In April 1861, Paul Russ was a dairyman of 24 cows at Bridge Close.

Early life

Paul was born at Martock in 1829, the eldest son of Silvanus Russ (a farm worker) and his wife, Mary. By March 1845, Silvanus and his family had moved to Tintinhull. In March 1851, Paul worked at Long Sutton for a dairyman with 31 cows.

Life at Yeovil

On 21 January 1856, at Yeovil parish church. Paul married Elizabeth Higdon, the widow of Valentine Higdon, a soldier. At that time, Paul kept an inn in the Ilchester Road.

Life at Hardington

Paul and Elizabeth moved to Hardington between July 1858 and December 1860. They were still there in December 1864 but gone by March 1871.

Life at Othery

In March 1871, they lived at Othery, where Paul was a dairyman.

Elizabeth died on 8 May 1882, aged 62.

In 1885, Paul gave up his farm at Othery. The farm sale held on 27 January included 24 store pigs, two three-year-old heifers, and dairy utensils.[1]

Life at Aller

In 1886, Paul married a widow named Elizabeth Davis. Her father and first husband were both farm labourers. After her first husband died in 1864, she raised their son, John, on her own.

On 2 October 1889, Paul played the clarionet at an event to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Aller Congregational Chapel.[2] On 19 August 1890, he lent a field for a temperance fete at Aller.[3] On 26 November 1890, he conducted a temperance choir at Othery Congregational Chapel.[4]

In April 1891, Paul was a farmer living at South Street, Aller.

Paul died at Aller on 13 May 1893, aged 63, leaving effects valued at £356-0s-11d. He left his wife, household effects, and £150. He divided the remainder between his five children and three stepchildren.[5]

Paul and Elizabeth had three sons and two daughters.

Elizabeth also had a son and daughter by her first husband, and a daughter born one year before she married her first husband.

The will of Paul Russ

Sole executor: Albert Bollen.

To my dear wife Elizabeth Russ (formerly Elizabeth Davis, widow): my household effects and £150.

To Albert Bollen of Yeovil, solicitor: the remainder of my estate to convert to money and pay the following pecuniary legacies:

To Sarah Ann Lovibond (formerly Sarah Ann White, but now the wife of James Lovibond of Othery, labourer): £80.

To Ann Higdon of Yeovil, the widow of my late stepson, John George Higdon: £50.

To my sons, Paul Silvanus Russ and William Russ of Othery: £50 each.

To my son, George Russ, of the USA: £100.

The remainder to be divided into eight equal shares.

Sarah Ann Lovibond 1/8

Ann Higdon 1/8

My stepdaughter, Emma Jane Winslade, wife of William Winslade of Othery, Farmer: 1/8

My daughter, Mary Ann Goodson, wife of James Goodson of Othery, Farmer: 1/8

My daughter, Elizabeth Alice Darby, wife of Wm Hy Darby of Middlezoy, Farmer: 1/8

Paul Silvanus Russ:1/8

William Russ: 1/8

George Russ: 1/8

References

[1] West Somerset Free Press, 24 January 1885, p.1.

[2] Langport & Somerton Herald, 5 October 1889, p.4.

[3] Langport & Somerton Herald, 23 August 1890, p.5

[4] Langport & Somerton Herald, 29 November 1890, p.5.

[5] The will of Paul Russ, dated 1 May 1886, proved in London on 20 October 1893.