The Diary of Mary Ann Denham

Wootton Bridge 1857 -1859
December 5th, 1858

Sunday 5th December 1858

I very much better. In the afternoon Miss J. Brading and Mr. T Lillywhite drank tea with us. In the evening we went to Wootton Bridge Chapel.

October 25th, 1858

Monday 25th October 1858

I went to Newport. Grandma very poorly indeed. In the evening cousin William called to see us. Julia went to Wootton Bridge.

September 18th, 1858

Saturday 18th September 1858

We had ½ ton of coals from Wootton Bridge. In the afternoon Julia went to Newport.

August 31st, 1858

Tuesday 31st August 1858

I went to Newport. Mr. W.D. and Miss D. came home with me. We then went to a picnic party near Wootton Bridge. We arrived there rather to early so we went for a very pleasant walk as far as Woodside and back again we then had tea and tript on the light fantastic  till dusk after which we returned to Mr. R. Cooper Farm which was fitted up for the occasion, a great many friends from Newport honoured us with their company, we arrived home by ¼ past 10 o’clock, our little picnic gave I believe general satisfaction to all who had the pleasure of going.

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.

July 21st, 1858

Wednesday 21st July 1858

I went to Newport, In the afternoon I went to Ryde to invite Cousins Annie Eliza and Emma Jane to stay with us a few weeks. Mr. G.C. rode home to Wootton Bridge with me.

June 30th, 1858

Wednesday 30th June 1858

I went to Newport. In the evening I went to Wootton Bridge called in Mrs Tharles returned a newspaper Mr. G.C lent us on Monday. I arrived home by ½ past 9 o’clock Mr. G.C accompanied me.

June 28th, 1858

Monday 28th June 1858

General holiday – I went to Newport had a very pleasant ride in the donkey gig. There was a pleasure seeking party went from Wootton Bridge to Sandown. Julia was invited to join them but owing to a prior engagement she was obliged to decline. Mr. Pittis drove one party in Mr. Pophams waggon to a tea party at Ventnor, and some of our Littletown friends went to Gunville Bazaars. There was also a tea party in Carisbrooke Castle and another at Wootton Farm, so we were quite gay by seeing others out pleasure seeking. Fareham Asylum folks had a gypsy party on Portsdown Hill.

June 27th, 1858

Sunday 27th June 1858

I went to Wootton Church and received the sacrament. In the afternoon Julia went to church. In the evening she went to Wootton Bridge Captain Brown preached at the free Wesleyan Chapel. Mr. G.C came home with her. Mrs Moore confined but the baby only lived a few minutes.

June 14th, 1858

Monday 14th June 1858

Mrs Sanders of Fernhill after a protracted illness departed this life aged 70 years. A party of Wootton Villagers went to the sheep shearing supper at Combley.