Walter HODGE was born 1861 in Faversham, Kent, England. He married Sarah Jane KNIBBS April June, 1881 in Faversham District, Kent, England. He died 06 October 1916 in Gravesend, Kent, England. Sarah Jane KNIBBS, daughter of Alfred Richard KNIBBS and Eliza Catherine Payne PONSFORD , was born July September, 1862 in Paddington, London, Middlesex, England. She died 11 February 1910 in Gravesend, Kent, England.


Children of Walter HODGE and Sarah Jane KNIBBS are:
1. Henry Alfred HODGE, b. 21 August 1881

Notes for Walter HODGE:

The first we see of Walter was in 1861, shortly after he was born, living with his parents at Brents, Faversham, Kent:
Henry Hodge Head Mar 32 Mariner Kent Preston
Frances Hodge Wife Mar 30 Kent Maidstone
Charles Hodge Son 2 Kent Preston
Walter Hodge Son 4 wks Kent Preston
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Walter was the son of Henry and Frances Hodge and in 1871, we see them living at Brents, Faversham, Kent. His dad was a mariner away at the time the census was taken:
Frances Hodge Wife Mar 40 Husband a Mariner at Sea Kent Maidstone
Charles Hodge Son 12 Scholar Kent Preston
Walter Hodge Son 10 Scholar Kent Preston
Louisa Hodge Daur 7 Scholar Kent Preston
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In 1881, they were living at 5 Bridge Place, Preston, Kent:
Frances Hodge Wife Mar 49 Wife of Mariner Kent Maidstone
Walter Hodge Son UnM 20 Hooper Kent Preston
Louisa Hodge Daur 17 Dressmaker Kent Preston
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Walter married Sarah Jane Knibbs in 1881.
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In 1891, we see Walter living at 3 Stone Street, Faversham, Kent:
Walter Hodge Head 30 Grocer Kent Faversham
Sarah J Hodge Wife 28 Middlesex Hampton Court
Henry A Hodge Son 9 Scholar Kent Faversham
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We see Walter and his wife in 1901, living at Grays Cottage, Halling, Kent:
Walter Hodge Head 40 Foreman at Cement Works Kent Faversham
Sarah J Hodge Wife 38 Surrey Hampton Court
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In 1911, Walter was living at 172 Old Road, West Gravesend, Kent:
Walter Hodge Head 50 Widower Cooporative Inspector Cement Works Kent Faversham
Henry A Hodge Son 29 Married Foreman Cement Works Kent Faversham
Elizabeth Hodge Wife 33 Married (1 year) Kent Dover
Frances Ellen Hodge Daughter 1 months Kent Gravesend
Eleanor Cooper Nurse 64 Married Nurse Kent Horton Kirby
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From the Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph - 14 October 1916:
DEATH OF MR. W. HODGE. - We much regret to record the passing of Mr. Walter Hodge, of 172, Old Road West, which took place on Friday night, with almost tragic suddenness. Mr. Hodge had been ill for only about a week; in fact, he was able to take walking exercise on the day of his demise. On Friday night his son paid him a visit, and the father passed away in his son's arms. Mr. Hodge, who was 55 years of age, was a native of Faversham, but he had been resident in Gravesend for 14 years as a timber inspector employed by the A.P.C.M.
He was held in very high esteem, and enjoyed the friendship of a wide circle. Amongst bowlers - Mr. Hodge was captain of the Darnley B.C. last year - he was highly popular, not only because of his skill at the garne, but because of his high sense of true sportsmanship. He played this summer for Kent against Sussex. The bowlers sent a very beautiful wreath at the funeral on Wednesday, representing gates ajar, with a dove flying in.
Deceased was also a popular member of the Conservative Club.
Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Hodge, and the only son, Mr. Henry Alfred Hodge, in their bereavement. The first portion of the funeral service took place at St. George's Church, the Officiating clergy being the Rector (Canon Gedge.) and the Rev: J. D. Gedge. The chief mourners were Messrs H. A. Hodge (son), C. Hodge (brother), 0. Hodge (cousin), J. Goldfinch (brother-in-law); F. Johnson (brother-in-law); F. Johnson, jun , (nephew), Mr. Strand. (Faversham), T. Case, B. Knights. A large attendance at the cemetery included Mr. 0,. J. Kean, of the A.P.C.M., Mr, Garrick, Mr, Evans (Hailing), Mr. Briggs (Strood) The wreaths were from his mother; his loving Wife; in loving memory from Char and Em; in loving memory front Harry and Betty; to dear Grandpa from Doodles; Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Davis; Mr. and Mrs. T. Smith; Mr, and Mrs. Everett; Mr. and Mrs. Mallet; Mr. and Mrs. Webster (Dartford); Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Tassell and family (Upnor); Mr. and Mrs. U. W. Briggs (Strood); Bert Rogers (Strood); the Factory Club, Northfleet; Mr. and Mrs. Horrocks and Peggy; Halling Cooperage; Mr. and. Mrs. W. Watt (Hailing); Mr. and Mrs. J. Watt and family (Swanscombe); Mr. and Mrs. Casey; Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Kean; Charlie, Mildred and little Buzz; Mrs. Phipps and family; Freddie and Hubert; Mr. and Mrs. Millsted, jun; Mr. and Mrs. E. Grinham (Strood); Miss Mitchell; Mr. and Mrs. Hault (Dover); J. H. Douglas (London); Mr. and Mrs. Pike (Swanscombe); Gravesend Conservative Club; Directors and Staff of the Thames Steam Saw Mills, Ltd.; Millie and Jack; Tom and Doll; Fred, Polly and Gran.; the family of the late A. R. Knibbs ; Mr. and, Mrs. B. Knights; and Mrs. A. Holland; Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Strand; Mr. and Mrs. F. Willson; Mr and Mrs. E. D. Carrick; the Greenhithe Bowling Club; the Directors of the A.P.C.M.; and the Park House Staff.

