WILLIAM WILKENS OFFEN was born in 1804 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : Collette Kendall). He was christened on 15th January 1804 in Saint Laurence (Thanet), Kent
and his parents are given as WILKENS OFFEN and SUSANNAH
(source : IGI, Batch Number: 8501834 Sheet: 02 Source Call No.: 1396006 Type: Film).
He married ANN BARNES WOOTTON on 19th July 1824 in St Lawrence,
Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd ). The witnesses were THOMAS ASHENDEN and HENRY
PHILPOTT (source : marriage register).
Ann was born circa 1800 in Ramsgate, Kent (source : Collette Kendall).
She was christened on 1st January 1799 in St Laurence, Kent, to parents
THOMAS WOOTTON and CHARLOTTE ? (source : IGI, Batch Number: 8501834 Sheet: 02 Source Call No.: 1396006 Type: Film ).
At his son William's 1825 baptism, William gave his occupation as coachmaker (source : baptism register, courtesy
of Janet Todd). On the 1841 census, William (35, painter), his wife Ann (40) and six of their children are at
King Street in Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1851 census, William, a 43-year-old coachpainter, his wife Ann and
six of their children are at 10 Newcastle Hill in Ramsgate, Kent.
William Wilken Offen died, aged 55, in Hereson Road, Ramsgate, Kent (source : Janet Todd). He was buried on 19th September 1858
at St Lawrence, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet
Todd). His death was registered in
September quarter 1858 (source : Free BMD, district Thanet, volume 2a, page 400).
On the 1861 census, Ann, a 62-year-old widowed laundress, is listed with her son Edward and daughter Sarah
at 8 Government Row, Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1871 census, she was living with Edward and his wife and children at
2 Frederick Place, Ramsgate, Kent.
Ann died, aged 78, at Boundary Place, Ramsgate, Kent (source : Janet Todd). She was buried on 2nd July 1876
at St Lawrence, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
The Children of WILLIAM WILKENS OFFEN and ANN BARNES WOOTTON:
WILLIAM FRANCIS OFFEN was baptised on 16th January 1825
in St Lawrence, Kent, to parents WILLIAM OFFEN, coachmaker, and ANN (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd ). On the 1841 census,
William, aged 15, was listed with his parents and siblings at King Street, Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1851 census,
a 22-year-old unmarried bricklayer's labourer, he was with his parents and siblings at 10 Newcastle Hill, Ramsgate, Kent.
He married ELIZA MAY
in June quarter 1854 (source : Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent, volume 2a, page 910).
On the 1861 census, William F OFFEN (head, 37, coachpainter), his wife Eliza (32) and daughter
ELIZABETH OFFEN (12, scholar, born Ramsgate Kent - if the age is correct,
she must have been born before their marriage, or may be Eliza's daughter who just took on the name OFFEN), with WILLIAM MAY
(head, 63, bricklayer's lab, born St Lawrence Kent) and wife FRANCES MAY (62, born Durham Sunderland), who are presumably
Eliza's parents. On the 1871 census, William (46, furniture broker), Eliza F (wife, 43) and daughter
SARAH A OFFEN (8, born Ramsgate Kent) are all listed at
118 King Street, Ramsgate, Kent.
On the 1881 census, William (head, M, 57, born Ramsgate Kent, furniture broker), his wife
ELIZA (M, 53, born Ramsgate Kent, wife of furniture broker) and a boarder
DENNIS CARTER (41, unmarried, born Canterbury Kent, grocer's assistant) were all living at 118 King Street, Ramsgate,
just a few doors along from brother Wilkin at number 112. William died, aged 63, on 19th November 1887 and was buried
on 23rd November 1887 in Ramsgate cemetery (plot number BB196) (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
Eliza died just over a year later, on 5th January 1889, aged 61, and was buried on 8th January 1889 in Ramsgate cemetery
(plot number BB14) (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
ANN REBECCA OFFEN was baptised on 20th May 1827
in St Lawrence, Kent, to parents WILLIAM OFFEN and ANN (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd ).
