I headed up to Yorkshire this summer as part of a weekend break during my anniversary weekend. Actually, because this year is a leap year, the day itself fell on the Monday, but the bloke and I decided to celebrate at the weekend.
The last time I visited Welburn and Bulmer in Yorkshire was close to ten years ago. The villages are still beautiful with golden stone cottages and nice gardens, and they are still very quiet. Apparently the ancestors lived in Welburn, but they were buried in Bulmer, which is the next village just down the road. Both villages are near Castle Howard. The last time I was at Welburn, I was certain it had another shop or post office; however, a small bakery/restaurant had opened up where I'd always remembered there being a small shop. This appears to be the only shop in the village now. I had a hot chocolate and toastie here. Across the road is an old schoolhouse with a single clock, and this had not changed.
The schoolhouse and a beautiful garden. I think they love purple lavender.
The hot chocolate I had in Welburn.
After the quick meal, we headed over to Bulmer. This village is smaller and quieter. I took a quick walk up to the little church and noticed more changes. The last time I had visited, the graves were open with high grass around, and they were not well-tended. This time, they had put fence around the graves and kept sheep inside. This looks picturesque with the sheep amongst the graves, but the sheep are no doubt wearing away the grave stones as they eat the grass near it and lay against the stones. I noticed that several stones seemed to be wearing away at the bottom.
[The ancestor's grave - Richard Smailes. The grave reads: "Sacred to the memory of Richard Smailes of Welburn who died Feb. 27, 1838 ages 48 years. And of Ann, his wife, who died Dec 20, 1854 aged 64. Also in affectionate remembrance of Jane Dobson, daughter of the above and wife Robert Dobson Master Mariner who departed this life Feb 21, 1858 aged 42 years from fever in the West Indies during a voyage. "Sorrow not as those without hope - 1st Thes. Chap. IV.]
Bulmer's Cemetery near the church now contains sheep amongst the stones.
A view of the graves and Bulmer's church.
After visiting the graves, we drove to Bridlington seaside resort before continuing on the journey to Hull. Although much of Hull is modern, the city has a lot of history and was also once popular in Victorian times. Unfortunately, the city suffered during the second World War, but the docks and gardens are good to visit, and there's many places to shop.
Holy Trinity Church in Hull reflects in newer buildings across the street
On Sunday morning, we stopped off at Beverley, which is a picturesque town north of Hull. Apparently, it was one of the ten most populated towns in England and was made rich and popular due to the wool trade. Beverley has many beautiful historic buildings and cottages, and the phone boxes are painted white (as they are in Hull). This is the only part of the UK where the phone boxes are a different colour to the standard red.
White phone boxes in Beverley.
Beverley has a nice market square, church, and a cathedral. The town seems to be built in a linear fashion instead of surrounding a central point. I parked near one of the city gates and walked through two or three squares before arriving at Beverley Minster. The town was quiet as it was Sunday morning.
Beverley Market square with the church in the background.
Walking further down the main streets, the beautiful Beverley Minster came into view. Walking early on Sunday morning was nice; the streets were quiet except for the melodic ringing of the church bells.
I especially loved the facade of the church and the fine detail of Beverley Minster.
Beverley Minster
[I've included a family letter from one ancestor to another, to encourage them to leave England for America. This is included below. Maybe someone reading this will share the same ancestry.]
