Scard Family 
James Scard
[c.1731-1796]
Wealthy Miller of Shorton/Iwerne Courtney, North Dorset - Died Testate.
Spouse1: Elizabeth Painter [c.1731-1752]
Spouse2: 
Elizabeth Brookes [1739-1800] Died Testate.
The Family Legend
From a descendant of Charles Scard & Fanny Curtis [the son of James Scard of Henstridge].
" "That one of our ancestors was very Wealthy, a miller, and that subsequently
part of the Family's Wealth was lost in a Card Game"
Over the next generation there is evidence to suggest
the truth of this Legend in every respect.
1731-1751 James Scard is estimated to have been born around 1731. He was the son of Thomas Scard of Iwerne Minster.
His only known sibling, a sister Elizabeth Scard. Little is known of their mother except a tenuous thread in a
burial of Mary Scard at nearby Child Okeford in 1762. James followed the Anglican Faith inasmuch as all
vital records shown relating to his family were recorded in Churches of this Denomination. In later life James
was known to patronize St. Mary’s at nearby Shroton/Iwerne Courtney in particular and this church is considered
to have been the venue of burials for the Scard Family although the early records are obscure.
James was a Miller by trade and was confidently literate although his father did not display these skills [Will].
His sister Elizabeth married well and it is considered that she too was literate.
1752: James marries;
James Scard married Elizabeth Painter at St. Laurence Church Farnham [5.6 miles E of Iwerne Minster] on the
1st October 1752. They are both considered to have been around the age of twenty one.
After their marriage the couple settled at Iwerne Minster, it is unknown if they shared the home of James' father.
Elizabeth Painter: Little is known of Elizabeth Painter although there is evidence of the Painter Family
Name appearing in Records in this area for many decades.
Although Elizabeth's parents were not found, the contents of James' Will indicate that she
had a sister, Mary Painter.
1753: Child 1: ANN SCARD:
Elizabeth and James settled at Iwerne Minster where within a year their first child, Ann Scard was baptised at
St. Mary's Church of that village on the 21st September 1753.
1753: Sister Elizabeth marries:
Meanwhile in the March of that year James' sister Elizabeth Scard married Joel Beal at Langton Long
[4 miles ESE of Iwerne Minster] on the 5th March 1753. The [FHO] Entry reads;
FHO: 'Groom: Joel Beal of Iwerne Minster, Bride: Betty 'Scherd' of Iwerne Minster.'
DPC: 'Joel BEALE; of Tarrant Gunville; to; Betty SCHEID; Ewern Minster; 05 March 1753.'
1756: Birth of James' only nephew William Beal:
Elizabeth and Joel moved 4 miles east to Tarrant Gunville where it is known that Joel had family. It was there
that they recorded a son baptised William Beal on the 19th Feb 1756. Young William was later named as beneficiary
in his paternal grandfather's Will in 1770.
pre 1761: James' 1st Wife dies:
Elizabeth Scard [nee Painter] died sometime within the following seven years. She was survived by her husband
James Scard and their young daughter Ann. James continued a bond with the Painter family all his life, especially
with his sister-in-law Mary.
1762: An Unplaced Mary Scard dies:
The next event possibly related to this family was Mary Scard recorded buried on the 13 April 1762 at nearby
Child Okeford. It is considered that Mary may have been the mother of James and his sister Elizabeth.
1762: James re-marries:
It was five months later, by this time young Ann was now nine years old, when her father married for the 2nd time.
The Parish Entry at St. Mary’s Iwerne Minster records the late Autumn marriage on the Wednesday
8th September 1762 James Scard married his 23 year old bride, Elizabeth Brooks “both of Stourpaine” by Licence.
Witnesses: Thomas Spinney & Elizabeth Waghorn.
Elizabeth Brookes: Elizabeth was baptised at St. Mary's Charlton Marshall a short distance from Stourpaine
on the 24th January 1739, the daughter of Elias Brookes, a yeoman and his wife Elizabeth.
