Early lives

William was born at Wraxall, Dorset, in about 1781, and his sister, Ruth, four years later.

Their father, William, died in May 1787 and their mother, Hannah, in 1818.

In June 1841, Ruth worked with her brother, George, at Urless Farm, Corscombe. William has not been located.

Hardington

The Hardington tithe survey shows William occupying a farm owned by Sophia Mina Legg, later known as Grove Farm.

William died on 18 April 1848, aged 67, and was interred at Corscombe four days later. He left his whole estate, including his “stock in husbandry”, to his sister, Ruth.[1]

The 1851 census shows Ruth farming 60 acres at Hardington Marsh and employing three labourers. Her household included three servants: Robert Wareham, 47; Ruth’s sister, Joan Coombes, 73; and Ann Russell, 17. Her sister, Joan Coombes, died at Hardington Marsh in June 1853 and was interred at Corscombe.

Ruth left Hardington in about 1859

Halstock

By April 1861, Ruth farmed 24 acres at Halstock. Her household included her bailiff, Robert Wareham, and a nineteen-year-old dairymaid.

Ruth’s death

Ruth died at Beaminster on 19 August 1869, aged 84. Six days later, she was interred at Corscombe.

She left an estate valued at “under £100.”

The will of Ruth Bird of Beaminster, spinster

I appoint my nephew, John Bird of Maiden Newton, Dairyman, sole executor.

I direct my executor at his discretion to divide my wearing apparel equally between my nieces, Elizabeth Walden and Jane, the wife of William Taylor, and my late servant, Emily Ford.

To my nephew, John Bird: all my messuages, tenements, lands and hereditaments and the remainder of my personal estate.

Signed with her mark.

Wit: Rob Leigh, Eli Elliott.[2]

References

[1] The will of William Bird, dated 13 February 1847, proved at London on 18 May 1848.

[2] The will of Ruth Bird, dared 14 June 1867, proved at the Principal Registry on 28 October 1869.