Numerous Hendon researchers have attempted to discover the English ancestry of Richard and Josias Hendon. Some, like Olive Stone and Grace Hendon Chancey, started this quest as early as the 1950s. In 1977, Mrs. Chancey authored "The Hendons From Gunpowder River", and some of Mrs. Stone's research was utilized in the book. Theories about the English ancestry of the Hendon brothers was discussed, but the connection was never made.

In May 1999, I was contacted by Graham Steer, a HENDEN family historian who resides in England. This launched a series of correspondence between us. He and his colleagues have done some excellent,  detailed research on their Henden ancestry, which connects to Richard and Josias Hendon. Evidently, the spelling of the name changed during the seventeenth century.

HENDEN descendants in Great Britian are just as passionate about their roots as we Hendons  in America are. A Henden / Hendon Reunion was scheduled for September, 2000 in England. Graham Steer and Harry Hendon (of California) hosted the event. Nineteen Americans attended the reunion (see: photos ), which celebrated the 340th wedding anniversary of our ancestors, Sir John Henden and Northamptonia Hayward, who were married August 28, 1660. We gathered at St. Leonard's Church in Streatham, where the wedding transpired.

Other highlights of our ten-day pilgrimage included visiting the Kent villages of Woodchurch, which includes a fifteenth century Henden ancestral home (see: Henden Place ), and Biddenden, where another Henden home (see: Biddenden Place ) is located. The latter is now occupied by Jennie Danczak and her family. Jennie graciously hosted a tea for us Americans, which included a tour of the house's interior. Sightseeing in London capped our trip.

Harry Hendon has engaged a professional genealogist, Margaret Lewis, who specializes in Kent research. Her work has been fruitful. Between Graham, Harry and Margaret, our roots in England are becoming more evident. All three have been generous with their findings and deserve our heartfelt appreciation.

John Henden of Somerset, England recently forwarded a copy of a drawing of another Henden home, (see: Barrow House ). The house was purchased by William Hendon in the latter part of the 17th century. It was located at Barrow Gurney and remained in the Henden family for almost a century.

My kinsman and good friend, Graham Steer, has provided abundant information on our English ancestors, which can be found below.  Thanks Graham!
 

SEE ALSO:
 Map of Kent
The Meaning of Hen-DEN and Hen-DON
Sir Edward Henden of Kent
The Hendens of Biddenden Place
William Henden of Maidstone