Elias GALPIN (1756-1846) was baptised at Toller Porcorum in Dorset on 31st March 1756 the son of Elias and Ann GALPIN (1) and seems to have had a long but rather tragic life. By 1785 Elias had migrated to Dorchester marrying at All Saints Church on 17th April 1785 to his first wife Hannah THORNE (1756-1794). Hannah was the daughter of James & Margaret THORNE and had been baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 9th July 1756, so both of them were 29 years old at marriage. They settled initially at Fordington, so its possible that he owned the Malthouse at number 1 Fordington High street from that date as we know Hannah gave birth to her first two children in the parish as they were baptised at St Georges church which is situated up the road at the top of Fordington Hill:-
Seven months later his wife Hannah died joining her 4 children in St Georges churchyard Fordington on 27th Nov 1794. Elias however, like many people in those days, was resilient marrying for a second time 11 months later at All Saints Church to Susannah BRYER on 4th October 1795. Tragically Susannah only lived long enough to have one child :- (5) Charles GALPIN (1797-1836) was baptised at All Saints on 15th Feb 1797. I am glad to say he survived, marrying Ann LEGG (1796-1857) at St Georges Church Fordington on 4th Oct 1821. Ann was the daughter of John & Ann LEGG and had been baptised at St Peters Church Dorchester on 29th May 1796. They raised a large family of 8 children before Charles death at the still relatively young age of 40, and burial at St Georges on 18th Feb 1836. See their marriage for details of their 8 children. Charles is described as a farmer up to 1828 but then changes occupation to that of Miller until his death in 1836. After his death Ann continued to operate the Mill at Holloway known locally as 'Fordington Mill' and is shown as a Miller in the 1841 Census living there with 6 of her children. In 1846 his children inherit one fourth part of their grandfather Elias's residuary estate held in trust until they are 21. When Charles daughter Sarah married in 1849 they were still at the Mill as was Ann in 1851 by which time she is described as a Miller and Baker supported by her children George (a Miller) Ann, Mary and Henry (an apprentice grocer). Her son Charles married Isabella ANSTY the daughter of John ANSTY a Baker in Fordington in 1849 and they moved to South street running a bakers, confectioners and grocery business. Ann died intestate there on 30th Sep 1857 when her estate was estimated to be under £200. She was buried at Fordington on 2nd October when her address was also quoted as 'The Mill' Fordington. Administration of her meager estate was granted to her daughter Mary. Susannah his second wife was buried at All Saints church on 22nd Sep 1798 once more leaving Elias a widower this time with a young child to care for. The timing of her death suggests that she may have had complications with her next pregnancy but there were many ailments from which she could have succumbed. Undaunted Elias married for a third and final time. Described as being from All Saints he married in his brides parish of St Peters on 10 Jan 1799 to Elizabeth MOORS. Elizabeth produced 4 more children:-
The Old Malthouse at the turn of High East Street into Fordington High street Whilst we can trace the family throughout this period there is little to confirm his trade until the trade directories were published. The very first, issued by Pigots' in 1830 (3), importantly confirms that Elias is a brewer and Maltster operating at 'The turn of East Street" It's fairly clear that this is where High East street ends and turns to become Fordington High Street and exactly where the old malthouse is situated. In the 1841 Census when he was 85 he is still described as a Brewer and Maltster but living in Durngate Street with a servant and nurse. Whilst this is in All Saints parish, it is an easy short walk to the malthouse so by then I think most of the day to day administration of the brewhouse was already being carried out by his younger son Robert whilst his eldest son Charles was a Miller operating Fordington Mill. To brew beer you need lots of water and there is not a suitable stream in All Saints so I think this clearly indicates that they operated the old malthouse to brew beer throughout this period. As a beer retailer it also makes sense to have and run a public house next door so I suspect the Noah's Ark also dates from around this time. The quantity of beer produced and consumed at this time should not be underestimated. Nobody drank water, and wine etc was confined mainly to the better off. The mash was used 3 times, the first produced the strongest beer and tended to be drunk by men, the second somewhat weaker was preferred by ladies and the weakest third mash was drunk by children. It was therefore a life sustaining trade. Elias lived here until he was 90 being buried at All Saints church on 14th July 1846. He was pre-deceased by all 3 of his wives and his eldest son Charles, leaving his household goods, furniture, linen plate and other household effects, his horse and wagon and the copyhold of the brewhouse, cellar and stable to his younger son Robert GALPIN. I have fully transcribed his will which is given below. |
Dated 3rd February 1846 (Proved 5th Feb 1847)Held at National Archives PRO 11/2050 The Last Will and Testament of me Elias GALPIN of Dorchester in the county of Dorset Brewer made and published this third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven First I give: and bequeath all my household goods furniture linen plate and other household effects which may be in my dwelling house at the time of my death and also my horse and wagon and my copyhold Brewhouse Cellar and Stable within and part of the Manor of Fordington in the County of Dorset now in my own occupation with the appurtenances for and during all my estate and interest therein unto my son Robert GALPIN his executors administrators and assigns absolutely
Elias GALPIN Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Elias GALPIN as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as WitnessesJ. STONE Solicitor Dorchester G. SYMONDS Frederick COSENS PROVED: At London 5th February 1847 before the Judge by the oaths of Robert GALPIN the son, William GREEN and John LEGG the surviving Executors to whom administration was granted having been first sworn/ by comon /only to administer Genealogical Notes:- (1). OPC Transcription of Toller Porcorum Parish register by Kim Parker. Please note that as of July 2011 the IGI continued to incorrectly designate all Toller Porcorum christenings as having taken place at Tarrant Rushton. Some of this has been picked up by Ancestry.com perpetuating the error. (2). His son's widow is Ann GALPIN nee LEGG as Charles pre-deceased him in 1836. (3). Pigots directories for 1830 and 1844 both show – Elias GALPIN turn of East Street - listed under Brewers and Maltsters. Roberts directory for the year 1839 shows – Elias GALPIN High East Street - Maltster & Brewer. |