Hi Lyn, I think one of the enduring attractions of Woodchurch is its relative timelessness. Of course, there has been some inevitable infilling of modern houses between older dwellings, and one or two significant housing developments (Bridge Close, Rectory Close, Mill View, Brattle and Kirkwood) but essentially the village retains much of its earlier Edwardian/Victorian/Georgian/medieval charm. Certainly, anyone who previously lived in the Upper Green area during the census years 1841-1901 would have no trouble at all feeling immediately at home in familiar surroundings. Gary Lyn Latimer wrote: > Just wanted to say what an interesting piece this was about the Vestry > meeting. > And I wonder if one of the many unemployed , would have been my husbands > ancestor. Who knows, wouldn't we all like to know more about those times. > I've often wondered where on Upper Green, the family would have lived, it > surely wouldn't look like Woodchurch today. > > Lyn Latimer

Just wanted to say what an interesting piece this was about the Vestry meeting. And I wonder if one of the many unemployed , would have been my husbands ancestor. Who knows, wouldn't we all like to know more about those times. I've often wondered where on Upper Green, the family would have lived, it surely wouldn't look like Woodchurch today. Lyn Latimer ----- Original Message ----- From: "Josie Mackie" <josie.mackie@tesco.net> To: <eng-ken-woodchurch@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:20 AM Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Vestry Meeting > Dear All, > I came across this extract from the Vestry Minutes held at CKS, Maidstone, > a few days ago, and thought I'd send it to the list as it contains so many > names being researched by different members of the list. > Basically it's a partial record of a Vestry meeting held to discuss ways > of providing work for the very many unemployed labourers in the village at > that time. > The Vestry was originally a meeting room in a Church. This gave its name > to the 'Governing body' of the Parish. It consisted of the Rector (often > an absentee in Woodchurch) churchwardens, and some of the more substantial > parishioners. It appointed the Overseers of the Poor, Constable, > Surveyors of Highways etc . > I'd love to know why those who voted against, or for it, did so, but I > don't know of any way of finding out!!! By the way, Richard Hukins owned > a piece of land where the Mill View houses now stand, so I should imagine > the land referred to is from the junction with Susan's Hill up to the Mill > entrance. > best wishes, Josie > 7 Feb 1822 > > Notice the Churchwardens and Overseers will hold a vestry at The Bonny > Cravat on Thursday evening the 7th February inst at the hour of six > o'clock to take into consideration the grubing the hedge from Rich Hukins' > field up to John Parton's mills and level and sloop down the banks and > make the ground in an husbandlike manner fit to be laid into grass, the > Churchwardens and Overseers are to have a just claim to the roots on the > said ground, also to grub up the footpath hedge from the entrance of Stone > lane leading to Mr Parton's mill on the same conditions as the former. > > Voted in favour: > > William Worger > > Gorge Bourne > > Thomas Fullagar Malt > > Thomas Crampton > > William Wells Jun > > Nath Newman > > Richrd Illenden > > John Fullagar > > William Huntley > > Daniel Ditton > > Thomas Fullagar Sen > > John Butler > > Dive Owen > > John Cassingham > > Samuel Hixson > > John Parton > > Jer Morphett > > Shadr Pearce > > Against: > > John Coomber > > Stephen Hook > > William Kingsland > > James Hukins > > Thomas Samson > > William Holyer > > Bart Bishopp > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Dear All, I came across this extract from the Vestry Minutes held at CKS, Maidstone, a few days ago, and thought I'd send it to the list as it contains so many names being researched by different members of the list. Basically it's a partial record of a Vestry meeting held to discuss ways of providing work for the very many unemployed labourers in the village at that time. The Vestry was originally a meeting room in a Church. This gave its name to the 'Governing body' of the Parish. It consisted of the Rector (often an absentee in Woodchurch) churchwardens, and some of the more substantial parishioners. It appointed the Overseers of the Poor, Constable, Surveyors of Highways etc . I'd love to know why those who voted against, or for it, did so, but I don't know of any way of finding out!!! By the way, Richard Hukins owned a piece of land where the Mill View houses now stand, so I should imagine the land referred to is from the junction with Susan's Hill up to the Mill entrance. best wishes, Josie 7 Feb 1822 Notice the Churchwardens and Overseers will hold a vestry at The Bonny Cravat on Thursday evening the 7th February inst at the hour of six o'clock to take into consideration the grubing the hedge from Rich Hukins' field up to John Parton's mills and level and sloop down the banks and make the ground in an husbandlike manner fit to be laid into grass, the Churchwardens and Overseers are to have a just claim to the roots on the said ground, also to grub up the footpath hedge from the entrance of Stone lane leading to Mr Parton's mill on the same conditions as the former. Voted in favour: William Worger Gorge Bourne Thomas Fullagar Malt Thomas Crampton William Wells Jun Nath Newman Richrd Illenden John Fullagar William Huntley Daniel Ditton Thomas Fullagar Sen John Butler Dive Owen John Cassingham Samuel Hixson John Parton Jer Morphett Shadr Pearce Against: John Coomber Stephen Hook William Kingsland James Hukins Thomas Samson William Holyer Bart Bishopp

