John WITHAM

b. circa 1761, d. 11 March 1835
Birth*John WITHAM was born circa 1761.1 
OccupationHe was a publican at the Bull Inn, Rochester, Kent between 1787 and 1806.2 
Marriage*He married Ann PLAYER on 25 September 1787 at St Nicholas Church, Rochester, Kent;
Image.3 
Misc*John WITHAM was listed in the register of freemen of the City of Rochester. He purchased the freedom of the city on 2nd March 1789 for the sum of £20. on 2 March 1789 at Rochester, Kent, England. 
OccupationHe was a publican at the Golden Lion Inn, Rayleigh.


Known residents at The Golden Lion, High Street, Rayleigh, Essex:

1828-9 John Witham
1832-3 John Witham
1839 Neville Syer
1845 Mrs Charlotte Syer, 
So John must have handed it over to Charlotte. 
Ann's death was recorded as the publicans wife.
The history of Rayleigh records that at the start 
of the 19th century John Witham is mentioned 
as a Businessmen of Note.

Looked at the Licensing of pubs in Rayleigh and John 
is at the Golden Lion from 1806-1828 this is when the 
folder ends.  Then looked at the trade book and he is 
there in 1832  It says The Golden Lion Inn (posting and 
Commercial) coaches to London The Despatch from 
Southend calls at the Golden Lion every day at 1/2 
past 9 goes through to Brentwood, Romford and 
Ilford. Returns to Southend, the Despatch calls at 
the Golden Lion Inn every evening at 6pm 

Golden Lion demolished 1930.

between 1806 and 1835 at High Street, Rayleigh, Essex.4
MiscHe was a Freeman of the City of Rochester. John is listed as a freemean who did not vote in the election. in 1807 at Rochester, Kent, England.5 
Note*He 

Recorded residents  of The Golden Lion, High street, Rayleigh:

1828-9 John Witham
1832-3 John Witham  (John snr?)
Then in 1839 Neville Syer
1845 Mrs Charlotte Syer, 

So John must have handed it over to Charlotte. 
This is probably John snr, as the jnr was making 
a good name for himself as a coach builder at
this time. Also Ann's death was recorded as the 
publicans wife.

It is also recorded in the history of Rayleigh, 
at the start of the 19th century listed in 
businessmen of note is John Witham.

between 1828 and 1833 at Rayleigh, Essex.4 
Death*He died on 11 March 1835 at Lion Inn, Rayleigh, Essex; 

Chelmsford Chronicle 20th March 1835:

11th March inst. after a short illness aged 74 years, 
Mr John Witham of the Lion Inn, Rayleigh, deeply 
lamented by his large family and numerous circle of 
friends, as a tender and affectionate father and husband, 
and as a sincerely esteemed neighbour for his ready 
generous acts of liberality and kindness, his loss will be 
sincerely regretted by very many persons who knew him.  
Forty years since he was the highly respectable landlord 
of the Bull Inn, Rochester, Kent.6,4

 
Burial*He was buried in March 1835 at Holy Trinity Church, Rayleigh, Essex, England; NB: The wear on the memorial inscription makes it impossible
to determine if John Snr or John Jnr is buried there.


Headstone, round top between two peaks, 
decorated with two cherub heads each with
a ruff round the neck, central figure 
leaning on large urn on pedestal, matching 
shaped footstone and broken body tomb.

Sacred to the memory of
ANN WITHAM
(????) the (15) August 180(?)
aged (42) years

JAMES WITHAM
who departed this life the 7 Oct 18(19)
aged (14) years

JOHN WITHAM
who departed this life (????)
aged (?)2 years

Footstone: 
A W 180(?)
J W 1819
J W 18(2 or 5)4

(Benton: WITHAM of the Lion Inn.)7
 

Family 1

Ann PLAYER b. circa 1766, d. August 1808
Marriage*He married Ann PLAYER on 25 September 1787 at St Nicholas Church, Rochester, Kent;
Image.3 
Children

Family 2

Mary JOHNSON
Children
Last Edited2 Jan 2012

Citations

  1. Calculated n.pub.,.
  2. Unknown author, 'unknown article title', Chelmsford Chronicle, 20-Mar-1835 (unknown repository, unknown repository reference) "Chelmsford Chronicle 20th March 1835:
    11th March inst. after a short illness aged 74 years, Mr John Witham of the Lion Inn, Rayleigh, deeply lamented by his large family and numerous circle of friends, as a tender and affectionate father and husband, and as a sincerely esteemed neighbour for his ready generous acts of liberality and kindness, his loss will be sincerely regretted by very many persons who knew him. Forty years since he was the highly respectable landlord of the Bull Inn, Rochester, Kent."
  3. Microfilm/fiche of Marriage Entries. "Unknown cd."
  4. Beryl Hall (WITHAM researcher.)
  5. N/a The Poll of Electors for Members of Parliament to represent the City of Rochester, 1807, W.Epps, Rochester, n/a (1807) (Google Books, http://books.google.com.)
  6. See above, Chelmsford Chronicle, 20-Mar-1835.
  7. Monumental inscription on the grave of unknown family info (unknown location) "unknown cd."