Scard Family 
John Scard
[1763-1825]
Miller, of Fiddleford North Dorset
Spouse 1: Jane Abraham [c.1765-1805]
Spouse 2: Mary Everat
Continued from the previous generation
BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN SCARD [Part 2]
Re-cap; John Scard was baptised 14th August 1763 at Iwerne Minster, North Dorset, the eldest son of James Scard, a Miller
of Shroton, Dorset and his 2nd wife Elizabeth nee Brookes.
He married Jane Abrahams by Licence 19th November 1783;
'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] who was the
brother-in-law of the Bride, the spouse of her sister Ursula Loader [nee Abraham].
Issue: Harriet Scard baptised 12th February 1786 St. Mary’s Shroton. - married David Vincent by whom she had issue.
Betty Scard 'aka Elizabeth' baptised 13th July 1788 Okeford Fitzpaine - married William Masterman by whom she had issue.
John James Scard baptised 3rd June 1792 Child Okeford - buried 12 days later 15th July 1792 St. Mary's Shroton.
John Scard baptised 19th February 1797 Child Okeford - buried in 1830, assumed unmarried and without issue.
Mary Scard buried 14th November, 1798 at St. Mary's Shroton [assumed infant daughter of John & Jane*].
James Scard - born on the Scard Family Estate at Fiddleford around July 1800 - married Jane Porter & had issue.
* Mary Scard [lburial 1798] is almost certainly the unrecorded infant of John Scard and his wife Jane [nee Abraham] of Fiddleford,
as St. Mary's Shroton was the burial ground for this Family and Mary was certainly not living prior to 1796, her name absent
in the Will of James Scard of Shroton.
She was very likely the namesake of her paternal great grandmother 'Mary'.
Based on this premise, then the conception of their implied 2nd son 'James Scard' in 1799 is certainly concurrent with their
subsequent move to Henstridge in that the move is now proved to have occurred probably early in 1799, a year later than first
thought. They remained for a period of 12 months as a later document states, when they returned to Fiddleford.
This again reinforces the birth of James Scard at 'either' in 1800 and as the son of John and Jane, also James' confusion in
later life, recording his birthplace as 'both' Henstridge and Fiddleford [Census].
Continuing from the previous generation where it is implied there was a great rift
between John and his father James. In spite of this John and his young family had
been allowed residence at his father's Estate in the tiny Hamlet of Fiddleford, considered
more to have been tolerated, through the pleas of his mother.
1788-1811: The Fiddleford neighbours:
The 1851 Census records that there were only eight houses at Fiddleford.
Two of the houses were recorded by other sources to have been newly built, this would be consistent with the statistics below;
Persons born at Fiddleford [1789-1811] surviving by the 1851 Census.
Thus John & Jane's neighbours were;
The Dawson Family [2 sons, 1 unmarried daughter b.1793, b.1799, b.1803].
The Fish Family [1 son: b.1795].
The Goodfellow Family [2 sons: b.1796, b.1806].
The Light Family [2 sons: b.1811, b.1815].
The Osmand Family [2 sons: b.1792, b.1794].
The Scard Family [John and Jane Scard were represented by their daughter
Elizabeth [Betty] Masterson[nee Scard] b. 1788
recorded in 1841, 1851, 1861,1871].
and later by their son James Scard born 1800 [1861, 1871].
Three other married women were recorded as born at Fiddleford 1791,1801, 1803 [maiden names unknown].
Six of the eight houses were counted occupied. The Senior Resident was the Dawson Family who are
known to have been living at Fiddleford for decades. The Scard Family was the next senior.
The Light Brothers were the only original Family resident at Fiddleford in 1851.
In the 1891 Census there were 7 houses recorded in Fiddleford and the Hamlet boasted a population of 31 individuals
http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk this number is consistent with the above figures.
1795 By late 1795 John's father's health had weakened and on the 3rd October 1795 he published his Will and died
within ten weeks his Will Proved on the 14th January 1796. No burial has been found but it is considered he
was buried at Shroton where the records are obscure.
Whilst John's siblings were left considerable Estates John was bequeathed 'a single shilling'. To add insult to
injury his father further showed his anger by bequeathing the Estate at Fiddleford on which John was living
to John's two daughters then aged 10 years and 8 years with direction that his eldest son John was to pay
an annual rent, paid to their trustees i.e. their paternal grandmother and Philip Goodwin [joint executors].
