Introduction
Archibald Abraham Partridge overcame early financial difficulties to establish himself as a dealer before becoming the owner of a smallholding at Hardington Moor, which he supported through haulage and council work.
Early years
Archibald Abraham Partridge was born on 16 April 1880, the seventh of nine children born to Abraham Partridge and his wife, Julia Taylor (nee Leach).[1] His father was a baker who ran a bakery at the foot of Pig Hill. After leaving school, Abraham worked as a baker for his father, which involved making trips to Yeovil. In November 1895, he was seen driving a lame horse in Middle Street and was prosecuted. However, the case was dismissed because the RSPCA had failed to obtain an opinion from a veterinary surgeon.[2]
Marriage
In 1901, Archibald married Ellen Jane Sansom. Born in Sherborne in 1876 as the daughter of a stonemason’s labourer, she had moved to Hardington to work as a cook at the rectory. The couple initially lived in North Lane before moving to the High Street by about 1909.[3]
A new business
By December 1907, Archibald had become a dealer. That month, he attended a sale at East Coker, and afterwards went to the New Inn. During the day, he quarrelled with a horse dealer from Crewkerne over the ownership of a carriage lamp. Although Archibald prosecuted the horse dealer, the magistrates dismissed the case.[4]
Financial crisis
In January 1908, financial difficulties led Archibald to apply for an administration order.[5] He had debts of £25 14s 9d, which he attributed to illness and bad luck. He offered his creditors 12s in the pound payable in monthly instalments of 4s. Henry Hinks of Bridge Close Farm objected, stating that Archibald had a very good business as a general dealer and would do well if he led a decent life. Messrs Petter & Son also objected, and their representatives stated that it had come to the firm’s attention that he spent his time in public houses and showed people the money he had in his pockets. The judge thought that Archibald’s offer was too low and adjourned the case for a month. At the next hearing, the Judge mentioned that one of Archibald’s creditors had written to say that he had seen him with a horse, to which Archibald responded, “He is a liar, sir; he tells a lot of lies.” The Judge made an order for payment of 6s a month, which would have taken more than seven years to clear the debts if paid in full.[6]
Two minor traffic offences suggest that Archibald may have continued to frequent public houses. In March 1908, he was fined 1s for leaving a horse and cart unattended in Church Street, West Coker, for one hour and forty minutes.[7] Four years later, he was fined 2s 6d for leaving a horse and trap without a light in Bond Street. Although the horse was left outside the New Inn, Archibald claimed he had been to the chemists.[8]
Recovery and expansion
By 1911, Archibald specialised in cheese, as the census of that year recorded him as a cheese dealer. In January 1913, a mason’s labourer was charged with stealing a whole cheese and part of another from Archibald’s trap while he was inside the New Inn at West Coker.[9]
In 1918, Archibald was one of three farmers prosecuted for failing to crop land in his possession. In his case, the land was an acre of “Twelve Acres”, Coker Hill. In his defence, Archibald said that a farmer had promised to plough the land but failed to do so. Another man had since ploughed it about three weeks ago.[10]
Despite these difficulties, Archibald successfully built his business and later rented a cottage and about seventeen acres of land at Hardington Moor from the Portman estate. He purchased this property as the sitting tenant in the estate sale of October 1920, marking a significant turning point in his fortunes.[11] By then, he also owned a car, as on 3 November 1920, he was summoned for driving it without lights and fined 2s 6d.[12]
Later life
The 1921 census recorded Archibald as a smallholder living at Hardington Moor with his wife, their six surviving children (their first child died in infancy), his brother-in-law George Sansom and his uncle Albert Leach. His son Stanley assisted him on the smallholding. Archibald’s cottage would later be named Walnut Tree Cottage.
In November 1933, Archibald’s father, Abraham, died, but Archibald did not obtain probate of his will until 1944. Abraham made provisions for his wife (who died in 1943) and daughter, Laura Bartlett (who died in 1940), after which his estate was divided between his sons Archibald and Gilbert.[13]
In the 1939 Register, Archibald listed his occupation as “council work, farmer and haulier.” “Haulier” appears to have been the occupation with which he most closely identified himself, as he used the same description when proving his father’s will.
In 1955, Archibald was behind with his income tax, and Yeovil magistrates ordered him to pay £8 2s 3d.[14]
Ellen died on 24 August 1966 at the age of ninety, and Archibald followed on 28 April 1967 at the age of eighty-seven. He left an estate valued at £7,388.
Conclusion
Although his early years were marked by debt and minor brushes with the law, Archibald ultimately established himself as a successful smallholder whose livelihood rested on several complementary occupations. His career suggests an intuitive, adaptive risk-taking approach to business, combined with resilience and a strong drive to succeed.
References
[1] Civil registration birth index; 1929 Register; family reconstitution.
[2] Western Gazette, 10 January 1896, p.6.
[3] Western Chronicle, 27 September 1907, p. 8 (birth announcement for son born at North Lane); Hardington Mandeville voters’ lists.
[4] Western Gazette 3 January 1908, p.3; Western Chronicle, 3 January 1908, p.4.
[5] Western Chronicle, 10 January 1908, p.5; Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 15 January 1908, p.3; Western Gazette, 7 February 1908, p.4; Western Chronicle. 3 April 1908, p.4.
[6] Western Gazette, 7 February 1908, p.4; Western Chronicle. 3 April 1908, p.4.
[7] Western Chronicle, 3 April 1908, p.4.
[8] Western Chronicle, 5 July 1912, p.7.
[9] Western Chronicle, 31 January 1913, p.5.
[10] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 June 1918, p.2; Western Chronicle, 7 June 1918, p.7.
[11] Eddy Colin Turner’s copy of the estate sale catalogue.
[12] Western Gazette, 5 November 1920, p.5.
[13] Will of Abraham Partridge, dated 11 September 1922, proved at Winchester on 13 October 1944.
[14] Bristol Evening Post, 3 August 1955, p.7.