Introduction

For most nineteenth-century farm labourers, it is difficult to determine their specific roles or employers, but in Robert Eastment’s case, we know he was a shepherd who probably worked at Bridge Close Farm. After his early death, his widow was left to care for their nine children alone. She outlived him by thirty-four years and did not remarry. During much of this time, she shared her home with her son, James, and her daughter, Patience. Towards the end of her life, she received poor law support.

Childhood

Robert was born in about 1831 at Hardington, the sixth of ten children born to Robert and Amy Eastment. His father worked as a weaver and later as a higgler, shopkeeper and fish seller.

Robert is not listed in the 1851 census, suggesting that he was probably working on a nearby farm at that time.

Marriage

On 21 July 1853, Robert married Mary Ann Eastment at Hardington. She was the daughter of Isaac and Patience Park. Before their marriage, Mary Ann worked as a farm servant for William White for at least ten years.

Residences

In April 1861, Robert and his family were living at Hardington Marsh, near Francis Dawe. By April 1871, they lived at Hill End in a property listed in the Guardian Valuations as ‘late Gullidge.’

Occupations

In April 1861, Robert was employed as a farm labourer. By April 1871, he had taken on the role of shepherd.[1]

On 7 April 1879, he witnessed the will of George Marsh of Bridge Close Farm, who was probably his employer.

Children

Robert and Mary Ann had ten children, but unfortunately, their second child died in infancy. The 1871 census recorded nine children still living at home. Over the next decade, two daughters entered domestic service, and their son, James, enlisted in the army.

Death

Robert was found dead in bed on September 27, 1879. An inquest was conducted by the Deputy-Coroner four days later, but specific details are unknown. The lack of newspaper coverage suggests that the jury probably concluded the cause of death was natural. His death certificate states he was 50 years old, but he was probably around 47.[2]

Mary’s later life

Mary lived for the remainder of her life in Barry Lane in a house owned by the Vassall trustees and later by George Shire. The 1881 census recorded her as a glover with six children living at home.

On 12 April 1883, Mary Ann’s oldest child, Isaac, aged 29, fell ill with catarrhal pneumonia and died four days later.[3] His death was registered by his sister, Susan.

Other changes to the family unit occurred. In 1884, Robert married and moved to Haselbury, while in 1886, Richard enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry. Susan and Samuel also left home, but James returned.[4] By the late 1880s, James and Patience were the only children still living at home.

Mary Ann changed her occupation from glover to laundress and, with the help of James and Patience, was able to maintain a degree of independence for many years. However, by March 1901, at the age of 77, she received poor law support.

Mary died in 1913, at the age of 88. After her death, James and Patience moved to 9 Higher Kingston, Yeovil. Neither of them married.[5] James died in 1930, and Patience in 1943.

Children

Robert and Mary had five sons and five daughters.

References

[1] Robert may have been a shepherd in 1861, but the census does not explicitly state this.

[2] Death certificate of Robert Eastment.

[3] Death certificate of Issac Eastment.

[4] It is not clear what happened to either Susan or Samuel Eastment; nor is it clear what happened to Frances Eastment, who was a servant at Hermitage in April 1881.

[5] Richard Eastment did not marry either.