Bonnington, where we found a pretty church and the Royal Military Canal was not Bilsington. I had failed to spot the church at Bilsington on the map which was why we went to little Bonnington. For Bilsington is a place with family history interest for me.
Not long after I took up genealogy, I came across others with an interest in the Kesby surname. My Great Granny Ware had been Sarah Jane Kesby. These other folks, notably a Judy Smith and a David Kesby had researched the family back and the starting place was Bilsington. When 6 greats grandfather, John Kesby was born in 1724, it was at Bilsington that he first saw the light of day. I’d assume that, as we have a date of 17th November, he was baptised there as well.
So, to Bilsington we went.
Bilsington does seem like a bit of a step back in time. There’s a wooded duck pond, with mallards slumbering in the shade. And sheep graze the churchyard.
They don’t seem used to visitors.
Bilsington is on a hill, away from the bad air and poor health of the Romney Marsh area that prevailed at the time of John Kesby.
A bell had been hung in the churchyard. It was not set up for ringing.
Sheep may safely graze amongst the lush grass around the graves.
The font in the church. Was 6 greats grandfather here? I imagine so.
There were fragments of old glass here at Bilsington.
And here, in that fabulous June weather, is Bilsington church.
Something else which took the eye at Bilsington was the obelisk. John Kesby would not have known this.
This was at the high point near the village so we could see some of the houses.
We walked up to it.
How confusing is that now. South is at the top of the map but of course, that was the way we were facing.
The view from the hilltop – as you may have read on the map, it is only 75 feet above sea level.
Maybe later Kesbys knew the notorious Ransley. John would not have done for he died in 1775.
A couple of walkers up by the obelisk.
We came off the hill via the cricket pitch – a lovely spot.