Her father Elias died testate at his Estate at Stourpaine in 1786, bequeathing legacies
to his four grandchildren by his daughter Elizabeth Scard, noted the wife of James Scard
and his grandchildren by his other married daughters Angel Thaine [nee Brookes] and
Christian Gear [nee Brookes]. No mention of his wife Elizabeth was found and it is
considered he died a widower. More on the Brookes Family and the Will of Elias Brooks
can be accessed here; The Brookes Family of Stourpaine North Dorset
Thomas Spinney [witness]: was a blacksmith who was born Stourpaine He maried the widow, Ann New
nine years later in 1771. Thomas Spinney died testate, his Will proved 20th March 1778.
There was no mention of the Scard Family in the Document.
He was mention in a Document. [See National Archives - Online]
Elizabeth Waghorn: was proved to be the wife of Robert Waghorn also of Stourpaine and the sister of
Thomas Spinney.
No connection was found for either witnesses to the bride and groom.
Issue: John Scard baptised 14th August 1763 St. Mary's Iwerne Minster - married Jane Abraham & had issue.
Thomas Scard baptised 15th April 1765 St. Mary's Iwerne Minster - died before 1769 between the ages of 0-3yrs.
Elizabeth Scard baptised 26th October 1768 St. Mary's Iwerne Minster - married William Kerley
James Scard baptised 29th October 1770 St. Mary’s at Shroton - married Fanny Fry [nee Candy], the widow of Thomas Fry.
Maria Scard baptised 23rd February 1777 St. Mary’s at Shroton - last recorded as a major beneficiary in mother's Will 1800.
1763: Child 2: JOHN SCARD;
Around eleven months after their marriage their first child, John Scard was baptized at St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster
Sunday 14th August 1763.
The name John is an enigma, it would be expected that the first male child would normally be named after the father
or else a high-ranking Family Member, usually the paternal grandfather.
As we know for certain that James's father was the aforementioned Thomas Scard, and that his wife Elizabeth's father
was Elias, it is considered that this child very likely carried the name of his paternal great grandfather.
There are two possible candidates: John Scard of nearby Sutton Waldron [fragment] or John Scard of Cann.
1764: James' previous sister-in-law, Mary Painter marries;
As it happened nine months later on the 1st May 1764 James’ previous sister-in-law Mary Painter, married
William French by Licence at nearby Shroton/Iwerne Courtney.
A friendship developed between James Scard and William French.
William was later mentioned as a small beneficiary in James' Will [1796], the recipient of a bequeathal of ten pounds,
William died two years after James, buried at St. Mary’s Shroton on the 17th October 1798 [under the name Frinch FHO]].
No other family connection was found regarding William although James had always considered William French as
his ‘brother-in-law [Family Will 2] although from his first marriage. Their friendship endured over thirty years.
Another deep and lasting friendship - Philip Godwin:
James was also known to have formed another close relationship over these years with Philip Godwin of Pimperne,
just four miles South East. Philip’s Family Name was connected with Victuallers in London & Surrey for generations [A2A
and Philip also followed tradition as a maltser. He established himself at Pimperne, North Dorset where he married
Jane Fry 29/10/1777 [LDS] where he resided until his death. Philip Goodwin died testate, buried 4th Dec1815.
His Estate was liquidated upon his instructions and specific details of his Holdings were not mentioned, it is considered
that he may have had interests in one of the Public Houses at Pimperne.
No early family connection was found between Philip Goodwin and James and/or their spouses, however James'
third son James Scard [the younger] later married the widow of Thomas Fry. James Scard [the younger] reared
the son of Thomas Fry who was displayed in several documents as holding lands in the vicinity, also referred to in
the 1841 Census. It was found that Philip Goodwin's wife Jane was Thomas Fry's aunt. The Fry Family were
documented to be Millers.
In 1796 Philip Goodwin was named 'my good friend' and Executor in the Will of James Scard had endured many decades.
1765: Child 3: THOMAS SCARD:
The next year Elizabeth and James again presented at the ancient Church of St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster on
Sunday 15th April 1765 for the Baptism of their second born Thomas who carried the name of his grandfather.
Siblings John was two years old when his brother was baptized and his half-sister Ann was now twelve.
1765-1769: Child 3: DEATH;
Thomas was never mentioned any other documents nor is he mentioned in either of his parent’s Wills
Nor in either of his paternal nor maternal grandfathers' Wills - i.e. Thomas Scard or Elias Brookes.
This child must therefore have died before the 23rd January 1769 between the ages of 0-3yrs.