Hi Josie, I also come through the Thomas Kingsnorth and Mary Fullagar marriage in Woodchurch in 1761. Their children were - Thomas b)1761, Joseph b)1763 , John b) 1765, William b) 1767, Henry b) 1768, Benjamin b)1770 {my line} and finally Mary b) 1773. If you man would like more information on Kingsnorths please get him to email me. The tree was reaearched by Bert kingsnorth and George Fraser and goeas back to Richard Kingsnorth of Pluckley.who died in 1494. Jennie Light message ----- From: "Josie Mackie" <josie.mackie@tesco.net> To: "robertbourne" <robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> Cc: <eng-ken-woodchurch@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 1:42 PM Subject: Re: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Kingsnorth > Dear Bob, > Thanks for your reply. The man who wrote to me said that he was descended > from a Kingsnorth and Fullagar marriage. I presume it was that of Thomas > Kingsnorth and Mary Fullagar, the parents of the Benjamin Kingsnorth who > married Mary Ann Bourne. I do not know however, yet, whether he is > descended from that Benjamin or one of his several brothers (Joseph, John, > Henry, William). Would you like his email address, if you are descended > from same ones? > Thanks again, Josie > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "robertbourne" <robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> > To: "JOSIE MACKIE" <josie.mackie@tesco.net> > Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 10:47 AM > Subject: Kingsnorth > > >> I have a Benjamin Kingsnorth 1770 married to a Mary Ann Bourne any >> connection Bob Bourne >> >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.31/1031 - Release Date: > 9/26/2007 12:12 PM > > -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 842 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

Dear Josie I am strong on Fullagars and their marriages but not their spouse families unless they are direct line. I have had correspondence in the past though and I think the Kingsnorths are well researched. Best wishes - Bob Josie Mackie <josie.mackie@tesco.net> wrote: Good morning all, I have had an enquiry via the website from a man who is descended from a Kingsnorth who married a Fullagar, (Thomas Kingsnorth who married Mary Fullagar 1761??). I have a few details on Thomas' father, also Thomas Kingsnorth. Can anyone assist him further? best wishes, Josie ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Bob, Thanks for that. I have yet to send info to Josie but hope i can get it done on Monday. Cheers Lindsay> Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 07:17:11 +0100> From: bob.chown@btinternet.com> To: eng-ken-woodchurch@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list> > Dear Lindsay> > Rosa is still alive and kicking. Her grandmother, Rosa Fullagar, and my great grandfather Henry Fullagar were siblings. She was still churchwarden when I last saw her but as she is in her late 70's she is trying to retire. Her address is;> > Miss Rosa Bourne> 23 Brattle Estate> Woodchurch> Kent TN26 3SW> 01233-860523> > Have you given details to Josie Mackie of your family emigating in 1838?> > Best wishes - Bob Chown> > lindsay pearson <lkpearson@hotmail.com> wrote:> > Hi Bob,> What a surprize for me. My name is Lindsay Pearson and I live in Brisbane, Australia. About 17 years ago I went to Woodchuch to trace family connections and to visit the village that my ancestors came from. I visited the local church and spoke to some of the locals who put me in touch with Rosa Bourne. Rosa was the church warden and was most helpful allowing me to view the church records. As it turned out we found a connection between the Pearson and Bourne families. We became good friends and corresponded (albeit only at Chrisrmas with cards and letters) for many years. I recieved a card from Rosa every year for the past 17 years until 2 years ago. I thought that strange and my cards were not reciprocated or returned so I lost contact. Rosa liveds at 10 Brattle, Woodchurch. I would really like to contact her again even if it just to say hello. As for the family connection: if you want any info on the Pearson mob I would be happy to oblige.> The Pearson family came to Australia in 1838. One day I would like to get back to Woodchurch.> > Regards> > Lindsay> From: robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:20:09 +0100> Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list> > My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone .> my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from > Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a > little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates I > can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me fascinating > and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne > > > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message> _________________________________________________________________> WIN new Jeep Compass & Off-Road Adventure with Trading Post!> > http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etradingpostcompetition%2Ecom%2Eau%2FOffRoadAdventure%2F%3Freferrer%3Dplace83&_t=763756818&_r=hotmail_email_tagline_July07&_m=EXT> > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message> > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Win a $16K adventure holiday to Rajasthan, India. Enter now! http://ninemsn.com.au/share/redir/adTrack.asp?mode=click&clientID=799&referral=windowslivehotmailtagline&URL=http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/compIntro.aspx?compId=2404

