In April 1861, Robert Reader junior was a gardener at Hardington, aged 16.

Early life

Robert was born at East Coker in 1845, the eldest son of Robert Reader and his wife, Susan. He was baptised at East Coker on 29 May 1853. In about 1858. he moved to Hardington with his parents and siblings.

In 1860, Robert suffered a terrible blow when he lost his sight. Initially, local doctors were hopeful of a cure and, in 1862, sent him to a London Ophthalmic Hospital. However, after a few months, the hospital discharged him as incurable.[1] Robert did not allow this setback to define his life and, with courage and reliance, led a full and active life.

First marriage

On 16 July 1868, at St John the Baptist church, Eastover, Bridgwater, Robert married Ann Bryant, the daughter of a collier. By April 1871, they lodged at 79 East Reach, Taunton.

Robert earned his living as a basket maker, a craft he pursued throughout the 1870s. His wife was a hawker, which presumably means she sold Robert’s baskets.

By 1875, Robert and Ann lived in Mudford, Yeovil. Tragically, Ann died there in March 1875, aged 28.

Second marriage

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

For the first few years of their marriage, Robert and Ann moved from place to place. Their first child was born at Bridgwater on 17 July 1877, and their second at Wells on 23 November 1878. By April 1881, Robert and Ann had moved to Torquay and lived at 14 Pimlico. Robert was by then a minstrel and remained one for the next twenty years or so.

By 5 January 1882, Robert and his family had moved to Bristol, which became their permanent home. Their addresses in the city were as follows:

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, the black retriever dog which led Robert around was stolen from the yard in front of his house but later recovered.[2]

Death

Sarah died in about 1925, aged 75; Robert died on 27 September 1926, aged 80.

Children

According to the 1911 census, they had nine children, four of whom had died by the census date.

References

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

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