Introduction
Charles Denty’s life story shows the dire consequences that could befall a labourer who succumbed to crime. Born around 1829, he spent much of his working life as a labourer, with his widow later identifying herself as a railway labourer’s widow. However, his life took a dark turn when he was convicted of two crimes. He later became paralysed due to a spinal disease and ultimately died in the Yeovil Union workhouse in 1871 at the age of 42, leaving behind a widow and six children under ten still at home.
Birth
Charles, the third child of Jacob and Mary Denty, was born at Hardington in about 1829. His father worked as a labourer.
Occupations
Charles worked as a farm labourer for most of his working life. However, in April 1871, his widow described herself as a railway labourer’s widow.[1]
Marriage
On 16 February 1852, Charles married Elizabeth Ann Taylor at Hardington. Elizabeth, the illegitimate daughter of Ruth Taylor, had given birth to an illegitimate son, William, the year before marrying Charles.
Prison
In his mid-twenties, Charles’s life took a downward turn when he was convicted of two crimes.
At the Midsummer Quarter Sessions held on 27 June 1854, he was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment for stealing fold stakes belonging to William Hawker Helyar Esquire at Pendomer on 2 June 1854.[2]
At the Somerset Quarter Sessions in Wells in March 1856, Charles Denty and George Baker were tried for stealing three sacks of wheat from John Vincent Hook of Pendomer. Baker was sentenced to four months hard labour, while Charles was sentenced to four years due to his previous conviction.[3]
The impact of Charles’s lengthy prison sentence was devastating for his family. Elizabeth was left to care for four children alone, and tragically, the youngest did not survive.
Physical appearance
According to the gaol register for 1856, Charles was five feet one and a half inches tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes, a fair complexion, and a scar on his forehead.
Post-release
By April 1861, Charles and his family lived in the home of his mother-in-law, Ruth Taylor, at Hardington Marsh.
Death
In 1870, Charles became paralysed due to a spinal disease. He was admitted to the Yeovil Union workhouse, where he died on 16 February 1871 at the age of 42.[4] His body was returned to Hardington for burial.
Elizabeth’s later life
After Charles’s death, Elizabeth exhibited remarkable strength and self-reliance. The 1871 census shows her living at Hardington Marsh with six children aged two to nine. Ten years later, four of these children were still at home.
In 1887, her daughter, Lucinda, gave birth to an illegitimate son, Charles Thomas Denty. Lucinda later left the village, leaving her mother to look after her son.
By April 1891, Elizabeth lived at Rose Cottage, Hardington Moor, with her son, Thomas, and grandson, Charles. Her occupation was laundress.
In June 1892, she occupied a cottage near the church.[5]
By March 1901, Elizabeth and her grandson, Charles, lived in a two-room house in the High Street. Elizabeth received parish relief, and Charles worked as an under carter.
Death
No record of Elizabeth’s death has been found.
Children
Charles and his wife had four sons and six daughters.
References
[1] However, the birth certificate of Charles’s youngest child gives his occupation as a farm labourer, and his death certificate gives his occupation as a labourer.
[2] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 5 July 1854 p. 8.
[3] Wells Journal, 22 March 1856 p.8.
[4] Charles’s death certificate records his age as 49, probably because the woman who registered his death did not know his age. The Hardington burial register states his age as 42, which is consistent with other records.
[5] Western Gazette, 24 June 1892, p.1.
