by Jennifer Mills
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Part. 3 and the Finn Survey of Mersham
Part 4 and the Finn Survey part 2
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Part. 3 and the Finn Survey of Mersham
Part 4 and the Finn Survey part 2
Mersham History Website 
Greetings from Western Australia. I am a direct descendent of John Back (1713-1780) who I believe was a farmer and proprietor of the Farrier’s Arms. I am keen on finding out more about John & his wife Lydia and the Back family in general. Any assistance you are able to provide would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Peter Palmer
Hello Mr. Palmer.
Sorry that I have only just returned home to find a message from Jenny Mills who did what I ought to have been doing and checked the MHS website. She asked me to pass on her comments:
I’m sorry I’ve only just seen your message. I moved from Mersham a couple of years ago and have not had an occasion to look at the Mersham History website for quite a while. I’m sorry I have little further info about the Back family other than what is in the Finn Survey. I expect you’ve looked up the censuses and other genealogical info on line. Have you seen the Tithe Map apportionments of 1841 for Mersham? A Margaret Back is mentioned as owning two cottages and gardens that were rented out to Thomas Robus & Richard Howland.
https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/research/tithes/mersham
The name of Edward Back appears in the Fifth Schedule of an Enclosure Act for land at Brabourne Smeeth, Bircholt and Sellinge dated 1822. It mentions a messuage and about two acres in Mersham which was for sale and owned by the Devisees of Edward Back. This info may be on line, but I acquired it in a duplicated booklet by a historian who lived in Smeeth many years ago.
I hope this helps a little bit in your search for the Back family. Regards, Jenny Mills
Entries from Finn’s Survey
Mr. & Mrs. Back of the Farriers Arms, removed to the Bellhouse. ….. son of the same died of Scarlet fever aged 5 years.
Mr. & Mrs. Back Common stature, stout, formerly landlord of the Farriers Arms. William son of the same. Tall, genteel. Steward to Hatch House. Thomas son of the above. Slight. (died) Of a consumption at the age of 20.
Miss Sally Price resided in the house formerly inhabited by Mr. Richard Clarke Snr, grazier and butcher, and after this by Mrs. Edward Back, widow of the so-called Doctor Back by his skill in the art of drugs used in the cure of certain maladies and diseases amongst cattle, etc. formerly of the Bell House but removed from this to Willesborough where I think she died at an advanced age.