Life and Love in Maldon
We spent our first three and a half years of married life in a tiny 'two up - two down' cottage just off the High Street in the picturesque and historic town of Maldon in Essex.
The home we built together was built on love and certainly not luxury and comfort as we barely had enough money in those days to cover the mortgage each month and so the repairs that needed our attention took months to be able to complete.
Maldon's establishment as a town goes way back and it has a fair amount of history to it including a battle to defend itself (unsuccessfully) against the Vikings in the late tenth century.
After the death of His first wife Thomas Cammock (1540-1602) fell in love with Frances, daughter of Lord Rich. But Lord Rich disapproved of his daughter marrying an untitled man, and his employee, so the couple eloped and Lord Rich sent his son after them with a band of soldiers.
The couple reached Fambridge ferry across the river from Maldon but the ferry boat was on the far bank. Thomas wanted to swim across to fetch the boat, but Frances would not let him go alone, declaring that they would live or die together.
So they both mounted the same horse and attempted to go over the river. The Horse attempted to ford the river, began to cross but took fright and returned to shore, just as Frances' brother arrived.
Somehow the couple escaped and managed to cross the river to Maldon, Lord Rich gave in after hearing the tale of how his daughter had risked everything for her new husband and forgave the couple, who lived In Maldon for many years and had 13 children together.
Their love for each other was clearly great and could not be underestimated.
Cammock was responsible for giving the town its first water supply and died in 1602. His tomb shows all his 22 children by both his wives, enough, it has been pointed out, to field his own pair of cricket teams.
The Lord God has many children. Each one, an adopted son or daughter and each one known by name. His desire is that each one returns the great love that He has for them and He blesses each one, having repented of their sin and trusted in His only begotten Son Jesus, with everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Jesus is still calling out in His love, "Come, and follow me."