James Dengate
KEY DATES:
Born: 5 July 1820, Northiam, East Sussex
Baptised: 20 August 1820, St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex
Married: 4 February 1850, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex
Died: 6 February 1899, Sedlescombe, East Sussex
Buried: 11 February 1899, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex
BIOGRAPHY:
James Dengate was born on the 5 July 1820 in Northiam to James and Sarah Dengate. He was baptised in St Mary's Church, Northiam on the 20 August 1820. The family remained in Northiam until sometime between James' youngest brother Walter Dengate's burial on 5 February 1833 and 1841 when the family moved to Sedlescombe.
The 1841 census shows James working, as many members of the Dengate family, as a journeymen miller. He is living with John Harman and his family in the Hollington / Silverhill area. It is likely that James worked for John at the Silverhill windmill.
St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex, 2003
James Dengate, aged 29 years, married Harriet Catt on the 4th February 1850 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex. Witnesses to the marriage were Joseph Eldridge, John Catt and Charlotte Turner. James was recorded on the marriage certificate as being a baker. From the rest of his life, James lived in the small village of Sedlescombe. It is perhaps his desire to stay in the village which prompted him to stop being a miller / baker as his father was the Sedlescombe miller.
In 1851 James, Harriet and their 6 month old son James were living in the Coach and Horses Inn, Sedlescombe with James as the Innkeeper. The baptism records for his first three children note James as being an innkeeper (1851-1853). The current premises (shown below) are not the same as would have been occupied by James Dengate and family in 1851, as the pub was burnt down in 1914, "...one Sunday afternoon when Mr and Mrs Field were taking their Sunday walk with their small child, fire broke out in their absence and the Coach and Horses burned, and burned rapidly. The air was filled with the crackling of flames and above the roar of them could be heard the high screeching of the terror-stricken parrot. As the onlookers watched, the flames burning blue and orange began to turn every brilliant colour of the rainbow as they reached the store of spirits; and the beauty of the terrible blaze of vivid blues, purples and greens, as well as red and orange, was fascinating as a nightmare." 1
The current building where the Coach and Horses used to stand, 2002
James and Harriet had 9 children; James, George William, Harriet Agnes, John, Susanna, Eliza, Rosina, Herbert and Naomi. Most were baptised in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe.
St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, 2002
In 1858 the baptism record of James and Harriet's children Susannah and John show James again working as a baker. The 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses show James, Harriet and family living in Sedlescombe village with James working as a painter and plumber.
Harriet Dengate died 28 April 1885, aged 61 years in Sedlescombe, and was buried 1 May 1885 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe.
The 1891 census shows James as a widow living in Manor House Cottages with his daughter Naomi. In another of the Manor House Cottages are two of his sons Herbert and John.
Manor House Cottages, Sedlescombe, 2002
James died 6 February 1899, aged 78 years of old age and heart failure. His son John Dengate was present at the death. James was buried 11 February with his wife in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe.
James and Harriet Dengate's grave, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, 2002
The grave inscription reads, "In loving memory of Harriet the beloved wife of James Dengate who died April 28th 1885 in her 62nd year. Sheaves after sowing sun after rain sight after mystery peace after pain joy after sorrow calm after blast rest after weariness. Sweet rest at last. Also of James Dengate who died February 6th 1899 in his 79 year.
CENSUS:
1 Twenty Centuries in Sedlescombe by Beryl Lucey, p.442
© Copyright N. Goodwin MMII