Sources for Walter HODGE:

  1. 1891 British Census,
  2. FreeBMD,
  3. 1901 British Census,

Notes for Sarah Jane KNIBBS:

Also known as: Jennie

Sarah's actual place of birth is a bit of a mystery. In 1871, her parent gave it as Aldershot, Hampshire. However, the record of military birth and baptisms says she was born in Paddington, London, when her dad was serving in the 10th Hussars.
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We can see Sarah in 1881, working as a nursemaid for the Barnard family at Dover St Mary Virgin, Kent, England:
Samuel BARNARD Head M Male 35 Chatham, Kent, England Pawnbrok
Elizabeth BARNARD Wife M Female 35 London St Martin, London, Middlesex, England
Kate BARNARD Daur Female 6 Faversham, Kent, England
Milliy BARNARD Daur Female 5 Faversham, Kent, England
Daniel BARNARD Son Male 3 Faversham, Kent, England
David BARNARD Son Male 2 Faversham, Kent, England
Sarah KNIBBS Serv Female 19 Hampton Ct, Kent, England Nursemaid

Sarah's place of birth is given as Hampton Ct, the same as given in 1891. In 1901, she gave it as Hampton Court, Surrey. The only birth I can see for a Sarah Jane Knibbs at that time was in Buckingham District, Buckinghamshire. I think Buckinghamshire is probably the right one.
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She died in 1910, aged just 48.
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From the Faversham News - 19 February 1910:
Birth Marriages & Deaths
HODGE - On Friday, Feb 11th, at 172, Old Road West, Gravesend, Sarah Jane (Jennie) the beloved wife of Walter Hodge (late of Faversham) in her 48th year.

Sources for Sarah Jane KNIBBS:

  1. 1871 British Census,
  2. GRO England & Wales, gave date 
  3. FreeBMD,

Notes for Henry Alfred HODGE:

Henry married Elizabeth Phipps in q1/1910 at Dover District, Kent.
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We see Henry, in 1911, his wife and daughter, living at 172 Old Road, West Gravesend, Kent with his father:
Walter Hodge Head 50 Widower Cooporative Inspector Cement Works Kent Faversham
Henry A Hodge Son 29 Married Foreman Cement Works Kent Faversham
Elizabeth Hodge Wife 33 Married (1 year) Kent Dover
Frances Ellen Hodge Daughter 1 months Kent Gravesend
Eleanor Cooper Nurse 64 Married Nurse Kent Horton Kirby
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In 1922, Henry took over as licensee of the "Miller's Cottage" public house at Shrubbery Road, Gravesend, pictured here in this postcard from 1931.
The "Millers Cottage" dates back to the reign of William III (1688-1702). Built in 1695 the original building has since undergone many changes and transformations but still manages to retain much of its original charm and character.
The premises were still grinding wheat to serve its original purpose until the last Miller to occupy the cottage, one Michael Slaughter Woolett, left in 1842. It is at this time that the premises first became a public house and was registered officially as The "Millers Cottage." The Millers has been licensed to sell beers, wines, and later spirits, ever since.
Centuries ago the Miller's Cottage was the home of the miller who worked in the neighbouring windmill. History has it that he met an untimely death in the mill, and that since it was pulled down years ago his ghost stalks the Miller's Cottage.
Councillor H. A. Hodge, a former mayor of Gravesend, and landlord of the Miller's Cottahe from 1922-1935 says that when he slept in the front bedroom he frequently heard a noise similar to water dripping on the floor.
"Drip-drip-drip, it went on monotonously," he told an "Evening Standard " correspondent. "When I turned the light on it stopped. Although I do not believe in 'spooks' it was certainly strange."

