Lavinia Hallett

(1825 - ????)

Lavinia Hallett was baptised in Kingsbury Episcopi on 31 July 1825. Her parents were John Hallett and Sarah Male who were believed to be unmarried. Lavinia was the youngest child, having two older brothers Thomas and John.

After a series of convictions for theft, Lavinia's father was transported to Australia in 1826.

On 7 January 1835 a will was prepared on behalf of Samuel Bradford who was the brother of Lavinia's maternal grandmother. The will contains a number of bequests including the following:

And I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Hallett who is now in New South Wales the sum of ten pounds and if he shall die before making a demand on my executors for the said ten pounds then I give and bequeath the said ten pounds unto the three children of Sarah Male of Bladon in the said parish of Kingsbury Episcopi which are called Thomas Hallett, John Hallett and Lavinia Hallett equally between share and share alike.

Whilst Lavinia was not a recipient of the ten pounds, her father was still alive when Samuel Bradford died in 1841, the document serves to support the relationship between John Hallett, Sarah Male and their children.

The 1841 Kingsbury Episcopi census identifies Lavinia as 16 years old, living in a house with her mother Sarah Male and brothers, Thomas and John. All of the children's surnames are recorded as Hallett.

The 1851 census places Lavinia, aged 24 living with husband Matthew in Thorney, Kingsbury. Matthew was working as a boatman. Also in the property was 3 year old Henry, 16 month old Anna and 14 year old labourer William. Henry and Anna are believed to be children of Lavinia and Matthew.

In 1861 Lavinia was living at Thorney, Kingsbury with her husband and children Henry, Anna, George and Albert. Also in the property was Lavinia's mother Sarah Male. Lavinia was employed as a 'glover of leather'.

The 1871 census places Lavinia at Broad?, Kingsbury; she is employed as a glove maker. Also in the property are her husband Mathew, son George and mother Sarah.

Lavinia's brother Thomas died on 18 May 1871 and was buried at the parish church Kingsbury.

At the time of the 1881 census Lavinia was recorded as 54 years old and living with husband Matthew, at 9 Leigh View, Bedminster, Bristol; Matthew was employed as a gardener.

Her 27 year old unmarried daughter, Anna / Ann was also in the property. Matthew, Lavinia and their daughter all had recorded birth places of Kingsbury.

The following family were also living at 9 Leigh View.

Name	Age	Born	Comments
Henry Fry	31	Kingsbury	Widow - Police Constable
Emily	5	Flax Bourton	Daur
Bessie	3	Flax Bourton	Daur
Albert Hy	1	Flax Bourton	Son

It is a possibility that following the death of her daughter in law, Lavinia moved to Bristol to help with the care of her son's children.

The year 1900 was to change the fortunes of Lavinia. Her brother John, had emigrated to America in the 1850's, setting up home in Toledo, Ohio. John accumulated substantial sums of money and owned a number of properties.

'Toledo John' died on 13 November 1899, and after making a number of specific provisions to friends, he bequeathed the balance of his estate to his sister Lavinia along with the children of her brother Thomas.

The 1901 census appears to reflect the receipt of the bequest. Lavinia was recorded as 75 years old and living at 'Franklyn', Exeter Road, Bristol (Ashton Gate) with her grandson Albert H Fry. Her occupation was described as "own means".

In the next property ' Ebenezer' was her daughter John and Anna Whitlock, along with their daughter Eliza.

It is not known when or where Lavinia died.