In April 1891, Ellen Mary Squire, aged 22, was a draper’s assistant living at Hardington Moor.

Life at Hardington

Ellen was born at Hardington on 31 January 1869. She was the daughter of Albert George and Martha Elizabeth Squire. Her parents ran a shop and bakery at Hardington Moor.

Her father died on 6 January 1886, when she was only 16. Her mother then closed the bakery and continued the shop with Ellen and her other daughter, Martha Alberta.

On the 1891 census, Ellen was called a Draper’s assistant, whereas Martha was called a Grocer’s assistant.

On 19 June 1893, Ellen married Percival George Chick Gould. Although he was the oldest son of Gilbert Gould, a farmer, he did not adopt farming as a career. Instead, he became a butcher, learning his trade from working as a butcher’s assistant in Richmond.

Percival and Ellen’s first two children (Albert George and Lily Dorothy) were born at Hardington, suggesting they lived in the village then. Moreover, in November 1895, Percival prosecuted a West Coker for stealing a dog collar.[1]

Life near Weymouth

By November 1898, Percival and his family had moved to Victoria House, Westham, near Weymouth. On 7 November 1898, the rector of Hardington, the Rev. H. H. T. Cleife, baptised their third child, Percival Rowland, at St Paul, Weymouth.

In March 1901, Percival was a butcher with his own business at Nottington, Radipole. His mother-in-law, Martha Squire, was living in his household.

By April 1911, Percival and his family lived at Temperance House, Broadway. This large house with ten rooms remained their home until Percival died.

Percival’s father, Gilbert Gould, died on Christmas Day 1919, leaving an estate valued at £3,487 7s 7d gross. The net value of his personal estate was £2,443 14s 9d. Percival, one of the executors, inherited one-sixth of the residue. The residue was the whole estate except for the household goods.[2]

Percival died at Temperance House on 28 August 1934, aged 64, leaving effects valued at £2,350-9s-8d.[3]

After her husband’s death, Ellen moved to 719 Dorchester Road, Broadway. She died on 2 October 1943, aged 74, leaving effects valued at £1,759-16s-2d.[4]

Children

Percival and Ellen had five children.

 References

[1] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 27 November 1895, p.6.

[2] The will of Gilbert Gould, dated 25 December 1919, proved at Blandford on 8 June 1920.

[3] Western Gazette, 7 September 1934, p.16; National Probate Calendar.

[4] National Probate Calendar.