FAMILY HISTORY OF THE MERCER HOP GROWERS
The Mercer family was one of the oldest hop growing families in the United Kingdom. For centuries they have been Kent-based hop growers, landowners, millers and farmers. This site focuses on the family and descendants of Robert Mercer (1802-1888) and his second wife Mercy Sabina Carpenter (1811-1888) of The Brook, Frittenden, Kent, pictured below.
|
|
|
Robert and Mercy married in Halden, Kent on 25 February 1834. As well as being one of the largest hop growers in the country during his lifetime, Robert was actively involved in civic affairs, being a town councillor, poor law guardian, churchwarden, waywarden, member of the provident society, and feoffee of the Idenden Charity.
Robert took a keen interest in agricultural innovation and Tory politics. A pious man, he arranged for a path to be paved from his home, The Brook, to St Mary's Church in Frittenden so he could arrive at church dry. Mercy, who was of French heritage, quietly managed the household and its staff, completing the exemplary Victorian couple. |
Robert & Mercy's home, Gould Farm at The Brook in Frittenden, as featured in Country Life in 2022
|
Robert and Mercy had four children: Sebinah, from whom the Gillett family descend, Jane, from whom the Wildish family descend, Robert, from whom the Mercer family descend, and George, who died whilst studying at Ashford Grammar School.
The couple had 26 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren, of whom one is still living. Descendants now live in England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, & the USA.
Some of our direct ancestors include early judge of the common pleas Sir William Shelley, courtier Sir Richard Southwell, and Bridget Copley, the "bookish" and "very learned" Latin instructress to Queen Elizabeth I.
Thanks to our common ancestor Sir William Spencer, Sheriff of Northamptonshire in the 16th century, we are ninth cousins of Queen Elizabeth II. Some closer kin of note include Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Anna Wintour, and Bear Grylls.
Please ensure you visit the contact page and get in touch if you are a relative or otherwise interested!
The couple had 26 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren, of whom one is still living. Descendants now live in England, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, & the USA.
Some of our direct ancestors include early judge of the common pleas Sir William Shelley, courtier Sir Richard Southwell, and Bridget Copley, the "bookish" and "very learned" Latin instructress to Queen Elizabeth I.
Thanks to our common ancestor Sir William Spencer, Sheriff of Northamptonshire in the 16th century, we are ninth cousins of Queen Elizabeth II. Some closer kin of note include Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace, Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Anna Wintour, and Bear Grylls.
Please ensure you visit the contact page and get in touch if you are a relative or otherwise interested!
|
Researcher and site creator Callum Vittali-Smith with grandparents Nadine and Patrick in Sydney, 2021.
Patrick is the last surviving of Robert and Mercy's 48 great-grandchildren, and has been since the deaths of his cousins Nellie (104) and Stella (94) in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Patrick is, of course, also the last surviving grandchild of William Wildish (1830-1922) and Jane Mercer (1836-1929) of Cadborough House, Rye, pictured right. |
|
Last updated 18 July 2024