Alfred Russell Dengate
Alfred Russell Dengate, 1898
KEY DATES:
Birth: 30 January 1875, Peasmarsh, East Sussex
Baptism: 1 August 1875, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh, East Sussex
Marriage: 9 April 1898, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh, East Sussex
Death: 4 March 1951, Whitstable, Kent
Burial: 8 March 1951, Whitstable Cemetery, Kent
BIOGRAPHY:
Alfred Russell Dengate was born 30 January 1875 to Annie Dengate. It is not known if Walter Clark, the man Annie Dengate later married in 1882 was the father of Alfred Russell and his sister Matilda. On his birth certificate the father's name was omitted. Alfred Russell was baptised in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh, East Sussex on the 1 August 1875.
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh
In 1881 Alfred Russell and his sister Matilda were living in Main Street, Peasmarsh with their mother Annie, their grandparents and several of Annie's brothers and sisters. In 1882 Annie Dengate married Walter Clark, leaving Thomas and Frances Dengate to raise Alfred and Matilda. The school records for Peasmarsh show that Alfred joined Peasmarsh school 17 July 1883, a day after his sister Matilda, and aunts Ada and Caroline Dengate. He left school 25 June 1886. Interestingly, Alfred's parents are listed simply as 'Anne', whilst Matilda's are listed as 'Thomas and Frances' - her grandparents who were acting as her guardian. In 1891, Alfred is still living with his grandparents, Thomas and Frances whilst working as an Ag lab.
Alfred Russell married Grace Ellen Markquick on the 9 April 1898 in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh. Witnesses to the marriage were James Etherington and Adelaide Markquick.
Alfred Russell and Grace Ellen Dengate
The couple had 4 children; Archie, Violet Winifred, Cecil and Cyril - all baptised at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Peasmarsh.
The 1901 Census shows the family living in Winders Cottage, Peasmarsh with Alfred working as a 'Groom Gardener'
All 4 children attended Peasmarsh school, the school admission and discharge registers revealing that the children were all withdrawn from school on the 21 October 1910 - with 'Gone near Whitstable' listed as the reason. The Kent Directory for 1915 lists Alfred Dengate living at 97 Island Walk, Whitstable.
Alfred was employed to landscape and tend to a garden in Joy Lane, Whitstable along with his son Cecil. It was here that Cecil met his future wife, Ellen Frances Kearney. Ellen spent most weekends there during the summer as a companion housekeeper to the owners, a dental surgeon from Kensington and his wife. Alfred's wife Grace Ellen was also employed by the dental surgeon and his wife to help with cooking and housework.
Later in life Alfred ran a fruit and greengrocery shop on the High Street, Whitstable with his daughter Violet who made bouquets and wreaths. Alfred was known by the townspeople as 'dealer Dengate' or endearingly 'pop'.
Alfred and Grace celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1948, attended by their family.
Alfred and Grace Dengate's 50th Wedding party, 1948
Back row (left to right) Sheila Dengate, Teresa Dengate, Ellen Dengate, James Dengate, Cecil Rowden, Desmond Rowden, Ron Dengate, Moira Dengate, Alice Dengate and Ellen (Nellie) Dengate
Front Row (left to right) Cecil Dengate, Violet Rowden (nee Dengate), Alfred Dengate, Grace Ellen Dengate, Archie Dengate and Cyril Dengate
Between 1925 and 1951, Alfred and Grace lived at 31 Argyle Road, Whitstable, where Alfred died 4 March 1951, aged 76 years. Alfred was buried 8 March 1951 in Whitstable Cemetery.
31 Argyle Road, Whitstable, Kent 2002
Grace Ellen Dengate died at 28 Argyle Road, Whitstable on the 24 May 1960, aged 82 years. She was buried 28 May 1960 with her husband in Whitstable Cemetery.
28 Argyle Road, Whitstable, Kent 2002
Dengate grave (right) 2002
The grave inscription reads, "Sacred memories my beloved husband Alfred Dengate died 4 March 1951 aged 76 years. Reunited Mum. Grace E. Dengate died 24 may 1960 aged 82 years." Also interred in the grave are the ashes of their two children, Archie and Cyril Dengate also the ashes of Helen Louise Dengate and Jean Dengate. The grave to the left of is that of Alfred and Grace's daughter, Violet Winifred and her husband Cecil Charles Rowden.
CENSUS:
Grateful thanks to Sheila Hill and Moira Bertrand for their help, photographs and memories of Alfred, Grace and family and to Annemarie McCabe for further information and family photographs.
© Copyright N. Goodwin MMII