There was no King or Queen of England during the English Civil War when the country was a republic between 1649 – 1660
1650 William Hills & John Sherren
William died in office and was buried in the parish church in 1651.
He is commemorated by a brass plate on the northwest pillar of the nave arcade.
Heere lyeth buried the bodye of WILLIAM HILLS who dyed in that yeare hee was Mayor of this Towne he had issue by KATHERINE his wife 7 sonns and 7 daughters Hee departed this life the 26th of March 1651 aged 46 years.
John was mayor twice, see also 1655.
Mayor and Jurats of Faversham, that John Taylor, the bearer of the petition, a freeman of the port of Faversham, had been arrested and was to appear at Court concerning the disrepair of the highways. Beg that he be discharged, as they are very careful to keep their highways in good order
Petition | The National Archives
1651 Henry Tilden
1652 John Fearne See also 1640 and 1656
In the 1662 Hearth Tax list, John is listed as having 6 hearths, and also as a jurat, so he was still involved in the administration of the town.
From the chamberlain’s accounts the charter ordered to be carried to Westminster, in pursuance of an order of parliament, to be renewed and held under the common-wealth
1653 Julius Ferrers
Faversham Gunpowder mills, under Daniel Judd, stepped up production during the war with Holland at Cromwell's request. Each week almost 2 tons of gunpowder was shipped from Faversham to the Tower of London
1654 Thomas Knowler See also 1649 and 1658
One of the mayor’s duties was to enforce the law. Under the poor law, beggars had to request help in the parish where they were born and were not welcome in other places.
Philip North was taken as a vagrant at Gillingham, whipped, and by order of the justices sent to Faversham where he was born but the churchwardens and overseers of Faversham refused to receive him; he was whipped by order of the mayor of Faversham and sent back to Gillingham.
Ordered that Philip North shall be sent back to Faversham.
East Kent Order Book, Epiphany 1653/4 | The National Archives
1655 John Sherren See also 1650
John was buried in the parish church in 1657.
He is commemorated with a ledger inscribed around the margin, in the chancel.
Heere lyeth ye Body of Mr JOHN SHEVREN Jurat who hath bnne twis Mayjor of this Towne having issue by PATIENCS his wife 6 sonnes and 2 daughters aged 52 years & departed this life the 18th of September Ado 1657
Papers relating to disputes of Faversham Corporation with Joshua Childrey, master of the free school there, and with John Sherren, a former mayor | The National Archives
1656 John Fearne See also 1640 and 1652
1657 Edward Spillett
Edward was the leading corn shipper trading with London,
He was buried in the parish church in 1665 and is commemorated with a ledger at the chancel.
Near this stone lieth interred the above mentioned EDWARD SPILLETT, ELIZABETH his wife and WILLIAM his son He died Anno Domini 1665.
By his will, Edward left. Various bequests of land. It’s interesting to see how far and wide their lands ranged. Canterbury Court Will Dated 26th September 1665. Edward Spillett, Gentleman.
To the Mayor, Jurats and Commonality of Faversham, a piece of land, called "Allens", of about 4 acres, occupied by Edward Cornish the Younger, at the upper end of North Lane in Boughton under Blean, for ever, from the income of this land, bread to be given to 12 poor widows every Sunday afternoon. To his wife, Elizabeth, £600; to his daughters, Elizabeth, Ann and Mary, £200 each at 21 years of age; to son Edward, a scholar at Cambridge, £40 per year until he is 21, to sons, John and Robert, his house, stable, barn and land at St,. Nicholas, Thanet, equally shared, for ever.......
Appoints friends Thomas Southouse, James Franklyn, Robert ? and William Brook, overseers, to assist executor, to each of them, 50 shillings. Witnesses: Thomas Southouse and John Power?
Proved 4th December 1665
1658 Thomas Knowler See also 1649 and 1654
From the will of Mark Cullen in 1678, we can see that Thomas was a wool draper.
Another example of the poor law system.
Thomas Scrugges was illegally sent by the mayor of Faversham to Lynsted to be settled. The court discharges Lynsted and orders him to be conveyed to Faversham.
