Biography
John Scard (1763 – 1825) of Fiddleford, North Dorset, England.
Before the Birth of John Scard
His Parents
John Scard was born in 1763 the son of James and Elizabeth Scard then residing at Iwerne Minster, a small village in the Northern region of the County
of Dorset in Southern England.
His father James was a successful Miller estimated to have been born c.1727. Although James’ Baptism Record has not been found, early fragments of a
Scard Family in this area was uncovered dating back to the beginning of the Century. This family module was resident within a six mile radius of Iwerne
Minster, comprising Shaftsbury, Child Okeford, Sutton Waldron, Iwerne Courtney otherwise known as Shroton and including Stourpaine, where James
was documented as ‘of the Parish’ in 1762. This leads to the consideration that he may have been linked to this earlier Family. [Various maps are available
online i.e. www.digiatlas.net Dorset.]
James followed the Anglican Faith inasmuch as all vital records shown relating to his family were recorded in Churches of this Denomination and he was
known in later life to patronise St. Mary’s at Iwerne Courtney/Shroton in particular. Later generations of the same family became Wardsmen in some of
these Churches.
In 1752 he married Elizabeth Painter at Farnham seven miles ENE of Stourpaine [01 OCT 1752 LDS]. Although there is evidence of the Painter Family
Name appearing in Records in this area since the early 18th Century, the only likely indication to Elizabeth’s parentage is a rather tenuous reference found
in the baptism of Betty, daughter of Richard and Ann Painter on the 19th April, 1733 [LDS] at Iwerne Courtney/Shroton. It is known that Elizabeth had a
sister Mary and as a similar link to these parents was not found in any Baptism for her sister, the search was aborted. [Note: Most Churches mentioned in
these pages can be seen free on ‘google images.’]
James was known to have an Estate at Iwerne Minster leased from Major Thomas Boyer Esquire [Will 2] [Major Boyer resided with his family at his main Estate
at ‘Iwerne House’ and its surrounding grounds in Hampshire Pallot’s Commercial Index 1830]. This Leasehold comprised a cottage, garden and orchard and after
their marriage James and Elizabeth settled there where a year later the baptism of their daughter Ann was recorded at St. Mary’s Church in this village.
Although the child did not survive and Elizabeth also died sometime within the following eight years, James continued a bond with the Painter family for
many years, especially with his sister-in-law Mary.
This Iwerne Minster Estate was only one part of James’ many Estates when he died in 1796, he later acquired another Estate in the same village. The
Iwerne Minster Mill was nearby, whether it was at this time attached to these early properties is not known but later one of these Leaseholds was expanded
to include an adjoining acreage. The Iwerne Minster Mill, itself a landmark in the area was joined by a brook to another nearby Mill a little over a mile
downstream at Iwerne Courtney/Shroton also found to be James’ possession acquired by lease some years later and became James principal residence in
his later years.
James also acquired two Estates four miles west at Shillingstone and another in the tiny Hamlet of Fiddleford. This Fiddleford property was owned Freehold.
The Fiddleford Mill situate in nearby Okeford Fitzpaine is standing today and was still operational until 1998. Whether James had any interests in the
Fiddleford Mill and at what point he was resident in this cottage at Fiddleford is unknown. Evidence that the Leasehold at Shroton included a Mill and Mill
House, and was acquired many years later, is evident in a 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. The document describes the Estate at that time as; Deeds: “Millhouse and Mills called Shroton mills.
(Pitt, King)” James would have taken over the property about fifteen years later, around 1770 [A2A]. [Note: Photos of the house where John lived as a young
boy with his parents at Shroton are available online at ‘The Mill Archives’ Site. At the time of writing the information was free but they did require me to register.This
site, additional to the photos it also has interesting research results relating to these properties.]
James merges the Scard Family Name again with another established Dorset Family in his 2nd marriage to Elizabeth Brooks in 1762. The Parish Entry at
St. Mary’s Iwerne Minster records the late Autumn marriage on the Wednesday 8th September 1762 [LDS, FHO], the groom James Scard and the bride
Elizabeth Brooks “both of Stourpaine”[FHO]. The ceremony was by License and the records show that the wedding was witnessed by Thomas Spinney a
blacksmith from another ancient family who was born and lived his life in that village [married Widow, Ann New 9 years later FHO] and Elizabeth Waghorn
who was proved to be the wife of Robert Waghorn also of Stourpaine. A search for a family connection between the bride or groom and the witnesses
and/or their spouses was made and the writer was unable to find a family connection although it was discovered that Elizabeth Waghorn’s maiden name
was Spinney. It is considered that the two witnesses were brother and sister and that they were probably close friends of the couple. Although there were
many references to the Brooks Family Name in the area, no satisfactory baptism record for Elizabeth has yet been uncovered. A Mill was found to be in
Stourpaine and the possibility that James may have had early family links within this village was mentioned earlier. After the wedding James returned to
his Estate at Iwerne Minster with his new wife Elizabeth continuing his trade as a Miller. It was at this Estate that James and Elizabeth began their married
life.
John’s Birth and Early Childhood
[Child 1/Gen1]: Eleven months later their first child, John [s.o. James & Elizabeth] was baptised at St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster on Sunday 14th August 1763
[FHO]. 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. An unplaced burial of a John Scard at nearby West Stour in 1791, a burial of an Elizabeth Scard of Shroton in
1785 and a Will of Thomas Scard at Iwerne Minster in 1770, the two latter references shadowing the movements of James and his family, reinforces the
hypothesis that a senior Family was resident close by during this period.
As it happened nine months later on the 1st May 1764 [FHO] James’ previous sister-in-law Mary Painter, married William French by License at nearby
Iwerne Courtney/Shroton and a friendship developed between the two men. Mentioned in James’ Will in 1796 as 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 [FHO Frinch]]. No other family connection was found
regarding William although James had always considered William as his ‘brother-in-law[Will 1] even though through his previous marriage. Their
friendship endured over thirty years.
James was also known to have formed another close relationship over these years with Philip Godwin of Pimperne, just 4 miles South East [Will 1]. Philip’s
Family Name was connected with Victuallers in London & Surrey for generations [A2A, DO] and Philip too followed family tradition in the trade as a
maltster, synonymous with this industry. He established himself at Pimperne, where he married Jane Fry 29/10/1777 [LDS Member Entry (later proven)] he
started a family, lived and died there, buried on the 4th December 1815 [FHO] leaving a Will. Although his Estates were to be liquidated upon his death,
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 family
connection was found between Philip and James and/or their spouses. The friendship between the two men lasted many decades, Phillip was named Co-
Executor in James’ Will in 1796 and James considered Philip to be his most trusted friend.
