Introduction

Thomas Palmer was a retired farmer who lived with James Poole and his family in the High Street at Hardington. Unfortunately, little is known about him.

Birth

Thomas was born at Ilchester around 1774, the first of two children born to Thomas and Rachel Palmer. His mother, Rachel, died in December 1775.

Hardington

In March 1851, Thomas Palmer, a widower and annuitant aged 77, was living with James Poole’s family. He died on 27 November 1851, from “natural decay” at the age of 78 and was buried at Hardington on 2 December 1851. His death certificate refers to him as a yeoman.[1]

Mystery

Details about Thomas Palmer’s earlier life remain unclear. It is unlikely that he is the same Thomas Palmer recorded at Bower Hinton in June 1841, as that individual appears to have died in 1849.[2]

References

[1] Death certificate of Thomas Palmer.

[2] Sherborne Mercury, 10 November 1849, p.4.