William John Best PERRIAM

  General Notes:

Birth
PERRIAM, WILLIAM JOHN BEST mother BEST
GRO Reference: 1888 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 45

Marriages Jun 1911 Crediton 5b 949
Cockram Sarah J
PERRIAM William J B

1891 census (where was husband George?)
41 George Street, Exmouth (Withycombe Raleigh), Devon
RG12/1676 F58 P38
Harriet Perriam, Head, M, 43, , Exmouth
Louisa do, Daur, S, 19, (Positive) Assistant, Exmouth - could be Printer's (Think this is Laura)
Harriet do, Daur, S, 16, Housemaid/Domestic Servant, Exmouth
Robert do, Son, , 6, Scholar, Exmouth
William do, Son, , 3, , Exmouth
George do, Son, , 8months, , Exmouth

1901 Census
RG13/2029 F73 P21
44 George Street, Exmouth (Withycombe Raleigh), Devon
George Perriam, Head, M, 57, Retired Seaman, Exmouth
Harriet E do, Wife, M, 53, , Exmouth
E Harriet do, Daur, S, 25, Ladies Maid Domestic, Exmouth
William J B do, Son, , 12, , Exmouth

1911 census
RG14PN12578 RG78PN722 RD270 SD1 ED7 SN235
5 George Street, Exmouth, Devon
Harriet Perriam, Head, 63, Widow, Domestic Duty's, Withycombe Parish Exmouth Devon
Laura Perriam, Daughter, 39, Single, Dressmaker, Withycombe Parish Exmouth Devon
William Perriam, Son, 22, Single, Lady's Tailor, Withycombe Parish Exmouth Devon
Sarah Cockram, Visitor, 27, Single, Independent, Down St Mary Devon
- Harriet is stated to have been married 42 years and had 9 children of whom 5 are still alive and 4 had died
- the house had 5 rooms
- Sarah Cockram later married William Perriam

Christened William John Best Perriam because one of his Godmothers was an aunt, surname Best, who gave the name when asked by the vicar - she said "William John Best" (a mistake!). his mother, Harriet quickly added "Perriam". But from then on he was called William John Best Perriam

One of the 5 founder members of Exmouth St John Ambulance - referred to in article about Crystal in Exmouth Journal May 11 2006

A Town Councillor for many years
Mayor of Exmouth in 1939

A lay preacher for 60 years (From age 13!) at the Methodist church


I was told he was 72 when he died - actually 74

He was apprenticed as a tailor to his uncle Matt in Exmouth - qualified as a tailor at age 23 (but could this have been Samuel John Best?)
Bought a house in Woodville Road, Exmouth in 1913 (£60)
Later had a Tailor's shop in Exeter Road (1920)

In RFC during the 1st world war - his number was 10007

William married Sarah Jane COCKRAM, daughter of William COCKRAM and Elizabeth (COCKRAM), on 17 Apr 1911 in Bow, Devon, England. (Sarah Jane COCKRAM was born on 19 Oct 1883 down St Mary, Devon, England.)