In April 1891, Mabel Dauncey was a twenty-year-old governess at Marsh Farm in the household of Frank Wyatt.

Birth

Mabel was born at Blagdon, Broadwindsor, on 14 February 1870. Her father, Charles Frederick Dauncey, was an auctioneer. Her mother, Elizabeth, was the daughter of William Dommett, a farmer of Broadwindsor.

Father’s early death

Mabel’s father, Charles, ran a successful business with his father, Frederick. However, Frederick’s death in 1871 increased Charles’s workload and undermined his health. He died on 23 October 1874, aged only 28, from a prolonged cold.[1]

Father’s will

Mabel’s father left an estate worth £800. He appointed the auctioneer Giles Symonds as his executor and Mabel’s guardian. He left a cottage named Turnpike Cottage to his aunt, Lucy Symes of Burstock, for life (she died in 1903), and, following her death, it was to form part of his residuary estate. He left the residue to his friend, Giles Symonds, auctioneer, on trust for Mabel at twenty-one or on marriage if earlier with the power to apply the income for her maintenance or education. If Mabel died before reaching 21, unmarried and without a child, he left the residue to Giles Symonds.[2]

The will does not mention Mabel’s mother, which suggests that she and her husband were estranged. Even if Mabel’s father anticipated that his wife would be well provided for by her father, it does not explain why he would prefer Giles Symonds over his wife as his backstop legatee.

Formative years on grandfather’s farm

Following her father’s untimely death, Mabel and her mother found refuge in the home of Mabel’s grandfather, William Dommett.

Grandfather’s death and will

When William died on 2 March 1891, he left an estate with a gross value of £2,017 12s 10d and a net value of £1,626 8s 2d, which he essentially divided equally between his son and daughter. He left his daughter (Mabel’s mother) the furniture, bed and bedding in his bedroom, £800 and an equal share in the residue with her brother, William, as tenants in common. He left his son, William, the rest of the furniture and effects, £800 (less anything advanced to him and noted in writing by his father) and an equal share in the residue with his sister, Elizabeth, as tenants in common. He left the children of his late daughter, Mary Bond Wyatt, £40 between them, and Mabel £100 at 21.[3]

Inheritances

On 14 February 1891, Mabel turned twenty-one and became entitled to the capital of her father’s estate, apart from Turnpike Cottage. After her grandfather’s will was proved on 10 April 1891, she became entitled to a further £40. Turnpike Cottage became hers in 1903.

Governess at Marsh Farm, at Hardington

The Dommett family of Broadwindsor was entwined through marriage with the Wyatt family of Purtington. In 1869, Mabel’s aunt, Mary Bond Dommett, married William Wyatt. In 1882, Mabel’s uncle, William Dommett, married Caroline Wyatt, William’s sister. Mabel was a bridesmaid on the latter occasion.[4]

By April 1891, Mabel was a governess at Marsh Farm, Hardington. Her employer, Francis Wyatt, was the brother of William and Caroline Wyatt.

Mabel probably worked for Francis Wyatt and his wife, Ann, until they left Hardington in 1895.

Companion at Old Fishbourne

By March 1901, Mabel was a companion, residing in a farmer’s household at Old Fishbourne, Bosham, Surrey, while her mother was a nurse in the home of Rev Henry Farrer, the Rector of Bridport.

Epping

By April 1911, Mabel’s mother resided with her cousin, Mary Jane Symes, a widow, in St Mawgan, James Street, Epping. They lived on “Private means” and Mabel lived with them as a “Companion help.”

Seaton

By June 1921, Mabel and her mother had moved to Bella Vista, Manor Road, Seaton, where they let apartments.

Her mother died in the Axminster area in 1925, aged 78.

Mabel was still at Bella Vista in September 1939.

Racedown

Near the end of her life, Mabel lived with her cousin, Caroline Studley, at Home Farm, Racedown, Broadwindsor. Caroline was the daughter of William and Caroline Dommett and the wife of Brinsley Vine Studley.

Mabel died at Home Farm, Racedown, on 15 December 1950, aged 80, leaving effects valued at £5,341-16s-3d.[5]

The will of Mabel Dauncey of Bella Vista, Manor Road, Seaton, spinster, 4 December 1946

Sole executor: my cousin, Arthur William Dommett, of Higher Park Farm, Broadwindsor.

To the Gospel Hall, Seaton: £50.

To Nellie Evelyn White of The Orchards, Henlake, near Taunton: £200

To Margaret Dommett and Dorothy Dommett: £50 each

To the British and Foreign Bible Society: £50.

The remainder to my trustee to sell and divide equally between:

Mary Perham of Loser Hawke Farm, Godden Green, Sevenoaks

Wyatt Dommett of Weston Super Mare

Olive Till of Lonsdale, Roberts Road, Lancing

Arthur William Dommett of Broadwindsor

Emma Squibb of Ower Farm, Fawley, Southampton

Frank Wyatt of Bere Regis

William Wyatt of Manor House, Englishcombe.

If Emma Squibb predeceases me, her share to my nephews and nieces [all named]

Wit: solicitor and clerk.

Codicil of Mabel Dauncey of Home Farm, Racedown, Bridport, spinster, 3 July 1950

In addition to the legacies in my will, I bequeath £1,000 to my friend Mrs Brinsley Vine Studley of Home Farm, Racedown, and a further £300 to my cousin, Nellie Evelyn White of The Orchard, Henlade, near Taunton.

Wit: Fred Elliott, Crockers Cottage, Racedown, Gardener

Cyril F Elliott, Crockers Cottage, Racedown, Railway Clerk.

References

[1] Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 31 October 1874, p.5.

[2] The will of Charles Frederick Dauncey, dated 30 September 1874, proved at Blandford on 11 December 1874.

[3] The will of William Dommett, dated 3 November 1886, proved at Blandford on 10 April 1891.

[4] Chard and Ilminster News, 22 April 1882, p.3.

[5] The will of Mabel Dauncey, dated 4 December 1946, and codicil, dated 3 July 1950, proved at Exeter on 4 April 1951.