In June 1841, Dorcas Apsey was an “independent”, aged 65, living with her nephew, Joseph Haggett, near Broadstone.

Her life

Dorcas was born in about 1766, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Apsey.

On 17 July 1798, her sister, Elizabeth, married John Haggett. They had a daughter, Elizabeth (who married John Bartlett), and two sons, Joseph and Thomas.

Dorcas died a spinster at Yeovil on 1 February 1846, aged 80. Her body was interred at Hardington.

Her will

Dorcas left an estate valued at under £200.[i]

She left two orchards named Moors Orchards at Hardington Marsh to her nephews, Joseph and Thomas Haggett, as tenants in common.

She left the residue of her estate, including leasehold lands she held with her sisters, Jane Haggett and Hester Eastment, widow, to her trustee, Richard Genge, a gentleman of East Chinnock, to convert into cash. She directed him to give one-third to her nephew, Joseph Haggett and one-third to her nephew, Thomas Haggett. He was to pay the income from the other third to her niece, Elizabeth, the wife of John Bartlett of Hardington, labourer, for life and then divide the capital between her children.

References

[1] The will of Dorcas Apsey, dated 19 May 1843, proved 10 February 1846.