Introduction

William Rendell lived at Hardington Marsh. In the 1850s, following the decline of canvas weaving as a cottage industry, he became a carpenter. Initially, his work included making parts for looms, but as time passed, the demand for these probably diminished. It is likely that the family was nonconformist, as only one of their children was baptised.[1]

Birth

William was born around 1807 at Hardington, the illegitimate son of Sarah Rendell.

Marriage

On 18 December 1832, William married Sarah Guppy at Hardington. At the time of their marriage, William was about 25 years old, and Sarah was about 21. Both signed the marriage register. George Guppy was one of the witnesses.

Sarah was probably the daughter of Edward and Mary Guppy. Edward was a signatory to an application to licence Henry Sandiford’s house for independent worship.

Sarah had an illegitimate daughter, Jemima, who was born around 1830.

Married life at Hardington

William and Sarah lived at Hardington Marsh. In 1843, they occupied a house located in plot 582 of the tithe map.

In the 1841 and 1851 censuses, William was recorded as a weaver, and by 1860, he had become a carpenter and sleigh maker.[2] A sleigh was a component of a loom. Sarah was listed as a canvas weaver in both the 1851 and 1861 censuses.

Together, William and Sarah had six children, all of whom were sons. Tragically, their son John passed away on November 24, 1844, at the age of six. An inquest concluded that his death was of a “natural” cause, though no further details were provided.[3]

Death

William died in 1883 at the age of 76, and Sarah died a few years later, in either 1886 or 1888.

Children

William and Sarah had six children as a couple, one of whom was James Gabriel Rendell, who became a Railway Inspector at Exeter.

References

[1] He may have been baptised due to his poor health; he died at the age of six.

[2] Hardington marriage register: entry for James Gabriel Rendell, 16 February 1860.

[3] Death certificate of John Rendell.