JAMES COLE, butcher, of Westerham (1666-1736).

He was baptised at Westerham on November 20th 1666, the son of James Cole, butcher, of Westerham (1641-1713), and brother to George Cole, clerk. The name of his wife is not recorded. It is possible that Sarah, the wife of James Cole, who died of smallpox in 1714 was his wife rather than the wife of James Cole. In 1702 James Cole junior was already assessed at £1-12s for land in Westerham Town, and from 1710 to 1736 he was recorded as a freeholder eligible for jury service ie worth over £10 a year.
1708 James Cole, junior, overseer of the poor for Westerham parish.
1709 There was a complaint from James Cole that many people were refusing to pay their rates.
1709 James Cole appointed collector of the Bridge Money Tax for Westerham Town.
1709 James Cole criticized for stinginess as overseer, but it was shown that he was in fact rather too liberal with parish funds.
1713 Death of his father. There is no evidence of property left to his son.
1713 Sir Charles Gresham of Titsey bought Watercroft in Westerham, one acre, occupied by James Cole.
James Cole also occupied one messuage with a yearly quitrent of 2s 4d belonging to his brother George. This could be the Red Lion. James also held a parcel of land called Buckham Hill, quitrent 1s 4d. This is probably related to Bookham Field which is immediately west of Shootingfield, which had been held by his father. (Westerham manor).
1714 James Cole paid £2-5s rent to the churchwardens of Westerham for Hazlye's Field. This could be yet another name for the parish field previously held by James Cole, senior.
1717 James Cole borsholder of the hundred of Westerham and Edenbridge. Since James Cole of Crockham Hill was borsholder of Westerham Upland at this time he is not likely to have been the borsholder of the hundred.
1720 Edenbridge paid James Cole 18s for 28 bushels of hair. Which James?
1722 James Cole of Westerham Town constable of Westerham.
1722 Whereas it appears unto this court upon oath that James Coole of Westerham butcher who was lately elected constable (or borsholder) of the hundred of Westerham and Edenbridge at a court leet is incapable of executing his office by reason that he has broken his leg in such a manner that he is not likely to have the use of it any more. (Quarter Sessions). However he was back in office in 1723!
1722 The jurors present that the pound is in disrepair and that James Cole of Westerham Town ought to repair it by next June (Westerham manorial rolls).
1733 James Cole, constable (or borsholder) of Westerham (and Edenbridge hundred), indicted for not returning a list of the freeholders.
1734 James Cole again listed in the Pollbook as worth over £10.
1735 James Cole, victualler, served on the Petty Jury at the Quarter sessions.

1736 Death. James Cole was buried on May 11th at Westerham. In his will (PCC), dated 21st March 1734, there is no mention of a wife. He gave to his sons James and George:

• A messuage called Stiddolphs with barn, outhouses, gardens and a piece of land, occupied by widow Whiffen, together with the way to go pass and repass in by and through an orchard there to fetch and carry water from the parsonage river to the said messuage. This must be the same as the messuage and barn garden and orchard called Stidolphes or Le Flower de Lys which George Cole, clerk, held in 1717.
• A piece of land called Bookham Hill, 5 acres.
• A messuage called Gibberies with two pieces of land containing 3 acres, occupied by Thomas Owtrem, Samuel Head, John Fitchett and John Birsty.
• To his son George he left a cherry orchard which he had recently bought from Sir Charles Gresham, 2 acres, occupied by Thomas Longhurst.
• To his son James he left 5 guineas.
• To his daughter Sarah Daniel he left £20.

No mention is made of a son John, yet there is no doubt that there was such a person.