David and Mary Ann Shemmings were married in 1884 in Woodbridge. They began their married life in Castle Street, Woodbridge, and David worked as a labourer on the quay. David and Mary had eight children; four sons, William, Frederick, Edward and Percy; and four daughters, Harriett, Ellen, Laura and Mabel. William died soon after he was born.
In 1897, the family had moved to Melton to live on The Street. In 1901, David was working in the Maltings and Frederick was a grocer’s errand boy, while the other, younger children were at school. In 1911, the family were still living on The Street and sons, Frederick and Edward, were both working as carters.