[Child 2/Gen1]: The next year Elizabeth and James again presented at the ancient Church of St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster on the Sunday 15th April 1765 for
the Baptism of their second born Thomas [FHO s.o. James & Elizabeth]. John was two years old when his brother was baptised and as Thomas was never
mentioned any other documents nor is he mentioned in either of his parent’s Wills, it is considered that this child had died at some point in the interim.
The name ‘Thomas’ is another enigma. Although a Will was found, as previously mentioned, dated 5 years later for a Thomas Scard also of Iwerne Minster
who very likely was attached to this family, this Will is currently under investigation.
[Child 3/Gen1]: Three years later James and Elizabeth presented again at St. Mary’s at Iwerne Minster with a daughter Elizabeth, baptised on Sunday the
26th October 1768 [d.o. James & Elizabeth FHO].
Around this time the family moved two miles south to Iwerne Courtney/Shroton. This would also be around the time that James took over the Estate and
Mill there, leasing the property from the Hon. George Pitt Baron Rivers [Will 2]. The Notation regarding the previously mentioned Brook, which linked
both the Iwerne and Shroton Mills was found in a found in a document [ref PE/IWC/RE/1/3 (A2A)] as a note attached to an entry for the Church of England,
Iwerne Courtney Parish in the 1841 Census. The document reads; ‘At the front of the census figures 1841; a Memoranda concerning the cleaning of the Brook
from Iwerne Minster Mill to Shroton Mill and Fry’s Mill Pond in 1822.’ A full description of the Shroton Property was found in a later Insurance Reference
dated 1805 in the name of James Scard, [the 3rd son of James and Elizabeth ] who had inherited the Estate in 1800. This Document reads;
‘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.’] This information was borrowed from the records of ‘The Mill
Archives’. It was at this location that their next child was Baptised.
[Child 4/Gen1]: On the mid Autumn Sunday of the 29th October 1770 [FHO], James and Elizabeth visited St. Mary’s at Shroton for the Baptism of their
fourth child. The Rector there was Rev.Thomas Martin who had held the parsonage at St. Mary’s for the last seven years[OPC], [For the sake of a
merciful pinch of realism; the family would have likely gathered around the ancient Font, their children, John now seven and little two year-old toddler
Elizabeth, likely held in her father’s arms, stood in silent reverence as the Pastor gently poured the Waters over the infant’s head] welcoming their third son James
into the Church.
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] 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 agreement signed was between Pitt, Beckford and Seard [Scard A2A]. [The 3rd signatory is presumed to be connected to the Family of Horace
Beckford Esquire resident at Child Okeford. Piggot’s Directory 1831 OPC]. Another Deed Document also relating to the same Estate was signed by the same
parties nine years later in 1781 [Seard A2A]. This property was later bequeathed to James’ daughter Harriot 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 [A2A Pitt/Rivers Estates]. Note: Because of
the size of these two documents and the cost of a facsimile in the necessary use of the Overhead Scanners at the Dorset Record Office these Documents were not
ordered at this time.
* 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.
[Child 5 Gen1]: Six years passed and on the 23rd February 1777 [LDS, FHO] James and Elizabeth again visited the ancient Font at St. Mary’s 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. John was by now a
young lad of fourteen, his sister Elizabeth nine and his younger brother James seven. With his mother now thought to be close to her fortieth year this was
the last time that James and Elizabeth would hold one of their own children above these waters.
It is considered that over the following years the children were versed in literacy skills, taught very likely by their mother Elizabeth. The signatures in
both the Wills of James and Elizabeth and John’s signature found in another document was studied. Although signatures alone are not considered an ideal
indication of personality, the former mentioned specimens did show a confident hand synonymous with familiar use of literary skills. James’ signature
showed confident construction although did demonstrate penmanship synonymous with a physically weakened state compared to that of Elizabeth’s which
was stronger and better defined. This is consistent with his recorded weakened state at that time. However John’s signature did not show the flowing form
of that of his parents and was fragmented and gapped. The simple and erratic formation of letters 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 the writer had expected. The form in his ‘d’ was similar in form to that of his mother, this pattern was not
shown in his father’s signature. The overall analysis found as that the son was likely tutored by the mother and the father was educated from a different
source. Evidence of literacy throughout Satellite families was also evident.
[Comment: It is considered that James would have been confidently literate, and likely in the possession of a writing desk possibly situate in the parlour where he would
have calculated, invoiced and documented many of the transactions pertinent to the sale of his produce ensuing from his various Holdings and Estates.] Over the next
five years the boys John and James learnt the trade of Milling in the footsteps of their father.
Their Wealth
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 close vicinity. Used as an additive for making Beer, in itself unsuitable
having a dull flavour, but used in conjunction with the traditional barley malt as an additive source of fermentable sugars, it gave beer a unique and
smoother flavour also 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.
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], As the volume of produce estimated from these many Estates indicates more than merely a stall
at market, the major outlet for sale of their produce would have likely been many of the Public Houses, which dotted the area. The delivery of these
products would have been regular and the likely furthermost of these Public Houses may have lay four miles south east at the historic ‘Anvil Inn’ at
Pimperne.
[Comment: 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. This likely hypothesis would be supported in the assumption in that perhaps this last
‘watering hole’ was likely in the ownership or lease under Philip who was a Maltster* living at Pimperne with his family during this period.]* Malster: one who works in
a brewery and makes the Malt for the fermentation vats. They were usually in charge of the roasting, grinding and boiling down of the malt to be added to the
fermentation vats for which the master brewer was responsible for adding the right amount of Hops and tracking the fermentation and specific gravity.
[Comments: The most likely candidate for this ‘delivery run’ would have been James’ eldest son John. Senior to his brother 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 travelled on 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 total distrust. [Will 2]. [Comment: It is not outside the realm of possibility that the
romance of a bustling Public House, its noises and the characters within may have attracted the young man by then familiar with the environment through his frequent
deliveries perhaps leaves a door open to a possible sum of money that may have been lost from the ‘takings’ of this ‘run’ at some point or irresponsibility shown by
John during this time. His parent’s very apparent total mistrust of him relating to the possession of large sums of money indicates the possibility of an akin event.
