
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.
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
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 | “ |
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.
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.

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 |
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 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 |
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
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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’.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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