July 2021 Family History in Lincolnshire Part 1

The church of St Swithun, Leadenham has a headstone for a Judson family member and a headstone for Thomas Snaith. Judson is the family name of Tony’s mother and Sarah Snaith was my great great great grandmother on my maternal line. I am trying to prove these families knew each other and how they are connected to these two headstones. I’m not sure how many years this will take !

We had an exceptionally good week visiting all the villages the Judsons lived in. Lincolnshire, apart from the likes of Skegness and the seaside towns, is a very underrated county. A great part of it is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) and it’s not all flat!

So off to Rippingale one of may villages with a beautiful sign

Then Haconby

Notice how the tower leans

Bourne:

Bourne: The church was not open but we found other things that took our eye…….

A good sentiment above and below
Britain in Bloom garden adjoining the Public Loos!
Knowing quite a lot about bed bugs and how to get rid of them don’t believe this message! Happy to pass on my knowledge!

Edenham. An idyllic church with former wealthy patrons:

Carved angels adorn the roof
Many elaborate figures like this one of Lord Willoughby
And many elaborate tombs in quite good condition. As agricultural labourers the Judsons could not have afforded a headstone.

Next to Witham:

What a lovely welcome for a visitor. The flower arrangers should be very proud of themselves. Simple but very effective.
Now what could be in here? What happened in 1683? See end for an indication.

The notice board of Little Bytham. Intrigued by saints we had never heard of. Wikipaedia gives this information

The church of St Medardus and St Gildardus in Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, England, is a Grade I listed building. It is dedicated to two 6th-century French saints, St Medard and St Gildard (or Medardus and Gildardus); the dedication is unique in the UK. Virtually unknown in Britain, St Medard is still well known in France, with at least 25 towns or villages named after him (as St Médard or St Méard). Gildard, thought to be his brother, is less well known. The village fête is held annually on or near St Medard’s feast day, 8 June.

So off to Castle Bytham where one of the Judsons was a Publican and where Tony’s direct ancestors lived. Nice village complete with duck pond.

Church was unfortunately closed when we were there. We have taken notes of keyholders for future, hopefully non Covid visit.
The castle in Castle Bytham

Swayfield next:

And the Grantham Canal How could we not visit it?

Parts of the canal are being restored but a major road like the A1 is a major obstacle!
Covered in weed strewed with rubbish! A promising mooring pontoon is now decaying, and all rather sad after evidently hard work.

So exhausted after a busy day it’s back to Wagtail Park

Re chest above: In the winter of 1683/84 even the seas of southern Britain froze and a frost Fair was held on the Thames and on 6 June 1683 the Ashmolean Museum opens as the world’s first university museum.

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