The Cosway Monument at Bilsington is a grade II listed building , erected in 1835 in memory of local landowner and philanthropist Sir William Richard Cosway, who was killed in a coaching accident nearby. He helped establish a school and supported reforms for agricultural workers in the area. Constructed from local Kent rag stone, the monument stands over fifty feet high and dominates the skyline for some distance.
William Conway bought the Bilsington Priory Estate in 1825 and was knighted in 1829.
Concerned at the poverty of villagers living just above starvation level he lent money for four families to emigrate to America in search of work. In 1833 he built a small school in Bilsington and took interest in the Reform Act and intended to stand for parliament.
He died in 1834 after being fatally injured having been thrown from a horse drawn coach which overturned in London.
This monument stands 52ft high and was built in 1835 by C Cooper, stonemason. It was repaired by the Cosway family in the 19th century and became a landmark for shipping. It was struck by lightning in 1967 and due to the cost to repairs was allowed to deteriorate. It was rebuilt after a committee was set up in 1996 by Mary Webb and funded by the Heritage Lottery.
Pictures from June 2022.
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