Given the relationship between father and son, we might be encouraged to assume that John's initial access
to the Fiddleford Estate was granted on the pleas of his mother for the sake of his two young daughters,
it would be reasonable to follow that his father determined that the property would fall to them upon his death.
Another remarkable item in James Scard's Will demonstrates the extent of his attempted control over his children
and especially in regard to their spouses whereby an improviso was set in his Will regarding two potential spouses
of his younger son James i.e. Miss Hannah Brewster and Miss Mullineux who his son James was forbidden to marry.
See research relating to these two maidens in the Notes to the Will of James Scard.
His daughter Elizabeth does not appear to have had issue in her marriage and her spouse William Kerley was
much older which under the above revealed demeanor of her father may hint an 'encouraged' marriage.
It would appear that his eldest son John had not succumbed to these restrictions especially as his spouse's family
may have had connections to smuggling rings which had been rampant in the area for centuries. [Delightful rogues,
who were so prevalent it is difficult to imagine a Dorset Family who did not have connections to a Smuggler in the family
at some point in their History]
1797 Friends of the Family and John's brother James marries;
Corrections and additional information to this section [6th January 2009] in red italics.
Another respected family in the area, Thomas Fry, a miller, lived at Shillingstone where his family had been
resident since the early 1600's. [‘Fry’s Mill Pond', previously mentioned in prior biography was named after this Family]
Thomas and his family were certainly known by the Scard Family for decades.
Thomas had married Fanny Candy at Childe Okeford June 13th, 1790 and had two children, John Fry baptised
12th Oct 1791 at Child Okeford and a daughter Fanny Fry baptized at the same venue on the 7th April 1795.
It is reasonably assumed by their father's trades, ages and close proximity that Thomas Fry was the childhood friend
of James Scard [the elder].
Full Transcript of extract from Somerset & Dorset Notes & Queries relating to Thomas Fry.
TOMBSTONE OF THOMAS FRY – When visiting Shillingstone in 1887 I was shewn some pieces
of a tombstone to a Thomas Fry. On a subsequent visit the stone had disappeared and presumably,
is destroyed; it may therefore, not be out of place to record the inscription in the pages of S.& D, N & Q.
In memory of
Thomas Fry
Of Childeokeford
Who died December 21, 1796
Aged 61 years
This Thomas Fry is said to have been the largest farmer of his time, in Dorset, and to have held Beermarsh,
Hanford and Childe Okeford farms. He was son of Thomas and Ann Fry, was baptized at Shillingstone,
Aug. 8th 1736, was married at Childe Okeford to Fanny Candy on June 13th, 1790, and was buried at
Shillingstone, Decr. 22nd 1796. His will, dated 28th April, 1792, was proved 6th Septr., 1797; in the
Archdeacon’s Court, Blandford. His widow was married at Childe Okeford, 24th Sept. 1797 to James Scard
of Shroton.
Geo. S. Fry.
Note: The previous assumption in reference to an earlier born Thomas Fry has been deleted.
James was aged twenty-seven & Fanny [born 1762] thirty-four [seven years older than James].
After their marriage James took on the responsiblity of Fanny's two children by Thomas Fry.
The Shroton Mill bequeathed to him by his mother being sub-let, James and Fanny appear to have settled at
the Fry Farm at Child Okeford.
1797 CHILD 4: John Scard [1797-1830] baptised 19th February 1797 at Child Okeford.
1798 Burial: Mary Scard buried 14th November, 1798 at St. Mary's Shroton.
Mary is very likely the child of John and Jane who did not survive infancy.
She is very likely the namesake of John's implied paternal grandmother 'Mary'.
Based on this premise, then the conception of their 2nd son James Scard in 1799 is almost certainly concurrent
with their subsequent move to Henstridge and thus in adulthood, James' confusion with his birthplace.
1799-1800: John & Jane move to Henstridge: [year date has been updated from 1798 to 1799 in view of the above burial].
It was within the next couple of years [updated] that John moved his family to Henstridge where according to an
Affidavit signed by him in 1818, in which he recorded that he rented a Mill House at Henstridge 'about' twenty
years before at the yearly rental of thirty pounds a week [A2A - WRO]. This amount seems exaggerated and the
move was aborted after twelve months. Their fifth child born in 1800 records himself born initially at Henstridge
[1851 Census] and later at Fiddleford in the 1861/71 [Census], the latter more consistent with his sister's entries
[1851-1871 - Elizabeth Masterman [nee Scard]. No doubt James could very well have been conceived at Henstridge
at this time.[updated]
1799 John's mother Elizabeth Scard [nee Brookes] publishes her Will.
Meanwhile James [the younger's] married sister now Elizabeth Kerley was living at Child Okeford where her
husband William was recorded to have had a Leasehold in this village mentioned previously, although residence
at this Estate was not documented until 1807 it is assumed that they were resident on this property at this time.
