Explanation" sent to Australia Feby 1890 with
Photographs of Scalehouses etc
"Taken November 16th 1889
(Centenary and Jubilee)"
Using as a key this Golden Wedding picture, a few notes as to the place it represents and it’s people past and present, may give information and be of some interest, to dear relatives in Australia. The inscription given above which appeared on the "mount" was applied for two reasons.
A century ago, Anthony the second son of John and Catherine Watson built the dwelling house as attested by his initials, and the date on a coign stone of the house.
This said Anthony had by Hannah his wife, one daughter and nine sons who were all born in this house. On November 16th 1889 the fifth son Anthony --- the family name it may be called ---- and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) attained the Jubilee of their married life.
The photograph was taken as their Golden Wedding was being celebrated at their house Holly cottage Kirkoswald, by themselves and loving children, grand children, nieces and nephews. It is one of several interesting souvenirs which help to commemorate that cheering event. Of the same generation as this aged pair both are over 80 ----- but few of their relatives remain on the side of the venerable bride --- to use the Carlisle Journal'’ phrase --- there is only one brother living aged 86 out of a family of six daughters and two sons.
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The golden bridegrooms’ sister and brothers have all passed away, some when young.
Joseph the first born son of Anthony and Hannah, died in the house he built at Scalehouses, which is about fifty yards along the rising ground to the (observers) right of the Centenary house, so also did Tamar, Joseph’s second wife. The second son John died in 1875, at High bank hill in the house he built there. Mary his wife, followed him the following year. Their house is now owned and occupied by their dear daughters Hannah and Ann. Mary the third child and only daughter died at Renwick in the house of her husband John James, whose decease took place in the spring of 1889. Moses the third son and Sarah his wife (of Dyrah) emigrated to the Antipodes about 1852. Moses died there. Sarah his widow still happily survives, with all her nine children except Moses, many grand children and even some great grand children. They are located chiefly round Hyneton in Victoria, where they seem to illustrate in many ways the Australian motto "Advance Australia". Christopher the seventh son died at Renwick where Sarah his widow resides yet, surrounded by dear children and grand children.
The centenary house is in the possession and occupation of Hannah Grace, daughter of the late Joseph Watson aforesaid. Since the death on the 12th of April 1888 of her husband Joseph Wells, she and her two daughters and two sons have carried on the work of the farm.
Anderson the Cumberland poet, has praised the dwellors at such places as Scalehouses as those who "live at the Fell Side, where father and mother
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and honest folk bide" and Anthony Watson’s own brother Thomas says in original rhyme and choice poetry:- "The land it is good, it is well understood, and it lies up towards the Fellside, where the birds they do sing, and the valley’s do ring, and how pleasant to be at Fell side in the Spring!" Both descriptions strictly apply at the present day.
Scalehouses is a pretty Fell Side hamlet of about six dwelling houses, mostly agricultural homesteads. It nestles with it’s rookery and babbling brook beneath the Pennine Range of Hills and is almost equi-distant from the neighbouring villages of Renwick and Croglin, which are about a mile to the right and left respectively. In closer vicinity are the detached farmhouses of Dyrah, Limewell and Davygill each within ten minutes walk.
The photo shows the front of the house which faces nearly due Southwest. The land all round is fenced and in a good state of cultivation, about half a mile behind the house you may begin to climb the Pennines. It is better known by the more homely local name of Renwick Fell with its breezy crests, Thackmoor, Watch Hill and Greenrigg, the first named being 1999 feet above the level of the sea. The photographer Mr. Huff of Penrith fixed his camera in the field in the foreground known as the Bills. It was purchased from a neighbour many years ago, by the aforesaid Joseph Watson, at his decease it came to his son and namesake who is the Relieving Officer and Registrar at Lazonby. By him it was sold to his brother-in-law Joseph Wells whose widow still owns and occupies it. Over the wall to the left is a neighbours field and cow.
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