John Harman, the youngest son of James and Mariah, was born on 14th January 1829 and baptised at St. Denys, Rotherfield on 1st March 1829. In the year 1851 the youngest son John had already married Rhoda Martin. Research has failed to establish to date, when John married Rhoda. It was, however, recorded in a family bible and last in the hands of Kathleen Edith Harman known as Kit, a great granddaughter of John and Rhoda who married Edgar Eaton.

Unfortunately, it is only by memory of Yvonne Stammers nee Harman who remembered that her great grandmother Rhoda wife of John, maiden name was Martin and her parent's were Samuel and Sarah Martin. This now verifies that Ann Martin who married Thomas Harman who was John's older brother were indeed two sister's who married two Harman brothers.

John was born in Rotherfield and in the 1841 census, is living at home at the age of eleven on the day of the census, also living at home also with him was a family of eight. My great-great grandfather William at the age of 22 - a bricklayer journeyman - and John's brother, Thomas at the age of 19 also being a bricklayer journeyman, Charles aged 14 and working as an agricultural labourer. Lastly their niece, Eliza Harman, a base born child of their sister Caroline. James the eldest brother was not at home and was already married to Mary Ann Boerdon.

John had previously experienced the harshness of the life and times. At the age of 8, he had lost his older sister Leah and his niece, her child Sarah-Ann in 1837.

But back to John, in 1850 at the age of twenty-one, John married Rhoda Martin and in the census John and Rhoda were living in Rotherfield village both aged 22 next to vicarage. After the 1851 census their first child was born. This was to be a son - the first to be named outside of normal for naming children after family. The names of their first born were Frank Robert born 11th May 1851 in Rotherfield and baptised 6th July 1851. John was the next son followed tradition, he being named John, born 16th January 1853 at Cottage Hill and baptised 6th March 1853. John and Rhoda then had their first daughter, Sarah-Ann born 9th September 1854 at Frogs Hole and baptised 5th November 1854. This girl was named after Rhoda's mother Sarah and her sister Ann hence Sarah-Ann. Samuel was born 8th September 1856 at Pinehurst and baptised 12th October 12th 1856.

Prior to the birth of Samuel, John and Rhoda were living at Frogs Hole with his brothers James (younger), William, Thomas and their families. From Pinehurst John and Rhoda moved to Mayfield and at Mayfield the next child and another boy Walter William was born 15th November 1858 and baptised 12th December 1858. The family then moved to Jarvis Brook where some descendants of John and Rhoda live to this point in time (1985).

The next child again was not named traditionally but was a popular name generally. Amos was born 24th October 1860 at Jarvis Brook and baptised 29th October 1860. It will be noticed how soon the child was baptised, obviously born weakly, for on 4th November 1860 this child was buried ten days old. This child the sixth, was the first child lost to John and Rhoda. On the move from Mayfield to Jarvis Brook, John and Rhoda were now aged thirty-two. They remained in Jarvis Brook for approximately 4 years and in this time was born George who was baptised 8th December 1861 at Jarvis Brook.

With again an out of character name was given to a boy Obediah born to John &Rhoda except that Obediah was the name James and Mariah had given their child that died in 1833 when John their son was two year's old. Like his brother who died in 1833, his own child Obediah born 16th January 1864, baptised 24th January 1864 and died six days after baptism and was buried on 30th January 1864. After the burial, John and Rhoda were to move to Cottage Hill this possibly in the year 1865 and there they remain at No.2 Primrose Villa, Cottage Hill for the rest of their lives. Here the following children were born: Rhoda Harriet baptized 10th February 1867; Ann Maria born 18th August 1870 and baptized 11th September 1870; and Alfred James born 17th April 1873.

At this point in time, John and Rhoda aged forty-four at Cottage Hill were joined by Ann Harman widow of Thomas who died in 1866, and so both sister's were living practically next door with Ann living at no.5. In the census of 1871: John was 42, Rhoda was 41, Frank was 20 a bricklayer journeyman, John 18 a bricklayer journeyman, Sarah Ann 16, Samuel 14, Walter 12, George 10 and Maria 7 months. John was a builder employing 8 men and 3 boys. So out of ten children in the year 1871 eight were alive. However, in 1872 prior to the birth of Alfred James, born 17th April 1873 tragedy struck in the deadly form of diphtheria. Both youngest daughters Rhoda and Maria were struck down with this disease - Rhoda being aged 5 and Maria 2, their mother being pregnant by about three months with Alfred James. This as we know by the history of Thomas and Ann Harman and this is where Ann assisted John and Rhoda immensely. The first to succumb was Rhoda Harriet, the death certificate states died 9th August 1872 of diphtheria and exhaustion. Within twelve days the youngest Ann-Maria was then to succumb. The death certificate states died 7th August 1872 of diphtheria and double pneumonia. What a terrible time for the family with two children and they being the babies of the family.