This leads to an hypothetical scenario that perhaps that after the long run that John would have rested the horse/s and spent the night with Philip and his good wife Jane
and instructed by James, Philip was 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 been involved in an akin environment which may have led to his undoing. The Legend tells "that
the Family was once very wealthy and that part of the Estate was once lost in a card game". This is consistent with events through John's life when although he was left
a home in the form of an Estate in his mother’s Will and an Annuity [but very little money], he was found at the gates of the Poor House some years later whilst his
siblings were living comfortably on their own inheritances. Certainly if there were any earlier shenanigans, Philip would have been the first to report to his good friend
James and if there was any discrepancy in money it would have likely occurred just before John’s marriage, shortly after he turned twenty-one. Later it will be
shown [Will 1] that James was pedantic regarding specific milestones for his children’s considered age of maturity and also in approving the potential spouses of his
children. i.e. He considered twenty-five was the appropriate age of maturity and marriage. John seems to have further antagonised the relationship between himself and
his father by exceeding these boundaries in this early marriage.]
Wild speculation aside, Records show that in the early Winter of 1783, nine miles South of Iwerne Courtney, a License was issued on the 19th November
[FHO], the groom’s name was recorded as John Scard, occupation Miller, residing at Shroton Dorset and the bride 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 considered to be the brother-in-law of the bride and Joseph Read. No evidence of
family connection was found for Joseph. [Their bondsman Philip Loader had married Ursula Abraham, who is considered to be Jane’s sister some eight years earlier
on the 19th July 1775 at Spetisbury at the Church of St. John the Baptist in that village [FHO]. He and Ursula remained in Spetisbury, and had in all ten children
spanning their marriage of 46 years, their youngest Caroline born in 1800 [FHO, LDS] and there is reason to believe that Ursula was involved in her sister’s young
family after Jane’s premature death in 1805.]
Jane’s baptism details have not been located but a thread was found in the LDS [a much appreciated member entry] which records a baptism of an Ursula
Abraham P/Ch on the 1st Feb 1758 the daughter of James Abraham and Sarah nee Miller at Evershot which lay about 21miles west of Spetisbury where
Ursula was married. This date is very close to the estimated date of baptism calculated from the later found burial entry for Ursula. No record of the
baptism of a ‘Jane’ of this family was found but the same submitter gives three other baptisms at the same venue with the same parents; Richard 16th
May 1753 P/Ch, Jenny 27th July 1755 and James on the 9th December 1759 P/Ch. If these records are to be considered, the dates imply that Ursula would
have been 42yrs old at the birth of her youngest child in 1801. The date of the marriage between James and Sarah (Miller) 23 May 1751 at Evershot
[Extract & P/Ch] could very well accommodate the birth of a subsequent child. It has been considered that they moved to Spetisbury around this time,
investigations are continuing.
In any case, two things are certain, Jane and Ursula were very likely sisters and John’s marriage would not have sat comfortably on his father’s shoulders.
[Possible child 1-Gen2]: Where the couple settled after their marriage is not clear, but a burial of an Elizabeth SCARD on the 18 Sep 1785 [FHO] at St.Marys
Shroton could suggest that they settled in this area and had a daughter early in their marriage who died within the first year of life. Later burials indicate
that the Shroton Church was used as a regular burial venue for other members of the same family and with other satellite families considerable distances
away it implies a feasible link. As this could relate to an ‘elderly’ previously unrecorded member of the family, this record has been tentatively placed here
as a ‘possible child of John and Jane’ in that the couple were in this vicinity the next year for the baptism of their next child.
Five months later…
[Child 1/2-Gen.2]: In late winter on Sunday the 12th February 1786 [FHO – d.o. John & Jane] John and Jane presented their daughter Harriot for Baptism at
the old Church of St. Mary’s at Shroton, the Rev. Good the Rector. The name Harriot [Harriet] is another enigma. By this time John was now twenty-three
and his parents were in their late forties. John’s sister Elizabeth was eighteen, his brother James was sixteen and his youngest sister Maria was nine when
their niece Harriet was born.
John & Jane settle at the Family’s Fiddleford House
Although Harriet’s Baptism was recorded at the Shroton Church, because she died prior to the 1841 Census, no actual Birthplace for her was recorded.
However not so for her sister, born two years later. Evidence found in later Census confirms that during this period John had been allowed to move onto his
father’s Estate at Fiddleford. This Fiddleford property 4 miles WNW of Shroton [Genuki] comprised a house and orchard and set amongst seven or eight
other similar Estates of the same size. The seven families residing in these seven houses were the sole occupants of this tiny Hamlet and it is considered
that the Scard Family had held the Estate there for many years.
The neighbours
The first detailed Census was in 1851 and it records only 13 persons born at Fiddleford between – 11 + of 1800. Thus the resident families in this tiny
Hamlet and John and 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 were represented by their daughter Elizabeth (Betty) Masterson nee Scard b. 1788 [recorded in 1841, 1851, 1861,1871]). Later James Scard
born 1800 [1861,1871]. Three other married women were recorded as born at Fiddleford 1791,1801, 1803 [No luck in finding maiden names].
In this count there were six families known to be occupying houses at Fiddleford at that time and a maximum of another possible three families from the unidentified
maiden names of the three married women. The Senior Resident was the Dawson Family who are known to have been resident at Fiddleford for decades, the Scard
Family was the next senior. The 1851 Census also records 11 houses in the Hamlet, two are known to have been be newly built [two sources were addressed;
Ancestry.com & OPC [although OPC states only ‘part’ of Fiddleford but was found to be all]] and that only one of the original Families was actually resident at
Fiddleford in 1851 [the Light brothers OPC]]. The size of the Hamlet is confirmed nearly a century later in 1891 where there were 7 houses recorded in Fiddleford and
the Hamlet boasted a population of 31 individuals [www.visionofbritain.org.uk], this number is consistent with the above figures.
Child 2/3Gen2: Stated born in the Fiddleford house, two years after Harriet was born another daughter Betty [known as Elizabeth] was recorded Baptised on
the 13th July 1788 [FHO – d.o. John & Jane & LDS] at nearby Okeford Fitzpaine two miles south of Fiddleford [Genuki]. The name of the Church was not
mentioned on the Document, the Ceremony was likely performed at St. Andrews in this village.
An isolated burial found three years later, six miles NNW of Fiddleford at West Stour for a John Scard buried on the 4th September 1791 [FHO] may be
relevant in the absence of other Scard families in this region. This John Scard could be an Elder formerly unrecorded Family Member thus this record has
been place here tentatively as a possible member of the Family.
The next year John’s sister Elizabeth, since betrothed to William Kerley whose family also resided in the area [LDS, OPC] was preparing for her marriage.
