Edward Hobday
Middle Street
193 Lower Street
5 West Street,
3 Napier Terrace, West Street
Occupation: Farmer & Market Gardener
According to the 1843 Tithe map and schedule, Edward Hobday farmed several pockets of land in the surrounding area, leasing these from several people including the Rev Ralph Drake Backhouse and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
1843 Tithe Map showing the area around St. Leonard’s Church
Marked in red are some of the land and property leased by Edward Hobday
We don’t know what produce he grew for certain but as he also said he was a market gardener it is likely that he grew vegetable crops to supply the local shops and to sell at the weekly markets in the town.
Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser – Saturday 18 April 1857
On the 1851 census, he says he that he employed thirteen men we only know who two of them were. In 1851 farm labourer Frederick Smith was living with them and sadly we know that in 1857 a young man in his employ was killed by a startled horse. His name was James Hollands Chandler.
By this time all his children, except Susannah, have married and left home with all except Emma and her husband remain in the Deal area.
In 1862 a George Makins of Jews Harp Alley stealing cabbages from Edward as well as rope and canvas belonging to George Trott for which he was sent to Sandwich Gaol for a month with hard labour.
Elizabeth, Edwards wife, died in 1872 Edward followed her in 1876 they are buried in Hamilton Road Cemetery. His probate record states that he left £1,000 and that his son Frederick and son-in-law John Bass, also a farmer in Mongeham, we’re the executors. When Susannah, who remained in the West Street House died in 1892 was well provided for as probate records show she left £1114 14s 2d with her sister Emma’s husband William Went Dyke a London based accountant as her executor.
William & Emma may well have been cousins or at least closely related. Elizabeth, Emma’s mother, was born in Colchester in Essex and Sarah, William’s mother, in nearby Boxstead.