Hi Bob, Re : BOURNES. I am related on my grandmothers side through Mary Ann Bourne b) 1776 who married Benjamin Kingsnorth {son of Thomas Kingsnorth and Mary Fullagar} in 1796 at Woodchurch. Also on my grandfathers side Elizabeth Bourne b)1740 who married John Fullagar in 1782 at Woodchurch. Woodchurch Museum is a good place for you to startas you live quite close. Lots of information up in the research room. Have a look for "My Woodchurch Ancestors" by me. The Bourne tree was originally researched by a William Hook Bourne and now Ken Bourne has taken over all his good work. It is back to 1643 and just one generation missing to take it back to Sir Thomas De Bourne who died in 1294 . Also downstairs there are many exhibits relating to the Bourne family. It seem many people know Rosa!!! Jennie Light. ----- Original Message ----- From: "robertbourne" <robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: <ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 9:20 PM Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list > My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone . > my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from > Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a > little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates > I > can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me > fascinating > and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.31/1031 - Release Date: > 9/26/2007 12:12 PM > -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 842 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

Dear Bob, Thanks for your reply. The man who wrote to me said that he was descended from a Kingsnorth and Fullagar marriage. I presume it was that of Thomas Kingsnorth and Mary Fullagar, the parents of the Benjamin Kingsnorth who married Mary Ann Bourne. I do not know however, yet, whether he is descended from that Benjamin or one of his several brothers (Joseph, John, Henry, William). Would you like his email address, if you are descended from same ones? Thanks again, Josie ----- Original Message ----- From: "robertbourne" <robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: "JOSIE MACKIE" <josie.mackie@tesco.net> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 10:47 AM Subject: Kingsnorth > I have a Benjamin Kingsnorth 1770 married to a Mary Ann Bourne any > connection Bob Bourne > >

Good morning all, I have had an enquiry via the website from a man who is descended from a Kingsnorth who married a Fullagar, (Thomas Kingsnorth who married Mary Fullagar 1761??). I have a few details on Thomas' father, also Thomas Kingsnorth. Can anyone assist him further? best wishes, Josie

