Volume 5 – Kent and Beyond by Steve Green

Part 6 – Other Alchin Families of Interest

6a. The Alchins of Plaxtol and Wrotham

The first member of this family identified is Henry Alchin who was born in Kent in about 1714. He did however have some relationship with the Alchins of West Malling but the exact nature of this relationship is yet to be discovered. The male line of this family died out in 1834.

1  ~~  Unknown Alchin

This man was born at Kent in about 1690 and it seems certain that he was one of the grandsons of Thomas Alchin of Leybourne. There are a number of these that I have not been able to track into adulthood yet. He and a presently unknown wife had at least three children – Ann (1710), Henry (1714) and William.

1.1  ~~  Ann Alchin

Ann was probably born at Plaxtol in about 1710. She was left a legacy by Thomas Alchin of West Malling who died in 1769:

“I give unto Henry Alchin of Plaxtoll wheelwright and to his sister Ann Alchin ten pounds apiece to be paid to them respectively at six months next after my decease”.

Ann died in 1773 aged 63 years and she was buried at Plaxtol on 7th May 1773. Ann never married and she left a will (made on 10th April 1773) which was proved at London on 8th February 1774:

“In the name of God Amen the 10th day of April in the 13th year of the reign of King George the Third Anno Domini 1773 I Anna Alchin of Plaxtol in the County of Kent spinster being sick and weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory praise be God do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say I first and principally surrender up my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my Creator hoping to be saved by and through the only merit and satisfaction of Jesus Christ my Saviour and redeemer  and my body I commit to the earth to be decently interred and buried by and at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named Item I give to Henry Alchin son of my brother Henry Alchin of Plaxtoll in the County of Kent the sum of one hundred pounds now in the bank stock consol at 3 per cent to be paid to him at his age of twenty one years by my Executor hereafter named Also I give to the said Henry Alchin two silver table spoons marked A and a child’s spoon and boat to be delivered to him at his age aforesaid Item I give and bequeath to my two nieces Elizabeth and Anna Alchin daughters of my brother Henry Alchin five gold rings to be divided between them by my Executors Item I give to my said two nieces all my wearing apparel of all kind quality or whatsoever both linen and woollen to be delivered to them at my decease by my Executor hereafter named and my china and tea board and tea chest Item I give and bequeath unto my brother William Alchin of West Malling pewter/peruge (??) maker the sum of ten pounds to be paid to him at or within twelve months after my decease by my Executors Item I give and bequeath if living unto William Mumford and his wife of the parish of St George Hanover Square London each one guinea to buy a ring Item as to all the rest of my money bank stock consols after and subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses I give and bequeath the same unto my brother Henry Alchin of Plaxtol aforesaid and his heirs forever and I do make constitute and appoint my said brother Henry Alchin and John Norman of Town Malling sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament I do give the said John Norman a ring of one guinea value and hereby revoke all former wills by me made In witness whereof I the said Anna Alchin have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal dated the day and year first above written Anna Alchin signed sealed published and declared by the above named Anna Alchin the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto Thos Packham Sam Carter Wm Broad

This will was proved at London the eighth day of February in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy four before the Worshipful George Harris Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Sir George Kay Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Henry Alchin the brother of the deceased and one of the Executors named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer power reserved of making the like grant to John Norman the other Executor named in the said Will when he shall apply for the same

John Norman proved 22nd July 1778 before George Harris etc”

1.2  ~~  Henry Alchin

Henry was probably born in Kent in 1714 and it seems likely that he had some connection to the Alchin families of Leybourne, East and West Malling and Meopham. Henry married Mary and he had at least four children – Henry, Ann, Elizabeth and George (1759). Henry was a wheelwright and he and his family lived at Plaxtol near Wrotham.

Mary died in 1762 aged 48 years and she was buried at Plaxtol on 10th January 1762. Henry was probably left a legacy by Thomas Alchin (1696 – 1769) of West Malling (their connection is presently unknown but it seems likely that they were cousins) in his will dated 5th April 1769:

“I give unto Henry Alchin of Plaxtoll wheelwright and to his sister Ann Alchin ten pounds apiece to be paid to them respectively at six months next after my decease”.

