The Chant Family of Merriott
The CHANT family (sometimes spelt CHAUNT) seem to have arrived in Merriott around the beginning of the 1770s.
[There is a CHANT burial before this – on 4 March 1716, Gerard CHANT was buried, but there are no other references to the name in the records back to 1645.]
The surname ranked as the 22nd most common of all surnames mentioned in the censuses of 19th century Merriott. The latest mention in the Merriott records I have looked at is 1946.
18th Century CHANTs in Merriott Records
MARRIAGES
| MALES | FEMALES |
| 20 August 1771 William Chant m Elizabeth Osborne 25 September 1791 Thomas Chant m Joan Lawrence |
20 October 1788 Joanna Chant m George Hooper |
BAPTISMS (or BURIALS as noted):
| John & Mary CHANT | Baptism 6 September 1772 John | |
| William & Elizabeth (nee Osborne) CHANT | Baptism 16 February 1772 Joan Baptism 20 June 1773 Elizabeth Burial 20 October 1776 Susannah Baptism 25 December 1775 Susannah Baptism 6 June 1777 Susannah |
Burial 12 December 1779 William Baptism 13 October 1780 William Burial 5 May 1782 Joseph Burial 6 August 1782 Joan Baptism 25 December 1783 Joan Baptism 30 April 1786 Hannah |
| Thomas (a Labourer) & Joan (nee Lawrence) CHANT | Baptism 26 October 1791 Diana Baptism 25 August 1793 Elizabeth Baptism 18 May 1795 Robert Baptism 18 March 1798 Thomas Baptism 6 April 1800 John Baptism 31 May 1802 Joseph |
Baptism 26 May 1805 William Baptism 5 April 1807 William Baptism 26 December 1808 William Baptism 26 May 1811 George Baptism 18 April 1813 Diana Baptism 3 May 1818 Hannah |
| Elizabeth CHANT | Baptism 4 September 1796 Hannah, BC | |
The origins of Thomas, John & William are unknown.
OTHER BURIALS
| MALES | FEMALES |
| 20 December 1775 Thomas Chant 18 July 1782 Robert Chant |
23 Aug 1782 Joan Chant 22 October 1786 Hannah Chant 3 February 1799 Elizabeth Chant |
19th Century CHANT Families
MARRIAGES pre 1837
| MALES – 6 | FEMALES – 3 |
| 21 January 1816 Robert Chant m Luce Osborne 24 September 1820 John Chant m Jane Daw 1 January 1827 Joseph Chant m Hannah Sweet 10 January 1830 William Chant m Maria Follett 30 August 1830 Robert Chant m Elizabeth Shutler 5 May 1833 George Chant m Hannah Trask |
21 June 1811 Joan Chant m Thomas Raindle 7 December 1823 Elizabeth Chant m Charles Lawrence 14 November 1831 Susanna Chant m William Williams |
Post 1837 Marriages – extra detail
|
Date
|
Year
|
Forename
|
Surname
|
Spouse
|
Age
|
Condition
|
Signed?
