From Blenda Ainsworth nee Dant, website: http://www.john-blenda.co.uk/Blenda/index.htm
David Dant's will:
Note: Huntingdon Record Office
Note: Manor of Somersham( with the Soake in the county of Huntingdon) 19 Jan 1866 ref: 35/775
Note: Elizabeth Bedford of Earith widow a copyhold tenant of the manor---. Covenant contained in an indenture between Mary Wragg of Chesterton in the 1st part Elizabeth Bedford in the 2nd part and David Dant of Cambridge in the 3rd part--------
Note: sum of £500 lawful sterling money paid by D.D. to and on account of the said E.B.as in the said indenture is particularly mentioned. Did out of court surrender into the hands of Reuben Ginn---------all that piece or parcel of land situate lying
and being in the wash in Earith 2 acres and 32 perches --formerly Searlesand bounded by land of Messrs Brown and the Drove and formerly in the occupation of Robert Crisswell E.B. admitted tenant by the will of her husband on 19th April 1865
bearing date 17th July 1862 proved in Peterborough District Registry Probate 17 Feb: 1863--------and also all the estate right title interest property claim and demand whatsoever both at law and in equity of her the said E.B. of in to out of or
uponthe said Lands hered itaments and premises and every part thereof to the use of the said D.D. his heirs and assigns for ever----------unless E.B. by 19th July next pay to D.D. £500 together with interest for the same after the rate of £500 f or
every £100--------if not paid D.D. could sell or dispose of Lands etc:---Conditional surrender as a collateral security for £500 and interest.
More about David Dant, to be read with the map 'cutterferry1.jpg' showing the Dant Ferry in Cambridge (between the dotted parallel lines):
Originally there was a "Cutter Ferry Path" which went along the rear of the properties, joined St Andrew's Road and thence to Church Street. De Freville Avenue and Belvoir Road at one time ran almost to the river, but new roads have been added and there is now a Beaulands Close at the end of De Freville and Belvoir has a Manhatten Drive and Pentlands Close between its end and the river. The comparatively new Elizabeth Way, built across the river in 1972, follows the eastern boundary of the Cutter Estate. It is still possible to cross the footbridge which replaced the ferry in 1928 but of course the cottages which stood there have all been demolished and the site occupied by college boathouses. I have a fairly good reproduction of the photo which was taken just before the footbridge was opened and will pass it on in due course. (ie when my long-suffering husband can find time to scan and transmit!)
The author of the newspaper article was a grandson of Emma Dant, David's youngest surviving child. He did a considerable amount of research long before I started and was most helpful in passing on ideas and suggestions. He was born in 1910 so knew many of the older members of the Dant family and learned a great deal about his great grandfather from his grandmother, Emma. It seems that David Dant presented each of his children with a Bible in which he had written all their dates of birth. Mr Fyson still had one of these and sent me a photocopy of the front page. Unfortunately it did not reproduce too well (1970's) and I'm not sure that a copy of a copy would be worth sending.
From the same source I learned of a tragedy that occurred in 1864. It seems that David allowed his horses to graze on Midsummer Common in Cambridge, immediately opposite the ferry. Sadly, one of these horses kicked and killed a child who was playing in the area. At the Lent assizes of 1865, David was found guilty of manslaughter, fined £50 and gaoled for one month. There is a brief report of the case in the Cambridge Chronicle of 25th March 1865, on film in the Cambs Collection. I bought a photo-copy of that report but it was printed close to the fold of the paper so once again the results are disappointing. I learned that the full details are held by Cambs University Library but as I do not possess a reader's ticket for that facility I have never been able to read it. As far as I can judge, the result of this sad event was to encourage David to replace his horses with one of the new steam tugs then becoming available.
An obituary for David Dant was published in the Cambs Chronicle on 2nd December 1892 and can also be read on micro film at the Cambridge Library. Recalling the poor result previously obtained, this time I sat and copied it out, longhand, and typed it into my programme on returning home. Results are much more satisfactory. If you are interested I can transmit this via the internet.
David Dant's will:
Note: Huntingdon Record Office
Note: Manor of Somersham( with the Soake in the county of Huntingdon) 19 Jan 1866 ref: 35/775
Note: Elizabeth Bedford of Earith widow a copyhold tenant of the manor---. Covenant contained in an indenture between Mary Wragg of Chesterton in the 1st part Elizabeth Bedford in the 2nd part and David Dant of Cambridge in the 3rd part--------
Note: sum of £500 lawful sterling money paid by D.D. to and on account of the said E.B.as in the said indenture is particularly mentioned. Did out of court surrender into the hands of Reuben Ginn---------all that piece or parcel of land situate lying
and being in the wash in Earith 2 acres and 32 perches --formerly Searlesand bounded by land of Messrs Brown and the Drove and formerly in the occupation of Robert Crisswell E.B. admitted tenant by the will of her husband on 19th April 1865
bearing date 17th July 1862 proved in Peterborough District Registry Probate 17 Feb: 1863--------and also all the estate right title interest property claim and demand whatsoever both at law and in equity of her the said E.B. of in to out of or
uponthe said Lands hered itaments and premises and every part thereof to the use of the said D.D. his heirs and assigns for ever----------unless E.B. by 19th July next pay to D.D. £500 together with interest for the same after the rate of £500 f or
every £100--------if not paid D.D. could sell or dispose of Lands etc:---Conditional surrender as a collateral security for £500 and interest.
