Introduction

George Trask was born at East Chinnock and came to Hardington as a young man, probably at the time when Albert Young became the tenant of Manor Farm. In 1853, George married Harriet Chester and the couple lived at Hardington for about ten years. They then lived at Pendomer, Closworth and Yeovil before returning to Hardington.  In April 1881, George Trask, aged 48, was a carter living in Hill End. He died in 1890.

Birth at East Chinnock

George, the first child of Solomon and Ann Trask, was born in East Chinnock in about 1833. His father, Solomon, was a farm labourer.

Move to Hardington

By March 1851, George was working as a servant for Albert Young at Manor Farm, Hardington. He remained a farm labourer for the rest of his life.

Marriage

On 5 November 1853, George married Harriet Chester at Hardington. Harriet was one of seven illegitimate children born to Harriet Chester before she married Edward Purchase in 1838.

Shortly before her marriage, Harriet had an illegitimate son, also named George, who was probably George Trask’s son.[1]

Married life at Hardington

George probably continued working for Albert Young after his marriage. In April 1861, he and his family lived near the farm and in 1862, the Guardian Valuations refer to “Trask & others” occupying cottages held by Albert Young.

Over the next twenty years, the family lived in at least three different places (Pendomer, Closworth and Yeovil) before eventually returning to Hardington.

Pendomer

Between April 1862 and February 1864, the family moved to Pendomer.

Closworth

Between March 1868 and October 1870, they moved to Closworth.

Yeovil

In April 1871, they lived near Key Farm, Yeovil, where George worked as a carter. By then, George and Harriet had nine children at home and their sixteen-year-old daughter was in service at Butleigh.

Return to Hardington

By April 1881, George and his family had come full circle and returned to Hardington. George lived at Hill End for the rest of his life.

Death

George died on 9 December 1890, aged 58.

Harriet’s later life

After George’s death, Harriet moved to the High Street. She died intestate on 30 March 1900, aged 68, leaving an estate valued at £93 4s. The Taunton Probate Registry granted letters of administration to her daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of Alfred Charles Trim.[2]

George and Harriet have a memorial stone in Hardington churchyard.

Children

George and Harriet had five sons and five daughters.

References

[1] Civil Registration Birth Index: George Chester Q3 1853.

[2] National probate calendar.