Introduction

Rachel Hodges lived at Moor Farm, Hardington Moor, from about 1833 until her death in 1869. She demonstrated remarkable toughness, running the farm for twenty-six years after the death of her husband and facing numerous challenges, including the loss of five family members: her husband, who died relatively young from cancer, two daughters in infancy, and two sons in their twenties. She also endured the emigration of a son and daughter to America in the 1840s.

Birth

Rachel was born at Seavington in about 1795, the fifth of six children born to Giles and Mary Hodges.

Marriage

On 6 February 1824, she married Daniel Paul at Seavington St Mary.

Married life at Seavington St Mary

They initially lived at Seavington St Mary, where Daniel worked as a labourer. During this time, they had four children, although one of them died in infancy.

Move to Hardington

In about 1833, they moved to Hardington to live at Moor Farm. They had three more children there, but once again, one died in infancy. The 1841 shows a household consisting of Daniel, Rachel and five children.

Husband’s death

Daniel died on 21 February 1843 from cancer at the age of 51.[1] He left Rachel with a life interest in his property, which included a house at Towns End, Seavington St Mary.[2]

Rachel’s later life

After her husband’s death, Rachel showed remarkable strength and continued to run the farm with her sons, James, Thomas and Giles. Over time, however, that support diminished. Her daughter, Mary, married in 1843 and emigrated to America shortly after, while James followed suit in 1849. Thomas married in 1855 but died on 8 April 1858 from an inflammatory fever and congestion of the lungs.[3] Giles died on 15 April 1856 from locked jaw as a result of an accident.[4]

After Giles’s death, Daniel was the only sibling remaining at home. He had begun his career as a tailor but temporarily abandoned it to help his mother on the farm.

In 1858, Rachel was an overseer, a role that involved overseeing the collection of poor rates.[5]

In 1860, her charge to church rates dropped from over 40s to a mere 3s 17d, suggesting she may have given up a substantial amount of land. In April 1861, Rachel was farming 13 acres at Hardington Moor.[6]

Death

Rachel died on 19 March 1869 from heart disease at the age of 73. Mary Boucher, the shoemaker’s wife, registered the death, leaving it uncertain if Daniel was by his mother’s side at that time.[7] He may have been living in London by then, as the 1871 census shows him living in Marylebone and working as a tailor.

Children

Daniel and Rachel had four sons and three daughters, but two of their daughters died in infancy.

References

[1] Death certificate of Daniel Paul.

[2] The will of Daniel Paul, dated 9 January 1841, proved at Wells on 8 May 1843.

[3] Death certificate of Thomas Paul.

[4] Death certificate of Giles Paul.

[5] Jury list.

[6] The 1851 census does not specify Rachel Paul’s acreage because she identified herself as formerly a farmer’s wife, rather than as a farmer.

[7] Death certificate of Rachel Paul.