It was not long after Thomas Fry’s death that John’s mother, now reached the age of sixty had moved from the
Shroton Estate and the Mill appears to have been sub-let. Documented as resident in Parish of Child Okeford [Will2] it is
very likely that the aging Elizabeth was then living with her daughter Elizabeth Kerley or her son James who were
both resident at Child Okeford.
On New Year's Day the 1st January 1799 John's mother Elizabeth published her Will.
The Will was clear and explicit, denoting a capable mind and makes no mention of a weakened state. Elizabeth's
signature also displays physical competence.
1799: John's sister Maria Scard:
At this time John's youngest sister Maria by now a young woman of twenty-three and still unmarried, was living with her
mother. Her parents had great faith in Maria and in both Wills, of all her siblings she was the most favoured next to
her brother James. Although Maria was only young, her many Legacies and the responsibilities attached to them
imply she was bright, trustworthy, responsible and capable, an assessment shared by both her parents. That she was
strong, healthy and vibrant is evident in that provisions were made for all their children if they should die, all
except Maria, only her future heirs were mentioned.
1799: John's wife Jane conceives her 5th child:
By late 1799 John and Jane now in their late thirties, had Jane conceived their 5th child probably at Henstridge and
had returned to the Fiddleford Estate.
1800: Elizabeth Scard dies:
Fifteen months after publishing her Will, John's mother, Elizabeth Scard [nee Brookes] died around September
1799 at the age of sixty-one.
The terms of Elizabeth's Will provided a waiting period of six months before distribution of the Estate.
As her Will was proved on the 26th March 1800, we can assume that Elizabeth died around September 1799.
In her Will John's mother displays in her Will the continued distrust of his father, in relation to John and money.
She left John only a very small Annuity derived from the assets ensuing from the family Mill at Shroton but she
was more generous than his father in also providing John with one of their Estates at Iwerne Minster considered
to be once the home of his deceased grandfather Thomas Scard. Biography of Thomas Scard [c.1709-1770]
John's two sisters, Elizabeth Kerley and Maria [unmarried] were bequeathed sizeable Estates and monies.
The two children of their half sister Ann Locke [nee Scard] [daughter of their father James by his 1st wife Elizabeth
Painter] i.e. James Locke [baptised 27th May 1781 at Poole] and John Scard Locke[ baptised 14th February 1787 at Poole]
were left small bequeathals.
Elizabeth also relaxed the age for eligibly of Legacies for the younger children, from James' Will
'to reach the age of 25 years' to 21 years.
The Families greatest asset, ' The Shroton Mill' fell to John's younger brother James.
The Will of Elizabeth Scard of Child Okeford
ALSO AVAILABLE: Beneficiary Chart - Summary of the Distribution of both Wills
1800: CHILD 5: James Scard;
There has been some confusion as to whether their 5th child, James Scard, was born while John was renting the
Henstridge Mill or if he was born at the family home at Fiddleford.
James is not mentioned in the Will of his paternal grandmother and calculations based on this child's burial information
i.e. 16th July 1879 at the 'recorded' age of 79 years, he considered to have been born shortly after her death.
Jane now in her late thirties, this would be her last birth.
1801 to 1805: Brother James & his wife Fanny nee Candy record issue;
Seemingly remaining at the farm of Thomas Fry, it was here that James & Fanny's two daughters were born;
Child 1: Eliza Scard was born, baptised just after Christmas Day on the 28th December 1801 at Child Okeford.
Child 2: Caroline Matilda Scard baptized on Boxing Day 26th December 1805 at the same venue.
Caroline is considered the namesake of her maternal 1st cousin Caroline Loader [born 1801]. [updated]
Fanny is now forty-four, there are no other births found recorded.
1805: John's brother James Scard [the younger] arranges to insure the Shroton Mill:
It was eight months prior to his daughter Caroline Matilda’s baptism that James, consistent with his parent’s faith in
his sense of responsibility, procured an Insurance Policy on the Mill at Shroton entrusted to him in his mother's Will.