1763-1766: Sister Elizabeth's spouse, Joel Beale dies 1763-1766:
Meanwhile James sister Elizabeth is assumed still living at Tarrant Gunville where two burials were registered in
the name of Joel Beal. The first on the 9th January 1763-4 presumed to be her son.
The second Joel Beal buried 17th December 1766 believed to be Elizabeth’s husband.
It is considered that Elizabeth together with her young son William may have moved back to her father’s home for a
short while. Elizabeth's father was particularly concerned that her son William be assured an Apprenticeship when
he came of Indenture age [usually fourteen to fifteen].
Pre 1768:
Both James and Elizabeth appear to have kept close contact with their father during this time and Thomas appears
to have remained living at his cottage at Iwerne Minster where he was actively interested in his three grandchildren
Ann, William and John.
1768: Child 4: ELIZABETH SCARD:
James and Elizabeth presented again at St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster with a daughter Elizabeth Scard baptized on
Sunday the 26th October 1768.
1769: James' father , Thomas Scard arranges his Will:
On the 23rd January 1769, lacking literary skills, Thomas approached local shopkeeper Steven Goulden who assisted
him by documenting his Will . His newest granddaughter Elizabeth [now three months old] was not mentioned.
1769: James begins to accumulate his wealth:
It was around this time that James and Elizabeth moved two miles south to Shroton/Iwerne Courtney.
James took possession of the Shroton Mill around 1769, acquired by Lease, the property of the Hon. George Pitt Baron
Rivers. The Shroton Mill was mentioned in a early document dated 1754 where a Lease was signed in this year
between the Hon. George Baron Pitt, Lord Rivers and King in relation to this property. [TNA]
The document describes the Estate at that time as; “Millhouse and Mills called Shroton Mills. Deeds:(Pitt, King)”
It was here in the cottage adjoining the Mill that their four children spent their childhood and where James remained
until his death.
Above: Back view of the Shroton Mill & Mill House
[Note: This and other photos of the house and the internal structure of the Mill is available
online at ‘The Mill Archives’ Site. At the time of writing, the information was free but they
did require to register. This site, additional to the photos it also has interesting information
in their archives] http://www.millsarchive.com/
The Shroton Mill: The Iwerne Minster Mill, itself a landmark was joined by a brook to another nearby Mill a little
over a mile downstream at Shroton/Iwerne Courtney. The Brook and both properties were mentioned in a note attached
to an entry for the Church of England, Iwerne Courtney Parish in the 1841 Census in a memoranda at the front of the
census figures concerning the cleaning of the Brook from Iwerne Minster to Shroton Mill and 'Fry's Mill' Pond in 1822 [A2A].
James' wife Elizabeth later bequeathed the Shroton Mill to their son James [the younger] and a full description of
the Property was found in an Insurance Document in his name dated 1805.
The Entry reads;
‘16 April 1805: James Scard of Child Oakford [Okeford], County of Dorset, Yeoman.
On a Corn Millhouse having no steam engine or kiln, situate at Shroton
in the county of Dorset - £170. On a house adjoining - £100.
On a bake house detached near - £30. All brick and stone built and tiled.’
[Royal Exchange Fire Insurance Policy 215435.
Transcribed by H E S Simmons, Watermills of Dorset, Science Museum Library, 174.’]
This information was borrowed from the mentioned records held by ‘The Mill Archives’.
1770: Thomas Scard [Senior] Dies:
James and his sister Elizabeth's father Thomas is believed to have died around the 12th July 1770. No burial has
been found for him but the date of his Probatum, granted on 14th July 1770 is considered to have been around the
time of his death. His son James appeared at the Court and was granted Administration as his son and named Executor.
For those readers who have missed the link above: The Will of Thomas Scard. Thomas is considered to have died
around the age of sixty-one.
The Iwerne Minster Estate bequeathed by his father was only one part of James’ many Estates when he died in 1796.
He had earlier also acquired another Estate in the same village leased from Major Thomas Boyer Esquire
[mentioned in Family Will 3]. [Major Boyer resided with his family at his main Estate at ‘Iwerne House’ and its surrounding
grounds inHampshire - Pallot’s Commercial Index 1830]. Both the Leaseholds comprised a cottage, garden and orchard.
