01795 534542
King George II was on the throne until 1760
1800 Joseph Joachim See also 1762 and 1771
Joseph was buried in the parish church in 1804. He is commemorated with an oval white tablet on a black base, north wall, north aisle.
In Memory of JOSEPH JOACHIM one of the Jurats of this Town died the 16th of November 1804 aged 50 years
Also ELIZABETH his wife who departed this life the 20th of March 1803 aged 42 years.
According to his will, he was a grocer and left a house on the north side of West Street and the adjoining four small houses on the west side of North Lane as well as substantial sums of money.
1801 John Lancefield
1802 William Kemp
Lieutenant Kemp was involved in preparations in 1795 against Napoleon's invasion.
1803 John Hall See also 1784 and 1793
John was a gunpowder manufacturer and died in 1836.
1804 George Beckett See also 1785 and 1794
Mayor three times, George left a charity for needy housekeepers. Every year at their meeting in January the trustees of the Faversham municipal charities make two grants of £4 each from this bequest. Usually the recipients are elderly women, either single or widows, who strive heroically to keep up appearances but are having a struggle to make ends meet the sort of people who try to hide their need.
George was a grocer at 1 Court Street, one of the oldest established businesses in the town. he made his wealth when multiple stores and supermarkets had not been dreamed of. He also owned land between Court Street and Partridge Lane, a piece of which at the latter part of the 18th century he sold to Dr John Simmonds who erected on it the old Congregation chapel.
Later successors in his grocery business were the Holmes family, in whose hands, through five generations it remained for 150 years.
1805 Robert Collier See also 1789 and 1797
1806 Thomas Bennett See also 1795
Thomas left a will of 1813, he died at the age of 54. He was chairman of the Faversham Porter Club at the time.
1807 Byng Baker See also 1798
In 1812, there was a note in the minutes of the Faversham Porter Club, “only one member present, Mr Byng Baker, there being a meeting at the Ship Inn on account of the tyrant Bonaparte being dethroned”.
1808 Francis Perkins See also 1816
Lieutenant Perkins was involved in preparations in 1795 against Napoleon's invasion. He is recorded as a painter and glazier in 1794 and was a founding member of the Faversham Porter Club in 1793.
1809 Henry Wreight See also 1818 and 1828
Henry was a major benefactor to the town. He was a bachelor lawyer, who resided at 50 Preston Street (next to Mall House), which now bears his name. Wreight had descended from a family which had been connected with the town for more than three centuries. An earlier Henry Wreight was also mayor in 1638 and 1645.
Henry was sent to the King's School at Canterbury. On leaving school he was articled to a solicitor in Faversham and in due course he established himself in his profession. He had disposed of family property at Whitehill and Eastling, and built up a house in Preston Street, where his mother and two maiden sisters also lived. His practice was not large, nor did he show, when public opportunities were offered, any great desire to increase it. Although his professional character stood high for integrity, his judgement was not always equal to his good intentions.
The most prominent feature in Mr Wreight's character was his untiring desire to accumulate. Whilst he was carefully preserving worthless books and prints, as well as collecting those of greater value; whilst he was hoarding up pieces of string, bits of parchment, pasteboard etc, he was also doing acts of generosity and benevolence to needy persons; and no cause of destitution in a deserving person was ever brought to his notice in vain. His collection of books at the time of his death had cost him £7000. In the year 1830 he presented a considerable number of volumes form his library to the Canterbury hospital, with a recommendation that they should be sold, and the proceeds added to the funds of that institution.
1810 George Chambers See also 1819
1811 Henry Cobb
Henry manufactured and sold hard soap in his late father's shop at 1 Court Street and was a member of the Faversham Porter Club
1812 James Shepherd See also 1820 and 1829
Captain James Shepherd was involved in preparations in 1795 against Napoleon's invasion.
1813 John Thomas Giraud See also 1821 and 1830
He was the first of a dynasty. His son Frederick was also mayor in 1847.
