Elizabeth Dengate

Elizabeth Dengate

KEY DATES:

Baptism: 9 March 1823, St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex

Death: 18 December 1904, Hollington, Hastings, East Sussex

Burial: 22 December 1904, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY:

Elizabeth Dengate was born to James and Sarah Dengate in 1823. She was baptised in St Mary's Church, Northiam on 9 March 1823.

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

The family remained in Northiam until sometime between Elizabeth's youngest brother Walter Dengate's burial on 5 February 1833 and 1841 when the family moved to Sedlescombe. The census for that year shows Elizabeth with her parents and sisters Sarah and Mary Dengate and brothers Thomas and John Dengate living in Mill House.

Despite undergoing renovations and extension, including the front elevation, the cottage remains remarkably similar both inside and out to how it would have been in the 1840s.

Windmill Cottage, 2004

Beryl Lucey, in her book on Sedlescombe history writes, "In 1841 when the Tithe Map was made, William Bates, farmer of Riccards, was the mill-owner and James Dengate, the miller's man. In 1849 both were still there. Bates owned also Whatlington Mill only a mile away and it was probably here that he lived in the larger and better house, letting the cottage of Hancox Mill to his assistant, James Dengate."¹

Elizabeth Dengate

This photograph of Elizabeth Dengate was taken around 1882 - 1884. On the reverse of the photograph is written 'E. Dengate' and is currently in the possession of Pat Ove, great great grandaughter to John Dengate, Elizabeth's brother which came to her from her mother. This, along with another photograph of Elizabeth's niece Harriet Agnes Dengate was sent out to John's son Christopher Dengate after he was taken (in 1856) to Pennsylvania, America. The time of this photograph would make Elizabeth around 61 / 63.

In 1861 Elizabeth was living with her parents in Sedlescombe Village, working as a dressmaker. In 1871, she was still living in Sedlescombe with her mother, working as dressmaker. Elizabeth was present at her mother's death 19 August 1873.

The 1881 census shows Elizabeth Dengate living with her sister Sarah and husband and Elizabeth and Sarah's niece Harriet Agnes Dengate in Station Road, Etchingham. Elizabeth is recorded as a retired dressmaker.

In 1891, Elizabeth was living with her elder sister, Harriet Dengate in Sedlescombe Village. In 1901, Elizabeth was lodging with the Eldridge family at 2 Greenleaf Terrace, Battle Road, Hastings and was "living on her own means".

(Upper Floor) 2 Greenleaf Terrace, 192 Battle Road, Hollington, 2002

Elizabeth Dengate died 18 December 1904 at 192 Battle Road, Hollington, Hastings, (same place as 2 Greenleaf Terrace) aged 80 years of senile decay - a term used to describe old age. Her niece, Mary Jane Martin (her sister Mary's daughter) informed of the death. Elizabeth was buried 22 December 1904 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe with her sister Harriet Dengate (opposite her brother, James Dengate's grave).

St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, 2002

Elizabeth Dengate's grave, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, 2002

The Grave inscription reads, "In loving memory of Harriet Dengate who died November 29th 1891 aged 77 years. Also of Elizabeth Dengate who died December 18th 1904, aged 80 years."

CENSUS:

¹ Twenty Centuries in Sedlescombe by Beryl Lucey, p. 249