Reference
OR2349/3
Title
Letter (3 sheets) from Beauchamp Orlebar, The Slade House, Hinwick to Fanny Trollope.
Date free text
28 April 1919
Production date
From: 1919 To: 1919
Scope and Content
villagers pleased to hear of Fanny and Ted including John Austin, blacksmith
still in touch with Mr Pawley, her old schoolmaster
Austin remembered Board of Education thought it wasn't proper for schoolmaster to teach girl scholar alone. Fanny daughter of a head gardener, keen to get all schooling she could
Mrs Austin had to sit with her
Beauchamp remembers Austin's father at Smithy
Wife and Violet still keep Post Office
Samuel and Charlotte Brown living in Jetty, formerly part of village shop
discusses William Tye and his mother, tenants of Manor Farm and Church Farm
Rouse gone into growing flax extensively with Government help
Church Farm. Barracks for 45 German prisoners in World War I, who worked in the Flax (Barracks for them at Old Church Farm)
Flax Production department erected up to date de-seeding still (formerly corn barn in Mr White's day)
distance from a station is against development at the moment
Rouse has nearly 1100 acres in hand (lists them)
recently bought Top End Farm-"a bad wedge in the middle of our property"
renting prior to purchasing Vicarage Glebe Farm
Samuel Brown still estate mason, even though over 70
mentions lacemakers, details of other elderly villagers
including John Ellis 81, tenor singer, bell ringer
visit from Keywoods (coachman at Hinwick Hall under Captain Pearson) wife Mary housemaid at Hinwick House in time of R L Orlebar)
Mary Orlebar lives at Bath, devotedly attended by Miss Foster (Penrose family) trouble with eyesight
"My brother is going in for growing tomatoes, chrysanthemums, arum lilies etc for market and has made a useful start. In the melon ground which has been enlarged on the poultry yard side, three additional glasshouses have been built and the water is pumped up from the garden side
What left of vinery now small tomato house and one of forcing pits turned into a mushroom house
Rouse has also started a small herd of pedigree cattle. "He is confident that there will be a constant demand for the best strains of pure stock".
Sent her a prospectus of Hinwick House School. Would like to send photograph of gardener's cottage "in which your girlhood days were spent".
parents 86 & 81 respectively. Father in failing health since unsuccessful operation for cataract
heavy strain for his mother, deaf, suffering from rheumatism
"she keeps going with grand pluck"
Rouse - many years in old Volunteers and had formed a Battalion which he commanded of the Bedfordshire Regiment, soon Lieutenant Colonel of 5th (T) Bedfordshire Regiment. Since then one of Regional Agricultural Officers, till no longer necessary
resumed management of the estate January last after 4 1/2 years
at same time: "I came here, so as to be able to do all in my power for my parents in the evening of their well spent and useful lives"
Only member of mother's family left Frances aged 88 lives "in nice old house in Shrewsbury".
Sophy Bettles 91
hopes development of Saunderstead after the sale of the estate will bring her more customers
visit from John Richardson, who has lost an arm, remembers confirmation class in harness room.
Level of description
item