Hartgrove

29/02/2016

Hartgrove

Although considered to be part of the parish of Fontmell Magna for civil purposes; during the 19th Century Hartgrove was originally a division of East Orchard, which itself was a chapelry of Iwerne Minster. The scattered settlement, the irregular field shapes and the existence of Blackven Common, all indicate late occupation of the area, which is supported by the fact that the name Hartgrove does not appear in documents until as late as 1254.
Hartgrove was once a tithing of the Manor of Fontmell Magna, with its own appointed Tithingman reporting to the Manor Court, which sat during the spring and autumn each year at Manor Farm in Fontmell Magna (see the article on the Manor Court). As with most of the local place names, the word tithing is of Saxon origin and was the name given to a group of ten families or homesteads and it is interesting to note that to this day, there are still ten farms in Hartgrove.
The tithing of Hartgrove is bounded on the east by the Stirchel Brook and adjoins Fontmell Magna parish by a narrow strip that is only some 350 yards (322 metres) wide, which runs north from the road bridge at Woodbridge. Hartgrove is some 4½ miles north to south and 4 miles east to west and encloses an area of some 11,500 acres. Geographically it would make much more sense for Hartgrove to form a northern tithing and part of the parish of East Orchard.
The southern boundary of Hartgrove runs east to west and the ordnance survey maps show that Hartgrove Farm, situated on the left of the road as you rise up the hill from Woodbridge, is actually in the parish of East Orchard. So too is the old Victorian school building situated at the junction with the Shaftesbury to Gillingham road, the two old Methodist Chapels and the houses next to them in what is called Newtown.
Most of the population of Hartgrove has always lived either in the farms or in the associated labourers’ cottages.

Map of Hartgrove showing the parish boundaries.

The 1901 census records a population of just 92, which had risen to 107 in 1911. Although he took a slightly different route in 1911, it is probably best to follow in the footsteps of the census enumerator in order to provide a picture of just who those people were, where they lived, their occupations and the changes that took place during the 10 year period, etc.

Although the people of Hartgrove lived in the parish of Fontmell Magna, because of the distance from Fontmell village and its amenities they sent their children to East Orchard school and many of them worshipped in the Weslyan Chapels situated at Newtown in East Orchard.
The school was not good and attendances were poor. On the 10th July 1900 the school log book records that ‘The attendance of the boys is still wretchedly low owing to the haymaking’.
Poor attendance was a constant theme and not only during the haymaking period. In March 1901 it was recorded that the previous quarter’s average attendance was 54 out of a total of 68 on roll (79%). Attendance also suffered at the time of Shroton Fair in September and, on the 22nd September 1902, the log book records ‘Very poor attendance. Most older boys gone nutting in Fontmell woods’.
On the 16th July 1902 as a result of a school inspection, Her Majesty’s Inspector reported that ‘The children appear to be excused attendance at 13 years; this is quite wrong’. However, on referring to bye laws it was found that, with one exception, all the older boys engaged in the haymaking, were exempt from attendance until the 1st September, being over 11 and having made 250 attendances since the previous 1st September.
On the 4th December 1906 His Majesty’s inspectors gave a very poor report, leading to a formal warning that the school will be removed from the list of those in receipt of annual grant at the end of 12 months if there was no improvement to a satisfactory level of efficiency. They did survive a further inspection in October, 1907.

Little Hartgrove Farm

Little Hartgrove Farm

Little Hartgrove Farm

Starting at Woodbridge road bridge and walking up the hill, the enumerator took the first turning on the right and visited Little Hartgrove Farm. In 1901 the Farm was occupied by the Jesse family as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Richard J. Jesse Head 46 Farmer Fontmell
Mary Jesse Wife 41 Shapwick, Dorset.
Richard H. Jesse Son 15             “
John Jesse Son 12 Fontmell
George Jesse   “ 11 Melbury Abbas
Harold B. Jesse   “ 9 Fontmell
Mary B. Jesse Daughter 9             “
Elden F. Jesse   “ 6             “

 

