Introduction
Robert Chapman’s life spanned a period of major change in rural Somerset, from the tail-end of village weaving to the predominance of farm labouring. Born at Hardington around 1818, he worked as a canvas weaver until at least April 1861, when the trade was in steep decline. His eventual shift to agricultural work was probably the result of the collapse of canvas weaving as a cottage industry. Marriage took him to East Coker for at least six years before he returned to his native village in the mid-1840s. There, he raised a family of eight children. The 1870s brought deep personal loss: his wife and three youngest daughters died within four years, the latter from tuberculosis, then endemic in rural communities. In his seventies, he was still working, recorded in 1891 as a brewer’s labourer, and he probably remained active until shortly before his death in about 1898.
Birth
Robert was born at Hardington in about 1818, the fourth of six children born to Edward and Sarah Chapman. His father was a weaver until the 1840s, when he became a farm labourer.
First marriage
On 5 February 1838, Robert married Charlotte Rendell at East Coker. Robert was about 19 and Charlotte was about 22. Both signed the marriage register with a mark. The couple lived at Atherstone, East Coker for several years, where four children were born.[1]
Between December 1844 and June 1847, they moved to Hardington to live with Robert’s parents in Moor Lane. His mother died in 1848, and his father died sometime after March 1851.
A further four children were born in Hardington, but in 1849 their daughter Emily died from “worms” and ulceration of the mouth and throat at the age of eight.[2]
Robert worked as a canvas weaver until the 1860s, when he became a farm labourer.
Children leaving home
By April 1861, their eldest son, James, had moved to London to work as a pot boy for William and Jane Hogg in a Bloomsbury public house, after securing the position because Jane Hogg came from Hardington. However, he returned home by 1867. Their other son, Charles, also moved to London, initially working as a coachman before becoming the landlord of the Swan Inn, North Mymms.[3]
Their eldest daughter, Mary, married an engine cleaner in 1863 and settled in Yeovil, where she died in 1872. Another daughter moved to Bath, where she married a railway platelayer in 1873, and settled in Keynsham.
Death of first wife and loss of three daughters
Charlotte suffered from heart disease for five years before her death at Hardington on 22 November 1876; her death certificate also records bronchitis for the five days before her death.[4]
In the late 1870s, the couple’s three youngest daughters developed tuberculosis— a disease then endemic in rural Somerset and often fatal in close, damp living conditions. Emily fell ill in 1875 and died on 24 June 1877 at the age of twenty-six.[5]14 Sarah died on 2 November 1877, also aged twenty-six, and Ellen on 1 November 1879, aged twenty-three.[6] After Ellen’s death, only two sons and one daughter survived.
Second marriage and later life
On 29 July 1878, Robert married Mary Stevens, the widow of a farm labourer, at Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil. Robert was about 60, and Mary was about 49. Both gave their address as South Street, likely temporary lodging, and signed the register with a mark. By April 1881, they were back in Hardington Moor, living with two of Mary’s daughters from her first marriage.
In April 1891, Robert, now in his seventies, was recorded as a brewer’s labourer. The nearest brewery was in Yeovil, suggesting occasional work or help with local deliveries.
Death
Robert died in about 1898 at the age of 79.
Mary’s later life
On 25 February 1898, Mary auctioned her furniture and effects because she was leaving the village.[7] She may have moved into her married brother’s home in Yeovil. After his death in 1899, she remained with her sister-in-law. In March 1901, they lived at 3 The Avenue, both receiving outdoor relief. Mary died in 1904 at the age of 77.
References
[1] The births of most of their children were registered under the name “Chipman.”
[2] Death certificate of Emily Chapman.
[3] Charles adopted the name “Chatman.”
[4] Death certificate of Charlotte Chapman. The certificate notes that she also had bronchitis for five days.
[5] Death certificate of Emily Chapman.
[6] Death certificate of Sarah Rendell and the death certificate of Ellen Marsh.
[7] Western Gazette, 25 February 1898, p.1.