William was a blacksmith who had a leasehold at Child Okeford, this Estate was owned by William Lock [Dorset Poll Book 1807 Kerly]. When Elizabeth
reached her father’s ‘considered age of maturity’, Elizabeth and William were married at St. Mary’s at Shroton on the 8th April 1792 [FHO, LDS] again
Rev. Good was the resident Parson. Although her father was known to carefully scrutinise the potential spouses of his children, the marriage appears to
have pleased the ageing James. Meanwhile at Fiddleford, by this time, Jane was in the last trimester of her next pregnancy.*
[Child 4/Gen2]: Three months later the Baptism of John and Jane’s newest infant John James was recorded at nearby Child Okeford on Sunday 3rd June
1792 [FHO]*. Again the Church’s name was not recorded on the Baptism reference but the ceremony would have likely been held at St. Nicholas in that
village where the Rev. Henry Hall had been the long-standing Rector there for past 34 years. The proximity of this venue leads to confirm that John was
still resident at his father’s Estate at Fiddleford where he has been positively placed four years later in 1796 [Will 1]. This infant did not survive [was not
mentioned in his grandfather’s Will three years later] and twelve days later a burial of John Scard is recorded on the 15th July 1792 at the old Church of St.
Mary’s at Shorton [FHO]. [Comment:The change of venue for the infant’s burial at Shroton, from the venue of the same child’s baptism 12 days before is interesting
in that it is indicative, supported by later evidence that the Shroton Church was used as a long standing burial ground for the Family and may hold other unrecorded
Scard Family Graves. The Family Gravesite Hypothesis is further strengthened since found that St. Nicholas at Child Okeford was in fact accepting burials at this time.
* The Baptism records for John James were found in the FHO [under Joh James Scard] and the LDS [under John James Scood] both entries were the same date and
the parents were John & Jane on both occasions.
John’s father dies
Three years passed and the ageing James was by now was estimated approaching his seventieth year [about 25yrs at 1st marriage 1752], at this time his son
John was now thirty-three and living with his wife Jane at the Fiddleford house with their two daughters Harriet now ten and Betty (Elizabeth) eight [Will 1].
James the younger was still unmarried at the age of twenty-six and Maria was now nineteen, both still living at the Shorton Estate with their parents and
their married daughter Elizabeth Kerley now twenty eight without issue. By late 1795 their father’s health had weakened and he summoned the Scribes to
the house. On the 3rd October 1795 as the Scribes gathered at his bedside, James made out his Will.
Ten weeks later James died, his Will proved on the on the 14th January 1796 [As the Will clearly states that Funeral Expenses and any Debts, pall bearers costs
etc. were to be paid out of the Estate, it would have been necessary to have the Will Proved soon after Death] revealing he had little faith in his eldest son and
although John is known to have been resident at his father’s Fiddleford property at this time, the ongoing hostility between them is clearly shown.
Considering the size of the Estate, leaving him a single shilling and bequeathing the Fiddleford house in which he was living to his two daughters, both still
young children. [Comment: To add insult to injury John was ordered to pay rental to his daughter’s Trustees until they came of age and John’s siblings were left
sizeable Legacies. Another interesting side of the Will was in James’ scrutiny of his younger son James in regard to his potential spouses. Investigations into the back-
ground of these maidens and the witnesses to the Will have been discussed in a small section following the transcription of the Will itself.
Transcription: The Will of James Scard
[Child 5/Gen2]: John continued to live at the Fiddleford property, where a year later the baptism of another son named John was recorded at the Child
Okeford Church on the 19th February 1797 [FHO].
The following year John moved his family to Henstridge where according to an Affidavit signed by him in 1818, he rented a Mill House at the yearly rental
of thirty pounds a week [A2A - WRO]. This amount seems exaggerated and the move was aborted after twelve months, John and Jane would have returned
to Fiddleford, as all other Family Estates appear [Will2] to have been tenanted. [The Fiddleford house still held by his mother as Trustee for her two grand-
daughters Betty and Harriott]. [For the sake of continuity this Affidavit is found in its place in the chronological order of events.]
Meanwhile, a child of another ancient family in the area was also establishing his young family at nearby Child Okeford. Thomas Fry [baptised in
Shillingstone 1770 LDS], who was connected [by marriage] with James’ long time friend Philip Godwin. [The Fry Family was one of the first recorded families in
the area, originally settling at Shillingstone and later establishing a branch at Pimperne.] Thomas and his family, once Millers [‘Fry’s Mill’ Pond, previously mentioned
was named after this Family.] were certainly known by the Scard Family for decades, the family resident since the early 1600’s. It is almost certain that
Thomas had inherited a Leasehold or Freehold Estate in this area. At around the age of twenty-one Thomas had married Fanny [maiden name unknown]
about 1790 and the baptism of their son John was recorded 12th Oct 1791 at Child Okeford [LDS]. Four years later a daughter Fanny was born baptised at
the same venue on the 7th Apr 1795 [d.o. Thomas & Fanney FHO] As it happened two years after John’s father James died, Thomas Fry died in 1798 at the
age of twenty nine.
Also assumed to be living at Child Okeford was Elizabeth’s married daughter Elizabeth [Kerley] where her husband William was recorded to have had a
Leasehold in this village mentioned previously, although residence at this Estate was not recorded till 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 approaching her mid sixties [last birth 1777 est. about 40yrs] moved from the Shorton
Estate and the Mill appears to have been sublet. Documented as resident in Parish of Child Okeford [Will2] it likely the ageing Elizabeth was then living
with her married daughter Elizabeth Kerley. It was here at Child Okeford that Thomas Fry’s young widow Fanny, left with her two children [seven year
old son John and three year old daughter Fanny] caught the eye of John’s brother James.
Coinciding with John’s return from Henstridge, as the New Year dawned on the morning of the 1st January 1799 his mother Elizabeth made out her Will.
Although the Will and it's contents are, at this point left in place in the chronological order of events, it suggests that Elizabeth had no knowledge of her
impending death i.e. excerpt “….shall be paid within six calendar months next after decease, likewise the Legacy that was left by their grandfather James
Scard ‘if not paid before said time’. These children were eleven and nine years old, the Legacy was to be paid when they were twenty-one. The Will was
clear and explicit denoting a clear and capable mind and the signature as before mentioned indicated a capable hand.
