Introduction
William Alfred Gibbons began his married life as a tenant farmer at Cowcroft Farm, Hardington, but he did not remain in that position for long. Within a few years, he left the holding and spent the rest of his working life in dairy and farm employment across Somerset and Dorset. His career stands in contrast to that of his brother Ernest, who achieved long-term stability as the occupier of Brook Farm, Haselbury.
Early Life
William was born on 11 November 1892 at Bishopstone, near Swindon, the eldest child of Alfred Ernest Gibbons, a dairyman, and his wife Julia Ann. His father’s work required frequent moves in William’s childhood. By 1896, the family was at Faringdon in Berkshire, where two more children were born, Ernest Percival in 1896 and Ann in 1897, the latter of whom died in infancy.
By 1901, Alfred was a dairy manager at Farley, near Salisbury, and in 1911, he was running his own dairy at Queen Camel, where William assisted him. This progression suggests a gradual improvement in Alfred’s position within the dairy trade, moving from employment towards a degree of independence.
By 1916, Alfred and William were joint tenants of Dyers Farm, Holnest.[1] In November of that year, a rural tribunal considered William’s eligibility for military service and granted him a conditional exemption.[2] The family later moved to Crewkerne, where Ernest’s eligibility came under review. In June 1918, a tribunal granted him a six-month exemption after hearing that he was grade 2 and employed by his father.[3]
Haselbury and Cowcroft
In 1919, the family moved to Globe Farm, Haselbury, marking a more settled phase in Alfred’s career.[4] He purchased the 82-acre farm in the Portman estate sale of 1924 and retained it until his death in 1939.[5]
Around 1921, William entered into a tenancy of his own. In October 1920, Thomas Pitt of Haselbury purchased Cowcroft Farm, Hardington, and William took the tenancy of the 84-acre holding. At about the same time, he married Olive Emma Lock, the daughter of Robert Goad Lock, tenant of Rushywood Farm, Haselbury. Olive was born at Wick, Curry Rivel, and moved to Haselbury with her family in 1903. Her mother died in 1915, and five years later her father married Edith Mary Clarke of Manor Farm, Middle Chinnock.
The tenancy at Cowcroft proved short-lived. Their daughter, Rhoda Mary, was born there in 1923, and the Hardington rate book for 31 December 1923 lists William as the tenant. However, a 1927 trade directory names Thomas Pitt’s son, Alfred, as the tenant.
The family moved some distance, as their son, Robert Alfred, was born in the Long Ashton registration district in 1928. The reasons for this move are not recorded, but William did not return to farming on his own account; instead, he worked as an employee.
William and Olive may have received inheritances from their fathers, although the specific provisions of their wills are not yet known. William’s father died in February 1939, leaving £5,317 19s 2d, and Olive’s father died in June 1942, leaving £20,185 13s 7d.
Later working life
In 1939, William was recorded as a cowman at Manor Farm Dairy, Godmanstone. By 1950, he had become a farm manager at Sherrins Farm, Sydling St Nicholas, indicating a responsible but still employed position within agriculture. While they were there, Olive died on 5 December 1950 at the age of 56, leaving an estate valued at £1,366 12s 4d.
Retirement and death
In later life, William moved to 42 Paganel Road, Minehead, where he lived near his daughter. He died on 17 January 1972 at the age of 79, leaving an estate valued at £2,093.
Conclusion
William’s life suggests that early access to a farm tenancy did not necessarily lead to continued independence. Despite beginning at Cowcroft, he spent most of his career in agricultural employment rather than as an independent farmer.
References
[1] Holnest Jury List for 1916.
[2] Western Gazette, 3 November 1916, p.3.
[3] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 June 1918, p.6.
[4] Western Gazette, 15 August 1919, p.1.
[5] Western Chronicle, 26 September 1924, p.7.