Hasted's grandfather had been employed as chief painter in the Royal Navy at Chatham dockyard. Joseph Hasted (1662-1732) also a skilled financier was able to establish an annual income of £1000/~. His son was to become a wealthy barrister, he was named Edward, it was his son who between 1740-1744 was educated at the Kings School, Rochester, and then went to Eaton, and Esher. After completing his education he begun life following in his fathers profession as a lawyer spending a short time as a member of Lincolns Inn.

Edward Hasted, the author of 'The history and topographical survey of the count of Kent' was born on the 31st of December 1732 the son of Edward Hasted by his wife Ann of Sutton-at-Hone in East Kent.

Edward retuned after the death of his father to Sutton-at-Hone and in 1755 was married to a local girl Anne Dorman. His grat work on the history of Kent was first published between 1788-99.

About 1785 he left his wife and despite his family wealth and his monumental achievement, the book he worked on throughout his life, he was imprisoned for debt. Released 1802, he lived in poverty for five years until he was given the 'Mastership of Lady Hungrford's Hospital' in Corsham in Wiltshire, by his good friend the Earl of Radnor.

Hasted lived in Wiltshire until his death, aged 79 in 1812. His son was the Reverend Edward Hasted.