East Kent Order Book, Adjourned Midsummer Sessions 1658 | The National Archives
1659 James Franklyn See note 1657
1660 John Trowts See also 1642 and 1669
Shortly after his restoration to the throne, King Charles II paid a visit to Captain John Trowts. He was a royalist and lived at 23 Court Street.
He was a close friend of Charles and had been a companion to him during his ten years' exile in France, following the execution of his father Charles I.
Trowts also owned a vessel by which he carried money and correspondence to the exile. In recognition of this, Charles made a promise that when he was restored to the throne -of which he was always confident - he would see that Trowts became mayor of Faversham and that he would visit him at his home.
The restoration took place in May 1660 and later that year - whether or not Charles had a hand in it by a hint to the corporation - Trowts was elected mayor.
True to his promise, Charles subsequently paid him a visit.
His arrival on this occasion without warning caused some embarrassment to the mayoress who was engaged in baking in the kitchen at the time.
Hearing a commotion in the hall, she hurried forward and there, to her amazement, stood the King. The discomfited lady hastily took off her apron and wiped the flour from her hands, but the gallant Charles put her at her ease by ignoring the flour and giving her a hearty kiss. Charles, indeed, seems to have had a good time with the ladies.
On the day after his Faversham visit, he entered London with the Queen. Samuel Pepys, the diarist, relates that he was told by one who accompanied them "how the country mayor entertained the King all the way as he came along, and how the country gentlewomen did hold up their heads to be kissed by the King - not taking his hand as they should do".
From the chamberlain’s accounts King Charles II visited this town, and dined with the mayor, the expense of his entertainment was £56 6s
1661 Robert Terry See also 1670 and 1679
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, Robert is listed as having 6 hearths, and as a jurat, so he was still involved in the administration of the town.
There was also a muster roll in this year and Robert provided a musket for Thomas Cheeseman to serve with it.
From the chamberlain’s accounts the corporation presented the king with £50.
This would have been the same King, Charles II
1662 John Upton
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, John is listed as ‘John Upton Esquire Maior seaven’ . He would have been living in a substantial house, but it was not the largest house in town, quite a few had 8 or 9 hearths.
In 1651, John had been a witness to the will of John Caslock.
1663 Thomas Southouse See also 1671, 1679 and 1688 and note 1685
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, Thomas is listed as having 8 hearths, also as a jurat.
In the 1661 muster roll, Thomas provided three muskets for three men.
We are indebted to Thomas for his local research and literary undertaking. He resided at 18 Court Street.
He wrote a history of Faversham Abbey which was published in 1671. The title page: "Monasticon Favershamiensis in Agro Cantiano, or a Surveigh of the Monastry of Faversham in the County of Kent Wherein its Barony and Right to sit in Parliament is discovered, together with its ancient and modern Estate described, as also its Founder and Benefactor remembered, by Thomas Southouse of Faversham, Esq., Olim Meminisse Juvabit (London, Printed by T Passenger living at the sign of The Three Bibles upon London Bridge 1671.)"
In the preface, the author says: "So great was the estimate and regard precedent ages had for monastical and retired dwellers, that there was scare any place so inconsiderable but had one or more of these Religious Seminaries within its precincts and bounds. The Prayers of Monks being lookt upon as more effectual towards the procurement of prosperity and wealth to any place than the tedious homilies of any long-winded secular Priest"
Whether Mr Southouse was a warden at Faversham parish church we cannot say, but in any case, one wonders what the vicar thought of his comparison.
1664 Thomas Napleton junior See also 1672
Thomas’ grandfather had been mayor in 1621 and his father was mayor in 1639 and 1647
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, Thomas is listed as having 7 hearths, and as a jurat so was already involved in the administration of the town.
Thomas was the owner of orchard land between Tanner Street and South Road and it as on part of that land that his almshouses or "hospital" as it was called were erected. (The site is now occupied by the Gospel Hall).
