any boast of heraldry. Though pleased to ponder on periods that are bygone and venerate the memory of departed kinsfolk and their surroundings, we descendants and relations like the gardener Adam and his wife smile at the claims of long descent. Be it ours to cherish rather as examples and incentives for the present and the future, the remembrances of all that is most worthy in the past Descent fame, learning, position, possessions and titles may be and often are most meritorious never the less. " Howe’er it be, it seems to me, Tis only noble to be good, Kind hearts are more than coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood."
In conclusion it must be stated that the success of the Golden Wedding Celebration of which the taking of this photograph was one of the incidents was largely owing to the goodness of Hannah and Ann of High Bank Hill. The same remark applies to the happy Gathering at Kirkoswald on Christmas Eve. The existence of the photo itself
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valued at any time, but doubly prized now, because of the two coincident anniversaries it perpetuates, is due to the kindness and promptitude of William and Margaret Metcalfe of Penrith who drove the photographer from there. Most of the facts and ideas in this narrative were ably and readily supplied by one who bears an honoured name, Joseph Watson Lattin of Renwick. Just another lingering look at the picture. This first description of it written at a distance is unavoidably meagre in some parts. Those who know Scalehouses best will notice omissions most. What about heirlooms and curiosities? what of the dark door in the barn and the legend as to a sad accident from it? What of the ash tree peeping from over the hill to the right? What of that luped or quadruped under the trees to the left? Etc etc etc. With the help of kind relatives which is earnestly invited, a subsequent account it is hoped may be more complete and satisfactory. Lattins know more of the buildings etc. but this is needed above all else, names, dates and matters of interest, which bear in any way on our forefathers. It is desirable to find out much more if possible of John and Catherine Watson and their ancestors as well as offspring.
Therefore all who will kindly do so are asked to be good enough to freely use pencil or ink on the blank pages
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for the following purposes:-
To correct mistakes as to matters of fact.
To add names and dates of birth, marriage and death.
To suggest and criticise generally.
No gravestone marks the last resting place of our ancestors. Is it now too late to put one up?
In it’s absence these notes may when revised serve in some measure as epitaph and memorial. Let us then try to make the record as worthy of our forefathers as possible, many facts, few fancies, no fiction. " Stoned urn or animated bust can not restore the departed, nor flattery soothe the dull cold ear of death." What is needed is simply this:- that details which many dear relations doubtless possess may be gathered together and arranged in a plain form. If the foregoing account should encourage anybody to assist in such a congenial task it will have answered some good purpose perhaps.
Caleb Watson
February 12 1890
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