His father's cottage and orchard is considered to be the same property later bequeathed to James' eldest son John Scard
in his mother's Will and was probably lost as a result of a card game as mentioned in the Family Legend above.
The Iwerne Minster Mill was nearby and whether it was attached to either of these early properties is not known but
James later expanded one of these Leaseholds include an adjoining acreage, the orchard of which his wife Elizabeth
was particularly fond. This later fell to their daughters Elizabeth & Maria.
Three months later;
1770: Child 5: JAMES SCARD [the younger]:
On the mid Autumn Sunday of the 29th October 1770, James and Elizabeth visited St. Mary’s at Shroton for the
Baptism of their fourth child James.
Rev. Thomas Martin had held the parsonage at St. Mary’s for the last seven years [OPC].
1772: The Shillingstone Estate:
Two years later James increased his holdings with the Leasehold at nearby Shillingstone. A Document dated 1772
records a Deed Agreement for this Estate between George Pitt [otherwise The Right Hon. George Baron Rivers
(Pitt/Rivers)] [A2A], between Beckford and Seard [Scard]. These Deeds read that the property comprised a Messuage*,
Garden and Orchard. The Document also states that it was part of ‘Rabbitt’s’ tenement, another family found living
in the area at this time [OPC]. [The 3rd signatory is presumed to be connected to the Family of Horace Beckford Esquire
resident at Child Okeford. Piggot’s Directory 1831 OPC].
* In law, the term ‘Messuage’ equates to a dwelling house and includes outbuildings, orchard, curtilage or courtyard and garden.
At one time 'Messuage’ supposedly had a more extensive meaning than the term house or site. The term no longer survives.
1781 Another Deed Document also relating to the same Estate at Shillingston was signed by the same parties nine years later
in 1781. This property was later bequeathed to James’s daughter Maria in her mother's Will [1800]. This Estate was
not part of the Pitt/Rivers Holdings in the subsequent list of Estates found held by this family in a later period.
The Fiddleford Estate - Fiddleford:
James also acquired another Estate in the tiny Hamlet of Fiddleford. This Fiddleford property appears to have been
owned Freehold. This is not to be confused with The Fiddleford Mill which is situate in nearby Okeford Fitzpaine
is standing today and was still operational as recently as 1998.
Whether James had any interests in the 'Fiddleford Mill' at Okeford Fitzpaine and the reason he should acquire the
property at Fiddleford, or if he ever resided there is unknown certainly his son assumed residence for many years,
his children being born there.
He is known to have possession of the Fiddleford Property at his death [Will] which fell in his Will to his two very young
granddaughters i.e. Harriet [then aged 9yrs] & Elizabeth Scard [then aged 8yrs] the daughters of his eldest son John
who was in possession of the Fiddleford Estate for many years prior. Two of his children were documented [census]
born at the Fiddleford house i.e. his daughter Elizabeth Masterman [nee Scard] and his youngest son James.
*NOTE: The census 1841-1861 shows Elizabeth recording her Fiddleford birth place.
The census 1841 & 1851 Census shows his son James as recording his birthplace incorrectly as Henstridge
then in 1861 & 1871 correctly as Fiddleford.
James was blind and it is not known if his wife Jane Porter had incorrectly written or gave the wrong details.
The confusion regarding James' birthplace is believed largely to be the result of his father's flamboyant personality,
prone to exaggeration which is clearly explained with supporting documents in the next generation Biography
relating to his father, John.
1777: Child 6: MARIA SCARD:
Six years passed and on the 23rd February 1777 James and Elizabeth again visited the ancient Font at St. Mary’s
at Shroton where, welcoming their infant daughter Maria was the Rev. Henry Good who had now been resident
at the Parsonage for the last six years. At the birth of his youngest sister John was by now a young lad of fourteen,
half sister Ann was twenty-four, sister Elizabeth was nine and brother James seven. Elizabeth had by now reached
the age of thirty-eight, this would be the last time that James and Elizabeth would hold one of their own children
above these waters.
Education & Literacy:
Although literacy skills were not found in the Will of James' father Thomas it has been indicated that James
was confidently literate, and likely in the possession of a writing desk possibly situate in the parlour of the Shroton
Mill House [pictured above] where he was known to be resident from 1869 till his death. It was here where he would
have calculated, invoiced and documented many of the transactions pertinent to the Mill and the sale of his Produce
ensuing from his various Holdings and Estates.
