Introduction

Susanna was the wife of a labourer who predeceased her by twenty-five years. Despite her low social status, she had sufficient income to support herself for most of her time as a widow. After her mother’s death in 1833, she inherited a share of a house and garden at Hardington, along with her sisters, Dorcas Mitchell and Edith Beer, as tenants in common.[1] Since their names do not appear in the 1843 tithe survey, it is possible they sold the property. Susanna died at West Coker in 1847.

Birth

Susanna was born at Hardington in about 1768, the second of seven children born to Robert and Elizabeth Bartlett.

Marriage

On 24 November 1792, she married Samuel Bullock at Hardington.[2] Samuel was about 30 years old, while Susannah was about 27. Samuel signed the marriage register, while Susanna made a mark.

Samuel was a labourer.[3] The 1797 Jury list recorded him as a tithingman.

Children

Samuel and Susanna had two children: a son, George, born in 1794, and a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1798. Sarah Bullock, who was baptised at Hardington on 25 January 1818, is recorded as the daughter of Samuel and Susanna. However, given Susanna’s age at the time and the twenty-year gap since her last child, it seems more likely that Sarah was Elizabeth’s illegitimate daughter.

Samuel’s death

Samuel died in December 1822 at the age of 60.

Susanna’s mother’s will

On 14 December 1833, Susanna appeared at Wells to prove the will of her mother, Elizabeth Bartlett, whose estate was valued at “under £100.”[4]

Elizabeth Bartlett left a silver bowl to her son, George, and a house and garden at Hardington to her three daughters—Susanna Bullock, Dorcas Mitchell, and Edith Beer (wife of Charles)—as tenants in common. She left the remainder equally to her daughters, Susanna Bullock, Dorcas Mitchell, Jane (wife of Thomas Game), Ann (wife of John Apsey) and Edith Beer.

1841 census

In June 1841, Susanna was an “independent” living at Hardington Marsh.

Death

Susanna died in May 1847 at West Coker, at the age of 82 or 83, and was buried there.[5] Her sister, Edith Beer, was present at her death and registered it.

Children

Samuel and Susanna had two children:

1794- George (no further information found, except for baptism record);

1798- Elizabeth (married Edward Purchase at West Coker in 1822; resided at West Coker; died in 1842);

References

[1] Dorcas Mitchell actually predeceased her mother.

[2] Samuel may have been born at Buckland Newton.

[3] Hardington baptism register (entry for 25 January 1818); Susanna’s death certificate.

[4] The will of Elizabeth Bartlett, dated 16 August 1828, proved at Wells on 14 December 1833.

[5] West Coker burial register (age recorded as 82); Civil Registration Death Index (age recorded as 83).