Birth
Abraham, the ninth child of John and Elizabeth Genge, was born at Hardington on 7 February 1803.
First marriage
Abraham married Sarah, the daughter of Matthew and Betty Bartlett, at Hardington on 14 December 1824. Their first child, William, was baptised four days after their marriage. This child died two months later.
Abraham and Sarah had five more children: Elizabeth, William, Susan, John and Abraham. Their last child, Abraham, died at about 15 months. Their son, John, vanishes from the records after 1851, except as a beneficiary under his father’s will.
Occupation
Abraham was a farmer throughout his married life.
In 1843, he occupied 76 acres, 3 roods, and 6 perches owned by Lord Portman, 39 acres, 2 roods, 10 perches owned by himself and 7 acres, 1 rood, and 32 perches owned by Lord Ilchester.
His farmhouse in the High Street was later known as Rydons Farm.
In March 1851, he farmed 140 acres and employed 13 labourers. He also employed Ann Bartlett, sixteen, as a house servant.
A decade later, his farm had grown to 450 acres, the largest in the parish, and he employed nine men and nine boys. Wilhelmina Anning lived in his household as a dairymaid.
On 21 January 1863, Abraham held a farm sale because he was “giving up a portion of his estate.”[1] This sale probably marks his move to Moor Farm.
By April 1871, Abraham and his family had moved to Moor Farm, where he farmed 190 acres and employed five men and four boys.
Parish offices
Abraham was exceptionally active in parish affairs.
He was an overseer in 1830, from 1849 to 1851, in 1856 and 1861, a churchwarden in 1841 and from 1851 to 1854, and a poor law guardian in 1843, 1844, 1847, 1848, 1863,1865, 1869, 1870 and 1872.[2]
Father’s death
Abraham’s father, John, died on 26 November 1841. His will, made one day before his death, states that Abraham had agreed to pay the rent of £33 8s 9d owed to Lord Portman and to be reimbursed from the proceeds of the sale of his father’s property.
John Genge left Abraham one feather bed, bedding, bedstead and furniture. He also left him one-fifth of the residue of his estate after the death of Lucy Gard of East Chinnock and his mentally disabled son, Edward. Lucy died in 1848, and Edward in 1873.
After his father’s death, Abraham took on the responsibility of caring for his brother, Edward, until the 1860s. When Abraham moved to Moor Farm, he ensured Edward’s continued care by placing him in the home of Mary Rendell, an elderly widow in Moor Lane.
First wife’s death
Sarah died on 21 August 1846, aged 41.
Second marriage
Abraham married Elizabeth Bartlett, the daughter of Samuel and Ann Bartlett, at Broadwindsor by licence on 21 September 1847. Her father was a miller at Heifers Mill.
Abraham and Elizabeth had three children: Abraham, George and Sarah.
Testimonial
On 16 October 1857, Abraham wrote a letter praising Helliar’s fly and lear powder, which Helliar then used in his newspaper advertisements from May 1858 to August 1858.[3]
Death
Abraham died on 2 November 1880, aged 77, leaving an estate valued at “under £2,000.” He omitted his son, William, from his will, which probably means they had fallen out.
Elizabeth’s later life
In April 1881, Elizabeth stayed at Badger Steet Farm, Thurlbear, with her daughter Sarah and son-in-law, George Cary. However, this stay was only temporary.
Elizabeth died at Hardington on 26 April 1885, aged 75, leaving an estate valued at £195 6s 5d.
On 26 May 1885, Cross & Son held an auction at Moor Farm of Elizabeth’s livestock, dairy utensils, cider and furniture.[4]
Children
Abraham and Sarah had six children:
1824-William (died in infancy);
1826-Elizabeth (married John Purchase, an innkeeper, at Bradford Abbas on 10 May 1847);
Circa 1828-William (married Sarah Whitty at Beaminster on 31 December 1849 and Frances White at Hardington on 20 February 1851);
1830-Susan (married Albert Young on 25 May 1849 at Hardington);
Circa 1836-John (little known about him except that he was alive in September 1878);
1843-Abraham (died in infancy).
Abraham and Elizabeth had three children:
1848-Abraham (married Harriet Farnham Bartlett in 1869, Elizabeth Mary Govier at Ruishton on 13 May 1884, and Lilian Bartlett in 1910).
1851-George (married Elizabeth Frances Laver at Powerstock on 22 April 1875);
1852-Sarah (married George Abraham Cary at Hardington on 22 February 1876).
The will of Abraham Genge
Executors: Abraham and George Genge (sons), Elizabeth Genge (wife).
To wife: Household effects, freehold and leasehold land for life.
To sons Abraham and George: freehold and leasehold land after wife’s death.
To Abraham and George on trust: residue of estate to convert to cash and invest in securities, with income to wife for life and then-
To son, John £50
To daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of John Purchase £50
To daughter, Susan, the wife of Albert Young £50
To daughter, Sarah, the wife of George Carey £300
To sons Abraham and George: residue equally.
Wit: Thomas Moore, solicitor, Yeovil
Joseph Chaffey Moore, solicitor, Yeovil.[5]
The will of Elizabeth Genge
Executors: George Genge and George Carey
To my son, Abraham: my pony, pony carriage, and harness.
The remainder to be divided equally between my son, George Genge, and my daughter, Sarah, the wife of George Carey, subject to payment of my expenses.
To George Genge and George Carey: all real estate vested in me as trustee or mortgagee.
Wit: Solicitor and clerk.[6]
References
[1] Sherborne Mercury, 6 January 1863, p.4.
[2] Hardington jury lists; Sherborne Mercury, 15 April 1843, p.4; 30 March 1844, p.3; Dorset County Chronicle, 15 April 1847, p.4; 20 April 1848, p.4; Sherborne Mercury, 22 April 1862, p.4; Western Gazette, 25 April 1863, p.3; 21 April 1865, p.7; 16 April 1869, p.7; 22 April 1870, p.8; Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 20 April 1872, p.6.
[3] Sherborne Mercury, 4 May 1858, p.4; Dorset County Chronicle, 19 August 1858, p.2.
[4] Western Gazette, 22 May 1885, p.5.
[5] The will of Abraham Genge, dated 6 September 1876, proved at Taunton on 20 December 1880.
[6] The will of Elizabeth Genge, dated 20 June 1881, proved at Taunton on 3 July 1885.
