kinds of useful industries; and the Kemps, it is suggested, acquired
their name from being kempsters, or comb makers.

But it is probable that the name had a much earlier origin. Kemp (Saxon
Cempa) meant a soldier {173c} being connected with the Norman-French and
modern English "Champion;" and although we might look back with pride to
forefathers who suffered for their religion, it is pleasanter, if only in
imagination, to regard them as having been a race of doughty warriors,
sufficiently distinguished to win a name by their deeds. {173d}

Mr. Thomas Kemp, in the first half of the 19th century, was a wealthy
bachelor, and added to the Hall-garth estate by the purchase, from time
to time, of adjacent property. He lived in some style, with two maiden
sisters to keep house for him. By his will the land at Thimbleby passed
into the possession of his great nephew, Robert Edwin Kemp; another
nephew, Samuel Harrison Kemp, inheriting most of the personal estate.
But alas! liveried servants, crests and arms, and other emblems of wealth
have become things of the past; for when this Robert died the property
passed to his son, Thomas Kemp, in whose hands the patrimony speedily
evaporated; and other members of the family are now dispersed, "their
places knowing them no more," save as a lingering memory, which will soon
be gone.

The interesting old hall and the manor were then bought by Reuben
Roberts, Esq., of Linden House, Horncastle, who resides there in the
summer. He also owns other land in the parish. Other owners are E.
Hassard, Esq., of Edlington Park; H. N. Coates, Esq., of Langton Manor;
the trustees of the late Mr. Samuel Goe, and several smaller proprietors.
Mrs. Tebbutt, of Horncastle, a relict of an old Thimbleby family, whose
name appears frequently in the parish books, is now Lady of the Manor.

Some 200 yards east of the church and on the south side of the main road
is a large field, the property of Mr. Henry N. Coates of Langton, which
is known as "The Butts." It has some fine trees, apparently the remains
of an extensive avenue, which have been more numerous even within living
memory. It has been sometimes called "The Park Close," but the title
"The Butts" is interesting, as probably indicating that it was formerly
the site on which (in the words of a rhymer, it may be said):

England's archers of old,
Village wights true and bold,
Unerring in hand and in eye,
Learned skill in their