Introduction
John Genge was a significant farmer in Hardington during the early nineteenth century. He was the ancestor of a prominent family line that included Abraham Genge senior (1803-1880) and Abraham Genge junior (1848-1920). He had a son, Edward, who was intellectually disabled.
Birth
John, the second child of John and Joan Genge, was born in about 1753 and baptised at Pendomer on 26 July 1753.
Marriage
On 5 January 1785, John married Elizabeth Virgen at Hardington. They both signed the marriage register with a mark.[1]
Occupation
John was probably a farmer for most of his adult life. When he was appointed to administer the state of his brother, Robert, in 1831, he was described as a yeoman; the 1841 census described him as a farmer.[2]
Parish offices
Edward held several parish offices consistent with his being a farmer. He was a tithingman in 1810, a constable in 1813 and an overseer in 1839.[3]
Inheritance
In 1818, John inherited £30 from his mother.[4]
Elizabeth’s death
Elizabeth died in March 1839, aged 73 or 76.[5]
Disabled son
John and Elizabeth had a disabled son, Edward, for whom John made special provision in his will.
The 1841 census recorded John as the head of a household that included his son, Edward, and his two grandchildren, Dinah and Sidney Ingram.
After his father’s death, Edward lived with his brother, Abraham, for many years, and later, at the end of his life, he lodged with a widow named Mary Rendell at Hardington Moor.[6] Edward died of bronchitis on 15 April 1873 at the age of 65.[7]
Death
John died on 26 November 1841, aged 88.[8]
Children
John and Elizabeth had six sons and six daughters. They included Sarah (who married William Ingram), Elizabeth (who married John Plyer of Haselbury), Mary (who married Thomas Gillingham of Haselbury), Abraham and Edward.
The will of John Genge of Hardington Mandeville, farmer
Executor: Abraham Genge
Trustee: “my kind friend” James Poole.
To my son, Edward: my wearing apparel, best feather bed and bedding, bedstead and furniture, oak chest, night stool, 5s a week for life. I wish Edward to be decently buried. After Edward’s death, the bed, chest and stool are to go to Abraham’s son, John.
Live and dead stock and furniture to be sold at public auction, and the money invested.
Life policy for £200 on the life of Lucy Gard of East Chinnock. Proceeds to be invested for my son, Edward,
The house and orchard occupied by my daughter, Sarah Ingram, to be let to Sarah and her sister, Ann Dodge, at the yearly rent of £5.
The estate held on the life of Lucy Gard to be let to an approved tenant and the rents arising invested.
After the death of Lucy Gard and Edward, the money is to go equally to John Genge, Abraham Genge, Sarah Ingram, Ann Dodge, and Mary Gillingham, except for one guinea, which is to go to my son, William Genge.
To my granddaughter Susan, the daughter of Abraham: chest of drawers.
To my son, Abraham: one feather bed, bedding, bedstead and furniture.
To my granddaughter Dinah Ingram: dressing table and cloth and swing glass.
Abraham had agreed to pay rent of £33 8s 9d owed to Lord Portman and is to be reimbursed out of the sale proceeds.
Signed with a mark.
Wit: Henry Purchase, Elizabeth Poole, Jane Swaffield.[9]
[Lucy Gard died in July 1848; Edward Genge died in 1873]
References
[1] The Hardington marriage register describes Elizabeth as “of this Parish”, but she has yet to be identified. It may be relevant that an Elizabeth Virgin, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth, was baptised at Orchard Portman on 1 March 1764.
[2] Admon of Robert Genge, dated 6 December 1831.
[3] Hardington jury lists.
[4] The will of Joan Genge of Corscombe, widow, dated 15 July 1812, proved in London on 5 February 1818.
[5] Civil Registration Death Index recorded Elizabeth’s age as 73, while the Hardington burial register recorded it as 76.
[6] The 1871 census described Edward as an “Imbecile from Birth.”
[7] Death certificate of Edward Genge.
[8] Civil Registration Death Index and the Hardington burial register recorded John’s age as 88. However, the Sherborne Mercury, 6 December 1841, p.3, says he died “in the 88th year of his age,” which means 87.
[9] The will of John Genge, dated 25 November 1841, proved at Wells on 11 March 1842.
