Mary Harrison lived at Partway Cottage from 1881 or early until about 1892.

Early life

Mary was born at Hardington on 21 September 1800, the daughter of John and Anne Swaffield. In 1830, she and her sisters inherited an equal share in one-third of their grandfather’s estate.

Married life

On 19 March 1839, at Yetminster, Mary married William Harrison, a yeoman of East Coker. Mary was 38, and William was 37.

In June 1841, William was a farmer at Marl Close, Yeovil. In March 1851, he was a farmer of 50 acres at Oxen Furlong Farm, Yeovil. In April 1861, he was a farmer of 177 acres at Hummer, Trent.

William died at East Coker on 10 March 1870, aged 68, leaving effects valued at “under £4,000.”

Widowhood

Mary moved in with her only daughter, Ann, at Up Coker. Ann had married William Harrison in 1860. In 1871, William was a farmer of 120 acres at Up Coker. Ten years later, he was a farmer of only 50 acres living at Marsh Mead Cottage, Coker Marsh. This change may represent a collapse in his fortunes, possibly forcing Mary to live with her sister, Ann Read, at Hardington. She was there by April 1881.

Mary died intestate on 10 April 1892, aged 91, probably at the home of her daughter, leaving effects valued at £488-19s-4d.