These houses were for poor men, who were also to have a new coat every two years. Some years ago, the inscribed stone which had been on the floor of the house was discovered in a builder's yard where apparently it had been discarded since the houses were demolished. The charity trustees then had it placed on the present almshouses in South Road (on the front of the corner opposite "Hillside"). It bears Napleton's coat of arms and this inscription “This Hospital was founded by Thomas Napleton, Esq., a native and steward of this town, and was endowed by him for the comfortable support of six poor men of the said town under the trust and management of the Corporation, who built these houses according to the direction of his will. Anno 1723"
1665 Francis Waterman See also 1681
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, Francis is listed as having 8 hearths, and also as a jurat so was already involved in the administration of the town.
England suffered from a chronic shortage of small change from the mid-17th to the early 19th century.
The British government failed to mint enough small change for commerce, copper ½ farthings, farthings, halfpennies and pennies essential for small sales were scarce. This forced local merchants to produce their own tokens for daily commerce.
This, of course, is the year of the great plague and the mayor set out some rules to help ward it off.
1666 Michael Greenstreet See also 1673 and 1684 and note 1685
In the 1662 and 1663 Hearth Tax lists, Michael is listed as having 6 hearths, and as a jurat so was already involved in the administration of the town.
Presumably Michael was a relation of John and Robert who were mayors in 1623 and 1635/1644/1648.
From the chamberlain’s accounts the plague visited the town. Five women died in childbed and were buried within a week
1667 Robert Knowler
Robert was the son of John, mayor in 1643, and died just before him. He was buried in the parish church in 1675.
He is commemorated by a ledger, under the organ, north chancel.
Here lieth interred the Body of ROBERT KNOWLER Gent eldest son of JOHN KNOWLER Gent of this Towne who had issue by KATHERINE his wife four children JOHN, ROBERT, MARY and KATHERINE He departed this life the 6th of June Anno Dmni 1675 aged 47 yeares.
He gave two almshouses, unendowed, for two poor widows, at the end of Tanners Street, in the presentation of the heirs of John Knowler esq, our late steward.
1668 Nicholas Wade See also 1682
1669 John Trowts See also 1642 and 1660
John was buried in the parish church in 1675 and is commemorated by a black marble monument in an alabaster frame, in the west wall, south aisle.
To the memory of the sacred men of his age and the happy stars, JOHN TROUTS Armigeri, who once abandoned the country and the affairs of his country, accompanied the exultant King Charles the Exile, or spontaneously accompanied him….
It continues to tell the story of his friendship with King Charles II.
Canterbury Court Will Dated 23rd April 1674. From Jacob's History:
"JOHN TROWTS, Jurat, gave in his life time the wainscot screen which stood before the west door, and by his will dated April 23rd 1674, gave five pounds to be distributed amongst the poor ten days after his decease; and settled two annuities of forty shillings each, one to the vicar so long as he was a conformable orthodox divine of the church of England, as is now established, who shall preach a sermon for the same every Friday before Easter, commonly called Good Friday, in the forenoon, in the parish church of Faversham; the other forty shillings to be distributed unto forty poor widows, or other poor people of Faversham, who shall come and hear the divine service and sermon that day, unless prevented by sickness, by the church-wardens, at the appointment of the mayor for the time being" Of the personal part of the will: He desires to be buried in the parish church. To wife, Ann, £30; to her and son Mark, all household stuff and brass, pewter, plate, bedding and linen equally shared; his house to his wife, for life. To Elizabeth, wife of his cousin, Mark P......se ?, 40 shillings, he acquits her of the debt she owes him.; to her son, ? , £5; to his wife's kinswoman, Elizabeth Hall?, £5; to his man servant Thomas ? and his 2 maid servants, if with him at his death, 10 shillings each. Residue of goods and chattels, his debts, legacies and funeral costs first paid to son Mark; his wife and son Mark are executors. Land and houses in ? , and land and houses in S.........d, occupied by Ann ? , widow and John Kelly ?, for ever; also to Mark, 3 houses in Faversham occupied by William Lawrence, John B........ ?, and Ralph ? Champion, for ever; also to Mark, for ever, 8 ?, house at the Town Key and 4 (houses ?, at ........ ?, occupied by Thomas Taylor and James ? , Nathaniel Parker, Stephen Balden and ...................... ? , and a house and malt house in Court Street, Faversham, occupied by Francis Baker. The 40 shillings for the poor widows to come from the latter property. Witnesses: Henry M and Nicholas C Proved September 1675"
1670 Robert Terry See also 1661 and 1679
On the petition of the inhabitants of Faversham, showing that Thomas Preble, a poor distracted youth and an inhabitant of Boughton under Blean, having been several times taken wandering in Faversham and sent by warrant of the mayor back to Boughton, the inhabitants thereof neglecting him, allowed him again to escape to Faversham where in his distractions he has done much mischief and been troublesome and chargeable to the inhabitants and the inhabitants of Boughton refuse to provide for him. Ordered that Thomas Preble be sent to Boughton where the inhabitants are to take care of him, provide for him for the future and he be not hereafter troublesome to the inhabitants of Faversham.
