The Family Homestead..
It's always a privilege for me to be invited to document peoples homes, and to hear the family history first hand is always something special. This little homestead has so much history and it's been throughly researched and documented by them to pass on to the generations to follow. How amazing that my photos will also sit alongside this documentation š
The house first appears on the OS maps in the 1830s and at this time was part of a wider local estate. The construction of the home consisted of clay mortar, pointed and rendered with lime. Which in those times was very typical.
Then it was only a two room dwelling with a thatched roof. Later in the 1880s a stable was added but this was later converted into a bedroom. Records show that the thatch was removed by 1911 and the roof was then raised and slated with a loft room added. Further updates of a lean-to-scullery were added in the 1920s and an outdoor toilet in the mid 20th century.
I love this decorative archway, it's so unique, I've never seen one like it.
The house also had a byre, calf house, fowl house and piggery. Making them totally self sufficient.
I never know what to expect when I visit somewhere, but once I opened the living room door I was not disappointed!
There are so many muted colours to look at, these are coupled with peeling paint and rough textures. A photographers dream!
The family have had their share of tragedy. In the 1850s a terrible accident happened involving the children of the gentleman who built the house. Sadly his son drowned in a nearby bay while trying to rescue a trapped horse, not only that his other two sons also perished in the accident whilst trying to aid their brother. This story has been passed down through history as a warning to children to beware of tides.
The remaining son Jack inherited the farm when he was only 14 years of age and he managed it along with the help of his mother. Quite the challenge I bet.
Jack went onto marry a girl from a neighbouring village named Ella, she was only 18 at the time. They quickly went on to have a large family in quick succession, 11 children in total!
Just imagine that there was a family of 13 in here at one time, I think that's just remarkable. I can visualise the times that chair has been sat on around a roaring fire, telling stories, cooking dinner, mending clothes having the craic, and of course sad times as well.
One of Ellas grandson was four years old when she passed away in 1923. At this stage she was elderly and was a widow. He recalls her always wearing a black shawl.
It's been noted that on the day of Ellas funeral the farms sow had a litter of 16 piglets, which caused them a lot of disruption on the day.
The loft stairs. These are okay going up, down, not so much! š¹
This is a view of the upper loft that was added when the roof was raised. This would have been used for extra bedrooms.
Just look at those tiles, everything in this house is original! Including the newspapers that are underneath layers of wallpaper.
The textures and patterns here are beautiful, don't you think?
The family maintain the house and keep it waterproof. There is also talk of turning this into a renovation project, I for one would love to see this!
That pink door š
The family are very passionate about the house and it's history. The knowledge they've retained is really quite incredible. Most of it I can't share here for not wanting to share to much personal information.
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