Re: Origin of name, Lancs, England
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In reply to:
Origin of name, Lancs, England
Liz Hodge 7/21/00
I am a distant relative of Elizabeth (our shared ancestor being Thomas Hodge, 1794-1870, my GG grandfather was Mayor Henry's twin). I, too, believe that most, of not all, Hodges originate from the North Meols/Southport area.
I have some additional information on the history: William of 1580 was the sole descendant of a William Hoggesson, who was listed in Poll Tax returns of 1381... still in North Meols. At this time there were very few residents in the area, mostly farmers & fishermen, and the Hodge family are one of only 2 or 3 who have survived in the area until the present day (my own branch being amongst them).
We also know that William was fined in 1625 for non-attendance at church the previous Easter, and that his son, Hugh, was in court between 1640-1643 for brawling with Thomas Rimmer, coneyman. This was shortly after Hugh's parents, William & Dorothy and brothers Roger & William all died of some infection (possibly smallpox) (spring 1639). There were also 2 sisters, Ellen & Elizabeth. Roger had an illigitimate daughter, Ellin, before he died. In 1664 the surviving brothers, Hugh and Thomas, were both listed in the hearth tax returns. We have no records of a marriage or children for Hugh, and all Hodge descendants come from Thomas.
The family were known as Hodges until 1815, when a change in rector at the parish prompted a mispelling (to Hodge), which stuck (because of the almost universal illiteracy amongst working folk at the time).
At the moment I know of 2 branches of the family who ended up in North America: All of them descendants of William Hodge (1822).
Sons of Henry Hodge, Wilfred Arnold (1893) & Norman (1894), who settled in Michigan (Norman had moved to New Mexico by 1935).
George Thomas Hodge, Henry's cousin, emigrated before 1880 and had a numerous children in Ontario (Stisted/Muskoka lakes). Most stayed in this area, but I know of at least one who moved to the USA; Edward Albert, who had children Dorothy and George. Edward died in Colorado.