Virginia
Nov. 18th 41
My Dear Brother,
To my great surprise I rec'd yours on the 14th ultimo. As you state a many things that are news to me, I hardly know where to commence my Epistle. Shall, however, in the first place, begin by telling you that through the good wife and mercy of God, I am well and doing well and to the praise of our heavenly Father, my family are all alive and in tolerable good health -- not one hoof of my tribe are in wanting since we left England, but have encreased one by the name of Bridget. With respect to my circumstances, I stated to you in my last that we are living upon the same farm. Three of my children are married near to us. I have the pleasure to see them every few days. They are all doing well. Robert, I have a farm for him adjoining mine containing sixty two acres. He has moved upon it last week. I bought it since I last wrote you. I have set him out with furniture, two four year old colts, 2 cows, hogs, pigs, geese, ducks, hens, etc. In fact, he has got what was necessary to give him a good start and make him an independent man. John is living with me (as he is not married) and going to work my farm upon shares, so we shall only have four in family -- me and my wife, John and Bridget. I shall next reply to your request with respect to your coming to America. I see nothing to hinder you from doing far better for your family that you seem to be doing at present. You do not state what money you have (or will have) to bring with you but I suppose you will have some at least to bring you to this goodly land -- and if you can get here, I hereby assure you dear George you will find in me an affectionate Brother and friend. The experience will (I suppose) be from Liverpool to New York in the steerage -- about 20.00 sterling or as we say near one hundred dollars.
From Welbourn to Liverpool you can form the best idea. From New York to my house is about 850 miles, all the way by water. This will seem a great distance to you but it is nothing to us. It will cost you (I suppose) about 30.00 or one hundred and fifty dollars. That is if you do not bring too much luggage. I would advise you to bring nothing but your beds, bedding and clothing as you can get every necessary here same as at Malton. I think I gave you directions in my last but should you have lost them, I will renew them. When you get to New York, start by the Steam Boat for Albany, from thence up the canal for Buffalo, then up the lake to Cleveland, then down the Ohio Canal to Roscoe. Then you arrive at Roscoe, enquire for me at Judge Retillys Store (as he knows me well) and he will take care of you, and your goods untill I can bring my waggon to fetch you home. What money you have to bring, you had best exchange at Liverpool for Guineas or Spanish Doubloons or Silver Dollars and be sure you do not lose them for they are a set of sharpers -- likewise at New York -- in fact -- all the way you must be wide awake or you are sure to be robbed or swindled somehow or other. Your Gold or Silver is now worth here from eight to ten per cent premium. Had I known what money you would have, I could have purchased a small place for you against Spring but as you have not said anything about it -- I shall wait until I see you. I can buy several places near me. For instance, one farm 15 acres for about 30- or one hundred and fifty dollars with dwelling house etc upon it and I think about 10 acres cleared -- another 100 acres for $750.00 seven hundred and fifty dollars and other places in the same ratio according to improvements, location etc. With respect to myself, I like America as well as ever and instead of groaning out my days in England in poverty -- I am independent in a free country -- thanks be to God. The death of dear Uncle did not surprise me but poor brother Richard -- I feel for his small family but must acquise in the will of the Lord. You mention something misterious to me about Brother Gibson -- with respect to that money -- will you please see him and assure him I have never rec'd any money nor had any invoice respecting it -- but I intend to write to him in a few days. If the money be not paid -- I wish you could get it and bring it with you -- as I had rather you had use of it to bring you here, as to let it lay as it is. Give my kind respects to him and dear Mary. I would advise you to start about the ___ of April ____ I expect ___ for your Christmas dinner, (while we shall dine upon Roast Goose or Turkey.) If you will write me the receipt of this, I shall be glad to answer you and give more particulars as there will be time enough before you will want to start. I have been very brief. As I must mention dear Cousin John Wilson -- give my best respects to him and should be glad to see him or hear from him -- remember me to all my old play fellows at Welbourn -- and all relations or enquiring friends -- and my new sister. Tell her to come and see America and then if she doesn't like it she can return to her own country -- like Orpha in the days of Ruth. My family join in their kind respects to you and your dear family and will be glad to hail them on the Valley of Wakotomaca.
Farewell, dear George, for the present -- let not thine heart fail thee, but commit thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in him -- and he will bring it to pass -- Psalm 37-C5.
Again, dear Brother, farewell -- and may the blessing of heaven rest upon you and all your dear family shall still be the prayer of your Affectionate Brother and sincere well wisher.
Thomas Smailes
I could fill 2 or 3 sheets
Cincinata
is about
180 miles
from us
in this State.
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