JAMES COLE of Westerham (1738-1811)

Baptised on March 3rd 1738, the son of John Cole, butcher, of Westerham and Elizabeth Farrant. He married Mary Arnold on July 10th 1763 at Westerham; she died on May 13th 1767, a few days after the birth of their son William James. On 2nd October 1769 James Cole, widower, married Sarah Earidge, spinster, minor, of Brasted, at Hever. Witnesses: Thomas Eagleton, Mary Mallyon. By Mary James had four children, none of whom survived infancy. By Sarah he had a further four children , all of whom seem to have survived.

In 1782 Cole's wife was removed to the workhouse. This doesn't have to be the wife of James Cole. Another candidate could be the wife of John Cole who was convicted of stealing chickens in Sundridge in 1778, assuming that he was married.

From 1783 there are numerous references to James Cole in connection with parish relief.
1783 James Cole received relief on two occasions.
1785 James Cole reimbursed the parish for maintaining his children in the workhouse.
1786 Dame Cole was carried to the workhouse.
1786, June 4th Mr Lewis was paid for a warrant to take James Cole.
1786 June 11th. Paid to the clerk at christening Jane Cole's child. It is not clear what, if anything, this has to do with James Cole.
June 25th Paid for Mr Horton meeting at Mr Peache's with James Cole. Mr Peach was presumably a magistrate.
To my (the parish official) horse and my expense to Dartford with James Cole to Bridewell 6s.
Paid for horse and cart to Dartford with Cole.
To expense attending the justice at Sundridge.
1787 Master Cole continued to pay for the maintenance of his child. Jane Cole's child was also maintained. On three occasions relief was paid to James Cole, in distress.
1786-7 James Cole paid for digging stone (Westerham Upland).

The above is puzzling. It is not clear if Jane Cole had anything to do with James Cole. For James Cole the impression is that he had fathered an illegitimate child, or perhaps had abandoned his own family. It is not absolutely certain who James Cole was. Alternative candidates are:
James Cole (1758-1835) of Sundridge and his wife Jane, married 1793, rather unlikely.
James Cole (1740- ), son of Richard Cole of Westerham.

There is a gap in the Westerham overseers' accounts from 1788 to 1800.

From 1800 both Dame Cole and Master Cole received relief, as did James Cole by name.
1811 27th January. Expenses attending James Cole's funeral in Sundridge £4-11s-0d.
1811 28th January. Burial of James Cole in Sundridge.