Walter Sprott, Solicitor of Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The given name Walter runs down through our Sprott family line, generation after generation. My great uncle was Walter Huggins Sprott, my great grandfather was Walter Keith Sprott, my great great grandfather was Walter Edward Sprott, and my 4th great uncle was Walter Sprott. Plus there are several distant cousins whose given name includes Walter. The progenitor of all these men is my 4th great grandfather, Walter Sprott, who born about 1780.

I haven't yet found a christening record so I am unsure who Walter's parents were. But I surmise they had some means since at the age of 28, Walter was contracted to serve as an apprentice clerk to Richard Jones, an attorney of Frant, Sussex, who agreed to train him in the ways of the profession. The articles of clerkship for Walter were found at Ancestry.com. They appear to have been originally signed in 1808, and a duty of 108 pounds paid by Walter Sprott at that time. The term was five years, and a second document was read in court in 1813, confirming that the apprenticeship had been completed.

From the articles:

Walter Sprott should well and truly serve the said Richard Jones as his clerk in the business profession and practice of an attorney of his majesty’s court of Kings Bench and as an attorney or Solicitor in his Majesty’s other courts at Westminster for and during the term of five years commencing from the day of the date of the said in part recited articles. . .

Tunbridge 14 Sept 1808

The year after Walter completed his clerkship, in 1814, he married Sophia Chapman. In 1817, their daughter Sophia was born. Infant Sophia was christened on May 13, 1817 in Tunbridge Wells. Three years later, in 1821, Walter was left a widower when his wife Sophia died. Sophia was buried at St. Mary the Virgin, Speldhurst, Kent.

It was three years before Walter married again, which means little Sophia was motherless from the age of four to about seven (though I think its safe to presume a nursemaid or nanny cared for her during this time). Walter's second marriage, in 1824, was to Mary Caven, the second daughter of Peter Caven of Brighton. Mary was 14 years Walter's junior. A year later, their first son, Walter was born in Tunbridge Wells, and in 1826, their son James was born. Walter and James were both christened at King Charles the Martyr in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Walter Sprott was a successful solicitor and a business man. During the three decades that followed the completion of his apprenticeship, he was involved in several partnerships, was the master to several apprentice clerks, and was involved multiple land leases. In 1834, Walter is listed in the Tunbridge Wells Guide as "Mr. Walter Sprott, Master Extra. in Chancery, Com. in King’s Bench, Common Plea, and Exchequer, Abergavenny Place."

Walter Sprott's signature and seal

The 1841 Census provides a personal glimpse of Walter's family.

1841 Census Kent, England

Civil Parish: Tonbridge

Hundred: Tonbridge Lowery

1 Abergavenny Place

Walter Sprott, 55, Solicitor, not born in county

Mary Sprott, 45, not born in county

Sophia Sprott, 20

Mary Davis, 25, F. S.

Harriet Lindley, 25, F. S.

Hannah Jarrett, 30, F. S.

Henry Woodhomes, 25, M. S.

Sons Walter and James were attending school so were not living at home. Both graduated from the University of London.

Walter Sprott died in 1844, while his sons were young men. His will contains a long list of properties, which were bequeathed to his wife, daughter and two sons.