In April 1861, James Milverton was a shoemaker at Hardington. His son, Thomas, aged 17, was also a shoemaker.

Early life

James was born at Pendomer in about 1813. He was the son of George, a farm labourer, and his wife, Sarah. His parents came from Corscombe but lived at Pendomer from 1813 until 1837 or later.

By June 1841, they had moved to Coker Hill, West Coker. James was part of their household and worked as a shoemaker (although he is called Thomas on the census form).

Life at Hardington

On 12 June 1842, James married Elizabeth Chaffey at Crewkerne.  She was the daughter of Thomas Chaffey, a carrier of East Chinnock.

James and Elizabeth lived at Hardington from about 1842 until 1845. By 1848, they had moved to East Chinnock, where their address was Yeovil Road.

By 1852, they were back at Hardington, living close to Manor Farm. They remained there for ten years or more.

Life at Membury

Between June 1862 and June 1863, James and his family moved twenty miles westwards to the parish of Membury in Devon. James changed his occupation from shoemaker to farm labourer.

Two of their children died soon after their move: Edward Job in the second quarter of 1863 and Mary Jane in the third quarter of 1863.

James remained at Membury for the remainder of his life, living in at least two places in the parish. In April 1871, he and his family lived at Virdley and in April 1881, at Mash Cottage, near North Mill.

James stood up for his rights. In September 1870, he sued a Membury man named Rice for payment for three days of reaping at Ilchester. He had agreed to help Rice and three other men cut the corn in return for a share of the price agreed with the farmer but left after three days because he did not like having to sleep in a tallet or attic. He was only awarded 4s 9d, equal to Rice’s counterclaim for lodgings.[1]

In 1880, he accused Charles Summers of assaulting him at Stockland on 3 August. After hearing the evidence, the Bench dismissed the case.[2]

James died in or near Membury in 1889, aged 76.

Elizabeth’s later life

In April 1891, Elizabeth lived alone at Yew Tree Cottage, Membury, a property with only two rooms.

However, by the time of her death in 1898, aged 73, she was living at 8 Kew Place, Bath Road, Cheltenham, which was probably the home or near the home of her son, George. Her body was interred at Cheltenham on 3 December 1898.

Children

James and Elizabeth had eleven children, including two sons who had long careers in the police force.

Thomas, their eldest son, married Mary Jane Wills at Crewkerne on 2 February 1864. He died in December 1864, aged 21.

References

[1] Western Times, 22 September 1870, p.4.

[2] Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 20 August 1880, p.7.