After we visited the farm, we headed back to the little town of Bradford on Tone. It is a beautiful little village across the Tone river from the Carpenter farm. To get there we had to cross the 14th century bridge over the river Tone. The farm is not a far walk from the village, I'm sure that my ancestors crossed it many many times. I wasn't sure we were going to make it across though, I couldn't have had more than 6 inches on either side of the car going across. 14th century!! Isn't that amazing? I can't wrap my mind around how old that is. I'm just glad I didn't knock a hole in it with my car :)And then we were met with this:
This is the church in Bradford on Tone where generations of my ancestors worshiped and had their religious ceremonies. This is the church where the marriages that formed my patriarchal line originated. It's hard to describe the feelings. I've listened to people tell about their genealogical discoveries and how moving it is. As wonderful as it is to listen to, it just seems like a quaint little church--UNTIL IT IS YOUR LITTLE CHURCH. This one is mine. I feel like I know these people. Way way way back. Thomas Carpenter and Johana Hurtnoll m. 5 Apr 1630, William Carpenter and Joane Meare m. 14 Jul 1656, Thomas Carpenter and Elizabeth Mare m. 1 Feb 1687, Thomas Carpenter born 20 Mar 1702, John Carpenter born 5 Dec 1746, Robert Carpenter born 4 Jul 1783, and Robert Gibbs Carpenter born 3 Oct 1829. I just can't wrap my mind around those dates. That was a loooong time ago.The town is beautiful.
Only a few streets and a handful of houses. We snapped a few pictures here and there. 
And then we headed to the White Horse Inn for a late lunch. We had heard from the proprietor of the hotel in Taunton that the White Horse in was a nice pub. And we found it to be just that. The service was attentive and the food delicious. I can't wait to take the family back. They'll love the proper English Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about our Greatest Find on our ancestor hunt. Stay tuned.
1 comment:
I totally understand. We visited the St. Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church in Hilperton back in 1993, where my Richmans and Richs had worshipped for a century or more,and it was beautiful. We went to worship there on Sunday also, and met the vestryman who kept the parish vestry books. Genea-gasms galore!
Isn't English pub food great? I love shepherds pie.
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