Introduction

John Purchase was remarkable for emigrating to Australia in the 1850s and returning within ten years. He may have made a modest fortune during his time there, as he took on the tenancy of a large farm upon his return and later retired at an early age, living off his savings in various locations, including a village in South Wales.

Early life

John, the second child of John and Charlotte Purchase, was born at Hardington in about 1828. His father was initially a farmer and later an innkeeper.

In 1846 or 1847, his father became the landlord of the Rose and Crown Inn in Bradford Abbas, where John assisted him in managing the establishment.[1]

Marriage

On 18 May 1847, John married Elizabeth Genge, the daughter of Abraham and Sarah Genge, at Bradford Abbas church.[2]

Return to Hardington

By 1850, John and Elizabeth had returned to Hardington, where John assumed the tenancy of a property owned by his father.[3]

Australia

In the early 1850s, John and Elizabeth emigrated to Australia, where their daughter, Charlotte, was born in Melbourne in about 1852, followed by their son, John, in Albion two years later. However, they did not settle in Australia permanently and returned to England around 1859. The baptism of their two children took place at Hardington on 4 December 1859, likely soon after their return. [4]

Cattistock

By April 1861, John was the tenant of Impark Farm, Cattistock, Dorset, where he occupied 329 acres and employed four men and two boys. John likely took over the tenancy following the death of the previous occupant, William Symes, in September 1859. [5]

The next twenty years of the family’s history are unclear. They are not recorded in the 1871 census, and the children, John the Younger and Charlotte, do not appear in later British censuses either. As John the Younger was still alive in 1913, he may have returned to Australia.[6] 

Retirement and later life

By April 1881, John had retired from farming and was living with his wife at Lawn Cottage in Ashcott, Somerset. By April 1891, the couple resided with John’s sister, Edith, and her husband, William Purchase Haggett, at the Raglan Arms in Llandenny, Monmouthshire.

After their time in Wales, John and his wife returned to Somerset, residing at Norton-sub-Hamdon by 1898. Elizabeth passed away intestate on 2 May 1898, at the age of 72, leaving an estate valued at £157 2s 8d, which John administered.[7]

On 16 November 1899, John married Amelia Ann Vigar, a spinster ten years younger than him who lived with her brother and sister at Chilthorne Hill Farm, Chilthorne Domer. John and Amelia initially lived briefly at Rimpton before settling at West Camel. Amelia passed away in September 1908 at West Camel at the age of 68 and was laid to rest at Chilthorne Domer.

Final years and death

John Purchase continued to reside in West Camel until his death on 8 April 1913 at the age of 85.[8] He was interred alongside his first wife at Norton-sub-Hamdon. He bequeathed his estate, valued at £2,765-18s-1d, entirely to his son, John the Younger, except for a sum of £10 granted to his executor, William Genge, who was his nephew.[9]

References

[1] Sherborne Mercury, 18 July 1846, p.1; 30 October 1847, p.3.

[2] Sherborne Mercury, 29 May 1847, p.4

[3] Hardington voters’ lists.

[4] The baptism register records John’s occupation as a farmer.

[5] Bridport News, 24 September 1859, p.3.

[6] John the Younger renounced the executorship of his father’s will in 1913.

[7] Probate calendar.

[8] The 1911 census shows him residing in Fore Street with a housekeeper.

[9] The will of John Purchase, dated 11 September 1908, proved at Taunton on 18 August 1913.