East Peckham, Kent

The family of Thomas and Elizabeth DAW spent eight years or more in East Peckham on their trek from Hadlow, Kent back to Uckfield, Sussex. I know this because four of their children (Frances, Elizabeth, Mary and George) were born there between 1814 and 1821. The 1831 census of Uckfield confirms that they were there then. (See previous post here)

East Peckham is located in the west part of Kent on the Medway River. According to the Kelly's 1882 Directory of Kent it is a large straggling village. See the full description at http://www.historicaldirectories.org/


The oldest parish church is St. Michael's where the children born in East Peckham would have been christened.

The church has been replaced by Holy Trinity which is closer to the town, however, St. Michael's is still open daily as a historical site.


While reading about East Peckham in the 1882 directory, I discovered a Thomas DAW who was identifed as the owner of the Rose and Crown which would be either a pub or hotel. Further investigation of the 1881 census revealed him as a licensed victualler living with his family at the Rose and Crown Hotel.

At left is an image of the census return. Thomas is living with his wife Emily and unmarried daughters Emily and Ellen all of whom probbaly helped with the running of the hotel. Thomas was born about 1825 in Yalding, Kent. I have no idea if this family is part of my DAWES family.