Birth

Esau, the third child of Robert and Amy Eastment, was born at Hardington in about 1826. He was the brother of Reuben and James. His father was a weaver.

Occupation

Esau worked as a farm labourer throughout his life. The 1871 census refers to him specifically as a carter.

Marriage

On 25 November 1856, Esau married Elizabeth Chester at Hardington. She was the daughter of Levi Chester, who was transported to Australia in 1839.

Married life at Hardington

Esau and Elizabeth spent most of the next twenty years or more at Hardington. The only exception was a brief time at Cattistock, where Esau worked as a farm labourer in 1861.

Wool

Between May 1875 and April 1881, Esau and his family moved to Wool. By April 1881, they lived at New Buildings, Wool. By this time, Esau’s four sons lived at home while his two daughters were in service, one in Yeovil and one at East Stoke.

Death

Esau died in the Dorchester area in 1889, aged 61.

Elizabeth’s later life

In April 1891, Elizabeth was at Charlton Mackrell, Somerset, a nurse in the household of Henry Marsh, a farmer.

She died in the Wareham area in 1897, aged 63.

Children

Esau and Elizabeth had five sons and three daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy.