Finding Chartree Villa in Freshwater, Isle of Wight

Ventnor Old Cemetery floating above the Atlantic Ocean

Records from the Heritage Museum in Ventnor showed that Ann Argyle, my great, great grandmother, died on the 14 December in 1894 and was buried in the Old Cemetery in Ventnor in Plot B, 2869. Fred and I walked around the cemetery but the headstones are so faded and the plots unmarked, so we quietly moved on. She had died before meeting her little granddaughter, Nellie.

William and Kathleen were living at No 2, Chartree Villa, Copse Lane in Freshwater when Nan was born in 1899. We headed to Freshwater, found Copse Lane and were so surprised to find the house, still called Chartree almost 120 years later! I felt emotional and teary, Nan meant so much to me as a little girl living in Vanderbijlpark.

Nan's Birth Certificate noting the family's address in Freshwater as Chartree Villa, Copse Lane

William and Kathleen's home on Copse Lane and the views of the streets where they would have walked.

Postscript:

I am going to dedicate my latest quilt that I am working on to Ann Argyle as a celebration of my female line. 

The quilt is inspired from a workshop with Kaffe Fassett and I used pieces of Mom's material and antique fabric in the quilt. 

Maybe the title could be: Hands over the Ages.

Life of a Laundress in Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Walking to the Heritage Museum in Ventnor, I could not believe that their display and focus was on the Laundresses of Ventnor in the 1880's! It felt as if the universe was talking to me, if not my great, great grandmother Ann. 

After leaving service at London House she was a Charwoman and then in the 1871 and 1881 Census's she is a Laundress. Reading the information at the Museum, they even mention the street where she lived with John and her children William (my great grandfather) and Anne - St. Catherine's Street. So moving.

It is not clear whether she worked for the 'modern' steam laundry or whether she took in laundry but either way, she laboured long and hard over the decades in this Victorian era town, that was popular with consumptives from the mainland. The arch in the photo above was the entrance to the laundry.

The 1871 Census, Ann is a mother now, with 2 children and a laundress in Ventnor.

The Argyle home at 54 St. Catherine's Street, is now number 14, another amazing bit of sleuthing done by Jeff from the Ventnor History Society. Fred and I walked the town understanding Ann's neighbourhood and took photos of her street and home. 

Just remarkable that so much survives for which I am so grateful.

Finding the home of my great, great grandmother Ann Argyle during 19th until her death in 1894.

Information from the Ventnor Heritage Museum:

The story of a Housemaid a London House, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Finding London House in Ventnor where my great, great Grandmother was a Housemaid

I have come to the Isle of Wight and to Ventnor specifically to find traces of my mother's maternal line. My Nan, Nellie Winifred van der Veen, (nee Argyle), was born here. 

During my ancestral research Ann Sibbick's story completely captured my imagination. After growing up in Ryde, the 1851 Census shows her in service as a Housemaid at London House, Ventnor, working for a Elizabeth Briant a Wine Merchant.

Ann, goes onto marry John Argyle and she is my great, great grandmother.

1851 Census, a 20 year old Ann Sibbick is a Housemaid at London House.

Fred and I went into the Heritage Society in Ventnor and met Jeff, I shared the story with him and asked for help in tracing London House. He was fabulous, he spent the day researching all the historical documents, followed a few leads and worked out the story of London House!

It was right under our nose, a building in High Street, Ventnor developed by Elizabeth Briant's father-in-law, that you can see from the Society's office! The deli called The Kitchen@London House is at the centre of the building. We popped into the deli and met the owner who used the name London House because the previous owner had used it in their address too. The dentist offices next door have retained the original sweeping staircase. I was so thrilled!

So thrilled to find London House, chatting to the Deli owner about the history and going up the original stairs, now a dentist's rooms.

High Street, Ventnor in 1880's

The story of a Housemaid a London House, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Finding London House in Ventnor where my great, great Grandmother was a Housemaid

I have come to the Isle of Wight and to Ventnor specifically to find traces of my mother's maternal line. My Nan, Nellie Winifred van der Veen, (nee Argyle), was born here. 

During my ancestral research Ann Sibbick's story completely captured my imagination. After growing up in Ryde, the 1851 Census shows her in service as a Housemaid at London House, Ventnor, working for a Elizabeth Briant a Wine Merchant.

Ann, goes onto marry John Argyle and she is my great, great grandmother.

1851 Census, a 20 year old Ann Sibbick is a Housemaid at London House.

Fred and I went into the History Society in Ventnor and met Jeff, I shared the story with him and asked for help in tracing London House. He was fabulous, he spent the day researching all the historical documents, followed a few leads and worked out the story of London House!

It was right under our nose, a building in High Street, Ventnor developed by Elizabeth Briant's father-in-law, that you can see from the Society's office! The deli called The Kitchen@London House is at the centre of the building. We popped into the deli and met the owner who used the name London House because the previous owner had used it in their address too. The dentist offices next door have retained the original sweeping staircase. I was so thrilled!

So thrilled to find London House, chatting to the Deli owner about the history and going up the original stairs, now a dentist's rooms.

High Street, Ventnor in 1880's