More about David Dant, to be read with the map 'cutterferry1.jpg' showing the Dant Ferry in Cambridge (between the dotted parallel lines):
Originally there was a "Cutter Ferry Path" which went along the rear of the properties, joined St Andrew's Road and thence to Church Street. De Freville Avenue and Belvoir Road at one time ran almost to the river, but new roads have been added and there is now a Beaulands Close at the end of De Freville and Belvoir has a Manhatten Drive and Pentlands Close between its end and the river. The comparatively new Elizabeth Way, built across the river in 1972, follows the eastern boundary of the Cutter Estate. It is still possible to cross the footbridge which replaced the ferry in 1928 but of course the cottages which stood there have all been demolished and the site occupied by college boathouses. I have a fairly good reproduction of the photo which was taken just before the footbridge was opened and will pass it on in due course. (ie when my long-suffering husband can find time to scan and transmit!)
The author of the newspaper article was a grandson of Emma Dant, David's youngest surviving child. He did a considerable amount of research long before I started and was most helpful in passing on ideas and suggestions. He was born in 1910 so knew many of the older members of the Dant family and learned a great deal about his great grandfather from his grandmother, Emma. It seems that David Dant presented each of his children with a Bible in which he had written all their dates of birth. Mr Fyson still had one of these and sent me a photocopy of the front page. Unfortunately it did not reproduce too well (1970's) and I'm not sure that a copy of a copy would be worth sending.
From the same source I learned of a tragedy that occurred in 1864. It seems that David allowed his horses to graze on Midsummer Common in Cambridge, immediately opposite the ferry. Sadly, one of these horses kicked and killed a child who was playing in the area. At the Lent assizes of 1865, David was found guilty of manslaughter, fined £50 and gaoled for one month. There is a brief report of the case in the Cambridge Chronicle of 25th March 1865, on film in the Cambs Collection. I bought a photo-copy of that report but it was printed close to the fold of the paper so once again the results are disappointing. I learned that the full details are held by Cambs University Library but as I do not possess a reader's ticket for that facility I have never been able to read it. As far as I can judge, the result of this sad event was to encourage David to replace his horses with one of the new steam tugs then becoming available.
An obituary for David Dant was published in the Cambs Chronicle on 2nd December 1892 and can also be read on micro film at the Cambridge Library. Recalling the poor result previously obtained, this time I sat and copied it out, longhand, and typed it into my programme on returning home. Results are much more satisfactory. If you are interested I can transmit this via the internet.
- 5 FEB 1808 - Birth - ; Cambridgeshire. Christened 6 November 1811, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
- 28 NOV 1892 - Death - ; The Cutter, Cambridgeshire
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PARENT (M) William Dant | |||
Birth | 25 NOV 1767 | St Ives, Huntingdonshire | |
Death | 13 MAR 1827 | St Ives | |
Marriage | to Sarah | ||
Father | William Dant | ||
Mother | Sarah Rawlings , widow | ||
PARENT (F) Sarah | |||
Birth | ABT 1770 | ||
Death | 28 JUL 1830 | ||
Marriage | to William Dant | ||
Father | ? | ||
Mother | ? | ||
CHILDREN | |||
M | David Dant | ||
Birth | 5 FEB 1808 | Cambridgeshire. Christened 6 November 1811, St Ives, Cambridgeshire | |
Death | 28 NOV 1892 | The Cutter, Cambridgeshire | |
Marriage | to Catherine Leak | ||
F | Catherine (Kitty) Dant | ||
Birth | 25 MAR 1797 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 16 APR 1825 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Marriage | to Francis Hull | ||
M | John Dant | ||
Birth | 21 JAN 1805 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. Christened 15 February 1822, St Ives | |
Death | 1 AUG 1857 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Marriage | to Phoebe Stocker |
PARENT (M) David Dant | |||
