This header represents six ASHDOWN generations from Henry John ASHDOWN, born 11 January 1863, Gravesend, Kent

One line of ASHDOWN descendants:

William & Charlotte ASHDOWN (born about 1796)

If you reach this page and cannot find what you are looking for, either go to Mary Rogers homepage Our Ashdown Heritage and view the growing collection of ASHDOWN material, or contact either Mary or myself by e-mail. We would love to hear from you.

Norma Linnane

May 2004

William & Charlotte ASHDOWN had 12 children that have been identified.

The first nine were christened at Westerham, Kent, between 1815-1829.

The Parish Register has “Mapleton” next to the christenings. (Mapleton to Westerham = approx 4 km)

Mary Anne ASHDOWN, christened 25 June 1815, Westerham, Kent

William ASHDOWN, christened 29 October 1816, Westerham, Kent

Thomas ASHDOWN, christened 7 June 1818, Westerham, Kent

Charles ASHDOWN, christened 30 June 1820, Westerham, Kent

John ASHDOWN, christened 11 February 1822, Westerham, Kent

George ASHDOWN, christened 26 March 1824, Westerham, Kent

James ASHDOWN*, christened 27 December 1825, Westerham, Kent

Alfred ASHDOWN, christened 28 November 1827, Westerham, Kent

Esther ASHDOWN, christened 25 October 1829, Westerham, Kent

The next three were christened at Chiddingstone, Kent, between 1834-1838. At this time the family had moved to “Bushes Farm”, Bough Beech, within the Chiddingstone Parish, once again, approximately a 4 km journey.

Edwin ASHDOWN, christened 7 September 1834, Chiddingstone, Kent

Emma ASHDOWN, christened 8 November 1835, Chiddingstone, Kent

Robert ASHDOWN, christened 11 January 1838, Chiddingstone, Kent (birth certificate states “Bushes Farm, Chevening”

(NOTE: Registration Districts and Parishes within Kent can be confusing. The Sevenoaks Registration District was Created 1st July 1837, and included, Chevening, Chiddingstone, Westerham and other villages)

A family tree is available in Adobe Acrobat format. Use the “zoom in” to view details clearly.

William & Charlotte were at Bushes Farm on the night of the 1841 Census with 6 of their 12 children. Charles, George, James*, Alfred, Esther, and Robert. William had married Elizabeth Stone a couple of months prior to the Census. The whereabouts of Mary Anne (abt 26 yo), Thomas (abt 23 yo), John (abt 19 yo), Edwin (abt 7 yo) & Emma (abt 6 yo) are unknown. Perhaps you, the reader, are able to help!

8 November 1847, James ASHDOWN* married Rosetta Ellen BRISLIN, in Gillingham, Kent, the certificate lists his occupation as Greengrocer.

By the 1851 Census, James & Rosetta had 2 children and were living at 28 Bath Street, Gravesend. By 1866 (19 years from the date they were married) James & Rosetta had 8 children:

Alfred James ASHDOWN abt 1847
Emma Rosetta ASHDOWN 25 December 1850

Mary Ann ASHDOWN 25 September 1852

Jane Maria ASHDOWN 15 October 1854

James William ASHDOWN 5 April 1857

William Henry ASHDOWN 24 April 1859

Henry John ASHDOWN 11 January 1863

Mary Ann ASHDOWN abt 1866

James died 1884, aged 62 in the Sevenoaks Districts. This is the same year his son Henry John ASHDOWN was married. Rosetta appears on the 1891 Census living with her son Henry John ASHDOWN and his family in Stamford Terrace, Hackney. Rosetta died in 1895 aged 73, at Gravesend.

During James’ life he had different occupations:

1847 Occupation: Greengrocer (Source marriage certificate)

1851 Occupation: Railway Porter. (Source: 1851 Census)

1863 Occupation: Warehouseman (Grocer's). (Source: Son's birth Cert)

1881 Occupation: Grocer's assistant. (Source: Census)

1884 Occupation: Grocer (deceased). (Source: (Henry John’s marriage Cert)

1884 died aged 62 in March Quarter, Sevenoaks District

James ASHDOWN’s death certificate has been ordered and will be available to view late May 2004.

A family tree is available in Adobe Acrobat format. Use the “zoom in” to view details clearly

This is only the beginning, please come back again soon to see the progress. If you do have an interest in this family please do let us know.

Cheers