In April 1871, Michael Dawe, a 70-year-old “Gentleman”, lived at Marsh Farm, in the household of his nephew, Francis Dawe.
Early life
Michael was born at Benville Park, Corscombe, in about 1801, the youngest son of Thomas and Grace Dawe. He was baptised at Melbury Bubb on 14 April 1805 “in the 4th year of his age”.
By 1832, Michael and his parents lived in East Chinnock. The 1832 voters’ list records him as the occupier as tenant of Barrow’s Farm, that for 1834 as the occupier of part of Barrows Farm, and that for 1846 as holding a lease for years of Broad and other land.
He is listed on the voters’ lists for Chardstock in 1840, 1841, and 1842 as the owner of freehold land.
Michael has not been found on the census of 1841. In 1843, he occupied a dairy house at Hardington Marsh.
Married life at East Chinnock
On 28 October 1846, Michael married Betsy Barnard of Somerton. She was the daughter of William Barnard, a house proprietor, and his wife, Keturah. A few years earlier, she had married and had a son with Charles Butt, a man who, unknown to her, was already married.[1]
Michael and Betsy set up a home in East Chinnock, where they had five children. A sixth was born at Chardstock in 1860.
In March 1851, Michael was a farmer of 240 acres, employing five men and five boys.
Chardstock and bankruptcy
By April 1861, Michael and Betsy lived at Coxden Mill, Chardstock. Michael was a landed proprietor, and his brother, Francis Dawe, was the miller.
Michael and Betsy pursued an affluent lifestyle, spending much on educating their sons. Betsy’s son by Charles Butt, William Field Barnard, matriculated at St Mary Hall, Oxford, on 8 November 1860.[2]
They overextended themselves financially. On 15 February 1862, the Court of Bankruptcy for the Exeter district adjudged Michael bankrupt and sent him to the Devon County Prison.[3] On 26 June 1862, the County Court granted an order to discharge.[4]
Although Michael did not enter business again, he and Betsy did return to respectability. Their eldest son, Michael Watson Bodley Dawe, attended Balliol College, Oxford, from 1867 to 1871.[5] In April 1871, his son, Richard Hill Dawe, was a pupil at Tiverton.
Bedminster
In April 1871, Betsy was at Hillsbridge House, Bedminster; Michael was at Hardington Marsh in the household of his nephew, Francis.
Michael died at Bedminster on 12 January 1876, aged 75. The death index recorded his name as Michael Watson Dawe, but he was called simply Michael Dawe throughout his life.
Betsy’s widowhood
After Michael’s death, Betsy moved in with her eldest daughter, Frances Ann Bodley Hanscombe, at Pirton Hall, Hertfordshire, which became her long-term home. However, she died on 29 May 1892, aged 77, at the Rectory, Walkington, Yorkshire, the home of her son, Michael.
Michael and Besty’s children
Michael and Betsy had four sons and two daughters. Their eldest son went to Balliol College, Oxford, and then entered the church; the next became a tea merchant; the third a solicitor; and the fourth died in infancy. In 1873, their eldest daughter married a wealthy farmer, and her home at Pirton Hall, Shillington, Bedfordshire, became the home of her mother and her sister, Helen. Helen died unmarried in 1937.
References
[1] Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 12 January 1842, p.7.
[2] Foster, Joseph. Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886, p.62.
[3] Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette, 25 February 1862, p.1
[4] Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 5 July 1862, p.1.
[5] Foster, Joseph. Alumni Oxonienses: The Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886, p.353.