Document:
‘16 April 1805: James Scard of Child Ockford [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. Information borrowed from ‘The Mills Archive’ online].
1805:John's wife Jane Scard [nee Abraham] dies:
Earlier that year, as England's Winter was whispering its last breath in the late February of 1805
John's wife Jane Scard died at the estimated age of forty-two, her burial recorded at St. Mary’s at Shroton on the
24th February 1805. She was survived by her husband John of twenty-two years marriage and her four surviving
children Harriet now aged eighteen, Elizabeth [Betty] aged sixteen, John aged seven and young James just four years old.
After this time the Iwerne Minster Estate was not mentioned in any records and the Family Legend which tells;‘part of the Estate
lost in a card game’ could very well have occurred around this point. The fate of the Iwerne Minster Estate bequeathed by his
mother is not known. John was never recorded as returning to Iwerne Minster from this time.
It is likely that considering John's overall demeanor that perhaps a Deed dropped on a card table, and the resulting
loss of the family home, the only security his wife probably had for herself and her children, could have been the last straw for
a seemingly long suffering Jane, perhaps contributing to her premature death.
1806: John moves to Spetisbury with his children after Jane's death;
The apparent loss of residence is evident in John's subsequent wanderings, taking his children with him, perhaps in
an effort to find them homes.
Based on subsequent documented events, it would appear that soon after Jane’s death John took the children south east
to Spetisbury where Jane’s sister Ursula was living with her young family and husband Philip. Ursula now forty-two,
the youngest of her ten children Caroline had been born in 1801. John seems to have stayed there for a short time.
John's paternal Aunt Elizabeth Kerley [nee Scard] was also considered to have been living near Spetisbury.
1807: John moves to Dorchester:
John then appears to have left Spetisbury leaving his daughter Betty [Elizabeth] by now aged seventeen with his
sister-in-law Ursula and moved a further 15 miles south west to Dorchester where it is believe his mother's kin,
the Brookes Family was resident, taking with him his elder daughter Harriet and his two young sons John and James.
1809:John remarries:
Exactly three years after Jane’s death John was recorded at Fordington one mile from Dorchester where
he married Mary Everat on the 13th February 1809. By this time his daughter Harriet was twenty-three, his son John
aged twelve and his youngest son James aged eight. His daughter Elizabeth [Betty] now twenty one, was still living
with her aunt Ursula or paternal Aunt Elizabeth Kerley at Spetisbury.
1812:John's daughter Harriet Scard marries at Dorchester;
That the family was together at Dorchester over the following three years is evident in the recorded marriage of
Harriet Scard to David Vincent, a Sawyer, at All Saints Dorchester on the 15th November 1812, one mile from
where her father married their step-mother Mary Everat three years earlier.
1812: John's brother James advertises the Shroton Mill;
Meanwhile back at Shroton, John's brother James had arranged the Sale of the Lease to Shroton Mill, the arrangement
he made with his brother regarding the Annuity bequeathed to John from the assets of the Shroton Mill through
their mother's Will is not known. The following notice was found in the Salisbury & Winchester Journal;
'Monday, September 7th 1812;
SHROTON MILL, DORSET.
To be Sold by Private Contract - Those capital Water Grist Mills with convenient
Dwelling House, newly erected Bake-house, stable, cart-house, piggery, and garden
adjoining, situate at Shroton, in the county of Dorset, now in the occupation of
Mr. James Scard, the owner.
The Mills are most advantageously situate for business, are supplied with a constant
stream of water, and capable of grinding ten loads of corn per week.
The whole of the Premises are in complete repair, and held on a Freehold Lease for
three healthy lives, aged respectively fifteen, ten, and eight years.
Immediate possession will be given.
Further particulars may be obtained, on application [if by letter, free of postage] to
Mr. Moore, solicitor, Blandford.'
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~dutillieul/ZOtherPapers/NewS&WJ7Sep1812
The 'three healthy lives' of which James made mention in the advertisement are almost certainly
His two daughters Eliza and Caroline now aged ten and eleven years respectively and very likely
another 'unrecorded' child? The two children of his wife Fanny by Thomas Fry [who were living at this time]
may not have been have been mentioned.
A Sale may not have ensued, for subsequently [1841, 1851 Census] the Shroton Mill was found to be in the hands of
James & Fanny's son in law, Charles Burt, the spouse of their daughter Caroline Matilda, also a Miller. In Epilogue.
