Introduction
In the early years of the twentieth century, Christopher Thomas Frost rented a dairy at Hardington Moor from Abraham Genge. He was a peculiar character who, besides being poverty-stricken and cantankerous, was deformed and suffered from a speech defect. His financial struggles led to two legal issues: prosecution for starving his dog and a dispute with Genge, which ultimately resulted in his eviction. This article examines his life to better understand his behaviour and circumstances during that period.
Early life at Banwell
Christopher was born at Banwell on 13 October 1851.[1] His father, William Bennett Frost, farmed about 100 acres at Towerhead Farm. His mother, Amelia, was the daughter of Christopher Bennett, who farmed a similar acreage at South Brent. Christopher’s parents were first cousins, which may have harmed his development.
On 3 November 1876, Christopher and two of his brothers were charged with pushing an elderly woman named Eliza Tozer into a mill stream. They claimed in their defence that they wished to punish her for having an improper intimate relationship with their father. The magistrates acquitted one brother and fined another £5, but they sentenced Christopher to one month in prison with hard labour, believing he was the main perpetrator. His treatment sparked a public outcry, with many calling for a petition to the Home Secretary. When he was released from Shepton Mallet jail, he was feted as a hero and given a public dinner at the Ship Inn, attended by thirty people.[2]
After Christopher’s mother died in 1878, his father gave up farming and retired to Burnham-on-Sea, where he died in 1881. He died intestate, and when the Wells probate registry granted Christopher administration of his estate in 1890, it was valued at only £202 1s 8d.[3]
Marriage
On 26 June 1877, at Banwell, Christopher married Ellen Louisa Ashman Padfield, the second daughter of Joseph Padfield, a dairyman.[4] Their daughter, Daisy Amelia, was born on 1 July 1887 at Kingsbury Episcopi.
Life as a dairyman in the 1880s and 1890s
In April 1881, Christopher ran a dairy of 42 cows at Edyx Hill, Gillingham, Dorset, assisted by his brother, Sidney. By December 1886, he was a dairyman at Lower Burrow, Kingsbury Episcopi, again assisted by Sidney.[5] From February 1892, he rented a dairy of 26 cows at Isle Brewers at the yearly rental of £590. He and the farmer fell out and sued each other in March 1893.[6]
In December 1898, he was a dairyman at Aller.[7] In March 1901, he was a dairy manager at Pilsdon.
Hardington
By November 1901, two policemen visited Christopher’s premises at Hardington. On 3 December 1902, the RSPCA prosecuted him for starving his dog.[8] He had rented the dairy from Abraham Genge, but after Genge took it back from him, Christopher found himself in dire financial straits. money. He was fined £1 along with costs of 18s 6d. A newspaper account described him as “an old, deformed man, with such an impediment in his speech that it was with the greatest difficulty he could make himself understood.”[9]
On 4 December 1902, Christopher sued Abraham Genge for breach of contract at Yeovil County Court, seeking £12 in damages. Genge lodged a counterclaim of £9. The judge adjourned the case because Frost was bedridden with bronchitis.[10] On 3 January 1903, he adjourned it again because Frost was in the workhouse.[11]
Death
Christopher died in the High Ham Union Workhouse on 13 March 1903 from exhaustion caused by cystitis at the age of 52.[12]
Ellen’s second marriage
In 1906, Ellen married Esau Golledge, a Hornblotton farmer. In 1913, her daughter, Daisy, married Esua’s son, George.
Ellen died on 6 March 1934 at the age of 78, leaving an estate valued at £130 16s, and she was laid to rest at Lovington.
References
[1] Banwell baptism register.
[2] Western Mercury, 9 December 1876, p.5.
[3] National probate calendar.
[4] Langport & Somerton Herald, 7 July 1877, p.5.
[5] Western Chronicle, 10 December 1886, p.2.
[6] Langport & Somerton Herald, 11 March 1893, p.5.
[7] Langport & Somerton Herald, 4 February 1899, p.5.
[8] Western Chronicle, 5 December 1902, p.8.
[9] Western Chronicle 5 December 1902 p. 8.
[10] Western Chronicle, 5 December 1902, 5.
[11] Western Chronicle, 2 January 1903, p.5.
[12] Death certificate.