Dear Lindsay Rosa is still alive and kicking. Her grandmother, Rosa Fullagar, and my great grandfather Henry Fullagar were siblings. She was still churchwarden when I last saw her but as she is in her late 70's she is trying to retire. Her address is; Miss Rosa Bourne 23 Brattle Estate Woodchurch Kent TN26 3SW 01233-860523 Have you given details to Josie Mackie of your family emigating in 1838? Best wishes - Bob Chown lindsay pearson <lkpearson@hotmail.com> wrote: Hi Bob, What a surprize for me. My name is Lindsay Pearson and I live in Brisbane, Australia. About 17 years ago I went to Woodchuch to trace family connections and to visit the village that my ancestors came from. I visited the local church and spoke to some of the locals who put me in touch with Rosa Bourne. Rosa was the church warden and was most helpful allowing me to view the church records. As it turned out we found a connection between the Pearson and Bourne families. We became good friends and corresponded (albeit only at Chrisrmas with cards and letters) for many years. I recieved a card from Rosa every year for the past 17 years until 2 years ago. I thought that strange and my cards were not reciprocated or returned so I lost contact. Rosa liveds at 10 Brattle, Woodchurch. I would really like to contact her again even if it just to say hello. As for the family connection: if you want any info on the Pearson mob I would be happy to oblige. The Pearson family came to Australia in 1838. One day I would like to get back to Woodchurch. Regards Lindsay> From: robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:20:09 +0100> Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list> > My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone .> my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from > Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a > little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates I > can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me fascinating > and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne > > > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ WIN new Jeep Compass & Off-Road Adventure with Trading Post! http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etradingpostcompetition%2Ecom%2Eau%2FOffRoadAdventure%2F%3Freferrer%3Dplace83&_t=763756818&_r=hotmail_email_tagline_July07&_m=EXT ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Bob, What a surprize for me. My name is Lindsay Pearson and I live in Brisbane, Australia. About 17 years ago I went to Woodchuch to trace family connections and to visit the village that my ancestors came from. I visited the local church and spoke to some of the locals who put me in touch with Rosa Bourne. Rosa was the church warden and was most helpful allowing me to view the church records. As it turned out we found a connection between the Pearson and Bourne families. We became good friends and corresponded (albeit only at Chrisrmas with cards and letters) for many years. I recieved a card from Rosa every year for the past 17 years until 2 years ago. I thought that strange and my cards were not reciprocated or returned so I lost contact. Rosa liveds at 10 Brattle, Woodchurch. I would really like to contact her again even if it just to say hello. As for the family connection: if you want any info on the Pearson mob I would be happy to oblige. The Pearson family came to Australia in 1838. One day I would like to get back to Woodchurch. Regards Lindsay> From: robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:20:09 +0100> Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list> > My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone .> my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from > Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a > little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates I > can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me fascinating > and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne > > > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ WIN new Jeep Compass & Off-Road Adventure with Trading Post! http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etradingpostcompetition%2Ecom%2Eau%2FOffRoadAdventure%2F%3Freferrer%3Dplace83&_t=763756818&_r=hotmail_email_tagline_July07&_m=EXT

Hi Lindsay: I forgot to mention a lateral PEARSON connection as well - through my TAYLOR line. Maria TAYLOR, Mary Ann's sister, married George Crux PEARSON in Cranbrook in Mach quarter 1871. Could this line also relate to you? Regards Martin Willcocks Taylorsville, UT, USA.

Hi Bob and Lindsay: As you may have seen some of my posts in this list, I am descended from Sophia Bourne and Benjamin KING. I haven't traced much of the BOURNE line and don't know if the later BOURNEs are related. As far as I know, Sophia chr. 12 Nov 1789 in High Halden was a daughter of George BOURNE and Winefrid CRITTENDEN, and had an older brother Johnson BOURNE, about whom I know nothing beyond christening 19 Dec 1788 and death 11 Feb 1789. I have not found any other siblings. George BOURNE was chr. 5 Feb 1769, s/o William BOURNE and Susannah, in High Halden, and married Winifred on 6 Oct 1788 at Canterbury. Now if anyone can fill me on on the details of other BOURNEs related to these, please do so!. The only other BOURNE in my tree is Alfred BOURNE who married Mary Ann TAYLOR on 2 Sep 1861 at Biddenden. Their son Alfred Charles BOURNE was chr. 3 Jun 1866 in Biddenden. HTH Regards Martin Willcocks Taylorsville, UT, USA. lindsay pearson wrote: >Hi Bob, >What a surprize for me. My name is Lindsay Pearson and I live in Brisbane, Australia. About 17 years ago I went to Woodchuch to trace family connections and to visit the village that my ancestors came from. I visited the local church and spoke to some of the locals who put me in touch with Rosa Bourne. Rosa was the church warden and was most helpful allowing me to view the church records. As it turned out we found a connection between the Pearson and Bourne families. We became good friends and corresponded (albeit only at Chrisrmas with cards and letters) for many years. I recieved a card from Rosa every year for the past 17 years until 2 years ago. I thought that strange and my cards were not reciprocated or returned so I lost contact. Rosa liveds at 10 Brattle, Woodchurch. I would really like to contact her again even if it just to say hello. As for the family connection: if you want any info on the Pearson mob I would be happy to oblige. >The Pearson family came to Australia in 1838. One day I would like to get back to Woodchurch. > >Regards > >Lindsay> From: robert.bourne4@btinternet.com> To: ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:20:09 +0100> Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Message to the Woodchurch list> > My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone .> my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from > Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a > little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates I > can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me fascinating > and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne > > > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >_________________________________________________________________ >WIN new Jeep Compass & Off-Road Adventure with Trading Post! > >http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etradingpostcompetition%2Ecom%2Eau%2FOffRoadAdventure%2F%3Freferrer%3Dplace83&_t=763756818&_r=hotmail_email_tagline_July07&_m=EXT > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >

