Our earliest known Osborn ancestor is William Osborn born c1779 location unknown and died in 1849. His birth date is calculated from his death certificate but could easily be out a few years.
The first reference of him is an entry on 11 February 1815 in the West Kent Quarter Sessions records: "I Samuel Scott Esq. do authorise and empower William Osborn of Bromley, to be my gamekeeper with power to kill game for my use. To seize all guns, bows, greyhounds, ferrets, fishing nets etc." Dated 11 February 1815, Registered 17 February 1815.
We know he remained in Bromley with his wife Ann but where they came from remains a mystery, the 1841 census says he was born out of the county. A possibility is dated 13th July 1814 in the IGI - a marriage of a William Osborn and Ann Tickner at Godalming.
Other important dates / events:
27 November 1816 Mrs. Osborn was a Gatekeeper on Mr. Scott's Estate ref an entry in the Vestry Minute book
23 May 1831 Ann died and was buried 27 May 1831
3 February 1840 William was a Gamekeeper for Sir Samuel Scott at Sundridge Park Bromley Kent. ref the information on son William and Martha's marriage certificate.
6 June 1841 The census of this year showed William now aged 60 employed as an Ag Lab living at Hollow Bottom (Plaistow area near Plaistow lane and Nichol Lane) together with son Robert age 15 also an Ag Lab and daughter Harriett age 10. William is shown as being born out of the county.
After June 1841 / pre 1848 William possibly married again, to another Ann ref 6 Feb 1848 baptism of Harriett Jane - to be clarified.
12 April 1849 William died at Plaistow, his Death Certificate (Bromley registration district entry no 52) shows his age as about 70 years, Cause of death - Found in a field, natural causes, His death was registered by the Coroner (possibly CHAS J? CARTTAR or CARLLER), coroner for Kent and Grenwich, on 30th or 13th of June 1849
19 April 1849 William was buried.