Poor old Richard Johnson

Most of the graves in Tonbridge Parish church are 18-something. I was very surprised to spot this one dated 1686. A quick bit of internet research revealed that poor old Richard Johnson was run through with a sword by Edward Lymbry on 21 July 1686. Richard died the next day. Edward Lymbry was hung.

What surprised me even more was that I could still read the writing after all these years. Most old graves are so weathered they are impossible to read.

It does not say how old he was, but you can read that his wife died in 1730 aged 81, thats 60 years later.