Thomas and Kate Razey of Chapel Plaister
Alan Payne, Family photos courtesy Sheila Snelgrove, August 2026
Alan Payne, Family photos courtesy Sheila Snelgrove, August 2026
Thomas and Kate Razey outside their cottage in Wadswick Lane
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Many people in the Box area are friendly and pleasant; the village is renowned for its community spirit. But few people are genuinely charismatic, recognised by generations as spanning old Box and modern society. Thomas Razey of Wadswick was one such person.
This is the story of Thomas and his wife Kate, who lived at Chapel Plaister. They were never wealthy, always just getting by, and theirs was a life of hard work and duty. In comparison to some, their achievements were limited but they brought up a loving family and their story touched the hearts of all who met them. Thomas Razey (1863-1947) was a shepherd for the whole of his working life He was the son of Henry Razey (1835-), a shepherd, and grandson of William Razey, shepherd. Life as a Shepherd Working shepherds were once common in Box, where the steep hillsides were ideal for grazing sheep flocks since medieval times. The Kingsdown Sheep Fair was held from 1798 until the Second World War. It was partly an auction of animals to breeders, farmers, and butchers, and partly a marketplace for agricultural employment. After the farm business was concluded at the sheep fair, it became a funfair for the general public with amusements, gambling, sports and other commercial stalls. It became a large annual event, in 1868 estimated to have sold 60,000 sheep. |
Thomas worked for only one employer, the Hazelbury Estate, where he started as assistant shepherd to his father at the age of 10 and later became fully responsible for the flock. His status was recognised by a single object, the family’s 130 years old iron shepherd’s crook. In 1873 the length of the service of Henry Razey (Thomas’s father) was honoured with a reward of 15 shillings for continuous service of 20 years on WJ Brown’s farm at Hazelbury.[1] Thomas outdid this record and he was a shepherd on the same estate for over 67 years during which time the estate had five different owners from WJ Brown to George Jardine Kidston. In 1921 Thomas was still on the same farm working for Albert Blake who lived at Bailiff’s Farm, Wadswick, before it was acquired by GJ Kidston.
When Thomas first started work, the Hazelbury flock of sheep numbered over 2,000 but this was drastically reduced by the end of his working life to 200. In 1935 a newspaper reporter conducted a charming interview with Thomas and Kate.[2] The reporter met Thomas in the pouring rain in a shepherd’s hut in a muddy field. Thomas said that he worked seven days a week including the Sabbath and spent most of the working day in the open air. He was responsible for feeding the animals twice a day, treating them for maggot or fly, lambing, penning and tupping the animals. Without modern feed supplements, most ewes could only manage a single lamb, often a complicated job. Thomas was an annual visitor to the Kingsdown Fair, selling lambs, buying new breeding rams and simply getting the latest news from fellow shepherds. He is reported to have been one of the last shepherds in the village and attended some of the final events at the fair.
When Thomas first started work, the Hazelbury flock of sheep numbered over 2,000 but this was drastically reduced by the end of his working life to 200. In 1935 a newspaper reporter conducted a charming interview with Thomas and Kate.[2] The reporter met Thomas in the pouring rain in a shepherd’s hut in a muddy field. Thomas said that he worked seven days a week including the Sabbath and spent most of the working day in the open air. He was responsible for feeding the animals twice a day, treating them for maggot or fly, lambing, penning and tupping the animals. Without modern feed supplements, most ewes could only manage a single lamb, often a complicated job. Thomas was an annual visitor to the Kingsdown Fair, selling lambs, buying new breeding rams and simply getting the latest news from fellow shepherds. He is reported to have been one of the last shepherds in the village and attended some of the final events at the fair.
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The wonderful photos above are dated September 1926. They are the only known contemporary images of the Kingsdown Sheep Fair in operation.
Thomas retired in October 1939 and Kate and he moved to Willsbridge, near Bristol, to be closer to their daughter, Hilda Williams.[3]
Family Life
Thomas was married to Kate Tiley (1861-1951) at Box Church on 19 November 1885 by the curate, Rev Edgar Webb, during the period when the vicar, George Edward Gardiner, was incapacitated.[4] They had both been born in Box and knew each other from childhood. They lived in a cottage at 3 Chapel Plaister for most of their married life.
