Introduction
Albert Partridge’s life presents a micro case study of a young man travelling from Hardington to Surrey in the late nineteenth century in search of better employment opportunities in the bakery industry.
Childhood
Albert was born in Hardington in about 1874, the third child of John Wethey Partridge and his wife, Charlotte. His father was a labourer, while his mother dedicated her time to managing the household and caring for their large family.[1]
In April 1891, the 15-year-old Albert was lodging at Moor Farm, where he worked as a dairy worker for Thomas William Loveridge.
Soon afterwards, Albert took the initiative to find alternative employment by advertising for a job as a baker’s lad in December 1891 and July 1892.[2] His efforts eventually led him to obtain employment in Surrey.
Ham, Surrey
By March 1901, Albert had become a baker in Ham, Surrey, where he boarded at 2 Stafford Cottages.
On 4 June 1901, he married Beatrice Emma Greenwood at St Andrew’s, Ham. Beatrice was the daughter of George Greenwood, a market gardener. The couple started their life together at Warners Cottages, 3 Lock Road, Ham.
Albert and Beatrice had two daughters: Lucy May, born in 1902, and Mary Gwynne, born in 1916.
In June 1921, Albert worked as a baker’s roundsman for a baker named Dunford. Sidney William Green, a baker for another bakery, boarded with Albert at that time.
In the 1920s, Albert and his family moved to 34 Lock Road.
Death
Albert died intestate on 30 January 1927 at the age of 51. His estate was valued at £209 11s 2d.
Beatrice’s later life
On 23 July 1928, Albert’s widow, Beatrice, married Sidney William Green, the lodger. She was 51, and he was 43.
Between 1939 and 1959, Beatrice and Sidney moved to 10 Lock Road.
Sidney died on 12 March 1959 at the age of 74.
Beatrice died intestate on 23 October 1968, at the age of 91, leaving an estate valued at £676.
References
[1] Charlotte Partridge gave birth to twelve children.
[2] Western Gazette, 18 December 1891, p.4; 1 July 1892, p.4.
