In April 1871, Jane Squire, 47, was an annuitant living with her son, Albert, at Hardington Moor.

Early years

Jane Squire is an elusive demi-monde figure who ran a fancy goods shop in Yeovil despite flouting societal norms by having two illegitimate children.

Jane was born at Yeovil in about 1824, the daughter of James (a gardener) and Sarah Squire. In 1841, when she was only 15 or 16, she had an illegitimate son, Albert. In March 1851, she was a glove sewer living in Rotten Row in the household of her brother, William, a glove cutter. Her son, Albert, was in the household of Jane’s parents at 65 Reckleford. In 1852, she had a second illegitimate child, Emily Eliza, born in Islington.

Middle years

In April 1861, Jane lived with her widowed mother at Reckleford, Yeovil. Her son, Albert, may have been in London. The whereabouts of her daughter, Emily Eliza, is a mystery until April 1871, when she lived with her aunt. Eliza Knight. After that, little is known about her except that she died at Broadway, Dorset, on 11 June 1924.[1]

In 1866, Jane ran a Fancy Repository in Princes Street, Yeovil.[2] Her son, Albert, married Martha Elizabeth Robins the following year in London. Soon after, they all moved to Hardington to run a bakery and shop.

Later years

On 12 March 1883, Jane’s sister, Eliza Knight, the widow of a chemist, died intestate, leaving an estate of £492 17s. The Taunton probate court gave Jane the letters of administration. At that time, Jane probably returned to Yeovil to live in Eliza’s house at 15 Reckleford Hill.

Her son, Albert, died at Hardington on 6 January 1886.

In April 1891, Albert’s daughter, Elizabeth Emily, lived with Jane but died the following year, aged only 24.

Jane died in 1901, aged 77.

References

[1] Probate calendar.

[2] Post Office Directory, 1866.