A view of Little Hartgrove Farm in 2014

A view of Little Hartgrove Farm in 2014

Western Gazette – 23rd November 1900
Richard J. Jesse of Hartgrove won first prize for 12 dessert apples at the 11th annual Chrysanthemum, Fruit, Flower and Industrial Show.
On the 4th June 1901, a Diocesian school report found that, among others, the following answered well: Elden Jesse, Harold Jesse and Mary Jesse.
On the 20th October 1902, having reached the age of 13, George Jesse left school.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Mary Jesse (Widow) Head 51 Farmer Shapwick, Dorset.
John Jesse Son 22 Farm worker Fontmell
*George Jesse   “ 21       “ Melbury Abbas
Harold B. Jesse   “ 19       “ Fontmell
Mary B. Jesse Daughter 19       “
Thomas F. Jesse Son 17 Farm worker       “
Elden F. Jesse   “ 16 Scholar       “

Richard John Jesse died on the 4th February 1907, aged only about 52, but the family continued to live and manage the farm. His widow, Mary Ann, obtained probate and was left the sum of £362-3s (£38,443 in present money value) and was no doubt well supported by their children.
* On the 8th June 1908 George Jesse enlisted for 4 years with the Dorset Yeomanry. It is recorded that he was 18 years & 8 months old and 5’10” tall. He had a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and grey eyes.
He re-enlisted to fight in the 1st World War. He married Ida Dibben at Dorchester during early 1916 and then, in December, embarked for France, landing in Le Havre on the 10th December 1916. On the 12th May 1917 he was badly wounded in a gas attack and 9 days later was shipped back to England.

Ida & George on their wedding day

Ida & George on their wedding day

George, in Cheshire, recovering from being gassed

George, in Cheshire, recovering from being gassed

While recovering in Hospital in Cheshire, George wrote to Ida. Extracts from his letter are as follows:-

My Darling Ida,
…..…Am still having medicine three times a day and still on light food. ……. Can eat alright, then afterwards be sick and bring it all up………. Wish they would give me two months home…….. because I could do a little good home, although I don’t feel up to a lot of hard work. I could do your milking or drive the mowing machine. I know dearest how very hard you have to work……… Who would have thought that this terrible war was going to last all this time. …….I am sure one can never explain what it is like…….. I had a letter from my friend Harry Smart……. They had a terrible time after I left them. He said all the boys wished to be remembered to me and that there were only six left…… It is always worst to hold a trench than it is to take….. I expect the Huns gave them a good shelling.
Will close with all my love. Yours ever loving, George.

He was recorded as living at Blackven Farm (See below). It appears that he recovered from his gas injuries and was transferred to serve out his time with the Agricultural Labour Company until he was finally demobilised in February, 1919. He was awarded the British War and the Victory medals.

Hartgrove Hill
Moving on from Little Hartgrove Farm, the enumerator would have come to a labourer’s cottage, occupied in 1901 as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Lemon Head 37 Cattleman on farm East Orchard
Elizabeth Lemon Wife 35 Bourton, Dorset

 

Here is the cottage where Herbert & Elizabeth Lemon lived, possibly taken in 1914. Elizabeth stands, in her best frock, at the garden gate. The cottage still survives.

Here is the cottage where Herbert & Elizabeth Lemon lived, possibly taken in 1914. Elizabeth stands, in her best frock, at the garden gate. The cottage still survives.

Rebbeck Cottage 2014

The cottage in 2014 (100 years later)

This is a very old 19th century photograph. Looking north along Gupples Lane towards Shaftesbury with the Lemon’s cottage on the right and Tucker’s Farm house a little further along.

This is a very old 19th century photograph. Looking north along Gupples Lane towards Shaftesbury with the Lemon’s cottage on the right and Tucker’s Farm house a little further along.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Herbert Lemon Head 47 Cowman East Orchard
Elizabeth Lemon Wife (16 yrs) 44 Bourton, Dorset
Mary Marshall (Widow) Mother-in-Law 65
Looking north along Gupples Lane in 2014

Looking north along Gupples Lane in 2014

By 1911 Elizabeth’s widowed Mother had come to live with them. Sadly she died just 3½ years later, not at home with her daughter, but in the Union (workhouse) infirmary, Shaftesbury. She was buried in Fontmell.

Tucker’s farm (Now called Yew Tree Farm)
Continuing north the enumerator now came to Tucker’s Farm, with only one occupant in 1901 and two occupants in 1911:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Alice Z. Rebbeck Head 51 Farm occupier/employer Margarets Marsh
Here is a photo of Tucker’s Farm House in about 1914. It is probably Alice Rebbeck standing at the garden gate in her best frock.

