Ralph Dodge was born on Norfolk Island and came to Van Diemen's Land c. 1808. He was first granted land at Clarence Plains, and later at Carlton. He married Charlotte Morris on 5 July 1824 and had 10 surviving children, with Eleanor dying at 13 years of age.;;In 1830 Ralph purchased a farm property in the area that became known as Dodges Ferry where he built a home made from bricks at his Carlton property. This was 'Ferry Farm' where he and Charlotte brought up their family, and from where he operated his rowing boat ferry service across to Seven Mile Beach sandspit. Ralph owned over 2,000 acres at the time of his death in 1871, and his four sons each inherited a property.;;The property at Carlton was known as 'Lovely Bottom' and was inherited by his son, William Dodge. The eldest son, Henry, inherited another property. Ralph Dodge Jnr inherited 'Ferry Farm'. 'Lagoon Farm' was another of Ralph's properties at Dodges Ferry which was inherited by son, Robert Dodge and this property was eventually sold for the Soldier Settler programme in 1919, and later became the Dodges Ferry School property. ;;;;