Early life in Hardington

Born at Hardington in 1816, Henry was the fifth child of Henry and Joannah Sandiford. His father was a weaver for most of his life. However, Henry became a carpenter.

On 24 December 1859, Henry married Emma Purchase at Crewkerne parish church. He was at that time a carpenter living in North Street, Crewkerne. Emma was the daughter of George and Lucy Purchase of Hardington.

By April 1861, they lived with Henry’s father at Hardington Mandeville, in a house close to Manor Farm.

Henry and Emma had a son in 1861 and a daughter in 1863.

Life in London

Between 1863 and 1871, Henry and his family embarked on a new chapter. They moved to London, which offered greater opportunities for Henry’s carpentry skills. By April 1871, they lived at 26 Broughton Street, Battersea.

In 1875, Emma died at the age of 50, wrecking the family’s stability. By April 1881, Henry and his son, Henry, had given up their house at 26 Broughton Street and were lodging with George Manning, a railway inspector who lived next door at 25 Broughton Street. His daughter, Mary, was a general servant at Southend.

In 1886, his son, Henry, married Eliza Amelia Rogers in the Holborn district.

Return to Hardington

By April 1891, Henry had returned to Hardington, where he lodged with Susannah Rendell at New Buildings and worked as a gardener. As he was then 74, the work was probably casual.

Henry died in 1893, aged 76.