John Dengate

John Dengate

KEY DATES:

Birth: 1858, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

Baptism: 2 May 1858, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

Marriage: 19 November 1884, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

Died: August 1927, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

Buried: 27 August 1927, St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex

BIOGRAPHY:

John Dengate was born to James and Harriet Dengate in 1858 in Sedlescombe, East Sussex. He was baptised 2 May 1858 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe. The 1861 census shows John living with his parents and brothers and sisters in Sedlescombe village. In 1871 he is still living at home, working as a bricklayer's labourer - probably for John Catt, a relation of his mother's.

John is mentioned in Beryl Lucey's book when she describes the village church, "In the parish records is a letter to H. Arthur Pratt, Esq., dated March 22, 1874 from James Byner:

'Dear Sir,

I remember quite well all about the alterations where the Vestry Room now is. There were several remains taken up and tombstones removed, the bones of many others were buried in the corner of the Churchyard. I am almost certain that there are some graves under the Vestry Room that were not disturbed at all. John Dengate was at work for Mr. Catt at the time and knows all about it, in fact he helped to remove the remains of several persons. I quite think in excavating for the fire apparatus some remains will be found. Yours faithfully, James Byner.'" ¹

In 1881 John is living at home with his parents and brothers and sisters in Sedlescombe village, working as a 24 year-old carpenter.

John Dengate married Alice Noakes Stevenson on the 19 November 1884 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe. One of the witnesses to the marriage was James Dengate, though it is uncertain which James Dengate this is.

St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe, East Sussex, 2002

John and Alice Dengate had four children; Alice Edith, Kathleen Frances, Frederick John and Florence Ethel Dengate - all baptised in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe.

In 1891 John Dengate was living in Manor House Cottage number 4 as a 34 year old carpenter with his wife Alice, their two daughters, one son and his brother Herbert Dengate.

Manor House Cottages, Sedlescombe, 2002

John was one of the witnesses to his brother Herbert Dengate's marriage to Hannah Dengate on the 25 April 1893 in St James the Great Church, Ewhurst Green, East Sussex.

John and Alice's only son Frederick John Dengate died 28 February 1896, aged 8 years, and was buried in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe.

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

The grave inscription reads, "In loving memory of Frederick John Dengate son of John and Alice Dengate who died February 28 1896, aged 8 years."

The 1901 census shows John, Alice and their three daughters living in Sedlescombe. John's occupation is listed as a builder.

When John Catt, the local builder died, John Dengate, with his brother Herbert Dengate took over his work. Herbert continued to work as a builder at 'Sherralds', but living in 'Ditch's' (which later became Harriet House), whilst John looked after the carpentry side of the business. Later the Dengate Brothers split the partnership with Herbert continuing to do building work in the village.

Sherralds, The Street, Sedlescombe, 2002

On the 15 July 1916, John and Alice's daughter Kathleen Frances Dengate married Hubert Walter Mawle in St John the Baptist Church. John and Alice were witnesses to the marriage, as were Kathleen's two sisters, Alice Edith Dengate and Florence Ethel Dengate.

John Dengate died at Springfields in Sedlescombe in August 1927 aged 71 years. He was buried 27 August 1927 in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe along with his brother, four sisters, parents and grandparents. There is no headstone marking his grave in the churchyard.

Alice Noakes Dengate died August 1936 in Whitelands, Redhill, Chislehurst and was buried 6 August 1936 aged 82 years in St John the Baptist Church, Sedlescombe. She was likely buried with her husband, but again there is no headstone marking her grave in the churchyard.

CENSUS:

¹ Twenty Centuries in Sedlescombe by Beryl Lucey, p. 109