[WED]contacts Som-US

[Mary Jackes]

I've just learned something that gives a fresh picture of continuing
contacts between the Somerset colonies in the US and 'home'.  The man
referred to in the following is not a Wedmore area emigrant - he came from
closer to Bristol.  But the general picture is informative:

Charles Hardwick emigrates to St. Charles, Minnesota in 1857 with his wife,
Elizabeth Baker.  She dies and he returns to Somerset to marry his
sister-in-law, Hester Baker, in 1864.  SHE dies and he returns to marry a
relative of the Baker sisters, Jane White, in 1873.  SHE dies and he
returns to marry Ann Wedlake, who outlives Charles.  All four wives, and
Charles, are buried in St. Charles, Minnesota, and are recorded as follows:- 

HARDWICK, ELIZABETH      died 06-13-1863:aged 46 yr:wife of CHAS
HARDWICK, HESTER         died 07-29-1872:aged 55 yr:wife of CHAS
HARDWICK, JANE           died 12-12-1879:aged 55 yr:wife of CHARLES
HARDWICK, C.             died 07-19-1888:aged 76 yrs
HARDWICK, ANN            died 03-12-1892:aged 70 yr 26 days:wife of CHARLES

Thus he crossed the Atlantic 7 times between 1857 and 1880. He was an
ordinary farmer (but apparently told by his doctor to take sea air for the
good of his kidneys!)......
 
Added for Phyllis Pearson:- 

I note you mentioned Popham - that name appears in the Dubuque County, Iowa
records,  
see the Wedmore list archives for some census information on Henry Popham
and see also 
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadubuqu/townships.html
for several more mentions of Henry Popham
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Mary Jackes
Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 0N8, Canada.