Robert GALPIN (1802-1859) was Baptised at All Saints Church in Dorchester on 30th Dec 1802 the son of Elias GALPIN (1756-1846) by his third wife Elizabeth nee MOORS. When his father died in 1846 he inherited his household goods, furniture, linen plate and other household effects, his horse and wagon and the copyhold of the brewhouse, cellar and stable known as the Old Malthouse shown in the pictures below. The Old Malthouse at the turn of High East Street into Fordington High street Robert remained a bachelor but lived in the Malthouse, and by the time of the 1851 Census (1) he has with him a 'house servant/housekeeper' called Caroline BROOKS (1806-1889) who clearly played an important part in his life. She was a native of Norfolk and gave her birth place as Trowse (presumably Trowse Newton on the outskirts of Norwich). There is a record on the CLDS site which shows she was born on 9th March but baptised on 23rd March 1806 just 8 miles south of Trowse in the village of Woodton in Norfolk, the 5th of 8 children of John & Frances Monseer BROOKS. By the year 1841 (2) she had arrived in Dorset, was still unmarried, and living in Mill Street in Fordington which is presumably how she came into contact with Robert GALPIN as its physically close to the Malthouse. The 1851 Census shows them living together in the Malthouse, both unmarried, and Robert employing 2 men in his business as a Maltster and retailer of beer. On 8th July 1859 Robert must have been ill as he wrote his will leaving a few bequests to his sister and her children, but the bulk of his estate to Caroline whom he still refers to as his housekeeper. Robert died on the 26th July 1859 and was buried at the Civic cemetery on 29th. He left a Will, transcribed below, and an estate worth just under £2,000, a considerable amount of money in those days, with the bulk of it, including the copyhold of the brewhouse to Caroline. After Robert's death Caroline sold the brewhouse to two brothers John & William BLANDAMER of Fordington in 1860, changed her surname to GALPIN and lived in Durngate Street describing herself as a widow. In 1861 she had her young 5 year old nephew John BROOKS (who had been born in London Middlesex) staying with her (3). By 1871 he had returned to live with his parents William & Matilda BROOKS in Lambeth. William like Caroline was also born at Woodton in Norfolk. John however returned to Dorchester to look after Caroline in her old age and is living with her again in 1881 now aged 25(6). This is interesting as Caroline is recorded as a Beerhouse Keeper and appears to have taken over running the Old House at Home" in Durngate Street from 1877 when George Pitfield left. Caroline GALPIN died at Dorchester in 1889 and was probably buried in the Civic Cemetery but I have not been able to locate any Will. Dated 8th July: 1859 Died 26th July 1859: (Proved 22nd Aug 1859)Source National Probate Registry The Last Will and Testament of me Robert GALPIN of Fordington in the County of Dorset Brewer. I give and bequeath unto my niece Elizabeth MORGAN (4) shop woman at Mr Steels Dorchester in the said County of Dorset Spinster the sum of one hundred pounds
I give devise and bequeath All that my freehold messuage or dwelling house malthouse and garden situate in the Parish of All Saints near to the Baptist Chapel in Dorchester aforesaid with their rights members and appurtenances unto my Housekeeper Caroline BROOKS now living with me her heirs and assigns for ever. I give and bequeath all my estate and interest of and in All That my Copyhold Messuage Beerhouse and premises in which I now reside situate in Fordington aforesaid with their rights members and appurtenances unto the said Caroline BROOKS her executors administrators and assigns for her and their own absolute use and benefit All my brewing utensils casks beer malt and hops household goods and furniture and all my money and securities for money book and all other debts and all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects not herein before disposed of I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto the said Caroline BROOKS her executors administrators and assigns for her and their own absolute use and benefit subject nevertheless to the payment of the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed and my just debts and my funeral and testamentary expenses
I hereby appoint Isaac HANN of Fordington aforesaid schoolmaster and Thomas VOSS of Dorchester aforesaid plasterer Executors of this my last Will In witness whereof I the said Robert GALPIN have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand this eighth day of July One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine.
Robert GALPIN Signed and acknowledged by the said Robert GALPIN as his Will in the presence of us, present at the same time and who in his name and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses Jno: [John] BROWN of Dorchester Accountant Thomas VOSS of Dorchester Plasterer PROVED: Probate granted 22nd August 1859 The Will of Robert GALPIN late of Fordington in the County of Dorset Brewer deceased who died 26th July 1859 at Fordington was proved at Blandford by the oaths of Isaac HANN of Fordington a schoolmaster and Thomas VOSS of Dorchester plasterer the executors effects under £2,000 Genealogical Notes:-
(1). Robert & Caroline are in the 1851 Census Class: HO107; Piece: 1858; Folio: 159; Page: 4; GSU roll: 221005-221006. |