Ann Forstall

Lifespan: January 27, 1793 (christening) – December 1875

Summary

Christened January 27, 1793 in Wingham, Kent, England. Daughter of Henry and Martha (surnames unconfirmed). Married Stephen Eastes Kendall on December 15, 1819 in Wingham, Kent, England. Seven children (5 sons, 2 daughters). Died December 1875 in Eastry, Kent, England, age ~82-84.

Relationships

• Husband: Stephen Eastes Kendall (c. 1795–c. 1880) — m. Dec 15, 1819, Wingham, Kent
• Father: Henry (surname unknown — possibly Forstall/Fostall)
• Mother: Martha (surname unknown)
• Children:
  • George Eastes Kendall (1820–)
  • William John Kendall (Sep 1822–Apr 14, 1906) — emigrated to Minnesota
  • Thomas Henry Kendall (1825–)
  • Frederick Fostall Kendall (1827–) — mother’s maiden name used as middle name
  • Sarah Anne Kendall (1830–)
  • James Kendall (1833–)
  • Harriet Jane Kendall (1836–)

Sources

• FamilySearch tree — christening date, parents’ first names (Henry & Martha), death location
• FamilySearch indexed records — christening 1793; marriage Dec 15, 1819, Wingham (indexed under both “Fostall” and “Fosball”)
• FamilySearch indexed records — children’s christenings 1820-1836, all Wingham area
• Geni — surname as “Forstall”
• FreeBMD — probable death match: Ann Kendall, age 84, Eastry, Q4 1875, GRO Vol 2a, Page 521

Research Notes

Surname question

• Three spelling variants attested: “Fostall” (FamilySearch), “Forstall” (Geni), “Fosball” (FamilySearch marriage index). All likely the same name.
• The hamlet of Forstal sits just north of Wingham village — the surname almost certainly derives from this place (“at the Forstal” → medieval “atte Forstall”). A 1818 Kent history indexes “Wm. Atte Forstall” confirming the name existed in the Wingham area.
• Zero results for Forstall or Fostall in FreeBMD civil registration (all of England, 1837 onward). The surname effectively did not survive into the Victorian era. Ann may have been the last generation to carry it.
• Son Frederick Fostall Kendall (1827) confirms it was treated as a real family surname, not just a place description — they preserved it as a middle name.

Parents

• FamilySearch tree lists parents as Henry (M) and Martha (F) — no surnames given. Source unverified. The “Forstall” surname may have been applied to the parents by tree contributors, not from primary records.
• Christening date of 27 January 1793 is specific enough to locate in the Wingham St Mary parish register — but images are restricted access (FamilySearch center or affiliate library only).

Death record

• FreeBMD probable match: Ann Kendall, age 84, Eastry district, Q4 1875, GRO reference Vol 2a, Page 521.
• Age 84 implies birth c. 1791 — off by ~2 years from the 1793 christening, but ages on Victorian death records were often approximate for elderly people.
• Death certificate could be ordered from GRO (~£11) and may name her father.

Other research

• FreeReg: no Forstall/Fostall/Forstal entries for Wingham or Kent.
• All Wingham parish register images on FamilySearch are restricted access — require visit to a FamilySearch center.
• 1841, 1851, and 1871 census entries exist for Ann Kendall on FamilySearch but images also restricted.
• Key FamilySearch tree contributors who’ve worked this line: MorrisBonnieMarie1, Kimberly Anne Diana-Brooks, sandrabacon1, MiMiCat, Andrew James Findlay

Naming patterns in children

• George Eastes Kendall — father Stephen’s patronymic (from grandfather Eastes Kendall)
• Frederick Fostall Kendall — mother Ann’s maiden surname
• Thomas Henry Kendall — possibly Ann’s father Henry?
• Sarah Anne Kendall — named after mother Ann
• These naming patterns are consistent with English practice of honoring family names

Next steps

1. Visit a FamilySearch center to view restricted Wingham parish register images — christening 27 Jan 1793 and marriage 15 Dec 1819
2. View 1851 census image (restricted) — would give Ann’s exact age and parish-level birthplace
3. Optionally order death certificate (GRO Vol 2a, Page 521, Q4 1875) — may name father