Introduction

James Abbott moved to Hardington after the death of his wife in 1861. Before that, he was a farm labourer at Pendomer. A significant theme in his life story is the support he extended to relatives. In his fifties and sixties, James shared his home at Pendomer with two of his wife’s relatives at different times. In the latter part of his life, he and another pauper lived with a widow at Hardington, as the local overseers evidently preferred this method of outdoor relief over sending them to the workhouse.

Birth

James was born at Pendomer in about 1793.

Occupation

James was a farm labourer throughout his working life.

Marriage

On 26 December 1828, James married Jane Delamont of Hardington at Pendomer Church and the couple settled at Pendomer.

Kinship support

Jane’s brother, Jonathan Delamont, lived with them in March 1851. He was later admitted to the Yeovil workhouse, where he died on 5 February 1855 from inflammation of the lungs.[1]

Jane’s half-sister, Susan Hawker, moved in with them after her husband died in 1860. She later moved in with John Abbott’s family at Hardington. She died at Hardington in 1874, aged 75.[2]

Wife’s death

Jane died in 1861, aged 74.

Hardington

After Jane’s death, James moved to Hardington. In April 1871, he was a pauper living in Susan Whebby’s household, along with another pauper, Elizabeth Slade, who was 92. Susan had been widowed in 1867 when her husband fell from a load of hay.[3]

Death

James died in the Yeovil workhouse on 5 March 1875, aged 79.

Children

James and Jane had no children.

References

[1] The death certificate of Jonathan Delamont (or Dallimont).

[2] Western Gazette, 24 July 1874, p.5.

[3] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 17 July 1867 p. 5.