Henry died in April 1777 and he left a will which was proved at London on 4th November 1777:

“In the name of God Amen I Henry Alchin of Plaxtol in the parish of Wrotham in the county of Kent Widower considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and primarily I commend my soul unto Almighty God and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named and as touching my personal estate I give devise and bequeath the same in manner following Imprimis I give unto my daughter Anna Alchin the sum of eighty pounds I do also give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Alchin the sum of eighty pounds which said amounts is in the stocks and one hundred of it was a legacy given my son Henry Alchin by his aunt which said money if is not agreeable to my son Henry Alchin that my daughter Anna and Elizabeth Alchin should have it then he shall take that hundred pounds given him  by his aunt and my daughters Anna Alchin and Elizabeth Alchin shall have the other sixty pounds which is in the stocks and all the rest and residue of my personal estate which will be hereafter mentioned and given to my son Henry Alchin which shall be equally divided between my daughter Anna and Elizabeth Alchin and it is my will that my daughter Anna and Elizabeth Alchin shall have their legacy in their own possession as soon as my son Henry Alchin shall come to the age of twenty one years and not before Item all the rest and residue of my ready money books (?) debts securities for money and personal estate whatsoever and of what kind or quality soever and wheresoever situate lying standing or being I give and bequeath to my son Henry Alchin his executors administrators and assigns for ever and lastly I do constitute and appoint my said Henry Alchin sole executor of this my will and I do hereby revoke and made void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and I do declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have to this my will contained in one sheet of paper set my hand and seal the twenty ninth day of May and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five years Henry Alchin Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Alchin as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto Thomas Packham – Robert Hubble

This will was proved at London the fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven before the worshipful Andrew ………….. Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Sir George May Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper for Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Henry Alchin the son of the deceased and sole executor named in the said will to whom admon was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer”.

1.2.1  ~~  Henry Alchin

Henry was probably born at Plaxtol or Wrotham around 1760. He was provided with a large bequest when his aunt Anna Alchin died in 1774 and her will (and his father’s in 1777) makes it clear that he was not then 21 years old:

“Item I give to Henry Alchin son of my brother Henry Alchin of Plaxtoll in the County of Kent the sum of one hundred pounds now in the bank stock consol at 3 per cent to be paid to him at his age of twenty one years by my Executor hereafter named Also I give to the said Henry Alchin two silver table spoons marked A and a child’s spoon and boat to be delivered to him at his age aforesaid”

Although Henry was not yet 21 years old he was made the executor of his father’s will when in turn he died in 1777. Henry Alchin junior married and he had at least five children – Anna (1784), Rebecca (1788), Sarah (c1790), Mary (1795) and Hester (1804). In his will dated 1831 Henry is described as a Yeoman of Plaxtol.

Henry probably died at Wrotham in 1834 aged in his 70’s. He appears to have been quite a wealthy man and after his death his will was proved on 13th March 1834 (PROB 11/1828). He left the bulk of his estate to his eldest daughter Anna and substantial bequests to his daughters Rebecca, Sara and Mary. However he left nothing to his youngest daughter Hester and there is a hint from the Will of Ann Alchin in 1847 that Hester had married badly and possibly against her father’s wishes. His will reads as follows:

