Birth
Edward Genge was born in about 1782.[1]
Marriage
On 14 August 1811, Edward married Susannah Eastment at Hardington by banns. Both Edward and Hester signed the register with a mark. The witnesses were Michael Mudford and Joseph Purchase.
Residence
Edward lived at Hardington for the rest of his life.
The 1843 tithe survey shows him as the owner-occupier of a house at Hardington March (number 705) and the occupier of an allotment at Coldharbour. His son, John, was the owner-occupier of an adjacent house (number 706).
Occupation
Edward was a farm labourer for most of his life. However, the baptism entry for his daughter, Mary, on 4 February 1823, gives his occupation as a farmer.
Death
Edward died in November 1846, aged 64.
Susannah’s later life
On 12 July 1852, Susannah married William Gill, a widower and sawyer, at Hardington Mandeville. She has not been traced after that date.
Children
Edward and Susannah had four sons and four daughters. Their eldest son, John, married Elizabeth Barrett. Their third son, George, died in December 1846, aged 16. Their youngest son, Henry, served a six-month prison sentence for assaulting a gamekeeper, a parish constable and another man when they arrested him for poaching.[2]
References
[1] The Pendomer baptism register records the birth of Edward, the son of Ann Genge, on 26 August 1780. If this is the correct entry, Edward was illegitimate.
[2] Sherborne Mercury, 31 July 1860, p. 5; Bridgwater Mercury, 15 August 1860, p. 6; Western Daily Press, 11 August 1860, p. 2.