Introduction

Laura Bartlett Leach was born and raised in a house on North Lane, Hardington, where she lived almost exclusively until her early fifties. Just when it appeared she would remain single forever, her sister died, leading Laura to marry her sister’s widower. Afterwards, she then lived for over thirty years at Hardington Moor.

Childhood and youth

Laura was born at Hardington on Christmas Day 1857, the youngest of eleven children born to Robert and Ann Leach. Her father was a retired farmer who moved to Hardington between late 1855 and December 1857.

When Laura was eleven, her sister Julia married Abraham Partridge, who ran a bakery at Hardington Moor. When Laura was about nineteen, another sister, Louisa, emigrated to Australia with her family.

By 1873, eight of the siblings had left home, leaving only Ellen, Frederick, and Laura. On 9 March 1876, Albert, the eighth child, married Sarah Ann Gould at Yeovil and settled at Chickerell, where he worked as a baker and general dealer. By April 1881, Laura was living with Albert and his family at Chickerell, working as a dressmaker.

Death of parents

Laura’s father died on 8 November 1883 at the age of 66, leaving an estate valued at £713-2s-1d. Laura inherited £20 and a one-eleventh share of the residue.

Her mother died on 25 July 1885 at the age of 68.

Return to Hardington

Laura probably returned home to look after her parents and stayed after their deaths. She lived with her brother John and sister Ellen—neither of whom ever married. The 1891 census recorded her as living on her own means, while the 1901 census recorded her as a dressmaker in business on her own account.

Marriage

On 8 November 1908, Laura’s sister, Julia Taylor Partridge, died. Fortuitously, the prohibition against a man marrying his deceased wife’s sister had been lifted in 1907. In 1910, Laura married Abraham Partridge and moved in with him and his two daughters, Alice Julia Leach and Laura Bartlett. Sadly, Alice died of tuberculosis on 9 December 1914, at the age of 43, and Laura (her aunt and stepmother) registered her death.[1]

Abraham’s death

Abraham died on 26 November 1933, at the age of 89.

Laura’s later life

Following Abraham’s death, the two Lauras (aunt and niece) continued to live at Hardington Moor. Laura, the niece, died on 21 January 1940 at the age of 61, and Laura, the aunt, died in 1943 at the age of 85.

References

[1] Death certificate of Alice Julia Leach Partridge.