perchance induce a smile. But to her who is the head of the Watson branch in Australia, that widowed dear one whose loved husband and herself have often trod the ground now spoken of , - the very mention of the sweet old fashioned flowers will probably recall their perfume and revive fond recollections of the mother country. Her dear ones too if in a less degree will not indulge in tenderest imaginings.
Of personal interest may be mentioned two valued rose bushes – one a red the other red and white – which were bought if not actually planted by the now rested hands of Mary, Anthony and Hannah’s much loved only girl. In other nooks, and beds and borders are other rose trees and amongst them with the varying season the following seem to vie:- Primrose, Wallflower, Cowslip, Southern Wood, Sweet William, Monkshood, Cowslip, Pansy, Lady’s Garter, Auricular, Honeysuckle, Fuchsia, Charity, Batchelors Button, Convolvulus, Geranium, Tulip and Pansy.
Will kind readers here again excuse digressions? A beautiful thought, a well expressed truth, found choicest setting in a treasured letter lately received from over the sea. Speaking of the garden of one other of the familiar family "Hannah’s" dear Hannah Begg of Hyneton her dear husband writing on Nov. 17th (one day after the Golden Wedding) when the lilacs and laburnums in their garden were just ceasing from proclaiming the Australian Spring, aptly quoted Cowper:- "God points the great procession on its way, and marshals all the glories of the year," amid manifold, prosaic and practical pursuits
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which with most people ever must be chief, let the love of flowers, music, poetry, art is generally their refining and ennobling influences, always be encouraged. " The hearts of men which fondly here admire, Fair yearning shows may lift themselves up higher, and learn to love with zealous humble duty The Eternal Fountain of that Heavenly beauty." From the consideration of such truths and from the sight and smell of the flowers, let us now survey the house which "stands four-square to all the winds that blow." On the ground floor to the left the quaint and rustic window three in one lightens the kitchen. The one to the right is the parlour window. Strains of music are probably issuing therefrom - chiefly hymns of praise to harmonium accompaniment – fit and pleasant sequel to the mornings dairy music of the butter churn! The windows of the front bedrooms may be seen above. Adjoining the house on the left is the substantial wing added by the late Joseph Wells about the year 1878. Its two modern windows are open to admit the bracing air.
The picture only shows one half of the main doorway. Approaching that hospitable threshold our steps are willingly arrested by that well-known attestation the birth mark so to speak, of our ancestor’s abode. On a coign or corner hewn stone near the top of the kitchen window are the characters AW 1789 about three inches long, well and deeply carved. The handwork is that of the first Joseph Watson in fulfilment of the wish of Anthony his father – the man who actually required the site, and who planned, who built, who owned
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and lived in the house, and in which he breathed his last. His eventful acquisition of the ground demanded especial mention later on. As we complete our observation of these silent letters and figures and the entrancing train of thought they suggest, like unto sermons in stones our dear worthy hostess, Hannah Grace comes forth with her daughters Mary (Polly) and Hannah and they kindly bid us enter and inspect the interior of the house. Her son and mainstay Robert and his blithe brother John Walter reserve to themselves the right of escort to their several fields and outhouses – stables, byres, hulls, styes, lofts, cellars etc and the farming stock and produce they contain. Of cellars or caves - this as "halo of romance" for the younger generations! Two are noteworthy if not unequalled. Cut right underground in the deep and steep North bank of the road up to the boundless fells are these gloomy roomy caverns " dark as dark" light proof, frost proof, water proof, thief proof, and nearly air proof! Fine places for hide and seek or blind mans buff! Grander still in which to stand a siege and sigh for Scotch Moss-trooping times! Better still some say for their present useful if less heroic purpose of storing turnips and potatoes! Before indulging in these and other pleasant walks and visits we may revert again, in fancy and with facts to the days of long ago hoping that our musings may clear up and make more bright, the dim past and its traditions, and prevent increasing dimness as the years roll by. Of earlier progenitors than John and Catherine Watson not much is known at
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present. Indeed the history of their own children is rather obscure. These notes are partly written to incite to the gathering of more details. On the last page is a table of genealogy compiled from information in a well bound copy of "The Whole Duty of Men" issued in 1743. Below the printing on the title page appears in good writing "John Watson book 1746" Then follow the names, date of birth, and date of marriage of himself and Catherine and the names of all their children. Our concern is of course chiefly with Anthony, who at his birth on the 26th June 1759 was the only son, William the first son having died in infancy, as did also John. The second William grew to manhood and had a large family of boys who became scattered, some descendants now residing at Haltwhistle, Patterdale and Irthington. To be unable at present to give the story of Anthony’s four sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, Anne and Catherine is a matter of regret. It is some comfort and fortunate that a good deal is known of the aforesaid Thomas the youngest child. The record of his birth reads:- Thomas Watson born (at Renwick) Oct. 8th 1771 and baptised ye 20th. Anthony was at that time in his teens. It is but due to the widely known and esteemed Thomas Watson to give further particulars concerning as they do the kind of stuff he and probably his father and brother were made of.
He lived mostly at Renwick and Fellgate and had a family of three
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