Introduction
Anne and her husband both represented continuity in Hardington’s labouring class. Both were born in the parish to well-established families and spent their entire lives there. For most, if not all, of their twenty-eight years of married life, they resided at Hardington Marsh. After George’s death, Anne initially supported herself through laundry work, maintaining some independence. However, her circumstances gradually deteriorated, leading her to become a pauper. Eventually, she received support from her married daughter, Susan Higgins, who lived nearby.
Birth
Anne was born on 15 July 1797 at Hardington, the illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Eastment.
Marriage
On 13 February 1821, Anne married George Baker at Hardington.
Residence
George and Anne settled in Hardington. By 1843, they lived in a house at Hardington Marsh (plot 698 on the tithe map). George also held an allotment at Cold Harbour.
Husband’s occupation
George primarily worked as a farm labourer. However, the entry for the baptism of his daughter, Elizabeth Anne, on Christmas Day 1830 recorded his occupation as a weaver.
George’s death
George died in February 1849 at the age of 48.
Anne’s later life
After George’s death, Anne remained at Hardington Marsh. By March 1851, she worked as a laundress, and her son, William, and daughter, Mary Ann, lived with her. By April 1861, Anne was a pauper with only Mary Ann at home. By April 1871, she lived alone in a house next door to her married daughter, Susan Higgins. The 1871 census does not record an occupation for her.
Death
Anne died at Hardington Marsh on 20 November 1872 at the age of 76.[1]
Children
George and Anne had four sons and three daughters:
Circa 1822- George (a farm labourer at Hardington and later Halstock; died in 1879);
Circa 1825- William (a farm labourer at Hardington Marsh in March 1851; then disappears from the records);
Circa 1827- Walter (a farm labourer at Hardington; moved to Merthyr Tydfil in about 1890; died in 1900)
Circa 1830- Elizabeth Anne (married Abraham Denty in 1850; died at Hardington in 1859, aged about 28);
Circa 1834- Henry (a labourer and later shopkeeper at Hardington; married Elizabeth Gulledge in 1855; she died in 1859; married Rebecca Jeanes in 1860; he died in about 1904);
Circa 1838- Susan (married William Higgins in 1865; resided at Hardington Marsh; died in 1918);
1842- Mary Ann (a weaver in April 1861; then disappears from the records).
References
[1] Western Gazette, 29 November 1872, p.5.
