Birth

John, the second child of Robert and Mary Genge, was born at Hardington in about 1776.

Marriage

On 31 January 1803, John married Jane Eastment, the daughter of Roger and Edith Eastment, at Hardington.[1] Jane signed the register with a mark. The witnesses were Robert Eastment (Jane’s brother) and Robert Harris.

Inheritance

In 1812, John inherited the bed in the middle chamber and one guinea from his father.[2]

Occupations

The Hardington baptism register states that John was a weaver from 1813 to 1815, a labourer from 1817 to 1823, and a farmer in 1833. He called himself a yeoman when he made his will on 8 March 1840.

Death

John died in March or April 1840, aged 63. By his will, proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (see below), he left his wife his household goods, a plot at Hardington Moor, and four houses.

Jane’s later life

In June 1841, Jane was an independent living at Oil Moor. By March 1851, Jane was a midwife. She died in the workhouse in January 1855, aged 72.

Children

John and Jane Genge had five sons and five daughters.

The will of John Genge

To my dearly beloved wife, Joan Genge: my house and orchard, that house John Apsey occupy, one house unoccupied, one house occ by Miss Matthews, and the gardens belonging thereunto, that plot in the More [sic], and all my household goods and effects so long as she keeps in my name.

After her decease:

To my son, Henry: my house and orchard (and he is to pay the money on the house I gave him).

Henry Genge is to have the stable.

To my son, Frederick: the house that John Apsey occupies and the weaving shop adjoining the same and one-third part of the front garden.

To my son, Thomas: the house formerly occupied by William Marsh and weaving shop against the river and one-third part of the front garden.

To my daughter, Elizabeth Genge: the house that Miss Matthews occupies and one-third part of the front garden

To my son, Joseph: that plot of grown [sic] in the Moore.

After the death of my wife, all household and other effects to be sold to pay all expenses and to pay £5 to my three daughters, Haryett, Ann and Susan.^[3]

References

[1] Jane was born at Hardington on 20 June 1784.

[2] The will of Robert Genge, dated 2 August 1808.

[3] The will of John Genge, dated 8 March 1840, proved in London on 5 May 1840. The will refers to his wife as Joan, but other documents call her Jane.