MARSH FAMILIES OF KENT
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS & MEMORABILIA
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Many family researchers are the proud possessers of family heirlooms,
some of which have interesting stories attached to them. Where permission
is given, photos of such heirlooms are included with family charts that
I publish. However, I have a long way to go to get all of the information
I have at hand published. My thought is that some proud owners would like
to have images of, and stories associated with, their possessions given
some special attention. I am opening this page with two items that I have
the fortune to possess. Do you have something that would be of interest
to other researchers? Please send details and photos to me for posting.
Bill Marsh June 2002
Samplers
A "sampler" is a small piece of embroidery, worked as a sample of the beginner's
skill. During the 17th - 19th centuries every little girl worked her "sampler."
Typical contents were the alphabet, the worker's name and age, and the
date. However, more intricate designs were often used. The following images
are of an exceptional "sampler" completed by Mary Palmer, aged 9 years,
November 10 1829.
How did I come to be in possession of this sampler? When we first
started family research, my brother Ernest and I had some problems establishing
the parents of my grandfather, John Marsh - too many John Marsh's.
My brother agreed to pursue the Marsh line and I started contacting living
relatives on my mother's side. I soon discovered that I had a 2nd
cousin living on the west coast of Canada, her grandfather was the brother
of my grandmother. I made contact with Marjorie and she was happy to come
east to Ottawa to visit me and we maintained phone contact for some time
after. Unfortunately, Marjorie succumbed to cancer. Marjorie was the last
survivor of her line of the Francis family and when she died the sampler,
embroidered by her great grandmother, was passed to me.
Glass Rolling Pins
In the 19th century, glass rolling pins were often bought as love tokens
by seamen for their Valentines. They were frequently decorated with nautical
motifs or sentimental inscriptions. Some served the practical functions
of carrying tea, flour, sugar, eau de cologne. Those carrying salt would
be guarded as a charm against ill fortune. If a glass rolling pin were
broken it was considered an ill omen.
The rolling pin shown below is decorated either side of the name John
Marsh with two pictures of a ship the "Duke of Wellington." According
to information received from the Royal Naval Museum the "Duke of Wellington"
was a screw first rate, originally named HMS "Windsor Castle" and renamed
on 1 Oct 1852. She saw harbour service from May 1863 and was sold on 12
April 1904.
The rolling pin above was handed down through the family from my great
grandfather, John Marsh (1840-1901). The assumption is made that he originally
came into possession of it in 1856 when he was 16 years old. Its original
significance is not known. Perhaps it was a gift from John to his future
wife, my great grandmother, Mary Ann Care.
Family Bibles
Many people starting family research, are delighted to discover a family
bible containing names and dates of events, a dedication to a son or daughter,
etc. One such researcher, Mrs Linda (Fisher) Welch, got her start
this way. Below are images of the Fisher family bible. Please see the Lyminge
Web page.
Fisher Family Bible
Photos courtesy Mrs Linda (Fisher) Welch