Sorry about the email address. I was lucky enough to be given a new computer for my birthday last week and although the new one is up and running with broadband, I'm waiting for my son to come and transfer files over. He's also going to help me change my email address. I'm with Orange (they took over free serve) and since the take over I've had nothing but problems so drastic action is called for. I'll make sure everyone has my new email address as soon as it's set up. I'm sorry, I would have loved to join you and Josie, but I've left it a bit late to get time off. I'm happy to meet at the Museum next time you are there. No I don't have a lap top, but I have fast typing fingers for use on someone elses!! Pauline Pauline Gardiner 01233 860579 -----Original Message----- From: eng-ken-woodchurch-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:eng-ken-woodchurch-bounces@rootsweb.com]On Behalf Of BOB CHOWN Sent: 14 September 2007 07:23 To: ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH@rootsweb.com Subject: [ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH] Pauline Gardiner Dear Pauline For some reason, your email address did not work. Dear Pauline All volunteers are welcome. Josie and I are meeting up at the Centre for Kentish Studies on Tuesday 25th September (11-5). We are going through her transcription of Woodchurch Marriages 1538-1600 to compare with the original. Good fun. Could you make it then? If not, we could arrange something at the Museum. I live at Canterbury so the Museum is 45 minutes away. Do you have a Laptop? Does it have Microsoft Works? I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes - Bob Chown ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ENG-KEN-WOODCHURCH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

My name is Robert Bourne and I live in Maidstone . my family have lived in Woodchurch since the 1700's after moving from Warehorne and my cousin Rosa lives there to date.I would like to know a little about my ancestors i.e. where they worked ,how they lived etc.dates I can find but the everyday workings of the communities are to me fascinating and any pointers would be appreciated Yours Bob Bourne

To add to that last message, the lady's Woodchurch ancestors are James Bourne and Elizabeth Fullagar, so presumably Thomas Henry is a grandson/great-grandson of theirs. Josie -----

Dear All, I have been contacted by a lady who is descended from the Bournes, whose g-g-grandfather was Thomas Henry (known as Thomas) Bourne, b 1849 in Warehorne, died 1883 in Ashford, apparently dying a 'mysterious' death. Can anyone help? I have suggested she try local paper at Ashford for possible report of his death. Best wishes, Josie

Hi Steven, For anything military, it's always worth checking www.regiments.org. Here's a numeric listing of British regiments you might find helpful: www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/lists/bargxrefn.htm Some regiments have very detailed year-by-year deployment and service information. All the best Gary Samson Canterbury, Kent NOW Available Online! 'A Stroll Around the Green' www.goldbern.co.uk/woodchurch/stroll.htm Cole's Neon Shop said the following on 19.09.2007 22:36: > ... the last record of > Richard is 1861 census where he was stationed at Portsmouth Hampshire as a > Sargjent in the 1st Battalion 11th Regiment. I have not been able to track > the movements on the regiment to see where Richard went

