Birth

Dennis, the fifth child of Tobias and Hester Farnham, was born at Broadwindsor in about 1795.

Hardington

Dennis was probably living in Hardington by 3 June 1815 when he witnessed Dennis Eastment’s will.[1]

Marriage

On 28 November 1820, at Hardington, Dennis married Harriet Farnham, the daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Farnham .

Occupation

By 1829, Dennis was a farmer.[2]

Bridge Close Farm

The 1843 tithe map shows Dennis as the occupier of Bridge Close Farm, which Abraham Genge owned. He also occupied a five-acre field owned by Abraham Genge, three acres owned by Lord Ilchester, six by Henry Kiddle, and five by Lord Portman.

Dennis and his wife’s position on the 1841 census is consistent with their living at Bridge Close Farm.

Prospect farm

By March 1851, they had moved to the farm later named Prospect Farm. However, the 1851 census called it Bridge Farm, the 1861 census called it “1 Towns End, and the 1871 census called it “Towns End Farm.”.

In March 1851, Dennis was a farmer of 28 acres, employing two labourers. In April 1861, he was a farmer of 36 acres, employing two men and one boy.

Inheritance

By his will, proved in 1846, Dennis’s brother, John, left Dennis the principal sum and interest due upon mortgage from Henry Sandiford of Hardington Mandeville and £20.[3]

Parish offices

Dennis was an overseer in 1847 and 1855, an assistant overseer in 1853 and a churchwarden from 1856 to 1858.[4]

Niece

Dennis and Harriet had no children, but Harriet’s niece, Harriet Farnham Bartlett, lived with them for many years. In 1869, this niece married Abraham Genge, and the couple took over running the farm while Dennis and Harriet lived with them, supported by their private means. In April 1871, Abraham Genge was described as a farmer of 55 acres, employing one man and one boy.

Chapel

A pamphlet on the history of Hardington Chapel says that Mrs Farnham walked to Seavington to attend quarterly meetings and held meetings and Sunday school classes at her home, Prospect Farm.

Trusteeship

In 1854, Edward Cox appointed Dennis Farnham and Albert Young as the trustees of his will.[5]

Death

Dennis died on 30 May 1872, aged 78, leaving his estate valued at under £450 to his wife, Harriet.^[6]

Harriet’s later life

By April 1881, Harriet lived with her niece at Manor Farm.

Harriet died on 26 May 1881, aged 77, leaving an estate valued at £200. She left £5 to her brother, William, and £5 to her sister, Honor Delamont. She left her niece, Harriett Farnham Genge, £50 and the residue of her estate.^[7]

References

[1] The will of Dennis Eastment, dated 3 June 1815, proved at Wells on 30 March 1818. The Civil Registration Death Index and the Hardington burial register record Dennis as “Dennis Eastment Farnham”, but no other records do.

[2] Hardington jury lists.

[3] The will of John Farnham, dated 16 May 1845, proved in London on 4 April 1846.

[4] Hardington jury lists.

[5] The will of Edward Cox of Hardington Mandeville, labourer, dated 26 September 1854, proved at Wells on 6 November 1854.

[6] The will of Dennis Farnham, dated 22 February 1853, proved at Taunton on 1 July 1872.

[7] The will of Harriet Farnham, dated 9 June 1879, proved at Taunton on 11 August 1881.