Samuel HOOKINS (Tree A)

 Samuel HOOKINS was my great Uncle Sam. He was born on Boxing Day 1881 in Huntspill. He was the eldest of 11 children born to William HOOKINS and his wife Susan (nee MASONS) and was baptised in the village church in Pawlett.

His first appearance in the Census occurred in 1891 when he was living at Puriton Road in Palwett near Bridgwater with his parents and 6 siblings. Ten years later he is found to be a servant at Brent Street, Brent Knoll at the home of the Sheppard family the head of which was a Road Contractor. Sam is here recorded as HOOKINGS.

On 31 August 1909 he married Alice PHELPS at Pawlett Church by which time Sam is recorded as being a Gardener. Their only child was Violet Lilian who was born in 1910 in Pawlett and I had the privilege of meeting with her at her home in Weston super Mare and having frequent correspondence with her prior to her death.

By 1911 Sam was a Carter for a Nursery and lived with Alice and Violet in Pawlett. For the First World War Sam joined the Army Service Corps No M1/077279 and served in France.

Samuel HOOKINS Army Service Corps

At some stage Sam separated from Alice as in 1939, whilst all the family lived in Weston super Mare, Alice was living alone in Moorland Road and Sam was with Violet a few streets away at Langport Road. At this stage Sam is recorded as being an Omnibus Driver which he seems to have continued with until retirement. Violet was a Teacher in a Private School.

Samuel HOOKINS standing right

Samuel HOOKINS

Alice died in 1954 in Weston super Mare and Sam 20 years later in the same town where he was subsequently cremated. Violet eventually entered a Nursing Home in the town and died in 2004.