Aspects of Kentish Local History

Home
News & Events
  Publications Archaeological
Fieldwork
Local & Family
History
Information
by Parish


Some Kentish Gravestones & other notes

St Peter Church, Bredhurst M.I.s & other information with Index of names

Back to Bredhurst Church Introduction

Section B   East of the church, to the North-East corner of Chancel and to East
                            and South-East churchyard walls

30.   Grey Stone Chest Tomb

All Eroded except for Easwt Side
HERE LIETH YE BODY OF
[J]AS. ANDREWES
[YEO. ?] AT LIDGING DIED
[MARC]H 20th 1658 AGED 45

31.   Grey Stone Chest Tomb, Next to Above


SOUTH EAST OF THE CHURCH
FOREGROUND, LEFT: ANDREWES CHEST TOMB WITH JUDITH ANDREWES
INSCRIPTION ON THE NORTH SIDE, THREE CHILDREN ON THE WEST
SIDE AND JAMES ANDREWES, DIED 1698 ON THE EAST SIDE.

FOREGROUND RIGHT: ANDREWES CHEST TOMB, INSCRIPTION
 ON THE EAST SIDE TO JAMES ANDREWES, DIED 1658 (9)

EAST OF THE ANDREWES: THE CHEST TOMB OF THE EVERSFIELDS, WITH
INSCRIPTION ON THE NORTH SIDE TO THOMAS EVERSFIELD, DIED 1725.
THE INSCRIPTIONS ON ALL THREE LEDGER STONES ARE ILLEGIBLE

SOUTH OF THE EVERSFIELDS: HEADSTONE OF JOHN GROOMBRIDGE

EAST OF THE EVERSFIELDS: HEADSTONE OF WILLIAM AND ANN MILLEN

ON EXTREME RIGHT: CHEST TOMB OF HENRY WHITE AND FAMILY

Ledger Illegible, But Probably:
[JAMES ANDREWES]*
[DIED OCTOBER 1737]
[MARY ANDREWES]
[DIED OCTOBER 1697]

North Side
LIKEWISE HERE LIETH [YE BODY OF JUDITH]
SECOND WIFE OF JA[MES ANDREWES]
DAUGHTER OF [FRANCIS TOMLIN OF EAST]
MALLING, YEO. SHE [DEPARTED YS LIFE]
MAY YE 16th 1720 [ AGED [   ] YEARS]
LEAVING ISSUE [   ]

East Side
ALSO HERE LIETH YE BODY
OF JAS. ANDREWES
OF YS PARISH SON OF JAS.
ANDREWES OF LIDGING DIED
MAY YE 6th 1698 AGED
[  ]4 YEARS


NORTH? SIDE OF ANDREWES CHEST TOMB
INSCRIPTION TO JUDITH ANDREWES, DIED 1720, HIGHLIGHTED WITH CHALK

West Side
ALSO YE BODIES OF 3 C[HILDN.]
[OF] JA[MES ANDR]EWES
[A]ND JUDITH HIS [WIFE]
[   ] JUDITH, JOHN ? AND
ELIZ[ABETH]
* See Supplement for Will

The name of James Andrewes, who died in 1737, was probably on the ledger stone on the tomb inscribed to his second wife and children. This ledger stone is now illegible.
   James Andrewes's first wife was Mary Candler, died 1697; they married at St. Nicholas, Rochester in May 1687. He married Judith Tomlin at East Malling in October 1700.
His P.C.C. Will is dated 5th October 1736, states he is a "Gentleman".
   He is "sick in body". Property and land in East Malling, Bredhurst, Rainham, Boxley Lidging and Gillingham, to nephew James Andrewes, son of his brother, Thomas, for ever.
   To nieces, Margaret, Mary and Elizabeth, daughters of brother Thomas, £100 each.
   To James Golding son of William Golding of Barming, Carpenter, £20. He releases and forgives John Gosling of Larkfield, East Malling, Cordwainer, from £20 and interest which he owes to the testator, on a Bond. Executor is to give Gosling the Bond. Residue to brother Thomas, who is executor.
   Witnesses: John Williamson, Francis Hooper and Fra. Brooks
   Proved 25th June 1737

32.   Headstone


EAST OF THE CHURCH
THE BROAD HEADSTONE

IN
MEMORY OF ELIZTH. WIFE OF
WILLM. BROAD OF LIDGEN
WHO DIED JULY 12th 1774
AGED 63 YEARS
ALSO ELIZTH. MOTHER OF THE
ABOVE WILLM. BROAD
WHO DIED SEPR. 2nd 1752
AGED 80 YEARS
LIKEWISE IN MEMORY
OF THE ABOVE WILLIAM
BROAD WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE THE 11th OF NOVR. 1785
AGED 80 YEARS

33.   Small Headstone and Curbs

IN SWEETEST MEMORY OF
HEATHER (LALLA)
DARLING DAUGHTER OF
J. & W. BROAD
ENTERED GOD'S GARDEN OCT. 31st 1945
AGED 6 ½ YEARS
"Sleep on Beloved"

