In June 1841, Robert Bartlett was a carpenter living in Broad Lane, Hardington.
Childhood
Robert was born at Haselbury in 1803. His father, Thomas, died in 1837, and his mother died in 1846.
Life at Hardington
On 6 November 1827, Robert married Anne Guppy at Hardington. She was the daughter of Samuel and Anne Guppy and the sister of Thomas and George Guppy.
Robert and Anne lived at Hardington for about a dozen years and had five sons and two daughters.
Robert Bartlett began a building business in 1837 (this was the date used in newspaper adverts by Robert’s son, Samuel, in 1887).[1]
Life at West Coker
In the mid-1840s, Robert and his family moved to West Coker and opened a beer house, which by 1859 was called the “Castle Inn.” In September 1855, the Yeovil magistrates rejected Robert’s application for a spirit licence, and it was not until September 1861 that they finally granted him one.[2]
In about 1847, Robert bought an orchard at Hardington Moor.[3]
The census returns provide evidence of Robert’s growing building business. While the 1851 census describes him as a “Carpenter employing seven men”, the 1861 census describes him as a “Builder & Appraiser (Master) employing 10 men & 1 boy.”
Four of Robert’s building projects can be identified: a shop in Princes Street, Yeovil, for Caleb Loader in 1861, the restoration of West Coker church in 1863/64 (for which he received £715), a house for the Congregational minister at South Petherton in 1868 and alterations to Yeovil’s Workhouse Hospital in 1869.[4]
The restoration of West Coker church was probably Robert’s largest contract. At Christmas time in 1863, the Rector of West Coker treated Robert and his men to beef, plum pudding, and strong beer to show his appreciation for their work on the church. About thirty workers joined in the meal.[5] However, three years later, Robert still had a large work force as, on 9 January 1867, he treated twenty-five of his workers to a supper which included beef.[6]
From about 1867 until 1874, Robert was in partnership with his son, Samuel, after which Samuel assumed sole ownership of the business.
The business gave Robert a good livelihood. When the freehold of the Castle Inn was offered for sale by auction in 1875, he bought it.[7] At his death, he owned the inn and cottages in West Coker.[8]
Robert’s wife, Anne, died on 12 November 1871, aged 73. Robert died on 15 April 1885, aged 81.
In their later years, Robert and Anne shared their home with Susan Guppy, the daughter of Anne’s brother, Thomas. When Robert died, Susan took over the running of the pub until at least 1901.
Robert’s will
For probate purposes, Robert’s estate was valued at £955 3s. He appointed his sons, Thomas and Herbert, as his executors. He left Helen Annie Bartlett, the daughter of his son, Edwin, £10, and Susan Guppy, the daughter of his wife’s brother, Thomas, £100, on the condition that she was still living with him when he died. He left his son, Thomas, his freehold orchard at Hardington Moor, occupied by Edward Hayward. He left the remainder to his six children equally.[9]
References
[1] Western Gazette, 1 July 1887, p.1.
[2] Sherborne Mercury, 11 September 1855, p.3; Sherborne Mercury, 10 September 1861, p.5.
[3] Hardington Voters’ lists.
[4] Sherborne Mercury, 10 December 1861, p.5; Sherborne Mercury, 18 October 1864, p.4; Bridport News, 27 March 1869, p.3; Western Gazette, 20 August 1869, p.7.
[5] Dorset County Chronicle, 14 January 1864, p.8.
[6] Western Gazette, 18 January 1867, p.5.
[7] Western Gazette, 21 May 1875, p.4; voters’ lists.
[8] The will of Robert Bartlett, dated 19 May 1879, proved at Taunton on 3 November 1885.
[9] The will of Robert Bartlett, dated 19 May 1879, proved at Taunton on 3 November 1885.