The Death of John's Mother
John's sister Maria, living with her mother was by now a young woman of twenty-three. Both parents had much 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 mentioned for all their children if they should die, all except Maria, only her future heirs were mentioned. Two Estates were left to
her in her parent’s Wills and a substantial amount of money, a large responsibility for one so young, she sees to have been especially endeared by both her
parents.
At this time John was thirty-seven and as stipulated above was certainly residing back at the Fiddleford house. By the end of the year 1799 it would appear
that another grandchild was already in-utero.
The Census of 1861 & 1871 record a James Scard, stated born at Fiddleford Dorset. According to the Registration details [Rootsweb Free BDM] this James
comparing Census Material to the Civil Registration for his burial [1879 - Age 79yrs] was born between 7th April 1800 and 16th July 1800. [Formula: His age
given as 40, 50, 60 and 70 respectively in every census, the latest date of Census in any year being the 1841 recorded on the 7th April. If James were born for example
in early July of those years he would have been 41, 51, 61, 71 in those years.] The Parish Record was requested and James was buried on the 16th July, 1879 at
St. Nicholas, Henstridge, age78 yrs, however his age was amended when his death was Registered in the Civil Records in the September qtr. of 1879 where
his age recorded as 79 years. [Burial Entries were recorded from details given by a member of the family, possibly in this case as James' wife Jane was at this time
elderly herself these arrangements were made at the Church by any of sons. However Civil Registrations from 1874 onwards required a doctor's certificate and
the examination performed at the house very soon after death, Jane would have been there at the time and would have been more likely addressed by the doctor for
information as the senior member of the house and next of kin. Jane was very exacting in the 1841Census when the Document required only approximate dates of birth.
The Doctor's Certificate and Jane's information is considered the more accurate.]
By the end of March 1800 Elizabeth was dying. It was at this time that the gestation of James Scard, born at Fiddleford, would have been in it's third
trimester.
Although John and Jane had previously named their deceased infant son John James in 1792, in the light of his father’s subsequent Will, it seems that if
John should have another son, the name James would be possibly the least likely selected. The only suggestion is that, he named him after his younger
brother James or just perhaps..!, his dying mother asked it of him.
[Comment: A reasonable death bed request, as the writer also a mother of five is aware, in Elizabeth’s heart this ongoing hostility and the chasm between her beloved
husband and first born over so many years would have torn her apart. It would certainly have been Elizabeth who had interceded after John’s early marriage, which
would have infuriated his father, not to speak of the obvious distrust in money matters, to beg James that John be allowed to move into the Fiddleford house, her plea
would have almost certainly been based on their little granddaughters at least needing a home. This was obviously allowed as the records show and if and very likely the
girls were used as this tool, their grandfather made sure that the Estate remained theirs as were the Terms of the Will. For the dying Elizabeth this chasm could at last be
closed if the child they should have a son. It would be a request John could not dishonour even at his most irresponsible, however to have the child baptised! he possibly
didn’t it feel necessary when at the time his mother was dead. Jane did not appear to have the position nor influence over John as that of his mother.]
Although the Baptism has not been found, looking at the ‘Broader Picture’ it is difficult to separate this James from John and Jane of Fiddleford, in
particular James’ reference to Henstridge as his earlier noted thought birthplace in the 1841, 1851 Census which was just as synonymous with John and
Jane as was their long standing residence at the Fiddleford house. For James, after his birth, for reasons, which will soon unfold, he was to remain unaware
of his birthplace and his Heritage for many years yet to come.
Meanwhile Elizabeth had died in late March of the New Year, her Will Proved on the 26th March 1800. As with James, the Proving of the Will for reasons
already outlined would have coincided closely with her death. [A Draft outlining the dispersal of both Estates and the full list of all beneficiaries is included
subsequent to a short summary regarding investigations made into the identity of the Witnesses, which follows the transcription of Elizabeth’s Will.]
Transcription: The Will of Elizabeth Scard of Child Okeford
According to the Will a period of six months had to ensue before distribution of most of the Estate and during this ‘freeze’ period, one thing is certain,
with all the neighbours and houses at Fiddleford already counted, it was during this time, before the six month period expired on the 26th September 1800
that James [later of Henstridge] would have been born in the Fiddleford house.
[Comment: All other satellite Scard families were accounted as being firmly fixed in their own locations at this time and unlikely to have occupied any of the Estates
during this 'freeze' period. John’s brother James as a potential candidate for paternity of this child has already been ruled out for reasons outlined below, the only other
remote possibility is that John's sister Maria had an illegitimate child, this is considered highly unlikely.]
After the specified mourning period, his mother’s Will left John more secure, endowed with a leasehold property at Iwerne Minster with house and
Orchard, cash to the total of forty pounds and a sum of four pounds annuity to be paid by his brother James as his share in the Shroton Mill. John’s
daughters still retained the Fiddleford Estate previously left to them by their grandfather James. Although more than he had been bequeathed by his father
it seems that neither parents trusted John with money nor responsibility. The sum of forty pounds cash legacy was little more than that left to his young
son John and other young beneficiaries. In contrast, Legacies of over one hundred pounds each were bequeathed to his siblings and the main Estate with
and the Mill at Shroton was left to his younger brother James, more evidence of his parent’s mistrust.
During this time John’s brother James had begun a relationship with the young widow Fanny Fry. No record has been found of their marriage but later
Baptism Records imply they were married. Other later evidence implies that James took up the paternal responsibility of her two young children and as he
and Fanny having no recorded son of their own seems to have taken her young son John especially under his wing, [After James death [before 1841] John
was found owning a 420 acre property at Iwerne employing 42 men and had several house servants [1861Census]. He also held the Iwerne Minster Oyle’s Mill,
a ½ mile from the Church from before 1830 to 1867 and was recorded as a Farmer and Miller in the ‘Mills Archive’] .
Although James had inherited the Shroton Mill as his mother’s Will suggests, this Tenement was subleased. It would seem that James and Fanney settled
at the Farm held prior by Thomas Fry at Child Okeford and it was here that their first child, a daughter Eliza was born, baptised just after Christmas on the
28th December 1801 at Child Okeford [FHO, LDS]. Eliza’s birth was followed four years later with another daughter Caroline Matilda, baptised on Boxing
Day 26th December 1805 at the same venue [LDS, FHO].
It was eight months prior to Caroline Matilda’s baptism that James, consistent with his parent’s faith in his sense of responsibility procured the Insurance
Policy on the Mill at Shroton. To refresh: ‘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.
