Above: Lydia HarveyWith many thanks to Dion Harvey
Alfred Merchant Harvey married Lydia [White] Luke in the Redruth registration district in the June quarter of 1869https://www.freebmd.org.uk
They married at St Day, Cornwall - Alfred was of Cullompton, Devon, and Lydia White was of Feneton House, Scorrier. Lydia was the fourth daughter of William Luke.
Western Times 25 June 1869, p5 col6
Alfred M Harvey, a 36 year old linen and woollen draper, was living in North Street at the time of the 1881 census. With him and his 31 year old wife Lydia on census night were five sons and two daughters: the youngest three, Louis E., Gertrude L and Charlotte M C had been born in Ashburton.1881 census RG11, piece no. 2161, folio 29, p13
Alfred Merchant Harvey, an Ashburton draper, was charged with trespassing in 1882. He was caught carrying a gun on Peartree lawn, in front the Knoll, the house of Mr H M Firth. The field was a noted area for snipes. Mr Harvey pleaded guilty.
Express and Echo 18 December 1882, p1 col4
The 1891 census shows Alfred Merchant Harvey, a 46 year old who was born in Cullompton, living in North Street. He and his wife Lydia, and eldest sons William T and Alfred, are all down as drapers, employers. There are eight more children and Alfred's father, also called Alfred, who is a 77 year old retired draper.
Two servants are in the household, together with two assistants: Florence H Baker, an employee draper, and Annie S Mc G Underhay, a milliner.
1891 census, piece no.1698, folio 25, p14
Transcript on FreeCEN https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5902dd46e9379091b1aa71fa/alfred-m-harvey-1891-devon-newton-abbot-1845-?locale=en - accessed 07-09-2024
The death of Mr Fritz Walter Harvey, of Ashburton, Devon, took place suddenly at Harrogate in 1892. He had been studying for the ministry, and on the day that he became ill had just finished his course, and had been appointed for the United States ministry. His death was caused by a stomach ulcer that led to hemorrhage and syncope. He was 21.
Yorkshire Evening Press 4 May 1892, p2 col6
In September 1895 A M Harvey was advertising dresses, mantles and millinery together with Devon blankets and serges at 23 and 25 Bank Street, Newton Abbot. Gents' outfitting could be had at all branches.
East and South Devon Advertiser, 28 Sept 1895, p1, cols 6,7
There was an 'extraordinary' accident at Ashburton in February 1899, involving Garnet Harvey and Perry Sawdye. They were shooting at a target, and when Perry shot the recoil was so strong that it sent him reeling backwards, resulting in Garnet being shot in the right arm. Dr White attended, and Garnet was taken to the Cottage Hospital. At the hospital it was discovered that a box of Lucifer matches*, which the boy had in his waistcoat pocket, had been forced into his arm, and there was at one time doubt over whether the arm could be saved. Garnet's stomach was scarcely touched, although the front of his waistcoat and shirt had been blown clean away.Express and Echo 7 February 1899, p4 col5
*'Friction lights' were first produced by John Walker in 1826. A chemist from Stockton on Tees, Walker discovered by accident that a stick coated with chemicals burst into flame when scraped across his hearth. Eventually he sold the matches in a box with a strip of sandpaper for striking. Walker chose not to patent his invention, and in 1829 Samuel Jones launched exactly the same product, which he called Lucifers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/hQR9oN5LTeCLcuKfPDMJ9A - accessed 10-10-2024
Below: Cardboard box for Lucifer matches, oblong with detachable lid.
Miss Lillian Harvey, the eldest daughter of Mr Alfred M Harvey, married Mr John Ockleshaw in early 1905. Three of her sisters, Violet, Gladys and Gwendoline, were bridesmaids to the 'popular contralto', as were two nieces of the bridegroom. The bride wore a gown of ivory Oriental saitn, trimmed with chiffon and orange blossom; her veil was secured with a diamond crescent that had been the present of the bridegroom.
The couple were to honeymoon in Switzerland.
Western Times 3 Feb 1905, p12 col3
Miss Gladys Harvey, of Tugela, Ashburton, married Mr William Howes Linnell, an Oxford solicitor, in September 1908. The bride wore an Empire gown of ivory satin, embroidered in silver; one of her sisters, Miss Gwendoline Harvey, was a bridesmaid.
After a reception at Tugela the couple left for a honeymoon in Ireland.
Totnes Weekly Times 12 September 1908, p8 col6
In 1911, whilst living at Tugela, East Street, Alfred describes himself as a furniture dealer, with Lydia an accountant to a furniture dealer. In their 42 years of marriage they have had 12 children, of whom ten are still alive.
1901 census RG13, piece no. 2053, folio 56, p12
1911 densus RG14, piece no. 12728, schedule 78
Alfred Merchant Harvey, retired draper, died on February 20th, 1921, with probate being granted to his widow, Lydia Harvey. Mr Merchant's effects were £2756 11s 6d.Government probate death index 1858 - 2019, available on https://www.findmypast.co.uk - accessed 22-09-2024
Mrs Harvey had left Ashburton in 1924, and gave instructions to Rendell and Sawdye to sell the contents of Tugela, East Street. The house was also for sale.Western Times 28 November 1924, p1 col 7
Extracts from the deeds of No. 15 Woodland Road:
20th February 1921. Alfred Merchant Harvey died at Ashburton.
11th August 1921 Will of Alfred Merchant Harvey proved in the Exeter District Registry by Lydia Harvey the sole executrix.
16th July 1921. By her will of this date the said Lydia Harvey appointed her son William Toogood Harvey of Newton Abbot , draper, and her son-in-law William Howes Linnell of Oxford, solicitor, to be the executors...of her will.
12th March 1925. The trustees of the will of Mrs Lydia Harvey deceased. To Mr Francis Barnett, conveyance of freehold hereditaments situate in Woodland Road, Ashburton.
Indenture made between William Toogood Harvey of Newton Abbot in the County of Devon, draper, and William Howes Linnell of the City of Oxford, solicitor (the vendors) .....and Francis Barnett of West St, Ewell Surrey, late of the police force (the purchaser). Ldia Harvey, formerly of Ashburton, Devon and late of Newton Abbot, died on 25th December 1924.....by her will dated 16th July 1921 and proved in the Exeter District Probate Registry on 27th February 1925.....the vendors...have agreed to sell the said hereditaments to the purchaser at the price of £200....all that messuage or dwelling house and premises with the garden , outhouses and appurtenances thereto belonging situate in Woodland Road (formerly Heavyhead Lane)...and now in the occupation of Mr Margie, together with the bungalow cottage at the rear thereof with the outhouses and appurtenances thereto belonging in the occupation of Mr F Cook....all those two messuages or dwelling houses, Newton Abbot Ltd., with the garden, orchard, large workshop adn premises in the rear thereof situate in Heavyhead Lane...formerly in the occupation of Albert Butland and John V(?) Campion.
Harvey, Newton Abbot Ltd., at 23 and 25 Bank Street, described itself as The Fashion Centre in 1949.Torbay Express and South Devon Echo, 14 February 1949, p3 col1
