Introduction
George Guppy was a stone mason at Hardington Moor from the 1830s until his death in 1870. In 1835, he married Jane Bishop Bartlett at Ilchester, but she disappears from the records after 1838. Their son, Edwin George, also became a stone mason.
Birth
George was born at Hardington in about 1803, the son of Samuel and Anne Guppy. His father died in 1814 when George was about eleven.
Marriage
On 27 July 1835, George married Jane Bishop Bartlett by licence at Ilchester. George was about 32, but Jane was between 18 and 21 and required the consent of her father, William.[1]
George and Jane had two sons: Edwin George, baptised at Hardington on 23 December 1836, and William, baptised at Ilchester on 29 December 1838. No record of William or his mother has been found after this date.
Assets
George owned the freehold of Rose Cottage at Hardington Moor, which is shown on the tithe map as plot 97b, a house and garden 19 perches in extent.
George inherited several legacies during his life. In 1823, he inherited one-quarter of £10 from his grandfather, Samuel Guppy.[2] In 1854, he inherited £10 from his uncle, Joseph Guppy, of Stoke-Sub-Hamdon.[3] In 1857, he inherited one-third of £5 from his uncle, William Guppy.[4] In 1861, he inherited £10 from his aunt, Mary Edwards (nee Guppy).[5]
Death and will
George died on 25 April 1870, aged 67, leaving an estate valued at “under £100.” He bequeathed a clock and £5 with interest to Edwin’s oldest son, George James Guppy, at 17, and £3 to Edwin’s wife, Angela. He left the remainder to Edwin.[6]
References
[1] Marriage allegation and bond, dated 26 July 1835.
[2] The will of Samuel Guppy, dated 19 May 1818, proved at Wells on 7 June 1821.
[3] The will of Joseph Guppy, dated 27 July 1853, proved at Wells on 25 January 1854.
[4] The will of William Guppy, dated 18 April 1857, proved at Wells on 5 October 1857.
[5] The will of Mary Edwards, dated 19 September 1855, proved in London on 9 March 1861.
[6] The will of George Guppy, dated 6 April 1870, proved at Taunton on 25 July 1870.
