Introduction
Rosina Marsh’s life was profoundly shaped by the pub trade. Her parents began running pubs when she was around 13. Following her father’s death, Rosina briefly became a licensee for about eight months at the age of 36. After living with her aunt in Hardington, she married at the age of 43. Her husband was a widower considerably older than her, who ran a pub near Taunton. Rosina assisted him in managing the pub until his death in 1915. During her long widowhood, she lived for many years at Taunton before moving in with her niece in Hampshire.
Early life
Rosina was born on 3 October 1853 at Odcombe, the third of four children born to Abel and Susan Marsh.[1] Her father was a labourer, while her mother was a glover.
Her father managed to improve the family’s circumstances. By April 1861, they had moved to Clapton, Crewkerne, where he worked as a turnpike gatekeeper. They then moved into Crewkerne to run a pub. From 1866 to 1882, he was the landlord of the Cross Keys Inn in Crewkerne.[2] In July 1882, he became the landlord of the Rose and Crown Inn at Bradford Abbas, where he also engaged in farming.[3]
Rosina’s mother died at Bradford Abbas in 1885, at the age of 60. After her death, Rosina probably took on more responsibilities in running the inn.
On 31 October 1889, Abel Marsh’s life was cut short when he died as a result of falling down the stairs the previous evening.[4] He left an estate valued at £185 7s 9d, which he bequeathed equally to his four children.[5]
Rosina was granted a temporary licence in November 1889 and a permanent one in January 1890; however, she gave it up the following June.[6] On 2 April 1890, she held a sale of her farming stock, household furniture, and other effects.[7]
After that, she resided with her mother’s sister, Emma Wakely, at Hardington, living off her own means. She might have only lived at Hardington for a short time before moving in with her uncle, Robert Brake, who farmed 13 acres at Lower Odcombe. She was living at Odcombe when she married in 1897. Evidence suggests that he played a significant role in her life, as he witnessed her wedding and served as the executor of her late father’s will.
Marriage
On 3 June 1897, Rosina married John Northcote Vincent at Odcombe. He was a widower from Pitminster, with a background in farming, the military, and the licensed trade. The son of a farmer, he enlisted in the army and rose to the rank of sergeant on the permanent staff of the first Somerset militia.[8] Upon retiring from the military in 1880, he became a Steward at the County Club, Taunton.[9] In about 1891, he became the landlord of the Crown Inn, Staplehay, Pitminster. His first wife died there on 14 January 1892, after a long illness.[10] Rosina may have met him through her sister and brother-in-law, who lived at 4 Silver Street, Taunton.
John and Rosina ran the Crown Inn together until the First World War.[11] By 1915, they had retired to Comeytrowe, Trull. John died there on 10 September 1915, at the age of 78, leaving an estate valued at £289-4s-3d, which he bequeathed to his wife, except for 15 guineas for his executor.[12] He was buried at Pitminster alongside his first wife.
Widowhood
In June 1921, Rosina lived in Comeytrowe Road, Trull. By September 1939, she lived with four other women at 6 The Avenue, Tamton.
Towards the end of her life, she lived with or near her niece, Lilian Food, at Overton in Hampshire. When she made her will on 22 September 1945, she was living at Coburn, Southington, Overton.[13]
Rosina died on 24 May 1949, aged 95, leaving an estate valued at £1,497-12s-4d, which she bequeathed to her niece, Lilian Flood, “as an acknowledgement of her great kindness to me.”. Her last address was Lilian’s home at 44 Winchester Street, Overton.
References
[1] Civil Registration Birth Index; 1939 Register.
[2] https://www.patrickcarroll.co.uk/the-inn-at-the-crossroad-chapter-ten-requiescant-in-pace/
[3] Western Gazette, 28 July 1882, p.8.
[4] Western Gazette, 1 November 1889, p.8; 8 November 1889, p.8.
[5] The will of Abel Marsh, dated 10 April 1878, proved at Blandford on 25 February 1890.
[6] Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 30 November 1889, p.5; Western Gazette, 31 January 1890, p.8; 27 June 1890, p.8. The report of 30 November 1889 erroneously refers to the licence being transferred to Abel’s widow.
[7] Western Gazette, 21 March 1890, p.8.
[8] Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Admissions and Discharges, 1715-1925.
[9] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 3 February 1892, p.5.
[10] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 20 January 1892, p.5.
[11] The will of John Nethercote Vincent, dated 18 November 1914, proved at Taunton on 11 October 1915.
[12] The will of John Nethercote Vincent, dated 18 November 1914, proved at Taunton on 11 October 1915.
[13] The will of Rosina Vincent, dated 22 September 1946, proved at Winchester on 21 March 1950.
