JOHN OFFEN was baptised on 5th October 1740
in Westfield Parish Church, Sussex (source : Christine Waterstone).
He married MARGARET KINGSNORTH on 6th January 1762
in Kennardington, Kent (source : Christine Waterstone).
Margaret was born circa 1740 (source : Collette Kendall). She was christened on 31st August 1740 in
Kenardington, Kent (source : John Gibson). Her parents were HENERY KINGSNORTH (born 1709)
and ELIZABETH DOWNE (source : John Gibson).
"John and Margaret, together with brother Richard, seem to have arrived in Smarden in about 1776.
It is interesting to note that the Kingsnorth family were founders of the Baptist Church in Kent,
one of the earliest in England. John and Margaret farmed Watch House Farm
and Marley Farm. John also rented Moorhead Farm, Peasmarsh, Sussex in 1795 (owned by the Mascalls family of Peasmarsh Place)
This was taken over by his eldest son Henry until 1818." (source : Phyl Menyhart).
John was apparently a very upstanding, moral, charitable, Christian man,
and probably helped out the less fortunate members of the parish (source : tombstone).
John died, aged 63, on March 24th 1804 (source : tombstone) in Peasmarsh, Sussex (source : Collette Kendall)
and was buried on 24th April 1804 (source : Christine Waterstone). He left a will, proved on 3rd October 1804,
in which he is described as John Offen,
Yeoman of Peasmarsh , Sussex (source : www.documentsonline.pro.gov.uk Reference PROB 11/1416).
Margaret died, aged 69, on January 25th 1810 (source : tombstone) in Beckley, Sussex (source : Collette Kendall).
The tombstone, in Smarden graveyard, reads : "In memory of Mr. JOHN OFFEN, who departed this Life March 24th 1804
Aged Sixty three Years. Here rests the mortal part of One, who knew The Christian's Hope and kept his End in View,
Religion's path devoutly firm he trod, Fervent his Praises and his Prayers to God. His Life was formed on no Fanatic
Plan Love to his God breath'd Charity to Man: He Strove by Works a Christian's Faith to Suit, Aware, who cursed the
Fig-Tree wanting Fruit.
Also In Memory of MARGARET his Wife, died January 25 1810 Aged 69 years, of their two sons and a daughter deceased,
George aged three years; Thomas nine months; and Elizabeth twenty eight years. Their issue living are Henry,
John William, Richard, Essex, Benjamin, Winifrid, Wilkins, Margaret, Mary, Grace, Susan and Phillis."
(source : Smarden MIs online at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
The Children of JOHN OFFEN and MARGARET KINGSNORTH:
ELIZABETH OFFEN was baptised on 26th April 1762
in Kennardington, Kent (source : Christine Waterstone).
She was buried on 22nd August 1790 in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson).
She is mentioned on her parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard as "their daughter deceased, Elizabeth aged twenty eight years"
(source : Smarden MIs online).
HENRY OFFEN was baptised in 1764 in
Shadoxhurst, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
JOHN OFFEN was baptised in 1765 in
Shadoxhurst, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
WILLIAM OFFIN was baptised in 1766 in
Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall) or on 23rd February 1767 in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson).
He married MARY MAYLAM
in 1804 in Warehorn (source : Collette Kendall).
He died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
RICHARD OFFEN was born circa 1768
(source : Collette Kendall).
ESSEX OFFEN was baptised in 1770 in Smarden
(source : Collette Kendall).
BENJAMIN OFFEN was baptised on 2nd June 1771 in Smarden, Kent
(source : John Gibson). He married SARAH HICKMOTT
in 1803 in Smarden (source : Collette Kendall). They had a daughter,
SARAH OFFEN ,
who was baptised in 1804 in Rusper (source : Collette Kendall).
Benjamin died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
WINIFRED OFFEN was born circa 1773
(source : Collette Kendall). She was christened on 25th April 1773 in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibbs).
She married THOMAS FROST
in 1795 in Faversham (source : Collette Kendall). She died after
January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
WILKINS OFFEN was born circa 1775
(source : Collette Kendall). She died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
GEORGE OFFEN (OFFIN) was baptised on 8th September 1776
in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson). He died in 1779 (source : Collette Kendall). He is mentioned on his parents'
tombstone in Smarden graveyard as "their son deceased, George aged three years" (source : Smarden MIs online).
MARGARET OFFIN was baptised on 5th December 1777 in Smarden,
Kent (source : John Gibson). She married JAMES STANDEN
in 1803 in Peasmarsh, Sussex (source : Collette Kendall).
She died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
MARY OFFEN was baptised on 28th March 1779 in Smarden, Kent
(source : John Gibson). She married CHARLES AVERY
in 1798 in Peasmarsh, Sussex (source : Collette Kendall). She died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
They had two daughters,
CELIA AVERY ,
who was baptised in 1803 in Battle, Sussex, and
PHILLIS AVERY , (?)
who was baptised in 1806 in Battle, Sussex (source : Collette Kendall). PHILLIS OFFEN (not AVERY - but why???)
, 50, father CHARLES AVERY, married WILLIAM HATCHER , 55,
father JAMES HATCHER, on 25th January 1858 in St Nicholas', Brighton, Sussex (source : BVRI 2nd edition).
GRACE (SARAH?) OFFIN was born circa 1780
(source : Collette Kendall). She was christened (as SARAH OFFEN?) on 10th December 1780 in Smarden, Kent
(source : John Gibson) She married JOHN MUNK
in 1798 in Smarden (source : Collette Kendall). He was of Bubhurst Farm, Frittenden (source : Simon Bridgeland).
He was born in 1799 at Munks Farm, Smarden, Kent and died in 1827 (source : Simon Bridgeland). They had a son,
EDWARD MUNK ,
who was baptised in 1799 in Smarden (source : Collette Kendall). Grace
died after January 25th 1810 (source : her parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).
THOMAS KINGSNORTH OFFIN was baptised on 11th November
1781 in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson). He died in 1782 (source : Collette Kendall). He was buried on
15th June 1782 in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson). He is mentioned on his parents'
tombstone in Smarden graveyard as "their son deceased, Thomas aged nine months" (source : Smarden MIs online).
SUSAN(NA) OFFEN was baptised on 31st August
1783 in Smarden, Kent
(source : John Gibson). She married GEORGE STANDEN
on July 26th 1805 in Tenterden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall and http://www.sfhg.org.uk/smiextra/alpha-176.html
where her husband is listed as JAMES STANDEN). She is listed as Susan,
along with her siblings, on her parents tombstone (source : Smarden MIs).
Susanna died in 1829
(source : Collette Kendall). They had three daughters,
MARGARET STANDEN ,
who was baptised in 1806 in Beckley,
SUSANNA STANDEN ,
who was baptised in 1809 in Beckley, and
OLIVIA STANDEN ,
who was baptised in 1810 in Beckley (source : Collette Kendall).
PHILLIS OFFIN was born on 5th January 1786
in Smarden, Kent (source : John Gibson). She was baptised in 1787 in Smarden, Kent
(source : Collette Kendall). She is possibly the PHILLIS OFFEN who married EDWARD HAYWARD in Tonbridge, Kent
on 24th October 1824 (source : BVRI 2nd edition).
She died after January 25th 1810 (source : parents' tombstone in Smarden graveyard).