Introduction

Horatio Nelson Leach was the tenant of Manor Farm, Hardington, from 1837 until about 1850, when he had to retire due to health issues. While his father was a hostler, his mother belonged to a family of tenant farmers. After marrying at Hardington in 1799, they moved to Ware in Hertfordshire, where Nelson was born. He became the tenant of Manor Farm through his mother’s family. During his time at the farm, he often presided over tenant dinners.

Childhood

 Horatio Nelson Leach, the third child of Thomas and Edith Leach, was born at Ware, Hertfordshire, in about 1805. He was commonly referred to as Nelson Leach, and his name suggests he was born shortly after Lord Nelson’s death on 21 October 1805. His baptism record does not clarify his exact birth date, as he was not baptised until 18 December 1808.

Nelson’s father came from East Chinnock, and his mother from Hardington. They married at Hardington on 22 August 1799 and spent a few years at East Chinnock before moving to Ware, where his father was a hostler in 1801.[1] From 1804 to 1813, Thomas Leach and his family resided in Baldock Street.[2]

Return to East Chinnock

Little is known about the following two decades, but it is likely that Thomas passed away, prompting Edith to return to East Chinnock with their three surviving children: Thomas, Nelson, and Lauretta.

All three children married after the family’s return to East Chinnock. On 16 February 1836, Nelson’s younger sister, Lauretta, married Joseph Bartlett by licence at East Chinnock. On 13 September 1838, his older brother, Thomas, married Maria Maidment at Sutton Bingham.[3] Nelson witnessed both marriages. Later, Lauretta lived at Cowcroft Farm, Hardington, while Thomas was an innkeeper in the village from about 1839 to 1843.

Marriage

On 2 February 1837, Nelson married Elizabeth Bartlett by licence at St Bartholomew’s Church, Crewkerne. Nelson was about 33, and Elizabeth was about 47. The register entry describes Nelson as an “Agriculturalist” of Crewkerne. Nelson signed his name in the marriage register while Elizabeth made a mark. The witnesses were John Bartlett and Ann Eastment.

Elizabeth was the daughter of Roger and Edith Eastment. Her first husband, Robert Bartlett, had died on 3 February 1835.  Robert was the brother of Nelson’s mother, Edith, and hence, Nelson married his uncle’s widow.

Occupation

After his marriage, Nelson became the tenant of Hardington Farm, later known as Manor Farm.

The 1841 census shows Nelson and Elizabeth at the farm with one female servant, Jane Mudford, who was 16 years old.

The 1843 tithe survey shows him occupying 126 acres owned by Lord Portman, 18 acres owned by Lord Ilchester and three acres owned by Joseph Haggett.

Mother’s death

When Nelson’s mother, Edith, made her will on 6 April 1841, she lived at Hardington Mandeville, probably in a house she owned.

By 6 June 1841, she had moved to Bradford Abbas, where she resided in the home of her married daughter, Lauretta Bartlett.

Edith died there in December 1841 at the age of 61, and her family arranged for her burial at Hardington.

Parish offices

Nelson was an overseer in 1841, a churchwarden in 1841 and 1845 and a poor law guardian in 1845.[4]

Tenantry dinners and a gift of cider

From 1843 to 1847, Nelson hosted the annual dinners that John Weston Peters provided to the tenantry of Hardington and East Chinnock.[5]

On 1 September 1847, Nelson and Robert Bartlett oversaw the dispensing of John Weston Peter’s gift of free cider to the working people of the parish.[6]

On Saturday, 1 September 1849, Nelson hosted John Weston Peters’ dinner to celebrate the first day of partridge shooting. Just as the guests assembled to enjoy their meal in the courtyard in front of Nelson’s house, it began to rain, forcing the party indoors.[7]

Theft

On 16 March 1845, thieves stole seven ducks and seven chickens from Nelson’s farm and six chickens from Abraham Genge’s farm.[8]

Retirement

Nelson left Hardington Farm in about 1850.

By March 1851, he and Elizabeth lived a short distance south of the farm. Nelson tended one acre and employed one labourer. At the time of the census, his sister, Lauretta, and her son and daughter were visitors.

Death

Nelson died on 11 June 1851 from disease of the throat and stomach.[9]

The Hardington burial register records his age as 47, but he was probably two years younger.[10]

Elizabeth’s later life

Elizabeth continued to live in the same house and passed away in September 1868 at the age of 78.

The will of Edith Leach of Hardington Mandeville, widow (Nelson’s mother)

To my son, Nelson Leach, and then to my grandson, Robert Bartlett: my house and garden at Hardington Mandeville.

To my daughter, Lauretta: my wearing apparel.

To my son, Nelson Leach: the bed and bedstead on which I now sleep. with the furniture thereto belonging and also my clock.

To my son Thomas: my oak bureau.

To my daughter Lauretta for life and then to my grandson, Robert Bartlett: my household goods and furniture.

To my children, Nelson, Thomas and Lauretta, equally: the rest of my estate.

Executors: my three children.

Wit: Thomas Moore, Saml M Bensone.[11]

References

[1] Militia lists.

[2] Poor rates.

[3] The Sutton Bingham marriage register records Thomas’s father’s occupation as Linman.

[4] Hardington jury lists; Dorset County Chronicle, 17 April 1845, p.4; Sherborne Mercury, 5 April 1845, p.3

[5] Dorset County Chronicle 19 January 1843 p.4, Sherborne Mercury 6 January 1844 p.3, Sherborne Mercury 4 January 1845 p.3, Sherborne Mercury 10 January 1846 p.3, and Sherborne Mercury 9 January 1847 p.3.

[6] Sherborne Mercury, 6 September 1845, p.3.

[7] Dorset County Chronicle, 6 September 1849, p.4.

[8] Sherborne Mercury, 22 March 1845, p.3.

[9] Nelson Leach’s death certificate.

[10] The census taken on 30 March 1851 records his age as 45.

[11] The will of Edith Leach, dated 6 April 1841, proved in London on 11 March 1842.