 | 24.90% | 377 |
| 6 | Taylor | 58 | 1:98 | 2.36% | 7 |
| 7 | Hayball | 57 | 1:100 | 75.00% | 1,172 |
| 8 | Aplin | 49 | 1:116 | 23.11% | 431 |
| 9 | Brown | 46 | 1:124 | 1.98% | 9 |
| 10 | Collins | 42 | 1:136 | 4.37% | 59 |
| 10 | Fowler | 42 | 1:136 | 9.61% | 184 |
| 12 | Lee | 41 | 1:139 | 5.72% | 90 |
| 13 | Chick | 40 | 1:142 | 10.58% | 222 |
| 14 | Cornelius | 38 | 1:150 | 42.22% | 1,008 |
| 15 | Miller | 37 | 1:154 | 7.49% | 163 |
| 16 | Lewis | 35 | 1:163 | 2.31% | 18 |
| 16 | Berry | 35 | 1:163 | 9.43% | 231 |
| 16 | Diment | 35 | 1:163 | 36.08% | 943 |
| 16 | Peadon | 35 | 1:163 | 61.40% | 1,451 |
| 20 | Warren | 34 | 1:168 | 4.37% | 77 |
| 20 | England | 34 | 1:168 | 7.91% | 189 |
| 20 | Bragg | 34 | 1:168 | 25.37% | 687 |
| 23 | Hoskins | 33 | 1:173 | 14.60% | 403 |
| 23 | Spiller | 33 | 1:173 | 9.68% | 257 |
| 25 | Harbour | 32 | 1:178 | 65.31% | 1,627 |
| 26 | Turner | 30 | 1:190 | 3.03% | 57 |
| 26 | Morris | 30 | 1:190 | 4.30% | 98 |
| 26 | Webber | 30 | 1:190 | 2.18% | 26 |
| 26 | Trott | 30 | 1:190 | 5.89% | 152 |
| 30 | Cook | 29 | 1:196 | 2.06% | 24 |
| 31 | Broom | 28 | 1:203 | 11.11% | 357 |
| 32 | Hutchings | 27 | 1:211 | 3.58% | 84 |
| 33 | Potter | 26 | 1:219 | 13.61% | 476 |
| 33 | Hodge | 26 | 1:219 | 9.12% | 308 |
| 35 | Gillard | 25 | 1:228 | 5.04% | 162 |
| 35 | Woodland | 25 | 1:228 | 7.58% | 266 |
| 35 | Guppy | 25 | 1:228 | 11.96% | 438 |
| 38 | Harvey | 24 | 1:237 | 2.49% | 58 |
| 38 | Hallett | 24 | 1:237 | 4.01% | 118 |
| 38 | Dunster | 24 | 1:237 | 26.09% | 984 |
| 41 | Stevens | 23 | 1:248 | 2.13% | 46 |
| 41 | Beviss | 23 | 1:248 | 100.00% | 2,758 |
| 43 | Baker | 22 | 1:259 | 0.64% | 2 |
| 43 | House | 22 | 1:259 | 4.14% | 140 |
| 43 | Denning | 22 | 1:259 | 8.09% | 329 |
| 43 | Huish | 22 | 1:259 | 12.64% | 518 |
| 47 | Scott | 21 | 1:271 | 3.79% | 130 |
| 47 | Bennett | 21 | 1:271 | 1.87% | 42 |
| 47 | Dunn | 21 | 1:271 | 6.60% | 280 |
| 47 | Coles | 21 | 1:271 | 1.20% | 14 |
| 47 | Manning | 21 | 1:271 | 5.37% | 212 |
| 47 | Brewer | 21 | 1:271 | 4.68% | 177 |
| 47 | Love | 21 | 1:271 | 10.82% | 469 |
| 47 | Down | 21 | 1:271 | 6.82% | 288 |
| 47 | Chubb | 21 | 1:271 | 16.80% | 734 |
| 47 | Bevis | 21 | 1:271 | 80.77% | 2,545 |
| 47 | Bowditch | 21 | 1:271 | 17.21% | 754 |
| 47 | Fooks | 21 | 1:271 | 35.59% | 1,416 |
| 47 | Keetch | 21 | 1:271 | 46.67% | 1,753 |
| 60 | Palmer | 20 | 1:285 | 1.19% | 15 |
| 60 | Hussey | 20 | 1:285 | 13.33% | 606 |
