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Mayors of Faversham 1700 to 1749

1702 Queen Anne came to the throne, until 1714

1700 John Bateman See also 1707, 1719 and 1724                     

1701 John Baker

1702 Thomas Higgs

1703 Isaac Terry See also 1693 and 1712 and note 1685

1704 Thomas Gibbs See also 1697, 1710 and 1715 and note in 1719

1705 Henry Knowler See also 1711, 1717 and 1730 

1706 John Seere See also 1716, 1726 and 1737

1707 John Bateman See also 1700, 1719 and 1724

1708 Richard Marsh
Richard was the founder of Shepherd Neame brewery and followed by his son, also called Richard, as mayor in 1722 and 1725.

From the chamberlain’s accounts part of the middle tower of the church taken down 

1709 William Pysing See also 1718

1710 Thomas Gibbs See also 1697, 1704 and 1715 and note in 1719

1711 Henry Knowler See also 1705, 1717 and 1730
Henry is 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.

1712 Isaac Terry See also 1693 and 1703 and note 1685
Isaac 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.

Isaac is also Guardian and Tutor of sons, Henry and Michael, while they are minors. Isaac himself was buried in the parish church in 1719 and is commemorated by a ledger at the chancel.

Here lieth interr'd the Body of ISAAC TERRY Gent thrice Mayor of this Town who died Decr the 16th 1719 aged 64 years Here also lieth interred ANN the wife of ISAAC TERRY and daughter of Mr EDWARD SPILLETT Gent once Mayor of this Town She died February the XXIV MDCCXXIX aged LXX years

1713 Michael Jones
Michael was buried in the parish church in 1715. He is commemorated by a white marble tablet, south wall, south aisle.  

Near this Place lie the Remains of MICHAEL JONES Mayor of this Town in 1713 who died 4th May 1715 aged 61 leaving issue 3 sons, ISAAC & MICHAEL (here interred) & HENRY. ISAAC (Mayor in 1723, 1735 & 1745) died 30th June 1756 aged 68 leaving 3 daughters MARY, ELIZABETH & ANNE. MICHAEL who ordered this Monument to be erected had 5 children, ELIZ: ISAAC, MICHAEL, JAMES and MICHAEL, all of whom he survived. His Disposition was Benevolent; and his Kindness to the necessitous conspicuous. Having been 21 Years Chamberlain & 50 Years a Member of this Corporation he died respected & regretted 11th Augt. 1774 at the age of 79.

From his will we can see that he was a hoyman.

1714 Edward Weller See also 1727, 1738 and 1746 and note in 1719

1715 Thomas Gibbs See also 1697, 1704 and 1710 and note in 1719
Thomas died in 1743 and is buried in the parish church. He is commemorated by a ledger in the south chancel.

In Hopes of a Joyful Resurrection Here lieth the Body of Mr THOMAS GIBBS who departed this life at his house at Sole Street in Selling the 5th of August 1743 in the 77th year of his age, he was many years an eminent Surgeon and practitioner of Physick at Faversham and had been four times Mayor of that antient Corporation Under ye great stone on ye right hand lyeth ye Body of SUSAN the wife of Mr GEORGE SMITH of this Town and daughter of the said THOMAS GIBBS who died ye 30th of Sept 1721

According to his will, Thomas owned the Sole Street house (in Selling), as well as houses in Abbey Street, West Street, two in Middle Row and another in Middle Street.

1716 John Seere See also 1706, 1726 and 1737 and note 1718
Examination concerning an allegation that the Mayor was a Jacobite and Examination concerning a toast to the Old Pretender, 12 July 1717; statements by the Vicar of Preston-next-Faversham that 'the Mayor was a partiall man and did not doe justice' 

Examination concerning an allegation that the Mayor was a Jacobite | The National Archives

1717 Henry Knowler See also 1705, 1711 and 1730

1718 William Pysing See also 1709
William and Frances his wife, gave a large silver platter for the use of the Lord's table. William was buried in the parish church and is commemorated by a white marble tablet, with arms, north wall, sacrarium. At his grave, it states:

Here lieth buried the Body of WILLIAM PYSING Jurat and Mayor of this Town who[died] Decr. 15th? 1719 Aged [   ] [Years]

This monument was ordered by Mrs FRANCES PYSING relict of Mr WM PYSING one of the Jurats of this Town of Feversham and sometime Mayor of the same

In Memory of her father and mother lying near this place erected by her executors ROBERT SHARWOOD one of the Jurats of this Town of Feversham and JOHN SEERE Gent of the same 1743

His will tells us he was a mariner and that he owned a house on the west side of Abbey Street as well as Leaden Porch House in Boughton under Blean.

