The 1841 CENSUS
About the census
The 1841 census was taken on June 6 1841. The age and sex of each person were recorded, males were in one column, females in a separate column. Ages up to 15 are listed exactly as reported/recorded but ages over 15 were rounded down to the nearest 5 years. So, a person aged 63 would be listed on the census as age 60 years. Someone aged 69 would be recorded as 65 years. Occupation/profession or trade was recorded. Some people are simply listed as being "of independent means". Birthplace was recorded. If the person was born in the county where the census was taken (usually recorded as a yes or no), this is is shown in Born 1. If they were not born in the county, this is shown in Born 2. There maybe an entry such as S - for Scotland or even an F for "born in foreign parts".
In Marden There were 2,074 people recorded and 53 of them were listed as having not been born in the Kent, but the only details we know are that 15 year old Victoire Hooker of Jewell House was born in foreign parts and that 55 year old Jane Legeyt, wife of the vicar and living at the Vicarage, was born in Ireland.
The youngest person recorded was a two day old boy from the Hysted family at the Beach (now Beech) and the oldest were three old men and one old lady of 85, with 2069 people in between.
293 of them were agricultural labourers and 72 were farmers. There were 65 female servants and 72 male servants some of whom worked for the 41 people who were of independent means.
The village was bustling with 7 bricklayers, 2 brickmakers, 2 gate keepers, 13 carpenters, 4 gardeners, 2 corndealers, a basketmaker, a labourer, a charwoman, a glazier, 3 thatchers, a sweep, 6 smiths and 2 blacksmiths.
Things were kept moving with the help of 3 carriers, 4 wheelwrights, a farrier and 2 sadlers.
7 grocers and grocer/drapers kept the village fed and clad with the help of 3 fruiterers, 4 butchers, 3 millers, 18 shoemakers, 7 tailors, 2 dressmakers, a watchmaker, a weaver and 2 cordwainers. While an innkeeper and a beerseller assisted by a maltster and 2 coopers kept the villagers in beer.
A surgeon tended bodies, a schoolmaster instructed minds, while a dissenting minister and a clergymen with a sexton looked after souls. 2 men were in the army.
Last but not least there was George Sharp, a higler, an itinerant dealer or "Haggler".
Enumeration districts
1. All that part of the Parish of Marden which lies to the East of the Turnpike road leading from Goudhurst to Marden Town and South of the road leading from Marden Town to Marden Thorn.
2. All that part of the Parish of Marden which lies to the East of the Turnpike road leading from Marden Town to Stile Bridge and North of the road leading from Marden Town to Marden Thorn.
3. All that part of the Parish of Marden which lies to the West of the Turnpike road leading from Goudhurst to Church Green turnpike Gate in Marden and West and South of the road leading from Church Green Gate to Colliers Street by Spits Bridge.
4. All that part of the Parish of Marden which lies to the North and West of the Turnpike road leading from Church Green turnpike Gate to Stile Bridge and East and North of the road leading from Church Green Gate to Colliers Street by Spits Bridge.