| 60 | Boyland | 20 | 1:285 | 64.52% | 2,265 |
| 60 | Elswood | 20 | 1:285 | 40.00% | 1,593 |
| 64 | Pearce | 19 | 1:300 | 1.49% | 32 |
| 64 | Barber | 19 | 1:300 | 4.58% | 198 |
| 64 | Norris | 19 | 1:300 | 2.87% | 103 |
| 67 | Evans | 18 | 1:317 | 1.72% | 53 |
| 67 | Clark | 18 | 1:317 | 1.11% | 16 |
| 67 | Symes | 18 | 1:317 | 5.45% | 266 |
| 67 | Stoodley | 18 | 1:317 | 13.85% | 703 |
| 67 | Tutcher | 18 | 1:317 | 46.15% | 1,932 |
| 67 | Hecks | 18 | 1:317 | 69.23% | 2,545 |
| 73 | Moore | 17 | 1:335 | 1.97% | 68 |
| 73 | Knight | 17 | 1:335 | 1.50% | 41 |
| 73 | Hopkins | 17 | 1:335 | 4.03% | 192 |
| 73 | Bond | 17 | 1:335 | 1.83% | 61 |
| 73 | Broughton | 17 | 1:335 | 26.56% | 1,331 |
| 73 | Hodder | 17 | 1:335 | 12.50% | 676 |
| 73 | Galpin | 17 | 1:335 | 23.29% | 1,214 |
| 73 | Channing | 17 | 1:335 | 11.81% | 630 |
| 81 | Smith | 16 | 1:356 | 0.37% | 1 |
| 81 | Young | 16 | 1:356 | 1.18% | 27 |
| 81 | Parker | 16 | 1:356 | 1.34% | 36 |
| 81 | Cox | 16 | 1:356 | 0.68% | 8 |
| 81 | Passmore | 16 | 1:356 | 9.82% | 559 |
| 81 | Cuff | 16 | 1:356 | 13.68% | 781 |
| 81 | Notley | 16 | 1:356 | 51.61% | 2,265 |
| 81 | Studley | 16 | 1:356 | 20.00% | 1,126 |
| 89 | Elliott | 15 | 1:380 | 3.66% | 199 |
| 89 | Sparks | 15 | 1:380 | 3.91% | 215 |
| 89 | Willmott | 15 | 1:380 | 10.49% | 638 |
| 89 | Pavey | 15 | 1:380 | 5.77% | 345 |
| 89 | Pidgeon | 15 | 1:380 | 44.12% | 2,119 |
| 89 | Facey | 15 | 1:380 | 34.09% | 1,779 |
| 89 | Gawler | 15 | 1:380 | 25.86% | 1,434 |
| 89 | Grimster | 15 | 1:380 | 37.50% | 1,901 |
| 89 | Bondfield | 15 | 1:380 | 93.75% | 3,399 |
| 98 | Morgan | 14 | 1:407 | 1.65% | 69 |
| 98 | Lane | 14 | 1:407 | 2.18% | 106 |
| 98 | Holt | 14 | 1:407 | 12.28% | 798 |
| 98 | Beer | 14 | 1:407 | 8.54% | 555 |
| 98 | Crouch | 14 | 1:407 | 18.92% | 1,199 |
| 98 | Beasley | 14 | 1:407 | 48.28% | 2,369 |
| 98 | McEy | 14 | 1:407 | 8.14% | 524 |
| 98 | Heather | 14 | 1:407 | 87.50% | 3,399 |
| 98 | Wellman | 14 | 1:407 | 29.79% | 1,681 |
| 98 | Genge | 14 | 1:407 | 13.73% | 895 |
| 98 | Axhorn | 14 | 1:407 | 100.00% | 3,674 |
| 98 | Nolley | 14 | 1:407 | 100.00% | 3,674 |
| 110 | Mitchell | 13 | 1:438 | 1.41% | 63 |
| 110 | James | 13 | 1:438 | 0.83% | 17 |
| 110 | Brooks | 13 | 1:438 | 1.41% | 64 |
| 110 | Cooke | 13 | 1:438 | 7.18% | 502 |
| 110 | Hancock | 13 | 1:438 | 2.06% | 110 |
| 110 | Wall | 13 | 1:438 | 2.44% | 139 |
| 110 | Lock | 13 | 1:438 | 1.40% | 62 |
| 110 | Harwood | 13 | 1:438 | 7.98% | 559 |