|
Abode
|
Occupation
|
Father
|
Father’s Occ
|
Witness
|
|
31-Mar
|
1840
|
Sarah
|
Chant
|
Frederic Higgins
|
19
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Higher Street
|
Servant
|
John Chant
|
Traunter
|
George Meecham
|
|
31-Mar
|
1840
|
Frederic
|
Higgins
|
Sarah Chant
|
23
|
Bachelor
|
No
|
Higher Street
|
Sawyer
|
Thomas Higgins
|
Gardener
|
Isaac Osborne
|
|
25-May
|
1841
|
Hannah
|
Chant
|
William Lawrence
|
24
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Sherrimore Hill
|
Servant
|
Thomas Chant
|
Labourer
|
Ann Lawrence
|
|
25-May
|
1841
|
William
|
Lawrence
|
Hannah Chant
|
25
|
Bachelor
|
No
|
Sherrimore Hill
|
Labourer
|
Enos Lawrence
|
Labourer
|
William Young
|
|
12-Oct
|
1850
|
Elizabeth
|
Chant
|
Jesse Wills
|
23
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Lower Street
|
Dress Maker
|
Joseph Chant
|
Carter
|
John England
|
|
12-Oct
|
1850
|
Jesse
|
Wills
|
Elizabeth Chant
|
23
|
Bachelor
|
Yes
|
Sherrimore Hill
|
Weaver
|
William Wills
|
Weaver
|
Job Wills
|
|
16-Feb
|
1858
|
Joan
|
Chant
|
James Wills
|
full
|
Spinster
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
John Chant
|
Labourer
|
Harriot Wills
|
|
|
16-Feb
|
1858
|
James
|
Wills
|
Joan Chant
|
full
|
Bachelor
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
Fireman, Brewery
|
Samuel Wills
|
Carpenter
|
H Parker
|
|
16-May
|
1858
|
Jane
|
Chant
|
George Wills
|
full
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Merriott
|
|
John Chant
|
Labourer
|
Ellen Pattemore
|
|
16-May
|
1858
|
George
|
Wills
|
Jane Chant
|
full
|
Widower
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
Weaver
|
Samuel Wills
|
Labourer
|
Matthew Pattemore
|
|
23-Oct
|
1860
|
Joseph
|
Chant
|
Maria Young
|
58
|
Widower
|
No
|
Merriott
|
Labourer
|
Thomas Chant
|
Labourer
|
William Chant
|
|
23-Oct
|
1860
|
Maria
|
Young
|
Joseph Chant
|
41
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Merriott
|
William Young
|
Labourer
|
Anne Osborne
|
|
|
25-Dec
|
1861
|
Henry
|
Pattemore
|
Anna Chant
|
21
|
Bachelor
|
No
|
Merriott
|
Labourer
|
William Pattemore
|
Labourer
|
Simon Pattemore
|
|
25-Dec
|
1861
|
Anna
|
Chant
|
Henry Pattemore
|
22
|
Spinster
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
|
George Chant
|
Labourer
|
Sarah Ann Bishop
|
|
5-Sep
|
1864
|
William
|
Dodge
|
Elizabeth Chant
|
full
|
Bachelor
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
Weaver
|
Thomas Dodge
|
Weaver
|
James Lawrence
|
|
5-Sep
|
1864
|
Elizabeth
|
Chant
|
William Dodge
|
full
|
Spinster
|
Yes
|
Merriott
|
George Chant
|
Labourer
|
Ellen Trask
|
|
|
25-Dec
|
1868
|
Solomon
|
Chant
|
Emma Lawrence
|
23
|
Bachelor
|
No
|
Merriott
|
Gardener, Labourer
|
Jane Chant
|
Single Woman
|
Charles Lawrence
|
|
25-Dec
|
1868
|
Emma
|
Lawrence
|
Solomon Chant
|
20
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Merriott
|
|
Henry Lawrence
|
Labourer
|
Mary Jane Chant
|
|
13-May
|
1883
|
Rosa Lavinia
|
Trask
|
Thomas Chant
|
21
|
Spinster
|
No
|
Broadway
