Introduction
Kate Spearing led an outwardly quiet life, never marrying or having children, and living continuously at Hill End in Hardington Mandeville before later moving to Struckmead Farm. Her life revolved around caring for her parents and her brother, Arthur, while contributing to the farm’s operations.
Early life and family background
Kate was born on 3 March 1876 at Hardington Mandeville, the eleventh of twelve children born to Henry and Harriet Spearing. Two of her older siblings died in infancy, and an older brother died at the age of nine. By April 1881, three sisters had left home to work as domestic servants, leaving six children in the household.
The family home was at Hill End, listed as 370 Hill End in the 1891 census. When Kate was born, her father, Henry, was a labourer, but he became a small-scale farmer during the 1880s. After leaving school, Kate helped run the household, while her younger brother, Arthur, assisted their father on the farm.
Parish activities and a family suicide
In her early thirties, Kate took part in parish activities. In September 1907, she helped decorate the font and windows for Harvest Thanksgiving, and in November 1908, she was one of several ladies presiding over tables during a temperance annual tea in the schoolroom.[1] In 1912, she assisted in decorating the church for Easter and Harvest Thanksgiving and helped at a Sunday School treat at the rectory.[2]
In October 1910, she gave evidence at an inquest into the death of her sixteen-year-old nephew, Arthur Ernest William Grant, who had drowned himself in the River Yeo. She stated that during the previous twelve months, he had often visited her in distress, complaining that his stepmother ill-treated him and did not give him enough food. On each occasion, she fed him and gave him money.[3] Her evidence suggests she provided a measure of support within a troubled extended family.
Life with Arthur
After Henry died in 1911, Arthur and Kate continued running the farm. The 1911 census recorded her occupation as dairy work, indicating her hands-on involvement with the farm, while Arthur assumed the principal role in managing the holding. Their mother, Harriet, died in 1916.
The estate sale catalogue of 1920 listed the representatives of Henry Spearing as occupying 25 acres and 30 perches at Hill End, including a house and buildings. The property was sold to a purchaser named Tucker, who divided and sold it again the following month.[4]
Around this time, Arthur and Kate moved to Struckmead Farm, which had previously belonged to Thomas Genge. The Hardington rate book for 31 December 1923 shows Arthur as the owner occupier of 42 acres 11 perches of land, with a further 7 acres 3 roods 16 perches rented from Viscount Portman.
The solitary years
Arthur died on 24 October 1937 at the age of 58, leaving an estate valued at £1,033 15s 3d, which he bequeathed to Kate. An auction sale held on 3 March 1938 included five cows, three heifers, two calves, a black cob, implements, dairy utensils, and thirty tons of meadow hay.[5]
Kate retired from farming but continued living in the farmhouse. In June 1942, she sold 28.5 acres of pasture land by auction. [6]
She died on 17 March 1947 at the age of 71, leaving an estate valued at £3,067 3s 10d. Her will divided her estate among her brother Frederick and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and their children, with twenty-one receiving legacies and one the residue. Following her death, Struckmead Farm was sold by her executors.[7]
Conclusion
Kate’s life reflects a common pattern within farming families, in which unmarried women bore substantial responsibility for work and care without formal authority, though in her case, that position changed when she inherited the holding after her brother’s death.
References
[1] Western Chronicle, 20 September 1907, p.6; 27 November 1908, p.6.
[2] Western Chronicle, 12 April 1912, p.6; 5 July 1912, p.6; 20 September 1912, p.6
[3] Western Chronicle, 14 October 1910, p.4.
[4] Western Gazette 5 November 1920 p. 2.
[5] Western Gazette, 14 October 1938, p.16; Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 March 1938, p.15.
[6] Western Gazette, 19 June 1942, p.1.
[7] Western Gazette 4 April 1947, p. 1.