In April 1871, George Abbott, aged 46, was a railway platelayer living at Hill End.

Birth

George, the son of John and Jane Abbott, was born at East Coker in about 1826.

Move to Hardington

His parents moved to Hardington between December 1826 and July 1828.

Occupation

George was a farm labourer for most of his life. The only record with a different occupation for him is the 1871 census, which described him as a railway platelayer.

Marriage

On 2 August 1853, George married Sarah Saunders at Chedington. She was the daughter of Charles and Christiana Saunders. Two years earlier, Sarah was a farm servant at Cowcroft Farm.

Prison sentence

In 1855, George spent six months in prison for stealing three hurdles and a sheep from Mr J Bartlett of Hardington and a quantity of barley from Abraham Genge, also of Hardington.^[1]

Residences

In April 1861, George and his family lived at Hardington Hill, where they may have occupied a house owned by Thomas Isaacs.

By April 1881, they lived at Broadstone. Sarah’s mother lived with them until she died in 1886. After her death, Stephen Allcock, a former railway worker, lodged with them.

Death

George probably died in 1905, aged 76, and Sarah followed in 1908, also aged 76.

Children

George and Sarah had three sons and two daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy.

References

[1] Sherborne Mercury 6 February 1855 p. 2; Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 31 March 1855 p5.