Mary Dengate
KEY DATES:
Born: 15 January 1827, Northiam, East Sussex
Baptism: 3 February 1828, St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex
Marriage: 7 March 1853, Wesleyan Chapel, Hastings, East Sussex
Died: 11 February 1898, Hastings, East Sussex
Buried: 16 February 1898, Hastings Cemetery, East Sussex
BIOGRAPHY:
Mary Dengate was born to James and Sarah Dengate on the 15 January 1827 in Northiam, East Sussex. She was baptised in St Mary's Church, Northiam on the 3 February 1828.
St Mary's Church, Northiam, East Sussex, 2003
Sometime between 5 February 1833 and 1841, the family moved from Northiam to Sedlescombe, where in the 1841 census Mary was living in Mill House, Sedlescombe along with her parents and brothers and sisters. It was likely here in Sedlescombe that Mary met her future husband William Sellens as he was born and grew up here.
Mary Dengate married William Sellens on 7 March 1853 in the Wesleyan Chapel, Hastings. Witnesses to the marriage were Thomas, Esther and Philly Sellens. At the time of her marriage Mary was living in the village of Sedlescombe while William was living in Ore, Hastings working as a labourer.
Wesley Chapel, Hastings, East Sussex
Mary and William had four children; Ellen Comfort, Frederick Albert, Susan and Mary Jane Sellens, Ellen being born in Ore and the latter three born in Westfield, East Sussex.
William Sellens worked as a farmer on Blumans Farm in Westfield and the family lived in a cottage on the land. They are recorded here as a family on the 1861 census where William's occupation is listed as 'ag lab and local Methodist preacher'. William died 28 February 1868 aged 42 years in Westfield of phthisis, another description of consumption - A wasting away of the body; formerly applied especially to pulmonary tuberculosis. William's great grandaughter, Betty Weller believed that he was a Methodist lay preacher and his death was caused by visiting local folk and becoming caught in bad weather. He then sustained a chill and died of a chest infection. He was buried 5 March 1868 in St John the Baptist Church, Westfield. No memorial or headstone exists in the churchyard to William.
Mary continued to live in Westfield and in 1871 she is recorded on the census as living at 1 Blumans, with her son Frederick and two daughters, Mary Jane and Susan, working as a laundress.
Sometime between 1871 and 1881, Mary moved her family to Hastings where she remained for the rest of her life. The 1881 census shows Mary living as a widow at 10 Alma Terrace, Hastings. Her occupation is listed as a laundress. She is also noted as being deaf. Living with her are two of Mary's children; Mary Jane Sellens and Frederick Sellens. Also living with the family is Mary Wood, a general servant. In 1891 Mary is living with her daughter Mary Jane, both working as laundresses.
10 Alma Terrace, Hastings, East Sussex, 2002
Mary died 11 February 1898 aged 70 years in her home of 10 Alma Terrace, Silverhill of senile decay. Mary's death was announced in the Hastings News on the 25 February 1898.
She was buried in Hastings Cemetery on the 16 February 1898.
Mary Sellen's grave, Hastings Cemetery, 2003
The grave inscription reads, "In loving memory of Mary, the beloved wife of William Sellens of Westfield 1828 - 1898"
CENSUS:
© Copyright N. Goodwin MMII