Introduction

Ann Read was a member of the Swaffield family, an affluent farming family from Haselbury. Her husband, Richard, was a butcher and smallholder. In the late 1850s, they acquired a relatively large, well-built house in Partway Lane. Following Richard’s death in 1871, Ann continued to live at the house for twenty-six more years, supported by her savings and investment income.

Childhood

Ann was born at Hardington on 27 May 1798, the daughter of John and Ann Swaffield.

Married life

On 13 May 1839, at Hardington church, she married Richard Read, a butcher of Haselbury.

They had one son, Richard Swaffield Read, who was born in late 1840 but died in early 1841.

Ann’s niece, Ellen Brake Swaffield, lived with her like a surrogate daughter from 1851 or earlier until Ellen died in 1889.

Richard and Ann lived in Bramble Lane, Haselbury, until the late 1850s, when they moved into Partway Farm. They appear to have purchased the property  as early as 1845.

By April 1861, Richard was a farmer of 40 acres, employing one labourer.

When Richard died on 14 February 1871, he left all his property, valued at “under £1,500,” to his widow.[1]

Widowhood

Ann continued living at Partway Farm, accompanied at different times by nieces, great-nieces, and her widowed sister, Mary Harrison.

On 23 March 1888, the property was advertised for sale or to let, with immediate possession. It comprised a house, garden, and two acres of productive orchard land. Potential buyers could arrange viewings with Mrs Read and obtain sale particulars from her sister, Mrs Poole, of Bugley, Gillingham.[2]

Ann died on 19 June 1897 at the age of 99, leaving an estate valued at £1,204-10s-8d.

Ann Read’s will

Executors and trustees: Alfred Symes of Haselbury Plucknett, yeoman, and Robert Bartlett of Bugley Farm, Gillingham, Yeoman.

To my trustees: £300 to invest and pay income to Susan Peach, the wife of George Peach (a nephew of my late husband, Richard Read) during her life for her sole and separate use. And then to her children living at her death in equal shares.

To my niece, Ann Woolmington, the wife of John Woolmington: £40 for her sole and separate use.

To my great-niece, Ann Bartlett Stevens, the wife of Edwin Stevens of Southampton, builder, £20 for her sole and separate use.

To my trustees: my leasehold house, garden and orchards at Hardington to sell and give one half equally to Ann Woolmington and my niece, Mary Elizabeth Swaffield, a daughter of my late brother, John Swaffield, and one half to my niece, Elizabeth Bartlett (the wife of the said Robert Bartlett).

Residue: 1/3 to Mary Elizabeth Swaffield and 2/3 to Elizabeth Bartlett.

References

[1] The will of Richard Reed, dated 1 April 1870, proved at Taunton on 20 March 1871.

[2] Western Gazette 23 March 1888 p. 4.