I walked round the lovely grounds of The Friary at Aylesford several years ago with my son, daughter in law and grandson, not realising the fascinating history and a (brief) family connection. The Friars website explains that the Carmelite Order was established there in 1242, but were forced out in 1532 following the dissolution of the monasteries. The Friary then became a private residence until 1949, when the Carmelites returned. Amongst the many occupiers in the nineteenth century was Henry Simmonds, an American merchant and hop planter, his wife Mary and their two daughters. In 1861, Henry was apparently employing around 80 men and six boys on a hop farm of 165 acres. It seems as if this household required six servants, one of whom was my 3x great aunt Elizabeth Crayden.
updated by @david-atkinson: 13 May 2020 19:12:16