In ‘Auld Lang Syne’, by Harry B Neilson, printed in 1935, mention is made that the date 1837 can be seen on a stone garden wall of the cottage. It is stated that Richard Lea cut the date on the wall and carved the Tam O’Shanter stone and also the weather vane with its animal heads, lion, dog etc. It is said he made them in his spare time to decorate his cottage. Part of the cottage, seen in the foreground of the photo below, is roofed with thick, stone flags, which in past times was a common method of covering buildings in Bidston, where stone was plentiful. The list of farms which were on the Bidston Hill heath land in the year 1840 includes the Tam O’Shanter farm, and tells us that the size of the farm was 6 acres.
So, out of interest I looked for Richard Lea on Family Search..
Looked for 1841 census.
Richard Lea,(aged 10yrs) Residence Old Chester Road, Event place Bidston , Cheshire.
Continuing down the list, there are 16 more names at Residence Old Chester Road, Event place Bidston.
Could I be right in thinking that they were all farm workers who came from the 'workhouse' ? BUT, I can't find him in the 1851 census.
I really don;t nw what I;m trying to say, but looks as if there is little proof that he actually lived there.
Last edited by granny; 25th Mar 20255:26pm.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
Thank you Bert. We can always rely upon you.. Hope you are ok. The other chap is still fine, grumbling and squeaking. (joking). He's all good, we have chats every couple of months over the long distance blowers .
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
All is well granny, very glad to hear the gentleman from the colonies is all good, if he's grumbling he's missing his visits to the Ayrshire acupuncturist. He always said she the finest of pins.
God help us, Come yourself, Don't send Jesus, This is no place for children.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