COUCHMAN see WHITE

DANN see STEVENSON

34.   Vaulted Stone and Curbs

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
MAGGIE
THE BELOVED WIFE OF
THE REVD. B. DUDLEY
ENTERED INTO REST
MARCH 6th 1930
AGED 43 YEARS
"A Crown Well Won"

35.   Grey Stone Chest Tomb, Close to Andrewes


THE NORTH SIDE OF THE EVERSFIELD CHEST TOMB
THE INSCRIPTION TO THOMAS EVERSFIELD, DIED 1725, HIGHLIGHTED IN CHALK

Ledger Illegible, But Probably:
[ROBERT EVERSFIELD]*
[DIED OCTOBER 1730]
[ANN EVERSFIELD]*
[DIED NOVEMBER 1741]
*See Supplement for Wills

North Side
[HERE LIETH] YE BODY OF Mr THOMAS
EVERSFIELD SON OF ROBERT
AND ANN EVERSFIELD OF CHATHAM
WHO DYED JUNE 17th 1725 AGED 28 YEARS

Robert and Anne Eversfield's names were probably on the ledger stone of the tomb inscribed to their son, Thomas. This ledger is now illegible.
   Robert Eversfield, died in 1730 and was buried at Bredhurst. His P.C.C. Will is dated 10th July 1728, he is a Maltster of Gillingham.
   To brother Thomas, 10/6d; to brother William, 21/-, to William son of brother William, 10/6d,to brother David, 5/-, to Eleanor daughter of brother David, 5/6d. To Thomas son of brother Thomas, all the money he owes for Malt sold to him at time of testator's death.
   Residue to "loving wife" Anne for ever, she is also executor.
   Witnesses: James Smith, Thomas Johnson and Charles Smith
   Proved 17th November 1730

Anne Eversfield, Widow of Chatham died 1741. She died in Gillingham, so her will is in the Peculiar of the Deanery of Shoreham, and is dated 1st December 1736.
   She is "weak in body". She desires to be buried "in the churchyard of Bredhurst at the discretion and ordering of Mr Thomas Johnson (Lawyer) and Mrs Susan Cooke, and that £30 be laid out upon my funeral". More could be spent if this was not sufficient.
   To cousin Robert Coveney of Chatham, Miller, £10. Residue, except personal estate, to Mary and Susan Coveney, daughters of cousin James Coveney, to cousin John Goster and James Hammond, equally divided.
   Personal estate to be sold and proceeds equally divided amongst above legatees.
   John Gostera nd James Hammond are executors.
   Witnesses: John Baker and Thomas Johnson.
   Proved 26th November 1741

Administration Document dated 1st January 1743
   Mary and Susan Coveney are minors, aged 12 and 8. It seems the executors have not paid them their share of the estate.
   They agree to appoint their father James, Guardian in Law, to bring a suit to recover their share.

36.   Pedestals, Cross and Curbs

IN
LOVING MEMORY
OF
JOHN ARTHUR FINCH
VICAR OF THIS PARISH
1912 – 1929
DIED 29th SEPT. 1951
ALSO MARGARET ISABELLA JANE
HIS WIFE
DIED 22nd OCT. 1961 AGED 84 YEARS

37.   Double Headstone and Foot Stone, Right Side Eroded

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
JOHN GROOMBRIDGE
L[ATE] [OF] [FRINDSBU]RY ?
WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE THE 6th OF OCT.
1795 AGED 37 YEARS
LEFT ISSUE BY LYDIA HIS WIFE THREE
DAUGHTERS MARY, ANN & LYDIA

John Groombridge was probably a Farmer.
   He married Lydia Millen at Thurnham in July 1785. Daughter Lydia was baptised at Strood in 1790. The headstone, which is very eroded, may well say "Of Frindsbury", which is, of course, close to Strood, and the place certainly ends with "bury".

38.   Small Stone (Flower Pot Holder)

IN LOVING
MEMORY OF
MARGARET HYDE
WHO PASSED TO
HER REST ON 9th
MARCH 1948 A
DEVOTED SERVANT
OF THIS CHURCH
AND LOVED BY ALL
FROM ST. PETER'S
GUILD AND FRIENDS

39.   Coped Stone

GEORGE WILSON LEWIS
DIED 3rd APRIL 1920
AGED 79 YEARS

George Wilson Lewis Living at Erith in 1901, on "own means" (Census)

40.   Coped Stone

ALICE LEWIS AGED 87

41.   Coped Stone

IN MEMORY OF
JOHN WILSON LEWIS
COMDR. R.N., J.P.
BORN 6th JUNE 1874
DIED 3rd NOVEMBER 1960

42a.   Ledger, On Ground

IN MEMORY OF
WILLIAM MILLEN*
LATE OF AYLESFORD WHO DIED MAY 3rd
1829 AGED 71 YEARS
ALSO JANE WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WILIAM MILLEN
WHO DIED MARCH 5th 1843
AGED 74 YEARS
THOMAS SON OF WILLIAM
AND JANE MILLEN
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANY. 22nd
1827 AGED 29 YEARS
ALSO JAMES THEIR SON WHO DIED
JULY 19th 1827 AGED 28 YEARS
ALSO GEORGE PEMBLE WHO DIED
JUNE 22nd 1830 AGED 38 YEARS
ALSO MARY PEMBLE HIS WIFE
WHO DIED MARCH 8th 1845 AGED 49 YEARS
ALSO ELIZABETH THEIR DAUGHTER
WHO DIED APRIL 27th 1845 AGED 15 YEARS
* See Supplement for Will

