The Diary of Mary Ann Denham

Wootton Bridge 1857 -1859
December 20th, 1857

Sunday 20th December 1857

A wet morning, in the afternoon Julia read. I did a little drawing.

In the evening Mr.G.C. went to Newport Church. Robert called in (as he came from Chapel) to see us, about 9’oclock. Mr.G.C. and Mr J.C. returned from Newport, we sang and played a few tunes, and I spent a very pleasant evening.

December 17th, 1857

Thursday 17th December 1857

I went to Newport this afternoon.

Mother gave Julia a volume entitled The Lorn Cupboard.

December 13th, 1857

Sunday 13th December 1857

I and Julia went to Church.

In the afternoon I went to Chapel. Julia went for a walk, Mr G.C. drank tea with us.

December 12th, 1857

Saturday 12th December 1857

Mother and I went to Newport, I had a tooth extracted.

In the afternoon Julia walked into Newport.

In the evening I went and met her.

December 6th, 1857

Sunday 6th December 1857

I and Julia went to Wootton Church, Mr Scot preached from the 1st Chapter of C.

In the afternoon Julia went for a walk.

In the evening Mr G.C. drank tea with us. I spent a very pleasant evening.

December 2nd, 1857

Wednesday 2nd December 1857

I copied a sketch of Wootton Bridge in 1834 drawn by Mr Bearman.

Julia went to Newport.

In the evening we went for a walk.

November 30th, 1857

Monday 30th November 1857

Julia and I went to Newport.

Mr. Snooke put a new shoe on Daisy’s foot.

November 29th, 1857

Sunday 29th November 1857

I and Julia went to Wootton Church. In the afternoon Julia expected Miss J. Rolf to drink tea with us, they went part of the way to meet her, but was disappointed as she did not come. I went to Wootton Church. Grandma had an attack of the spasms.

In the evening Mr G.C. and Mr J.C. called for us to go a walk, we went nearly to Combley and met Mr And Mrs Tharle when we returned. I enjoyed the walk very much – Grandma better.

November 28th, 1857

Saturday 28th November 1857

In the evening Julia and I went to Newport, the first time I was in Newport on a Saturday evening. Miss Jane Rolf came part of the way home with us, we also  met Mr G.C. who returned with us. Arrived home about half past 9 o’clock.

November 22nd, 1857

Sunday 22nd November 1857

Julia and I went to Wootton Church, the bride and bridegroom was there.

In the afternoon Julia drank tea at Mr Brading’s and then went to the Free Wesleyan Chapel. Miss Alice Cooper drank tea with us.