Here is a photo of Tucker’s Farm House in about 1914. It is probably Alice Rebbeck at the garden gate in her best frock.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Alice Rebbeck (Widow) Head 61 Farmer Margarets Marsh
Elizabeth A. Reeves Single 36 Helper Bristol
Mrs Rebbeck (probably) stands at the entrance to Tucker’s Farm with her cattle in about 1914.

Mrs Rebbeck (probably) stands at the entrance to Tucker’s Farm with her cattle in about 1914.

Yew Tree Farm. The same view in 2014.

Yew Tree Farm. The same view in 2014.

 

Binegar

The enumerator now walked northwards towards Binegar Farm and its associated labourer’s cottages, the occupants of the cottages were as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
James Martin Head 38 Thatcher East Orchard
Christina Martin Wife 34 Tarrant Rushton
Gertrude F. Martin Daughter 3 Fontmell
Edward J. Martin Son 1       “

On the 19th May 1903 a Diocesian report mentioned Gertrude Martin for having ‘Answered well’.

Western Gazette – 30th December 1904
The Gazette reported the death of Christina, wife of James Martin, on the 21st December at the age of only 38.

Western Gazette – 24th March 1905
James Martin of Hartgrove, a working man with 3 children, advertised for a housekeeper.
A complete change of occupants took place during the next 10 years. James Martin appears to have moved to Fairview Cottage on Hartgrove Hill.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
William Compton Head 47 Carter on farm St.James, Shaftesbury
Fanny Compton Wife 46 East Orchard
Sidney Compton Son 15 Cattleman on farm Fontmell
Ada Compton Daughter 11       “
Eva Compton    “ 7       “
Beatrice Compton    “ 5       “

Binegar Farm

A view of Binegar Farm in 2014, with Shaftesbury in the background.

A view of Binegar Farm in 2014, with Shaftesbury in the background.

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Alfred Bennett Head 42 Farmer Hartgrove
Caroline Bennett Wife 29 Shillingstone
Louisa Bennett Daughter 7 Hartgrove
Adelaide Bennett    “ 1       “
Bert Bennett Son 5 months       “
Millie Fisher Servant 17 Domestic Servant Child Okeford

During the intervening period, the farm changed hands and was occupied by the Thomas Jesse and his sister, Sarah.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Thomas Jesse Head (Single) 55 Farmer Melbury Abbas
Sarah Jesse Sister 59 Housekeeper         “

Sadly, Sarah died just a couple of years later and was buried in Fontmell on 27th November 1912.

 

Gupples Farm
Heading on towards Shaftesbury, the enumerator now visits Gupples Farm, which was occupied by the Rebbeck family.

Gupples Farm

Gupples Farm

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
James Rebbeck Head 26 Farmer Fontmell
Louisa Rebbeck Wife (2 years) 30      “
John J. Rebbeck Son 11 mths      “
Bessie Francis Servant 20 Domestic Servant Manston

Western Gazette – 3rd March 1905
Mr Rebbeck advertised that a girl (respectable) was wanted to help mistress with housework and children.

Western Gazette – 28th February 1908
At the Shaftesbury prize Barrener sale, Mr Rebbeck of Hartgrove won 2nd prize for his single barrener.
On the 11th May 1908 Richard Rebbeck was admitted to East Orchard school.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
James Rebbeck Head 36 Farmer Fontmell
Louisa Rebbeck Wife (12 years) 40      “
John J. Rebbeck Son 10 Scholar      “
Alice M. Rebbeck Daughter 9      “
Richard Rebbeck Son 8      “
Reginald Rebbeck 7      “
Emma Rebbeck Daughter 2      “
Infant (not named) 1 month      “
Caroline Perkins Servant (single) 26 Servant Shaftesbury

 

Blackmore (Blackven) Common

A very old cottage on Blackven Common in 2014

A very old cottage on Blackven Common in 2014

Travelling on to the end of the lane, the enumerator turned left along Blackmore/Blackven Common towards Sturminster Newton. On the common several families lived in cottages as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Uninhabited cottage

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Henry Jeans Head 56 Carter on farm Margarets Marsh
Jane Jeans Wife 57 West Orchard
Lucy Jeans Daughter 13 Margarets Marsh

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Edward Martin Head (widower) 76 Thatcher Stour Provost
Ellen Martin Daughter 45 Housekeeper East Orchard

Sadly Ellen reached the end of her life in the County Asylum at Charminster near Dorchester. She was buried in Fontmell on the 22nd December 1916.

