Introduction

Thomas James Griffin lived at Abbott’s Hill Farm, Pendomer, from his childhood until his mid-fifties. His departure from the farm may have been due to health reasons, as he died four years later from Addison’s disease. He spent his retirement living in a house in Barry Lane, Hardington.

Birth at Stockland

Thomas was born at Stockland around 1825, the sixth of seven children born to John and Eleanor Griffin.

Life at Abbotts Hill Farm, Pendomer

Thomas’s father was a farmer who, between 1827 and 1841, relocated the family from Stockland to Abbotts Hill Farm, Pendomer.

On 2 May 1850, at Merriott, Thomas married Mary Jane Saunders, the daughter of Matthew Saunders, a dairyman. They moved in with Thomas’s parents at Abbotts Hill and soon had two sons: Thomas James, who was baptised at Pendomer on 10 November 1850, and John, who was baptised at Pendomer on 30 October 1851.

Thomas’s mother died in 1851, and the following year, his wife died, probably while giving birth to their third son, who also did not survive.

On 24 December 1855, at Pendomer, Thomas married Mary Hopkins, the daughter of Joseph Hopkins, a dairyman.

On 20 December 1874, Thomas’s father died, leaving an estate valued at “under £200”, which he bequeathed entirely to Thomas.[1]

In 1879, Thomas retired from farming, holding his farm sale on 19 April.[2]

Retirement at Hardington

After retiring, Thomas and Mary moved to Barry Lane, Hardington. Thomas died on 29 December 1883, from Addison’s disease at the age of 59.[3]

Mary’s final years

In April 1891, Mary was lodging with Thomas and Mary Eastment in Swins Lane. Following Thomas’s death in January 1896 or earlier, she moved in with her stepson, John Griffin, at Sandford Mill, Sanford Orcas, where she died on 8 November 1898 at the age of 89.[4]

References

[1] The will of John Griffin, dated 31 March 1873, proved at Taunton on 19 February 1875.

[2] Western Gazette, 18 April 1879, p.4.

[3] Death certificate of Thomas James Griffin.

[4] Western Gazette, 18 November 1898, p.8.