WILLIAM OFFEN was born circa 1799 in Smarden, Kent
(source : 1871 census). He was baptised in 1799 in
Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
He married EMILY (EMMELINE) TURK in 1839 in Maidstone, Kent
(source : Collette Kendall).
She was born circa 1813 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
December 1840 was a terrible time for the couple, as they lost their two children, 14-month-old son Richard and
4-week-old baby daughter Mary, within the same week (source : tombstone).
William was mentioned, along with his brother John, on his parents tombstone in Smarden graveyard.
Their tombstones (a pair of Coffin shaped stones) in Smarden graveyard read :
"Sacred to the memory of RICHARD OFFEN, yeoman, of this Parish, who departed this life June 28th 1843,
aged 74 years. Also MARY, Wife of the above who departed this life June 21st 1846, aged 79 years.
Left issue 2 sons, viz., John and William" (source : Smarden monumental inscriptions, online at
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
On the 1871 census, William (72, retired farmer), his wife Emmeline (66, born Smarden Kent) and their two daughters
SELINA and SARAH are all at 3 High Street, Smarden, Kent.
William died on January 10th 1882, aged 82 (source : tombstone). His gravestone reads :
"In loving memory of WILLIAM OFFEN of this parish, died January 10th 1882, aged 82 years. Left surviving a widow, 2 sons
and 4 daughters viz William, Grace, John, Emeline, Selina, and Sarah. Also of Winifred,
daughter of the above died January 6th 1877, aged 27 years. Also of Richard, Mary and Charles, died in their infancy." (source : Smarden MIs, online at
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
Emily died in 1894 in Langford (source : Collette Kendall).
There is a death registered for EMMELINE OFFEN in March quarter 1894 (source :
Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index , county Kent, volume 2a, page 439).
The Children of WILLIAM OFFEN and EMILY (EMMELINE) TURK :
RICHARD OFFEN was born in October 1839 (source : tombstone).
He was baptised in 1839 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
He died on December 11th 1840, aged 14 months, and was buried in Smarden churchyard,
in the same grave as his baby sister Mary who had died a week before, and later his brother Charles
(source : tombstone). His tombstone reads : "In memory of RICHARD son of WILLIAM and EMMELINE OFFEN of this
Parish who died December 11th 1840, aged 14 months. also MARY OFFEN Who died December 2nd 1840, aged 4 weeks.
also Charles who died in his infancy, Angels the Infants Requiem sing.
With vernal blossoms deck the Tomb, Fair emblems of that joyful Spring, When these sweet Flowers again shall Bloom"
(source : Smarden monumental inscriptions, online at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
MARY OFFEN was baptised in 1840
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
She died on December 2nd 1840, aged 4 weeks, and just nine days before her elder brother Richard
(source : tombstone). Her tombstone reads : "In memory of RICHARD son of WILLIAM and EMMELINE OFFEN of this
Parish who died December 11th 1840, aged 14 months. also MARY OFFEN Who died December 2nd 1840, aged 4 weeks.
also Charles who died in his infancy, Angels the Infants Requiem sing.
With vernal blossoms deck the Tomb, Fair emblems of that joyful Spring, When these sweet Flowers again shall Bloom"
(source : Smarden monumental inscriptions, online at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
WILLIAM OFFEN was baptised in 1842
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). He married EMILY CORNES
(born circa 1837 ) in 1867 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). They had eight children,
JANE OFFEN (baptised in 1869 in Smarden, Kent),
GRACE OFFEN (baptised in 1871 in Smarden, Kent, married
SAMSON JOSEPH SORRELL (born circa 1874) in 1898 in
Smarden, Kent),
EMILY OFFEN (baptised in 1873 in Smarden, Kent,
her tombstone in Smarden graveyard reads : "In Memory of EMILY, Daughter of WILLIAM and EMILY OFFEN, who
died 14th day of January 1876, aged 2 years and 4 months. Suffer little children
to come unto me and forbid them not: for such is the Kingdom of God. Luke xviii 16" - source : Smarden monumental inscriptions,
online at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ),
ANNE OFFEN (baptised in 1876 in Smarden, Kent),
WILLIAM OFFEN (baptised in 1878 in Smarden, Kent),
JOHN OFFEN (baptised in 1880 in Smarden, Kent),
FREDERICK OFFEN (baptised in 1882 in Smarden, Kent, married
ETHEL THORNE (born circa 1891) in 1922 in
Tunbridge Wells, Kent), and
FRANK OFFEN (baptised in 1884 in Smarden, Kent) (source : Collette Kendall).
On the 1881 census, aged 39, William is a Farmer Of 150 Acres Employing 2 Labs & 1 Boy. He is listed with his wife, five children and three servants
at Watch House in Smarden, Kent. On the 1901 census, aged 59, William is a licensed victualler.