1815:Elizabeth [Betty] Scard, daughter of John & Jane marries at Spetisbury;
Another three years passed and at Spetisbury, on the 17th November 1815 Elizabeth married William Masterman
both recorded 'o.t.p' [of the Parish]. The marriage was by Banns and the witnesses were Susannah Carter and
Henry Green. No information was found for the two witnesses.
1816: John moves to Wiltshire with his 2nd wife Mary;
The following year, leaving Harriet and her husband the guardianship of her two brothers, John now aged eighteen
and James aged sixteen.
John and his wife Mary traveled undoubtedly by coach 38 miles north to Salisbury where Mary was recorded admitted
at the Salisbury Hospital on the 24th August 1816.
1818: John applies to the Poor House for residence;
Remaining at Salisbury John and Mary stayed for a further two years where a Document was found in the form of an
Affidavit signed by John, relating to his Application for Admission for himself and Mary to the Salisbury Poor House
on the 14th September 1818. If children are also to be admitted they are also listed. John & Mary are alone at this time.
Transcription [by J.Adams]
CITY OF, NEW SARUM in the County of Wilts. (TO WIT)
The examination of John Scard now residing in the Parish of Saint Edmund in the said City of New Sarum
(touching his *Settlement) taken upon Oath before us two of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the
City aforesaid, this 14th Day of Sept 1818. THIS Examinant saith, That he is about 55 Years of Age, and
was born in the Parish of Iwerne in the County of Dorset as he hath heard and believes, and that about
20 years ago since this examinant rented a Mill House and premises in the Parish of Henstridge in the
County of Somerset at the yearly rent of Thirty pounds and lived thereon about twelve months and has
done no other act since to gain a settlement – then about 9 yrs since this exam married Mary his wife at
the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset and has had no issue of that marriage.
Sworn by Henry [Emly?] Mayor [Signed] W. [Bouthers?] [Signed] [?] John Scard [Signed]
Source: Wiltshire Record Office
Note: Antique drawings of Salisbury Work House Salisbury Wiltshire drawn with great detail can be found at
Google Images.
|
1820 John's young son James;
By 1820 John's son James was in his twentieth year.
James made his way to his father at Salisbury where suffering an illness he was admitted into the Salisbury
Hospital where he was admitted on the 25th March 1820, he was discharged on the 6th May 1820 with a note
to the effect 'Cured'.
He 'may' have returned to his sister, Harriet and her family in Dorchester where in the absence to date of another
James Scard candidate for paternity to date, he 'may' have faced the following order.
The following Bastardy Order was drawn at Dorchester on the 19th July 1820 relating to James Scard and the
base born infant of Maria Legg. [See more information relating to Maria and her child with the Document.]
Bastardy Order: Transcription; Borough of DORCHESTER
It is considered that James was 'may' have been living with his married sister Harriet, known to be resident at Dorchester
at this time, them recording a daughter Elizabeth Vincent on the 20th December 1822 at St. George Fordington where
her father was married 13 years prior. This child did not survive.
1821 Meanwhile back at Spetisbury;
Meanwhile in Spetisbury John's daughter Elizabeth Masterman living with her husband William and their son
Charles Masterman, now six years old born a year after her marriage and baptised at nearby Shapwick on the
10th October 1816. As there were two William and Elizabeth Masterman Families living at Spetisbury after this
time from this point it is difficult to separate the records for the families.
1821 Jane's sister Ursula Loader dies;
A year later their mother’s sister, their maternal aunt Ursula Vincent [nee Abraham] died, buried at St. John the
Baptist Anglican Church at Spetisbury on the 2nd December 1821 at the 'recorded' age of 65.
Her husband Philip’s burial has not been located but subsequently a few of children were found to have remained
at Spetisbury.
1823: Maria Legg dies prematurely;
Maria Legg died at Dorchester at the age of twenty-four, three years after the birth of her base born daughter Eliza.
Census indicate that the child was reared in the Poor House at Dorchester. See Epilogue.
1823: The family disperses;
It is evident that the family all left Dorchester and dispersed around 1823.
After the death of their infant daughter Elizabeth and oddly around the time of the death of young Maria Legg
earlier in the year, Harriet and David suddenly moved far south to Swanage.
Although David was born in Dewlish 7 miles north of Spetisbury, he also had family living at Swanage 22
miles ESE. It was at Swanage a year later that Harriet and David recorded the Baptism of another daughter
Elizabeth Vincent on the 5th August 1825, David was recorded as a Sawyer.