Four months prior to the babies dying the eldest son Frank Robert married Doris Moon on 4th April 1872. Doris was six months pregnant (another shot-gun wedding). Life doesn't alter through the ages. For in the July on the 2nd July 1872 Owen Thomas, the first grandson of John and Rhoda was born. This child was to marry and live next door to his cousin my grandfather William Edward Harman at no.1 Ferndale cottage, Western Road, Jarvis Brook. My grandfather and mother were living at no.2 where my father Frederick Joseph was born.

But we are deviating, so back to John and Rhoda - in 1873 we have Alfred James who was born in that year with a nephew Owen Thomas son of Frank and Doris older than his uncle Alfred. I wonder if he ever called him uncle? Only in jest I suspect. The following children around the birth of Alfred James commence to marry. Sarah Ann was already married being the first marrying Charles Walter in 1871 at the age of 17. John Junior the younger was next marrying Mary Benson in 1874. Samuel married Sarah Edith Kent in 1877.

In the census taken in 1881 we have: John senoir, at the age of 52, employing 3 men; Rhoda wife 57; Walter William still at home age 22 a general labourer; George age 19 a general labourer; Alfred J. Age 7 and Adelaide E. Moggoford age 35 a widow and visitor.

Next door at no.2. Primrose: John (the younger) age 28 a bricklayer journey man; Mary his wife age 26; Louisa daughter age 4 and John Francis son age 2

In this year 1887 John and Rhoda continued to prosper. It will be noticed that the eldest son's seemed to be bricklayer but Walter and George labourers, and though John senior only employed three men I believe all his son's worked for him. Hard times and living in this environment, meant when you grow to manhood 12 - 14 you stand or fall by your own endeavours. As already stated John's son John the younger, with his wife Mary lived next door to his father but in Ella Mary's biography of her life, she recalls her grandfather John the elder selling faggots of wood to neighbours, but not only did he sell them to neighbours but also to his son John, her father. Today we would give them to our children but then times and conditions of life, with social security etc, breed a different man and outlook. In all my research I have yet to come across a Harman across the spectrum of the family, who is not hardworking and industrious, and is a family man. However we have had black sheep but due mostly to being hard drinkers.

Again I deviate, so back to John &Rhoda. In 1906 John and Rhoda's family had grown to having approximately thirty grand-children, from John &Rhoda their eight children who survived to adults. So the family grew and prospered. John's and Rhoda's house in Rotherfield is described as follows in the biography of his granddaughter Ella Harman daughter of John and Mary Harman who lived next door to her grandfather. "Cottage hill was situated almost a mile from the village on a hill, aptly called Cottage Hill, with a few cottages built closely together and a public house called the Brewer's Arms which has long disappeared. In one of the best houses lived my grandfather and grandmother John and Rhoda." The house is not described by Ella Mary. But her own house interior she did describe. "Three bedrooms, parlour kitchen and scullery. The two latter having uneven brick floors." She also describes later that attached to John and Rhoda's cottage was a large bake-house with a brick built oven and a large copper for washing. This her mother Mary used for baking once a week and washing.

So in 1881 John and Rhoda was fairly comfortably off. John also owned most of the adjacent farmland and in addition hired other local farms for his sons. John also hired a stretch of woodland each year for cutting faggots of wood which was the main source of fuel. He also paid men to cut the wood and make up faggots with the thinner wood and the thicker wood to be sold as bats. The faggots and bats John sold to many of the villagers and in Ella Mary's words us included. On the farm that John owned was also a hop garden but in later years this was scrubbed. Water was obtained from a well in John and Rhoda's early years at Cottage Hill but in later years piped water was available but not above a sink, due to insufficient water pressure at that point in time.

Samuel married Edith Kent on 2nd April 1877. Walter William married Emma Winters in 1881. George married Ellen Philadelphia Brown in 1880. Alfred James was by this time aged 12 and was not to marry for a further twelve years, to Kate Akhurst in 1897. His parents John and Rhoda were now at the age of 55 and with the exception of Alfred James all children that survived to adulthood had married.

Sarah Ann married Charles Walters at Mountfield, Robertsbridge. Frank, bricklayer, married Doris Moon at Packams Hill. John, bricklayer, married Mary Benson at Cottage Hill. Samuel, caprpenter, married Edith Kent at Cottage Hill. Walter William, agricultural labourer married Emma Winters at Packams Hill. George, agricultural labourer, married Ellen Brown at Castle Hill.

