In April 1861, Alfred Purchase, aged 23, was a sawyer lodging in North Lane.

Life at Hardington

Alfred was born at Hardington on 22 November 1838, the son of William and Charlotte Purchase.

His father was a weaver and sleighmaker. His mother came from West Coker.

In June 1841, the family home was in Lyatts Lane. Charlotte died on 17 January 1843 of brain inflammation, aged only 34.

On 4 September 1845, William married Sarah Partridge, the daughter of Abraham and Joan Partridge.

By March 1851, William and his family had moved into Box Tree cottage, which was then the White Horse Inn. After William died in October 1859, aged 61, his widow continued running the inn for several years.

By April 1861, Alfred lodged in North Lane in a household that comprised Ann Rendell, her illegitimate daughter, Matilda, and Matilda’s illegitimate son, Frank, aged two. Later that year, Alfred married Matilda Rendall.

Life in Yeovil

By 1863, Alfred and his family had moved to Yeovil. In April 1871, they lived at Rustywell, and Alfred was an engine driver at the sawmills. By April 1881, they had moved to Station Road, Hendford. Alfred was a stoker in the sawmills in 1881 and an engine driver at the sawmills in 1891 and 1901.

Alfred died in 1907, aged 69; Matilda died in 1912, aged 77.

Children

Alfred and Matilda had seven children: Henry, William, John, George, Elizabeth, Edwin, and Annie.

Voters’ lists

1886 2, Hendford Station yard

1888 2, Hendford Station yard

1889 2 Hendford Station yard

1890 6 Hendford Station yard

1891 6 Hendford Station yard

1892 6 Hendford Station yard

1893 6 Hendford Station yard

1894 6 Hendford Station yard

1896 6 Hendford Station yard

1897 6 Hendford Station yard

1898 10 Rustywell

1899 10 Rustywell

1900 6 Hendford Station yard

1902 6 Hendford Station yard

1904 6 Hendford Station yard