Jane’s Death – The move to Dorchester - John Remarries
Meanwhile even earlier in that year, as England's Winter was whispering its last breath in the late February of 1805 so too did the mother of Harriot, Betty,
John and James. At the estimated age of forty-two, after a marriage spanning twenty-two years Jane died, her burial recorded at St. Mary’s at Shroton on
the 24th February 1805 [FHO] and undoubtedly standing at her grave side Harriott now eighteen, Betty sixteen, John seven and James just over four years
old. [Comment: After this time the Iwerne Minster Estate was not mentioned in any records and the Family Legend which tells ‘of a part of the Estate lost in a card game’
could very well have occurred at this point. John was never recorded as returning to Iwerne Minster from this time, he travelled long distances from this point hereon
and was eventually buried at Stalbridge some eight miles north 20 years later. Perhaps a Deed dropped on a card table, could have been the last straw for a seemingly
long suffering Jane, perhaps contributing to her premature death.]
Based on subsequent events documented through various sources, it would appear that soon after Jane’s death John had taken 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
was born in 1801. John seems to have stayed there for a time where with Ursula having a large family that young Harriet as the eldest would have
taken over the care of her younger siblings undoubtedly under the guidance and support of her nearby aunt.
Some time later John then appears to have left Spetisbury leaving his daughter Betty [Elizabeth] by now about seventeen with Ursula, very likely as help
to his sister-in-law with her many children and moved a further 15 miles south west to Dorchester. Harriet accompanied her father, probably to look after
him as was the duty of the eldest daughter during this era and that brothers John and James went with them is undoubted with Ursula having more than
her hands full already.
Exactly four years after Jane’s death John’s second marriage was recorded at Fordington one mile from Dorchester where he married Mary Everat on the
13th February 1809 [LDS,FHO]. By this time his daughter Harriet was twenty-three, son John twelve and James born a little over eight years before.
Betty [Elizabeth] who had remained at Spetisbury was now twenty-one.
That the family was together at Dorchester over the following three years is apparent in Harriet’s marriage to David Vincent, a Sawyer, at All Saints
Dorchester on the 15th November 1812 [LDS, FHO] one mile from where her father married their stepmother Mary three years earlier. Another three
years passed and meanwhile at Spetisbury Betty [Elizabeth] had married William Masterman on the 17th November 1815 both recorded o.t.p. The marriage
was by Banns and the witnesses were Susannah Carter and Henry Green [FHO].
John moves to Wiltshire
The following year leaving Harriet and her husband the guardianship of her brothers, John and his wife Mary travelled undoubtedly by coach 38 miles north
to Salisbury where Mary was recorded admitted at the Salisbury Hospital on the 24th August 1816 [FHO] [Mary was the only Scard family member of this name
found in Wiltshire at this time]. Remaining at Salisbury he 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 in 1818.
Transcription; 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]
[Found in the A2A Index, Copy of the Original Document ordered from the Wiltshire Record Office ]. Note: Antique drawings of Salisbury Work House Salisbury
Wiltshire drawn with great detail can be found on Google Images.]
[Comment: This prior Henstridge address was noted on the 1841 & 1851 Census of James born in Fiddleford and is consistent with a child taken from his place of
birth from an early age and follows the previous movements of this family. Hypothetically, John’s exaggerated residence at Henstridge, the largest likely independent
endeavour seen to be undertaken by him would have been very likely a boastful topic of conversation upon any casual encounter and possibly overheard many times by
the young James during early childhood. The probable embarrassing and painful references to Fiddleford and mention of Shroton would have very likely been avoided,
it would be no wonder that James would assume he was born in Henstridge.]
Meanwhile in Spetisbury his married daughters Elizabeth Masterman had begun her family and his eldest daughter Harriet was still resident at Dorchester
with her husband David Vincent. A Document found dated two years later on the 19th July 1820 places a James Scard living in close proximity to where
Harriet and David were living at Dorchester, the Document in the form of an Order relating to the bastard child of James Scard to Maria Legg is
transcribed below;
Transcription; DORSET, Borough of DORCHESTER
The Order of Thomas Gould Read Esquire Mayor and Nathaniel Strickland Esquire within the Parish of All Saints in the said Borouth, made the nineteenth
day of July in the First Year of the Reign of his said Majesty King George the Fourth concerning a Male Bastard Child, lately Born in the Parish of All
Saints aforesaid, of the body of Maria Legg, single woman. WHEREAS it hath appeared unto us the said Justices, as well upon the complaint of the
Churchwardens and Overseers, of the Poor of the Parish of All Saints, as upon the Oath of the said Maria Legg, that she the said Maria Legg on or about
the thirtieth day of May now past, was delivered of a Male Bastard Child, at and within the said Parish of All Saints, in the said Borough, and that the said
Bastard Child is chargeable to the said Parish of All Saints and likely so to continue; and further, that James Scard, of the said Borough Labourer, did
beget the said Bastard Child, on the Body of her the said Maria Legg. And whereas the said James Scard hath appeared before us, in pursuance of our
Summons, for that purpose, but hath not shewed any sufficient cause why he the said James Scard shall not be reputed to be the father of the said Male
Bastard Child.
We therefore, upon examination of the cause and circumstances of the Premises, as well upon the Oath of the said Maria Legg as otherwise, do hereby
adjudge him the said James Scard, to be the reputed Father of the said Bastard Child, and that the said Bastard Child was born in the said Parish of All
Saints. And thereupon we do order, as well for the better Relief of the said Parish of All Saints, as for the Sustentation and Relief of the said Parish of All
Saints, as for the Sustentation and Relief of the said Bastard Child, that the said James Scard shall and do forthwith, upon Notice of this our Order, pay,
or cause to be paid, to the said Churchwardens and Overseers of the said Parish of All Saints or to some or one of them, the Sum of One Pound Thirteen
Shillings and four pence for and towards the Lying-in of the said Maria Legg and the Maintenance of the said Bastard Child, to the Time of making this
our Order, and for the charges and expenses incurred prior to the said Order of Filiation being made, and incident to the obtaining the said Order as
ascertained on Oath.