So from 1885 John &Rhoda continued with their lives at Cottage Hill. In the year 1895 Samuel their son and husband of Sarah Edith Kent, died at the age of thirty-nine at Canterbury having moved there in 1853 and leaving Edith at 37 a widow with nine children. John and Rhoda' were now aged sixty-five and must have been broken-hearted by the loss of a son at the age of thirty-nine. To date, research has not yet established how Samuel died. The death of Samuel was probably just being adjusted to, when John and Rhoda's sister-in-law Ann Harman widow of brother, Thomas Harman, died at the age of seventy-eight. This must have been a tragic loss to John and Rhoda, as Ann had been a good friend as well a loving sister to Rhoda and her brother-in-law John. Harman.

Ella Mary was aged two when Samuel died and aged five when her grandmother's sister Ann Harman died. Therefore no reference is made of Samuel or Ann in her biography. Ella Mary Harman was to marry Samuel and Edith Kent's son George Harman her cousin in 1916 at the age of twenty-three. George her cousin and future husband was at the time of his father Samuel's death aged six. Also Ella Mary's brother Ernest Edward who was born the year after Samuel's death was to marry his cousin Kate-Rhoda Harman again the daughter of Samuel and Edith, she being approximately 2 years old at the time of her father Samuel's death. At these times, this is where families cling together for succour and support. Two years after the death of Ann Harman , my great great grandfather William Harman, brother and my great great uncle John died at the age of eighty-two at Stone Cross, near Rotherfield. John Harman being the youngest surviving son of James and Mariah 1808 and grandson of Thomas and Hannah 1786 was probably the last survivor at this point in time of James and Mariah's children, but in no way the last of the Harman's of Rotherfield who were continuing to expand, grow and prosper, regardless to what fate of life's challenges provided, in the pattern of survival.

In 1907, at the age of approximately seventy-seven Rhoda, John's wife and sister of Ann Harman died.

It is now believed that this is where Kate-Rhoda comes back into the story. Kate, daughter of Samuel, it is believed then kept house for her grandfather, John living at no.1, Cottage Hill. Kate now being aged twenty-three approx. Previous to returning to Rotherfield, Kate had been living at Canterbury where her father and mother Samuel and Edith had moved three years prior to his death. Obviously, Samuel's widow Edith and her children maintained contact with the family and Kate may well have been living with John and Rhoda prior to Rhoda's death. In those days the old were not put into the workhouse unless the family were destitute or no surviving children who could afford to look after them. John was far from destitute and could afford to pay for board and lodging in his house for Kate and possibly pay her a small stipend. What we know is John continued to live for a further ten years after the death of his wife Rhoda, with Kate looking after him.

This was not the end of fate striking at the heart of the family. John's senior son John who had married Mary Benson was to suffer the loss of his wife Mary on 1st February 1910. Ella Mary in her biography does not say of what her mother died of but memorial card states she fell asleep. This may indicate she had been ill and eventually succumbed in her sleep. Kate in all probability assisted in John (the younger) house also, on the death of Mary. Hence the closeness of Kate and cousin Ernest Edward, for it was John and Mary's son George who she was to marry.

John Harman senior was now reaching the last years of his life, but was still seeing the family grow with the marriages of his grandchildren and having great grandchildren. Whilst living with her grandfather Kate married her cousin Ernest Edward in 1912, son of John and Mary living next door to her and her grandfather John.

Two years after the marriage of Kate to Ernest, World War 1 commenced with all the Harman's joining the forces in the war with Germany. John senior like many others at this time was seeing sons, grandson and great grandsons going off to war. Probably like many at that time with pride, not aware of the horror and carnage that was to follow. Research has however established that Harmans killed in this war were nearly non-existent except for Walter which is another story, but one lost limbs and suffered for years.

In 1916 John Harman senior commenced to decline and at the age of eighty-eight and on 6th July 1917 John Harman the last of James and Mariah's family and grandson of Thomas and Hannah died prior to the end of World War 1.

In John's will he named the following trustee's: Son's John the younger, Alfred James youngest son, daughter Sarah-Ann wife of Charles Walters and stating that they lived at Mountfield, Robertsbridge and granddaughter Kate Harman the daughter of deceased son Samuel. Basically the will divided between seven and states this in the term one seventh part. The exception being Alfred James who was to receive one seventh part less £25.00. This a typical Harman judgement and fairness, that no child within a family should receive more than justly due, regardless to favouritism. My own father Frederick Joseph Harman, indicated the same in his will on monies given to my brothers during his lifetime, which I had forgotten. John also indicates that he has property, rents, as income and farmland. The will was read out to by the solicitors for John who could neither read or write, but before signing John was astute enough to indicated that document was not quite right. But the year fourteen should be fifteen. i.e. 1915 not 1914 on alteration of the word fourteen to fifteen, John then made his mark. What an achievement for a man who could not read or write and again showed the fortune of having a trade passed down from his grandfather Thomas and also the foresight of his great-grandfather George Harman.

