Martina Esther Dodgson

Heiress and probably widow of William Dodgson, who had been a local partner in Stabroek until 1804 with two Lancaster merchants, Jacob Ridley and Robert Dodson. With her son Rev. William Jacob Thomas Dodgson (q.v.) she was awarded compensation for a large group of 86 enslaved people on Cumings Lodge who had previously been attached to the Now or Never plantation.

1. Born about 1786. In 1841 Martina Dodgson was living at Belle View Ulverstone aged 55 Independent, born F[oreign Parts] with Ann Dodgson aged 30 and Marina aged 7; will of Martina Esther Dodgson widow of Ulverston Lancashire proved 15/11/1856. The will is short and simple, leaving all her goods equally between her children and 'the lawful issue of such of them as are dead.' Her executors were her son Thomas Steele Dodgson and her sons-in-law Henry Steele and Thomas Quayle.

2. The papers of the executors of Martina Esther Dodgson widow are lodged at the Cumbria Record Office, and indicate that William Dodgson was her husband and the Rev. William Jacob Thomas Dodgson (q.v.) was her son.

T71/885 British Guiana claim no. 849 (Cumings Lodge).

1. 1841 census online; PROB 11/2241. For more on Belle Vue, Prince's Street, Ulverston, see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1270212 [accessed 17/11/2017]. The building still exists and is Grade II listed.

2. Cumbria Record Office, Barrow: Hart Jackson & Sons Solicitors BDHJ 120/5 1833-1859. There is also a Privy Council appeal on behalf of Martina Esther Dodgson widow and other executors of William Dodgson against Thomas Mewburn in 1838, TNA TS11/1865.

We are grateful to Hanna Steyne for her assistance with compiling this entry.