Both James and his wife Elizabeth signed their own Wills.
It is considered that in their early years the children were versed in these literacy skills, very likely taught by their mother.
The signatures in both the Wills of James and Elizabeth and their eldest son John’s signature found in another document
were studied professionally.
Although signatures alone are not considered an ideal indication of personality, the formerly mentioned specimens did
show a confident hand synonymous with familiar use of literary skills.
James’ signature showed confident construction although it did demonstrate penmanship synonymous with a physically
weakened state. This is consistent with James' 'quoted' weakened state at that time [Family Will 2].
![Signature of James Scard [1731-1796]](SCARD BIOG DORSET JAMES the Miller_clip_image002.gif)
![Signature of Elizabeth Scard [1737-1800]](SCARD BIOG DORSET JAMES the Miller_clip_image002_0000.gif)
Compared to that of his wife Elizabeth’s signature which was stronger and better defined. Elizabeth was aged fifty-nine
at that time.
However their eldest son John’s signature did not show the flowing form of that of his parents and was fragmented and
gapped.
![Signature of John Scard [1763-1825]](SCARD BIOG DORSET JAMES the Miller_clip_image002.jpg)
[This signature was proven conclusively by other information recorded on the same document to be that of John Scard
the above Testator's son - unfortunately not a good reproduction]. The simple and erratic form showed a pattern of
impatience and impetuousness oddly consistent with John’s behaviour throughout his life and although evident
of literacy did not show the same familiarity with these skills as did the signatures of his parents, which was just as
this author had expected, the form in John's ‘d’ was similar to that of his mother, a pattern not shown in his father’s
signature. The overall the analysis found that the son was likely tutored by the mother and the father was educated
by a different source.
Over the next five years their sons, John and James learnt the trade of Milling in the footsteps of their father.
1780: Local News:
As a ‘light’ diversion it was around this time that a local scandal would have brushed the lips of all the inhabitants
of North Dorset, doubtlessly the subject of interest in the Scard Household was a gruesome incident at nearby Shard Gate.
James' sister Elizabeth may still have been living a Turrant Grunville at this time, only a short distant from where the
event took place.
In Chettle Common about six miles East of the Shroton Mill on the 16th December 1780 a gang of poachers led by
Trumpet Major Blandford who was attached to a regiment of Dragoon Guards billeted nearby came into armed conflict with
the Keepers on the 16th December 1780. In the battle Blandford lost his hand, severed at the wrist, the blood grossly
splattering the area or gate. The location then became known as 'Bloody Shard Gate.' Although Blandford did survive
he was later buried several miles distant, Legend has it that his severed hand haunts the area, looking to be reunited
with the body of it's owner.
Excerpt from the work of MervynWright hosted by DorsetOnlineParishClerk where more of the Legend can be found at;
URL: http://www.opcdorset.com/TarrantFiles/T.Gunville/TarrantGunville%20History.htm [It is at the very bottom of the page]
c.1780: Daughter Ann Scard marries:
By 1780 James's daughter Ann by his first wife Elizabeth Painter was now twenty-seven had married Robert Lock and
moved 17 miles SSE to Poole were she give birth to a son baptised James Locke on the 27th May 1781.
Ann and Robert would later have another son baptized 'John Scard Locke' six years later also at Poole on the
14th February 1787. These two boys would be mentioned in Ann's stepmother's Will [Elizabeth Scard] in 1800.
The Family's Wealth:
Although there were Markets held periodically in the various surrounding villages in close proximity,
[British History Online ‘Dorset’ Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales - dates of inception to AD1516]
the volume of produce estimated grown from James' many Estates indicates more than merely a stall at market.
The mainstay of the Family’s wealth lay in their Corn Mill, the Orchards which were part of their many Estates
and the fertile acreage known to be adjacent to the Iwerne Minster Property [most Estates of this description were
found to be around 30 acres]. The produce from these Estates would have been mainly Corn used to make Flour
and the production of Bread [a Bake house was part of the Shroton Estate]. Part of this corn crop was also likely sold
to Brewers employed in Public Houses and Inns, which dotted the countryside in the close vicinity, used as an
additive for making Beer, in itself unsuitable having a dull flavour, however used in conjunction with the
traditional barley malt as an additive source of fermentable sugars, it gave beer a unique and smoother flavour
used in the production of ‘dark beer’ or Stout. The Apples from their various Orchards would probably have
been sold for the manufacture of Cider.
