Saturday 26 September 2009

Catching up with the Spong's in Aylesford

The girls enjoyed their late night swim at the hotel in Maidstone with Grandma and Poppa before getting a good nights sleep ready for another big day! This time we were off to Aylesford for the morning (which wasn't far away - and our main reason for staying over) to have a look at the church and burial site of Mr John Spong. Gail and Philip found this place last time they were here and wanted to show Nan. John Spong was one of June's ancestors (her maiden name was Spong) and it seems he was quite an important/wealthy man with an impressive grave stone - with a fence and all!


Inside the church is a plaque that represents some of what is written on the headstone outside - which is deteriorating, so it was nice that we got to go inside the church and have a look. It was very interesting to read on the plaque (below) that John's wife died 25 years after him (at the age of 92) on the exact same day and the exact same month!!


It was a nice little church and well looked after, they were actually having a working bee while we were there!



Aylesford's very old bridge (about 800 years old) with the town and church in the background.


4 comments:

Bride said...

how cool to be able to visit your ancestors grave stone... looked pretty impressive too.
The bridge looks a little like the old bridge in Richmond! 800 years old... wow!

Nettie's Blog said...

I have just caught up your blog ...lovely to have all those visitors (and family at that)...to stay and to show around..... caught up with Gayle and Philip today ...they look so relaxed after their trip... and grandma King looks great (as ever)
that ancestors grave of hers is a blow away.... amazing...

Rach said...

Hi Han, long time between reads... but I have actually managed to write some on my won for once. I'm planning a long session to catch up on your creative writing and wonderful history lessons... maybe I can use some of it if I'm teaching tomorrow??

Gail Challis said...

It is a quaint little town.... glad we could share some family history with the family.

Because everyday is different and we can't remember them all, I thought I had better start writing them down. Welcome to life in the Challis home - where everyday is different!