Introduction

John was a farmer whose will was proved in London in 1840. By June 1841, his widow, Jane, was an “independent”; by March 1851, she was a midwife. Despite their apparent social status and large family, Jane died in the Yeovil workhouse.

Birth

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

Jane was born at Hardington on 20 June 1784, the sixth child of Roger and Edith Eastment.[1] Her father, Roger, was a farmer as well.

Marriage

John and Jane married at Hardington Church on 31 January 1803. John was about 27 and Jane was 18. John signed the register, but Jane made a mark. The witnesses were Robert Eastment (Jane’s brother) and Robert Harris.

Inheritances

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

After her mother’s death in 1820, Jane inherited a legacy of £30 from her father’s estate.[3]

Occupations

The Hardington baptism register indicates that John was a weaver from 1813 to 1815, a labourer from 1817 to 1823, and a farmer in 1833. He referred to himself as a yeoman when he made his will on 8 March 1840. When his son, Joseph, married in 1840, he described his father’s occupation as an innkeeper.

Death

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

Jane’s later life

In June 1841, Jane was an independent living at Hardington Moor. By March 1851, she was a midwife. She died in the workhouse on 30 December 1854 from an internal disorder, at the age of 70.[4]

Children

John and Jane Genge had five sons and five daughters, including Harriet, who married Joseph Haggett; Joseph, who became a sawyer and later grocer; Susan, who married Thomas Sandiford; and Elizabeth, who married John Bicknell.

The will of John Genge ^[5]

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.

References

[1] Hardington baptism register.

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

[3] The will of Roger Eastment, proved 27 November 1911.

[4] Death certificate of Jane Genge. Cause of death recorded as “Diarrhoea I week Certified.” Her husband’s name is mistakenly recorded as James.

[5] 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.