Charles Dengate

Charles Dengate

Charles Dengate

KEY DATES:

Baptised: 1 April 1827, St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex

Married: 16 October 1847, St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex

Died: 30 October 1903, Northiam, East Sussex

Buried: 5 November 1903, Northiam Cemetery, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY:

Charles Dengate was baptised 1 April 1827 in St Mary's Church, Northiam, one of thirteen children to John and Elizabeth Dengate. He spent his early life in Northiam working as an agricultural labourer - an occupation and location he would continue to be associated with throughout his life.

St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex, 2003

The 1841 census shows Charles as a fourteen year old living at Mill Corner in Northiam with his agricultural labourer father, mother and three siblings.

Aged twenty, on 16 October 1847, Charles married Caroline Longley in St Mary's Church, Northiam. Witnesses to the marriage were Charles' brother William and sister Eliza Dengate. Charles and Caroline subsequently had nine children together, whom they raised in Northiam.

Caroline Dengate, c.1870s

The various censuses shows Charles continuing to work as an agricultural labourer and living at Mill Corner, Northiam with his wife Caroline and their children. During the 1880s three of Charles and Caroline's children, Richard, Charles and Alfred Dengate sailed to Ontario in Canada to settle for new lives there.

Caroline Dengate died 25 August 1896, aged 72 years in Northiam. She was buried 28 August 1896 in Northiam Cemetery.

Caroline Dengate's memorial card

Following his wife's death Charles took a trip out to see his three children in Ontario - probably the first time he had seen his grandchildren. Whilst in Ontario, the family had a wonderful photograph taken of all of them together. It is unclear how long Charles remained in Ontario for, but by 1901 he had returned to his home village of Northiam. Another photograph exists of Charles' son Charles who had emigrated to Ontario, which was taken in Northiam c.1900, suggesting perhaps father and son returned home together. The 1901 census shows Charles living alone and working as 'estate carpenter'.

Dengate family, Ontario, Canada, c.1897

Charles died 30 October 1903 aged 77 years of stomach cancer at his home in Mill Corner, Northiam. His son John Dengate was present at the death. Charles was buried 5 November 1903 with his wife in Northiam Cemetery.

Charles and Caroline's grave, left c.1903, right 2002

Charles and Caroline's grave

The grave inscription reads, ' In loving memory of/Caroline/the beloved wife of/Charles Dengate/of Mill Corner, Northiam/who died August 25th 1896/Aged 72 years/Erected by his 4 sons viz/John, Charles, Richard, Alfred/Also the above named/Charles Dengate/who died October 30th 1903/Aged 77 years'

CENSUS:

Grateful thanks to Patrick Dengate and Lise Leresche for the photos used on this page and also for additional information.