ROBERT COLE of Edenbridge, linen weaver (1644-1716)

Robert was baptised on May 23rd 1644 at Edenbridge, the third son of William Cole, butcher (died 1671) and his wife Elizabeth. In his father's will he was left £40 and a pewter dish. When his brother Richard died in 1673 Robert received a further £5. In 1673 Robert Cole attempted to establish himself in Hever but was removed by a magistrate's order. After this Robert became a freeholder of King's Borough and was presumably settled at Medhurst Row in Edenbridge parish. He was described as a linen weaver in the will of his brother William.He married Elizabeth Seares in 1673 at Chiddingstone (January 5th). No one else with the name Seares can be found in Hever, Chiddingstone or Edenbridge at that time.

In 1680 Robert Cole was renting land with a quitrent of 10d from Elizabeth Cripps (manor of Broxham). This land is likely to be Riddings or Riddens, 3 or 4 acres in extent, near Medhurst Row. However by 1689 Robert was occupying a much larger farm named Bellmans, near Medhurst Row, with 85 acres. He was the tenant of Adam Farmer of Skinners Farm, who was himself the tenant of Sir Thomas Seyliard. In 1699 Sir Thomas Seyliard sold the land to Henry Streatfeild of Chiddingstone.

In 1706 Robert Cole, weaver, took John Wells of Westerham as an apprentice. Robert was illiterate. In 1708 he was overseer of the poor for Edenbridge parish. In 1710 he was assessor for the Land Tax, King's Borough.

In 1710 Elizabeth, Robert's wife, died, and was buried at Edenbridge on January 13th. In 1716 Robert's brother William died, leaving 20s to Robert. However Robert Cole also died in this year, though there is no record of his burial. He was aged 72.