This is the last will and testament of me Henry Alchin of Plaxtol in the parish of Wrotham in the county of Kent Yeoman made published and declared the fifth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one First I constitute and appoint my daughter Anna Alchin sole executrix of this my will and do desire to be decently buried by and at the discretion of my said executrix Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca the wife of John Rabson Sara the wife of Jennings Gibbs and Mary the wife of William Twist the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds a piece of lawful British money which said several and respective legacies I desire and direct may be paid within twelve months next after my decease Also I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my ready money and securities for money household goods and implements of household debts goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever (my debts the said legacies funeral and testamentary expenses being first paid and satisfied) unto my said daughter Anna Alchin to and for her own absolute use and benefit Also I give and devise all that messuage or tenement being the north end or part of an old messuage heretofor but one messuage but some years since divided into two dwellings wherein Ann Adams formerly dwelt and since in the occupation of Edward Fleet afterwards of Thomas Lane after that of Francis Pain or his assigns since of Jacob Outram and now or late of Henry Hills his assigns or undertenants and also all that yard and garden plot before the north end of the said messuage and one little orchard lying at the north end of the said last mentioned messuage with the appurtenances which said messuage and premises are situate lying and being in the parish of Stansted in the said county of Kent and adjoining to the Kings Highway there leading from Boat (?) Street to Terry Lodge on the east side thereof and also all that messuage or tenement with the barn yard garden orchard and two pieces or parcels of arable or pasture land late one piece but formerly divided into two pieces or parcels thereunto belonging and adjoining to the said last mentioned messuage containing in the whole by estimation two acres and three quarters be the same more or less with the appurtenances some time in the tenure or occupation of Robert Bran since of Thomas tiles afterwards of Francis Paris his assignee or assigns and the said last mentioned messuage was late in the occupation of Thomas Pain and is now of John Burnett and the said two pieces or parcels of land and other premises late were in the occupation of Jacob Outram his undertenants or assigns and are now in the occupation of the said Henry Hills which said messuage and premises last mentioned are situate lying and being at Stansted aforesaid in the said county of Kent together with the rights member s and appurtenances thereunto belonging which said hereditaments and premises I recently purchased of the said Henry Hills And also all the rest and residue of my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto and to the sole and only proper use and behalf of my said daughter Anna Alchin her heirs and assigns for ever Also I give and devise all estates vested in me by way of mortgage or upon any trusts whatsoever unto the said Anna Alchin her heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof respectively upon the trusts and subject to the equity of redemption subsisting or capable of taking effect in the same premises respectively at the time of my decease and to be conveyed assigned and disposed of accordingly but the money secured to me by such mortgage or mortgages to be considered as part of my personal estate And lastly I do revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my last will and testament in writing whereof I the said Henry Alchin the Testator have to this my last will and testament contained on two sheets of peper set my hand and seal to wit my hand to the first sheet and my hand and seal to this second and last sheet Dated the day and year above written Henry Alchin (L.S.) Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Alchin the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Thos GeoPym Clerk to Messrs Selby and Norton V Selby Solicitor West Malling, Kent H Laker of Plaxtol Kent blacksmith William Allard of Plaxtol cordwainer

Proved at London the 13th March 1834 before the Judge by the oath of Anna Alchin spinster the daughter the sole executrix to whom administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer

1.2.1.1  ~~  Ann Alchin

Ann was born, probably at Plaxtol in about 1784. Ann never married and it appears that she carried on her father’s business when he died. Ann was the sole Executrix of her father’s will when he died in 1834. The 1841 census records that Anna was a wheelwright and she and her nephew (Edward Godfrey), niece (Rebecca Alchin who was the natural daughter of Mary Alchin) and great niece (Ann Alchin who was probably the natural daughter of Rebecca Alchin) were living at Wrotham.

Ann died, probably at Plaxtol, on 4th June 1847 aged 63 years (Malling 1847 June qtr Volume 5 Page 272). She left minor bequests to her nephew (Edward Godfrey) and her niece (Rebecca Alchin) and the balance of her estate was shared between her four sisters Rebecca Rabson, Sarah Gibbs, Mary Twist and Hester Godfrey. Part of her will reads as follows:

“This is the Last Will and Testament of me Anna Alchin of Plaxtol in the County of Kent spinster made published and declared this twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven First I constitute and appoint my brother in law John Rabson and my sister Rebecca his wife my brother in law Jennings Gibbs and my sister Sarah his wife Executors and trustees of this my Will Also I give and devise all my real estate (except estates vested in me as a Trustee or Mortgagee) and I give and bequeath all my personal estate to my said Executors and Trustees their heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively upon trust to sell my real estate together or in parcels by public auction or private contract and to convert into money and get in my said personal estate and out of the produce of such sale of my said real estate and of such conversion and getting in of my said personal estate to pay in the first place my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and then to pay to Edward Godfrey my nephew and Rebecca Alchin the natural daughter of my sister Mary Twist one hundred pounds sterling apiece such sum of one hundred pounds to each of them the said Edward Godfrey and Rebecca Alchin respectively at such time or times and in such proportion as the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my will (‘trustees etc’) may think proper and then upon trust as to one fourth part of the residue of the said prioncipal trust money to pay the same to my sister the said Rebecca Rabson her executors admons and assigns to and for her and their own use absolutely (‘her executors etc’) and one other fourth part to Mary the wife of William Twist her executors etc the same to the said Sarah the wife of the said Jennings Gibbs her executors etc and as to the other or remaining fourth part thereof upon trust to invest the same in the names or name of the trustees etc in or upon any of the prime (?) stocks funds or securities of the United Kingdom or any such securities in England or Wales with liberty for the said trustees or trustee to vary and transpose the investments from time to time for any other investment of the description aforesaid and upon trust that the trustees etc shall pay the said dividend interest and proceeds of the said trust money as and when then same shall become due and payable unto or for the benefit of my sister Hester Godfrey for and during the term of her natural life and it is my will and desire that the said trustees etc shall pay the said dividends and proceeds into the proper hands of the said Hester Godfrey …. And after the decease of the said Hester Godfrey upon trust to pay the said principal trust money or such part of the same as shall remain unpaid or unappiled to or for the benefit of the said Hester Godfrey at the time of her death to such child or children of the said Hester Godfrey then living and such issue then living and such issue then living of any child or children of the said Hester Godfrey ….as shall have attained the age of twenty one years or be or have been married or shall attain that age or marry as tenants in common in a …. Distribution according to the stocks and not to the number of individual objects ….

