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The story of my Pix Family begins with William
PYXE who was born around 1550 in Kent, probably Yalding. He was describes as a gent as were several generations after him. He was a clothier and obviously a man of high standing within the community.
 William is first discovered with his wife Alice Hovenden (from
Tenterden) in a beautiful house known as Hawkhurst Place in Hawkhurst, Kent. The house itself was built about 1480 and still stands today as one of the finest examples of Tudor buildings. It is thought that Queen Elizabeth may have actually stayed here with the Pix Family on her way through to Rye in 1573. This would indeed have been a great honour for the family and the village of Hawkhurst.
The making of a worsted cloth in this area had made fortunes for several men in the area at this time. The thriving business was due to the plentiful supply of wool to be had from the Kentish sheep and good volumes of water flowing in the rivers. They built many mills to harness the energy and sales soared.
It wasn't always peaceful though as documents found have shown. The laws were laid down by the Lord of the Manor and whilst William's social position may have afforded him some privileges it would seem it was also a time when the best course of action was to fight first and argue later when threatened with attack.
 William died in 1609 and his son George took over as the clothier and gent of the family. He also took over the right to bear the Pix Coat of Arms from his father and even today there is a stained glass window depicting this Family Crest in a window of the Church of St Lawrence at the Moor in Hawkhurst.
A new Family Home was built for future generations and this was called Pix Hall. It is situated to the West of Hawkhurst centre and was to remain in the Pix Family until 1703 when yet another William sold it to John Springett whilst he took his wife and children to Ewhurst in Sussex. The clothing industry had all but died by now due to cheaper French imports. When he died, William was buried in St James'
Church Ewhurst and a crest bearing the Pix Arms is carved into the gravestone as a lasting memorial of one of Hawkhurst's great dynasties.
If you can add any information to my Pix story, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at:
jan@janphilippe.co.uk
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Please send e-mail to: jan@janphilippe.co.uk
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Copyright © 2000
Jan Philippe
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