Monday November 3rd 1856She kept a cow:
Went to Office Had breakfast at Uncles as he was going to London & Aunt wanted to go to the Station to see him off …
Tuesday November 25th 1856and, like John, she too sorted the letters for the post:
Went to Office. Retd to Breakfast At Noon Had a walk with Capes towards Kirby Hill by the fields. At Night Joe & I walked to see Aunt Hirsts cow which they were expecting to calve. Went home read Law
Friday February 15th 1856
Was at the Office Had breakfast at Uncles went to Howells with a letter Aunt had missed putting into their bag …
Naturally enough, John’s diaries show the lives of his female relations only when they touch his own, but we catch glimpses of them – busy housekeepers, active countrywomen:
Sunday July 25th 1858John’s younger sisters and girl cousins were away at school – Lizzy, Alice and Mary Redmayne went to Miss Adcock’s at Ilkley Hall and Sophy Hirst to Middlethorp Hall, York. Sophy was a particularly lively companion:
Morning & evening to Gt Ouseburn Church In the afternoon Aunt [Henlock] & I took the Dogs down the Croft S[mallwoo]d walked on & I returned to BB with him after church at night Rd Paver set us part of the way
Thursday September 25th 1856
Went to Office. Walked to Aldbro to see Robert Thompson & Mr Holdsworth on business At Noon Walked with Dora Hirst & Mary & the children to the Top of Gibbet Hill At Night went to Pilsmoor as we expected Aunt Redmayne from York but she had walked on to Helperby Mr & Mrs Roger Buttery drove her home
Monday June 9th 1856The girls too enjoyed outdoor games, boating, playing ball. Schooldays over, they went on frequent and lengthy visits to family and friends. The return visits enlivened the social scene for their brothers:
Went to office Went down to see the Cricket there was a match betwn BB & Aldbro Uncle Hirsts ladies were there At Night I had tea at Uncles We then rowed Uncle Hirsts ladies to Westwick Steele Jim S[edgwick] & Capes & I we went into Vyners grounds [Newby Hall] & had some jolly fun up & down the Hill Jim & Sophy & Miss Dixon & I. Steele was called away I went & had supper at Uncles Miss Calder was also with us & after a jolly chat I went home along with Miss Calder
Tuesday August 26th 1856
I drove Aunt R Aunt Bell & Sophy to Bowerley made a call there & then went to Settle I saw Mr Ingelby [sic] & Mr Foster Mr F asked me to go & spend tomorrow with him I then walked home & left Uncle to drive the Ladies After dinner had some music Sophy & I ran up to the Top of the Rock opposite I went into the wood with Joe Hodgson but did not get anything
Thursday May 15th 1856They were all, naturally, good walkers – and walking together, for men and women, was a companionable activity. Accompanying people on their journey and ‘setting’ people on their way was an important part of life:
Went to office At Noon read Blackstone went to Aunt Bells At Night I walked to Ouseburn Joe was there he had taken Aunt Bell to stay at Atkinsons I met Uncle & Aunt Pick going to BB I went & found Joe at Crosby’s I saw Miss Johnson She played & sang I turned over the leaves she has a very sweet voice we stayed ½ an hour & then came home got home a little before 9
Tuesday November 18th 1856
Went to Office & retd to Breakfast. Joe & I walked down the Banks at Noon. Miss Kate & Miss Lucy Collinson came to Uncle Hirst’s today. At Night I went to a party at H.E. Clark’s had a jolly dance got home at ½ past one
Saturday November 22nd 1856
Went to Office Retd to Breakfast. Dined as soon as I got home Went to Newsroom after dinner & stayed there till Office Time At Night after tea I went to Uncles. Lucy Collinson & I walked arm in arm round their garden for a short time in the dark Mary Hirst & Kate C did the same Did not stay
Wednesday May 14th 1856John mentions no dangers on these walks, but records one surprise:
Went to Office. At Noon read Blackstone. Expected to go with Dora & Mrs Hy Powell but by a mistake Joe went instead of me At Night went & sat a little at Uncle Hirst’s went & had supper with [Aunt] Bell [Henlock] we had it in the kitchen. Sophy & Dora came just after we had a jolly chat I set them home & then returned to my own home
Monday May 26th 1856
Went to Office At Noon wrote to Tom settled my Cash book &c At Night went to Practise at the School Saw Mr Frankland after the Practise Sophy M.Dixon & I walked up the Common & round by Minskip Dora met us & a jolly walk we had
Saturday March 12th 1859
To office. At Night went in to Uncles Sophy & I set M Sedgwick nearly home …
Friday February 8th 1856
… Tonight as Mrs Davies was going home to Minskip she met two men one of whom gave her a kiss “very delightful indeed"
Interior of St James's Church, Boroughbridge (early C20 postcard)
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