Gov. Arthur Hodge
If you’re from the Caribbean, the name Hodge probably rings a bell—especially on Anguilla, Tortola, St. Martin, and St. Kitts. Once you hear the name Hodge, there’s usually a moment of realization: we’re related.
That curiosity sent me down the rabbit hole to trace the origins of the Hodge surname. A bit of research turned up the following:
“The surname Hodge is primarily of English origin, stemming from the medieval personal name ‘Hodge,’ a short, rhyming pet form of Roger, meaning ‘famous spear.’ It emerged in England, particularly in Norfolk and Suffolk, appearing in records as early as the 13th century, and spread to other countries like Scotland, Ireland, and the USA, sometimes becoming confused with variations of ‘Hogg’ (pig) or linked to geographic features like hills (Old English ‘hoh’).”
Through this lineage, I am a direct descendant of Governor Arthur John HODGE, my 7th great-grandfather.
Born: 1685 • Crab Island, Anguilla, British West Indies Died: 28 January 1748 • London (sometimes recorded as 1749)
His wife, Lady Sarah Hodge, was my 7th great-grandmother.
Born: Between 1695 and 1698 • Anguilla Died: Between 1798 and 1799 • Anguilla
Governor Hodge is often remembered for his military leadership and was widely praised for his role in defending Anguilla against foreign invasion.
“Arthur Hodge (died January 1749) was a British colonial governor. He was Deputy Governor of Anguilla from 30 June 1741 until 28 January 1749. He was in charge of defending the island during 1745 when the small British garrison defeated an attempt by 760 French soldiers and marines to capture the place in June.”
Arthur Hodge and the Battle of Anguilla (1745)
In the mid-18th century, the Caribbean was a hotspot of conflict as European powers vied for control. During the War of Austrian Succession—known in the colonies as King George’s War—French forces repeatedly targeted British territories, hoping to expand their influence in the region. One of the most dramatic moments of this struggle came in 1745 on the tiny island of Anguilla.
Arthur Hodge, then Deputy Governor of Anguilla, emerged as a central figure in the island’s defense. With calm determination, he organized a makeshift force of local militia and privateers to protect the territory. Leading 150 soldiers alongside two frigates and these privateers, Hodge faced an attempted invasion by French forces under Commodore Touché.
Despite being outnumbered and confronting a well-equipped enemy, Hodge and his men successfully repelled the French attack. This victory—later remembered as the Battle of Anguilla—secured the island’s place within the British Empire and cemented Hodge’s reputation as a capable and decisive leader
This event became a defining moment in the island’s history—one that shaped Anguilla’s long-standing resistance to outside control.
Their daughter, Anne Hodge, was my 6th great-grandmother.
Following the Bloodline
How am I related?
Governor Arthur John Hodge (1685–1748) had a daughter, Anne Hodge, who married the infamous Reverend Jonathan Fleming. (He will have his very own blog post). Their daughter, Rachel, married Peter Webster, a military man who rose through the ranks to become a Captain in the regiment that ultimately captured St. Lucia from the French.
Peter and Rachel had a son named John Hodge Webster, who later had Peter Abraham Webster. Peter Abraham went on to father eight children with Jane Anne Hodge. They had my 3x Great Grandfather Charles Shipley Webster. Charles married Hannah Flemming Webster and had my grandmother Virginia Webster Clarke. Virginia later gave birth to my grandfather who was Denis Clarke by her husband, Jamaican Refrey Vaughn Clarke. (I will be climbing deep up into the Jamaican Clarke family tree branch) Denis had 5 children with my grandmother Sylvia Adams Clarke. One of which was my mother Patricia Clarke. A little known fact is that my mother along with 3 of her older siblings were all born in Trinidad. (the island where her father was born and died.) They, however, were all raised in St.Kitts, their mother’s homeland.
Even after six generations and nearly 250 years, that fierce, unyielding Anguillian resistance didn’t disappear. The same spirit that existed during Governor Hodge’s era flowed straight into the DNA of the people.
⚠️ My next blog post will explore the life of Governor Hodge’s son and will include a trigger warning. This history is complex and painful in parts, and it deserves to be handled with honesty, care, and compassion—especially for the victims whose voices were long silenced.
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