1719 John Bateman See also 1700, 1707 and 1724
Certificate from Faversham [Kent] to King George I in favour of Mildred Anderson, widow, condemned to death for theft, requesting that her sentence be commuted to transportation. Signed by John Bateman, mayor, Tho [Thomas] Gibbs, Hen [Henry] Knowles, John Beere, Edward Weller, Stephen Bax and one illegible name.

Certificate from Faversham [Kent] to King George I in favour of Mildred Anderson, widow,... | The National Archives

Note - This list could also include Henry Knowler, and be a mistranslation.

1720 Stephen Bax See also 1734 and 1740 and note in 1719

1721 Robert Argent See also 1724

1722 Richard Marsh junior See also 1725
The son of Richard Marsh who was mayor in 1708.

Note - We don’t have any information yet about what the below refers to but it sounds intriguing!  

Short title: Town of Faversham v Cowperthwaite. Document type: Bill and two answers. Plaintiffs: The Mayor etc of Faversham, Kent. Defendants: Jane Coperthwaite, Stephen Naplet, doctor in physic.

Short title: Town of Faversham v Cowperthwaite. Document type: Bill and two answers.... | The National Archives

1723 Isaac Jones See also 1735 and 1745
Isaac was the son of Michael Jones, mayor in 1713.  

1724 John Bateman & Robert Argent See also 1700, 1707 and 1719
John was buried in the parish church, he is commemorated by a tablet on the south wall, south aisle. 

Near this Pillar Lye the Body's of JOHN BATEMAN, Esq.,and SARAH his Wife.

He having been Mayor of this Corporation four Times.

He died in that Office June the 2nd 1725 Aged 71 She June 28th 1727 Aged 68.

Robert was mayor twice, see also 1721

1725 Richard Marsh junior See also 1722
By his will dated December 17, 1751, Richard gave two thousand pounds for the benefit of the company of dredgers

1726 John Seere See also 1706, 1716 and 1737

1714 King George I came to the throne, until 1727

1727 King George II came to the throne until 1760

1727 Edward Weller See also 1714, 1738 and 1746 and note in 1719

1728 Roger Kennett 

1729 Walter Jones See also 1739     

1730 Henry Knowler See also 1705, 1711 and 1717

1731 Hilles Hobday & John Law
Both only mayors once, Hilles had taken over the brewery with Richard Marsh's daughter-in-law in 1726.  Following his death, she married Samuel Shepherd, see 1733. 

John was buried in the parish church in 1733

1732 John Watson See also 1739   

1733 Samuel Shepherd See also 1739 and 1755
Samuel was running Marsh's brewery and had his own hop grounds near The Mount and east of The Mall. He gifted two staves of office; one a beadle's staff. 

1734 Stephen Bax See also 1720 and 1740 and note in 1719

1735 Isaac Jones See also 1723 and 1745

1736 Vincent Williams See also 1741

1737 John Seere See also 1706, 1716 and 1726
John was buried in the parish church in 1743. He was commemorated by a ledger part hidden by seating, western nave crossing. Firstly, there is a dedication to his wife.

Here lyeth the body of Ann the wife of Mr John Seere woollen draper twice mayor of this town She departed this life the 8th day of December 1720 Aged 25 years and 10 months having one only son John  

Here lyeth also ye Body of the above said Mr JOHN SEERE who was four times Mayor of this Town

He died July the 1st 1743 aged 71 years leaving one son JOHN surviving

1738 Edward Weller See also 1714, 1727 and 1746 and note in 1719
In this year, John Wesley visited the town, having ridden on horseback from Deal. He recorded in his diary "I addressed a few of those called Christians, but indeed were more savage in their behaviour than the wildest Indians I have ever seen"

1739 Walter Jones, John Watson and Samuel Shepherd
The only time there have been three mayors in one year.

Walter was mayor twice, see also 1729. John Watson was also mayor twice, see 1732, he was buried in the parish church in 1740. He is commemorated by a ledger with arms, partly under a stone step.

Here lies interred the Body of JOHN WATSON Esq one of ye Jurats of this Town who having been twice elected Mayor died in the said office the 13th day of April 1740 aged 64 years
Here also lies ELIZABETH the wife of the abovesaid JOHN WATSON who died ye 13th day of Sept 1740 aged 32 years

Mr Shepherd was three times mayor in total.

From the chamberlain’s accounts the great frost, which began at the end of this year, was very destructive to our oyster fishery, killing all the oysters fit for market, as well as the young brood, so that no profits accrued therefrom to the dredgers for the three following years   

1740 Stephen Bax See also 1720 and 1734 and note in 1719
Stephen was buried in the parish church and is commemorated by a tablet under a pyramid in the south wall of the chancel. 

