Introduction

Robert Eastment lived at Hardington for over eighty years, primarily residing at Hardington Marsh. After the collapse of cottage sailcloth weaving, he pursued various occupations. He and his wife had eight children who reached adulthood: seven sons and one daughter. Seven of the children married, and all but one settled in Hardington.

Birth

Robert was born at Hardington in about 1795. No record of his baptism has been found, nor any other records to establish the identities of his parents.

Marriage

On 7 January 1822, Robert married Amy Park at Hardington. Amy was born around 1798 in Corscombe, the daughter of William and Sarah Park. William worked as a carpenter. In 1801, the family was removed from Corscombe to Hardington after becoming chargeable to the poor rates.[1]

Robert and Amy established their home at Hardington Marsh.

Occupations

Robert was a sailcloth weaver until the 1850s, when he changed to retail selling. In March 1856, he was a higgler, in 1859, a shopkeeper and in April 1861, a fish seller.

Children

Robert and Amy had one daughter, Esther, and nine sons, two of whom died in infancy.[2] The 1841 census shows seven children living at home, while their eldest son, Job, was a servant on a nearby farm.

The size of the family gradually diminished over time. William married in 1844 and settled near his parents at Hardington Marsh. In late October 1846, Job developed a fever, which led to his death on 9 February 1847, at the age of 23.[3] Four children married and left home in the 1850s, followed by the remaining two in the 1860s. All the siblings settled permanently in the parish except for Esau, who spent time at Cattistock and Wool, and James, who lived briefly at Pendomer.

By April 1871, all of Robert and Amy’s children had left home. The couple lived in Barry Lane (possibly in a house owned by William White), and Robert worked as a labourer.

Death

Amy died in December 1875, at the age of 77. Robert died in May 1877, at the age of 82.

Children

Robert and Amy had nine sons and one daughter:

Circa 1823- Job (died in 1847 of fever);

Circa 1824- William (married Elizabeth Gillingham at North Perrott in 1844; resided at Hardington where he worked as a farm labourer and, for a brief time, a railway labourer; admitted to Wells asylum in 1884; died in 1891 from heart disease and bronchitis);[4]

Circa 1823- Esau (married Elizabeth Chester at Hardington in 1856; worked as a farm labourer; lived at Hardington, Cattistock and Wool; died in 1889);

Circa 1828- Robert (died in 1829, aged 9 months);

Circa 1830- Robert (died in infancy);

Circa 1831- Robert (married Mary Ann Eastment at Hardington in 1853; resided at Hardington, where he worked as a shepherd; died in 1879);

Circa 1832- Reuben (married Jane Higgins at Hardington in 1859; resided at Hardington, where he worked as a farm labourer; died in 1912);

Circa 1864- Esther (married Albert Marsh, a farm labourer, in 1856; resided at Hardington; widowed in 1885; died in about 1921);

Circa 1838- Isaac (married Honor Eastment in 1863; lived at Hardington, where he worked as a farm labourer; died in 1909);

Circa 1839- James (married Thirza Jane Eastment at Hardington in 1865; lived at Hardington, where he worked as a farm labourer; died in 1902).

References

[1] Removal order dated 2 February 1801.

[2] The two children who died in infancy were both named Robert. The first Robert was baptised on 31 August 1828 and buried on 1 May 1829, at the age of 9 months. The second Robert was baptised on 3 May 1830, but no burial record for him has been found. It is presumed he also died, as a third child was baptised by the name Robert on 6 December 1831.

[3] Death certificate of Job Eastment.

[4] Death certificate of William Eastment.