Introduction

John Mew Apsey was a carpenter at Hardington in the 1830s and early 1840s. As a young man, he defied societal norms by cohabiting with Harriet Rendell, with whom he had two children before marrying in 1843. He also had a run-in with the law, stealing a hatchet and coal from John Swaffield. In the mid-1840s, John and his family moved to Southampton, where they settled permanently.

Early life

John Mew Apsey was born around 1812 in East Coker, the son of George and Margaret Apsey.[1] His parents were married at Hardington in 1810 and soon returned there.

Possible first marriage

In 1833, John may have married Susan Green of Barwick. She died in 1836, aged 23, and her daughter, Margaret Ann, died in 1835.

Cohabitation

In his late twenties, John began a relationship with Harriet Rendell, which resulted in the birth of two sons: George on 14 July 1839 and John on 13 December 1841. The couple married at Hardington Church on 9 November 1843.[2]

The 1841 shows John living with Harriet and their son, George, at Hardington Moor, which is an unusual example of cohabitation outside of marriage.

A prison sentence

At the Somerset Epiphany Sessions of January 1842, John Apsey and Thomas Haggett were each sentenced to six months in prison for stealing a hatchet and coal from John Swaffield.[3]

Move to Southampton

Between November 1844 and early 1847, John, Harriet and their two children, John and Elizabeth Susan, moved to Southampton.  Their eldest child, George, initially stayed at Hardington with his uncle, Henry Purchase, but later moved to Southampton as well.

At the same time, John’s brother, Michael, and his family also moved to Southampton.

In 1851, John was a carpenter living at 24 Grove Street; in 1861, he was a joiner living at 42 Grove Street; and in 1871, he was a carpenter living at 5 Coleman Street.

Death

John died at Coleman Street on 4 May 1880, aged 70.[4] Harriet died at Southampton in 1897, aged 76.

Children

John and Harriet had about eleven children.

References

[1] The East Coker Baptism register records his name as John Mew Apsey.

[2] Birth certificate of George Apsey; birth certificate of John Apsey. Harriet’s registered the birth of George as if she were married to John Apsey; she registered the birth of John as a single woman but gave John Apsey as the father.

[3] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 January 1842, p.6.

[4] Hampshire Advertiser, 8 May 1880, p.4.