Introduction

Samuel Scadding worked as a gardener for much of his life. Although he pursued a peaceful occupation, his life was not without drama. He was married twice, cohabited with his second wife’s sister and lived in several widely spaced locations, including Exeter, Privett in Hampshire and Hardington.

Early life in Devon

Samuel was born at Talaton around 1826, the fourth of six children born to Thomas and Mary Scadding. His father was a farm labourer.

By the time Samuel was five, the family had moved a couple of miles north to his father’s home parish of Payhembury. In June 1841, Samuel was a male servant at Higher Park Farm, Payhembury. He has not been found on the 1851 census.

First marriage

In 1860, Samuel married Jane Tanswell at Exeter. Jane was the daughter of George Tanswell, the landlord of the New Inn at Buckhorn Weston, Dorset.

By April 1861, Samuel and Jane were living at Penleonard Cottage, St Leonards, Exeter. Samuel was a gardener, probably at Penleonard House. Jane died later that year, at the age of 35.

Second marriage

After Jane’s death, Samuel moved to Hampshire, where he married Jane Earwaker in 1863. Jane, the daughter of Thomas Earwaker, a blacksmith of Privett near Petersfield, had an illegitimate daughter, Mary Ellen Earwaker, born in 1858.

Samuel returned to Devon with his new wife and stepdaughter. By 1870, they were living in Birchen Lane, Tiverton. Unfortunately, Samuel and Jane only spent seven years together, as Jane passed away on 12 May 1870, at the age of 48.[1]

Jane’s death left her daughter, Mary Ellen, without a female carer, and Jane’s younger sister, Ellen, stepped in to fill the breach. By April 1871, Samuel, Ellen and Mary Ellen were living at Rowford Cottage, Cheddon Fitzpaine. Samuel was working as a gardener, and Ellen was his housekeeper.

In 1879, Mary Ellen married William Hooper Lewis, a general labourer, and the couple settled in Exeter.

Cohabitation with his sister-in-law

By April 1881, Samuel and Ellen were living at Lyatts, Hardington. The 1881 census recorded Ellen as his wife; however, no record of their marriage has been found, and indeed, it was illegal at that time for a man to marry his deceased wife’s sister.

Ellen died in Exeter in February 1890 at the age of 63. The date of Samuel’s death has not been found.[2]

References

[1] Tiverton Gazette (Mid-Devon Gazette), 17 May 1870, p.5.

[2] Samuel had a cousin with the same name who was born at Talaton around 1826 and died at Ottery St Mary in 1900. It is easy to confuse the two individuals.