Introduction

Wilhelmina Anning was a dairymaid on Abraham Genge’s farm at Hardington in April 1861. She originally came from East Devon, where her father worked as a shoemaker. After the death of his wife in the 1840s, he relocated to Yeovil with his children to start anew, but tragically, at least two of his children died young. In 1870, Wilhelmina married and settled in Queen Camel, where she had three children.

Childhood in Devon

Wilhelmina was born at Offwell, Devon, in 1840, the youngest of four children born to Henry and Jane Anning. Her father was a shoemaker.

By June 1841, the family had moved to Haywells Cottage, Northleigh.

Wilhelmina’s mother died in the 1840s.[1]

Move to Yeovil

After his wife’s death, Henry moved to Yeovil with his children. Wilhelmina’s brother, Theophilus, died in Yeovil in November 1848 at the age of 13. Another brother, Cornelius, died in February 1859 at the age of 25. Her sister, Guljasella, disappears from the records after 1841.

By March 1851, Henry and Wilhelmina were living at Goar Knapp, Yeovil.

Father’s second marriage

In 1852, Henry married Bathia Walls, the daughter of Edwin Walls, a cordwainer who also lived at Goar Knap. Bathia was 23 at the time, while Henry was about twenty-six years older, though he gave his age as 45. They both signed the register with a cross.

Henry and his new wife remained in Yeovil, where they had five children. Henry died in 1878.

Move to Hardington

By April 1861, Wilhelmina was a dairymaid at Hardington employed by Abraham Genge.

Marriage

In 1870, Wilhelmina married Joseph Brown of Queen Camel.

Queen Camel

Joseph and Wilhelmina lived at Queen Camel for the remainder of their lives, first residing in England’s Lane until at least 1881 and later in Church Lane. In April 1871, Joseph worked as an ostler; by April 1881, he was a general servant, and in April 1891, he was a farm labourer.

Deafness

Wilhelmina became deaf by the age of 40.[2]

Death of husband

Joseph died on 2 February 1899 at the age of 51.

Wilhelmina’s later life

After Joseph’s death, Wilhelmina continued to live in Church Lane with her son, Joseph.

Wilhelmina died in May 1913 at the age of 72. A memorial stone to her and her husband is in Queen Camel churchyard.

Children

Joseph and Wilhelmina had three children: Bessie, Mary and Joseph. Bessie and Mary entered domestic service in London. Bessie remained unmarried, while Mary married George Lovell Yearworth, a Metropolitan Police Constable, in 1896 and settled in Fulham. Joseph stayed at Queen Camel and died in 1930.

References

[1] The Civil Registration Death Index includes the death of an individual named Jane Anning in the Honiton district in 1843, but her age is recorded as 91.

[2] RG14, piece 14426.