1814 Thomas Barnes junior See also 1824 and 1833
1815 Samuel Shepherd See also 1825 and 1832
From the brewing family, Samuel was mayor three times. He is described as a cement manufacturer and ship owner of Court Street,
The declaration of peace after the Battle of Waterloo was marked by great celebration, almost every house in the town was decorated.
1816 Francis Perkins See also 1808 and note in 1795
1817 Isaac Fairbrass See also 1827
Isaac was a member of the Faversham Porter Club, a hoyman and hop factor. He lived at 81 to 84 Abbey Street
1818 Henry Wreight See also 1809 and 1828
1819 George Chambers See also 1810
1820 James Shepherd See also 1812 and 1829 and note in 1795
1821 John Thomas Giraud See also 1813 and 1830
1822 John Perkins See also 1831 and 1836
1823 John Holmes
Three generations of this grocery family were mayors, John is the first.
He was followed by son Walter (1852, 1868 and 1869) and grandson Charles (1891 and 1904).
1824 Thomas Barnes junior See also 1814 and 1833
1825 Samuel Shepherd See also 1825 and 1832
1826 William Chapman Morgan See also 1834 and 1835
1827 Isaac Fairbrass See also 1817
Isaac died in 1839 aged 55, he is described in his will as a gentleman. His headstone reads:
Sacred to the memory of ISAAC FAIRBRASS of this town who departed this life the 3rd of May 1839 aged 55 years leaving issue three daughters.
1828 Henry Wreight See also 1809 and 1818
If Henry was efficient in the management of his clients' affairs, not so in the disposal of his own property. Before making a will, he applied to an eminent counsel for instructions as to the legality of bequeathing certain descriptions of property to charitable purposes, and although he was cautioned as to certain shares, he seems unwittingly to have fallen into the very mistake he was advised to beware of. Hence arose the necessity at his death for reference to the Court of Chancery.
In the course of his last illness, Mr Wreight expressed regret that he had lived a life of celibacy, but accounted for it by having had, in early life, a dread of becoming financially embarrassed by the cost of a family of children, and thus, having begun life with habits of strict economy and prudence, he found it difficult as he advanced in years to break through them. This was his own account of himself, but it is far more probable that the force of his natural disposition was so bent upon saving and accumulating that if his mind had not been disciplined by higher principles, and much benevolence, he would sunk into the state of a person given up to sordid avarice. During the later years of his life, he indulged his fondness for saving with the determined object of leaving a large bequest to the poor of Faversham. He also erected and endowed twelve almshouses before his death. While many men amass property for the purpose of raising their families in the scale of worldly affluence and distinction, Mr Wreight seemed to pursue the object of making the poor of Faversham his heirs. No man in the town seemed less anxious about what the world might think of him, and by his own directions the plain inscription was made which is to be seen upon his tomb in the churchyard (that part of it which is behind the old grammar school). He was devoutly but unostentatiously attentive to his religious exercises and duties. During the whole of his last illness, which continued for many weeks, he was fully aware of his approaching death. On the morning of the 10th May, 1840, he had just been wheeled in a chair from his bedroom to his library when his head gradually reclined upon his shoulder and he passed away as if passing into a deep sleep. He was eighty years of age.
1829 James Shepherd See also 1812 and 1820 and note in 1795
1820 King George IV came to the throne, until 1830
1830 King William IV came to the throne, until 1837
1830 John Thomas Giraud See also 1813 and 1821
John received a bequest from the will 1834 will of Edward Jacob.
To friend, John Thomas Giraud of Faversham, Surgeon £10 for mourning and a ring worth 2 guineas. John is remembered by a headstone in the churchyard.
Here lieth the mortal remains of JOHN THOMAS GIRAUD of this Town, Surgeon (died 1836) Also of MARY his Wife obt. Dec 27th 1851 Aet 76 Years. In his own will John leaves His share of the medicines, drugs, surgical instruments, and medical books, to which he is jointly entitled with son Frederick, to be valued and offered to his son, the sum paid to be part of his residuary estate.
