Introduction

Until her mid-thirties, Sarah Gould’s life was closely tied to that of her parents, particularly her father, a Somerset farmer whose fortunes declined steadily. By 1871, Sarah was the only one of her siblings still living at home. She married at the age of 44 to a dairyman, Francis Meech, who was twelve years her senior and had been married twice before. Together, they lived in Crewkerne, Hardington, and East Coker. Sarah survived Francis by only nine months.

Early life

Sarah was born around 1844 at Littleton, a hamlet in the parish of Compton Dundon, Somerset, to William and Sarah Gould.

By March 1851, the family had moved to Walton, near Street, where William farmed 81 acres and employed two labourers.

By April 1861, they had moved to Lodmoor Farm, Wincanton, where William worked as a dairyman. By April 1871, the family had moved again to West Knoyle, where William worked as a farm labourer, and Sarah was a domestic servant. More moved followed, as Sarah’s mother died at Greinton, Somerset in 1878, while her father died at Kington Magna, Dorset, in 1880.

Sarah has not been found on the 1881 census. She may have gone to work in Dorset, which might explain how she met her future husband, Francis Meech.

Married life

Sarah and Francis married at Wheathill, Somerset, on 27 June 1888. Sarah was about 44, while Francis was around 56. Sarah signed the marriage register, but Francis made a mark. The witnesses were Sarah’s sister, Emma, and Emma’s husband, Joseph Sims.

By 18 March 1889, Francis and Sarah were at Easthams Dairy, Crewkerne, where Francis made his will. He bequeathed his estate as it stood on that day equally to his wife and his two children, with any future accumulation going to his wife.[1]

By June 1890, Francis was a dairyman at the Hill House Dairy, Hardington. The 1891 census recorded Sarah as the dairy manager.

On 12 January 1892, Francis sold his dairy utensils and other effects at the Hill Dairy and moved to East Coker.

Francis died at East Coker on 4 February 1901, aged 62, leaving an estate valued at £164 5s 8d.[2]

Widowhood

In March 1901, Sarah was living at Burton Houses, East Coker, next to the Plymouth Brethren Chapel. She died on 6 November 1901, at the age of 56, leaving an estate valued at £232 3s 4d. Sarah bequeathed her mare to her brother-in-law, Joseph Sims, directing that it be kept for breeding purposes and not sold. She divided the remainder of her estate among her brothers and sisters.[3]

Her will reveals that she had lent £60 to Joseph and Emma Sims and did not wish for it to be repaid until an endowment policy on Joseph’s life had matured.

Sarah was interred near her father at Kington Magna, Dorset, on 11 November 1901.

References

[1] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901.

[2] The will of Francis Meech, dated 18 March 1889, proved at Taunton on 15 April 1901.

[3] The will of Sarah Meech, dated 21 October 1901, proved at Taunton on 10 December 1901.