Michael and Martha Weaver

Michael and Martha were first cousins whose fathers were brothers. I wondered if this photograph was taken to celebrate their wedding but it has been dated (by costume dating expert Jayne Shrimpton) to around 1855-57. It was not usual to show any physical contact between a couple in public before they were married but Michael has his arm around Martha so perhaps it was taken to mark their betrothal.

Michael began working as a House Servant at Perry House Farm, Chew Stoke (1851 census) and as an agricultural labourer in Winford along with his father (1861 census). By the 1871 census he was a farmer of 42 acres in Dundry and increased to 102 acres by 1881. The 1891 census gives the name of the farm in Dundry as Grove Farm. The family were here until at least 1893 when Agnes had an illegitimate child. In the 1901 census, Michael is farming at Littleton in the parish of Winford. Michael had Powdermill Farm in WInford and then built Spring Farm, Littleton on neighbouring land, presumably so that his two sons could each inherit a farm.

Michael is still farming at Spring Farm in 1911 and Albert has Powdermill Farm while James has been farming at Upper Grove Farm, Dundry since 1901.

Michael died of Senile Decay and Gangrene of the Leg aged 79. Martha was 80 when she died as a result of diabetes which she had had for 6 years.