In April 1891, Martha Elizabeth Squire, aged 50, was a grocer at Hardington Moor.

Early life in London

Martha was born in St Pancras, London, in about October 1840.[1] She was the daughter of John and Mary Ann Robins. Her father was a wheelwright who came from Cricklade, Wiltshire.

In April 1861, Martha was a shopkeeper living at 14 George Street, in the household of Thomas Hinton, a railway guard.

In 1867, she married Albert George Squire at St Pancras Parish Church. He was a commercial clerk who had moved to London from Yeovil. They both gave their address as Euston Road.

Life at Hardington

Soon after marrying, they moved to Hardington Moor, where they took over a shop and bakery from John Yeandle.

When Albert died intestate in 1886, Martha administered his estate. Her brother, William Brent Robins (a retired watchmaker) and Dr. Ptolemy Colmer gave sureties. On 28 December 1886, she held a sale to dispose of horses, vans and utensils connected with her baking business because she was giving it up. The sale included three spring vans and 700 faggots.[2]

Martha continued to run the shop, assisted by her two daughters, Ellen and Martha.

In 1891 and 1892, she advertised for a lad to look after a horse and milk cows.[3]

In April 1895, the RSPCA prosecuted Martha for working a horse that was lame and unfit. As she had the horse shot before the case went to court, the magistrates did not fine her but ordered her to pay the costs of the prosecution.[4]

Retirement

In about 1897, Martha moved to Radipole to live with her daughter, Ellen, and Ellen’s husband, Percival Gould.

In April 1911, she lived with her other daughter, Martha, at 3 Crofton Park, Yeovil.

Martha died at Broadwey, Dorset, on 15 March 1919, aged 78.[5]

References

[1] The 1841 census recorded her age as eight months.

[2] Western Gazette, 17 December 1886, p.5.

[3] Western Gazette, 24 April 1891, p.4; 29 July 1892, p.4.

[4] Western Chronicle 5 April 1895 p. 3.

[5] Western Gazette, 21 March 1919, p.12.