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Gilbert Foot Head 21 Carter on farm Manston
Sarah Foot Wife 22 Clapton, Somerset.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Elizabeth Edwards Head (Widow) 66 West Buckland, Somerset
Margaret M. Edwards Daughter 31 Housekeeper on Farm Piddlehinton

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Sidney Crocker Head 52 Agricultural Labourer Stalbridge
Annie Crocker Wife (17 years) 53 Tarrant Gunville
Clara Crocker Daughter 24 Hinton St.Mary
Harry Crocker Son 21 Agricultural Labourer         “
Ernest Crocker    “ 19       “         “
Sidney Crocker    “ 17       “         “
Edith Crocker Daughter 13 Scholar         “
Muriel Crocker    “ 10       “         “

It seems that the Crocker family came to live here in the spring of 1904, as their children, Ernest, Sidney, Edith and Muriel were admitted to East Orchard school on the 7th March.

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Frederick Sharpe Head 46 Agricultural Labourer Compton Abbas
Bessie Sharpe Wife (17 years) 44 Shaftesbury
Charles Sharpe Son 14 Scholar      “
Robert Denleigh Father in Law 70 Widower      “

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Walter Andrews Head (Widower) 68 Farmer pensioner Farrington, Dorset
Lillian Andrews Daughter 26 Housekeeper Marnhull

Four properties which all had a change of occupancy during the intervening 10 years.

Blatchford’s Farm (Today called Blackberry Farm)

A view of Blackberry Farm from the North, in 2014

A view of Blackberry Farm from the North, in 2014.

This old farm was built about 1600. It was a one storey farm house with attics, rubble walls and tiled roof. The front was refaced in recent times and the building fitted with new doors and windows. Inside, the middle room was sub-divided by modern partitions and had a nine panel ceiling with four intersecting beams, and a large open fireplace.
In 1901 it was occupied by the Harding family as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Gilbert Harding Head 52 Farmer Sturminster Newton
Frances Harding Wife 50         “
Gilbert Harding Son 23 Carpenter         “
Maggie Harding Daughter 22 Draper’s Assistant         “

Gilbert died at the age of only 54 and was buried in Fontmell on the 22nd May 1906.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Edgar E. Roberts Head 40 Farmer East Knoyle, Wilts
Bertha M. Roberts Wife (14 years) 45 Sandy, Beds
Thomas E. Roberts Son 12 Scholar London
Harold M. Roberts    “ 11      “ Semley, Wilts
Arthur C. Roberts    “ 6      “ Nevendon, Essex

This was a family that experienced much tragedy and loss. Thomas and Harold both enlisted in the army when war broke out. Thomas was very severely wounded in the leg and was discharged as unfit for further military service.
Harold joined the 5th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was killed in action in Flanders on the 25th September 1918, when aged only 19, and only 7 weeks before the end of the war. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, together with over 20,000 others who have no known grave.
Western Gazette – 26th September 1919.
Harold’s parents commemorated him with ‘In loving memory of Harold Martin, dearly loved son of Mr & Mrs E. Roberts of Blachford’s Farm, Hartgrove, who gave his life for his country, 25th September 1918, aged 19 years’.
Aged only 26, Arthur died and was buried at Fontmell on the 25th June 1931.

 

Cowgrove Farm
In 1972, this was an 18th century two storey farmhouse with brick walls and a thatched roof. It consists of 3 bays with a central doorway and plain sashed windows. The fireplace was set against the rear wall.

 

Cowgrove Farm, with its ancient barn in the foreground.

Cowgrove Farm, with its ancient barn in the foreground.

In 1901 it was occupied by the Brown family as follows:-

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Brown Head 38 Farmer Lydlinch, Dorset
Rose M. Brown Wife 30 Nunney, Somerset
Annie E. Brown Daughter 5 Fontmell
Mabel R. Brown     “ 4       “
Bessie A. Brown     “ 2       “
Ethel M. Brown     “ 1 month       “
Flora E. Symes Servant 13 Domestic Servant Sturminster Newton

 

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Brown Head 48 Farmer Lydlinch, Dorset
Rose M. Brown Wife 40 Nunney, Somerset
Annie E. Brown Daughter 15 Scholar Fontmell
Mabel R. Brown     “ 14      “       “
Bessie A. Brown     “ 12      “       “
Ethel M. Brown     “ 10      “       “
John J. Brown Son 8       “
Edith J. Brown Daughter 7       “
Sidney G. Brown Son 6       “

 

Fairview Cottage

At the top of the hill on the left is Fairview Cottage where James Martin lived in 1911, having moved from Binegar.