… the Testatrix have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper set my hand and affixed my seal …. The date and year above written Anna Alchin signed sealed published and declared by the said Anna Alchin the Testatrix on and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names  as witnesses thereof Silas Norton West Malling Kent Benjamin George his clerk

Proved at London with a codicil (changing the method of payment of 100 pounds to Rebecca Alchin) the 24th August 1847 before the worshipful John Elliot Paisley Robertson Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of John Rabson Rebecca Rabson wife of the said John Rabson the sister Jennings Gibbs and Sarah Gibbs wife of the said Jennings Gibbs the sister also the Executors to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer”

1.2.1.2  ~~  Rebecca Alchin

Rebecca was born at Plaxtol in about 1788. Rebecca married John Rabson; he was born at St George Hanover Square in London in 1788. John and Rebecca had at least two children – Mary (1819) and Maria (1830).

Rebecca was left a legacy of 350 pounds when her father died in 1834. The 1841 census records

1.2.1.3  ~~  Sarah Alchin

Sarah was born, probably at Plaxtol between 1790 and 1795. Sarah married Jennings Gibbs and she was still alive in 1834 when she was left a legacy of 350 pounds when her father died.

1.2.1.4  ~~  Mary Alchin

Mary was born at Plaxtol or Wrotham in about 1795. Mary had a natural born child – Rebecca (1821). Mary married William Twist at Barming on 29th October 1829; he was born at Wrotham in 1796. William and Mary had at least four children – William (1833), John (1835) George (1836) and Esther (1838).

Mary she was left a legacy of 350 pounds when her father died. She also received one quarter of her eldest sister’s estate when she (Anna Alchin) died in 1847. However this money appears to have been wasted or frittered away – it should have been enough to have left the family reasonably comfortable.

However the 1851 census records that William was a pieman and he and his wife and their two youngest children were living at 178 Stone Street, Gravesend. William probably died in 1856 when he would have been about 60 years of age (Bethnal Green 1856 June qtr Volume 1c Page 176).

The 1861 census records that Mary was living with her unmarried son John at 17 Elm Street, Plumstead. The 1871 census records that Mary was living with her grandaughter’s family (Anna McGee who was the natural daughter of Rebecca Alchin who was in turn Mary’s natural daughter). Anna’s family was living at 5 Armstrong Street, Plumstead. Anna also had a natural child – Charles (1864).

1.2.1.4.1  ~~  Rebecca Alchin

Rebecca was born at Wrotham in 1821 and she was Mary’s natural born daughter. Rebecca had a natural child herself – Anna (1839). The 1841 census records that Rebecca was of independent means and she was living with her aunt Anna Alchin at Wrotham. Rebecca moved to London between 1841 and 1845.

After the publication of the banns, Rebecca married William Pulley at St Botolph’s church, Aldgate in London on 18th May 1845 (East London 1845 June qtr Volume 2 Page 226). The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev’d W. Ludlow and the witnesses were John Summerfield and Mary Twist. William and Rebecca were both parishioners of Aldgate at the time of their marriage.

William Pulley was born at Wrotham in 1822 and he was the son of William Pulley who was a gardener. William and Rebecca had at least four children – Mary (1845), William (1847), Henry (1849) and Eliza (1850). The 1851 census records that William was a gentleman’s gardener and he and his wife and their five children were living at Ifield.

Rebecca died in the 1850’s and William subsequently married Maria; she was born at Hornsey in London in 1818. William and Maria had no surviving children. The 1861 census records that William was a gardener and he and his second wife and his two children were living at 15 Clarence Street, Gravesend.

