Samuel Foss was a shoemaker at Hardington from about 1841 to 1846. His wife, Thirza, was the village schoolmistress.

Early life in Dorset

Samuel was born at Litton Cheney in about 1804. He was the oldest son of Samuel, a dairyman, and his wife, Susanna.

On 12 August 1838, Samuel married Thirza Beart at St Mary’s Church, Marylebone. She was the schoolmistress at the National School, Harrow on the Hill. They moved to Dorset, and their first child was born at Askerswell on 19 July 1839.

Life at Hardington

By the time their second child was born on 23 March 1841, they had moved to Hardington. They lived in the schoolhouse on the south side of the churchyard.

Life at Coryates, Portesham

Between 12 November 1845 and 31 January 1847, they moved to Portesham, after Thirza was appointed a teacher at the free school in Coryates. Samuel continued to work as a master shoemaker.

In November 1849, the Foss family faced a devastating loss when three of their young sons died within a few days of each other.

Thirza remained at Coryates school until her death from rheumatic fever at the age of 56 on 12 May 1867,

Life at Swindon

Samuel went to live with his brother, John, on a dairy farm at Broome, near Swindon and died there on 31 July 1875, aged 71. He was buried with his wife in Little Bredy churchyard.