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The family of John Vagg, Auctioneer of South Petherton has often been confused with that of John Vagg, Labourer of South Petherton. The fact that both men were approximatly the same age and both had wives named Mary only adds to this confusion. As a result family trees based on incorrect assumptions are to be found across the internet and should be treated with extreme caution. The following information, in conjunction with the corresponding page on John Vagg, labourer will hopefully serve as a way of untangling the two families. After years of searching I am still unable to name the parents of John and Robert Vagg. The location of the pairs births, baptisms and childhood years are also a mystery. The first record we have of the two are at their marriages in Langport, a few miles from South Petherton, in fact the marriage of John Vagg states that he was from Ilminster. A possible explanation for this is that the family were Protestant non-conformists and therefore it was not compulsory to record their baptisms. Evidence for this is that on arrival in Australia, George Tilly Vagg, son of John, stated that his religion was "Protestant", but these could equally indicate he was Church of England. If the 1836 burial entry for John Vagg is correct, then this intruiging census entry could be the father of John and Robert, possibly making Keziah a sister. I have not yet found a corresponding baptism entry, but there is an unaccounted for burial entry in the South Petherton parish records. On the 30th October 1847 a John Vagg was buried age 68, making his approximate birth date 1779. 1841 Census - South Petherton, Somerset. Name Age Occupation Birthplace ----------------------------------------------------------- John Matthews 25 Flo... Somerset Keziah Matthews 25 Somerset Sarah Matthews 5 Somerset Susanna Matthews 0 Somerset John Vagg 55 Ag. Lab. Somerset Mary Matthews 20 Milliner Somerset William? Bury? 20 Flo... Somerset (Note: Are the Matthews family related.) c.1799 - John Vagg is born. (Based on a 1836 burial entry in the South Peterton parish records.) 1814 - 21st February. John Vagg of Ilminster marries Mary Tilley in Langport parish church. Witnessed by William Hart and Maria Cattle. 1817 - 2nd February. John son of John and Mary Vagg of Ilminster, Yeoman is baptised in Ilminster. 1820 - 16th July. George Tilly Vagg son of John and Mary Vagg, Auctioneer is baptised in South Petherton parish church. Abode South Petherton. The second chapter of "The Vagg Odyssey" states he was born 4th September 1819. 1822 - 7th July. Harry Vagg son of John and Mary Vagg, Auctioneer is baptised in South Petherton parish church. Abode South Petherton. 1826 - 1st January. Harriet Vagg daughter of John and Mary Vagg, Auctioneer is baptised in South Petherton parish church. Abode South Petherton. 1836 - 24th July. John Vagg is buried in South Petherton, age 37. 1838 - 27th November. Elizabeth Vagg and Jonas Jeffers are married in Yeovil Independent Chapel, father John Vagg, Auctioneer, witness George Vagg.
1840 - 27th April. George Tilly Vagg a Blacksmith and Anne Harding are married in South Petherton. Son of John Vagg, Auctioneer. Witnesses were Thomas and Jane Vagg.