Evidence points to young James leaving Dorchester by co-incidence about the same time as Harriet and David's
move to Swanage. He was likely to have gone to his other sister Elizabeth Masterman at Spetisbury were another
document was found, which states that a year later just four miles NW of Spetisbury a James Scard was again
under the notice of the Parish Officials.
May not be the same James Scard
Meeting of the Vestry - Blandford, Dorset
Date: 23rd December 1826
Where John's younger son John [now twenty-eight years old] was living during this time is unknown but a thread
points to him living close to his father.
1825:John Scard dies;
By 1825 John Scard [snr] who was by now in his mid sixties had moved to Stalbridge. He ended his days at Stalbridge
just 8 miles North of his birthplace Iwerne Minster and 2 miles East of Henstridge after an eventful and seemingly
impetuous life. John Scard was buried at Stalbridge on the 13th November 1825 at the 'recorded' age of sixty five.
Epilogue
Mary Scard [nee Everat] 2nd Wife of John Scard;
Nothing has been found for Mary.
ELizabeth Kerley [nee Scard] : John's sister;
John sister Elizabeth Kerley is believed to have been found on the 1841 Census living at Tarrant Rushton not far from
where her niece Elizabeth Masterson was recorded living at both Spetisbury and Shapwick.
She was recorded aged 75 years of 'Independent’ means. No record of burial has been found for Elizabeth Kerley
[nee Scard]
or her husband William or any Issue.
However an Elizabeth Kerley was found on the 1841
Census, born in 1801, living at Iwerne Courtney/Shroton with her brother John [born 1806] and her niece Ann Brewer
Ford [born 1821].
This Elizabeth could very well be the daughter of Elizabeth nee Scard and her husband William Kerley.
In the Census she was recorded as 'Independent' and although only forty years old, appears to be in some way
infirmed. Her brother John was noted at her 'Keeper'. Elizabeth died testate in 1845 leaving £100 to her niece
Ann Brewer Ford and the remainder of the estate 'to my dear brother John Kerley' who was also named Executor.
The 1851 Census revealed, what appears to be her brother recorded John Kerley, unmarried, born 1800 at
Iwerne Minster, 'Proprietor of Houses', visiting the Goddard Family at Iwerne Minster.
Will of Elizabeth Kerly;
This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Kerly of Shroton (alias Iwerne Courtnay) in the Countyof Dorset
Spinster being of sound mind memory and understanding first I desire that all my just debts funeral and testamentary
expenses be fully paid by my Executor herinafter named. Then I give and bequeath to my niece Ann Brewster Ford
the sum of one hundred pounds stirling to be paid to her within six months after my decease. Also the Bed, Bedstead
and furniture now in the parlour together with the [?], one pair of blankets, one pair of shoes and other linen and articles
belonging [?] also the Mahogany Chest of drawers in the same room. As for the rest, residue and remainder of my estate
and effects wheresoever and whatsoever and of what nature or kind soever I give and bequeath the same to my dear brother
John Kerly his executors, administrators and assigns and I do nominate, constitute and appoint my said brother sole
executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoling and making void all former Wills and Testaments by me at
any time therefore made in witness wheeof I the said Elizabeth Kerly the Testatrix have hereunto set my had and seal
this fifth day of of January in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundered and Fourty one Elizabeth Kerly
[Signed] [Small Seal] Signed sealed and published and declared by the within named Elizabeth kerly as and for her last Will
and Testament in the presence of us and at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have thereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses – George Holway & Robert [Creb?]
Proved in London on the 9th June 1845 ….on the oath of John Kerly the brother and sole executor..... etc.
Ann Lock [nee Scard] Eldest child of James Scard by his wife Elizabeth nee Painter] John's older half sister;
Ann's two sons were beneficiaries in the Will of Ann's step-mother Elizabeth Scard [nee Brookes]
No further evidence of Ann or her husband Robert was found.
Only tenuous threads were found for their sons James Locke and John Scard Lock.'
James Scard [the younger]: son of James [the elder] and Elizabeth [nee Brookes] John's Brother;
James was last recorded in the Advertisement for the Sale of the Shroton Mill in 1812. James would have been aged
forty-two at this time. He did not appear in the 1841 Census, however at that time the Shroton Mill was occupied
by his younger daughter Caroline Matilda Burt [nee Scard] and her spouse Charles Burt.
James was very likely buried at Shroton prior to 1841.
