Introduction

John Bartlett was born in Odcombe around 1796. He worked as a dairyman in various locations, including Beaminster, Buckland Newton, Hardington, and Rampisham, before passing away at Halstock in 1879. His second wife, Martha, died on the day of his funeral.

Childhood at Odcombe

John, the son of William and Susannah, was born at Odcombe in about 1796. When he was about six years old, the family moved to East Chinnock.

Occupation

John was a dairyman throughout most of his adult life.

Life at Beaminster

On 16 October 1823, John married Sarah Squire at Chideock. The couple established their home at Beaminster and had three children: John, Ann and Sarah. Unfortunately, John’s wife, Sarah, died in November 1828, aged 25, and was buried at Beaminster.

On 11 May 1829, John married Martha Vincent at Netherbury. Together, they had six children: William, Thomas, Richard, Mary, Harriet and Martha.

By June 1841, John and his family lived at Horn Dairy House, Beaminster, which was then part of Horn Park Farm, owned by Sir William Oglander of Parnham and occupied by Francis and John Davy.[1] They were still in the parish at Christmas 1846 when their last child, Martha, was baptised.

Later life

By March 1851, John and his family lived at Kennel Dairy House, Buckland Newton.

In April 1861, they were at Lansdowne Farm, Hardington. They were still there in November 1863 when John’s daughter, Mary, married William Henry Waygood at Hardington church.

By April 1871, John and his wife lived near Slough Farm, Rampisham. Their household included two adult children and two grandchildren: John’s only son from his first marriage, John junior, along with his son, George, aged 9; John and Martha’s widowed daughter, Sarah Gale, and eight-year-old Emma Hull, the child of their daughter, Harriet Hull.[2]

By March 1879, John and Martha were living at Halstock.

Death

John died at Halstock on 4 March 1879 at the age of 83. Martha died six days later, on the day of John’s funeral, at the age of 70.[3] They were both buried in Halstock churchyard.[4]

References

[1] Information provided by Marie de G. Eedle.

[2] In April 1871, Harriet Hull and her husband lived at Winterbourne Steepleton.

[3] Blandford and Wimborne Telegram, 14 March 1879, p.12. This notice reported Martha’s age as 71, but the Civil Registration Death Index and the Halstock burial register recorded it as 70.

[4] John was buried on 10 March 1879, and Martha on 16 March 1879.