Introduction
Edward Marsh spent his entire life in Hardington, where he worked primarily as a farm laborer, spending some time as a land drainer. His daughter, Grace, married William Watts, the village blacksmith.
Birth
Edward was born at Hardington in about 1832, the sixth child of William and Hester Marsh.
Occupations
Edward’s parents were weavers, and so was Edward until early 1860, when he became a farm labourer. The 1891 census recorded his occupation as a land drainer.
Marriage
On 25 November 1858, Edward married Ann Bartlett Purchase at Hardington. Ann was the daughter of Thomas and Grace Purchase.
Residences
In 1861, Edward and Ann lived in Barry Lane. By 1871, and for the years that followed, they lived in Hardington Street. The 1891 census recorded their address as New Buildings; the 1901 census recorded it as 347 High Street.
Suicide of Ann’s mother
In 1865, the family had to come to terms with the suicide of Ann’s mother, Grace Purchase, who hanged herself.[1]
Ann’s death
Ann died on 20 January 1896, aged 61.
Edward’s later life
After Ann died, Edward moved in with his daughter, Grace, and her husband, William Watts.
Death
Edward died on 20 July 1906, aged about 74.[2]
Gravestone
Edward and Ann’s granddaughter, Evelyn Watts, who died on 17 March 1902, aged three months, is also recorded on their grave.
Children
Edward and Ann had four sons and four daughters.
Henry became a wine merchant in Wakefield, Frank a baker and cowman, and Thomas a grocer in Bruton. John died in 1892, aged nineteen, shortly after moving to Bournemouth to work as a hotel waiter.
Emma worked for the Vassall family for many years as a domestic servant; Jane was the housekeeper to George F Munford, the editor of the Western Gazette, towards the end of his life; and Grace married William Watts, the blacksmith. Sadly, Susan died suddenly at the age of six after complaining of something in her throat.[3]
References
[1] Western Gazette, 23 June 1865 p.5; Sherborne Mercury, 27 June 1865, p.8.
[2] The Civil Registration Death Index gives his age as 71.
[3] Western Gazette, 2 September 1870, p.5.
