William was the parish clerk from the 1850s to about 1890. He was also a farmer, shopkeeper and postmaster.

Childhood

William was born at Hardington in about 1826. His father, Robert Slade, farmed a few acres in the 1840s and 1850s.

First marriage

On 31 March 1853, William married Elizabeth Burt at Hardington. She was a cook at the rectory. Her father, Robert Burt, was a farm labourer at Chedington.

William and Elizabeth lived in Barry Lane for the rest of their lives. They initially resided in one of William White’s three tenements. Then, in about 1868, they moved into the cottage in the dip. Rev William Vassall owned this cottage, which George White previously occupied.

Occupations

In March 1851, William was a farm labourer; by April 1861, he was a farmer of 15 acres.

When he married in 1853, he gave his occupation as parish clerk, and he continued in this role for the rest of his life.

He also ran a shop and later a post office. A trade directory of 1866 lists William as a shopkeeper. One for 1872 lists him as a farmer, shopkeeper and parish clerk. Another for 1899 lists him as a Post Office receiver and parish clerk.

In April 1881, Elizabeth was a nurse at White Vine Farm.

Death of first wife

Elizabeth died in 1887, aged 58.

Second marriage

On 2 November 1888, William married Elizabeth Baker Ackland at Hardington.[1] Her father Henry Broom, had farmed of Yarcombe. Her first husband, Thomas Ackland, was a farm labourer at Dunkeswell in April 1881. When he died the following year, he left Elizabeth with one daughter, Elizabeth, aged about ten.

Death

William died in late 1889/early 1890, aged 63.

His widow’s later life

After William’s death, his widow continued running the post office. In about 1897, she moved from Barry Lane to the High Street.[2]

Elizabeth died in late 1900/early 1901, aged 64.

Children

William and his first wife had eight sons and three daughters.

References

[1] Western Gazette, 8 November 1888, p.1

[2] Hardington voters’ lists.