This vintage baby photo is of Charles “Charley” Kent. According to his obituary, Charles Kent was born on June 6, 1814, in Norwick, England, to Henry and Catherine Kent. He was christened at St. Peter’s Mancroft in Norwich, Norfolk, England.
The church still stands in the Province of Canterbury to this day. It was built between 1430 and 1455. On a side note, the church’s bells are supposedly haunted.
Charles’ birthday and christening dates vary based on the available historical documents online. They range from June to July, 1814. His parents were always listed as Henry and Catherine Kent. The church’s name was always the same. He had five siblings.
Based on NY Passenger Lists Indexes from 1820-1891 and his obituary, he immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in abt. 1837/1839 aboard a ship called the President.
He was 24 years old at the time. The ship landed in New York City and from there he made his way to Philadelphia and established a thriving silk beaver hat business. He married Mercy Ann Adams on August 15, 1843, and she bore him ten children. One of them was named Hannah.
The baby photo of Charles and a newspaper clipping of his obituary was once the property of the late H.A. Decker. Mr. Decker’s family is tied to the Kent family thanks to Hannah. She grew up and eventually married into the Canfield family, who married into the Decker family.
His obituary reads as follows:
Death of Oldest Citizen
Charles Kent Passed Away In This City in 97th Year – Aged Man Was Born in England – Came to this Country in 1837 – Manufactured Silk Hats in Philadelphia – Helped Construct Erie
Charles Kent, the oldest resident of this city, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs., Charles Werching, No. 24 Culver Street, at 6:30 o’clock, Tuesday evening, in his 97th year. Last Wednesday, the aged man fell against a machine as he was rising from a chair. He did not complain of pain from any injuries, but that evening he went to bed which he never left, and failed rapidly until his death occurred as stated above.
Mr. Kent was born on June 8, 1814, in Norwick, England, and was the son of Henry and Catharine Kent, members of a wealthy family. He was the youngest of six children, all of whom are deceased. In 1837, he came to this country and settled in Philadelphia, where he manufactured silk beaver hats, which trade he learned in London, England. About seven years later, Mr. Kent moved to Sparrowbush and during the construction of the Erie Railroad through his section, he was employed as foreman.
He was a well educated man and read all the best books that could be obtained and having the use if his faculties until a short time ago, he would discuss interesting topics in an intelligent manner. He was somewhat of a Biblical student and twice read the Bible through. He delighted in related history connected with the Bible. Among the many incidents which relate to the times of more than half a century ago, which Mr. Kent told about was the first engine that ran through the United States and which he saw.
He was an attendant of the Methodist Church. On August 15, 1843, Mr. Kent was untied in marriage to Mary Ann Adams. Her death occurred at Sparrowbush on December 22, 1902. They were parents of 10 children only two of which survive, Mrs. Charles Werching, of Port Jervis and Mrs. David Canfield of Sparrowbush. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
The funeral will be held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Werching, No. 24 Culvert Street, at 2:30 0’clocl, Friday afternoon. The interment will be in Sparrowbush Cemetery.
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