Introduction

Joseph was a farmer at Hardington from the late eighteenth century until at least 1821.[1] He lived in the village until his death in 1843 at the age of 89.

Two of his children travelled far from Hardington during the pre-railway era: a daughter who married in Shoreditch in 1807, and a son who married at Marlborough in 1821. Among his sons-in-law were two notable Hardington farmers: William Guppy and John Whebby.

Birth

Joseph was born in about 1753, the eighth of eight children born to Edward and Grace Apsey.[2]

Marriage

On 5 June 1775, Joseph married Mary Dwelly at Hardington. Mary was a resident of Yeovil at the time.

Occupation

By 1796, Joseph was a yeoman. From 1832 to 1842, he was on the voting lists due to his ownership of freehold land.

Parish offices

Joseph served as a churchwarden in 1829.

Mary’s death

Mary died in February 1831 at the age of 76.

Joseph’s later life

In June 1841, the census recorded Joseph Apsey as an independent, living next door to his son, Edward. Edward’s three oldest children lived with Joseph.

By 1843, Joseph occupied the house later known as Bishop’s Farm (number 317 on the tithe map).

Death

Joseph died in March 1843 at the age of 89.

Children

Joseph and Mary had four sons and six daughters;

Circa 1776- John (no information);

Circa 1780- Sarah (married Roger Baker in 1809; resided at Hardington; died in 1863);

1780- Rebecca (married James Lucas, a baker, in London in 1807; resided at Portsmouth, Yeovil and Southampton; died in 1855);

1783- Susannah (married William Guppy in 1823; resided at Hardington; died in 1867);

1785- George (married Margaret Mudford in 1810);

Circa 1788- Grace (died in 1806);

Circa 1791- Edward (married Mary Reynolds; resided at Hardington; died in 1873);

Circa 1794 Joseph (married Mary Ford at Marlborough in 1821; became an engineer in Lambeth; died in 1866);

1798- Mary (married John Whebby; resided at Hardington; died in 1866);

1800- Elizabeth (married William Bartlett in 1825; resided at Hardington; died 1830).

References

[1] Hardington jury lists.

[2] An indenture dated 18 October 1796 recorded his age as 45. It refers to an earlier lease dated 14 Nov 1763 granted to Edward Apsey, deceased, father of the said Joseph Apsey, on the lives of Joseph and his brother, Edward. This lease had been surrendered, and a fine of £44 paid to renew based on the lives of Joseph, aged 45, and his sons Edward, aged 4, and Joseph, aged 3. However, the Civil Registration Death Index recorded Joseph’s age as 89, and the Hardington burial register recorded it as 90 wanting 6 months, which would suggest a birth date of 1753.