1.2.1.4.1.1  ~~  Anna Alchin

Anna was born at Wrotham in 1839 the natural daughter of Rebecca Alchin. The 1841 census records that the young girl was living with her single mother and great aunt at Wrotham. The 1851 census records that Anna was living with her mother and step-father at Ifield. Anna had a natural child continuing a family tradition over three generations – Charles (1864).

Anna married Charles McGee in 1867 (Greenwich 1867 September qtr Volume1d Page 1072); he was born in Ireland in 1840. The 1871 census records that Charles was a Private in the Army Sevice Corps and her and his wife and her son and grandmother were living at 5 Armstrong Street, Plumstead.

1.2.1.4.1.1.1  ~~  Charles Alchin

Charles was born at Lewisham in 1864 (Lewisham 1864 June qtr Volume 1d Page 766). The 1871 census records that the school boy was living with his mother, grandmother and step-father at 5 Armstrong Street, Plumstead.

1.2.1.4.1.2  ~~  Mary Pulley

Mary was born at Isfield in 1845. The 1851 census records that the young girl was living with her family at Ifield.

1.2.1.4.1.3  ~~  William Pulley

William was born at Isfield in 1847. The 1851 census records that the young boy was living with his family at Ifield. There is no record of William marrying and yet in three successive census he is recorded as married and yet there is no wife recorded living with him.

The 1861 census records that William was a married waiter and he was living at the Torrance Hotel, 46 Tirrance Street, Gravesend. The 1871 census records that William was a married potman (barman) and he was living at the South-Eastern Hotel, Frinsbury.

The 1881 census records that William was a married potman and he was living at the Theobald’s Arms, High Street, Grays Thurrock in Essex. William was on a downwards spiral however. The 1901 census records that he was a widowed labourer and he was an inmate of the Gravesend and Milton Union Workhouse.

1.2.1.4.1.4  ~~  Henry Pulley

Henry was born at Isfield in 1849. The 1851 census records that the young boy was living with his family at Ifield. The 1861 census records that Henry was a gardener and he was living with his father and stepmother at 15 Clarence Street, Gravesend. There si no surviving record of Henry in either the 1871 or 1881 census.

Henry married Elizabeth; she was born at Gravesend in 1852. The 1891 census records that Henry was a gardener and Elizabeth was a laundress. The couple were living alone at 2 Somerset Court, Gravesend. They do not appear to have had any children.

1.2.1.4.1.5  ~~  Eliza Pulley

Eliza was born at Isfield in 1850. The 1851 census records that the 7 month old infant was living with her family at Ifield. The 1861 census records that the school girl was living with her father and stepmother at 15 Clarence Street, Gravesend.

1.2.1.4.2  ~~  William Twist

William was born at Wrotham in 1833.

1.2.1.4.3   ~~  John Twist

John was born at Wrotham in 1835.

1.2.1.4.4  ~~  George Twist

George was born at Wrotham in 1836.

1.2.1.4.5  ~~  Esther Twist

Esther was born at Wrotham in 1838.

1.2.1.5  ~~  Hester Alchin

Hester was born, possibly at Plaxtol, in about 1804. She married Edward Godfrey.

1.2.2  ~~  Ann Alchin

Ann was born probably at Plaxtol or Wrotham in the 1750’s. She was left 80 pounds by her father when he died in 1777.

1.2.3  ~~  Elizabeth Alchin

Elizabeth was probably born at Wrotham or Plaxtol in the 1750s. When her father died in 1777 she was left a bequest of 80 pounds.

1.2.4  ~~  George Alchin

George was probably born at Plaxtol in 1759. He died in 1763 aged only 14 years and he was buried with his mother at Plaxtol on 28th March 1773.

1.3  ~~  William Alchin

William was possibly born between 1700 and 1740. All we know about this man is that in 1774 he was living at West Malling when his sister Anna Alchin left him ten pounds when she died:

“Item I give and bequeath unto my brother William Alchin of West Malling pewter/peruge (??) maker the sum of ten pounds to be paid to him at or within twelve months after my decease by my Executors”

William was the beadle at West Malling in 1783 when the parish burial register records William’s sudden death. He was buried at West Malling on 9th April 1783. There was a Mrs Lydia Alchin who was buried at West Malling on 10th May 1764 and she may have been William’s wife. There is no record that William had any children.

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