AN UPCOMING book will lift the lid of the lives and legacy of one of Gillingham’s most prominent families.

The book, called The Freames and the Chantry, is being launched by Gillingham Local History Society.

Assistant curator at Gillingham Museum Dr. John Porter, has spent many months completing transcriptions of the diaries of the Freames who were active from the 1850s to the 1950s.

John has now used the results of his researches to produce a new history of the Freame family and of life in the house where they lived, The Chantry.

A spokesperson for Gillingham Local History Society said: “This building is no longer there, but at the time of the Freames was a busy middle-class home which saw regular social visits from local magistrates, Catholic priests, and the many other friends of the family.

“Ethel Freame spent very many hours there over several decades writing in her diary about the busy times in her life.”

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The book leaves no doubt of the contribution of the Freames to Gillingham. During their many decades of social involvement, the family took active roles at all levels of local government, led its companies of volunteer soldiers, provided the town with its first Catholic church, and brought a convent to Gillingham.

The legal practice started by the Freames over a century and a half ago still flourishes in the town.

“The lives of the Freames spanned a period of great social change – but one in which class consciousness and social distinctions were not easily forgotten,” the spokesperson added.

“Gillingham, a town of labourers and tradesmen, is seen through the eyes of a middle-class family.“

The Freames and the Chantry is being produced in a limited presentation edition of numbered copies.

A copy can be reserved at a reduced price by using an order form available from the museum, or by contacting the museum.

The Freames and the Chantry is launching in November. Hard cover, 207pp, 62 illustrations. £20. £18 with order form if ordered before November 15.