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This page makes mention of a fascinating fascinating book 'Living in Kent, a family history' by Michael Crux. My copy is about the last of the original run, but I have had a steady trickle of messages from researchers who would have liked to buy a copy. I have now heard from Jason Crux who is able to supply the book. If you would like to know more please email me and I will pass on your enquiry to Jason.
My Great Grandmother was Angelina Crux. In my haste to follow the family line back to its origins I had overlooked the Crux line, until I was contacted by the family on the internet, and told that they had not only researched the name in great depth, but that Michael Crux had privately published the family story as 'Living in Kent, a family history 1289-1900'. What is more, Angelina was in there!
The rest of this page is my version of a brief family history based on Michael's book.
The Crux family name is first recorded in the 12th century in north East Kent. The name is probably based on the Latin for 'cross'.
A fairly definite line exists from the will of William Crux dated1468. By the 16th century there were two lines - those who lived in the area of Medway and the Swale Estuary described themselves as mariners, while those who lived around Hartlipp called themselves yeomen or husbandmen.
One notably affluent family member was John Crux, who moved from Hartlipp to the Faversham area. He had considerable property around North Kent, and contributed to the Faversham Market hall, subsequently the Guildhall. John's will made in 1585, is detailed and fascinating.
On the mariners' side, William Crux is recorded as settling in Dover by 1641.
One of the earliest family 'artefacts' is in the parish Church of Hastingleigh, a village of some 200 souls, about five miles East of Ashford in Kent. Thomas Crux carved his name in the porch in 1653!
From 1798 to 1810 another John Crux was the landlord of the Sun Inn, Sun Street in Canterbury. This was used by Charles Dickens as the model for the 'Little Inn' visited by Mr. Micawber in 'David Copperfield'. In recent years the Sun hotel has been used as part of Debenham's department store but is now back in business as a hotel and tea rooms. Unfortunately my visit coincided with repainting!
By 1839 we find Henry Crux and his wife Mercy listed as running the Appledore Mill. Appledore is a little village 8 miles Soutwest of Ashford in South Kent. By 1861 they had four daughters, but no sons. The mill is pictured at the top of the page, and is an illustration from the Michael Crux book. It was very large, and running it must have been hard work. In 1864, aged 54, Henry sold up and moved to London, where he became a baker.
Edward Hoare, my Great Grandfather, was born inMerstham in Surrey, some nine miles North of Crawley, West Sussex, but grew up in London. By 1871 he was a shopman and corn dealer. We can conjecture that baker and corn dealer would have done business, and in 1875 Baker's eldest daughter married corn dealer.
ŠJohn Hoare 2006
I can thoroughly recommend the Crux family history I have referred to. I believe the print run sold out some time ago. Unfortunately I have lost contact with the family, but please feel free to contact me if you are looking for a copy - e-mail me
