Dear Sarah, thanks so much for the wonderful visit to Kent.
I seldom use the word “AWESOME” but that is what our day touring Kent was with you at the helm. Your organized planning and knowledge of virtually every nook and cranny of Kent made the short time we had to visit an enormously satisfying experience that we will never forget. While it was a whirlwind tour because of time constraints, we saw so much of my ancestral history from Godmersham so that I could pay homage to Jane Austen, whom I treasured as my most favourite of authors, even before I knew I had any connection to her or to England; to Mersham ( where much to my delight, much of the original house has been preserved; to Bettenden, Hayle Place, and so many points beyond). I never could have conceived that we could cover so much in the limited amount of time we had. What a thrilling experience for me to visit in person the actual ancient properties of my ancestors, to see where they walked and dwelled, and to first-hand experience the places, terrain, and burial sites for a glimpse into their lives. Just having the six-page will of Margaret Grigsby and to appreciate her astute and forward-thinking distribution of her many assets equally among her six children and transcription of that will alone is priceless, but you also truly brought history alive, resurrecting my ancestral past back to the 1400’s with diligent detailed archival research, transcription of old English documents, and property identification for a fascinating journey across Kent to the countryside properties and parishes of my ancestors that I never thought I would be able to see. You took me places and opened doors for me to the past that I could never have done on my own. It far exceeded any expectation that I had about seeing the ancestral antiquities that I thought were long gone and beyond my reach. Dining at an authentic countryside spot, off the beaten bath at the Three Chimneys, gave us an opportunity to experience traditional countryside fare. I loved the rarebit, something one never gets to have in the contemporary cuisine of the States. It just added another of the six senses to an extraordinary day. The gracious people we encountered in every place we visited was a memorable dimension. One of the highlights to our visit to Maidstone was seeing George Washington’s ancestral crest and learning that it was the basis for the American flag—what a gem to see the origin of it there on the wall of All Saints. Thank you for an unbelievable visit which whetted my appetite to return again and again—in the famous words of little Oliver Twist, “ Please… I want more!” I hope to return again and again.
I enjoyed a really great day out on the 23rd April, taking Marcia and Roger Johnson from Oklahoma around her ancestral parishes. We couldn’t have hoped for a better day or a kindlier reception wherever we went.
First stop was Godmersham church where Marcia was able to pay her respects to her family connection to Jane Austen, next to Mersham, where I expected only to be able to show her the 16th century Wealden Manor built-in 1534 for Marcia’s many time's great grandfather. However, the present owners saw us and with great generosity allowed us to peer into every nook, cranny and quarter of their beautiful house, which they are gently renovating with the utmost care.
A look round All Saints in Maidstone gave Marcia a chance to see the memorial to Lawrence Washington a direct ancestor of George Washington, where she noted with delight that the Washington family crest has stars and stripes.
We also took in a couple more of Marcia’s “family,” homes and ended up at All Saint's church in Loose, where again we were so kindly welcomed. The 1500-year-old Yew tree in their churchyard is a sight to behold.
Next stop for Marcia and Roger is back to Oklahoma with I hope some splendid memories of their first trip to England.
If you would like to see the photos associated with this visit and of my other clients' tours please look at the Roots in Kent Facebook page.
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