James Cleall was a Dorset lad born in Broadwinsor who moved to London and in the 1840s joined the Metropoloitan Police.

The 1861 Census shows him aged 36 and living as a lodger in Fulham with his wife Susan and thier nine year old daughter Harriet.

His career in the Police saw him promoted to Sergeant and then "reduced" to Constable again before eventually resigning from the force on the grounds of "being worn out" at the age of 50 on 10th November 1875.

Described as 5ft 8½" tall with grey hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion he bore the distinguishing mark of a "Mermaid tatooed on left arm".

He was entitled to a pension of £52 a year and it would appear that he decided to return with that to his childhood home of West Dorest where for £120 he purchased the house that is now Yew Tree Cottages in 1880.

The 1881 Census list him, his wife Susan and their daughter Harriet still living in a "Private House" in Netherbury but four years later in 1885 he'd sold it to John Pye for £145 and the 1891 Census shows that he and Susan have moved to Bothernhampton which is where he died later that year.

The 1891 Census has Harriet listed as a visitor at the house of different James Cleall, a Baker, and his wife also called Harriet in West Allington.

By 1901 Harriet and Susan appear to be living together once again in two rooms at The Lodge, Holly Bush, Berrow, Worcestershire where  Susan by now 73 years old is listed as Lodge Keeper. Harriet is listed as Single and doesn't have a profession or occupation.