On this day I found that December 12, 1830, was the baptism of Sarah Friday in Westwell, Kent, England. This quaint ancient parish, nestled northwest of Ashford, served as the backdrop for Sarah's early life.
The year 1830 was a significant one in history, marked by notable events and changes in leadership: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, leading the first Whig government. Also, King George IV of England passed away, and his brother, William IV, ascended to the throne, heralding a new era of monarchy.
Sarah, my 3x great-aunt, was the daughter of William Friday (1808-1886) and Sarah Chambers (1808-1885). Growing up in Westwell, her life was influenced by the changing seasons and agricultural rhythms, given her father's profession as an agricultural labourer.
On November 15, 1857, Sarah married Daniel Linkins in Westwell. Shortly after, they relocated to Throwley, Kent, where Daniel worked as an agricultural laborer. This marked the beginning of Sarah's life in Throwley, which lasted until her passing on February 12, 1889.
Interestingly, Daniel's elder brother, Robert Linkins, married Sarah's older sister, Jane, creating a further link between the two families. Jane and Robert are my 2x great grandparents on my father’s side.
On This Day: December 12th :
In 1808: Joseph Grimaldi, the famous English actor and clown, first performed his iconic white-faced clown character "Joey" at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. This marked a new era in theatrical makeup and clowning, with Grimaldi's distinctive look becoming a lasting symbol of the clown profession. As a daughter and wife of agricultural labourers, it is unlikely Sarah ever saw a white-faced clown at a performance.
In 1868, The Oaks explosion in the Barnsley seam in Yorkshire claimed the lives of 361 coal miners. A subsidiary explosion the following day killed 27 rescuers. Another incident with my family connection to coal with my grandfather who was a coalman who delivered coal around the villages where he lived and had a coalyard in Robertsbridge Station's goods yard.
In 1889: Robert Browning, the renowned English poet, died. He was buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, and his grave now lies immediately adjacent to that of Alfred Tennyson. This was the same year Sarah passed away. I wonder if Sarah liked reading poetry like I do; could she even read? Many people of her age in those times were not able to.
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| St Mary's Church, Westwell, Kent |
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