Son Frederick shall have his surgery, apothecary, and man midwife practise, on condition he pays or gives security by bond to his executor of £1,000 by instalments of not less than £100. This sum to be held in trust; if Frederick does not pay or give security for the sum, then on the death of his mother this sum to be deducted from his share of the personal estate.
1831 John Perkins See also 1822 and 1836
The town was first lighted with gas. For over 70 years the lamp lighters toured the town night and morning, lighting and extinguishing the lamps.
1832 Samuel Shepherd See also 1815 and 1825
Samuel was buried in the parish church in 1842. He is commemorated with a ledger, part hidden by stalls, in the chancel.
Near this place lie three children of JULIUS and ANN SHEPHERD who died in their infancy Likewise JULIUS son of the above who departed this life 10th May 1790 in the 19th year of his age Likewise CHARLES SHEPHERD who departed this life the 30th of August 1802 in the 29th year of his age Likewise LYDIA wife of SAMUEL SHEPHERD who departed this life [ ] September 1808 aged 32 years Likewise the above named SAMUEL SHEPHERD who departed this life on the 30th of March 1842 aged 65 years and ELIZABETH his widow who departed this [life] on 15th August 1842 aged 65 years.
In his will of 1838 Samuel is described as a Gentleman Brewer. He has many possessions to distribute but interestingly, limits the bequest to his children. For example: Six months after his death, executors are to pay his son John, £1,000, in addition to other legacies and provision made to him in consideration of "the large fortune the children of my first marriage have received under the will of their grandfather".
1833 Thomas Barnes junior See also 1814 and 1824
1834 to 1835 William Chapman Morgan See also 1826
William was the last mayor under the old regime, before the reforms of the Municipal Corporations Act 1835.
He was a solicitor and so his name appears on many of the wills of the townspeople. William is described in Edward Jacob’s will of 1834 as a gentleman. Henry Wreight thought so much of him, he left him a house in 1838!
1836 Giles Hilton and John Perkins
Giles lived in Preston House and is also noted in 1839. His sons were later mayors, Charles in 1846 and 1850 and Richard in 1857/. John was mayor three times, see also 1822 and 1831.
1837 Edward Crow
Edward was a silversmith of 8 Market Place, he was only mayor once but is also noted in 1839.
In addition to Jacob and Southouse, we are indebted to another mayor with literary leanings. He left extensive manuscript notes (bound in volumes) which provide much of interest in Faversham's story, particularly about old houses and other buildings which have disappeared, and the several old courts and squares that formerly existed.
A notable example of the changes right in the heart of the town is the area bounded by Church Road, Church Lane and Court Street (from Church Lane to the entrance to Crescent Road). This area is now occupied by former brewery premises, but earlier it as occupied by old houses and gardens on all three of the boundaries mentioned. Of fourteen old houses that stood on the east side of Court Street, only one (now the Brewery offices)
remains. In Church Lane, the Old Vicarage and the Faversham Parish Workhouse were amongst the old houses demolished.
Copious extracts from Crow's notes were printed in the monthly journal of the Faversham Institute.
1838 to 1839 John Franks Crittenden See also 1841, 1842 and 1848
John was mayor five times and is noted in the following interesting extract from the National Archives.
Prisoner name: Joseph Eden. Court and date of trial: Committed 10 June 1839 to St Augustine's Gaol [Kent]. Crime: A breach of the peace. Initial sentence: 12 months imprisonment. Annotated (Outcome): Remission prepared 12 August 1839. Petitioner(s): J Stamp, Superintendent of the Sheerness, Faversham and Canterbury Circuits. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner is a recognized Methodist preacher and was singing the praises of God in a marketplace; he had been sent to mission the county of Kent. Other papers: Statement by J Crittenden and Edward Crow, Justices of the Peace, ordering the prisoner to be sent to the House of Correction.
Letter from J Crittenden (Mayor of Faversham). Copy of a handbill, announcing a meeting by the Methodists to discuss the case. Letter from R Whitford of the London Christian Patriot Society, addressed to the Mayor of Faversham. Report on the case by J Crittenden and Edward Crow. Report by John Orpin, Superintendent of Police at Faversham. Letter from Giles Hilton. Letter from J Crittenden asking for assurances that the prisoner's conduct will not be repeated.