East Kent Order Book, Midsummer 1670 | The National Archives
1671 Thomas Southouse See also 1663, 1679 and 1688 and note 1685
Accounts of the mayor, mainly concerning disbursments to the poor [Disbursments include payments to 'Barbados souldiers', 'seemen shipwracked', to 'poore Irishmen', 'five sick souldiers out of France'] | The National Archives
1672 Thomas Napleton junior See also 1664
Thomas was buried in the parish church in 1679. He is commemorated by black marble tablets with pink surround and black marble columns, with arms, south wall, south aisle. Ledger in Chancel, with Arms and Crest, Napleton of Borden.
Here lies THOMAS NAPLETON Armiger ob 6th Feby. 1721 aetat 61.
Note – arminger means ‘entitled to bear arms’, so a family of importance.
From Edward Jacob's History: "THOMAS NAPLETON, Esquire, a native and steward of this town, by his will, dated February 2nd 1721, gave to the Mayor and Commonalty of the town of Faversham, all his lands and tenements in Faversham and Herne-hill, in trust, that they found an hospital at Tanner's -green, for six poor old men, who shall each of them have five pounds a year in money, and every two years a new coat. This charity hath been since raised in value, so as to enable the Corporation, at this time, to pay the poor men ten pounds a year"
1673 Michael Greenstreet See also 1673 and 1684 and note 1685
The smuggling of gunpowder was rife. The local Customs officers complained that large quantities were being exported “without cocquet or security under pretence of His Majesty's goods, but what it is or where it goes we are not able to give any account" (taken from Faversham Paper 115)
1674 Mark Trowts
Mark was a benefactor of the town. Son of John Trowts, three times mayor, he gave the brazen branch which hangs in the body of the church, and by his will dated April 25 1673, settled two annuities of forty shillings each, payable out of his estates in Faversham and Herne; one of these annuities to be paid to the minister of Faversham, upon condition of reading divine service, and preaching a sermon on St Marks day; the other annuity, with the advice of the minister, to be distributed on the same day to the poor of Faversham.
1675 Mark Cullen
Mark was buried in the parish church in 1679. He is commemorated by a white, oval, marble with arms on the south wall, south transept.
This Monument was erected by JOHN GILLOW Gent., out of humble respect & Gratitude to the memory of MARKE CULLEN Jurate of this Towne whose body is interred under a large stone near this wall A. D. 1679.
His tomb has the inscription shown on the right below.
Here lyeth the body of Mark Cullen sometime major of the town of Faversham
He died on the 2 of November 1678 & in the 56th yeare of his age.
According to the inscription, Mark had married Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of John Knowler, jurate and thrice mayor.
In his will.... Nuncupative Canterbury Court Will Dated 2nd November 1678.
Mark Cullen, late of Faversham, Gentleman.
He gives to Mark Cullen, his son, all his goods, chattels and personal estate, and desires him to pay John Gillow, £100, the remaining part of the marriage portion John Gillow, was to have with Mary, daughter of the testator. The will was spoken in the presence of the following, who signed the record as witnesses: Matthew Austen, Mayor of Faversham, Thomas Knowler, Wool Draper and Jacob Lane, Gentleman. Sarah Hayward, widow, was also present but did not sign the document.
