Page:Men of Kent and Kentishmen.djvu/158

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144
MEN OF KENT

James Wolfe,

GENERAL,

The famous Conqueror of Canada, was born at Westerham, in the Rectory House, in 1726. His father, James Wolfe, was an officer, who had served in Germany and in Scotland against the Young Pretender. He entered the army at the age of fifteen, and his brilliant services at Lafeldt, at Minden, and at Lomsbourgh attracted the attention of the Earl of Chatham, who appointed him, though only thirty-two years, to command the expedition fitting out in 1758, against Quebec. His capture of that place, and his glorious death in the hour of victory (September 13th, 1759) are well known. His body was brought to England, and buried by the side of his father's at Greenwich.

[See "Gentlemen's Magazine," 1759," his Life by Robert Wright, and Histories of the Period.]


Nicholas Wood,

Is thought worthy of a place among "Memorable persons" of Kent, by Fuller, though he can hardly be deemed one of her "Worthies." He was born at Halingborne—"a landed man and a true labourer." "He was afflicted with Boulimia, insomuch that he would devour at one meal what was provided for twenty men, eat a whole hog at a sitting, or thirty dozen pigeons." No wonder that the historian has to relate that "he died very poore" about the year 1630.

[See "Fuller's Worthies."]