Introduction

Mary Ann Bartlett and her husband, Matthew, ran the New Inn at Hardington from the mid-1850s until Matthew’s death in 1877. The licence then passed to Henry Sandiford, the husband of their daughter Jane Augusta. However, Mary Ann continued to live at the inn for another ten years.

Birth

Mary was born at Hardington in about 1807, the only child of Robert and Mary Eastment.

Marriage

On 21 February 1828, she married Matthew Bartlett at Hardington.

Residences

The 1841 census recorded Mary Ann living at Hardington Marsh with four children and her parents, while Matthew was away from home. Mary Ann’s mother died in 1847, and by March 1851, her father was in the Yeovil workhouse, where he died in 1853.

In 1843, the family lived in Moor Lane, in the house later owned by Major Kirkland.

After the death of Matthew’s father in December 1853, Matthew took over as the landlord of the New Inn.

Children

Matthew and Mary Ann had eight children. Two daughters born in the 1840s died young. The other children left home in the 1850s and 1860s.

The first to leave was Elizabeth Tamar, the eldest daughter, who married James Collins, a blacksmith, in 1853. They moved to Dorchester, where they had one son named James Frank.[1] Unfortunately, James Collins had passed away by April 1861, and after his death, James Frank was raised by Matthew and Mary Ann.[2] Elizabeth Tamar later worked as a nurse in Greenwich before moving to Southampton.

Francis William married Elizabeth Partridge, the daughter of Abraham and Susan Partridge, in 1854, and they emigrated to Australia that same year. By April 1861, Robert and Christopher were living in Southampton, while John was serving in the Royal Marines Artillery.

The last of the siblings to leave home was Jane Augusta. She married Henry Sandiford in 1864, moved to Bermondsey shortly afterwards, and returned in the 1870s.

Inheritance

When Matthew’s mother died in February 1855, he inherited one-sixth of her estate. Her estate was valued at under £200.[3]

Matthew’s death

Matthew died in 1877, at the age of 68.

Mary Ann’s later life

Following Matthew’s death, the inn passed to Henry Sandiford, the husband of their daughter Jane Augusta. Mary Ann lived with them as an annuitant.

Death

Mary died intestate on 29 January 1885, at the age of 77, leaving a personal estate valued at £15-7s-6d.

Children

Matthew and Mary had four sons and four daughters:

1828- Elizabeth Tamar (married James Collins in 1853 and Richard Joslin in 1870; resided at Dorchester, Greenwich and Southampton; died in 1916);

Circa 1830 Robert Matthew (married Susan Fox in 1860; resided at Southampton, Hardington before becoming a gardener at Yeovil; died in 1917);

Circa 1833-Francis William (married Elizabeth Partridge in 1854; emigrated to Australia the same year; died in 1908);

Circa 1825 Jane Augusta (married Henry Sandiford in 1864; lived in Bermondsey; returned to run the New Inn; died in 1907);

1838 Christopher Thomas (resided in Southampton before moving to Bermondsey; married Ann Harwood in 1870; resided at Greenwich, where he worked as a labourer; died in 1926);

Circa 1840 Amelia (died at the age of 4);

1841 Marianne (died at the age of 6 months);

1844 John (enlisted in the Royal Marines Artillery; married Charlotte Partridge in 1881; after her death in 1882, he married Ann Pearson Belton in 1884; died in 1887).

References

[1] Birth of James Frank Collins.

[2] The death of James Collins has not been found.

[3] The will of Elizabeth Bartlett, dated 13 March 1854, proved at Wells 23 March 1855.