|
Robert Trask
|
Labourer
|
Mary Ellen Trask
|
|
|
13-May
|
1883
|
Thomas
|
Chant
|
Rosa Lavinia Trask
|
19
|
Bachelor
|
Yes
|
Lower St
|
Factory Hand
|
Joseph Chant (deceased)
|
Labourer
|
James Raison |
BAPTISMS
| Joan CHANT (later married Thomas RAINDLE in 1811) | 24 December 1809 Susanna, BC | |
| John (a Coal Carrier/Labourer) & Jane (nee Daw) CHANT | 23 December 1821 Sarah 16 May 1825 Jean ? Jane 14 January 1827 Mary Anne 31 May 1829 John |
28 September 1834 Henry 22 January 1837 Joan |
| Joseph & Hannah (nee Sweet) CHANT. Joseph married (2) Maria Young in 1860 |
14 January 1827 Elizabeth, B. B. of Hannah Sweet | |
| George (a Labourer) & Hannah (nee Trask) CHANT | 22 February 1835 George 25 December 1836 Elizabeth 6 January 1839 Hannah |
11 March 1840 Matilda Trask 29 December 1841 Joseph 10 December 1842 Elizabeth |
| William (a Labourer) & Maria (nee Follent of South Petherton) CHANT Note: The couple’s first four children not baptised at Merriott. |
26 November 1837 Joseph 5 April 1840 Elizabeth 2 October 1842 James 5 January 1845 Maria |
4 April 1847 Ann 20 May 1849 George 19 June 1851 Robert 15 March 1854 Sophia |
| Jane (a Servant/Glove Sewer) CHANT (married George Wills in 1858) | 18 August 1845 Solomon, BB | 25 December 1848 Mary Jane, B. B. |
| Joseph (a Labourer) & Maria (nee Young) CHANT | 13 September 1863 Thomas | |
| Soloman (a Labourer) & Emma (nee Lawrence) CHANT | 9 May 1869 Annie Jane 14 May 1871 Samuel |
13 July 1873 Mary 19 June 1876 Ellen |
BURIALS
| MALES – 4 | FEMALES – 12 |
|
14 February 1843 George Chant 32 |
10 November 1801 Susanna Chant 21 September 1813 Diana Chant 6 mo 6 January 1842 Elizabeth Chant 5 18 March 1853 Elizabeth Chant 79 14 February 1830 Hariet Chant 1 mo 14 January 1858 Jane Chant 58 13 September 1831 Joan Chant 63 11 October 1884 Louisa Chant 2 y 6 mo 27 June 1830 Lucy Chant 70 19 November 1892 Maria Chant 72 27 February 1820 Mary Chant 82 4 February 1846 Matilda Chant 6 |
CENSUSES (excluding 1881)
| YEAR | REF | ABODE | PERSONS | |
| 1841 | 6 | Called the Knob | Chant William 33 Ag. Lab Chant Maria 32 Chant Hannah 11 Chant Elenor 10 Chant Caroline 9 |
Chant William 6 Chant Joseph 4 Chant Elizabeth 1 [Note: All Born Somerset] |
| 1841 | 8 | Lower Street | Chant Joseph 35 Ag. Lab Born Som Chant Hannah 35 F Born Som |
Chant Elizabeth 15 F Born Som |
| 1841 | 12 | Templeman’s Lane | Chant John 40 Ag. Lab Chant Jane 40 Chant Jane 15 Chant Mary 14 Chant John 10 |
Chant Johanna 8 Chant Henry 6 Chant James 4 Chant Louisa 1 [Note: All Born Somerset] |
| 1851 | 317 035 | Lower Street | Chant Joseph Head M 49 Carter Som, Merriott Chant Hannah Wife M 50 F Wife Som, Merriott Harwood Maria Lodger U 12 F Serv Som, Misterton |
Wills Jesse Son-in-law M 24 M Handloom weaver Som, Merriott Wills Elizabeth Dau M 24 F Dressmaker Som, Merriott |
| 1851 | 332 029 | Higher Street | Chant William Head M 42 Ag. Lab Som, Merriott Chant Maria Wife M 42 F Wife Som, Sth Petherton Chant Hannah Dau U 21 F Som, Sth Petherton Chant Ellen Dau U 20 F Som, Sth Petherton Chant Caroline Dau U 19 F Glover Som, Crewkerne |
