Introduction

Michael Mudford was born at East Coker and lived at Hardington Marsh from about 1815 until his death in 1868. In 1839, he and his brother, Thomas, inherited two houses from their uncle, Thomas Mew. He later farmed a smallholding of between seven and eight acres.

Birth

Michael was born at East Coker in about 1789, the second of seven children born to Michael and Elizabeth Mudford.

A model family

On 12 December 1834, at the Yeovil Christmas Cattle Show, Michael’s father won a prize of £3 3s for his industry and faithful service. He had worked as a labourer for William Helyar and his family for sixty-five years, raised seven children to above the age of seven in habits of honest husbandry, and never received parochial relief.[1]

Marriage

On 9 October 1815, Michael married Sarah Bangar at Hardington. Sarah signed the register with a cross.

The available information about Sarah suggests she was the daughter of Edith and Joseph Bangar, who was baptised at Stourton Caundle, Dorset, on 20 October 1787. This identification is consistent with the 1841 census, which indicates that she was not born in Somerset, and with Sarah Mudford naming her first daughter Edith.

Occupations

Michael was a farm labourer until he was about fifty. Then, in 1839, he inherited two houses from his uncle, Thomas Mew, jointly with his only brother, Thomas.[2] This inheritance lifted Michael’s status. From 1841 until his death, he was included on the parish voting lists. The 1851 census recorded him as a farmer of seven acres, and the 1861 census as a farmer of eight acres.

The 1843 tithe survey shows him as the owner-occupier of a house and small orchard near Grove Farm (numbers 716 and 718) and as the occupier of an allotment in Bridle Plot (number 206) and another small plot (number 707).

Wife’s death

Sarah died in June 1850 at the age of 62.

Michael’s later life

In March 1851, Michael lived near Grove Farm with his daughter, Ann, 28, and son, Thomas, 18. Ann had spent time away as a servant on a farm at Yew Tree Close, Yeovil, but, as the eldest daughter, she may have felt obliged to return home when her mother died. Michael’s two other surviving children had left home.

By April 1861, Thomas had moved to Milford in Hampshire. However, Michael’s unmarried sister, Ann, had joined his household alongside his daughter, Ann. This sister died in May 1862 at the age of 68.

In March 1860, Michael was one of many elderly men called by Rev. Helyar’s barrister to support his claim that Isles Lane was a public road. Michael testified that he had travelled back and forth along the lane “loaded and leary” forty years ago and could remember the Sutton Bingham end being repaired several times, although he did not know who paid for the work.[3]

Death

Michael died in January 1868 at the age of 77.

His daughter’s later life

His daughter, Ann, remained in the family house alone for thirteen years. On 26 March 1881, she was admitted to the Somerset Lunatic Asylum suffering from senile gangrene. She died there on 8 April 1881 at the age of 59.[4]

Children

Michael and Sarah had three sons and three daughters. Their son Richard died aged four, and their daughter Edith died aged two. Their son Michael became a gamekeeper, and their son Thomas became a farm bailiff. Their daughter, Jane, died unmarried at 14 Lambridge Place, Walcot, on 11 October 1879, at the age of 55.[5]

References

[1] Sherborne Mercury, 15 December 1834, p.4.

[2] The will of Thomas Mew, dated 15 February 1833, proved 7 June 1839.

[3] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 28 March 1860, p.4.

[4] Death certificate of Ann Mudford.

[5] National Probate Calendars. Jane died intestate, leaving an estate valued at under £100,