Introduction

Thomas William Loveridge was born on a large farm in Devon, but his family faced hardship when his father went bankrupt when Thomas was just seven years old. After spending some time working in London as a young man, Thomas returned to the West Country to pursue a career in agriculture, renting various dairies and farms in Devon and Somerset, including Moor Farm at Hardington Moor. Tragically, one of his sons lost his life during the First World War.

Early life

Thomas was born on 19 November 1863 at Poltimore Farm, Farway, Devon. He was the fourth of six children born to James Gill and Frances. Loveridge. His father, James, farmed 306 acres and employed four men and two boys.

James became the tenant of Poltimore Farm in 1860, but by 1871, he had gone bankrupt and had to leave the farm.[1] He then moved to Wyke Lane, Axminster, where he farmed 46 acres and also worked as a sanitary inspector. When he died in 1894, his estate was valued at a mere £48 12s 10d.[2]

By April 1881, three of James’s children had left home, including Thomas, who was working as a barman at the Antigallican pub in Southwark, employed by Robert Trott from Seaton.

Marriage

In 1887, Thomas married Lucy Miller at Musbury. Lucy was the daughter of John Miller, a farmer.

Axminster

The couple settled initially at Axminster, where they had two children: Byron, born on 2 July 1888, and an unnamed son born in 1889, who died in infancy.

Hardington

By April 1891, the family had moved to Moor Farm, Hardington Moor. At that time, they employed two live-in servants: Ellen Hutchings, a 15-year-old domestic servant, and Albert Partridge, a 15-year-old dairyman.

Life after leaving Hardington

After leaving Hardington, Thomas and Lucy returned to Axminster, where they had two more children: Thomas Gill, born in 1895, and Elsie Maud, born on 5 November 1898. They then moved to Ridge Farm, Stockland, where their last child, Hilda Marian, was born on 19 December 1901. 

The family had more moves in subsequent years: in April 1911, they lived at Wellfield Farm in Hawkchurch, and by June 1921, they were at Passlands Farm in Membury.

Lucy died in the Bridgwater area in 1935, at the age of 72.

In September 1939, Thomas was living as a retired farmer in Pedwell, Ashcott.

Thomas died in the Bridgwater area in 1942, at the age of 79.

Children

Thomas and Lucy had five children, including an unnamed son who died in infancy. Their third son, Sergeant Thomas Gill Loveridge, was killed in action on the Western Front on 19 September 1918.

References

[1] Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 8 September 1871, p.6.

[2] Will of James Gill Loveridge, dated 16 January 1894, proved in London on 28 November 1894.