My grandparents Henry and Amy Robbins lived in part of the old mansion buildings which stood on the site of the present Mansion Close until it was demolished in 1964. They had nine children of whom seven survived to adulthood.
Water carried in buckets
The mansion dated back to the 1500s and the section my grandparents rented consisted of one large room downstairs while the upstairs was divided into three odd shaped bedrooms. Meals were cooked on a large range and water was carried in buckets from a communal tap in front of the building. There was no sink in the house so all waste water was thrown onto the garden. The downstairs room had a single electric light, which was installed in 1951, but we had to use a candle to light our way to bed at night. It was quite scary to me as a young child.
Pigs in a sty
The earth closet was at the end of the building next to the wash house and firewood store. Granddad kept pigs in a sty at the back of the building in the late 1940s. The large garden reached as far as Chapel Street and was filled with fruit trees and neat rows of vegetables. Granddad also had allotments which ensured the family was always well fed. Henry Robbins passed away in September 1950 aged 87 after spending the morning working in his garden. Grandmother Amy died in 1959.
Comments
Hi Bill, your story is fascinating, I have found your picture when I was searching for my grandfathers home. the photo is the property that was owned by my great grandparents. My grandfather sadly passed away in 2006 aged 74. I am looking to finding out as much information on my great grandparents and wondered if you had any other photos of the property inside or out, of the owners and if you had the names of the owners. this little bit of history is fascinating. I would love to pass down information to my children. many thanks
Hi Bill,
Hope you are having a great time on your holiday. As you know, my great-grandmother was Henry’s sister Emily Ellen. It has been great talking to you via email and learning more about the Robbins branch of the family. The old mansion reminds me of stories my parents told me about living in and old manor house in Ashford. It was about 200 yrs younger though.
Hi Bill
im searching any information about The Taylor Family that had a daughter Edith May Taylor can anyone help me please
I lived in the manor house with my Mom and Dad 1957 to 63
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