Near the site hereof are left the change of nature in its last tour of STEPHEN BAX Esqr (late impropriator of this parish) who died the 8th of December 1758 aged 69 years

Also of SARAH his third wife following the 12th of July 1782 aged 63 years

Likewise their son STEPHEN the 12th of March 1770 aged 26 years.

Note - The ‘change of nature in its last tour’ is an interesting turn of phrase!

1741 Vincent Williams See also 1736
Vincent was buried in the parish church in 1764. He is commemorated by a white marble tablet, east wall, south transept.

Near this place lyeth the Body of Eliz wife of Vincent Williams Gentwho departed this life May 16th 1753 aged 71 years

Also near this place lieth the Body of VINCENT WILLIAMS Gent He died Jany 1st 1764 aged 84 years

1742 Robert Sherwood See also 1750 and 1756

1743 James Tappenden
According to his will, James was a hoyman and was buried in the parish church in 1745. He is commemorated by a ledger with arms, in the nave.

Here lies the Body of JAMES TAPPENDEN Juratt and once Mayor of this Town He had issue by MARY his wife 3 sons one only surviving him He died ye 27th February 1744* aged 38 years Here also lie ISAAC and JAMES sons of the [said] JAMES and MARY TAPPENDEN He died Octor ye 18th 1735 aged [       ] and JAMES Aug 3rd 1741 aged [       ] years 10 days.

1745 Isaac Jones See also 1723 and 1735
The mayor seems to have been involved in the most trivial of matters…

Isaac Jones, Mayor, and others of Faversham. Request that Yeoman Lott, apprentice to... | The National Archives

…. apprentice to John Bryan, Shipwright at Sheerness, may be transferred to the Deptford Yard.

Isaac was buried in the parish church in 1756 and is commemorated by a ledger, part hidden by seating, at the western nave crossing.

[MARY JONES] [February 1722] [ISAAC JONES ] day 1724/5 buried Feb ye 26th day 1724/5 Here also lyeth ELIZTH. The wife of Mr ISAAC JONES of this Town, Jurat and mother of the above said five children She died the 7th day of January 1728 aged 40 yeares and leaving issue three children viz MARY ELIZABETH and ANN ISAAC JONES Juratt died 30th June 1756 aged 68 years

Isaac left by his will ten guineas to the charity schools, and ten pounds to the poor  

1746 Edward Weller See also 1714, 1727 and 1738 and note in 1719
Edward was buried in the parish church in 1762. He is commemorated by a variegated marble with arms on the west wall, north aisle. 

Near this place lieth the Body of ANN wife of Capt EDWARD WELLER of this Town she died June 16th 1741 aged 54 years and left issue one daughter ANN married to Mr EDWARD NORWOOD of Ashford This is also a memorial of Capt EDWARD WELLER Venerable for his Integrity and Simplicity of Manners Adorned with all those Virtues that Dignify & Accomplish the Christian, Husband, Parent, Friend & Gentleman He died 21st July 1762 Aged 84

Folio 102. Draft of letter from [the Duke of Newcastle] [replying to Sir George Oxenden, MP for Sandwich, Kent?] concerning a letter from the Mayor of Faversham [Kent] and the exchange of prisoners of war in France. Dated at Newcastle House [Lincoln's Inn Field, London].

Folio 102. Draft of letter from [the Duke of Newcastle] [replying to Sir George Oxenden,... | The National Archives

Note – this exchange would have bene in relation to the Hanoverian succession, so the British, Hanoverian, Austrian and Dutch against the French

1747 Stephen Parton See also 1752 and 1763

1748 Robert Lukyn See also 1753 and 1764

1749 Edward Jacob See also 1754, 1765 and 1775
Edward was the son of a surgeon in Canterbury, and he also followed the same profession in Faversham at 76 Preston Street (at the north side of the corner of Cross Lane). That house, with its attractive arched upper windows, must have been a handsome residence before the front was spoiled by the conversion to shops.

Jacob's "History of Faversham" is a substantial volume of 222 pages and has been the main source of subsequent brief histories and guides to the town.

This work, however, was not Jacob's only literary production. He was also a notable antiquary and naturalist and was the author of "Plantes Favershamienses" published in 1777, three years after his history. Earlier (in 1770) he had published an edition of "Arden of Feversham" in which he had sought to prove that Shakespeare was the author of this "Lamentable and True Tragedie". 

Edward Jacob was the ancestor of a number of soldiers of note, including:

i) Sir George Le Grand Jacob, who had a distinguished career in India as soldier, administrator and scholar
ii) General John Jacob, the only Englishman to have a town in India (Jacobabad) named after him
iii) William Stephen Jacob, who established an observatory in Poona


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