Kate was the daughter of Hezekiah Tiley, labourer, and his wife Suzannah Baker. Kate’s life revolved around Chapel Plaister, bringing up her family, helping others, and being the Sunday School teacher at the Wadswick chapel for many years, a role later taken over by her daughter Hilda for 21 years.[5] Kathleen Harris attended the school as a child and recalled Hilda playing the harmonium.[6] At Thomas and Kate’s golden wedding celebrations in 1935, GJ Kidston gave them a cake decorated with model sheep and plaster lambs on green icing.[7] The couple celebrated their diamond wedding celebration with their family at home in 1945.[8]
They had three sons, Henry, Ernest and Sidney, and two daughters, Elsie and Hilda. None of the children worked in agriculture. All the sons served in the Great War; Henry as a sapper in the Royal Engineers in the Great War, Ernest in the Royal Field Artillery, and Sidney in 4th Somerset Light Infantry. Elsie married Edward Charles Shipton in 1922 and Hilda married Gilbert George Williams in August 1936, with a wedding reception at Chapel Barn Farm courtesy of the owner Mr Hazell. Thomas and Kate had 11 grandchildren. A plaque was installed on the hymn board of Chapel Plaister in honour of Thomas and Kate’s eldest son, Henry Thomas and his wife, who lived at 3 Chapel Plaister.
Thomas was married to Kate Tiley (1861-1951) at Box Church on 19 November 1885 by the curate, Rev Edgar Webb, during the period when the vicar, George Edward Gardiner, was incapacitated.[4] They had both been born in Box and knew each other from childhood. They lived in a cottage at 3 Chapel Plaister for most of their married life.
Kate was the daughter of Hezekiah Tiley, labourer, and his wife Suzannah Baker. Kate’s life revolved around Chapel Plaister, bringing up her family, helping others, and being the Sunday School teacher at the Wadswick chapel for many years, a role later taken over by her daughter Hilda for 21 years.[5] Kathleen Harris attended the school as a child and recalled Hilda playing the harmonium.[6] At Thomas and Kate’s golden wedding celebrations in 1935, GJ Kidston gave them a cake decorated with model sheep and plaster lambs on green icing.[7] The couple celebrated their diamond wedding celebration with their family at home in 1945.[8]
They had three sons, Henry, Ernest and Sidney, and two daughters, Elsie and Hilda. None of the children worked in agriculture. All the sons served in the Great War; Henry as a sapper in the Royal Engineers in the Great War, Ernest in the Royal Field Artillery, and Sidney in 4th Somerset Light Infantry. Elsie married Edward Charles Shipton in 1922 and Hilda married Gilbert George Williams in August 1936, with a wedding reception at Chapel Barn Farm courtesy of the owner Mr Hazell. Thomas and Kate had 11 grandchildren. A plaque was installed on the hymn board of Chapel Plaister in honour of Thomas and Kate’s eldest son, Henry Thomas and his wife, who lived at 3 Chapel Plaister.
Epitaph in Chapel Plaister (courtesy Carol Payne)
Thomas and Kate also gave family support to Leonard Baker (1903-), Kate’s nephew, who they called an adopted son in the 1921 census, although it is unclear if this was a formal or casual family arrangement. In 1921 Leonard was working as a tractor driver ploughing for Albert Blake at Bailiff’s Farm along with Thomas and in 1939 he was working on his own as a gardener at Ashley Farm.
Grave of Henry Thomas and Mary Louisa Kate in Box Cemetery, plots LD12 and LD13 (courtesy Carol Payne)
Conclusion
Thomas and Kate were secure and content with their status in Box society, some of the least aspirational people you could meet. They charmed people from all ranks of society by their kindness and courtesy.
What was it that endeared Thomas and Kate to others? Perhaps their steadfastness in the face of adversity and the dramatic shifts in twentieth century society. They served as a bridge between a perception of a caring, rural society unchanged since medieval times and the brutalities of Britain in the Second World War. Perhaps above all, it was their unselfish dedication which is an example to all of us.
Thomas and Kate were secure and content with their status in Box society, some of the least aspirational people you could meet. They charmed people from all ranks of society by their kindness and courtesy.