COLE, EDWARD WILLIAM (1832-1918), A bookseller, was born on 4 January 1832 at Woodchurch, Kent, England, son of Amos Cole, labourer, and his wife Harriett. With £20 and very little education Cole migrated in 1850 to the Cape of Good Hope and after some success at farming sailed for Melbourne in the Sebim. He arrived on 12 November 1852 and went to the Forest Creek diggings, but soon decided that he had neither the physical stamina nor the gambling instinct for mining. He sold lemonade and saved enough money to buy five blocks at an early land sale in Castlemaine, then saw land values plummet in the slump of 1854. He sold four blocks and on the fifth built a shop which he let to a butcher who never paid rent and years later claimed ownership by right of tenure, a claim Cole never disputed. In 1861 with the photographer, George Burnell, Cole rowed 1500 miles (2414 km) down the River Murray from Echuca, taking photos and collecting seeds of native flora. He sold some of the photos in Melbourne and took the seeds to Ferdinand Mueller for the Botanical Gardens. Cole then ran a pie stall in Russell Street by night, and by day researched at the Public Library, two years later completing 'The Real Place in History of Jesus and Paul'; it represented the first volume of a work which was to demonstrate the desirability of a world religion compounded of the good teachings commonly held by all the great faiths while dismissing as quarrel-provoking myth the accounts of the divine origin and miraculous powers of each religion's founder. No one in the Melbourne or Sydney book trade would consider publishing it, so with the intention of eventually printing and selling it himself he gave up his pie stall and opened his own second-hand bookstall in the Eastern Market, 30 September 1865. Under the nom de plume, 'Edwic', he published the work cheaply early in 1867. Recognized booksellers would not stock it or newspapers advertise it. Copies sent gratuitously to leading churchmen, politicians and newspapers resulted in some scornful pulpit comment and a scathing report in Melbourne Church News, 17 June 1867. In 1868 he published a two-part pamphlet, Religious Sects of all Nations and Sacred Scriptures of all Nations, as well as an essay stemming from his publishing frustrations, Discourse in Defence of Mental Freedom. He then produced a limited edition of a cloth-bound volume, The Real Place in History of Jesus and Paul, containing all the above works as well as a page headed 'Note to the Reader' outlining the material he proposed to elaborate in a second volume. But no such full-length volume was ever completed. An attempt to resume work on it some forty years later, in his semi-retirement, was frustrated when he was unable to find his notes, which he had reason to suspect had been taken and destroyed by a senior employee who strongly opposed his ideas in this field. As a bookseller Cole prospered. In 1873, aware that the Eastern Market was to be demolished and rebuilt, he moved into a shop in Bourke Street East. He turned it into what he advertised as 'the prettiest sight in Melbourne', glittering with mirrors, shining with brass, and with two little mechanical men at the entrance turning over a series of advertising boards which fell against each other with a tinny clash, thus catching the ear as well as the eye. From across the road the eye was caught by a giant rainbow over his façade and his new trade name of Cole's Book Arcade. He dressed his staff in brilliant scarlet jackets and after midday a pianist played popular tunes. In this happy atmosphere customers were encouraged to read the books as long as they liked without being pressed to buy. Enormous public goodwill was thus created and the sale of books, music and stationery was maintained at a boom level. At 43 Cole was becoming rich and decided to marry and raise a family. He was a shy man, so he boldly advertised in a full column of the Herald, 5 July 1875, setting out the qualities he hoped to find in a wife. A month later he married the only serious 'applicant', Eliza Frances, youngest daughter of C. J. Jorden, of Lauderdale, New Town, Tasmania; they had two sons and four daughters. His most successful publication, Cole's Funny Picture Book, appeared with great publicity on Christmas Eve 1879 at the catch-price of 1s. In later editions, as in all his works, he included pars, verses and slogans on his theme of the inevitability of a federated world with one religion. His slogans were embossed on a series of 'medals' which he sold for 3d. as admission tokens to the arcade when the crowds became unmanageable. When the rebuilt Eastern Market proved a white elephant, Cole leased the whole interior in 1879 and turned it into a bazaar, with a band and innumerable side-shows to heighten the popularity of 'his' end of Bourke Street. The City Council was dismayed by such frivolity and for four years raised obstacles to each renewal of his lease. These tactics made Cole think of a bigger arcade where his flair for earning the goodwill of thronging customers would be unrestricted. In 1882 he negotiated the freehold of Augustine Barbete's Spanish Restaurant in Bourke Street; it had a 40 foot (12 m) frontage and a depth of 120 feet (36 m). He virtually gutted it. The two upper floors became circumambulatory balconies so that daylight from an arched glass roof reached the ground floor. To the shine and glitter of his original mirrors and brass pillars he added new and bigger ones. Police had to control the crowds when he opened