Looking for any Marchant/Merchant family in Gravesend /Northfleet area of Kent. Looking for more info on William Marchant born c1750's. Do you know where he came from.
Married Hannah Washer 22/10/1777 after her death he remarried Eleanor Pettet 2/10/1781. He had three children with Eleanor, William John and Ann.

He married both his wives at St Botolphs Northfleet Kent.

He was a Waterman (Freeman of the River Thames)
Any contact from any Merchant/Marchant/Washer or Pettet who has Gravesend/ Northfleet connections would be gratefully received

Would you have any conection to a George Merchant/ Marchant who was convicted in Suffix in 1829, transported to Sydney Australia in 1830. I am desperately searching for any connection to his family

Would you have any conection to a George Merchant/ Marchant who was convicted in Suffix in 1829, transported to Sydney Australia in 1830. I am desperately searching for any connection to his family

I have a George Marchant b 1809 Eastbourne Sussex in my tree but know absolutely zip apart from that............the family were Tallow Chandlers by trade and I believe that they came from France as Huguenot emigres, sometime before 1700. This George's ancestors as follows:
Parents James, b 1765 Alfriston, and Elizabeth Relfe, m 1792 Ripe.
Grandparents James, b est 1735, d 1809 and Sarah Piper, m 1757 Alfriston.
GGF probably another James, b 1703, d 1786 Alfriston, but I am stuck here.

Regards, Marcus Marchant

I have gone back as far as 1756 with William Marchant. he was a Waterman. I have no idea where he came from possible France. All I do kniow is that in 1779 he was married in Northfleet Kent, but as yet unable to find parish records to establish his origin. I have no record of his parents - As yet!

Marchant is one of those names that has arisen independently in a number of European countries.

For instance I have Marchant ancestors in Sussex back to 1600s without a hint of any foreign origins.
No link to your Eastbourne ones that I can see.

Hello Marcus, Thank you for your answer
I am wondering if this is the George Marchant that I am looking for. The year could fit. he was tried for House breaking at a place called Lewes On his convict documents it says he could plough, reap and sow, he was protestant, had no family ,was single, no education and a native of Sussex.we do not know the year he was born except that he was 20 when he arrived in 1830. Will see if I can dig anything else up. If I could get hold of the transcript of his train that could help. Marie Hodgkinson

Hi Marcus
You have the same Marchants from Eastbourne .
I got stuck too at exactly the same spot as you have got to until I got lucky . I have the same parents/grandparents at alfriston but before that the Marchants come through Preston which is a Brighton area . Ive been lucky and got the break through so can pass on what I have to you.
Not sure about the Huguenot part though but can now get back to 1400rds in the UK
Hope you get to see this message as your post was a while ago . Regards Hazel

Hope you dont mind me joining in, I was wondereing if you have found any relations From Ore Hastings, as I a couple of names from Eastbourne. Sarah Marchant ie.

Many thanks for responding to the post Hazel. Sounds really exciting and so I would be delighted to make contact of course. I have sent some info to your email. Pls confirm receipt. Best wishes. Marcus.