Introduction

John Watts was a sawyer for his entire working life. He was born at West Chinnock and probably moved to Hardington after marrying Elizabeth Purchase in 1819. The couple remained at Hardington until about 1846, when they moved to West Coker to be closer to their married daughter.

Birth at West Chinnock

John was born at West Chinnock in about 1794, the first of seven children born to John and Elizabeth Watts. His father, John Watts, was a labourer.

Life at Hardington

On 26 February 1819, John married Elizabeth Purchase at Hardington. The marriage register records his place of residence as Middle Chinnock at that time.

While living at Hardington, they had three daughters: Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Sadly, Elizabeth died in 1835, at the age of 16.

By June 1841, John and Elizabeth were living at Hardington Moor, where John worked as a sawyer, probably for Joseph Genge. At that time, their daughters, Mary and Sarah, worked as servants at Hendford, Yeovil.

John occupied one of two cottages, with weaving shops and gardens, owned by John Feaver, a bankrupt whose property was sold by auction at the New Inn, East Coker, on 3 June 1841.[1]

Life at West Coker

On 3 May 1846, Mary married James Noble, a carpenter of West Coker. By April 1851, they were living at Lower Font, West Coker, with Mary’s parents living next door.[2] John continued his work as a sawyer.

Elizabeth died at West Coker in January 1855 at the age of 61 and was buried at Hardington on 25 January.[3]

On 3 July 1855, Sarah married William Henry Noble, James Noble’s brother, at Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil.

By April 1861, John was a sawyer lodging with John Langdon, a tailor, and his wife. John died in April 1864, aged 71, and was buried at West Coker on 26 April.

References

[1] Sherborne Mercury, 31 May 1841, p.2

[2] Confusingly, Mary’s name is recorded as Sarah on the 1851 census.

[3] Elizabeth’s age has been calculated based on her date of birth as recorded in the Hardington baptism register. The West Coker burial register recorded her age as 59, while the Civil Registration Death Index recorded it as 58.