Introduction
Tom Abbott was the eldest child in a large family. He worked as a carter at Hardington as a young man. In his late twenties or early thirties, he and his wife left the village to work on a farm near Winchester. He later worked on various farms in West Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey. Tom and his wife did not have any children, and upon his death, he left all his possessions equally to his two youngest sisters.
Birth
Tom was born at Hardington in 1856, the first of twelve children born to Daniel and Susan Abbott. The family lived at Hardington Marsh, where his father, Daniel, worked as a farm labourer.
His parents registered his birth as Thomas Henry and baptised him as Thomas, but later, he was always known as “Tom.”
Occupation
By April 1871, Tom was working as a farm servant and living at home with his parents. By April 1881, he had become a carter, which remained his occupation until he retired.
Marriage
In 1878, Tom married Mercy Rendell at Hardington. She was the daughter of Jeremiah and Anne Rendell. Tom was about 22 years old, and Mercy was a year younger. After their marriage, Tom moved in with his parents-in-law at Hill End, a living arrangement that lasted for at least the next three years.
Migration eastwards
In the 1880s, Tom and Mercy embarked on a new chapter of their lives, moving eighty miles east.
They spent the remainder of their lives in Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey:
April 1891- Knapp, Hursley, Hampshire
March 1901- Canal Cottage, Pulborough, Sussex.
April 1911- Oldfield Cottage, Storrington, Sussex.
June 1921-Little Brockhamhurst
1931-Root Hill, Brockham, Betchworth, Surrey.
The last two addresses were probably the same.
Death
Mercy died intestate on 13 March 1931, at the age of 75, leaving effects valued at £119-9s-2d.[1] Tom died on 2 November 1931, at the age of 73, with effects valued at £135 15s 8d. In his self-drafted will, dated 14 September 1931, he bequeathed all he possessed to his sisters, Lillie Louise Godfrey and Elizabeth Abbott, in equal shares. He appointed the grocer, Charles Edward Stent, as his executor.[2]
Children
Tom and Mercy had no children.
References
[1] National probate calendar.
[2] The will of Tom Abbott, dated 14 September 1931, proved in London on 10 December 1931.
