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:-

(1) Judith GALPIN who was baptised at St George's Church Fordington on 24th July 1786 died at the age of 4 being buried there on 15th June 1790:

(2) Harriet GALPIN bap at Fordington on 21st Feb 1787 lived just 2 years being buried at St Georges on Christmas day 1789.

(3) Martha GALPIN baptised there on 15th May 1791 also died young being just under 8 when she died. They buried her with their other children at Fordington on 24th March 1799.

(4) Isaac GALPIN. Hannah's last child was a son they baptised at All Saints Church on 16th February 1794 with the biblical name of Isaac. In the Bible he was the only son of Abraham so I suspect they chose the name for this reason. All to no avail however as Isaac only survived 2 months joining his siblings at Fordington on 29th April that year.

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:-

(6) Elizabeth GALPIN (b 1800) bap at All Saints church on 18th Dec 1800. She married by licence to William GREEN a bachelor from Charminster at All Saints on 17 Oct 1822. She inherits one 4th of her fathers residuary estate under the following will.

(7) Robert GALPIN (1802-1859) bap at All Saints on 30th Dec 1802. The 1851 census confirms that he remained a bachelor. He inherits his fathers household effects, his horse and wagon and the copyhold to the brewhouse cellar and stable at Fordington High street together with one fourth of his fathers residuary estate. Link to more information including a transcription of his will

(8) Mary GALPIN (1804-1807) bap 26th Mar 1804 and buried there on 7th Jan 1813

(9) Sarah GALPIN (b 1807) bap 7th Jan 1807. She married a bachelor William MORGAN at All Saints Church Dorchester on 19th Jan 1826

   
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)

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

And as to and concerning all that my freehold dwellinghouse with its appurtenances in which I am now residing

And also all those my two farthinghold tenements or estates with their respective rights and appurtenances situate within and parcel of the said manor of Fordington now in the occupation of my late sons widow and which I hold by copy of Court Roll of the said Manor for three lives ⁽²⁾

And also all those my long leasehold hereditaments and premises situate in the parish of Loders in the county of Dorset

And and also my stock of Beer Malt and Hops and also all my casks and Brewing utensils at the time of my death and all and singular the rest residue and remainder of my real estate and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind so ever

And having thus ascertained the full amount and value thereof in sterling money upon trust to deduct there from all my just debts funeral testamentary and other expenses and the charges of proving this my Will with the payment whereof I charge my said estate and effects in the first instance

And then to divide the residue of such amount and value thereof by four in order to discover the amount of one fourth part in sterling money and having in the manner aforesaid ascertained the value or amount in money of my residuary estate and effects it is further my Will and I do hereby direct that they my said trustees Thomas GREEN and John LEGG and the survivor of them and their heirs executors administrators and assigns of such survivor do and shall stand and be seized and possessed of all and singular my said real or personal estate and effects except and subject as aforesaid to and for and upon the uses trusts and interests and purposes following that is to say as to all that my said freehold dwellinghouse with its appurtenances wherein I now reside and the said long leasehold premises in the parish of Loders aforesaid and my said stock of Beer Malt and Hops casks and Brewing utensils and the benefit and advantage of my trade and the occupation of the premises wherein the same shall be carrying on at my death to the use and in trust for my said son Robert his heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature thereof respectively when

And so soon within a year after my decease as he or they shall pay or to the satisfaction of my daughter Elizabeth GREEN the wife of William GREEN testified by the writing under her hand secure to her my said daughter Elizabeth the fourth part in value of my said trust estate and effects as ascertained and fixed in manner aforesaid and the further sum of seventy five pounds together with the interest for the same respectively from my death at a rate of four pounds per centum per annum and if my said son Robert his heirs executors administrators or assigns do not within one year after my death either pay or do as aforesaid secure to her my said daughter Elizabeth such forth part in value of my said trust estate and effects and the said further sum of seventy five pounds with interest as aforesaid Then and in such case I will and direct that my said trustees or trustee so and shall forthwith thereafter by mortgage or sale or partly by both of the said dwellinghouse and in long leases premises stock in trade utensils and effects, levy and raise such fourth part in value of my said trust estate and effects and the said further sum of seventy five pounds or so much thereof as shall remain unpaid by him my said son his heirs executors administrators or assigns with interest as aforesaid and all costs and expenses attending the levying or raising the same respectively and stand possessed thereof respectively after deducting and paying such costs and expenses in trust for and pay the same to my daughter Elizabeth and after raising and payment thereof and subject thereto so and shall stand seized and possessed of the said dwellinghouse long leasehold premises stock in trade utensils and effects or such part thereof as shall remain unsold for the purposes aforesaid and as to such part thereof as may be mortgaged for the like purposes subject to the mortgage debt charges thereon to the use of and in trust for my said son Robert his heirs executors administrators and assigns.

