Introduction
Hester Purchase’s life was closely tied to her two daughters, Mary and Susan. After Hester lost her husband in 1847, Hester, Mary and Susan lived together in a house in North Lane, supporting themselves by weaving and gloving. Mary began a relationship with Edward Rendell that produced nine children, but they did not marry until 1864. Susan married William Chapman in 1857, and he moved into the family home. Despite her daughters’ support, Hester became a pauper towards the end of her life and died in the Yeovil workhouse in October 1868.
Birth
Hester, the daughter of William and Mary Rendall, was born at Hardington on 8 May 1793.[1]
Marriage
On 24 March 1827, Hester married Richard Purchase at Hardington. He was a widower aged about 49, and she was a spinster aged 33. Richard signed the marriage register with a mark in the register, while Hester signed her name.
Richard was a weaver whose first wife, Sarah, had died in July 1825, leaving him to care for four children. Over the following three years, Richard and Hester had two daughters: Mary and Susan.
Residence
The 1841 census shows Richard, Hester and their eleven-year-old daughter, Susan, living in Church Lane. Mary had left home by that time.
The tithe survey of 1843 shows Richard as the occupier of a house in North Lane (plot number 162).
Husband’s death
Richard died in November or December 1847, aged 69.
Hester’s later life
Hester’s later life was a story of mutual support with her two daughters.
Hester’s daughter, Mary, was in a relationship with Edward Rendell from about 1849 until Edward’s death in 1872. By April 1861, Edward and Mary lived together, although they did not marry until 1864. They had nine children, eight of whom were born before they married.
By March 1851, Mary and her two children lived with Hester and Susan. Hester and Susan were canvas weavers at that time, while Mary was a glover. Although the census recorded their address as Hardington Moor, it was probably North Lane.
On 28 December 1857, Hester’s daughter, Susan, married William Chapman, who then moved into the family home.
By April 1861, Hester was a pauper living at home.
Death
Hester died in the Yeovil workhouse in October 1868, aged 75.[2]
References
[1] Hardington baptism register.
[2] The Civil Registration Death Index recorded her as “Elizabeth Purchase”, aged 80. The entry in Hardington burial register reads “Elizabeth Purchase (? Hester).”