She died, aged 1, and was buried on 14th June 1828 in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent
(source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd ). Her grave was 3ft 6 ins, number B26 and the burial
cost 6/- (source : burials register).
CHARLOTTE SUSANNA OFFEN was baptised on 7th June 1829
in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : baptism register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Her father William gave his
occupation as painter (source : baptism register). She was buried on 6th December 1833 in the same
grave as her sister Ann Rebecca (B26) in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent, the cost of which was 5/- (source : burials register,
courtesy of Janet Todd).
WILKIN RICHARD OFFEN was born circa 1832 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1881 census). He was baptised on 22nd May 1831 in St George's,
Ramsgate, Kent and his father gave his occupation as coach painter (source :baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
He married SUSANNAH (BENNETT SINCLARE?) before 1871 (source : 1871 census).
She was born circa 1837 in Ramsgate, Kent (source : 1881 census). On the 1871 census, Wilkin is listed as
William Offen (head (m) 40 shoemaker) with his wife Sussan (35) and sons William (5 scholar), James (3),
Richard (6 mths), and Eliza Sinclare, (mother (w) 70) (all listed as born in Ramsgate, Kent)
at 2 Granville Grove, Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1881 census, Wilkin (49, Chelsea Pensioner),
Susannah (44, wife of Chelsea pensioner) and their four children are living at 112 King Street, Ramsgate, just a few doors
along from brother William at number 118. On the 1891 census, Wilkin Offen (head (m) 60 shoemaker), Susannah (wife 56)
and daughter Susan (s 18), (all born Ramsgate) are at 118 King St (same house his brother William was in 1881)
(source : Janet todd). Wilkin Richard Offen died in Ramsgate, Kent on 27th April 1894, aged 63, and was
buried on 1st May 1894 in Ramsgate cemetery, Plot no HB 496 (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
There is a death registered for WILKIN RICHARD OFFEN in June quarter 1894 (source : Ancestry
England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent, volume 2a, page 504).
They had eight children :
GEORGE OFFEN was baptised on 24th March 1856 at
St George's, Ramsgate, son of Wilkin & Susannah, of Ramsgate, coach builder (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). He no longer appears on the 1871 census with his family (source : Janet Todd).
WILLIAM R OFFEN was born in 1867 in Yarmouth, Norfolk
(source : 1881 census) or in Ramsgate, Kent (source : 1871 census). On the 1871 census, he was a 5-year-old scholar, living with his family in Ramsgate.
On the 1881 census, he was a 14-year-old labourer, living with his family in Ramsgate.
He no longer appears on the 1891 census for Ramsgate (source : Janet Todd).
JAMES OFFEN was born in 1868 in Guernsey, Channel Islands
(source : 1881 census) or in Ramsgate, Kent (source : 1871 census). On the 1871 census, he was aged 3, living with
his family in Ramsgate, Kent. On the 1881 census, he was 13 and unemployed, living with his family in Ramsgate.
He no longer appears on the 1891 census for Ramsgate (source : Janet Todd).
RICHARD WILKIN OFFEN was born in 1871 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1871 census). On the 1871 census, he was aged 6 months, living with his family in Ramsgate.
He died, aged 1, address Frederick Place, and was buried on 17th September 1871 in St Lawrence
(source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
ROSA EVA OFFEN was born in 1872 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1881 census). She was baptised on 26th November 1871 at Holy Trinity, Ramsgate,
daughter of Wilkin Richard & Susanna Bennett, 3 Frederick Place, pensioner (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1881 census, she was a 9-year-old scholar, living with her family in Ramsgate.
SUSAN OFFEN was born in 1874 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1881 census). She was baptised on 28th September 1873 at Holy Trinity, Ramsgate, daughter of
Wilkin & Susannah, 6 Boundary Place, pensioner (source : baptisms register,courtesy of Janet Todd).
On the 1881 census, she was a 7-year-old scholar, living with her family in Ramsgate.
EDWARD GEORGE OFFEN was baptised on 21st August 1875 at
Holy Trinity, Ramsgate, son of Wilkin Richard & Susannah Bennett, of Boundary Place, fish salesman (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd).