Chant William Son U 15 M Som, Crewkerne Chant Joseph Son U 13 M Som, Merriott Chant Elizabeth Dau U 10 F Som, Merriott Chant Maria Dau U 6 F Som, Merriott Chant Ann Dau U 3 F Som, Merriott Chant George Son U 2 M Som, Merriott |
| 1851 | 339 078 | Higher Street | Chant Jane Head W 47 Ag Lab Som, Merriott Chant Jane Dau U 26 F Glover Som, Merriott Chant John Son U 22 M Steam Weaver Som, Merriott Chant Henry Son U 17 M Colier Som, Merriott |
Chant Joan Dau U 14 F Glover Som, Merriott Chant Louisa Dau U 12 F Glover Som, Merriott Chant Thomas Son U 10 M Scholar Som, Merriott Chant Solomon Son U 3 M Som, Merriott |
| 1851 | 349 021 | Broadway | Chant Hannah Head W 40 Glover Som, Merriott Chant Hannah Dau U 12 F Glover Som, Merriott |
Chant Elizabeth Dau U 8 F Glover Som, Merriott Ashmore Frederick Niece’s child U 6 m M Som, Merriott |
| 1861 | 29 022 | Broadway | Chant Hannah Head W 51 F Washer Som, Merriott Chant Anna Dau U 22 F Glover Som, Merriott |
Chant Elizabeth Dau U 18 F Glover Som, Merriott |
| 1861 | 38 120 | Lower Street | Chant Joseph Head M 59 Ag. Lab Som, Merriott |
Chant Maria Wife M 40 F Som, Merriott |
| 1861 | 50 028 | High Street | Wills George Head M 45 M Out Door Servant Som, Merriott Wills Jane Wife M 35 F Som, Merriott Wills Lucy Dau U 17 F Factory Flax Spinner Som, Merriott Wills Caroline Dau U 14 F Factory Flax Spinner Som, Merriott |
Wills Emily Dau U 10 F Factory Flax Spinner Som, Merriott Wills Francis Son U 8 M Som, Merriott Wills Henry Son U 2 M Som, Merriott Chant Soloman Son U 15 Factory Servant Som, Merriott |
| 1861 | 52 060 | High Street | Young Emily Head U 53 F Labourer Som, Merriott Lawrence William Boarder U 45 M Ag. Labourer Som, Merriott |
Chant William Boarder U 20 Labourer Som, Clapton |
| 1871 | 6 012 | Higher Street | Trask Robert Head M 35 M Ag. Lab Som, Merriott Trask Jane Wife M 32 F Som, Merriott Trask Saml Son U 13 M Som, Merriott Trask Emily Dau U 9 F Scholar Som, Merriott |
Trask Edward Son U 7 M Som, Merriott Trask Joseph Son U 4 M Som, Merriott Trask Anna Dau U 1 F Som, Merriott Chant William Lodger U 30 M Som, Merriott |
| 1871 | 6 015 | Sherrimore Hill | Chant Solomon Head M 25 Ag. Lab Som, Merriott Chant Emma Wife M 22 F Glove Maker Som, Merriott |
Chant Ann Dau U 22 F Som, Merriott Chant Samuel Son U 1m M Som, Merriott |
| 1871 | 8 034 | Lower Street | Sweet William Head M 50 M Ag. Lab Som, Merriott Sweet Ellen Wife M 42 F Som, Merriott |
Sweet Edward Son U 9 M Som, Merriott Chant Elizabeth Lodger W 39 F Som, Merriott Eason Jane Lodger U 3 F Som, Merriott |
| 1871 | 9 046 | Lower Street | Plowman Robert Head M 40 M Commercial Clerk/ Canvass Factory Tail Mills born Som, Crewkerne Stubbs Mary Housekeeper U 21 F Lambeth, Walk Plowman Henry Rush Son U 7 M Som, West Chinnock |
Plowman William Edwin Son U 4 M Som, West Chinnock Chant Mary Jane Domestic U 22 F Domestic Servant Som, Merriott |
