Introduction
Edward Charles English was a postman who lived with his parents at Broadstone Cottage in April 1891. He later returned to Hardington, where he worked as a gardener at the Rectory from at least 1906 until possibly 1914, when Rev. Cleife passed away.
Childhood
Edward was born at Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire, on 17 July 1875, the second child of Edward and Emma English. His father was a gardener from Lyons Gate, Minterne Magna. The family spent some time in Keevil, Wiltshire, and East Coker before settling in Hardington by 1888.
Early employment
The 1891 census recorded Edward as a 15-year-old postman living with his parents at Broadstone Cottage. By October of that year, he was looking to change his career and advertised for a job as a gardener, stating he had a “slight knowledge of gardening” and was “willing to learn.”[1]
By September 1898, he lived at South Petherton.
Marriage
In September 1898, Edward married Fanny Axe of East Chinnock. By March 1901, Edward was a gardener living at Pitway, South Petherton.
Return to Hardington
By March 1906, he had returned to Hardington to work as a gardener.[2] He was still there in April 1911.
Later life
By June 1921, Edward was a chauffeur at Earnshill House, Hambridge.
In September 1939, Edward and Fanny lived at East Street, Martock, and Edward worked as a sexton.
Death
Fanny died in the Yeovil area in 1955 at the age of 79. Edward died on 4 January 1958 at the age of 82. His last address was 33 North Street, Martock. He left effects in his will valued at £450.
Children
Edward and Fanny had three children:
1899-Sidney Albert Edward (lived at Martock; became a woodworker at a poultry appliance works and later an aircraft factory; died in 1993);
1906-Kenneth George (in September 1939, he was a wood machinist at Chard; died in 1968);
1914-Dulcie Mary Aimee (lived at Bower Hinton; married three times; died in 1992).
References
[1] Western Gazette, 2 October 1891, p.4.
[2] Western Chronicle, 23 March 1906, p.6