| 110 | Manley | 13 | 1:438 | 6.53% | 459 |
| 110 | Sibley | 13 | 1:438 | 5.88% | 413 |
| 110 | Land | 13 | 1:438 | 22.03% | 1,416 |
| 110 | Follett | 13 | 1:438 | 9.09% | 638 |
| 110 | Sweetland | 13 | 1:438 | 26.00% | 1,593 |
| 110 | Curwood | 13 | 1:438 | 32.50% | 1,901 |
| 124 | Newton | 12 | 1:475 | 2.96% | 203 |
| 124 | Parsons | 12 | 1:475 | 0.57% | 11 |
| 124 | Pike | 12 | 1:475 | 1.73% | 99 |
| 124 | Radford | 12 | 1:475 | 3.45% | 252 |
| 124 | Case | 12 | 1:475 | 5.33% | 405 |
| 124 | Willey | 12 | 1:475 | 10.71% | 810 |
| 124 | Hockey | 12 | 1:475 | 3.92% | 294 |
| 124 | Saint | 12 | 1:475 | 13.64% | 1,028 |
| 124 | Parris | 12 | 1:475 | 54.55% | 2,826 |
| 124 | Dolling | 12 | 1:475 | 24.49% | 1,627 |
| 134 | Jones | 11 | 1:518 | 0.49% | 10 |
| 134 | Day | 11 | 1:518 | 0.94% | 37 |
| 134 | Higgins | 11 | 1:518 | 2.18% | 158 |
| 134 | Gibbs | 11 | 1:518 | 1.34% | 72 |
| 134 | Davey | 11 | 1:518 | 1.43% | 78 |
| 134 | Wills | 11 | 1:518 | 1.79% | 113 |
| 134 | Rowland | 11 | 1:518 | 6.40% | 524 |
| 134 | Jeffery | 11 | 1:518 | 4.25% | 347 |
| 134 | Bale | 11 | 1:518 | 3.40% | 274 |
| 134 | Vickery | 11 | 1:518 | 1.99% | 131 |
| 134 | Chard | 11 | 1:518 | 2.93% | 226 |
| 134 | Scriven | 11 | 1:518 | 5.79% | 479 |
| 134 | Dowell | 11 | 1:518 | 33.33% | 2,166 |
| 134 | Board | 11 | 1:518 | 3.53% | 282 |
| 134 | Buller | 11 | 1:518 | 14.10% | 1,151 |
| 134 | Forward | 11 | 1:518 | 11.58% | 960 |
| 134 | Pinney | 11 | 1:518 | 13.75% | 1,126 |
| 134 | Betty | 11 | 1:518 | 11.00% | 918 |
| 134 | Bart | 11 | 1:518 | 84.62% | 3,842 |
| 134 | Benjafield | 11 | 1:518 | 20.75% | 1,514 |
| 134 | Willcott | 11 | 1:518 | 100.00% | 4,240 |
| 155 | Davis | 10 | 1:570 | 0.40% | 5 |
| 155 | Rogers | 10 | 1:570 | 0.90% | 43 |
| 155 | Wilkins | 10 | 1:570 | 1.09% | 65 |
| 155 | Hooper | 10 | 1:570 | 0.87% | 40 |
| 155 | Dyer | 10 | 1:570 | 0.99% | 56 |
| 155 | Burnett | 10 | 1:570 | 3.62% | 324 |
| 155 | Lovell | 10 | 1:570 | 1.79% | 127 |
| 155 | Roper | 10 | 1:570 | 6.21% | 568 |
| 155 | Bowyer | 10 | 1:570 | 10.10% | 927 |
| 155 | Langdon | 10 | 1:570 | 1.88% | 140 |
| 155 | Snook | 10 | 1:570 | 2.82% | 239 |
| 155 | Holley | 10 | 1:570 | 6.45% | 587 |
| 155 | Tongue | 10 | 1:570 | 90.91% | 4,240 |
| 155 | Shiner | 10 | 1:570 | 25.64% | 1,932 |
| 155 | Warry | 10 | 1:570 | 7.75% | 707 |
| 155 | Brry | 10 | 1:570 | 100.00% | 4,470 |
| 171 | Adams | 9 | 1:633 | 0.68% | 30 |
| 171 | Mills | 9 | 1:633 | 2.01% | 178 |