And we also hereby further Order, that the said James Scard, shall likewise pay, or cause to be paid, to the Church wardens and Overseers of the Poor of
the said Parish of All Saints, for the Time being, or to some or one of them, the Sum of One Shilling and Sixpence, Weekly and every Week, from the
present Time, for and towards the Keeping, Sustentation, and Maintenance of the said Bastard Child, for and during so long Time as the said Bastard Child
shall be chargeable to the said Parish of All Saints. And we do further order, that the said Maria Legg, Shall also pay, or cause to be paid, to the said
Church wardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish of All Saints for the time being, or to some or one of them, the Sum of Nine pence Weekly,
and every Week, so long as the said Bastard Child shall be chargeable to the said Parish of All Saints, in case she shall not nurse and take care of the said
Child herself. Given under out Hands and Seals, the Day and Year first above written. Thomas Gould Read - Mayor [Signed] Nathaniel Strickland [Signed]
[Two seals on right] [A2A Index – Dorset Record Office Dorset]
Eliza appears to be the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Legg baptised a All Saints Dorchester on the 18th January 1799, she died three years after the
date of this Document and was buried at All Saints Dorchester on the 23rd May 1823 [LDS] exactly 3 years after the birth of her child, her age was
recorded on the document as 24yrs [FHO]. Considering the above document, Maria’s child would have had to have been Baptised before proceedings and
contrary to the above details written by the Magistrates the only child born to mother Maria Legg in 1820 was in the Baptism of a female child, Eliza Legg
baptised on the 2nd July 1820 at All Saints Dorchester 17 days before the date of the Order. The Baptism found on the LDS does not state the child was
‘base born’ although it gives only the Mother’s and no Father’s name. An Eliza Legg was found on the 1841 Census around the age of 20-25yrs
at the Workhouse at St. Peters Dorchester working as an agricultural labourer. At this time the proposed Eliza would have been twenty-one years old.
Potential candidates for the paternity of this child were investigated and for various reasons were all but one were eliminated found either too old, too
young, married (which would have been noted on the Document ) and according to other documents found none would have been in Dorchester long enough
to be considered 'of the Parish'. The only jigsaw puzzle piece which fits very nicely into this position is James of Henstridge, who by age is a perfect
candidate and that he had connections in Dorchester where John was proven to have been living and Harriot had been living since not long after her
mother's death.
Meanwhile in Spetisbury Harriet’s sister Elizabeth Masterman was with her husband William and a son Charles now six years old born a year after her
marriage, [Baptised at nearby Shapwick on the 10th October 1816 [FHO].] As there were two William and Elizabeth Masterman Families living at Spetisbury
after this time from this point it is difficult to separate the families. A year later their mother’s sister, their maternal aunt Ursula died, buried at St. John
the Baptist Anglican Church at Spetisbury on the 2nd December 1821 aged 65 [FHO]. Her husband Philip’s burial has not been located but a few of their
children were found to remain at Spetisbury.
The following year evidence that Harriet and David were still residing at Dorchester was found in the baptism of their daughter Elizabeth on the 20th
December 1822 [LDS] at Fordington likely at St. George where her father was married 15 years before. This child did not survive.
Coinciding with the death of their daughter Elizabeth and the death of young 24 yr old Maria Legg in 1823, perhaps pressure from either of these sources
motivated the family to move far south. Although David was born in Dewlish 7 miles north, he 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 on the 5th August 1825, on this document, also consistent
with their Marriage Record, David was recorded as a Sawyer [FHO].
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 who
now in his mid sixties had by this time moved to Stalbridge, just 8 miles North of his birthplace Iwerne Minster and 2 miles East of Henstridge.
Other evidence points to James leaving Dorchester oddly coinciding with Harriot and David's move to Swanage after Maria Legg’s Order and subsequent
death, to take up residence near his other sister Elizabeth [Betty]. A 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.
[Before the Poor Law Union was instigated in 1834 it was the responsibility of the various Parishes to record and be responsible for their own area although in certain
cases there were transfers of residents in these Work Houses to other Parishes or even Counties. A small Document in the form of a hand-written note was found on
the A2A written by the Overseers of the Poor at Blandford Forum addressing the matter of a James Scard. Whether James’past was haunting him in that his child by
Maria had been transferred to Dorchester Poor House, if the Officials had been notified of his change of residence, which is likely if the grieving family of Maria made
such a report or this James had another relationship is not known. A copy of the Document was ordered and is transcribed below.]
At a Meeting of Vestry specially called for the purpose of taking into consideration the case of James Scard whose family have become chargeable to the
Parish. It was resolved that steps should be forthwith taken by the Overseer in conjunction with Mr. Marshall to lay the matter before Mr. Castleman to
adopt such measures as he shall recommend for the purpose of relieving the Parish from the burden in question. [..?] [Signature Illegible] N. Irving [signed]
- Chairman. The 23rd December 1826.
[note: The A2A index dates as 23rd Dec 1826, on the original it is the ‘28th’] The likely identity of the three legible names of Officials in this Document were as far as
can be seen were; Reverend Irving – Rector residing at Bailey House Blandford Forum [OPC], Mr. Marshall also of Blandford Forum – Clerk [OPC] and the Castleman
Family were found to be prominent Solicitors at Wimbourne Minster some 10 miles South [OPC].
There were no other James Scard or any other Scard Family members recorded at Spetisbury or Blandford Forum at any time.
John's Death
John ended his days at Stalbridge just 8 miles North of his birthplace Iwerne Minster and 2 miles East of Henstridge at the age of sixty-five
[FHO] after an eventful and seemingly impetuous life. He was buried at one of the many Churches at Stalbridge on the 13th November 1825
[FHO] and although his daughters were known to be living some distances away there is evidence to suggest that his son John may have been
living with or near him at this time. Nothing has been found of his wife Mary.
It would be another 30 years before young James would hear the details of his father's life and of his true birthplace, the informant revealing an
intimate knowledge of the Scard Family and the Fiddleford house. The descendants of James of Henstridge have the unique opportunity of
having their lineage absolutely confirmed in that this informant would have been intimately involved with this Family, knew of James parents,
was aware of this tiny village of Fiddleford and their home there. Embraced by James, the investigated extreme rarity of a change of birthplace
was recorded in the following Census of 1861. The already mentioned Family Legend, also undoubtedly revealed at the same time was heard
and handed down through the generations from James' son Charles. The proof of the first part; "that the Family had once been very wealthy"
was not proven until the recent discovery of the Will of both John's parents. The latter part; "that part of the Estate was lost in a card game",
is consistent with John's life story. That James' sisters were 'tight lipped' about his birthplace, it would be reasonable to assume that all
conversation regarding the Iwerne Minster Estate, the possible painful memories of their mother's life and the Fiddleford house would have
been avoided, kept as 'a skeleton in the closet' this old Scard Family and their lives were too well known to those in the district for their
'secrets' to remain untold.
Epilogue
John the younger;
Five years later John was found to be residing in Milborne just four miles East from where his father was living and died five years before. Little has been
documented for John and no marriage record for him has been found. He was buried at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Milborne on the 29th April 1830,
his age recorded as 34 years [FHO]. It is considered that he died without issue.
