Birth

Edwin, the fourth child of William and Elizabeth Chapman, was born at Hardington in about 1839. He was a brother of Charles, Walter and William.

Occupation

By the age of eleven, Edwin was a farm labourer. Ten years later, he was a railway platelayer, a job he pursued until late in life.

First marriage

On 25 December 1860, Charles married Mary Ann Hallett at Hardington. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Hallett of Hardington Moor. Her father, John, died in February 1857.

Barry Lane

In April 1861, Charles and Mary Ann lived in Barry Lane, Hardington.

Death of first wife.

Mary Ann died in February 1865, aged about 24, leaving Edwin with a one-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Jane.

Second marriage

Edwin was keen to find a new wife to care for his daughter.

The following year, he married Mary Jane Haggett at Hardington. She was the daughter of George and Eliza Haggett of Pendomer. At the time of their marriage, Edwin was about 27, and Mary Jane was no more than 15.

Hardington Marsh

By 1871, Edwin and his family lived in one of the railway cottages at Hardington Marsh.

Pendomer

Between February 1876 and August 1878, they moved to Kithill railway cottages.

Death

Mary Jane died in March 1891, aged 39. Edwin died on 23 November 1910, aged 70.

Children

William and Mary Jane had three sons and eight daughters,