The family tree

Stephen (2nd) was born at Wycombe Marsh 1821 and baptized at High Wycombe. He married Sarah Brion on March 4th 1844. He was then a chairmaker. In 1851 they were living at 55 Newland with the first four of their children; by then he was a French polisher. In Kelly's directory 1875 their address was 17 Temple Street, and he was making varnishes and polishes. Kelly's ' 66, ' 67, ' 68 are missing, in '69 Stephen appears as a varnish maker, but not in '65; presumably he started his new business between those years, perhaps in '68 when he asked his son Stephen to join him. Kelly's '99 - "Weller, Stephen and Son, varnish and polish manufacturers. Speciality, chair manufacturer's requisites.".

I do not know when the family became Wesleyan Methodists but it is certain that Stephen 2nd. was a prominent member of the Chapel. Beside the entrance to the Chapel in West Wycombe there are several stones with names engraved upon them, including those of Mr. S. Weller snr., his daughter Sarah and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ben North, and Mr. S. Weller jnr. The foundation stone was laid by Viscount Curzon, M.P. on Aug 8th. 1894.

This quotation is from the local newspaper in High Wycombe library. Stephen gave an address at a Watch Night service in 1868, at a missionary meeting in 1872 and 1883, was elected Conference Representative in 1884 and was delegate to the Oxford District Meeting 1885. For some years he was a member of the School Board as Wesleyan representative, and was elected a member of the High Wycombe Council at the first election after the extension of the Borough, in 1880, also in 1881, but failed to be re-selected the following year. Also, going back to 1844, he was then Steward of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Olive Branch, tent no. 458. This, I think, was a Friendly Society whose function was to help its members in time of need.

Some time in the 1880's Stephen took his son, Stephen 3rd., my Grandfather, into partnership and a few years later retired and went to live at Lyndhurst, Priory Road, High Wycombe. He and Sarah celebrated their Golden Wedding in March 1894 and their Diamond Anniversary in 1904; I have photographs taken on the latter occasion, and some earlier ones. Both died in 1906 and were buried in High Wycombe cemetery. [Barbara Taylor nee Weller]