Introduction
Charles Eastment spent his entire life in Hardington Mandeville. Born into a large labouring family, he began work as a farm labourer but gradually established himself as a smallholder and dairy farmer. Although he never married, he enjoyed the support of his niece Fanny Higgins, whose companionship and care shaped much of his adult life.
Early life
Charles was born on 20 December 1877 at Hardington Mandeville, the ninth of twelve children born to Henry Eastment and his wife, Harriet (née Wilmot).[1] The family lived in Swins Lane until about 1884, when they moved to Hayward’s Cottage near the church. In 1901, they occupied house number 315, which may have been the same property.
By the age of thirteen, Charles had followed his father into agricultural work as a farm labourer. In 1901, he was the only child still living at home, together with his niece Fanny, the illegitimate daughter of his sister Emily.
The family suffered a significant loss in September 1906 when Henry Eastment died suddenly while driving a horse and trap to Yeovil. Newspaper reports described him as a smallholder, suggesting that alongside his work as a labourer, he had established a modest holding of his own.[2]
After Henry’s death, Harriet, Charles and Fanny remained together. Five years later, the 1911 census described Charles as a farmer’s son working on the farm, while Fanny was a farmer’s granddaughter engaged in dairy work.
Establishing a smallholding
In 1916, Charles’s domestic situation underwent major changes. His mother died in February 1916, and later that year, Fanny married Joseph Higgins.
Following the death of Charles Milton in June 1919, Joseph Higgins purchased Jubilee Cottage at the top of North Lane.[3] By the time of the 1921 census, Joseph had become head of a household that included his mother, his wife Fanny and Charles. This arrangement provided Charles with a settled home for the remainder of his life.
When the Portman estate was broken up in October 1920, Charles purchased his family’s old home next to the pound as the sitting tenant.[4] By December 1923, he owned this cottage together with North Field, comprising seven acres, and Court Close, comprising one and a half acres, while renting a further two acres in Swins Lane from the Portman Estate.[5] Altogether, he farmed about ten acres, illustrating how even a modest holding could support a small-scale dairy enterprise.
From at least 1921 until the outbreak of the Second World War, Charles specialised in dairy farming. Although his holding was small, it enabled him to maintain an independent livelihood and represented a considerable advance from his earlier position as a farm labourer.
Later years
In January 1939, he made a simple will appointing Fanny as his sole executor and beneficiary. It was witnessed by the Rev. R. F. Sawyer, the vicar of Hardington, who had been educated at Oxford and practised as a barrister before entering the Church, and by Eddy Colin Turner of Manor Farm. Sawyer may also have drafted the will.[6]
Charles died at Jubilee Cottage on 15 November 1950 at the age of 72. The cause of death was recorded as cerebral thrombosis, arterial sclerosis, and old age. Fanny was present when he passed away and registered his death five days later.[7] He was buried in Hardington churchyard alongside his parents. His estate was valued at £1,171 1s. 8d., all of which passed to Fanny in accordance with his will.[8]
Conclusion
Charles Eastment’s life illustrates how the son of a farm labourer could achieve modest independence through small-scale farming, particularly after the opportunities created by the sale of the Portman estate in 1920. His experience also shows that a dairy holding of little more than ten acres could provide a viable livelihood. Furthermore, his long association with Fanny illustrates the enduring importance of extended family support within rural communities.
References
[1] Civil registration birth certificate; 1939 Register; family reconstitution. The 1911 census indicates that Harriet Eastment had fifteen children, of whom four had died. However, the other three have not been identified.
[2] Western Daily Press 19 September 1906 p. 6; Western Chronicle 21 September 1906 p. 4.
[3] Death certificate of Charles Milton
[4] Eddy Colin Turner’s copy of the estate sale catalogue.
[5] Hardington rate book for 31 December 1923.
[6] The will of Charles Eastment dated January 1939 (day of the month omitted), proved at Winchester on 13 April 1951.
[7] Death certificate of Charles Eastment.
[8] The will of Charles Eastment dated January 1939 (day of the month omitted), proved at Winchester on 13 April 1951.