Introduction
John Abbott and his family moved to Hardington from East Coker in the late 1820s. He worked as a farm labourer until his 60s or 70s. Both John and his wife, Jane, enjoyed remarkable longevity, supported in their later years by their sons and the poor relief system.
Birth
John, the son of Stephen and Ann Abbott, was born at Halstock in about 1790. By July 1797, the family had moved to Pendomer.[1]
Jane, the daughter of John and Mary Boucher, was born at East Coker in about 1795.
Marriage
On 14 October 1822, John and Jane married at East Coker. The marriage register describes John as a sojourner of East Coker. Both he and Jane signed the register with a cross. At that time, John was about 32 years old, suggesting he may have served in the army or been married previously.
Their first two children, Joseph and George, were born at East Coker.
Occupation
John worked as a farm labourer until late in his life.
Move to Hardington
Between December 1826 and July 1828, John and his family moved from East Coker to Hardington. The 1841 census recorded the family living in Broad Lane. By March 1851, two sons had left home, and the family lived in North Lane, with a lodger.
Crime
Poverty could lead to crime. In March 1855, their son, George, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for stealing three hurdles and a sheep from Mr J Bartlett of Hardington and a quantity of barley from Abraham Genge of the same place.[2]
In March 1863, their youngest son, Simeon, was fined 40s for assaulting Charlotte Frampton.[3] This incident was more related to personal morality than poverty.
Pauperism
By April 1861, John and Jane were both paupers, living near the church and sharing their home with the family of their son, John, and two lodgers: John Purchase, aged 17, and Thomas Bailey, aged 81.
By April 1871, they probably lived in the same house, which was also home to their granddaughter, Georgina, a glover, aged 14, (though she was recorded as living with her parents as well).
Death
John died on 23 February 1873, aged 83.[4] By April 1881, Jane was in the Yeovil workhouse, where she died in 1883, aged 88.
Children
John and Jane had seven sons, two of whom died in infancy.
Circa 1824- Joseph (married Jane Abbott at Closworth in 1850; lived at Hardington, Closworth, Ryme Intrinseca and Mudford; worked as a farm labourer; died in 1905);
Circa 1826- George (married Sarah Elizabeth Saunders at Chedington in 1853; lived at Hardington; probably died in 1905);
Circa 1828- John (married Susan Rendell at Hardington in 1849; moved to the Isle of Wight in about 1880, where he died in 1914);
Circa 1834- Daniel (married Susan Higgins at Hardington in 1855; lived at Hardington; died in about 1904);
Circa 1834- Job (died aged 11 months);
1838- Job (died aged 1)
1842-Simeon (married Matilda Wakefield at East Coker in 1866; lived at Hardington and East Coker; died in 1921).
References
[1] Pendomer baptism register.
[2] Sherborne Mercury 6 February 1855, p. 2; Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 31 March 1855, p.5.
[3] Western Gazette 7 March 1863, p. 2; Sherborne Mercury 10 March 1863, p.2.
[4] Western Gazette, 7 March 1873, p.5. This death notice misreported his age as 79.