Childhood
Horatio Nelson Leach, the third child of Thomas and Edith Leach, was born at Ware, Hertfordshire, in about 1805. Usually shortened to Nelson Leach, his name suggests that he was born soon after Lord Nelson’s death on 21 October 1805. His baptism record does not help pinpoint his birth 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, spent a few years at East Chinnock and then moved to Ware, where his father was a hostler in 1801.[1] From 1804 to 1813, Thomas Leach and his family lived in Baldock Street.[2]
Return to East Chinnock
Nothing is known about the following two decades, but Thomas probably died, and Edith returned to East Chinnock with their three surviving children, Thomas, Nelson and Lauretta.
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.
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. Elizabeth signed the register with a mark. The witnesses were John Bartlett and Ann Eastment.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Roger and Edith Eastment. Her first husband, Robert Bartlett, died on 3 February 1835. Nelson’s mother, Edith, was the sister of Robert Bartlett. In other words, Nelson married his uncle’s widow.
Occupation
Nelson became the tenant of Hardington Farm.
The 1841 census shows Nelson and Elizabeth with one female servant, Jane Mudford, 16.
The 1843 tithe survey shows him occupying 126 acres owned by Lord Portman and three acres owned by Joseph Haggett.
Mother’s death
When Nelson’s mother made her will on 6 April 1841, she lived at Hardington Mandeville, probably in a house she owned.
By 6 June 1841, she was at Bradford Abbas, in the home of her daughter, Lauretta.
She died there in December 1841, aged 61. Her family arranged for her body to be taken to Hardington for burial.
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 class 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 gave up Hardington Farm in about 1850.
By March 1851, he and Elizabeth lived a few yards south of the farm. Nelson farmed 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 in June 1851. The Hardington burial register records his age as 47, but he was probably two years younger.[9]
Elizabeth’s later life
Elizabeth remained in the same house. She died in September 1868, aged 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.[10]
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] The census taken on 30 March 1851 records his age as 45.
[10] The will of Edith Leach, dated 6 April 1841, proved in London on 11 March 1842.
