Nick,
While visiting Tynemouth Priory in Northumberland I found a very large headstone which read:
"Sacred To The Memory of Annie Louisa Kewney, age 13 years and 5 months - Eldest surviving daughter of George and Anne Kewney, whose gentle spirit took flight to everlasting rest on the 18 day of March 1856 and whose earthly remains are deposited in a vault beneath. Kind, affectionate and generous, ever ready to yield her own wishes to the wishes of others when innocent. Her loss has created a great grief in the hearts of her parents which time alone can assuage, but can never efface. A loving child she was of looks serene and motions which o'er gentleness from whence they came."
The following was written on the back of the stone:
"She is not dead - the child of affection but gon into that school, where she no longer needs our stillness and seclusion by guardian angles led, safe from temptation, safe from sins pollution she lives whom we call dead."
My husband and I were in England for a year and a half. We visited a lot of priories but this is the only inscription I ever copied. I thought it was beautiful and it touched my heart. Even after almost 150 years the emotions it brought to surface was as if it had happened only yesterday. Nick, if these are your people you come from a choice family.
An IGI Record lists George Kewney marriage to Anne Rayson, 11 Oct 1836, Holy Trinity Micklegate, York, Yorkshire, England.
Another IGI lists Ann Rayson, Christening: 1 Oct 1815, Saint John Ousebridge, York, Yorkshire, England. Father: Thomas Rayson, Mother: Ann
Christ Church - Parish of Tynemouth in County of Northumberland [Fill Roll M.709]
Record of burrial:
Annie Lousia Kewney, bur:21 Mar 1856, 13 yrs.
Parents: George and Anne Kewney
Residence: Northumberland Square
Northumberland Census 1881 [order of information: name, age, sex, relation to head of household, marriage status, occupation, head of household, where born.
-Anne Kewney, 65, F, visit, W, -, Stanley Kewney, York City.
-Blanchard C. Kewney, 23, F, visit, U, -, Stanley Kewney, North Shields.
-George S. Kewney, 6, M, son, -, scholar,
Stanley Kewney, Tynemouth
-Gurtude A. Kewney, 23, F, visit, U, -. Stanley Kewney, North Shields.
-Henery G. Kewney, 12 m., son, -, -, Stanley Kewney, Tynemouth
-Stanley Kewney, 37, M, Head, W, Solicitors Clerk, -, Grantham Lin. Co.
Nick, I would be interested in knowing if these are the Kewneys for which you are looking. I may be returning to Northumberland late spring and I would be willing to photograph the headstone if it is the right family. Judy Wilkinson
gofish@cache.net