George Hayward was born in 1851 in Ash Priors, nr.Taunton. He was originally a bank manager in Bruton, then transferred to Stuckeys bank on the opposite side of Bancks street but resigned on 7th July 1888 and went into partnership with John Batting who had started the wine business in Minehead after being in the trade in Exeter. John was born in 1851 but died 2nd qt of 1889, about a year after going into partnership with George Hayward. He left a wife, Eleanor and 5 children: Edward b.1880, Kate b.1881, Walter b.1883, Guy born 1885 and Eleanor b. 1886.
In the 1901 census he is shown as a wine merchant. - George’s wife Mary Jane 45 born Pitminster and their sons Frank aged 22, Cecil 15, Arthur 9,and daughter Edith 20 lived over the business. Also Helen Edwards, 31, Governess born Spaxton, and Annie Hurford 21 born Bampton was the domestic servant. Mary E Westcott, 27 was a barmaid born in Thorverton.
Mr George Hayward, was a man of the hunting, shooting and fishing type, as were many traders in country districts, and who sent their children to public schools. He had a daughter with a fine voice, much in demand at local concerts.