Introduction
Thomas Farnham married Sophia Bird, a widow, in 1808. They lived in Moor Lane, where Thomas worked as a weaver. After their eldest son, Edward, married in 1834, Edward’s family probably shared their home. For at least the last four years of their lives, they received outdoor relief.
Birth
Thomas was born at Hardington around 1777, but his parentage is unknown.
Marriage
On 12 June 1808, he married Sophia Bird at Hardington. At the time of their marriage, Thomas was about 31 years old, while Sophia was about 35. Both signed the register with a mark. Their first child was baptised five months after their marriage.
Sophia was a widow; her first husband, William Bird, died in West Coker in December 1802, just three months after their marriage. Her maiden name was Delamont, and she was born in Hardington around 1773.
Family life at Hardington
The couple settled at Hardington, where Thomas worked as a weaver. They had six children, though one died in infancy. By March 1837, four of their children had married and left home, leaving only their youngest daughter, Charlotte, at home.
The 1841 census recorded Thomas, Sophia and Charlotte living at Hardington Moor. Both Thomas and Charlotte were weavers at that time. Their son, Edward, lived in an adjoining household with his family.
The 1843 tithe survey recorded Thomas as the occupier of a house and garden in Moor Lane owned by Henry Kiddle (number 139). It is also possible that he and John Farnham occupied a half-acre plot owned by Lord Ilchester.[1]
By March 1851, Thomas and Sophia were both paupers, and Edward’s family lived with them in the same household.
Death
Thomas died in November 1855 at around the age of 74, and Sophia died a few weeks later at about 79.
Children
Thomas and Sophia had six children:
Circa 1808- Edward (married Ann Oster at East Coker in 1834; resided at Hardington and East Coker; died in the Yeovil Workhouse in 1876);
Circa 1811- Mary (married James Rendell, a weaver, at Hardington in 1832; resided at East Coker and Hardington; died in 1877);
1813- Thomas (married Mary Down at West Coker in 1834; resided at West Coker, where he worked as a weaver and later a farm labourer; died in 1888);
Circa 1815- George (married Mary Delamont at Hardington in 1837; worked as a weaver and later farm labourer; resided at Hardington, West Coker and Montacute; died in 1878);
Circa 1817- Harriet (died in infancy);
Circa 1820- Charlotte (never married; became a housekeeper at Hinton St George; died in 1880).
References
[1] Another man named Thomas Farnham lived at Coker Hill, making it difficult to differentiate between them.