Affidavit, 8th November 1678, Austen, Knowler and Lane sworn under oath to the truth of the will.
Proved 7th January 1678 (1679)
1676 Matthew Berry
From the chamberlain’s accounts the organist's salary was annum £6
1677 Stephen Blankett See also 1683
1678 Matthew Austen See note 1675
1679 Robert Terry & Thomas Southouse
Robert was mayor three times, see also 1661 and 1670.
Thomas was mayor four times, see also 1663, 1671 and 1688 and note 1685.
1680 George Allen
1681 Francis Waterman See also 1665
Francis died in and his grave in the parish church is quite worn.
Here lyeth in hope of ye holy resurrection ye body of Francis Waterman gent mayor and captain of the select trained bande of this town who departed this life November the 7 1707 aged 79 years and six months
A cess (or rate) was made at 4d in the £4, on all inhabitants for the purchase of a fire engine.
This action was taken following a serious fire at 12 Market Place
1682 Nicholas Wade See also 1668
1683 Stephen Blankett See also1677
Stephen was buried in the parish church and is commemorated by a ledger in the south transept.
Here lyeth interred the Body of STEPHEN BLANKET gent., twice Mayor who departed this life the twenty first of Feberarie 1684 and in the 66th yeare of his age
1684 Michael Greenstreet See also 1666 and 1673 and note in 1685
1685 John Kennett
Grant, for the sake of the good government of the town in future, that Faversham shall be and continue a free town, and that the Mayor, Jurats and inhabitants shall be and continue, as they have been from of old, a body corporate, by the name of the Mayor, Jurats and Commonalty of the town of Faversham; and that there shall be an honest, lawful man, chosen as hereafter mentioned, called Mayor of the town; and that the Mayor and twelve honest, lawful men, inhabitants of the town, chosen as hereafter mentioned, shall be called Jurats of the town; and that there shall be twenty four honest and lawful men, chosen as hereafter mentioned, called Common Councilmen of the town; and that the Jurats and Common Councilmen shall assist the Mayor in all business concerning the town.
Appointment of John Kennett, Esquire, as first modern Mayor, to continue in office until the last day of September next; and of John Kennett, Thomas Southouse, the elder, Michael Greenstreet, George Allen, Robert Hambleton, Daniel Glover, Thomas Bowdler, William Henley, Thomas Southouse, the younger, William Allen, Robert Knowler, William Day, and John Smith, as first Jurats for life, unless they are removed for misbehaviour in the execution of their office. This charter was granted by King James II, see https://favershamcharters.org/charters/charter-1685-james-ii/ .
Royal letters patent | The National Archives
John is also mentioned in the 1713 will of Michael Jones where.... He appoints good friend, Henry Knowler of Faversham, Carpenter and John Kennett of Luddenham, Yeoman, executors, and gives them, for their trouble, £5 each.
He appoints Isaac Terry of Faversham, Overseer of the will, to assist executors. Terry is also Guardian and Tutor of sons, Henry and Michael, while they are minors.
1686 Daniel Glover See also 1688, 1689 and 1695 and notes in 1685 and 1691
1687 William Hendley
1688 Thomas Southouse & Daniel Glover
Thomas was mayor four times, see also 1663, 1671 and 1679.
Barely 30 years after the happy visit of Charles II, his brother James II was at the house of another mayor in Court Street, but it was not one that he had arranged. Having exhausted the patience of the nation, James had attempted to quit the kingdom, but he and two companions were captured on 11 December 1688, by some Faversham sailors at Shellness. Observing a vessel of about 30 tons lying there to take in ballast, they went to investigate in the evening with three fishing smacks, and about forty men, including some musketeers out of the Faversham Band. Boarding the vessel, the sailors found in the cabin three persons of quality (of whom they knew only one - Sir Edward Hales ), and having taken from them 300 guineas (!!), they brought the prisoners ashore near Oare.
