Joseph by Jeff Smallcombe

By Jeff Smallcombe

'Joseph' is a biographical account of the life of an illegitimate Chipping Sodbury workhouse boy and farm servant, born in 1850, who moved to Bristol and then on to Cardiff in 1872. His life in Gloucestershire is covered in the first chapter with interesting background information on life as a child in a workhouse. During his time in Bristol, Joseph Smallcombe married Harriet Dyer, a domestic servant from Iron Acton whom he met whilst working at the White Hart Inn in Old Market Street, Bristol. Joseph then progressed from a labourer to cab driver, barman, licensee, mineral water manufacturer, wine and spirit merchant and pickle merchant. When he died in 1932, he described himself as a 'Gentleman'. The book is privately published as a limited edition of 100 copies and if anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, they are available from Dr. Jeff Smallcombe, St Rumons, Romansleigh, South Molton, North Devon, EX36 4JP at a price of 6 pounds including p&p.