His spouse Fanny Scard nee Candy [formerly Fry] was buried at Shillingstone under the name Frances Scard
'of Shroton' on the 29th Jan. 1841 at the recorded age of 79 years. [born 1762] [DOPC]
Caroline Matilda Burt [nee Scard] daughter of James Scard and his wife Fanny [formerly Fry]: John' niece;
At the age of twenty-one James and Fanny’s younger daughter Caroline Matilda Scard married Charles Burt,
a Miller, on the 18th August 1826 at St. Mary’s at Shroton. Caroline and Charles were shown occupying the
Mill and Mill House at Shroton in the 1841 & 1851 census. No children were recorded living with them at this
time. The same census shows Caroline’s half-sister Fanny Fry [the daughter of Thomas Fry] who never married
and was recorded on the 1851 Census as Charles’ sister-in-law.
Caroline Matilda died in the March quarter of 1855 at the age of fifty-one. It is assumed she died without issue.
Her half-sister Fanny Fry continued living with her brother-in-law Charles Burt at the Shroton Estate,
recorded on the 1861 Census as 'Unmarried', ‘a lodger’, occupation 'Domestic Servant'. Fanny Fry remained
with Charles till his death in the December qtr 1871 aged 66 years. Fanny died two years later unmarried and
without issue at the age of seventy-seven in the September Qtr 1874.
[These latter events were recorded at Blandford Civil Record Office].
Eliza Brownsea [nee Scard] eldest daughter of James Scard and Fanny [formerly Fry]; John's niece;
At the age of thirty-two, Eliza married Stephen Brownsea 17th January 1833 at St. Mary’s Shroton.
They had five children; Julia Brownsea in 1834, Joseph Brownsea in 1837, James Brownsea in 1841
and Eliza Brownsea in 1846. At the time of the 1841 Census they were living at Okeford Fitzpaine
with their then three children Julia seven, Joseph four and James one year old. Stephen’s occupation
was recorded as a farm labourer. By the 1861 Census they had moved to Waights Terrace Southampton
Hampshire Recorded thus;
Joseph Brownsea, Head, aged 24, unmarried, a Bread maker, born in Shroton Dorset
Eliza Brownsea, Mother as married, aged 54, a farmer’s wife, born at Okeford.
James Brownsea, brother, aged 20, unmarried, a Baker, born Okeford, Dorset
Eliza Brownsea, sister, unmarried, aged 15, a Seamstress, born at Okeford.
Eliza's spouse, Stephen Brownsea was found at Turnworth Dorset on this same census living at
Thorncombe Farm as a servant and labourer.
Eliza died in the December Qtr 1875 at Southampton aged 70 years. No satisfactory burial was found for Stephen.
John Fry son of Thomas Fry, half -brother to Caroline and her sister Eliza;
John married Susannah [maiden name unknown] and was found a widower on the 1861 Census at Iwerne
Minster, born Okeford, aged 69yrs, a farmer with 409 acres employing 42 labourers he also had several
servants and recorded three of his adult children all born at Iwerne. He was also found recorded at the Mills
Archive as having control of Oyle’s Mill at Iwerne Minster pre 1830-1867. No further investigations were made.
Maria Scard youngest child of James Scard and Elizabeth nee Brookes; John's sister.
No other records have been found relating to John’s younger sister Maria since her mother’s Will in 1799.
Maria was aged twenty-two year old and unmarried at that time.
Harriet Vincent [nee Scard] eldest child of John Scard & Jane [nee Abraham] John's Daughter;
Meanwhile Harriet and David eventually moved to Dewlish were David was born [birth recorded on 1861 Census].
Harriet died five months after her brother John. She was buried at All Saints Anglican Church Dewlish on
the 27th July 1830, her age was recorded as 42 years [around the same age as her mother]. Her daughter Elizabeth
was seven years old at that time. Her widowed husband David was found on the 1841 Census living without
family, back at Dorchester at the age of 55 yrs. The 1861 Census revealed him still living at Dorchester at the
age of 75years, his occupation was confirmed as ‘a Sawyer’ and his birthplace Dewlish.
David died in 1863 at Dorchester at the age of 77 yrs.
Elizabeth Vincent: daughter of Harriet Vincent [nee Scard and David Vincent: John's Granddaughter;
A search for Harriet & David's daughter Elizabeth born 1825, who by 1841 would have been age fifteen.
