100 Years Ago

In 1875 Henry and Abigail Robinson moved into Strickley with their young family. Henry's Dad has written about how it came about that they got he tenancy of the farm - see here on our website. The family grew to eleven children and many grandchildren.

In September of 1914 they all gathered at Strickley to celebrate Henry and Abigail's Golden Wedding. All the children and their wives were present, and three of the grandchildren. The occasion was marked by a formal photograph in front of the porch. They all look remarkedley composed - no one is pulling silly faces, and even the dog is looking at the camera! The names in bold below are Henry and Abigail's children

Earlier this month we managed to get all of the present Strickley family together and thought we would recreate the photo.

There are obvious similarities and differences!
The house and porch, and even the drain pipes are unchanged, and although the barn is in the same place it has been altered. There are less cobbles and more weeds.
But the main difference is the size of the family. As parents of three children we are never going to fill the porch. And I know it's a colour photo - but I bet the 1914 Robinsons weren't all wearing blue. The colour wasn't meant to be coordinating - everyone just came downstairs in blue!

Left to right -
Elliot, Victoria, James, Michelle, Robert, Claire
Chris, Fletcher, Henry, Maisie the dog, Kathleen, Quinn, Isabella

It will be our Golden Wedding in six years, so maybe we'll do it all again then!