Trish
I have 1841 census from FindMyPast, household living in Charlton Village, Lewisham,, Kent.
The family is:
Richard Marchant age 50 born 1791 in Kent
Mary Marchant age 35 born 1806 in Kent
Maria Marchant age 15 born 1826 in Kent
William Marchant age 13 born 1828 in Kent
Thomas Marchant age 10 born 1831 in Kent
Arthur Marchant age 5 born 1836 in Kent
John Longhurst age 50 born 1791 in Kent
In the 1841 census, none of the household member's occupation was collected so there was nothing there to say what his occupation was at that time. hence my query of him being described as a gardener.
I have 1851 census from Family Search
household living in Charlton Village, Lewisham,, Kent.
The family is:
Richard Marchant age 68 shown as born in Brighton in Sussex(it says Brightling but there is not now nor ever was such a place) in 1783 with the occupation of Victualer Master Licenced Victualler employing one.
Mary Marchant age 48 shown as born in Northiam, Sussex in 1803
Arthur Marchant age 14 shown as born in Charlton, Kent in 1837
Richard's will which describes him as being of the Anchor & Hope Inn in Carlton, and mentions the following children:
Mary Maria Langley, wife of Edward Langley, William Marchant, Thomas Marchant and Arthur James Marchant. - Probate was granted 17/2/1854 in Charlton, Lewisham. Kent
These are obviously the same family despite the inconsistencies and the fact that the 1841 doesn't give Richard's occupation. but that wouldn't help because he wasn't the landlord of the Anchor & Hope in Lewisham until about 1847.
I have found records which show that Mary was the landlord of the Hope and Anchor Inn from 1855 -1858, so she obviously took over after Richard's death.
I have been looking for a marriage for Richard and Mary, and the most likely one I have found is to Mary Harrison at St Bede, Fleet Street, London on 1/1/1818
Clive