The Diary of Mary Ann Denham

Wootton Bridge 1857 -1859
July 30th, 1858

Friday 30th July 1858

My birthday. Mother sent me a bookmark. Intended going to Shanklin to spend the day but to some misunderstanding about getting a pony and cart I was disappointed. In the evening I and the two children went to chapel corner and picked a few winkles, then we rode from Wootton Bridge in Mr. Taylor’s cart. The dear little girls were very much pleased with their evening walk.

May 12th, 1858

Wednesday 12th May 1858

Miss Fanny Wall and I, in our little four wheel started for Ventnor. We left home by half past 7 o’clock, we put our donkey up at the Kent Tavern. We then walked into Bonchurch, called at “Sunnyside” and saw Miss J Wall. We then walked into Shanklin, we went through the chine, and after which we dined, and then walked back into Bonchurch, drank tea at “Sunny Side”, then returned to Ventnor had “Daisy” harnessed, we came back through Godshill and Newport, home to dear Old Wootton Villa having spent a very happy day indeed.

December 25th, 1857

Friday 25th December 1857

Christmas Day

Mr. Moore and Miss Ann Pittis was married at Wootton Church. Julia was bridesmaid she breakfasted at Mr. Pittis at about 7 o’clock, they left Wootton at about 8 o’clock and proceeded to church after the ceremony was concluded – they went to Shanklin. It was lovely weather. They returned about 1/2 past 4 o’clock. Dined about 5 o’clock.

In the evening Mr J Alford called in – about 8 o’clock Mr. G. C. Miss Brading and Miss Ann Cooper called to see us, they left about 1/4 to 10 o’clock. I went part of the way home with them it was a glorious moonlight night. When I returned I found Julia had arrived also Mr Pittis and Mr and Mrs Moore and Mr James Pittis so that we had for a short time quite a merry little party, they left about 11 o’clock.