Lydeard St Lawrence and Tarr

Lydeard St Lawrence is in the north west of Somerset, seven miles north west of Taunton and five miles south of Stogumber. In 2002, it had a population of just over 400 people.

In common with other villages in the area, it has a main village, which includes the Church, and a number of small hamlets within the parish. These hamlets include Pyleigh, Handy Cross and Tarr; hamlets associated with the Venn and Amery families

Several of the Venn family were baptised at Lydeard St. Lawrence church. Some are also buried there, including Thomas Venn (1849 - 1929, son of William) and Ann Amery (died 1875, mother of Elizabeth Venn).

St Lawrence Church, Lydeard St Lawrence

© Copyright Martin Southwood and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/104092

One of the most famous residents of Lydeard St. Lawrence was John Venn 'the regicide' (1586 - 1650). John Venn was the 53rd signatory of the 59 who signed the death warrent of Charles I in 1649. He lived at Pyleigh, Lydeard St Lawrence during the 16th century and there is information about him and his son in the church, especially as they were both responsible for some changes to its internal design.

As our Venn family also lived in Lydeard St Lawrence, including at Pyleigh, albeit some 200-250 years later, this has encouraged the legend that we are related to the King killer. There is no proof of this, due to the problems in locating the birth place of Samuel (see Puzzles and Queries) - however, that does not mean that we will not find a link one day!!!

Middle Tarr:

The main village street, Lydeard St Lawrence

© Copyright Derek Harper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1638354

Middle Tarr, c. 1973

Middle Tarr is one of a group of farms and cottages in a hamlet known as Tarr in the south west of the parish. At one point, clearly the lane ran straight pass the farm up to Higher Tarr but it is now closed. The house itself was subject to an architectural survey in 1983. From this, we know that some changes were made in the 19th century, for example, the back of the house as seen in the photo above. We do not know if this happened before, during or after the time the Venns lived here. The part of the house to the left of this photo (only partly visible) is, at latest, from 1670 and contains interesting features around the hearth and fireplace. The full architectural report is attached on the right: by clicking on it, it will become larger.

The farm itself was a tenant farm. Although William is reported to have been farming 70 acres in the 1871 census, when the farm was auctioned in 1876, it was sold as being slightly over 44 acres. Two cottages were also included, these were listed as being inhabited by George Hooper and Francis Hooper, who both worked on the farm. Their cottages are close to the main house as can be seen on the plan published in the 1876 auction details.

In 1876, the farm was listed as providing £80 rent per annum (the cottages £7).

Scarr:

Close by the hamlet of Tarr is Scarr Chapel and adjoining cottage. Family legend has it that the Venns - and possibly the Amerys - were heavily involved in its development into a chapel. The chapel is within easy walking distance of the farm.

Plan of Middle Tarr Farmhouse, c. 1983

Architectural Report on Middle Tarr Farmhouse, 1983

Plan of Middle Tarr as included in the auction details of 1876.