Introduction
Arthur Charles Spearing spent his life within the farming economy at Hardington Mandeville. Although little direct evidence remains of his early life, he appears to have stayed at home, working on the family farm before taking over its management and eventually leaving his estate to his sister, Kate.
Early life and family background
Arthur Charles Spearing was born in Hardington Mandeville in late 1877 or early 1878, the youngest of twelve children born to Henry and Harriet Spearing. Several of his siblings died young, and by the time Arthur reached school age, the household had already begun to contract, with older sisters leaving to work in service.
The family lived at Hill End, where his father initially worked as a labourer before establishing himself as a small-scale farmer in the 1880s. Arthur grew up within this transition, from wage labour to independent, though modest, farming.
Work on the family farm
After leaving school, Arthur appears to have worked on the family farm alongside his father. By 1911, when his sister Kate was recorded as engaged in dairy work, Arthur had effectively assumed the principal role in managing the holding, suggesting a gradual transfer of responsibility during his father’s later years.
Following Henry Spearing’s death in 1911, Arthur continued to run the farm with Kate. Their mother remained with them until her death in 1916, after which the household consisted primarily of the two siblings, though two visitors lived with them in 1921.
Move to Struckmead
The sale of the Hill End holding in 1920 marked a turning point. The property, which comprised just over 25 acres, was sold and divided, and around this time, Arthur and Kate moved to Struckmead Farm, previously owned by Thomas Genge.
By 1923, Arthur was recorded in the Hardington rate book as owner-occupier of 42 acres 11 perches, with a further 7 acres 3 roods 16 perches rented from Viscount Portman. This suggests that he had established himself as an independent farmer on a larger scale than the earlier holding.
Death and estate
Arthur died on 24 October 1937 at the age of 58. His estate, valued at £1,033 15s 3d, was left entirely to his sister Kate. An auction sale held on 3 March 1938 included five cows, three heifers, two calves, a black cob, implements, dairy utensils, and thirty tons of meadow hay.[1]
Kate subsequently disposed of the livestock and later the land, bringing to an end the Spearing family’s direct occupation of the holding.
Conclusion
Arthur’s life was closely tied to the family farm, reflecting the persistence of small-scale farming households in which sons remained to work the land and assume responsibility in due course. His decision to leave his estate to his sister ensured short-term continuity and enabled her to exercise a degree of independence that was unusual for an unmarried woman in that setting.
References
[1] Western Gazette, 14 October 1938, p.16; Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 March 1938, p.15.