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John Blechynden 1612-1701
I have found it hard to find the time to write recently as we have been very busy preparing for and then getting used to living with a lovely family from Ukraine. But its about time I set out a little more about another of the Blechynden clan, namely John Blechynden, son of Thomas Blechynden… Continue reading
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Peter Wentworth MP, died 10 November 1596, Tower of London
Peter Wentworth MP died in the Tower of London on his third stay there. His wife Elizabeth Walsingham, also died in the Tower a few short months before hand. She had been given permission to stay with her husband in the Tower and he described her as “my cheifest comfort in this life, even the… Continue reading
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Tudor Crispes, Crayfords and Blechendens
Today I’m returning from digging into the English Civil War to Tudor times to look at the family links between the Blechendens of Aldington, the Crispes of Quekes and the Crayfords of Great Mongeham. Apologies for the Tudor Crisps reference in the heading – they were my favourite snack when I was a child and… Continue reading
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Margaret Blechynden’s Last Will and Testament, 1682
Margaret Blechynden (nee Aldersey) died in c 1683. Her will was first published in 1682/3 but then republished in July 1683 “least it should be lost”. It is worth reflecting on the will because it shows that she was not just the wife of a cleric (albeit one who initially enjoyed noble and Royal patronage)… Continue reading
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Rev. Francis Blechynden, 1601 – ?
Today’s post is to record what I know about Francis Blechynden, son of Humphrey Blechynden of Aldington and younger brother of Dr Thomas Blechynden. Francis was born in Aldington in Kent where he was baptised on 3 May 1601. Although a younger brother and Humphrey’s third son he also had the opportunity of a good… Continue reading
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Thomas and Margaret Blechynden – the impact of the English Civil War
This second post on Dr Thomas Blechynden and his wife Margaret focuses on the civil war years and beyond. For the first post click here. The start of the English Civil War in 1642 was a difficult time for Thomas and Margaret Blechynden and their four young children. Thomas was summarily ejected from the clergy… Continue reading
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Dr Thomas Blechynden and Margaret Aldersey
This post will focus on Thomas Blechynden, Doctor of Divinity, and his wife Margaret Aldersey. Dr Thomas Blechynden was a distant cousin of Thomas Blechenden. They were direct decendents of James Blechenden but decended down the lines of his two wives. The Thomas Blechenden who married Elizabeth Boys inherited the family home of Simnells in… Continue reading
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My Boys Family Connection
Today’s post reflects on the links between the Blechendens and Boys family in Kent. I almost entitled this post “my connection to Boys” but thought better of it when I realised that it might attract the wrong sort of internet traffic! Anyway, back to the serious stuff. I have tracked down quite a large number… Continue reading
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John Blechenden of Kennington (Part 2)
This second post on John Blechenden focuses on his later years including his two marriages to Margaret Ashenden and Frances Blechenden and his children. We don’t really know where John spent his childhood or as a young man and the first record we have which gives us any clues is in 1576 when John would… Continue reading
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William Blechenden, Captain of Walmer Castle (Updated)
This post is about William Blechenden, the son of James Blechenden of Aldington and grandson of William Blechenden of Mersham and Agnes Godfrey. William was the second appointed Captain of Walmer Castle whose specific role was to command a small garrison on the south coast of England to help prevent any foreign invasion but who… Continue reading
About me:
Hi – I’m Alison. I started this blog a few years ago to try and get behind a family history brick wall. Along the way I discovered the Blechynden family and write about them a lot. I have also added pages of transcribed wills in the hope that others will find them helpful.