Introduction
Mabel Kathleen Rendell spent her early years at Hardington Mandeville and her adult life on the western edge of Yeovil. Born into a family connected with the web-weaving industry, she worked in the same trade as a young woman before establishing a home in Yeovil. After being widowed at a young age, she raised a daughter and later remarried, staying at the same address for much of her adult life.
Early life
Mabel was born on 2 December 1905, the younger of two children born to John Rendell and his wife, Florence Sarah (nee Delamont). Her brother, Arthur William, was born the previous year. The family lived in a cottage at Broadstone, which John later purchased in the estate sale of October 1920.[1] He worked as a web weaver, probably for F Drake at North Coker Mills.
Mabel entered Hardington School on 13 March 1911. The following year, the family experienced a period of upheaval when Florence was convicted of obtaining goods by false pretences and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.[2] Further disruption occurred during the First World War when John served with the Royal Field Artillery, remaining in the army until March 1919.[3]
By the time of the 1921 census, father and daughter were both employed by F. Drake. John worked as a chair-web weaver while Mabel was recorded as a general worker, indicating that she began factory employment at an early age.
John died on 13 July 1928 at the age of forty-seven from valvular heart disease.[4] He left no will, and his estate was valued at £200.[5]
Marriage and family life
In 1931, Mabel married Leonard Hillard, an aero-engine fitter from Yeovil. Leonard had briefly served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry at the end of the First World War and was recorded as an unemployed engine fitter in 1921, having previously worked for Petters Ltd. [6]
The couple settled at Greenways, 15 Sandhurst Road, Yeovil. Their marriage was cut short when Leonard died at Yeovil Hospital on 13 January 1935 at the age of only thirty-five due to acute pericarditis and phthisis.[7] Their daughter, Leonora Kathleen, was born later that same year. Leonard left an estate valued at £620.[8]
After her husband’s death, Mabel continued to live on Sandhurst Road. The 1939 Register shows her residing there with her young daughter and an unmarried aircraft joiner, who may have been a lodger.
In 1940, she married Charles Walter Wrigley, a toolmaker from Lancashire. They remained at Sandhurst Road and had a son, Ronald, in 1943.
Later life
Mabel’s mother, Florence, died on 31 January 1976 at the age of 92, leaving an estate valued at £9,690. She left Mabel her house at 4 Broadstone Villa, together with £300 and a share of other monies.[9]
Charles died on 24 August 1984 at the age of 74, leaving an estate valued at £23,161.[10] Mabel survived him by almost four years, passing away on 17 February 1988 at the age of 82. She was buried alongside Charles in East Coker cemetery.[11]
Conclusion
Mabel’s life illustrates the gradual shift of employment and opportunities from village industries to the expanding economy of Yeovil. While she began her life in a Hardington weaving family, most of her adult years were spent on the edge of the town, where she endured early widowhood, raised a family and maintained a settled home for more than fifty years.
References
[1] Eddy Turner’s copy of the estate sale catalogue.
[2] Western Chronicle 26 July 1912 p. 4.
[3] Western Chronicle, 5 February 1915, p.6; World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923.
[4] Death certificate of John Rendell.
[5] National probate register.
[6] British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920.
[7] Death certificate of Leonard Hillard.
[8] National probate register.
[9] The will of Florence Sarah Rendell, dated 9 June 1972, proved at Winchester on 31 March 1976.
[10] National probate register.
[11] Monumental inscription at East Coker.
