Introduction

In the 1860s and 1870s, George Bartlett worked as a woodward, a role concerned with managing estate woods and coppices. He and his family lived in Partway Lane.

Birth

George was born at Hardington in about 1807, the second child of Robert and Mary Bartlett, who lived west of Coldharbour. His father was a weaver.

Marriage

On 8 May 1828, George married Mary Chaffey at Hardington. She was the daughter of Thomas and Susannah Chaffey.

Residence

In 1843, George and his family lived in Partway Lane (plot 284 on the tithe map)).

Occupation

George was a weaver until the mid or late 1840s. By March 1851, he was a farm labourer. The 1861 describes as a woodward, and the 1871 census, as a woodsman.

His duties included showing timber to prospective buyers. In August 1865, he was nominated to show timber at Marsh Wood and Lynch Plantation; in August 1868, at Haselbury Park; and in August 1873, at Knowle Hill Plantation.[1]

Family

The 1841 census recorded Mary at home with five children, but George was absent. Their second child, Joseph, died in 1843, aged 12. The 1861 census shows George and Mary sharing their home with their daughter, Elizabeth, and her illegitimate daughter, Sarah, born in 1860. This granddaughter, Sarah, cared for George and Mary in their old age and probably remained at home until after Mary’s death.

Assault

On September 1, 1862, George was assaulted by Thomas Marsh, a twenty-two-year-old labourer from Pendomer, outside a public house. The attack occurred after George accused the men inside of stealing a bag, which Marsh resented.^[2]

Death

George died in February 1881, aged 73, while Mary died in 1888, aged 87.

Children

George and Mary had three sons and five daughters.

References

[1] Pulman’s Weekly News and Advertiser, 22 August 1865, p.2; Western Gazette, 21 August 1868, p.4; 22 August 1873, p.4.

[2] Sherborne Mercury 9 September 1862 p. 6.