What was it that endeared Thomas and Kate to others? Perhaps their steadfastness in the face of adversity and the dramatic shifts in twentieth century society. They served as a bridge between a perception of a caring, rural society unchanged since medieval times and the brutalities of Britain in the Second World War. Perhaps above all, it was their unselfish dedication which is an example to all of us.
Family Tree
William Razey (1810-) of Wilcott married Elizabeth (1814-). Children included Henry (1835-).
Henry Razey (1835-) born at Kennett, near Pewsey, Wiltshire, agricultural labourer. On the death of his first wife, Sarah Rupel in 1870, he married Caroline Mumford (1833-) in 1871.
Children with Sarah:
Mary (1861-);
Thomas (1863-);
Ellen (1865-);
Louisa (1868-).
Child with Caroline: Annie (1872-).
Thomas Razey (1863-1947), mason, married Kate Tiley (1861-1951) in 1885. Children:
Henry Thomas (1886-1960);
Ernest William (1889-1958) worked as a stud groom in 1921. He married Kate Mary;
Sidney Herbert (1899-1967) worked as a builder’s labourer in 1921 and later carpenter. He married Rosamund Whittle in 1921;
Elsie Lizzie Ellen (1894-1993) who married Edward Charles Shipton (1893-in Bath in 1922;
Hilda (1897-) who married Gilbert George Williams in August 1936 and they lived at Willsbridge, Bristol;
Leonard Baker, adopted son, who worked as a tractor driver ploughing at Bailiff’s Farm in 1921.
Henry Thomas Razey (20 October 1886-5 August 1960). In 1919 he married Mary Louisa Katherine Sweeney (16 August 1887-6 May 1970) born at Pontefract, Yorkshire. In 1921 they were living in Bradford-on-Avon where Henry Thomas worked as a stone mason. Henry Thomas and Mary Louisa Kate are buried in Box Cemetery, plots LD12 and LD13.
William Razey (1810-) of Wilcott married Elizabeth (1814-). Children included Henry (1835-).
Henry Razey (1835-) born at Kennett, near Pewsey, Wiltshire, agricultural labourer. On the death of his first wife, Sarah Rupel in 1870, he married Caroline Mumford (1833-) in 1871.
Children with Sarah:
Mary (1861-);
Thomas (1863-);
Ellen (1865-);
Louisa (1868-).
Child with Caroline: Annie (1872-).
Thomas Razey (1863-1947), mason, married Kate Tiley (1861-1951) in 1885. Children:
Henry Thomas (1886-1960);
Ernest William (1889-1958) worked as a stud groom in 1921. He married Kate Mary;
Sidney Herbert (1899-1967) worked as a builder’s labourer in 1921 and later carpenter. He married Rosamund Whittle in 1921;
Elsie Lizzie Ellen (1894-1993) who married Edward Charles Shipton (1893-in Bath in 1922;
Hilda (1897-) who married Gilbert George Williams in August 1936 and they lived at Willsbridge, Bristol;
Leonard Baker, adopted son, who worked as a tractor driver ploughing at Bailiff’s Farm in 1921.
Henry Thomas Razey (20 October 1886-5 August 1960). In 1919 he married Mary Louisa Katherine Sweeney (16 August 1887-6 May 1970) born at Pontefract, Yorkshire. In 1921 they were living in Bradford-on-Avon where Henry Thomas worked as a stone mason. Henry Thomas and Mary Louisa Kate are buried in Box Cemetery, plots LD12 and LD13.
References
[1] Devizes and Wilts Advertiser, 4 December 1873
[2] The Wiltshire News, 22 November 1935
[3] The Wiltshire News, 23 November 1945 and Wiltshire Times, 5 May 1951
[4] The Wiltshire News, 22 November 1935
[5] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 29 August 1936
[6] See Kathleen Harris, Up and Down the Hill
[7] The Salisbury Times, 29 November 1935
[8] Western Daily Press, 19 November 1945
[1] Devizes and Wilts Advertiser, 4 December 1873
[2] The Wiltshire News, 22 November 1935
[3] The Wiltshire News, 23 November 1945 and Wiltshire Times, 5 May 1951
[4] The Wiltshire News, 22 November 1935
[5] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 29 August 1936
[6] See Kathleen Harris, Up and Down the Hill
[7] The Salisbury Times, 29 November 1935
[8] Western Daily Press, 19 November 1945