Harriet Dengate
KEY DATES:
Baptism: 6 August 1789, St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham, Kent
Marriage: 16 November 1830, St James' Church, Dover, Kent
Death: 4 May 1869, Dover, Kent
Burial: May 1869, Cowgate Cemetery, Dover, Kent
BIOGRAPHY:
Harriet Dengate was baptised 6 August 1789 in St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham, Kent, second child to James and Elizabeth Dengate. Within 10 months of Harriet's baptism her mother Elizabeth had died. She was buried in St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham on the 29 June 1790.
St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham, Kent
Harriet's father James remarried in 1791 to Mary Weeks in Beckley Parish Church. They had one son, John Dengate baptised in St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham in 1793 before they moved to Ash (near Dartford) and Kingsdown where they had a further 17 children. Whether 2 year-old Harriet and her 5 year-old brother James were taken to Ash with James and Mary is unclear, as records for this time are scarce. However, on James' marriage entry of 1812 he gives his home parish as Wittersham, so they may have been raised by his mother's family or perhaps a Dengate relative in Wittersham.
Harriet Dengate moved to Dover in Kent sometime before her marriage to Henry Elgar, as the entry for her marriage states that she was of the parish of St James, Dover. They married 16 November 1830 in St James' Church, Dover, Kent. Henry Elgar was recorded as being a widow.
The local business directory for 1840 lists Henry Elgar as a butcher living at 23 St James' Street, Dover.
St James' Street, Dover. This street no longer exists
The couple had one daughter, Harriet who was born 14 July 1831. She was baptised 28th August 1831 in St James' Church, Dover, Kent. The church was severely damaged during World War Two and now stands in ruins.
St James' Church, Dover, 2004
The 1841 census shows the family living in St James' Lane, Dover, possibly with a son, Richard from Henry's previous marriage.
Henry Elgar died 4 January 1847, aged 58 years, and was buried in Cowgate Cemetery, Dover.
The 1861 shows Harriet living at 34 Almshouses (a place of residence for poor pensioners) in Dover with her 29 year-old daughter Harriet.
Harriet died 4 May 1869, aged 79 years and was buried with her husband in Cowgate Cemetery. She died of old age and exhaustion - indicating a lingering death. Also buried with them are Susannah Dengate, Harriet's niece and Henry and Harriet's daughter Harriet Elgar.
Harriet, Henry, and Harriet Elgar and Susannah Dengate's grave, 2002
The grave inscription reads, "In affectionate remembrance of Harriet Elgar who died 4th May 1869 aged 79 years, widow of Henry Elgar, who died 4th January 1847 aged 58 years. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Also in memory of Susannah Dengate, niece of the above Harriet Elgar, who died 22nd July 1889, aged 67 years; Having lived much esteemed 45 years in the family of John Coleman of the Priory, Dover. I rest my soul _? Jesus the spotless lamb of God. Also of Harriet Elgar _? daughter of the late _? Harriet Elgar _? _? Born 18th July 1832, died 26th April 1901."
CENSUS:
© Copyright N. Goodwin MMII