William Telfer

William Telfer was born in 1754 in the United Kingdom, where exactly he was born is not yet known. One possible clue might be that there were Telfers in St Martin in the Fields and elsewhere in Westminister before Willliam's son Richard settled there.  Tracing those Telfers might lead to a connection.  Another clue is found in the apprentice tax records.  In 1782 George Telfer, barber of Andover, took on an apprentice.[1] Considering the fact that William named his oldest son George and that he was living in Andover by 1786, this might be a record for his father or a brother. The profession of barber was controlled by the Barbers Company which until 1745 also included surgeons.  However, an  act of Parliament as early as 1540 had legislated that no barber could perform surgery and no surgeon could perform barbers tasks, although both could practice dentistry. 

Apprentice Duty paid 16 Apr 1782 Class: IR 1; Piece: 31. 

Another entry of note as we look for Williams ancestry is that of George Telfer who is listed with the 16^th Regiment in Albany, New York in 1795.[3]  Might this be a brother and the same George found in Andover in 1782.

We know that William was living in New York at the time that his sons George and William were born. The family information states that William was a hairdresser working for the army and that he left when the army left, this has not been corroborated by records, but the time frame does fit and later records do corroborate his occupation.   

There is a William Telfer, hairdresser, listed in the Westminster Rate books in 1784.  He is also listed in the 1782 book, but as an addendum at the address with a note that looks like he took up lodging in 1783. He does not appear there in later years.  The first known record of William in Andover is 1786 when son Robert is christened, so this might be the correct William.  This might also be a tie to origins in London.



By the time William settled in Andover, which was situated on the main Exeter-Salisbury-London road, it had become a major stop for the more than 30 stagecoaches that passed through the town each day. A canal to Southhampton was opened in 1789. The population in 1801 was just over 3300 individuals.

In 1792 when William took on an apprentice his occupation was listed as peruke maker. A peruke was a man's wig, usually powdered and gathered at the back of the neck with a ribbon or a periwig.  This would fit with an occupation of hairdresser found in other records. 

 Apprentice Duty paid 31 Oct 1792 Class: IR 1; Piece: 35.

William died on 3 Dec 1800 at the age of 46 in Andover, Hampshire, England, Great Britain. 

William Telfer and Barbara were married before 1779. Besides the children listed below there are two other possible children, a daughter, Elizabeth bn 1785 who died in 1800 and a son Thomas who died at birth in 1782.  Barbara was born in 1762 and died on 15 Jun 1812 at the age of 50 in Andover. 

No known record gives Barbara a last name, but family legend states Barbara's father was named Matthew Cook and that he owned Cook farm.  His wife’s surname was reportedly Schemel.  The story goes on that on his death Barbara received an interest in the estate with her three brothers, Daniel, David and Phillip.     No documentation has been found and it is unknown whether this was a New York family or an English family, however, the German surname for Matthew’s wife makes it more likely that records will be found in the colonies rather than in England. 

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