A view of Fairview Cottage in 2014. Today it is named Hartgrove Cottage.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
James Martin Head (Widower) 48 Thatcher East Orchard
Ellen Martin Sister 54       “
Gertrude Martin Daughter 13 Scholar Fontmell
Edward Martin Son 11      “       “
Winifred Martin 8      “       “

 

Bleaks

Now the enumerator returns to the Shaftesbury to Sturminster Road and turns left towards Bleaks Hill.

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Frank Cosser Head 27 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell
Emily Cosser Sister 35 Dressmaker      “

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Sarah Stacey Head (widow) 69 Fontmell
Emily F.J. Stacey Daughter 28 Glover Hinton St.Mary
David J.D. Hatcher Grandson 18 General Labourer Fontmell

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Edwin T. Frampton (Tom) Head 38 Cattleman on farm Fontmell
Priscilla Frampton Wife (10 years) 34 Compton Abbas
Flora K. Frampton Daughter 10 Fontmell
Beatrice E. Frampton    “ 8       “
*Frederick G. Frampton Son 5       “
Bertram J. Frampton    “ 2       “

Western Gazette – 16th November 1900
Tom Frampton was summoned to court for assaulting Walter Abbot at Cann (at the Black Horse Inn). He was angered because Abbot pressed him for money owed, in front of his employer. Frampton struck Abbot 3 times, knocking him down. He was fined £2 or one month in prison in default. Frampton said during the confrontation “If you want to summon me, summon me for something, and not nothing at all”.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Frank Cosser Head 36 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
George Moore Head 78 Agricultural Labourer Margarets Marsh
Alice M.M. Moore Wife (11 years) 68 London

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Edwin T. Frampton Head 48 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell
Priscilla Frampton Wife (20 years) 44 Compton Abbas
Bertram J. Frampton Son 13 Scholar Fontmell
Arthur S. Frampton    “ 6     “       “

Here the only change is that the Stacey family have been replaced by the Moore family.

It is recorded that on the 13th October 1906 Bertram Frampton is absent from school with a broken leg.

*Frederick G. Frampton.
By 1911, Frederick had moved to live with his uncle and Aunt at Harpitts Farm in East Stour. He enlisted with the 5th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment at the start of the 1st World War and soon found himself in the thick of the fighting in Mesopotamia. He was one of 184 casualties suffered by the battalion in an attack on the Turkish trenches. He has no known grave and was posthumously awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory medals. He was aged 20.

Private F.G. Frampton

Private F. G. Frampton

KILLED IN ACTION IN THE PERSIAN GULF
(Western Gazette 1st September 1916)

Mr and Mrs Thomas Frampton have received notification that their eldest son, Private F.G. Frampton (Photo) of the Wiltshire Regiment, has been killed in action at the Persian Gulf on April 5th last. This makes the seventh hero from this village that has yielded up his life in this great and terrible war, and much sympathy is expressed throughout the neighbourhood for the sorrowing relatives of these heroes who have fallen whilst fighting for England’s honour.

Lower Hartgrove

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
James Knott Head 81 Own means Sturminster Newton
Ann Knott Wife 77 Wincanton, Somerset

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Fred Padfield Head 26 Agricultural Labourer Margarets Marsh
Ellen Padfield Wife (1 year) 26 Stour Row

Green Farm
Now on towards Margarets Marsh and Green Farm, a 17th century farm house of two storeys and attic, coursed rubble walls and a thatched roof. 

Green Farm in the Blackmore Vale, looking west from Hartgrove Hill.

Green Farm in the Blackmore Vale, looking west from Hartgrove Hill.

