Introduction

Emma Trask achieved significant upward social mobility. The daughter of a farm labourer, she became a school teacher at Hardington village school, married a skilled tradesman and settled in London. Both of her children went on to obtain university degrees.

Childhood

Emma was at Closworth in 1870, the youngest daughter of George and Harriet Trask. Her father, a farm labourer from East Chinnock, lived at Hardington as a young man and returned there after Emma’s birth. He passed away at Hardington on 9 December 1890, aged 58. Emma’s mother died ten years later, on 30 March 1900, aged 68.

In April 1891, Emma Trask was a twenty-year-old Elementary School Teacher, residing with her widowed mother at 366 Hill End.

Marriage

On 19 February 1901, Emma married John Willy Matraves at St Peter’s church, Bournemouth.[1] John was the son of Thomas Matraves, who ran the forge at Hardington before moving to Moulton’s Farm, Haselbury.

John initially worked in his father’s forge before moving to Streatham to work as a coach smith, a trade he pursued for the rest of his life. The 1921 census records that he was employed by Fairey & Charles Motor Body Builders of Hayes, Middlesex.

Life in Streatham

John and Emma lived in Streatham for the remainder of their lives. Their first home was a four-room house at 8 Cunliffe Street. By April 1911, they lived at 78 Dahomey Road. By 1919, they resided at 26 Corsehill Street and by 1933, at 130 Ribblesdale Road.

John died on 7 March 1941, aged 67, leaving an estate valued at £766-19s-6d.[2]

Emma died on 2 May 1952, aged 81, in the home of their son at 51 Castallen Avenue, Romford. In her will, she left an estate valued at £2,637-6s-11d.[3]

Children

Emma and John had two children, Gladys and Victor, who achieved remarkable academic success, graduating from King’s College, London and becoming teachers.

References

[1] Langport & Somerton Herald, 2 March 1901, p.5.

[2] National probate calendar.

[3] National probate calendar.