Margaret Lewis, curator of Honiton Museum.

Midweek Herald: Margaret Lewis (outside the Honiton Museum) is keen for the building to host the town's new TIC. mhh 25-16TI 2287. Picture: Terry IfeMargaret Lewis (outside the Honiton Museum) is keen for the building to host the town's new TIC. mhh 25-16TI 2287. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

If a resident in the East Devon area needed a surveyor, a valuer, or an auctioneer to sell cyder, livestock, land, property or household goods then the chances are that one of the four generations of the Hussey family would be engaged to sell it off. Between 1777 when William Hussey founded the business up to the 1960s the family firm held thousands of auctions throughout the whole of East Devon.

William’s son James Hussey took over the business in 1830 and was held in high esteem. In 1882 a testimonial and a public dinner was held at the Dolphin Hotel, Honiton to show appreciation of the venerable auctioneer for his honesty and integrity during his fifty years in business.

More than 800 people subscribed, and he was presented with a purse containing £350, a silver salver and a silver tea and coffee service.

James’ son Thomas Davy Hussey attended Allhallows School. Edward Wood remembered Tom conducting the auction of all their worldly belongings before they set off for the United States in 1884.

The Town Crier had already distributed hand bills around the town and Tom Hussey arrived with his pony and trap. He stepped up on his temporary rostrum – an old wooden box - and proved to be an expert in his profession and a man with a big heart.

Edward’s little brother was so impressed with the magnitude of the man and the event he whispered, “ Right before our eyes stands the King!" At the end of the auction Tom gave each of the Wood children three shiny pennies in case they needed them in the New World.

Tom Hussey and his wife Thirza had six children. Their second son Michael died of tuberculosis at the age of 26.

Their eldest daughter Ethel was just sixteen when she was killed in a cycling accident. She crashed her bicycle into a horse on Stoney Bridge and it trampled her.

His eldest son James Hussey succeeded his father in the firm. A local farmer said: "Jimmy Hussey was a lovely man who helped us enormously whenever we changed farms. One of his favourite sayings when he was having trouble selling calves was 'If someone will give me a bale of hay and a field, I'd buy it myself.’

When his only child Catherine was born in 1917, his diary entry for the day is “The kid is here’.