He is listed with his wife Emily (54), and five children (ANNIE - 24, WILLIAM - 22, butcher, FREDERICK - 18, barman,
BESSIE - 12, and HENRY - 10) in Smarden, Kent. He died after January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
GRACE OFFEN was born in June quarter 1843 (source :
Free BMD, district W Ashford, volume 5, page 1[38]). She was baptised in 1843
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
She married EDWARD DAY in March quarter 1867 (source :
Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent, volume 2a, page 671).
They had five children,
FRANKLAND (FRANK) DAY (baptised in 1867 in Smarden, Kent),
SARAH DAY (born circa 1870 in Smarden, Kent),
GRACE DAY (baptised in 1871 in Smarden, Kent),
JULIA DAY (born circa 1874 in Charing, Kent),and
MARY DAY (born circa 1876 in Smarden, Kent)
(source : Collette Kendall).
On the 1881 census, Grace (38, anuuitant, married) is with her children at Bigg Cottage in Smarden, Kent.
Her husband Edward is not at home with his family. She died after January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
JOHN OFFEN was baptised in 1846
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). He died after January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
CHARLES OFFEN was baptised in 1847
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). There is a birth registered in June quarter 1847, which may be him (source :
Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index , county Kent, volume 5, page 20).
He died in 1847 (source : Collette Kendall). He was buried in the same grave as his two elder siblings Richard and Mary,
who had died in December 1840 (source : tombstone). His tombstone reads : "In memory of RICHARD son of WILLIAM and EMMELINE OFFEN of this
Parish who died December 11th 1840, aged 14 months. also MARY OFFEN Who died December 2nd 1840, aged 4 weeks.
also Charles who died in his infancy, Angels the Infants Requiem sing.
With vernal blossoms deck the Tomb, Fair emblems of that joyful Spring, When these sweet Flowers again shall Bloom"
(source : Smarden monumental inscriptions, online at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSmarden/01.htm ).
EMELINE OFFEN was baptised in 1848
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). Her birth was registered in September quarter 1848 (source :
Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index , county Kent, volume 5, page 23). She died after
January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
WINIFRED OFFEN was baptised in 1850
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
She married DAVID CHANTLER (born circa 1847 )
in 1869 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). They had three children,
FREDERICK DAVID CHANTLER (baptised in 1870 in Smarden, Kent),
WILLIAM O CHANTLER (born circa 1871 in Boughton Malherbe, Kent), and
THOMAS CHANTLER (born circa 1875 in Boughton Malherbe, Kent)
(source : Collette Kendall). Winifred died on January 6th 1877, aged 27, and was buried with her father and siblings in
Smarden graveyard (source : Smarden MIs online).
By the time of the 1881 census, David has remarried and is listed (32, Farmer Of 188 Acres Employing 3 Men & 2 Boys )
with his new wife JANE CHANTLER (21, born Ucomb Kent), the three children
from his first marriage and new baby JANE CHANTLER (1, born Boughton Malherbe Kent), along with four servants at
Park House in Boughton Malherbe, Kent.
SELINA OFFEN was baptised in 1853
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). On the 1871 census,
SELINA, 18, was with her parents and sister at at 3 High Street, Smarden, Kent.
She married JAMES FREDERICK HOPE (born circa 1845 in Newnham, Kent)
in 1873 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). This marriage is registered in June quarter 1873
(source : Free BMD, district W. Ashford, volume 2a, page 1030).
They had four children,
JAMES T HOPE (born circa 1875 in Stalisfield, Kent),
EMMELINE HOPE (born circa 1877 in Stalisfield, Kent),
ANNIE HOPE (born circa 1879 in Stalisfield, Kent), and
THOMAS R HOPE (born circa 1881 in Stalisfield, Kent) (source : 1881 census).
On the 1881 census, Selina (28), her husband James (35, Farm Bailiff) and their four children are all listed at
the Parsonage in Stalisfield, Kent. She died after January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
SARAH OFFEN was baptised in 1855
in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). On the 1871 census,
SARAH, 16, was with her parents and sister at at 3 High Street, Smarden, Kent.
She married WILLIAM OLIVER (born circa 1858)
in 1879 in Smarden, Kent (source : Collette Kendall). On the 1881 census, Sarah (25), her husband William (23,
Farmer Of 78 Acres Employing 2 Men ) and two servants are listed at Hooksted Green in High Halden, Kent.
He died after January 10th 1882 (source : father's tombstone).
AMY OFFEN married
ALFRED COOPER
before 1870 (source : Collette Kendall). I am not convinced Amy belongs to this family, since
she is not listed on her father's tombstone along with the other offspring.