Thomas Millen's wife was Jane Munn, sister of Mary Landen (see Section A). John Groombridge was his brother in law.
A Farmer of Aylesford, his P.C.C. Will is dated 28th April 1829.
   To son William of Boarley Farm, Boxley, Farmer, and son in law, George Pemble of Lunsford Farm, East Malling, Farmer, his live and dead stock and all personal estate, Upon Trust. They are to call in all debts and sell his personal estate, except money, and invest proceeds in Government Funds.
   During his wife's widowhood, she is to have interest and dividends. After her death or remarriage, investments to benefit of his children, William, Mary wife of George Pemble, Jane with of Henry Baker of Chart Sutton, Farmer, Ann wife of John Harrison of Lenham, Farmer and Cattle Salesman, Elizabeth Munn Millen and Sarah Groombridge Millen both of Aylesford.
   If any of them died in wife's lifetime, then their share to their child/children, if any.
   Any money already advanced is considered part of their share of the trust fund. When trustees die or wish to discharge the trusts or neglect or become incapable, the remaining trustee can, with wife's consent appoint another trustee.
   Wife Jane and trustees are executors.
   Signs with a mark
   Witnesses: W. H. Gunning, Attorney at Maidstone and William Taylor, his Clerk
   Proved 13th November 1829

42b.  Double Headstone


EAST OF THE CHURCH
THE HEADSTONE OF WILLIAM AND ANN MILLEN

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
WILL. MILLEN
OF THIS PARISH WHO
DEPARTED THIS LIFE
THE 20th OF APRIL 1791
AGED 67 YEARS
ALSO
ANN WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WILL. MILLEN
WHO DEPARTED THIS
LIFE
THE  3rd OF FEB. 1812
AGED 85 YEARS
LEFT ISSUE TWO SONS AND TWO DAUGHTERS
"If anyone should wish to know whose dust reposes here,
They were a loving couple and tender parents dear,
They labour'd hard for those they left behind,
And departed Life in peace of mind"

43.   Headstone

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
EDWARD TAPP MILLEN
WHO DIED JANY. 24th 1915
IN HIS 82nd YEAR
ALSO SARAH ANN
THE BELOVED WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED FEBRUARY 11th 1911
AGED 68 YEARS
"They Rest from their Labours"

44.   Large Plot, Granite Curbs

South Side

SAMUEL MORGAN
DIED JULY 6th 1889 AGED 41 YEARS

North Side
ANGELINA MORGAN
CALLED TO REST MAY 12th 1938 AGED 86 YEARS

Angelina Morgan Daughter of John and Angelina Barton (nee Pye). Married Samuel Morgan, Labourer, in 1871 (Register).  In the 1901 Census she is with son John, who is a Farmer.

NAYLOR see WHITE

PEMBLE see MILLEN

45.   Headstone and Curbs

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CHARLES RAYFIELD
WHO DIED 20th JULY 1933
AGED 68 YEARS
"Abide with Me"
ADA ANN WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED 24th DEC. 1943
AGED 75 YEARS

Charles Rayfield, an Agricultural Labourer was son in law to Jordan Naylor (1901 Census)

46.   Headstone

IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
ARTHUR WILLIAM
STEVENSON
1906 – 1985
HIS WIFE
IVY ELEANA STEVENSON
1906 – 1997
THEIR DAUGHTER
MARGARET STEVENSON
1927 – 1933
JOHN ARTHUR DANN
1931 – 1986

TOMLIN see ANDREWES

47.   Chest Tomb

North Side
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF LILY NAYLOR WHITE
THE DEARLY LOVED WIFE OF HENRY R. WHITE
AND FIFTH DAUGHTER OF JORDAN AND FANNY NAYLOR SENR. OF THIS PARISH
OCT. 9th 1922
L.N.W. TO H.R.W. "Our Saviour is Gently Leading them on,
Oh, it is Beautiful"

South Side
HERE LIES THE BODY OF LAURA CAROLINE COUCHMAN
WIFE OF HENRY GODFREY COUCHMAN OF STROOD
AND SIXTH DAUGHTER OF JORDAN AND FANNY NAYLOR OF THIS PARISH
DIED APRIL 19th 1936 AGED 71
"Till the Day Break and Shadows Flee"

West Side
HENRY
RICHARD
WHITE
PASSED HOME
JANUARY 3rd
1942
"The King of Love
My Shepherd Is"

Henry White was a Farmer at Dunn Street (1903 and 1913 Kelly's Directory)

END OF SECTION B

Back to Bredhurst Church Introduction       Back to Kentish Gravestones & other notes introduction

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received
 so that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too
 local history@tedconnell.org.uk