In April 1891, Rosina Marsh, aged 36, was at Lyatts, living on her own means in the household of her aunt, Emma Wakely (nee Brake).
Early life
Rosina was born at Odcombe on 3 October 1853, the daughter of Abel and Susan Marsh. Her father was a labourer, and her mother was a glover.
Her father was able to rise a little in the world. By April 1861, he and his family had moved to Clapton, Crewkerne, where he worked as a Turnpike Gatekeeper. He then entered the pub trade. From 1866 to 1882, he was the landlord of the Cross Keys Inn in Crewkerne.[1] In July 1882, he became the landlord of the Rose and Crown Inn at Bradford Abbas, which he combined with farming.[2]
Rosina’s mother died at Bradford Abbas in 1885, aged 60. After her death, Rosina probably took on more responsibilities running the inn.
On 31 October 1889, Abel’s life was cut short when he died as a result of falling down the stairs the previous evening.[3] He left an estate of £185 7s 9d, which he bequeathed to his four children equally.[4]
Rosina was granted a temporary licence in November 1889 and a permanent one in January 1890 but gave it up the following June.[5] On 2 April 1890, she held a sale of her farming stock, household furniture and effects.[6]
She then lived with her mother’s sister, Emma Wakely, at Hardington.
She may have lived at Hardington for only a short time, as when she married in 1897, she was living at Odcombe. Her uncle, Robert Brake, farmed 13 acres at Lower Odcombe, and he witnessed her wedding. This uncle was also an executor of her late father’s will.
Her marriage to John Northcote Vincent
On 3 June 1897, at Odcombe, Rosina married a widower named John Northcote Vincent of Pitminster. His background was in farming, the military and the licensed trade. The son of a farmer, he enlisted in the army and rose to the rank of sergeant on the permanent staff of the first Somerset militia.[7] When he retired from the military in 1880, he became a Steward at the County Club, Taunton.[8] In about 1891, he became the landlord of the Crown Inn, Staplehay, Pitminster. His first wife died there on 14 January 1892 following a long illness.[9] Rosina may have met him through her sister and brother-in-law, who lived at 4 Silver Street, Taunton.
John and Rosina ran the Crown Inn together until the First World War.[10] By 1915, they had retired to Comeytrove, Trull. John died there on 10 September 1915, aged 78, leaving effects valued at £289-4s-3d, all of which he bequeathed to his wife except 15 guineas for his executor.[11] His body was laid to rest at Pitminster in the grave of his first wife.
Widowhood
In June 1921, Rosina lived in Comeytrowe Road, Trull. In September 1939, she lived with four other women at 6 The Avenue, Tamton.
On 22 September 1945, she lived at Coburn, Southington, Overton, Hampshire.[12]
Rosina died on 24 May 1949, aged 95, leaving effects valued at £1,497-12s-4d, which she bequeathed to her niece, Lilian Flood, “as an acknowledgement of her great kindness to me.”. Her last address was 44 Winchester Street, Overton. [13]
References
[1] https://www.patrickcarroll.co.uk/the-inn-at-the-crossroad-chapter-ten-requiescant-in-pace/
[2] Western Gazette, 28 July 1882, p.8.
[3] Western Gazette, 1 November 1889, p.8; 8 November 1889, p.8.
[4] The will of Abel Marsh, dated 10 April 1878, proved at Blandford on 25 February 1890.
[5] Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 30 November 1889, p.5; Western Gazette, 31 January 1890, p.8; 27 June 1890, p.8. The report of 30 November 1889 erroneously refers to the licence being transferred to Abel’s widow.
[6] Western Gazette, 21 March 1890, p.8.
[7] Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925.
[8] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 3 February 1892, p.5.
[9] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 20 January 1892, p.5.
[10] The will of John Nethercote Vincent, dated 18 November 1914, proved at Taunton on 11 October 1915.
[11] The will of John Nethercote Vincent, dated 18 November 1914, proved at Taunton on 11 October 1915.
[12] The will of Rosina Vincent, dated 22 September 1946, proved at Winchester on 21 March 1950.
[13] The will of Rosina Vincent, dated 22 September 1946, proved at Winchester on 21 March 1950.
