The entire Axon family that lived in Walmer, a village next to Deal, originated from James and Sarah Axon. James Axon, an Artilleryman, married Sarah Bailey in Stockport and moved to Woolwich, the base of the Royal Artillery. From there he moved to Hougham, the other side of Dover, where their first child James was born. There is no record of marriage or burial in Deal or Walmer for James the younger so it might be supposed that he died at Hougham.
There is reputed to be a Susannah Axon born in Walmer in 1818 but no record of her exists.
James and Sarah's descendants remained in Walmer for some time, becoming mainly Mariners, also known as Boatmen or Watermen. A Mariner was engaged in supplying provisions to ships waiting off Deal, retrieving lost anchors and ferrying personnel. Some were also Pilots but none were Fishermen, a totally different trade altogether.
Many of the Axons were members of the Walmer lifeboat.
James and Sarah remained in Walmer and are buried in St Mary's churchyard along with many of their children and grandchildren.
They had five documented children, all baptised at St Mary's:
25 Dec 1800 Eliza Axon
24 Oct 1802 David Bailey Axon
3 Feb 1805 John Axon DOB 11/1/05
26 Jul 1807 Mary Ann Axon 1/7/07
18 Feb 1810 Samuel Henry Axon 31/1/10
I will list the marriages and their children later.
AJ