Son John possibly falls into foul company;
The delivery of these products would have been regular and the likely furthermost of these Public Houses lay four
miles south east at the historic ‘Anvil Inn’ at Pimperne. Considering the closeness in which James held Philip
Goodwin’s friendship and the trust shown by him, it would be reasonable to assume that James and Philip had been
very likely associated in business transactions for many years.
The most likely candidate for this ‘delivery run’ would have been James’ eldest son John. Senior to his brother James
by seven years, John in his late adolescent years would very likely have been entrusted with this task with horse and
wagon and this last port of call at Pimperne would have been a welcome relief from the dusty roads traveled en route.
Later evidence suggests that at some point a great mistrust developed between John and his parents in relation to money
and his sense of responsibility [Will 1 & 2], his father in particular demonstrating seeming anger and distrust [Will 1].
This perhaps leaves a door open to speculation that some irresponsibility shown by John during this time justifyed his
parent’s very apparent mistrust. This is not to imply that he was intentional dishonest but that he fell into undesirable
company. This leads to the scenario that perhaps that after the long run that John would have rested the horse/s and
spent the night with Philip Goodwin and his good wife Jane, and instructed by James, Philip to be entrusted with the
‘takings’ from the 'run’ overnight till young John returned home the next morning. In this environment, the underage
John hiding in the background would have witnessed conversations way beyond his adolescent years and given the
opportunity later to keep undesirable company. A long standing Family Legend reveals that John may have later been
involved in an akin environment which may have led to his undoing. The Legend told by a descendant of Charles Scard
and his wife Fanny [nee Curtis]; "that their ancestor was a Miller, that they were very wealthy and that part of the Estate
was once lost in a card game".
1783: Eldest son John Scard marries:
Wild speculation aside, records show that in the early Winter of 1783, nine miles South of Iwerne Courtney, a Licence
was issued on the 19th November 1783 between John Scard, occupation Miller, residing at Shroton Dorset and
Jane Abraham residing at Winterbourne Kingston [Muston]. The Bondsman was Philip Loader, wheelwright of Spetisbury
[7 miles south west of Shroton].
The marriage took place on the same day also at Winterbourne Kingston and the witnesses were Philip Loader
the brother-in-law of the bride and Joseph Read.
Jane Abraham: Jane’s baptism details have not been located but a thread was found in the LDS, which
records a baptism of an Ursula Abraham on the 1st Feb 1758, the daughter of
James Abraham and Sarah [nee Miller] at Evershot which lays about 21miles west of
Spetisbury. Several other siblings were noted.
This is almost certainly the same Ursula Abraham who married Philip Loader at
Spettispury in 1775. Ursula Loader [nee Abraham] died in 1821 at the recorded age
of 65yrs [born 1756!]
Witnesses: Joseph Read: No evidence of a family connection was found for Joseph Read.
Philip Loader: married Ursula Abraham, considered to be Jane’s sister some eight years earlier
on the 19th July 1775 at St. John the Baptist Spetisbury. Philip and Ursula
remained at Spetisbury and had in all ten children spanning their marriage
of 46 years, their youngest Caroline born in 1800 [LDS].
There is reason to believe that Ursula was involved with her sister’s young
family after Jane's premature death in 1805.
No Dorset family is complete without some reference to Smugglers who were prolific in Dorset for centuries.
The Abraham Family has documented evidence of a smuggler in the family and because of the name being
rare in Dorset, he would very likely be the nephew of Jane & Ursula Scard. See the Abraham Family of Dorset.
In any case, two things are certain, Jane and Ursula were certainly sisters and John’s marriage would not have sat comfortably
on his father’s shoulders.
1785: Unplaced Elizabeth Scard burial at James' local Church at Shroton:
A burial of an Elizabeth Scard on the 18th September 1785 at St. Mary's Shroton leaves two possibilities open;
1) A child of John and Jane who did not survive or James's sister Elizabeth who would have been then around
fifty-three buried under her maiden name. No burial was found under her married name ‘Beale’. No other
Scard Families were known to be in the area.
