James Relf died, 7 Jan 1871, age 83;
Kezia (note spelling - no 'h'),Relf died, 16 Nov 1868, age 77;
Rosamund Edith Relf, their grand-daughter died, 1 June 1870, age 2yrs 2 mths;
(Interesting to note these 3 inscriptions were on the BACK of the headstone)
Rena Anne Emily Relf, daughter of Rich'd and Anne Relf died, 28 Mch 1875, age 12; Also, Rosetta Ann, their daughter (wife of Fred Hobden) died 11 Apr 1870, age 21 and her infant son 4 days. (Note - found on back of headstone).
Richard Elkanah Thomas Relf (Dick) died, 29 Dec 1924, age 59;
Ann Relf died, 9 April 1896, age 68;
Richard Relf died, 17 Feb 1915(6), age 87.
Susannah Holland daughter of James and Kezia Relf died, ?4 Feb 1895, age ?60th year.
Ebenezer Chapel Cemetery, Broad Oak, Heathfield
Jemima Relf died, 1 Nov 1886, age 61;
David Relf died, 17 Jan 1901, age 77.
Richard Asher Relf died 13 Dec 1937.
Also Jane Alma Relf wife of above died ?
Again, my wonderful hostess loaned me two books of photographs of old Heathfield and I was able to glean some interesting information.
I found mentions of Kezia Relf's (nee Collins) parents, Joseph and Kezia Collins in 1788, living at Keepers Cottage, Heathfield Park (probably Game Keeper). They could see a way to make money by force feeding chickens and transporting the dressed birds to London on the newly established train line from Heathfield. I discovered, at the Records Office in Lewes, that Kezia had five other siblings, Kezia being the eldest.
From the loaned books, I found a photograph of the Harmer House built in 1661. Sally and I tracked it down. The current owner was erecting scaffolding to remove the paint covering the bricks. He very kindly invited us in. I now have the name of a local person who could check his family trees, (there is a large Harmer Society and they had just met) and see if our Jemima Mepham Relf (nee Harmer) is among his information. I also found a Harmer and Mepham marriage in 1790, which could lead to her parents.
I got lost trying to find Sally initially and while asking a gentleman who was cleaning his car, I looked over the road and saw C.F. Relf. Butcher, Horam. I understand his name is Craig Relf and my lovely hostess knew his mother who lives nearby. Does anyone have him charted.
Question? Do you have a record of Jemima Mepham Harmer's birth? I have 30 Nov 1821 (a little math from her headstone age puts her at 1825). I would like to know her parents' names as I wasn't able to find her christening details at the Record Office in Lewes in the 2 days I was there.
Yvonne Relf, #033
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James Relf
Page last revised July 2006.