Introduction

Robert Reader lost his sight by the age of sixteen. Despite this significant challenge, he led a long and active life. He married twice and earned a living as a basket maker, rag and bone collector and street musician.

Early life

Robert was born at East Coker in 1845, the first of twelve children born to Robert and Susannah Reader. He was baptised at East Coker on 29 May 1853. In about 1858, he moved to Hardington with his parents and siblings. By April 1861, he was a gardener, probably working alongside his father.

Blindness

Whether Robert was born blind or became blind during childhood remains unclear. In 1862, Dr. Wills of Crewkerne visited him and advised the Poor Guardians to send Robert to the London Ophthalmic Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, after a few months, the hospital deemed him incurable and discharged him.[1] Despite this setback, Robert did not allow his blindness to define him. He faced life with courage and resilience, leading an active life.

First marriage

On 16 July 1868, Robert married Ann Bryant at St John the Baptist Church, Eastover, Bridgwater. Ann, who grew up in the St. George district of Bristol, faced poverty after her father, Francis, a miner, died young. By March 1851, Ann, her mother and five siblings were all claiming poor law support. By April 1861, when Ann was 13, she was working as a house servant.

By April 1871, Robert and Ann were lodging at 79 East Reach, Taunton. Robert earned a living as a basket maker, a craft he pursued throughout the 1870s. Ann worked as a hawker, probably selling Robert’s baskets.

By 1875, Robert and Ann had moved to Yeovil, where they lived in Mudford Road, and Robert worked as a rag and bone collector.

Tragically, Ann died there from cancer on 23 March 1875 at the age of 28.[2]

Second marriage

On 30 October 1876, Robert married Ann Thorn, the daughter of a labourer, at Holy Trinity Church, Yeovil. At the time, Robert was  a basket maker living at Hendford.

For the first few years of their marriage, Robert and Ann moved frequently. Their first child was born at Bridgwater on 17 July 1877, and their second at Wells on 23 November 1878. By April 1881, they had settled at Torquay, living at 14 Pimlico. By this time, Robert was a minstrel, a profession he would continue for the next twenty years or so.

By 5 January 1882, the family had moved to Bristol, which became their permanent home. They lived at several addresses in the city, including:

Aug 1887  31 Callowhill

1891         3 Brecknock

1901         4 Cross Street

July 1902  Hampton St, St Paul’s

1911         15 Frogmore Street

1921           9 Lower Lamb Street

In June 1902, Robert’s black retriever, which guided him, was stolen from their yard but was later recovered.[3]

Death

Ann died in about 1925, at the age of 75, and Robert died on 27 September 1926 at the age of 80.[4]

Children

According to the 1911 census, Robert and Ann had nine children, four of whom had died by that time.

References

[1] RG10, piece 2371, folio 47, page 29; Sherborne Mercury, 23 December 1862, p.5.

[2] Death certificate of Ann Reader.

[3] Western Daily Press, 3 July 1902, p.9.

[4] Western Daily Press, 2 October 1926, p.9.