Introduction
Edward Rendell lived at Hardington his entire life, marrying twice and having thirteen children. He worked as a weaver, farm labourer, drainer and roadman. His youngest son, Gilbert, married the village schoolmistress, ran a garage in the village, and actively supported the parish church, serving as clerk and churchwarden, as well as being a dedicated bellringer.
Birth
Edward was born at Hardington in about 1848, the fifth child of Jeremiah and Anne Rendell.
First marriage
In 1870, Edward married Sarah Chapman of Hardington. Her father, Robert Chapman, was a weaver and later a farm labourer.
In April 1871, Edward and Sarah lived in Hardington Street.
Occupations
Edward was initially a weaver but changed to labouring work when the sailcloth trade collapsed.
In April 1891, he was employed as a “Drainer Labourer” and, ten years later, a general labourer.
By April 1911, he was a roadman employed by Yeovil Rural District Council, a job he retained into his seventies.
Death of first wife
In early 1877, Sarah began showing symptoms of tuberculosis, which at that time was a death sentence. She passed away nine months later, on 2 November 1877, aged 26, leaving three young children (a fourth had died in infancy).[i] She was interred in the parish churchyard the following week, after a service conducted by Rev Henry Helyar of Pendomer.
Second marriage
On 23 December 1880, Edward married Elizabeth Davis at Corton Denham. Born at Corton Denham in 1855, Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Davis, a farm labourer. In April 1861, Elizabeth and her family spent time in the Wincanton workhouse. Like many in her situation, she became self-reliant at a young age and by fifteen, she was working as a domestic servant in the home of a young widow at Milborne Port.
Early in her marriage, Elizabeth earned extra income by making gloves.
Residences
In April 1881, Edward and Elizabeth lived in a three-room house in Barry Lane. In about 1895, they moved into Rectory Cottage, which had four rooms.
In the 1920 estate sale, Edward bought Rectory Cottage as the sitting tenant.
Death
Edward died on 25 October 1926, aged 78, leaving an estate valued at £109-10s. Elizabeth died on 25 July 1929, aged 74.
Children
Edward and Elizabeth had nine children, seven of whom were alive in 1911.
The will of Edward Rendell
Edward appointed Rev John Morgan Beddoe as his sole executor.
He left his estate to his wife “to have and to hold during her days.”
Following her death, he instructed his executor to sell his cottage and divide the proceeds equally between his sons then living. If any sons had predeceased, leaving a wife with children, their share was to go to their children.
The will was signed with his mark and witnessed by Ann Elizabeth Adams of Rectory Lane, Hardington, and Susanna Helena Beddoe of Hardington Rectory.
References
[i] Death certificate of Sarah Rendell.
