In 1956 Interviewers from Leeds University visited Stoke as part of a study of local dialects. One of the three people interviewed was Jesse Boobyer. He described himself as haycutter, smallholder and farm labourer, which was typical of the way local men appeared in the censuses of the time. Their small holding might well be run by their wife and other relatives while they ‘went on’ with a larger farmer/ landowner to earn some cash for the family. Born of local parents, Jesse left school at 13. The only time he spent away from the village was six months in South Wales. He was 73 when he was interviewed.

 

In the interview Jesse talks about breaking in colts, including some accidents, and described the flooding of 1929 in Curload and Athelney. He also compares wages and cost of living then and in past, and reflects on gradual changes in standard of living.

 

The interview is available to download as an mp3 file HERE

The transcript is available HERE

 

Jesse’s father was Thornwell Boobyer, and Grandfather was Emmanuel Boobyer, but we can trace his ancestry back to Sir Edward Baber, 1531-1578. Through the generations the surname changed through Bubier, Bowbier and Booby to Boobyer. Jesse married Alice Maude Benham in 1904. What we don’t know is how Jesse is related to the many Boobyer descendants who live in the village today.

 

Does anyone have any ideas? The only other information we can supply is a list of Jesse’s children from the 1921 Census with their approximate year of birth. Are any of them in your family tree?

 

Head, Jesse J. Boobyer, Circa 1883

Wife, Alice M. Boobyer, Circa 1883

Son, Reginald J. Boobyer, Circa 1905

Son, William H. Boobyer, Circa 1907

Daughter, Ellen E. Boobyer, Circa 1908

Daughter, Lily M. Boobyer, Circa 1910

Daughter, Julia M. Boobyer, Circa 1911

Daughter, Ella M. Boobyer, Circa 1916

Daughter, Hilda G. Boobyer, Circa 1918

 

A final note on Jesse comes from the Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday 4th September 1918, two months before the end of World War 1:

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“The National Service Representative appealed against the conditional exemption granted to Jesse John Boobyer (35), Grade 2, a hay-cutter, Stoke St. Gregory, in the employ of Mr. Keirl, of Bridgwater, contractor to Admiralty collieries. —Conditional exemption withdrawn, and three months' exemption granted.”

 

Jesse died in 1961, aged 78. Please do get in touch if you have any information on him or his family.

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