Howard - yes, there was a good piece in both papers regarding the plaque.
I have suggested to Derek Leach his diary might make a good subject for a book.
There is a link to the unveiling:
[URL]
[/URL]
Thomas Pattenden was a most interesting character of Dover and in 1819 he left about £800 (a small fortune then) to St Marys church, to go towards the upkeep of his memorials in the churchyard, and some to poor widows of Dover. The memorials were broken on removal of a tree, we think about 1920 and not replaced. The plaque now will serve as a reminder. His diary is on film at Dover Ref Library. He had a drapery business and was a tax assessor for Dover. Included in his diary, amongst many other things are some refs to taxes, viz:
"Th 31 Aug 1797 Went to the Court Hall as Assessor to make the additional taxes and those on the Watches and Clocks, present Mr Finnis Mayor, Mr Wm King and Mr Phini~ Kennett Clerk.
"Tu 28 Sept 1797 At 3 went to the Court hall and gave in the Book for the New Taxes, there was only Mr Wm King and Mr P.Kennett there;
the Town Book was for:
Inhabitated Houses £71.3.5 ½d; Male Servants: £6.3.9d; Riding Horses: £5.16.3d; Husbandry Horses: £10.13s.9d. 20 per cent: £18.14.10d.
205 Clocks, 31 Gold Watches, 235 Silver Watches: £73.10s. Total: £186.2s. 0 ½ d;
and references to a variety of other things happening in Dover viz:
"Wed 7 Nov 1798 This day the sea rolled into the Bay very heavy and washed away a deal of beach between Gardeners and Igguldens jetty and beat down Mr Witherden's pales running quite through into the field.
"W 14 November 1798 This morning between 1 and 2 o'clock the town was alarmed by the Drum beating to arms and the cry of fire which was at Br Bowles the Bakers near the Sluice Bridge. It consumed the Bakehouse only but was providentially put out without injury to the house or neighbours."
Advertisements of Thomas Pattenden's business appear in the Kentish Gazettes, eg in January 1790: PATTENDEN was selling Face Whitener.
Here is a picture of the Pattenden grave, 1908 from Dover Express: