William Hallett was a shoemaker at Hardington Marsh in 1841 and 1851.

Childhood at North Perrott

William was born at North Perrott on 27 April 1808. He was the son of James, a farm labourer, and his wife, Mary.

Life at Hardington Marsh

On 28 February 1837, he married Mary Jeans of Hardington. They set up a home at Hardington. In 1843, they lived in a cottage in Marsh Lane.

From 1838 to 1840, William was a weaver. By June 1841, he was working as a shoemaker. The 1861, 1871 and 1881 census returns record William’s occupation as a farm labourer.

Life at Hill End

By April 1881, William, Mary and their daughter, Augusta, had moved to Hill End. The 1891 census gives his address as 372 Hill End, a house of three rooms.

Mary died in 1890, aged about 79; William died in 1900, aged 91.

Children

William and Mary had seven children. Their son, Daniel, traded as a carpenter and builder at West Coker. Their daughter, Augusta, spent her later life in an asylum.

The names of some  of their children (Rebecca, Lot, Daniel and Augusta) suggest that William and Mary were religious or learned.