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From the Faversham News - 17 October 1936:
Civic Honour For Faversham Man
Mayor-elect of Gravesend
A Faversham-born man is to be Mayor of Gravesend in the ensuing year. He is Mr. Henry Alfred Hodge, whose father was Mr. Walter Hodge of this town who went to live in Gravesend in 1908.
Mr. Henry Hodge, who has only been on the Corporation for four years, was Cement Inspector for the Admiralty at Dover Harbour works from 1900 to 1909. Then he became wharf foreman at White's Works, Swanscombe. In 1916 he joined the Inland Water Transport Section of the Royal Engineers and served for two years in France. After the cessation of the hostilities he returned to White's works and remained there until he took over the licence of the "Miller's Cottage", Shrubbery Road, Gravesend, at the end of 1922. After thirteen years, councillor Hodge removed, in 1935, to the "Prince of Wales, Milton-road, where he is now the popular licensee. Since January, 1935, he has been Secretary of Gravesend, Northfleet and District Licensed Victuallers association, of which he was Chairman and Vice-Chairman for periods of two years. For many years he has been an active sportsman. In 1910, Mr. Hodge married a Dover lady in that Townj. They have one daughter.

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From the Faversham News - 16 January 1937:
Mayor of Gravesend at Faversham
Visit to His Old School.
PRESENT day boys of the Faversham District Schools had examples before then last Monday afternoon which should inspire them to useful citizenship as they grow up.
One of them is Alderman C. B. Hawkes, who not many years back filled the Mayoralty of Faversham, and a portrait of whom, in mayoral robe and chain, now occupies an honoured position in the main hall of the school where it should serve at an incentive to the boys.
Another is Mr. Henry Alfred Hodge, who in his youth left his native town, but has remained in his native county, and to-day is Mayor of Gravesend, where he became a member of the Corporation some four years ago.
Councillor Hodge, who is a son of the late Mr. Walter Hodge of Faversham, left the District Boys School in 1895. In view of the civic position he now holds it is interesting to note that he started his after school career in an association with municipal work, for he was for a short time in the office of the then Town Clerk of Faversham, the late Mr. Francis Giraud.
Last Monday afternoon Mr. Hodge paid a visit to his old school, accompanied by his wife (the Mayoress) and also the Town Clerk of Gravesend (Mr. H. H. Brown). At the latter part of last year the Mayor of Faversham (Councillor F. W. Arrant) had a similar and very pleasant experience when he visited his old school at Richmond, and it was this experience that prompted him, on learning that an old Faversham boy had been elected Mayor of Gravesend, to extend to Mr. Hodge an invitation to visit his native town. Hence the visit last Monday.
Addressing the School, Mr. Holm said he felt very much the heartiness of the reception they had given him. To be back again in his old school was indeed a very great pleasure to him and he very much appreciated the invitation of the Mayor of Faversham which had brought this visit about. He went on to say that he hoped the boys before him would reach the height of their ambitions. Though it might not be as mayors, they could at all events strive to get to the top of whatever they did. He commended to them a few good maxims. One of them was that if a thing was worth doing at all it was worth doing well, and another was "If you cannot do a good turn, don't do a bad one." He also told them not to be discouraged by failure.

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We see Henry in 1939 living at 1 East Milton Road, Gravesend, Kent:
Harry A Hodge 21 Aug 1881 Licensed Victualler Married
ElizabethHodge 11 Oct 1875 Unpaid Domestic Duties Married
Frances E Hodge 11 Mar 1911 Typist & Book Keeper Motor Trade Single

Sources for Henry Alfred HODGE:

  1. 1891 British Census,
  2. FreeBMD, gave middle name 
  3. GRO England & Wales,
  4. Newspaper Article,