Tom Wood
Genealogical miscellany
Dear Tom
T his issue I’m grateful to Kathleen Hollingsbee, from Kent, who tells me she came across the following shenanigans in the Kentish Gazette, dated 4 May 1847.
‘RYE – In our church, on Sunday, an occurrence took place which was as painful as it was disgraceful, originating in a dispute as to the right of a pew. It appears from what we can learn that the pew in question has been occupied by a family by the name of Edwards for upwards of a century and was originally built by them. ‘On Sunday 11 ult, that part of the family who constantly occupy the pew, on coming to church found that a lock had been put on the door and they were prevented from entering. Before the commencement of the evening service, the lock was taken off quietly, and they occupied the pew without books or cushions, these having been taken away,