In April 1881, John Trim was a dairyman at Hardington Marsh. He was assisted by his wife, Mary Ann, their daughter, Caroline, and son, Alfred. Another son, William Henry, was temporarily absent.

Early life

John was born at Honiton in about 1815. His father’s name was Benjamin.

Marriage

On 23 March 1840, he married Mary Ann Davey at St Petrock church, Exeter. She was the daughter of Thomas and Susanna Davey of Colyton.

Movement around Devon, Somerset and Dorset

John moved around a good deal. In June 1841, he was a farm labourer at Colyton. In 1843, he lived at Cotleigh. By 1845, he was living at Combe Raleigh, where, in 1851, he farmed 45 acres. In 1856, he lived at Honiton and in 1858 at Buckland St Mary. In April 1861, he was a dairyman at Sheep House Dairy, Chillington. In April 1871, he was a Dairyman and Farm Bailiff at Purse Caundle.

When John made his will on 19 November 1877, he lived at East Coker.

Life at Hardington

John was at Hardington by July 1880 when he advertised for a young man aged 16 to 24 to milk cows and assist with dairy work.[1]

John died on 21 October 1881, aged 66, leaving a personal estate valued at £612-19s-2d, which he left entirely to his wife.[2]

His widow died on 7 June 1882, aged 61, leaving a personal estate valued at £453-1s-1d. She left her household furniture and effects to her daughter, Caroline. She directed her executors to sell the remainder and divide the proceeds into eight parts, seven for each of her living children and one to divide equally between the two children of her deceased daughter, Mary.[3]

John and Mary Ann’s third son, William Henry Trim, continued at the farm for five years after his mother’s death.

References

[1] Western Gazette, 30 July 1880, p.4.

[2] The will of John Trim, dated 19 November 1877, proved at Taunton on 16 December 1881.

[3] The will of Mary Ann Trim, dated 4 November 1881, proved at Taunton on 4 September 1882.