He died, aged 2 months, address Boundary Place, and was buried on 26th August 1875 (the same day as his cousin Hannah Jane,
daughter of Edward John Atherden & Hannah (Legge) was buried) (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
EDWARD GEORGE OFFEN was baptised on 18th November 1876 at
St Luke's , Ramsgate, son of Wilkin Richard & Susannah Bennett, of Boundary Rd, fisherman (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd).
GEORGE EDWARD OFFEN was baptised on 13th October 1833 in St George's,
Ramsgate, Kent and his father gave his occupation as coach maker (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). He married
JANE DAVIS on 13th May 1861 at St Thomas, Winchester, Hampshire -
the bride was 20 and the groom 28
(source : IGI, Batch No.: M136752 Dates: 1837 - 1876 Source Call No.: 1041223 Type: Film Printout Call No.: NONE Type:
Sheet: 00 ).
She was born circa 1841 and was the daughter of Joseph Davis (source : IGI).
REBECCA MARTHA OFFEN was baptised on 8th November 1835
in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent and her parents were recorded as William Offen, painter, and MARY ANN (source :
baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). She married
ALFRED GEORGE BENNETT , a 28-year-old carpenter, on 10th March 1862 at
St George's in Ramsgate, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). The witnesses were EDWARD OFFEN
and ELIZA OFFEN, and the fathers were recorded as WILLIAM OFFEN and WILLIAM BENNETT, both deceased (source :
marriage register).
He was born circa 1834 (source : Collette Kendall). They may have emigrated as they do not show up on the 1881 census.
HENRY SETH OFFEN was baptised on 5th November 1837
in St George's, Ramsgate, Kent, on the same day as MERCY ANN OFFEN, daughter of George Offen and Mercy nee Holloway
(source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd). His father was given as William, coach painter
(source : baptisms register). He died in June quarter 1845 (source : Ancestry
England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent, volume 5, page 329). He was buried on 16th April 1845 in
St George's, Ramsgate, Kent (source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
His 3ft grave, number J(?) V1 cost 6/- (source : burial register).
EDWARD JOHN ATHERDEN OFFEN was baptised on 4th August 1839 in
St George's, Ramsgate, Kent and his father was given as Wm Wilkin, coach painter (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). He married HANNAH MARY LEGGE on
17th February 1864 in Thanet (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). She was born circa 1847
in Ramsgate, Kent (source : 1881 census).
Edward John Atherton (sic) Offen was 24, a bachelor, labourer, of St Lawrence and Hannah Mary Legge was
18, a spinster, of St Lawrence (source : marriage register). The fathers were recorded as William Wilkin Offen,
deceased painter and ............. (source : marriage register). The witnesses were Eliza Ann & William Offen
(source : marriage register). On the 1871 census, at 2 Frederick Place, Ramsgate, we find
Edward Offen (head (m) 32 lab), wife Hannah (25), daughters Eliza (7), Hannah (6) and Ann Offen (head (wid) 72)
(his mother) (all born Ramsgate). On the 1881 census, Edward (41, fish hawker), his wife Hannah (34, laundress) and their
daughter Eliza (16, unmarried, laundress) were living at 2 Southwood Cottages, St Lawrence, Kent. (Also listed at this a
ddress is Ann CONSTABLE Sister U Female 20 Ramsgate, Kent, England Laundress - but whose
sister with a maiden name Constable? Maybe her mother remarried.)
Hannah Mary Offen died in St Lawrence, aged 42, and was buried on 27th March 1889 in St Lawrence, Kent
(source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1891 census, at 2 Southwood Cotts, Ramsgate,
Edward J Offen (widow 51 lab) is with his daughter Eliza Bushell (26 b. Ramsgate), her husband
John W Bushell (son-in-law (m) 29 paper hanger & painter, b. Margate), and their children
Hannah M Bushell (gr dr 3) and Edward J B Bushell (gr son 2), both b. St Lawrence, Kent.