1840 - 30th September. George Vagg (Aged 21, Farm servant, Protestant, Literate) and Ann his wife (aged 18, Nursery Maid, Literate) arrive in Port Phillip, Australia, aboard the Himalaya. From "The Somerset Years" by Florence Chuk. 1841 Census - Pitway, South Petherton, Somerset Name Age Occupation Birthplace ----------------------------------------------------------- Mary Vagg 50 Somerset Harry Vagg 15 Ag. Lab. Somerset Harriet Vagg 15 Somerset 1851 Census - Pitway, South Petherton - H.O. 107/1929 (4-24) Name Age Occupation Birthplace ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vagg Mary Widow 61 Midwife Langport Vagg Harriet 26 Glover South Petherton, Som Vagg Laban Nephew 13 Scholar Langport Vagg Adelaide Niece 8 Scholar Langport 1850 - John Vagg is listed as a Boot and Shoe maker of South Petherton in Hunt and Co. Directory. 1851 Census - South Petherton - H.O. 107/1929 Name Age Occupation Birthplace --------------------------------------------------------------------- VAGG John Head M 36 Boot & Shoe Maker Ilminster VAGG Hannah Wife M 32 Glover South Petherton, Som VAGG George Son U 10 Scholar South Petherton, Som VAGG Elizabeth Son U 7 Scholar South Petherton, Som VAGG Mary Son U 4 - South Petherton, Som VAGG John Son U 2 - South Petherton, Som 1859 - 14th November. Harriet Vagg and William Henry Brooks, labourer are married in South Petherton. Fathers are Thomas Brooks, carpenter and John Vagg, Auctioneer. Witnesses John and Harriet Vagg. 1876 - 11th November. John Vagg, age 59 Widow, Shoemaker and Alice Garland, age 31, Spinster both of South Petherton are married. Parents John Vagg, Auctioneer and John Garland, Labourer. Witnesses George Gear and Emma Vagg.
The 1851 census of South Petherton shows Laban and Adelaide Vagg living with their aunt Mary Vagg. This indicates that Robert Vagg was a brother of John Vagg, auctioneer. At the same time Ada and Alicia Vagg are recorded as orphans living in the Ashley down orphanage. 1806 - 31st January 1806. Robert Vagg son of John and Mary Vagg is baptised at South Petherton. This could be another Robert Vagg, as working from his death in 1844 his approximate birth date would be 1808, but people did not always know thier birthdates then. Another explanation could be that another John and Mary Vagg were having children in South Petherton at the same time as John Vagg and his wife Mary (nee Elliott). i.e. there were not two. but four John and Mary Vagg's over two generations. 1827 - 30th August, Robert Vagg witnesses the wedding of Jesse Robbins and Jane Lenthall at Langport. 1827 - 5th November, Robert Vagg witnesses the wedding of Richard Robbins and Mary Coleman in Langport. 1829 - 16th July. Robert Vagg and Juliet Robbins are married in Langport. Witnessed by Job and Grace Robbens. 1830 - Henry Vagg son of Robert and Juliet Vagg is baptised in Langport. 1832 - 22nd October. Julia Vagg, wife of Robert Vagg, Blacksmith is buried in Langport, age 31. 1833 - 21st October. Robert Vagg a widow and Harriet Burrows are married in Langport. Witnessed by Eliza Maby and Ambrose Culliford. 1834 - 30th November. Alice Vagg daughter of Robert and Harriet Vagg is baptised in Langport. Fathers occupation Blacksmith. 1837 - 14th June. Laban Vagg son of Robert and Harriet Vagg is baptised in Langport. 1839 - 27th October. Ada Vagg daughter of Robert and Harriet Vagg is baptised in Langport. Fathers occupation Blacksmith. 1842 - 30th March. Adeline Vagg daughter of Robert and Harriet Vagg is baptised in Langport. Fathers occupation Blacksmith, born 23rd February 1842. 1842 - 11th April. Harriet Vagg, wife of Robert Vagg, Blacksmith is buried in Langport, age 41. 1844 - Robert Vagg is listed as a Blacksmith at Langport in Pigots National Directory. 1844 - 8th April. Robert Vagg is buried at Langport, age 36. 1851 Census - South Petherton - H.O. 107/1929 Name Age Occupation Birthplace -------------------------------------------------------------------- Vagg Mary Widow 61 Midwife Langport Vagg Harriet 26 Glover South Petherton, Som Vagg Laban Nephew 13 Scholar Langport Vagg Adelaide Niece 8 Scholar Langport 1851 Census - New Orphan House, Ashley Down, Bristol - H.O. 107/1953 Name Age Occupation Birthplace ------------------------------------------------------------------- VAGG Ada Orphan 11 - Langport VAGG Alicia Orphan 16 - Langport
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