Birth | 5 FEB 1808 | Cambridgeshire. Christened 6 November 1811, St Ives, Cambridgeshire | |
Death | 28 NOV 1892 | The Cutter, Cambridgeshire | |
Marriage | to Catherine Leak | ||
Father | William Dant | ||
Mother | Sarah | ||
PARENT (F) Catherine Leak | |||
Birth | 29 DEC 1807 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Christened 20 January 1808, All Saints, St Ives | |
Death | 9 APR 1861 | 3, Quayside, Cambridgeshire (St Giles sub-dist). | |
Marriage | to David Dant | ||
Father | William Leak | ||
Mother | Elizabeth Whitfield | ||
CHILDREN | |||
M | George Dant | ||
Birth | 2 DEC 1844 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. Christened: St Clement 11 May 1862 | |
Death | 28 NOV 1891 | Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Marriage | to Anna Maria Scales | ||
F | Catherine Dant | ||
Birth | 25 JUN 1826 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 16 SEP 1826 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
M | Samuel Dant | ||
Birth | 16 AUG 1832 | Christened 28 May 1834, St Ives, Cambridgeshire | |
Death | 12 JUL 1907 | ||
M | David Dant | ||
Birth | 30 MAR 1829 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 28 FEB 1911 | Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Marriage | to Sarah Ward | ||
F | Catherine Dant | ||
Birth | 29 APR 1835 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 19 FEB 1838 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
F | Sarah Dant | ||
Birth | 27 JAN 1839 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to John Rogers | ||
M | Charles Dant | ||
Birth | 25 SEP 1843 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 1902 | Croydon, London, England | |
Marriage | to Maria Hart | ||
F | Emma Dant | ||
Birth | 19 APR 1846 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 20 OCT 1922 | Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England | |
Marriage | to James Simeon Fyson | ||
M | Isaac Dant | ||
Birth | JUN 1850 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 31 AUG 1850 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
F | Susannah Dant | ||
Birth | 13 NOV 1827 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to Samuel Rogers | ||
F | Eliza Dant | ||
Birth | 29 OCT 1830 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to James Parnell | ||
M | John Dant | ||
Birth | 13 NOV 1833 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. Christened 20 May 1834, St Ives, Cambridgeshire. | |
Death | 4 SEP 1879 | Gosberton, Spalding, Lincolnshire, England | |
Marriage | to Maria Flanders | ||
F | Mary Ann Dant | ||
Birth | 7 JAN 1837 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to John Shingles | ||
F | Elizabeth Dant | ||
Birth | 14 MAY 1840 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | |||
Marriage | to Harry Joseph Evans | ||
M | Abraham Dant | ||
Birth | 8 DEC 1848 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. | |
Death | 12 NOV 1849 | St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England. |
[S26630] | http://www.john-blenda.co.uk/Blenda/DantTree/gp525.htm#head1 |
1 David Dant b: 5 FEB 1808 d: 28 NOV 1892
+ Catherine Leak b: 29 DEC 1807 d: 9 APR 1861
2 George Dant b: 2 DEC 1844 d: 28 NOV 1891
3 Emily Charlotte Dant b: ABT JUN 1874 d: 14 AUG 1874
3 Emma Jane Dant b: 1868
3 George Albert Dant b: 1872 d: 20 FEB 1873
3 Anna Elizabeth Dant b: MAR 1869 d: 29 NOV 1896
+ Harry Wood b: 22 JAN 1869
4 Winifred Emilie Wood b: 15 APR 1892 d: 30 MAR 1992
+ Maurice Martineau Welcher b: 13 NOV 1893 d: 14 MAY 1981
5 Eileen Mary Welcher b: 26 NOV 1922 d: 10 APR 2015
5 Elizabeth Ethel (Bebet) Welcher b: 29 MAR 1930 d: 1 MAY 2024
+ Alan Ray-Jones b: 17 MAY 1930 d: 20 January 2025
4 Mabel Wood b: ABT 1890
4 Wilfred Wood b: ABT 1891
2 Catherine Dant b: 25 JUN 1826 d: 16 SEP 1826
2 Samuel Dant b: 16 AUG 1832 d: 12 JUL 1907
2 David Dant b: 30 MAR 1829 d: 28 FEB 1911
2 Catherine Dant b: 29 APR 1835 d: 19 FEB 1838
2 Sarah Dant b: 27 JAN 1839
2 Charles Dant b: 25 SEP 1843 d: 1902
2 Emma Dant b: 19 APR 1846 d: 20 OCT 1922
2 Isaac Dant b: JUN 1850 d: 31 AUG 1850
2 Susannah Dant b: 13 NOV 1827
2 Eliza Dant b: 29 OCT 1830
2 John Dant b: 13 NOV 1833 d: 4 SEP 1879
2 Mary Ann Dant b: 7 JAN 1837
2 Elizabeth Dant b: 14 MAY 1840
2 Abraham Dant b: 8 DEC 1848 d: 12 NOV 1849