on Cup Day 1883. To expand his premises Cole acquired leases and freeholds of several properties, and by 1896 his arcade extended from Bourke Street to Little Collins Street. The City Council allowed him to appropriate the right-of-way that ran past the original back door; Cole bridged it and turned it into a fernery with rustic benches and cages of talking birds. His next target was Howey Place, the drab lane at the back entrance of the arcade in Little Collins Street. By further expansion in the next decade Cole converted this lane into Cole's Walk, a section of his arcade, roofing it with glass, lining its grubby brick walls with bright showcases, and dominating its length with another big rainbow over the back entrance of premises he had acquired at 246 Collins Street. This expansion 'right through to Collins Street' was completed by 1900 and by 1904 he owned or leased several properties flanking Cole's Walk and in them had his wholesale and toy departments and a printing shop. In 1898 Cole had bought out the insolvent bookselling business of E. A. Petherick with branches in Sydney and Adelaide. They were converted into branches of Cole's Book Arcade but left largely in the hands of their managers to be conducted as orthodox bookshops while Cole expended all his enthusiasm and imagination on his personal creation in Melbourne. In his years of enlarging the arcade he was constantly introducing new attractions: a 'Smiling Gallery' of funny mirrors; a 'Wonderland' of multiple-reflection optical illusions; a 'Black Man Who Turned White'; a penny-in-the-slot 'Hen that Laid the Golden Eggs'; and a cage full of live monkeys. But above all this razzle-dazzle he created an atmosphere of goodwill which evoked in many Melbournians an emotional response which few, if any, other business concerns in the world ever rivalled. Much of the feeling stemmed from Cole's public sense and deep sincerity. The arcade was his personal joy and fulfilment, and its profits were a delightful bonus, although profit was probably never the primary object of his novelties and altruistic policies. In his later years Cole published several pamphlets on public questions; one, A White Australia Impossible (1898), created such interest in Japan that he received very special attention when he visited that country with his wife and two daughters for six months in 1903. The other pamphlets made little general impression, and most of them were distributed gratuitously. His commercially successful works were compilations and most achieved sales of more than 100,000. They included Cole's Funny Picture Book (1879), which was kept continuously in print, its 1966 reprint bringing total sales up to 885,000; Cole's Fun Doctor (1886); Cole's Intellect Sharpener (1900); and The Thousand Best Poems in the World. After his wife died on 15 March 1911 he lived in semi-retirement in Essendon and compiled a series of books of selected passages from his lifetime reading; the volumes bore such titles as Truth, Home and War, the series being labelled The Cream of Human Thought Library. Many thousands were distributed gratuitously, but sales were disappointing. Cole died at his home, Earlsbrae Hall, Essendon, on 16 December 1918. The arcade was left to managing trustees, but dissension developed and the first losses were shown since its inception. The Sydney branch was sold and under its new management was wound up in 1924. The Adelaide branch was sold to its manager, Benjamin Beck, and eventually became the Beck Book Co. The Melbourne Cole's Book Arcade was wound up in 1929 and the freeholds were sold at auction; the major portion, Bourke Street to Little Collins Street, was bought by G. J. Coles & Co. Select Bibliography H. Williams, The Life of E. W. Cole (Melb, c1910); F. Lincoln, The Burnell Family (Adel, 1948); Table Talk, 20 June 1890; Argus (Melbourne), 13 Nov 1902, 31 Dec 1932; Smith's Weekly (Sydney), 14 Sept 1929; Market Committee, Minutes, 1881-85 (Melbourne City Council); E. W., E. F. Cole and Cole's Book Arcade, letters and papers (privately held); private information. [more]. Author: E. Cole Turnley Print Publication Details: E. Cole Turnley, 'Cole, Edward William (1832 - 1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, Melbourne University Press, 1969, pp 438-440.

Hi Josie Amos was quite a character to say the least he had been twice convicted for misdemenors & 3 times for felonies the sentence in 1825 was for 7 years he severed 6 yrs 7mths I think this was total time for all previous convictions he serve time at sheerness & plymouth the conviction that he was transported for was breaking into a shop & stealing books for which he was sentenced to 14 years this trial was held at Kent Quarter Sessons on the 5th Janurary 1836. His departure was on the 11th April 1836. Harriet remarried in the same year to Thmoas Watson in Rovlenden & raised a new family. Richard & Edward were listed in the Watson household in the 1841 census.Edward immigrated to Australia in 1852 (see attached biography) the last record of Richard is 1861 census where he was stationed at Portsmouth Hampshire as a Sargjent in the 1st Battalion 11th Regiment. I have not been able to track the movements on the regiment to see where Richard went. Amos married a fellow convict Ann Newman/White on the 23rd December 1843 in Tasmania he moved his family to Victoria in 1852 to Barry's Reef about 50klms from Castlemaine. where Edward first settled in Victoria it isn't known if Edward & Amos did ever meet in Victoria. Regards Stevn Cole