Introduction

Francis Meech was born into a Dorset dairying family. In 1843, his father suffered a financial collapse, from which he never fully recovered, spending his later years as a farm labourer. It is possible that Francis strove to regain the dairying way of life he had known in his childhood. After many years of working as a farm labourer, he eventually succeeded. During the last twenty years of his life, he rented dairies in North Perrott, Crewkerne, Hardington, and East Coker.

Early life

Francis was born at Woolcombe, Dorset, in about 1832, the son of Robert and Elizabeth Meech.[1]  His father was a dairyman who went on to run dairies at Halstock and Mosterton. By November 1843, Robert could no longer support his family and applied for parish relief. The Mosterton overseers promptly removed Robert, his wife and six children to Beaminster, where Robert had his place of settlement.[2]

Although Robert returned to Mosterton, he worked as a farm labourer for the rest of his life, passing away in 1860.

By April 1851, Francis was a farm servant on a 100-acre farm called Storridge at Beaminster. By April 1861, he had returned to Mosterton and was living with his widowed mother and three brothers.

First marriage

In the third quarter of 1861, Francis married Ann Brake, the daughter of William Brake, a farm labourer of Marshwood. Francis and Ann had two children born at Mosterton: Alfred Walter, born in 1862, and Fanny, born on 18 May 1863.

Ann died at Little Windsor in May 1866, aged 30, leaving Francis to care for two young children. Seeking to ensure their continued support, he soon remarried.

Second marriage

On 11 February 1867, Francis married Phillis Case, a farm worker of Littlewindsor. At the time of their marriage, Francis was 35, while Phillis was 47.

Broadwindsor

In April 1871, Francis was a farm labourer at Sand Pit Mills, Broadwindsor.

North Perrott

By April 1881, Francis was a dairyman at North Perrott.

Phillis died at North Perrott in March 1886, aged 64.

Third marriage

On 27 June 1888, Francis married Sarah Gould at Wheathill, Somerset. Sarah was the daughter of the late William Isaac Gould, who had been both a farmer and a dairyman.

Crewkerne

By 18 March 1889, Francis was at Easthams Dairy, Crewkerne. On that day, he made his will, leaving his estate as it stood on that day equally to his wife and two children, with any future accumulation going to his wife.[3]

Hardington

By June 1890, Francis was a dairyman at the Hill House Dairy, Hardington, and Sarah was the Dairy Manager.[4] Their assistant was Frank Purchase.

On 12 January 1892, Francis sold his dairy utensils and other effects at the Hill Dairy.

East Coker

Francis moved to East Coker, where he died on 4 February 1901, aged about 68, leaving an estate valued at £164-5s-8d.[5]

In March 1901, Sarah, his widow, was at Burton Houses, East Coker. She died on 6 November 1901, aged 56, leaving an estate valued at £232-3s-4d.[6] She was interred at Kingston Magna, Dorset, close to her father, on 11 November 1901.

References

[1] Francis was baptised at Melbury Bubb on 21 October 1832.

[2] Dorset History Centre: PE-MSN/OV/3/3/39

[3] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901.

[4] Western Gazette, 13 June 1890, p.7.

[5] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901. The Civil Registration Death Index recorded Francis’s age as 62, but he was older.

[6] The will of Sarah Meech, dated 21 October 1901, proved at Taunton on 10 December 1901.