In April 1881, Thomas James Griffin was a retired farmer, aged 56, living in Barry Lane.

Childhood at Stockland

Thomas was born at Stockland in about 1825, the youngest son of John and Eleanor Griffin.

Life at Abbotts Hill Farm, Pendomer

Thomas’s father was a farmer who, between 1827 and 1841, moved from Stockland to Abbotts Hill Farm, Pendomer.

On 2 May 1850, at Merriott, Thomas married Mary Jane Saunders, the daughter of Matthew Saunders, a dairyman. They moved in with Thomas’s parents at Abbotts Hill.

Thomas’s mother died in 1851, and the following year, his wife died, probably giving birth to her third son.

On 24 December 1855, at Pendomer, Thomas married Mary Hopkins, the daughter of Joseph Hopkins, a dairyman.

On 20 December 1874, Thomas’s father died, leaving effects valued at under £200, which he bequeathed entirely to Thomas.[1]

In 1879, Thomas retired from farming. His farm sale was held on 19 April.[2]

Retirement at Hardington

They then moved to Barry Lane, Hardington. Thomas died in late 1883 or early 1884, aged 59.

His widow’s final years

In April 1891, Mary lodged with Thomas Eastment in Swins Lane. She died at Sandford Mill, the home of her stepson, on 8 November 1898, aged 89.

References

[1] The will of John Griffin, dated 31 March 1873, proved at Taunton on 19 February 1875.

[2] Western Gazette, 18 April 1879, p.4.