Introduction

Edwin George Guppy was a stone mason at Hardington for over thirty years, learning the trade from his father, George. He married Angelina Pitcher of West Coker in 1861, and over the following thirteen years, they had fourteen children, including a twin boy and girl. Edwin disappears from the records after 1884, and no record of his death has been found.  

Childhood

Edwin  was born at Hardington in about 1836, the son of George Guppy, a mason, and his wife, Jane. His mother may have died or left when he was young.[1]

Occupation

Edwin was a mason throughout his working life at Hardington. He was an apprentice mason at Oil Moor in 1851, and a mason on the following three censuses.

Marriage

On 5 February 1861, Edwin married Angelina Guppy at West Coker. In April 1861, they lived in Hardington village.

Inheritance

On 25 April 1870, Edwin’s father, George, died, leaving an estate valued at “under £100.” He bequeathed a clock and £5 with interest to Edwin’s oldest son, George James Guppy, upon reaching the age of 17, and £3 to Edwin’s wife, Angela. He left the remainder to Edwin.[2]

Residence

After George’s death, Edwin and his family probably moved to Rose Cottage at Hardington Moor. He is listed on the voters’ lists from 1872 to 1884 as the owner of a freehold house at Hardington Moor.

Death

Edwin died between 1883 and 1891, but no record of his death has been found.[3] The voters’ lists suggest that he may have died in about 1884.

Angelina died on 23 April 1911, aged 71.

Children

Edwin and Angelina had twelve children.

References

[1] George Guppy and Jane Bishop Bartlett were married at Ilchester by licence and with the permission of her father, William Bartlett, on 27 July 1835. They had two sons, Edwin George, baptised at Hardington on 23 December 1836, and William, baptised at Ilchester on 29 December 1838. The later whereabouts of Jane are unknown. The 1851 census recorded George as married, while the 1861 census recorded him as a widower. It is not clear what happened to William Guppy either. However, a boy of that name, who was born at Ilchester on 1 January 1839, enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15 January 1855 (Royal Navy Continuous Service Engagement Books).

[2] The will of George Guppy, dated 6 April 1870, proved at Taunton on 25 July 1870.

[3] The last child of Edwin and Angelina was born on 18 August 1884; the 1891 census recorded Angelina as a widow.