Prisoner name: Thomas Mears, alias Thomas Tyler, William Price, and William Wills. Prisoner age: Mears aged 29 years, Price aged 30 years and Wills aged 46 years. Court and date of trial: Kent Summer Assizes August 1838. Crime: Rioting, treason and murder on 31 May 1838 at Bossenden [Kent] when Nicholas Mears and Lieutenant Bennett, soldier in the 45th Regiment of Infantry, were shot by John Nichols Thom alias Sir William Courtenay.
Initial sentence: Mears and Wills: transportation for life. Price: 10 years transportation. Gaoler's report: Characters supposed to be good.
Petitioner(s): The prisoners undersigned by 23 others. 16 people of Boughton [Kent] (relatives of men who were shot in the disturbances) undersigned by 48 others from Boughton. 173 people from Faversham [Kent], including the mayor. 130 people from Canterbury [Kent], including the mayor (two copies). Seven relatives of Thomas Mears from Faversham on behalf of Thomas Mears (two copies). Eight relatives of Thomas Mears from Faversham, undersigned by 45 others including jurors on behalf of Thomas Mears. The Bishop of Tasmania on behalf of Thomas Mears. John Dean. William Bennett (father of murdered soldier).
Grounds for clemency: The prisoners were duped by a 'maniac' John Thom who claimed to be the messiah; the prisoners had no murderous or political intentions, and committed no robbery, nor damage to property; they shed no blood themselves and were not guilty of high treason; others involved in the disturbances were all given more lenient sentences; previous good character.
Other papers: A letter from J G Shepherd stating that lives would be at risk if the men were to be released back into the neighbourhood. Covering letter from P Plumpton forwarding one of the petitions. A note to 'see case of John Jones GX 27'. Additional Information: Prisoners held on board the hulk Fortitude. Prisoners sent to Van Diemens Land.
Prisoner name: Thomas Mears, alias Thomas Tyler, William Price, and William Wills.... | The National Archives
1840 William Hills
William was identified by the 1811 will of Michael Greenwood, mariner, as a ‘a good friend of Abbey Street, Gentleman’
1841 to 1842 John Franks Crittenden See also 1838, 1839 and 1848
The Faversham coach, which had run daily to and from London for more than 30 years, was discontinued.
In 1842, all stagecoaches, but one and the Mail, ceased to run between Canterbury, Faversham and London. They were superceded by carriers’ vans.
1843 to 1845 James Walker
The priory and church at Davington, which was very dilapidated, was bought by Thomas Willement, heraldic painter to George IV. He set about their restoration.
1846 Charles Jones Hilton See also 1850
The first guncotton to be produced in England was made at Faversham Gunpowder Works in the Marsh. After 6 months there was a terrible explosion, and 21 employees were killed. Manufacture was then abandoned.
1847 Frederick Francis Giraud See also 1856
Frederick was a doctor, in practice at 50 Preston Street. His father John Thomas was also mayor, in 1830. His son, Francis Frederick Giraud, was town clerk for thirty-two years.
We are indebted to him for much research into the corporation's archives and his historical contributions, published in pamphlet form or in the Kent Archaeological Society's journal ("Archaeologia Cantiana")
1848 John Franks Crittenden See also 1838, 1839, 1841, and 1842
John is buried in Faversham, he died in 1868, aged 82
1849 William Parker Hoare
1837 Queen Victoria came to the throne, until 1901
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
12 Market Place
10am to 4pm - Monday to Saturday
10am to 1pm - Sunday (opening hours may vary)
FLEUR MUSEUM - FREE ENTRY
OPEN EVERY SATURDAY FROM 11 TO 3 WITH A SPECIAL LITERARY EXHIBITION AND CRAFT ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS
SECOND-HAND BOOKSHOP
10am to 3.30pm - Monday to Saturday
CHART MILLS
Closed until Spring 2023