And as to all those my said copyhold tenements or estates in Fordington aforesaid with their respective rights and appurtenances upon trust that they my said trustees or trustee so and shall forthwith after such valuation shall be made as aforesaid by mortgage or sale or partly by both of my said copyhold tenements or estates with their respective appurtenances levy and raise another fourth part in value of my said trust estate and effects as ascertained and found in manner aforesaid and the further sum of twenty five pounds together with interest for the same respectively from my death at the rate of four pounds per centum per annum and all costs and expenses attending the levying and raising the same respectively and do and shall stand possessed of the said sums levied and raised as last aforesaid (after accounting and paying such costs and expenses) and pay and apply the same to or in trust for such person and persons and in such shares and proportions manner and for my daughter Sarah MORGAN shall notwithstanding her present or future coverture by any writing under her hand signed in the presence of two witnesses direct or appoint and in default of any and subject to every such direction or appointment in trust to pay the interest or dividends thereof to my said daughter Sarah during her life for her separate use irrespective of her present or any future husband and her receipts above notwithstanding her coverture to be effectual discharges for the same and from and after her death in trust for all and every her children and child who shall attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares if more than one and there shall be but one such child the whole to be in trust for such one child being entitled to have interest or dividends of his or her share expended during minority in or towards his or her maintenance and after raising and payment of the sums last aforesaid and subject thereto so and shall stand possessed of the said copyhold tenements or estates with their respective appurtenances or such part thereof as shall remain unsold for the purposes aforesaid

And as to such part as may be mortgaged for the like proportions subject to the mortgage money charges thereon in trust for all and every the child and children of may late deceased son Charles [GALPIN] who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares if more than one and if but one the whole to be in trust for such one child each child being entitled during minority to have the clear receipts and profits of the said tenements or estates subject and charged as above said paid or applied in or towards his or her maintenance and support and as to one moiety or equal half part of all the residue and remainder of my said trust estate and effects and the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling out of the other moiety in trust for and to apply assign and transfer the same unto my said Robert his heirs executors administrators and assigns

And as to such other equal part moiety or half part thereof after deducting the said sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and the interest and produce thereof in trust for the children and child of my said deceased son Charles in the same manner as is thereintofore expressed with regard to my said copyhold estates provided always and it is my Will that if either of my said children now living shall depart this life in my life time leaving child or children, that his or her share hereby given or bequeathed of my estate and effects shall not lapse but go to and be equally divided between his or her children if more than one and if only one to that one wholly when and as they he or she shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years the interest of their respective shares being in the meantime paid and applied for and towards their or his or her maintenance and if either of my sons surviving children shall die in my lifetime without leaving child or children then I devise and bequeath his or her share under this my Will of my trust estate and effects unto and to the use of or in trust for and equally between the survivors and the children or child of my said deceased son Charles (they her or she taking only one fourth share the same to be sold and the produce divided between them accordingly provided always and I hereby will and direct that if either or both of my said copyhold tenements shall not at the time of the valuation of my estate and effects be full stated then and in such case that any life or lives which may have dropped shall be filled up and the fines and expenses attending the same be paid by my said trustees out of my personal estate so that such copyhold tenements shall be valued as being held for three lives respectively provided also and I further will and declare that the receipts of my said trustees or trustee for the time being for any purchase mortgage or other monies which may become payable to them or him under the trusts and provisions of this my will shall be full and complete discharges to the persons or person paying or advancing the same for so much money as in such receipts respectively shall be acknowledged to be received.

And I further will and declare that the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will shall not be answerable the one for the other of them nor either of them for any but wilful or voluntary losses and that they and he shall and may out of the said trust monies retain and reimburse themselves and himself respectively all costs charges damages and expenses which they or he shall or may sustain or be put unto in or about the execution of the trusts of this my will or otherwise in relation thereto provided

Lastly and my will and mind further is that in case of the death of either of them the said Thomas GREEN and John LEGG before the trusts of this my Will shall be fully executed and performed it shall and may be lawful and I hereby will and direct that the survivor of them do and shall immediately or within two months after the death of either of them by any deed or writing under his hand and seal to be attested by two or more credible witnesses nominate and appoint some other fit and proper person or persons to be trustee or trustees in their place or stead of the trustee so dying which now trustee or trustees so to be nominated and appointed shall have the same right title interest power and authority of in and concerning the trust estate and premises and in the execution of the trusts herein contained as fully and effectually to all intents and purposes as such deceased trustee would have had or been entitled to under or by virtue of this my will or otherwise in case he has been living or as if such new trustee or trustees were herein named and appointed by this my Will

Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my said son Robert my son in law William GREEN and the said Thomas GREEN and John LEGG joint executors in trust of this my Will and hereby revoking all other wills by me at any time heretofore made I do declare these only to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament contained in five sheets of paper set my hand and seal in the manner following that is to say to the first four sheets thereof my hand and to this fifth and last my hand and seal the day and year first above written

Elias GALPIN

Genealogical Notes:-