In June 1841, Robert Eastment was an independent, aged 60, living at Hardington Marsh.

Robert was born in Hardington in about 1777, the son of Roger and Edith. On 23 December 1806, he married Mary Guppy at Hardington. He was about 29, and she was about 44. Mary was heavily pregnant as their daughter, Marianne, was baptised at Hardington on 28 March 1807.

In 1817, he inherited a “decayed cottage” in Shortmarsh Lane from his uncle, Dennis Eastment, and the residue of his estate. His uncle’s estate was valued at less than £600, and he left legacies to nieces, nephews and great-nephews. [1]

From 1832 to 1847, Robert was a freeholder on the voting list. In 1843, he occupied Vale farmhouse.

Mary died in December 1846, aged 85. Robert was in the workhouse in March 1851 and died there on 24 December 1853, aged 75.

Robert and Mary’s daughter, Marianne, married Matthew Bartlett, the licensee of the New Inn, in 1828.

References

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[1] The will of Dennis Eastment, dated 3 June 1815, proved at Wells on 30 March 1818.