FAMILY HISTORY

1506 - OUR EARLIEST ANCESTRAL RECORD is believed to be for my 10th great grandfather John Ridge born at Ovingdean, Sussex, into a family of yeoman farmers. Henry VII was King of England and his son, the future Henry VIII was courting Catherine of Aragon. Ridges have made their marks worldwide including formation of the Royal London  Mutual Insurance Ltd. John & wife Agnes Pollington lie in St Wulfran's Churchyard

1506 - OUR EARLIEST ANCESTRAL RECORD is believed to be for my 10th great grandfather John Ridge born at Ovingdean, Sussex, into a family of yeoman farmers. Henry VII was King of England and his son, the future Henry VIII was courting Catherine of Aragon. Ridges have made their marks worldwide including formation of the Royal London  Mutual Insurance Ltd. John & wife Agnes Pollington lie in St Wulfran's Churchyard

1777 - 4th great grandmother Elizabeth Atherall of Atheralls Farm, Fletching, East Sussex gave birth out of wedlock to Sarah Wood, father being John Wood a butcher from Horsted Keynes. See the full story from records below.

1781 - On 4th May 1778 John Wood and Elizabeth Atherall were married at Fletching church and more children followed including William in 1781. Uncle William Wood was destined to become spy, Paris Embassy chief of staff, smuggler, & rose grower. See more below.

1805 - On 7th May Sarah Wood, domestic worker, married Stephen Fleming, gamekeeper, at St Bartholemew's Church Maresfield, East Sussex. 

1815 - On 1st July Sarah Fleming gave birth to son George at home on the Buxted Park Estate, East Sussex.

1828 - Stephen Fleming died in October at home. He was well known for being a crack shot. See below.

1830 - On 23rd November, George Fleming left home to work as Stewards Room Boy for the Duchess of Kent at Kensington Palace. He was to remain in Royal Service for 55 years. See below video.

1831 - In August, 8 months after joining the Palace Household, George Fleming accompanied the Duchess and 12 year old daughter Princess Victoria for a 2 month holiday at little Norris Castle on the Isle of Wight, the first of many visits and tours around the British Isles during the next 5 years.

1837 - On the 20th June Victoria became Queen and appointed George Fleming as her Footman for the transfer to Buckingham Palace.

1839 - Gorg Flming marrid Mary Ann Goldsmith from Tunbridg Wlls, Knt, in London on 20th January. Thy had mt 5 yars prviously during a Royal visit and Gorg had organisd a job for hr at Knsington Palac.

1855 - Ptr Farrll was born in Cumbrland St County Dublin on 3rd May to Patrick and Marianna Farrll (N Dring)

1856 - Sarah Fleming, nee Wood, died in July at Windsor, Berks, probably at son George's home,  Adelaide Cottage in the Home Park, Windsor Castle

1895 - Gorg Flming did on 3rd March at his hom in Acton, Middlsx