Introduction

In the 1880s, Henry and his second wife kept a shop at Hardington Marsh. Although he was primarily a farm labourer, he was recorded as a railway platelayer in April 1871. After his first wife died in 1859, he quickly married a woman twelve years older than himself to provide a caregiver for his two young children.

Birth

Henry Baker, the fifth child of George and Anne Baker, was born at Hardington in about 1834. He was not baptised until 25 September 1842.

His father, George, was a labourer and weaver. He died in February 1849 at the age of 48.

Occupations

Henry primarily worked as a farm labourer throughout his life, with one notable exception in the 1871 census, where he was listed as a railway platelayer. An 1889 trade directory lists him as a shopkeeper, though his wife probably ran the shop.

First marriage

On 18 January 1855, Henry married Elizabeth Gullidge at Hardington. A weaver by trade, she was the youngest daughter of Henry and Jane Gullidge.

After four years of marriage, during which they had two children, Elizabeth became seriously ill with encephalitis or meningitis, diseases that cause inflammation of the brain and surrounding membranes. She died on 1 January 1859, aged 25. Her death left Henry in sole charge of a three-year-old son and a baby daughter.

Second marriage

On 26 July 1860, Henry married Rebecca Jeans at Hardington. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Jeans. Henry was about 26, while Rebecca was twelve years older.

Children

Sadly, even with Rebecca’s help, Henry’s baby died in May 1861, but his son grew to adulthood.[1]

Henry and Rebecca had two children: Mathias and Elizabeth.

Residence

Henry and Rebecca lived at Hardington Marsh throughout their married life.

Death

Henry died on 1 January 1891 from heart disease at the age of 57.[2]

Rebecca’s later life

In April 1891, Rebecca lived in Farm Lane, Marsh, where she kept a grocer’s shop. Her two children, Matthias and Elizabeth, and her sister, Elizabeth Jeans, aged 78, lived with her.

On 26 February 1895, Matthias married Elizabeth Ann Rendell of West Coker, and she moved into the family home. Three weeks later, his sister, Elizabeth, had her banns announced for her upcoming marriage to Charles Marsh. They married in April 1895 and settled in Hendon.[3]

Rebecca died in 1904, aged 71.

References

[1] He is recorded on the 1871 census but then disappears from view.

[2] Death certificate of Henry Baker.

[3] Hardington banns book; whether Elizabeth Jeans died or moved out is unknown.