George Harman the farmer had recognised that the general situation with regards to earning a living from the land farming was deteriorating. However he also recognised the potential of the building industry, and to this end he put the twin boys James and Thomas to apprenticeships.

Considering that wills in the 19th century and before were only made by five people in a hundred, we have been very lucky in our research, mainly through the effort of my cousin Phillip John Hammond, son of Kate Harman and John Hammond who have spent time and effort locating and obtaining wills of Harman's which has shown to be higher than average i.e. 75% of 100%

Following is a newspaper report in the Sussex and Kent Courier on the funeral of John Harman youngest grandson of Thomas Harman and Hannah and youngest son of James Harman and Mariah, dated 5th July 1917.

Funeral of Mr. John Harman
The funeral took place on saturday afternoon at the parish church of Mr John Harman who passed away in his eighty-ninth year on wednesday 27th June at 2, Cottage Hill, Rotherfield.
Mr. Harman had been in poor health for the past twelve months and his death was not unexpected.
He was one of the oldest inhabitants of the village in which he was born and where for many years he conducted the business of a farmer and builder. His wife died in 1907 and he was buried in the same grave. He leaves six sons and one daughter and twenty of his grandsons are serving in the army or navy. The rector (the Revd. A. H. Thornhill) officiated at the funeral and the first part of the service was held in the parish church.
The chief mourners were: Mr and Mrs Frank Harman (son and daughter-in-law), Mr John Harman (son) and Miss S. Harman (grand-daughter), Mr and Mrs C. Walters of Mountfield, Robertsbridge (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs V. Harman (daughter-in-law), Mr and Mrs George Harman (son and daughter-in-law), Private Walter Harman (Royal Sussex regiment), Mr E. Harman, cadet, H. Harman, flight sergeant, Arthur Harman, corporal, Leonard Harman (Royal Flying Corps) and Master A. Harman (grandsons), Mrs Pavy, Mr W. Lade, Mrs A.J. Holmewood, Mrs E. Harman, Mrs E. H. Harman, Miss C. Harman, Mrs Lade the Misses M and N Harman (grand-daughters), Mr W. Lade and Mr A. Akehurst (Cross in Hand). The wreaths etc. were sent by Alf and Kate, Walter wife and family, John and family, em Kate and Babs, George and Ellen, Frank Eddie and Millie with deepest sympathy from his grandchildren at Mark Cross, Frank Doris and family, Sally Charles and family, Arthur Harold Ernest Louie and Harry (grandchildren) and Mrs Shipton, Mr F. W. Moon. Messrs Moon and son, Rotherfield carried out the funeral arrangements.

In this year, 1992 and 77 years after the death and burial of John Harman, my great great uncle, many contacts have been made with many of his descendants. From granddaughter Ella Mary still alive today at the age of 94 who will be 95 on 18th March to Frederick Joseph great grandson in New Zealand. Many others whom I have met and still live in Rotherfield the village in East Sussex where Thomas Harman and Hannah commenced the story of the Harman's of Rotherfield.

Rhoda Martin. Born 25th December 1829 Rotherfield. Died 26th April 1907 2, Cottage Hill Rotherfield age 77. She was the daughter of Samuel Martin and Sarah Martin. She married John Harman. Born 14th January 1829 Rotherfield. Died 27th June 1917 at 2, Cottage Hill age 88. Children of Rhoda martin and John Harman are:
Frank Harman. Born 6th July 1851 Rotherfield. Died 2nd February 1926 Rotherfield age 75.
John Harman. Born 16th January 1853 Rotherfield. Died 1st January 1931 at no 2 Cottage Hill Rotherfield age 78.
Sarah Ann Harman. Born 9th September 1854 Rotherfield.
Samuel Harman. Born 8th September 1856 Rotherfield. Died 3rd October 1895 Canterbury age 39.
Walter William Harman. Born 15th November 1858 Rotherfield. Died 6th August 1917 High Park cottages Rotherfield Age 58.
Amos Harman. Born 24th October 1861 Rotherfield. Died 4th November 1861 Rotherfield.
Obediah Harman. Born 6th January 1864 Rotherfield. Died 31st January 1864 Rotherfield.
Rhoda Harriet Harman. Born 29th January 1867 Rotherfield. Died 9th August 1872 Rotherfield age 5 of diptheria.
Ann Maria Harman. Born 18th August 1870 Rotherfield. Died 12th August 1872 Rotherfield age 2 of diptheria.
George Harman. Born 30th October 1861 Mayfield. Died 2nd September 1921 Rotherfield age 59.
Alfred James Harman. Born 17th April 1873 St. Denys Rotherfield. Died 4th December 1957 Rotherfield age 84.

Siblings of Rhoda Martin are William Martin. Born 1813 and Ann martin. Born 1820 Rotherfield. Died 20th January 1898 Rotherfield age 78.