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Charles Foyle Head 35 Farmer & Dealer Kington Magna
Annie Foyle Wife (16 years) 35       “
Jennie Foyle Daughter 16
Daisy Foyle    “ 9       “
Charles Foyle Son 6       “
Percy Foyle    “ 4       “

On the 29th April 1901 Percy Foyle was admitted to East Orchard school and, on 4th June 1901 a Diocesan school report found that he ‘Answered well’. In a further Diocesan report on the 19th May 1903 both Charles and Percy were mentioned for having ‘Answered well’.
Violet Foyle admitted to the school on the 11th May 1908.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Charles Foyle Head 45 Farmer Kington Magna
Annie Foyle Wife (26 years) 45       “
Daisy Foyle Daughter 19       “
Charles Foyle Son 16 Farm Lad       “
Percy Foyle    “ 14      “       “
Violet Foyle Daughter 8 Scholar Hartgrove
Elsie Foyle    “ 7      “       “
Kenneth Foyle Son 5       “
Cyril Foyle    “ 3       “

During the 1st World War, Percy Foyle enlisted with the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry (along with George Jesse and other men of Fontmell. Percy saw action in Gallipoli, the middle east and was wounded in a heroic cavalry charge at Agagia against Turks and Senussi tribesman.

Western Gazette – 26th September 1919
It was reported that Trooper Percy Foyle, late of the Dorset Yeomanry, unveiled a memorial tablet at an impressive service at the Hartgrove Weslyan Church. The tablet was to the memory of Frederick George Frampton and Maurice Burden, former church members who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.

 

Lower Hartgrove Farm

Lower Hartgrove Farm in 2014

Lower Hartgrove Farm in 2014

Now the enumerator heads back along Green Lane, visiting Lower Hartgrove Farm, which was occupied by the Doggrell family in 1901.
In 1972 the original house was no longer being used as a dwelling, but for animals. It was a one storey house with dormer-windowed attics, rubble walls with ashlar dressings and a thatched roof. It was built in the 17th century, then heightened and altered internally, probably in the 19th century.

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Noah Doggrell Head 56 Farmer Camborne, Cornwall
Sarah M. Doggrell Wife (25 years) 46 Whitings Farm, Melbury Abbas
Joseph J. Doggrell Son 24 Farmer’s son Fontmell
Elizabeth Doggrell Daughter 21       “
Agnes S. Doggrell    “ 19 Lower Hartgrove Farm

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Noah Doggrell Head 66 Farmer Camborne, Cornwall
Sarah M. Doggrell Wife (35 years) 56 Whitings Farm, Melbury Abbas
Agnes S. Doggrell Daughter 29 Dairywoman Lower Hartgrove Farm

 

Noah Doggrell died on the 22nd August 1913 and was buried in Fontmell. His widow Sarah obtained probate. His estate was valued at £867-17s-6d (£86,471) in present day values.

 

Blackven Farm
Now the enumerator made his way back to the Shaftesbury road, turning left along what the census refers to as Blackmore Common (probably Blackven Common) and Blackven Farm.

819 Black Ven Farm

Blackven Farm

At the time of the first Glyn sale in 1919 there were ten active farms in Hartgrove. The largest was Blackvenn, described in the sale brochure as ‘A superior dairy and grazing holding of 202 acres’. The house was ‘in the Elizabethan style, with mullioned windows, five bedrooms, drawing and dining rooms, kitchen and scullery’.

 

Blackven Farm House at the beginning of the 20th century.

Blackven Farm House at the beginning of the 20th century

Blackven Cottages with the Farm beyond in 2014

Blackven Cottages with the Farm beyond in 2014

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Mark S. Tucker Head 35 Farmer West Harptree, Somerset
Mary A. Tucker Wife 29 Cranmore, Somerset
Ethel E.M. Tucker Daughter 5 Wedmore, Somerset
Dorothy D.M. Tucker    “ 3 Fontmell
Ernest S. Tucker Son 1      “
Lillian M. Warren Servant 77 Domestic servant Marnhull

In the 1901 census, William Jesse was the Miller and Farmer living at nearby Woodbridge Mill. He died at the age of about 47, on the 21st December 1905, leaving estate that was valued at the considerable sum of £1,397-12s-3d (£148,350 in present money values). His place of residence was given as Blackven Farm and probate was obtained by his son, Reginald James Jesse.
What happened to his son Reginald James is unknown, but it seems that his daughter, Daisy, took over the management of Blackven Farm, as the 1911 census records the following.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Daisy Jesse (Single) Head 19 Dairymaid (Employer) Fontmell
Percy Jesse Brother 16 Farm worker      “
Charles Jesse     “ 13 Scholar      “
Henrietta E. Sparke 53 Housekeeper Chinnock, Somerset

 On the 21st September 1900 Percy Jesse had been admitted to East Orchard school.