On the following day they were met there by gentlemen from Faversham and escorted into the town and taken to the "Queens Arms" (12 Market Place). There, to the general amazement, it was discovered that one of the prisoners was the King. James urgently requestly the gentlemen to convey him away in the night in the Custom House boat, pressing it upon their consciences and telling them that if the Prince of Orange should take away his life, his blood would be on their hands. The gentlemen refused, saying they must be accountable for him to the Prince of Orange. He was then taken from the "Queens Arms" to the residence of the mayor at 18 Court Street, where he continued under a strong guard of soldiers and sailors until Saturday, the 15th.
The King sent to the Lords of the Council, telling that the mob had possessed themselves of his money and necessaries, and desired them to send new supplies to him. The Council forthwith despatched the Earls of Feversham, Hilsborough, Middleton and Yarmouth, with about 120 horse guards and spare horses and coaches, their orders being to prevail with the King, if possible, to return to Whitehall, but not to put any restraint upon his person, if he continued resolved to go overseas. The Lords arrived at Sittingbourne on the Friday evening and the King joined them there on the Saturday and returned to Whitehall.
Later he was allowed to leave the country and join the Queen in France. While detained at the mayor's house in Court Street, the King borrowed a bible. Afterwards, there was found in it a slip of paper on which James had written the references to several scriptural passages which had relevance to the situation in which he found himself. This slip of paper (framed) is preserved in the vestry of the parish church.
Thomas suddenly died in 1688 and did not leave a will, despite being a lawyer.
There is memorial to him, a black tablet in a white frame, with arms, a cherubs head and a winged skull. On the west wall of the north transept
1689 Daniel Glover See also 1686, 1688 and 1695 and notes in 1685 and 1691
1690 John Watson See also 1696
1691 William Day See note 1685
William was involved in this court case, with what looks like an in-law!
Short title: Mayor of Faversham v Knowler. Plaintiffs: Mayor etc of Faversham.
Defendants: John Knowler, Daniel Glover, William Hendley and Henry Andrewes.
Subject: property in St Thomas the Apostle, Kent.
William died in 1726 at age 76 and is commemorated by a ledger by the north wall, north transept. According to his inscription, he was a physician
Mr WM DAY Senr deceas'd Sepr the 1st MDCCXXVI in the LXXVI year of his age
Here lieth added to ye number of her worthy relations MARY the wife of Mr WILLIAM DAY Physician and sometime Mayor of this town She was the eldest daughter of Mr ROBERT KNOWLER of Brogdale a Gentlewoman of exemplary virtues a serious Christian a loving wife a tender mother and an obliging friend who deceased Octr ye 26th 1698 in ye 47th yeare of her age
1692 John Smith See note 1685
From the chamberlain’s accounts Mr John Smith mayor, at whose insistence, the mayor's salary, it is agreed, shall be suspended, until the town is out of debt, and until further order.
A singular instance of generosity and public spirit!
1693 Isaac Terry See also 1703 and 1712 and note 1685
1694 Richard Rade
1695 Daniel Glover See also 1686, 1688 and 1689 and notes in 1685 and 1691
1696 John Watson See also 1690
1697 Thomas Gibbs See also 1704, 1710 and 1715 and note in 1719
1698 Stephen Jones
Stephen's grandson held the same office in 1773.
Richard Marsh founded the brewery which is now that of Shepherd Neame Ltd.
1699 Alexander Willmott
From the chamberlain’s accounts the church was robbed of the pulpit cloth
Stating that the mayor should in future be warden ex officio, and that the common cryer should be beadle ex officio, that the two wardens should be chosen by the freemen, and that the four common councilmen and four freemen of the Company should be similarly elected as assistants; stating that part of the fines payable for freedoms and for non-attendance at the annual dinner, etc. should be handed to the chamberlains for the general use of the Corporation; stating that many freemen of the company had refused to be freemen of the Town, hoping thereby to avoid the burdens of public office, and that in future freemen of the Company may be summoned to attend the mayor and jurats at the Guildhall to be made freemen of the Town; with regulations for the fines payable by new freemen of the Town, and the penalties for jurats and common councilmen failing to attend the wardmotes
Charter, and copy from the wardmote amending the constitution of the Company | The National Archives
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