Edward Offen died in St Lawrence, Kent, aged 59, and was buried on 1st August 1898 in St Lawrence, Kent
(source : burials register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
They had three children:
ELIZA CHARLOTTE SARAH OFFEN was born circa 1865 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1881 census). Eliza Charlotte Sarah was baptised on 27th August 1865, the same day as her sister, at Holy Trinity,
Ramsgate, Kent, daughter of Ed Jn Atherton & Hannah, 4 Frederick Place, Hereson Rd, lab (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1871 census, aged 7, she was listed with her parents and family
at 2 Frederick Place, Ramsgate. On the 1881 census, a 16-year-old laundress, she was listed with her parents and family
at 2 Southwood Cottages, St Lawrence, Kent. On the 1891 census, she was at at 2 Southwood Cotts, Ramsgate
with her father, her husband JOHN WILLIAM BUSHELL
(29 paper hanger & painter, b. Margate) and their children ANNA/HANNAH MARY OFFEN BUSHELL
(baptised 11th March 1888 in St Lawrence, Kent,
died St Lawrence aged 7, buried 2nd March 1895 in St Lawrence - source: parish register, courtesy of Janet Todd),
EDWARD JOHN BROTHERS BUSHELL (baptised 12th May 1889 in
St Lawrence, Kent - source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd), and
DAISY MAUD BUSHELL (baptised 19th July 1891 in
St Lawrence, Kent - source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd)
HANNAH JANE OFFEN was born circa 1866 in Ramsgate, Kent
(source : 1871 census). She was baptised on 27th August 1865, the same day as her sister, at Holy Trinity,
Ramsgate, Kent, daughter of Ed Jn Atherton & Hannah, 4 Frederick Place, Hereson Rd, lab (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1871 census, aged 6, she was listed with her parents and family
at 2 Frederick Place, Ramsgate. She died at Boundary Place, Ramsgate, aged 10, and was buried on 26th August
1875 in St Lawrence, Kent (on the same day as her cousin Edward George), and
EDWARD GEORGE WILLIAM OFFEN , who is probably their son, who died,
in Frederick Place, aged 1, and was buried on 6th April 1868 in St Lawrence (source : burials register,
courtesy of Janet Todd).
ELIZA ANN OFFEN was baptised on 28th November 1841 in
St George's, Ramsgate, Kent and her father was given as Wm Wilkin, coach painter (source : baptisms register,
courtesy of Janet Todd). On the 1861 census, there is a 19-year-old house servant called ELIZA OFFEN at
62 High Street, Ramsgate, Kent.
She married JOHN RICHARD DATSON on 4th February 1869 at Holy Trinity
in Ramsgate, Kent (source : marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd). Eliza was 27, a spinster, domestic servant,
residence 2 Frederick Place, Ramsgate, father Wm Wilkin Offen, deceased, and John was a bachelor, 30,
mariner, same address, father John Datson deceased - the witnesses were EDWARD JOHN ATHERTON and HANNAH OFFEN (source :
marriage register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
This marriage is registered in March quarter 1869 (source : Ancestry England and Wales, Civil Registration Index, county Kent,
volume 2a, page 934).
SARAH ELIZABETH OFFEN was baptised on 26th May 1844 in
St George's, Ramsgate, Kent and her parents were listed as Wm Wilkin Offen, coach painter, and Ann Barnes Offen (the previous
baptisms gave her name as simply Ann Offen) (source : baptisms register, courtesy of Janet Todd).
She married JOHN SINCLAIR
on 21st May 1867 at St Nicholas, Yarmouth, Norfolk (source : BVRI 2nd edition). They both gave their age as 23
and the fathers were named as WILLIAM OFFEN and JOHN SINCLAIR (source : BVRI 2nd edition). They had two children,
ELIZA A SINCLAIR , born circa 1869 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
and
EDWARD O SINCLAIR , born circa 1876 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
(source : 1881 census). On the 1881 census, Sarah Sinclare (married, 36, mariner's wife (merchant service) )
and her two children Eliza and Edward (age 12 and 5, both scholars) are at home at Alma Road 7 Easters Buildings, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, but husband
John Sinclair (Sinclare) is presumably away at sea.