Reference
X978/4
Title
Diary kept by Bruce J Stanbridge, Green End Farm, Kensworth 1913.
Date free text
1 Jan – 31 Dec 1913
Production date
From: 1913 To: 1913
Admin/biog history
Bruce John Stanbridge, son of William Barton Stanbridge and his wife Harriet was baptised at Kensworth 17th April 1891
1891 census
Green End Farm, Kensworth
William B Stanbridge, Head, Married, 26, Farmer, born Kensworth
Harriett Stanbridge, Wife, Married, 24, born Steppingley
Isle of Wight Farm, Kensworth
George J Stanbridge, Head, S, 28, Farmer, born Barton le Clay
Eliza A Stanbridge, Sister, Single, 35, Housekeeper, born Kensworth
Rose Austin, Servant, Single, 15, Domestic General Servant, born Kensworth
1901 Census
Church Farm, Little Gaddesden
George J Stanbridge
1901 Census:
Green End Farm, Kensworth
William Barton Stanbridge, Head, 36, Farmer, born Kensworth
Harriett Stanbridge, Wife, 34, born Steppingley
Bruce John Stanbridge, Son, 9, born Kensworth, Beds
Olive Mary Stanbridge, Dau, 8, born Kensworth
Susan Thorne, Servant, 16, General Servant Domestic, born Studham
1911 Census
Green End Farm, Kensworth
William Barton Stanbridge, Head, 46, married for 20 years, 2 children both living, Farmer, born Kensworth.
Harriett Stanbridge, Wife, 44, Born Steppingley
Bruce John Stanbridge, Son, 19, Single, Farmers Son, born Kensworth
Olive Mary Stanbridge, Dau, 18, Single, Dairy work & housework, born Kensworth.
•William Barton Stanbridge died 16 Feb 1912 and was buried at Kensworth 21 February 1912 aged 47.
•Harriett Stanbridge died 7th October 1954 aged 88 years and was buried at Kensworth
•Bruce John Stanbridge Married Dora J Keen [born Dec Quarter 1894 Aylesbury Registration District 3a 728] in the March Quarter of 1918 Aylesbury Registration District Vol.3a 1788.
•Their daughter Monica J Stanbridge was born December Quarter 1918 Luton District 3b page 490.
•Dora J Stanbridge died aged 71 Dec Quarter 1965 Luton Registration District 4a 168
•Bruce J Stanbridge died June Quarter 1971 4a 473.
Other people mentioned:
G Pratt = George Woodham Pratt, farmer, Park Farm, High Street North, Dunstable.
Fossey – William John Fossey – cowman on farm.
Uncle George = George J Stanbridge of Isle of Wight Farm.
Dad = William Barton Stanbridge
Mother = Harriett Stanbridge
Olive = Olive Stanbridge, sister of Bruce J Stanbridge.
Scope and Content
Daily entries include observations on the weather, family activities, church going, and jobs undertaken on the farm (ploughing, drilling, planting, chaff cutting), breeding & sale of livestock, (cattle, sheep including number of lambs born, pigs, chickens, horses) harvest of crops (barley, oats, parsnips, wheat, mangel wurzels, marrows, carrots, onions, corn, swede, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbages, turnips, potatoes), use of fertiliser etc . Also mentions Isle of Wight farm, Kensworth and visits to Little Gaddesden, Dunstable, Totternhoe, Luton, Markyate, Eaton Bray, etc Includes the following:
Memoranda: This last year has been a very wet year the wettest we have had in my time. The harvest was a very bad one some of the corn laying in water weeks together and no end of it grown. The store sheep & pigs have been dear & fat pigs have been a fair trade making an average 4/6 per stone. The autumn sown corn has come well and looks well.
1 January 1913 I went to the Picture Palace last night.
3 January 1913 Olive & myself went to a party at Mr Richardsons at Markyate got home at one o clock.
9 January 1913 I have been to Little Gaddesden coursing had some good sport but only caught one hare.
22 January 1913 Olive & myself went to a party at Mrs Vasey’s at Slapton did not get home until 6 o clock Thursday morning stopped until it left off raining.
23 January 2923 The sheep are in a bad mess after the snow & rain. I feel sleepy all day.
16 February 1913 Mamma & I went to church it is 12 months today since poor Dad died. Percy & Charlie Palmer came up.
26 February 1913 We have had the hunters here this afternoon hounds got in with our ewes and upset them very much.
31 March 1913 I have been to Luton and finished having my teeth out had my front ones out this time.
5 April 1913 The men are all asking for a shilling a week rise.
6 April 1913 A stray dog came and killed 10 chickens at Isle of Wight so I got the PC to drown it.
11 April 1910 We have had to give the men one shilling rise.
19 July 1913 I had a deal with J Pratt for my cob for one of his.
26 July 1913 I went to Leagrave Flower Show and saw Graham White flying.
2 August 1913 I took Olive to Dunstable in the morning & to Mrs Palmers in the evening to tennis.
11 August 1913 Uncle Ted had an accident this morning at Woodside with his young horse kicked the front of the cart out and thrown him and a boy out but neither hurt.
20 September 1913 Mamma went with Auntie Pollie to Leicester to go in a nursing home.
6 October 1913 I sold Mr [A]White 5 ewes and 5 lambs.
12 October 1913 Percy & Charlie Palmer came up in the evening.
20 October 1913 I went to Luton Fair, sheep were very dear, cattle not very fast trade.
21 October 1913 I put 34 quarters of barley on rail for E Dixon & Son and brought 3 ½ rivets back from Messrs G Church & Son.
22 October 1913 I went to London Show with H Henley, had a very good day.
24 October 1913 Mamma & Mrs George have been to look over the Houghton Hall furniture.
31 October 1913 Mr George & myself went to the sale at Houghton Hall. Uncle George bought 50 lambs of H Stanbridge.
17 November 1913 I went to Mill Street Picture Palace at night.
19 November 1913 I sent 1 load of straw to Mr Gibbard and 4 lambs and 1 ewe to market. I could not sell the barley, but I sold the winter beans.
22 November 1913 I went to Bedford market and sold Messrs Church & Son about 120 quarters of barley.
26 November 1913 Sold Mr Tooley the wheat at 33/6.
2 December 1913 Mr G Pratt sent 7 black polled bullocks to Isle of Wight.
9 December 1913 I have been to Leighton Buzzard Fat Stock Show. Mr George took first prize.
16 December 1913 Mr Panter came round and shut us all up for foot & mouth disease which has broken out about 14 miles away from here.
17 December 1913 G Bright a butcher of Houghton came and killed two tegs in the field.
Archival history
Transferred from Luton Museum 10 January 2013. Luton Museum Acc.no. M712 & M713.
Level of description
item