Introduction

Ellen Mary Squire was born and raised in her parents’ shop at Hardington Moor and worked there until the late 1890s. She and her husband later moved to the Weymouth area.

Life at Hardington

Ellen Mary Squire was born at Hardington on 31 January 1869. the second daughter of Albert George and Martha Elizabeth Squire. Her parents ran a shop and bakery at Hardington Moor.

Her father died on 6 January 1886, when Ellen was only 16 years old. Following his death, her mother closed the bakery but continued to run the shop with her daughters, Ellen and Martha Alberta.

On the 1891 census, Ellen was listed as a Draper’s assistant, while Martha was called a Grocer’s assistant.

On 19 June 1893, Ellen married Percival George Chick Gould at Hardington parish church. Although he was the oldest son of Gilbert Gould, a farmer, Percival did not pursue a career in farming. Instead, he became a butcher, having learned his trade while working as a butcher’s assistant in Richmond, Surrey.

Percival and Ellen’s first two children (Albert George and Lily Dorothy) were born at Hardington, suggesting they lived in the village then. Moreover, in November 1895, Percival prosecuted a West Coker lad for stealing a dog collar.[1]

Life near Weymouth

By November 1898, Percival and his family had moved to Victoria House, Westham, near Weymouth. On 7 November 1898, the rector of Hardington, the Rev. H. H. T. Cleife, baptised their third child, Percival Rowland, at St Paul’s Church in Weymouth.

By March 1901, Percival had established his own butcher shop at Nottington, Radipole. His mother-in-law, Martha Squire, lived in his household at that time.

By April 1911, Percival and his family lived at Temperance House, Broadway. This large ten-room house remained their home until Percival’s death.

Percival’s father, Gilbert Gould, died on Christmas Day 1919, leaving an estate valued at £3,487 7s 7d gross. The net value of his personal estate was £2,443 14s 9d. Percival, one of the executors, inherited one-sixth of the residue, which included everything except household goods.[2]

Percival died at Temperance House on 28 August 1934, at the age of 64, leaving effects valued at £2,350-9s-8d.[3]

After her husband’s death, Ellen moved to 719 Dorchester Road, Broadway. She died on 2 October 1943, at the age of 74, leaving an estate valued at £1,759-16s-2d.[4]

Children

Percival and Ellen had five children.

References

[1] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 27 November 1895, p.6.

[2] The will of Gilbert Gould, dated 25 December 1919, proved at Blandford on 8 June 1920.

[3] Western Gazette, 7 September 1934, p.16; National Probate Calendar.

[4] National Probate Calendar.