1841 Census revealed only one child fitting this description who was at that time residing at her birthplace
at Swanage with William and Kerzia Vincent.
After a careful research was made, William is considered to be David’s younger brother both recorded born in
Dewlish and that after Harriet’s death that David returned to Swanage and left his daughter in the care of his
brother and his wife. William and Kerzia had no daughters recorded under the name of Elizabeth.
No further information.
Elizabeth Masterman [nee Scard] daughter of John Scard & Jane [nee Abraham] John's Daughter;
Elizabeth remained at Spetisbury where she was recorded on the 1851 census as 62 years old and her birthplace:
Fiddleford, Dorset. Her husband William was also noted at the same residence aged 57 yrs, a labourer born in
Shapwick. Also recorded was their son William aged 20 years [born in 1830 at nearby Shapwick] also a labourer.
By the 1861 Census Elizabeth & William were both living alone at Blandford Road Spetisbury, noted aged 69 & 70
respectively. Again Elizabeth's birthplace is recorded as 'Fiddleford, Dorset'.
In the Census of 1871 they had moved to Middle Street, Spetisbury living together alone aged 80years and 79years
respectively. Elizabeth and William ended their days both departing this life in 1872, Elizabeth first in March Qtr.
and a few weeks later William followed in the June Qtr. after a marriage spanning 57 years.
The exact number of their children and grandchildren has been difficult to assess.
William Masterman [jnr] son of Elizabeth [nee Scard] & William Masterman John's Grandson;
No further information for William.
John Scard [the younger] son of John Scard & Jane [nee Abraham] John's Son;
Five years after his father's death John was found to be residing in Milbourne just four miles East of Stalbridge
where his father was living and died five years before. Little has been documented for John and no marriage
record found. John was buried at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Milbourne on the 29th April 1830, his age
recorded as 34 years [FHO]. It is considered that he may have died unmarried and without issue.
James Scard, youngest child of John Scard & Jane [nee Abraham] John's Son;
At the age of around twenty-six James took on the occupation of postillion or post boy.
| |
A Post Boy awaiting a Reply
Period Dated 1860-England.
www.goodallartists.ca/images.htm
|
The reference ‘boy’ was an archaic term used from the mid 17th Century
when boys were used for mail deliveries chosen for their light frame
allowing less toll on the horses sometimes over grueling distances, in
hazardous weather often to distant counties. The cost of this courier service
was prohibitive to common folk and was mainly used by the influential and
wealthy. In the mid 18th Century Mail Coaches were introduced and by the
end of 1775 coaches were common throughout England. With costs reduced
the British Government later introduced the 'two penny’ mail and this more
economical system of communication was now available to all. Gradually
men took over the occupation although the term Post ‘Boy’ persisted.
Thirty-one entries were found in the Dorset OPC for this occupation all of
which were married men. Whilst many retained their horses for short
journeys, those single young men drawn to the occupation who chose the
‘open road’ were also known to double up as Postillion traveling up front
on the Mail Coach alongside the driver sometimes caring for the horses at
various rest points enroute. At this later date it is generally accepted that
the prerequisite for the occupation would have been at least the ability to
read. http://www.postalheritage.org.uk |
In the course of his occupation James found his way to Reading Berkshire where he married Jane Porter in 1830.
The couple settled at Reading where Jane's sister was also residing and where the first five of their eight children
were born. James was blinded in 1834 and soon after the family moved to Henstridge Dorset where they took up
residence in High Street and three more children were born. James and Jane had only two daughters Elizabeth and
Harriet, [the namesakes of James' sisters] both of whom died in adolescence in 1848 and 1849 at age’s 16yrs and 13 yrs
respectively [FHO].
James reveals his birthplace as Henstridge in 1851 and Fiddleford between 1851 and 1861. He spent the last forty years
of his life as a blind pauper living in High Street Henstridge with his wife Jane. James Scard was buried at St. Nicholas
Henstridge on the 16th July 1879 at the recorded age of 79 years. His wife Jane of forty-nine years marriage survived
him by only a few months and died in the June Qtr. 1880, her age registered as 79yrs. They were survived by five of
their eight children and numerous grandchildren. Their descendants now number to well over one thousand and are
scattered over the globe. For more information see The Biography of James Scard and his wife Jane nee Porter
Eliza Legg, base born daughter of Eliza Legg;
The only likely reference found for Eliza was recorded on the 1841 Census, still residing at St.Peters Workhouse
Dorchester. No further information.