| 1871 | 63 034 | Lower Street | Chant Maria Head W 52 F Needle Woman Som, Merriott Chant Thomas Son U 8 M Scholar Som, Merriott |
Greenham Thomas Lodger U 24 M Sail cloth Weaver Som, Merriott Pattemore George Lodger U 19 M Sail Cloth Weaver Som, Merriott |
| 1891 | 7 145 046 | Lower Street | Chant Maria Head W 70 Parish Relief Merriott Chant William Boarder S 45 Ag. Lab Merriott Trask Joseph Boarder S 48 Ag. Lab Merriott |
Wills Thomas Boarder S 37 Ag. Lab Merriott Eason John? Boarder W 47 Parish Relief Merriott |
| 1891 | 16 149 102 | Shiremoor Hill | Chant Solomon Head M 43 General Labourer Merriott Chant Emma Wife M 42 Merriott Chant Annie Dau S 22 Shirt Maker Merriott Chant Mary Dau S 18 Shirt Maker Merriott |
Chant Ellen Dau S 16 Linen Yarn Spinner Merriott Chant Bessie Dau 14 Scholar Merriott Chant Henry Son 11 Scholar Merriott Chant Louisa Dau 6 Scholar Merriott Chant Alice Dau 4 Scholar Merriott |
| 1891 | 37 160 250 | Broadway | Chant Thomas Head M 27 Labourer in Flax Spinning Mill Merriott Chant Rosa Wife M 29 Merriott Chant Emma Dau S 9 Scholar Merriott |
Chant Henry Son 7 Scholar Merriott Chant Charles Son 5 Scholar Merriott Chant Mary E Dau 1 Merriott |
| 1891 | 8 45 043 | Hermitage Higher St, Crewkerne | Pattemore Henry Head M 50 Farm Labourer Merriott Pattemore Anna Wife M 50 Merriott Pattemore Ella Dau S 21 Shirt Machinist Merriott |
Pattemore Mary Dau S 11 Scholar Crewkerne, Somerset Chant Hannah Lodger W 81 Retired Nurse Merriott |
| 1891 | 28 17 156 | North Street, Crewkerne | Chant Annie Border S 19 Sail Cloth Factory Hand Crewkerne, Somerset Chant Ellen Dau S 14 Dressmaker Apprentice Crewkerne, Somerset Chant Edwin Son S 13 Tailor Apprentice Crewkerne, Somerset |
Chant Fred C Son S 8 Scholar Crewkerne, Somerset Chant Minnie Granddau S 1 Crewkerne, Somerset |
| 1891 | 11 75 068 | South St Hospital, Crewkerne | Chant Henry Inmate S 17 Baker’s Assistant Montacute, Som | |
| 1901 | 31 70 229 | Shiremoor Hill | Chant Solomon Head M 55 Parish Relief Merriott Chant Emma Wife M 50 Merriott Chant Harry Son S 21 Labourer in Brewery Merriott Chant Louisa Dau 16 Button Hole Machinist Merriott |
Chant Alice Dau 13 Canvas Factory Spinner Merriott Chant Charles Son 9 Merriott Chant Ethel Dau 7 Merriott |
| 1901 | 33 71 238 | Higher St | Bailey Mary Head W 67 Ruler Canvas Sail Cloth Merriott Mitchell Emily Granddau 10 Merriott |
Chant William Lodger S 70 General Labourer Merriott Lawrence Robert Lodger S 64 General Labourer Merriott |
Crewkerne Overseers Accounts
Transcribed by Diane Ellisor.
30 Oct 1830 Paid Wm Joy for seven weeks Board & Lodging for Thos Chant of Merriott with a fractured thigh (2.9.0) Paid a person for attending him (0.2.0)
Wm Trump for his cart to take him home (0.4.0)
20th Century CHANTs in Merriott Records
A few marriages & burials appear in the All Saints Parish Registers in the early 20th Century.
For more information about these CHANTs, please email sue@merriottfamiliesgenealogy.net
1911 census
No entries.