Introduction
Mark Dodge was a small-scale farmer at Hardington from the 1820s until his death in 1850. Two of his siblings also lived in the parish.
Birth
Mark was born in about 1795 at Closworth, the fourth of five children born to Richard and Sarah Dodge.
Move to Hardington
Mark and his siblings, Hannah and Charles, all lived at Hardington for a time.
On 14 November 1814, Hannah married David Brake at Closworth. Shortly after, David became the tenant of Cowcroft Farm, Hardington.
On 11 July 1816, Mark married Hester Eastment, the daughter of Roger and Edith Eastment, at Hardington. Her father, Roger, was a farmer.
On 1 September 1823, Charles married Ann Genge at Hardington.
Inheritances
In 1818, Hester inherited £10 from her uncle, Dennis Eastment.[1]
In 1820, following the death of her mother, Hester inherited £ 130, a feather bed “whereon she sleeps” with the bedstead and related furniture and one sheet and blanket under the terms of her father’s will.[2]
Occupation
Mark was a farmer throughout his adult life. In 1843, he occupied a three-acre field called Pig Hill, owned by Lord Portman, as well as two small plots and a house owned by Lord Ilchester and himself.[3] The house was in Barry Lane, near Green Door.
From 1839 to 1850, Mark is listed on the voters’ lists as the occupier of land at Barry Lane.
Residences
Mark and Hester spent some time living outside of Hardington. Their fourth son, Andrew, was baptised at Beaminster on 5 August 1821. When their fifth son, Richard, was baptised at Hardington on 1 June 1823, they were residing at Haselbury.
Parish offices
Mark was a churchwarden from 1841 to 1848 and an overseer in 1833 and 1834.[4]
Hester’s death
Hester died in June 1841 from cancer at the age of 59.[5]
Son’s death
Mark’s son, Andrew, died on 26 October 1844, from liver disease at the age of 23.[6]
Death
Mark died at Hardington on 19 March 1850, at the age of 55, due to “chill asthma,” a condition characterised by sudden and severe attacks of breathlessness, often triggered by cold weather or sudden temperature changes.[7]
Children
Mark and Hester had five sons, two of whom had “Washington” as a middle name, suggesting Mark admired George Washington, the first President of the United States.
Their son, Robert Bartlett John Eastment Washington Dodge, married Grace Apsey at Southampton in 1844 and emigrated to the United States in 1848.
The will of Mark Dodge
Trustees: William Guppy and William White
To my brother, Barnard: £5
To my son Robert Bartlett John Eastment Washington Dodge: the remainder.
Wit: George White, Mary Apsey, Mary Ann F White.[8]
References
[1] The will of Dennis Eastment, dated 3 June 1815, proved at Wells on 30 March 1818.
[2] The will of Roger Eastment, proved 27 November 1811.
[3] Mark probably held the two plots and the house on a long lease from Lod Ilchester.
[4] Hardington jury lists
[5] Death certificate Hester Dodge.
[6] Death certificate of Andrew Dodge.
[7] Death certificate of Mark Dodge.
[8] The will of Mark Dodge, dated 16 March 1850, proved at Wells on 30 March 1850.
