Birth
Thomas was born at Hardington in about 1803.
Inheritance
In 1830, Thomas inherited £200 from his uncle, Abraham Genge of Labrador.[1] This substantial legacy helped shape the rest of Thomas’s life.
First marriage
On 4 March 1834, Thomas married Elizabeth Ingram at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. Elizabeth, the first child of William Ingram and Sarah Genge, was born at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1817. She was probably Thomas’s cousin.
The witnesses to the marriage were Abraham Genge and Eliza Abbott.
Canada
Thomas and Elizabeth spent the early years of their marriage in Canada, where their sons, Isaac and Jacob, were born.
Return to Hardington
By June 1841, Thomas had returned to Hardington with his family. They lived at what was later called Struckmead Farm, Barry Lane.
Farmer
The 1843 tithe survey recorded Thomas as the owner of eight acres.
Even including rented ground, his holding remained small. The 1851 census recorded him as a farmer of 35 acres employing one labourer. A decade later, his farm had grown to 46 acres, and he employed two men. Over the next decade, it diminished to 24 acres with one boy.
Household
While Thomas was an active farmer, he usually employed a young female house servant.
By April 1871, Thomas’s mother-in-law lived with him at the farm. She died in August 1874.
Parish offices
Thomas was an overseer in 1842 and churchwarden in 1859.[2]
Retirement
In 1877, Thomas’s son, Thomas junior married Ann Studley. He took over the farm from his parents, who retired to Hill End.
Wife’s death
Elizabeth died in June 1879, aged 66.
Second marriage
On 15 March 1880, Thomas married Rebecca Cox at Yeovil’s Congregational Church. Thomas was about 77, and Rebecca was 35.
The marriage provided a home for Rebecca and her widowed mother, Ann, who was herself three years younger than Thomas.
Nonconformity
Despite being a churchwarden in 1859, the venue for Thomas’s second marriage suggests religious nonconformity, as does the fact that none of his children were baptised at Hardington.
Death
Thomas died on 29 October 1886, aged 82, leaving an estate valued at £1,102-19s-11d.
On 16 November 1886, Cross & Son conducted a sale of Thomas’s household furniture and effects.[3]
Rebecca’s later life
Thomas’s death left Rebeca alone, as her mother died in 1883.
By April 1891, Rebecca lodged with a grocer and his wife at Kingston, Yeovil.
Her mental health declined, and within ten years, she was a patient in the Lunatic Asylum at Cotford, Bishops Lydeard. She died there on 11 March 1907, aged 64. She died intestate, with an estate valued at £110-9s-2d, which her niece, Mary Cox, administered.
Children
Circa 1834-Isaac (a draper’s assistant in Yeovil by March 1851. He died at Bristol in 1910)
Circa 1834-Jacob (who emigrated to New South Wales in 1854)
Circa 1845-Francis (who emigrated to New South Wales after April 1861)
7 October 1848-Albert ((who emigrated to New South Wales in 1865)
Circa 182-Thomas (who lived at Hardington until about 1900. He died near Fareham in 1919)
The will of Thomas Genge
Executors and trustees: Herbert Butler Batten of Yeovil, banker, and John Shepherd Cable, bank manager.
To my wife Rebecca: my household goods, £200 plus any money in the house when I die.
To my trustees: the residue of personal estate to convert to money to pay:
To my son, Isaac Genge, £250,
To my sons Jacob, Francis and Albert, the residue equally.
To my son, Thomas: my freehold house, orchard and lands for life and then to my three grandchildren, Thomas Genge, Mabel Genge and Samuel Genge, on reaching 21.
Wit: James Adams, Yeovil, accountant
John James Adams, Yeovil, solicitor’s clerk.[4]
Codicil
Legacy to wife increased to £270.
Wit: James Adams and John James Adams.[5]
References
[1] The will of Abraham Genge, dated 23 September 1830, proved in London on 17 December 1832.
[2] Hardington jury lists.
[3] Western Gazette, 12 November 1886, p.5.
[4] The will of Thomas Genge, dated 22 July 1881, proved at Taunton on 1 February 1887.
[5] Codicil to the will of Thomas Genge, dated 28 March 1884.