1786: Five months later John and Jane baptised their first child, Harriet Scard on the 12th February 1786 at St. Mary’s at Shroton.
Seven month's later ...
1786: James Scard's father-in-law, Elias Brookes died Testate;
Elizabeth's father, Elias Brookes died around the 18th August 1786 [taken from the date of Probatum].
It was necessary for Elizabeth as his Executrix to attend the Court in order to be granted Administration of his Estate.
Beneficiaries were herself and her four children, John now aged twenty-three, Elizabeth, single, aged eighteen,
James now sixteen and Maria now nine. Also Elizabeth's sisters Christian and Angel and Angel's children.
From the tone of theWill Elias Brookes does not appear to have had much contact with Elizabeth's children.
By contrast he appears to have had much contact with Elizabeth's sister Angel whose children were named
individually. Other family members were also named. See The Brookes Family
1788: The Fiddleford House;
By 1788 Eldest son John & wife Jane had settled at the Family’s Fiddleford House where their next four
children were born. Betty Scard 'aka Elizabeth' was baptised 13th July 1788 at nearby Okeford Fitzpaine
two miles south of Fiddleford. She was almost certainly the namesake of her Paternal Aunt Elizabeth
aka Betty [marriage 1753].
1792: Eldest daughter Elizabeth Scard marries;
During this time their eldest daughter Elizabeth, was betrothed to William Kerley whose family also resided in the area.
William was a blacksmith who had a leasehold at Child Okeford, this Estate was owned by William Lock
[Dorset Poll Book 1807 - Kerley]. When Elizabeth reached her father’s ‘considered age of maturity’ i.e. at the age of
twenty five, Elizabeth Scard and William Kerley were married at St. Mary’s at Shroton on the 8th April 1792,
Reverend Good was the resident Parson.
1792: Meanwhile at Fiddleford, by this time another grandchild was in utero, Jane was in the last trimester of her next pregnancy.
This child did not survive: Baptised John James Scard at Child Okeford 3rd June 1792, buried 12 days later at Shroton
on the 15th July 1792.
1795: James Scard [senior] prepares his Will:
Three years passed and the aging James was by now was estimated approaching the age of sixty-five. By late 1795 James'
health had weakened and on the 3rd October 1795 as the witnesses gathered at his bedside, James Scard made out his Will.
Young James Jnr. has two potential marriage prospects;
During this time his son younger son James appears to have had affections for two young women in the village, Hannah Brewer,
the daughter of William Brewer [deceased] and a Miss Mullineux. Both young women were strongly disapproved by his
father and this is clearly indicated in his father's Will .
1796: James Scard [the Elder] dies:
Ten weeks later James Scard [snr.] died, his Will proved on the on the 14th January 1796. No burial has been found but it
is considered he was buried at Shroton where the records there are obscure. James Scard left an Estate worth well over
one thousand pounds cash and many Estates.
Comparing approximate Value [of Cash Bequeathals only] based on figures in 1830 as at 1970
http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/;
£6,553 8s 2d |
using the retail price index |
£8,138 3s 3d |
using the GDP deflator |
£39,751 8s 1d |
using the average earnings |
£45,806 14s 11d |
using the per capita GDP |
£107,004 16s 0d |
using the share of GDP |
James was survived by his wife Elizabeth Scard [nee Brookes] [aged 59yrs] of thirty-four years marriage,
his eldest son John [aged 34yrs], his eldest daughter Elizabeth Kerley [nee Scard] [aged 29yrs] still without issue,
his youngest son James [aged 27yrs] [unmarried], his youngest daughter Maria [aged 19yrs] [unmarried]
and his two granddaughters by his son John; Harriet now ten and Betty [Elizabeth] aged eight..
Will of James Scard, Miller of Shroton/Iwerne Courtney
Submitted by Colin Scard - Transcribed by JS.Adams
ALSO AVAILABLE: Beneficiary Chart - Distribution of Estates in both Wills: James & his wife Elizabeth
EPILOGUE
The Story of this Family continues in the next chapter in the Life of his eldest son John Scard of Fiddleford