Harriot;
Meanwhile Harriet and David later moved to Dewlish were David was born [birth recorded on his 1861 Census]. Harriet died five months after her brother
John and was buried at All Saints Anglican Church Dewlish on the 27th July 1830, her age was recorded as 42 years [FHO]. 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. A search for their daughter Elizabeth born 1825 who in the 1841 Census would have
been 15yrs old and one only child was found of this description who was at that time residing at her birthplace at Swanage with William and Kerzia Vincent.
After careful research was made, William was considered to be David’s younger brother, both born in Dewlish and that after Harriet’s death that David
returned to Swanage and left his daughter in the care of his brother William and his wife Kerzia who had no daughter recorded for this name and in fact
seem to have been childless. David died in 1863 at Dorchester at the age of 77 yrs.
Betty (Elizabeth);
John’s daughter Elizabeth Masterman remained in Spetisbury where she was placed on the 1851 census as 62 years old and her birthplace Fiddleford again
recorded, her husband William was also noted at the same residence aged 57 yrs, a labourer born in Shapwick. Their son William aged 20 years born in
1830 at nearby Shapwick also a labourer was also living at the same residence. By the 1861 Census they were both living at Blandford Road Spetisbury and
ten years later they had moved to Middle Street in the same village. In this Census Elizabeth and William were living together alone aged 80years and
79years respectively. They ended their days both departing this world 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.
Elizabeth Kerley;
John’s sister Elizabeth Kerley is believed to have been found on the 1841 Census living at the Parsonage at Tarrant Rushton not far from where her niece
Elizabeth Masterson was living at both Spetisbury and Shapwick. She was recorded as at the age of 75 years and ‘Independent’. She may be the same
Elizabeth Kerley registered at Blandford buried in 1845. If the one and same, Elizabeth would have been 78 years old at her death. No record of burial has
been found for her husband William Kerley and investigations have proven futile in the search for their progeny. It is considered that Elizabeth died
without issue.
James;
No Burial was found for John’s brother James nor his wife Fanney.
Maria;
No other records have been found relating to John’s younger sister Maria since her mother’s Will in 1799.
Eliza;
Eliza Scard, the daughter of James and Fanny had remained living at the Shorton Estate. She married at the age of thirty-two on the 17th January 1833 to
Stephen Brownsea at St. Mary’s Shroton where their first two children were born; Julia in 1834 and Joseph in 1837. By the 1841 Census they were living
at Okeford Fitzpaine with their three children Julia now seven, Joseph four and James one year old. Stephen’s occupation was recorded as a farm
labourer and both were 30 years old. In the 1861 Census they had moved to Waights Terrace Southampton in the Parish of All Saints where Eliza is
found living with her son Joseph who was recorded at age 24, Head, unmarried, a Bread maker, born in Shroton Dorset, he recorded his siblings as James,
brother, unmarried, a Baker, born Okeford, Dorset and Eliza, sister, unmarried, age 15, a Seamstress also born at Okeford. He records his mother as
Married, aged 54, a farmer’s wife, born at Okeford. Joseph’s father 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 Southhampton aged 70 years. No satisfactory burial was found for
Stephen. No further investigations were made.
Caroline Matilda;
James and Fanny’s younger daughter Caroline Matilda married at the age of twenty one on the 18th August 1826 at St. Mary’s at Shroton to Charles
Burt, a Miller. She and Charles were shown occupying the Mill and Mill House at Shroton in the 1841 census and no children were recorded as living with
them at this time. The Mill doubtlessly left to her by her father James, Caroline and Charles lived there with Caroline’s half sister Fanny Fry who never
married and recorded on the 1841 & 1851 Census as Charles’ sister-in-law. After Caroline Matilda’s death in the March quarter of 1855, her half-sister
Fanny Fry remained living with Charles. She was recorded on the 1861 Census as ‘a lodger’ occupation “Domestic Servant”. She remained with Charles
till his death in the December qtr 1871 aged 66 years. Fanny Fry died two years later at the age of seventy-seven in the September Qtr 1874. These latter
events were recorded at Blandford Civil Record Office. Caroline’s half brother John married Susannah [maiden name unknown] and was found a widower
on the 1861 Census at Iwerne Minster, born Okeford, 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 recorded on the Mills Archive as having control of Oyle’s Mill at Iwerne Minster pre 1830-1867.
Caroline and Charles had no dependant children recorded on any Census. It is considered Caroline Matilda may have died without issue. No further
investigations were made.
Eliza Legg;
The child of Maria Legg. There were no vital records found for Eliza after her baptism. The only possible reference was the one mentioned on the1841
Census still residing at St.Peters Workhouse Dorchester. No other vital records have been found.
James;
James moved on to follow the somewhat glamorous occupation of Post ‘Boy’ which by definition would have led him to various Counties throughout
England [defined below]. Through this occupation it is likely he found his way to Reading Berkshire where he married Jane Porter in 1830. James and Jane
resided in Reading for the 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 where their other three children were born. They had only two daughters Elizabeth and Harriot,
both of whom died in adolescence in 1848 and 1849 at age’s 16yrs and 13 yrs respectively [FHO]. The true story of his birthplace as Fiddleford was revealed
to him between 1851 and 1861. He ended the last forty years of his life as a blind pauper and was buried at St. Nicholas Henstridge on the 16th July 1879
aged 79 years, he was followed a few months later by his wife Jane in the June Qtr. 1880 registered as aged 79yrs. [Jane's age on the Doctor's Certificate
likely given by one of her sons is impossible when comparing her entries for any dates of Census, she would have been a few months younger].
Notes:
Post Boy
Dated 1860-England. A Post Boy
www.goodallartists.ca/images.htm
[Awaiting a Reply]
The reference ‘boy’ being an archaic term used from the mid 17th Century where boys were used for mail deliveries chosen because of their light frame
allowing greater speed and less toll on the horses over sometimes gruelling long distances in hazardous weather often to distant counties. Due to the cost
of this courier service, which was prohibitive to common folk, it was mainly used by the influential or wealthy. By the mid 18th Century Mail Coaches
were introduced and by the end of 1775 coaches were travelling 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 Postilions travelling
up front on the Mail Coach alongside the driver sometimes caring for the horses at various points of rest particularly over long journeys. At this later date
it is generally accepted that the prerequisite for the occupation would have been at least the ability to read. www.postalheritage.org.uk and others.