Birth

Mark, the son of Richard and Sarah Dodge, was born at Closworth in about 1795.

His brother, Charles, was born about two years later.

Marriage

On 11 July 1816, at Hardington, Mark married Hester Eastment, the daughter of Roger and Edith Eastment.

Inheritance

In 1818, Hester inherited £10 from her uncle, Dennis Eastment.[1]

Occupation

Mark was a farmer throughout his adult life.

In 1843, he occupied a three-acre field called Pig Hill owned by Lord Portman and two small plots and a house owned by Lord Ilchester and himself.[2] The house was in Barry Lane, near Green Door.

Mark is listed on the voters’ lists for 1839-50 as the occupier of land at Barry Lane.

Residences

Mark and Hester spent some time outside of Hardington. Their fourth son, Andrew, was baptised at Beaminster on 5 August 1821, and when their fifth son, Richard, was baptised at Hardington on 1 June 1823, their abode was Haselbury.

Parish offices

Mark was a churchwarden from 1841 to 1848 and an overseer in 1833 and 1834.[3]

Hester’s death

Hester died in June 1841, aged 59.

Son’s death

Mark’s son, Andrew, died in October 1844, aged 23.

Death

Mark died at Hardington on 19 March 1850, aged 55, due to “chill asthma,” a condition characterised by sudden and severe attacks of breathlessness, often triggered by cold weather or sudden temperature changes.[4]

Children

Mark and Hester had five sons. Two had “Washington” as a middle name, which suggests 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 America 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.[5]

 References

[1] The will of Dennis Eastment, dated 3 June 1815, proved at Wells on 30 March 1818.

[2] Mark probably held the two plots and the house on a long lease from Lod Ilchester.

[3] Hardington jury lists

[4] Death certificate.

[5] The will of Mark Dodge, dated 16 March 1850, proved at Wells on 30 March 1850.