Haymaking at Blackven Farm 20/07/1916

Haymaking at Black Ven Farm 20/07/1916

 

Kitt Hill
Now back to the Shaftesbury road and left up to the settlement on Kitt Hill.

1901 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
William Gray Head 61 Agricultural Labourer Cann
Emma Gray Wife 56 East Orchard
Bessie Gray Daughter 23 Compton Abbas
Henry Atwell Boarder 25 Agricultural Labourer Wincanton, Somerset

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Robert Rideout Head 75 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell
Emily A. Rideout Wife (44 years) 67 West Orchard
Mary J. Rideout Daughter 36 Fontmell
Henry Rideout Son 33 Flour Mill Carter       “
Alfred Beckley Boarder 23 Flour Miller Dukesford, Wilts

 

98 Kitt Hill, home of the Rideout family.

98 Kitt Hill, home of the Rideout family.

Henry Rideout in a field at the back of Kitt Hill.

Henry Rideout in a field at the back of Kitt Hill.

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Robert Rideout Head 75 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell
Emily A. Rideout Wife (44 years) 67 West Orchard
Mary J. Rideout Daughter 36 Fontmell
Henry Rideout Son 33 Flour Mill Carter       “
Alfred Beckley Boarder 23 Flour Miller Dukesford, Wilts

 

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Ann Tucker Head (widow) 71 Shaftesbury
Edwin Tucker Single 39 Cattleman on farm Fontmell
Kate Tucker Daughter 28       “

Anne Tucker died and was buried on the 25th April 1904.

1911 Census

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Alfred Young Head 45 Agricultural Labourer East Orchard
Caroline Young Wife (24 years) 45 Sturminster Newton
Elizabeth Young Daughter 20 Cann
*James Young Son 18 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell
Alfred Young    “ 16       “      “
William Young    “ 14       “      “
Rose Young Daughter 11 Scholar      “

It seems that the Young family came to Kitt Hill in the spring of 1901, as Alfred and Mary were admitted to East Orchard school in April; then William was admitted on the 8th July 1901.
Caroline died at the age of only 49 and was buried on the 28th August 1914.
* James Young married Beatrice Brown at Basingstoke on the 12th October 1914. They had a son who was born on the 24th October 1915 and who they named Frederick James.
On the 14th February 1916 James enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex regiment. His service record shows that he was only 5’-2½” tall and 9½ stones. His occupation was stated to be a Carter and he was living near Petersfield in Hampshire.
In June, 1916, he left for France and, just two months later on the 20th August he was killed in action on the Somme; aged 23. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

Thiepval Memorial

Thiepval Memorial

The name of James Young on the Thiepval Memorial

James Young’s name on the Memorial

The Parish Magazine announced his death, stating ‘He left this parish some years ago, and another claims him for their roll, but our deep sympathy goes out to his widow and his Father’.
His widow remarried in 1918.

1911 Census (continued)

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Robert Rideout Head 86 Pensioner Fontmell
Emily A. Rideout Wife (54 years) 76       “ West Orchard
Henry Rideout Son 42 Farm Carter East Orchard
Fanny Rideout Daughter in Law 33 Weymouth
Emily Rideout Grand daughter 6 Fontmell
Robert Rideout Grandson 4       “
William Rideout      “ 1       “
Matilda Moore Cousin (single) 67 Farmer’s Domestic West Orchard

Emily Ann died at the age of 81 and was buried in Fontmell on 30th December 1915.

Henry Rideout with his wife, Fanny(the middle lady) and two unnamed ladies.

Henry Rideout with his wife, Fanny (the middle lady) and two unnamed ladies.

Henry with his daughter, Emily.

Henry with his daughter, Emily.

Henry with his son Robert (known as Ted).

Henry with his son Robert (known as Ted).

98 Kitt Hill being re-thatched.

98 Kitt Hill being re-thatched.

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Melina Rideout Head (single) 82 Farmer’s Domestic Fontmell

Poor Melina died in the Shaftesbury Workhouse and was buried in Fontmell on 20th March 1917.

Name Status Age Occupation Where born
Edwin Tucker Single 49 Agricultural Labourer Fontmell

 

Author: Dave Hardiman