Introduction
Mary Park (nee Hearne) lived at Hardington her entire life. After the death or departure of her husband, she had two illegitimate children. Following her son John’s marriage in 1840, she lived with him and his family until her death in 1864. The 1851 census recorded her as a pauper.
Birth
Mary was born in Hardington in about 1783. She was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Hearne.
Marriage
On 21 February 1810, Mary married Phineas Park at Hardington. He appears to have died or left her afterwards.
Illegitimate children
After Phineas’ death or departure, Mary had two illegitimate children: Ann, born in about 1819, followed by John in 1820.[1]
When Ann Park married Henry Bartlett in 1845, she named William Lugg, a rope manufacturer, as her father.
Residence
Mary’s son, John, married Elizabeth Purchase on 11 January 1840, and the couple moved into a house near the church. Mary Park lived with them for the rest of her life.
Pauper and tailoress
In March 1851, Mary was recorded as a pauper, but in April 1861, she was identified as a tailoress.
Death
Mary died in December 1864 at the age of 82.
References
[1] A single woman named Mary Park lived in the village at that time, but died in 1835 at the age of 37.