Introduction
Mary Sealey put others before herself but found an enduring relationship late in life. Born in North Perrott in 1848, she became a dairymaid at White Vine Farm at the age of 12. Later, she worked as a housemaid in Hackney before returning home to North Perrott to care for her parents and her sister, Ann. After the deaths of her parents, Mary married a widower, and the couple enjoyed at least nineteen years of marriage.
Birth at North Perrott
Mary was the tenth of thirteen children born to Robert and Elizabeth Sealey. Her father, Robert, was a shoemaker.
White Vine Farm
In April 1861, Mary was a dairymaid at White Vine Farm, Hardington, working for Adam Rendell.
Domestic service in Hackney
By April 1871, Mary had moved to Hackney, where she was employed as a housemaid in the residence of John Michael Morris, a former solicitor. During her time there, she was one of five servants. Morris was wealthy, and upon his death in 1873, he left an estate valued at “under £25,000.” Meanwhile, her older sister, Ann, worked as a nurse in a clergyman’s home in Winchester.
Return to North Perrott
By April 1881, both sisters had returned to their parents’ home at North Perrot.[1] At this point, Mary worked as a needlewoman while Ann worked as a dressmaker. It is possible that Mary returned home to care for Ann, who was an invalid.
In June 1889, Ann experienced a frightening incident. After returning from a short walk, she rested in the sitting room, where she spotted something moving on the sofa. She called out for help, prompting their father to rush in and discover a young snake coiled on the sofa.[2]
Their mother died on 18 July 1884, and their father on 23 November 1899.[3]
By March 1901, Mary was living in a four-room house at “The Cross,” North Perrott, and running her own dressmaking business. Ann, who is not recorded on the census, may have been in the Wells asylum at this time.
Marriage
On 28 August 1902, Mary married Henry Male, a bricklayer, at North Perrott. Henry, a widower, had lost his first wife the previous year. At the time of their marriage, Henry was 61, and Mary was 53. Following their wedding, Henry moved in with Mary.
Ann’s death
Ann died at the lunatic asylum, Wells, on 26 February 1909, at the age of 61, and was buried at North Perrott on 3 March.[4]
Mary’s death
Mary died at North Perrott on 26 November 1935 at the age of 87.[5] Henry had predeceased her, but a record of his death has not yet been found.
References
[1] Mary had probably returned by 16 August 1877 when she served as a witness to the marriage of her sister Amelia at North Perrott.
[2] Western Gazette, 28 June 1889, p.6.
[3] Chard and Ilminster News, 26 July 1884, p.5; Western Chronicle, 1 December 1889, p.1
[4] Western Chronicle, 12 March 1909, p.8.
[5] Death certificate of Mary Male.
