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BIRCH Traction engine - photo taken by my parents, Kathleen R. Hammond (nee BIRCH) & Albert R. D. HAMMOND
Photograph taken by Peter Blanche. Traction Engines and other antique farm tractors and equipment. The picture above is of Banshee, a 1910 Engine, owned by David Birch and operated by his Father, Les (who, just to add a bit of genealogy, happens to be the photographer's father's cousin! This also means that David is Peter Blanche's cousin (photographer) and Les is also his cousin but it gets rather complicated!).
Peter Blanche has a web site called "Kent & Cantebury Resources for Genealogists"
The address of the BIRCH
Farm at Gibbons Brook is : Swan Lane, Sellindge. They are
now involved in a wide range of creative projects, including
the restoration of old steam engines, trains and other
vintage vehicles, the design and construction of wooden
artifacts, such as travelling caravans, refectory tables
etc.
This Photo shows Gibbons Brook in the background with Ritchie (Dick) BIRCH, Pat SEARL and Hazel Searl. The Photo was taken in 1976.
Richard Henry BIRCH (Born 1821 Deal, died 27 March 1904 buried in All Saints Church, Stanford) Founder of the Birch Traction Engine Business at Gibbons Brook.
Richard is my great, great grandfather.
Richard Henry BIRCH (Born 2nd February 1821, ch. 25th February in St. Leonards, Sholden, Deal, died 27tth March 1904, buried in All Saints Church, Stanford) Married on12th November 1842 at St. Peters Church of Monks Horton, Kent. (i) Mary BURTON (Born 1821 Waltham, Died 27th January 1855 in Monks Horton) (parents John BAKER and Elizabeth BOUGHTON) he then married on 9th October 1855 in All Saints Church Stanford. (ii) Sarah Mildred SWAIN (born 1836 Elham village, Kent, England died January 19th 1908, buried in Birch graves at All Saints Church, Stanford ) (parents Ingram SWAIN and Mary SWAIN or Anne Bear) (Notes: Richard was an agricultural labourer, moved the homestead from Monks Horton after 1844. Mary Ann Swain lived with them as his daughter in law. In 1891 census Alice Amos granddaughter is living with them as a servant aged13. Edith Birch was also employed by Richard in this capacity about the same age her main job being to tie his boots that he couldn't reach due to his large tummy.)
This appears to be Richard Henry BIRCH's second wife Sarah Mildred SWAIN (born 1836 Elham village, Kent, England died January 19th 1908, buried in Birch graves at All Saints Church, Stanford ) (parents Ingram SWAIN and Mary SWAIN or Anne Bear). The photo still hangs on the landing of the old homestead at Gibbons Brook.
Alfred John Richard BIRCH, (born 10th May 1898 at Stanford, death recorded as 1989) Photo shows him aged about 2 years
