In April 1891, Francis Meech was a dairyman at The Hill Dairy House. His wife, Sarah, was the Dairy Manager. Frank Purchase, aged 16, was their assistant.

Early life

Francis was born at Woolcombe, Dorset, in about 1835, the son of Robert, a farm labourer, and his wife, Elizabeth. By January 1837, Robert and his family were at Mosterton. In November 1843, they were the subject of a removal order from Mosterton to Beaminster.[1]

By March 1851, Robert had returned to Mosterton, but Francis was a farm servant at Beaminster on a 100-acre farm called Storridge.

By April 1861, Francis was back at Mosterton.

First marriage

In the third quarter of 1861, Francis married Ann Brake, the daughter of William Brake, a farm labourer of Marshwood. Francis and Ann had two children born at Mosterton: Alfred Walter, born in 1862, and Fanny, born on 18 May 1863.

Ann died at Little Windsor in May 1866, aged 30, leaving Francis with two young children. He soon found another wife to ensure his children were well cared for.

Second marriage

On 11 February 1867, Francis married Phillis Case, a farm worker of Littlewinsor. She was the daughter of Joseph Case, a farm worker. Francis was 35, and Phillis was 47.

In April 1871, Francis was a farm worker at Sandpit Mills, Broadwindsor and in April 1881, a dairyman at North Perrott.

Phillis died at North Perrott in March 1886, aged 64.

Third marriage

On 27 June 1888, at Wheathill, Francis married Sarah Gould, the daughter of William Isaac Gould, who had been both a farmer and a dairyman.

On 18 March 1889, Francis was at Easthams Dairy, Crewkerne.[2]

On 18 March 1889, he made his will, leaving his estate as it stood on that day equally to his wife and two children, and anything accumulated afterwards to his wife.[3]

By June 1890, Francis was a dairyman at the Hill House Dairy, Hardington.[4]

On 12 January 1892, Francis sold his dairy utensils and other effects at the Hill Dairy and moved to East Coker.[5]

Francis died at East Coker on 4 February 1901, aged 62, leaving effects valued at £164-5s-8d.

In March 1901, Sarah, his widow, was at Burton Houses, East Coker. She died on 6 November 1901, aged 56, leaving effects valued at £232-3s-4d. She was interred, close to her father, at Kingston Magna, Dorset, on 11 November 1901.

References 

[1] Dorset History Centre: PE-MSN/OV/3/3/39

[2] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901.

[3] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901.

[4] Western Gazette, 13 June 1890, p.7.

[5] Western Gazette, 8 January 1892, p.1.