| 171 | Russell | 9 | 1:633 | 1.26% | 94 |
| 171 | Stone | 9 | 1:633 | 0.60% | 20 |
| 171 | Tucker | 9 | 1:633 | 0.48% | 13 |
| 171 | Howell | 9 | 1:633 | 2.04% | 182 |
| 171 | Leach | 9 | 1:633 | 5.84% | 591 |
| 171 | Pope | 9 | 1:633 | 1.45% | 112 |
| 171 | Bright | 9 | 1:633 | 5.92% | 597 |
| 171 | Slade | 9 | 1:633 | 1.27% | 96 |
| 171 | Hoare | 9 | 1:633 | 3.54% | 355 |
| 171 | Duke | 9 | 1:633 | 9.09% | 927 |
| 171 | Hitchcock | 9 | 1:633 | 3.41% | 335 |
| 171 | Pool | 9 | 1:633 | 6.52% | 665 |
| 171 | Merritt | 9 | 1:633 | 25.71% | 2,081 |
| 171 | Daw | 9 | 1:633 | 9.57% | 966 |
| 171 | Hazel | 9 | 1:633 | 30.00% | 2,313 |
| 171 | Dimond | 9 | 1:633 | 8.49% | 858 |
| 171 | Bear | 9 | 1:633 | 56.25% | 3,399 |
| 171 | Culverwell | 9 | 1:633 | 6.34% | 646 |
| 171 | Goodland | 9 | 1:633 | 4.62% | 463 |
| 171 | Huddy | 9 | 1:633 | 50.00% | 3,173 |
| 171 | Rickets | 9 | 1:633 | 45.00% | 2,987 |
| 171 | Woonton | 9 | 1:633 | 40.91% | 2,826 |
| 171 | Upstill | 9 | 1:633 | 81.82% | 4,240 |
| 196 | Williams | 8 | 1:712 | 0.30% | 4 |
| 196 | Phillips | 8 | 1:712 | 0.76% | 50 |
| 196 | Barker | 8 | 1:712 | 6.50% | 744 |
| 196 | Butler | 8 | 1:712 | 2.19% | 233 |
| 196 | Hawkins | 8 | 1:712 | 0.61% | 31 |
| 196 | Gill | 8 | 1:712 | 2.01% | 206 |
| 196 | Bishop | 8 | 1:712 | 0.63% | 35 |
| 196 | Rowley | 8 | 1:712 | 7.92% | 903 |
| 196 | Guy | 8 | 1:712 | 7.34% | 832 |
| 196 | Sampson | 8 | 1:712 | 3.83% | 438 |
| 196 | Hickman | 8 | 1:712 | 15.38% | 1,540 |
| 196 | Blackmore | 8 | 1:712 | 1.31% | 113 |
| 196 | Alford | 8 | 1:712 | 3.36% | 382 |
| 196 | Derrick | 8 | 1:712 | 1.63% | 164 |
| 196 | Northcott | 8 | 1:712 | 18.18% | 1,779 |
| 196 | Gillingham | 8 | 1:712 | 6.67% | 764 |
| 196 | Player | 8 | 1:712 | 7.21% | 816 |
| 196 | Pretty | 8 | 1:712 | 61.54% | 3,842 |
| 196 | Rowsell | 8 | 1:712 | 2.74% | 301 |
| 196 | Pearl | 8 | 1:712 | 47.06% | 3,277 |
| 196 | Munford | 8 | 1:712 | 20.00% | 1,901 |
| 196 | Phippen | 8 | 1:712 | 5.80% | 665 |
| 196 | Stembridge | 8 | 1:712 | 21.62% | 2,008 |
| 196 | Lumbard | 8 | 1:712 | 26.67% | 2,313 |
| 196 | Catford | 8 | 1:712 | 42.11% | 3,072 |
| 196 | Boalch | 8 | 1:712 | 20.00% | 1,901 |
| 196 | Coling | 8 | 1:712 | 100.00% | 5,187 |
| 196 | Dwelly | 8 | 1:712 | 88.89% | 4,797 |
| 196 | Pinny | 8 | 1:712 | 88.89% | 4,797 |
| 196 | Saulsbury | 8 | 1:712 | 100.00% | 5,187 |
| 196 | Nowlen | 8 | 1:712 | 100.00% | 5,187 |
| 196 | Sutherly | 8 | 1:712 | 100.00% | 5,187 |