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Cedric was born in the year 2001 his brother Brendan in 2003. This site is dedicated to them and their eventual descendants. |
Ancestors of Cedric and Brendan
He had the following children:
F i Elizabeth Sarah Bleatham
Harry Chinn [Parents] was born on 26 Jan 1852. He died on 12 Jun 1929 in Marnhull, Dorset, UK. He was buried on 12 Jun 1929 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He married Ellen King. Harry was baptized on 30 Jul 1854 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He was of the Anglican faith.
Harry Chinn is recorded in both the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Harry [of Hinton St. Mary], agricultural labourer, aged 18, son of John and Elizabeth and again in the 1881 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Harry [of Hinton St. Mary] born 1852.
Albert (Jim) Frank Hoddinott of Weymouth recounted;
I remember my Grandmother's [Henrietta Chinn Davidge] two brother's and one sister. Uncle Herb and Uncle Harry each had a big farm at Hinton, that was in the late 1920's, one of them [Harry] had two sons, one is dead [William Bleatham] but the other has a farm at Gillingham, Dorset, also there was about four girls [actually the daughters of Albert Chinn]. I remember some of their names, Rube, Rebe, but I forget the others, which lot was which I cannot remember. I know some of the girls are also dead now.Harry operated the White House Inn in Hinton. St. Mary.
When Ruth and Rebe were quite small and running along to school, sometimes they would meet their Uncle Harry, who then lived at the "White Horse Inn" near the school. Rebe's mother's cousins lived at one of the grocer's and baker's shops. Uncle Harry would take them up the steps, push us inside the shop door and say to Aunt Tilly "Yer Missus, give these children some sweets" but there was no money handed over. It used to make Rebe's mother so cross when they told her about it. Harry was passionately fond of children and flowers, he had a lovely garden.
When Harry's younger brother, Albert Adolphous, and his family, moved to "Castleman's Farm" in September 1914, Harry left the "White Horse Inn" and went to "Twinwood" [The Commons].
Harry was described by his niece Rebe as always being a kindly old man whom they used to see every Monday after the market. They went to his home for tea. Sis (Daisy Chinn-Inkpen) and Nellie lived with him then. Sis had by this time returned from the New Forest and they used to have a sing-song around the piano.
Harry Chinn died June 12, 1929 aged 77 and was buried Hinton St. Mary, one year after his brother Dick and one year before his brother Albert.
Ellen King was born in 1850. She died on 23 Nov 1922. She was buried on 25 Nov 1922 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She married Harry Chinn.
They had the following children:
M i William Bleatham Chinn
Richard Bleatham Chinn [Parents] was born on 30 Jul 1854. He died in 1928. He married 1 Anna Maria Wiles on 8 Nov 1888 in Parish Church, Marnhull, Dorset, UK. Richard was baptized on 30 Jul 1854 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He was of the Anglican faith.
Recorded in the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Richard [of Hinton St. Mary], agricultural labourer, aged 16, son of John and Elizabeth.
He and his future wife Anna Maria Wilds had a son born to them, but the son resided with the maternal grandparents for a period of time until the family was settled. In 1888 he and Anna Maria were wed. The census of 1891 registers Richard and Anna Maria to be residing at the White Horse Inn. By 1901 Richard and Anna Maria were living at the Antelope Inn in Hazelbury Bryan, and their first son, Bertie had been reunited with the family.
Anna Maria Wiles [Parents] was born 1 on 15 Oct 1858. She died on 20 Jan 1940. She was buried on 20 Jan 1940 in Hazelbury Bryan, UK. She married 2 Richard Bleatham Chinn on 8 Nov 1888 in Parish Church, Marnhull, Dorset, UK.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978. Anna Maria Chinn died January 20, 1940 aged 81 buried Hazelbury Bryan
They had the following children:
M i Bertram Wyndham Chinn Wiles was born on 12 Feb 1883 in Marnhull, Dorset, UK.
Bertie was born in 1853 to Richard and Anna 4 years prior to their being wed. At the time of birth he was registered as Bertie Wyndham Chinn Wiles. It is believed that this was a recording error. The 1891 census records Bertie as residing with his grandparents Ann and Emanuel Wilds, and later in 1901 with his parents residing at the Atelope Inn.
Bertie may be the same individual as the sibling identified as Albert, however this has not been confirmed as yet.F ii Nellie Chinn was born on 7 Jul 1889 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She died on 21 Nov 1889. She was buried on 21 Nov 1889 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. Nellie was baptized on 7 Jul 1889 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She joined religion Anglican. M iii Edwin John Chinn was born 1 in Jun 1890. He died on 6 Mar 1949. He was buried on 6 Mar 1949 in Hazelbury Bryan, UK. Edwin was baptized on 24 Aug 1890 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He was of the Anglican faith.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978. Edwin John Chinn died March 6, 1949 aged 58 buried Hazelbury Bryan.F iv Ida Chinn 1 was born in Mar 1892. M v Herbert Chinn M vi Albert Chinn F vii Cicely Chinn M viii Jack Chinn.
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John Knott was born in 1860. He died on 23 Jun 1956. He was buried on 23 Jun 1956 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. He married Sarah Chinn on 18 Aug 1881 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. John was employed as Tailor.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
John Knott died June 23, 1956 aged 96 buried Sturminster Newton.
Sarah Chinn [Parents] was born in 1861 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She died on 1 Apr 1946 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. She was buried on 1 Apr 1946 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. She married John Knott on 18 Aug 1881 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Recorded in the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Sarah [of Hinton St. Mary], Scholar, aged 10, daughter of John and Elizabeth.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
Sarah Knott died April 1, 1946 aged 85 buried Sturminster Newton.
They had the following children:
M i John Knott M ii Harry Knott. M iii Allen Knott. F iv Bertie Knott was born in 1892. She died on 24 Oct 1913. She was buried on 24 Oct 1913 in Sturminster Newton, UK.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
Bertie Knott died October 24, 1913 aged 21 buried Sturminster Newton.M v Cecil Knott. M vi Ivor Knott. F vii Lucy Knott F viii Freda Knott. F ix Ethel Knott. F x Gladys Knott. M xi Albert Knott.
Tom Davidge.Tom married Henrietta Chinn on 1 Nov 1886 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Henrietta Chinn [Parents] was born in 1863 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She died on 9 Oct 1937. She was buried on 9 Oct 1937 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. She married Tom Davidge on 1 Nov 1886 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Recorded in the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Henrietta [of Hinton St. Mary], Scholar, aged 8, daughter of John and Elizabeth.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
Henrietta Davidge died October 9, 1937 aged 74 buried in Sturminster NewtonNotes recorded by Albert (Jim) Frank Hoddinott of Weymouth (died cir 1979) and sent to Brian B. Chinn;
provided information on children and grandchildren
They had the following children:
F i Eva Davidge was born in 1887. She died on 9 Dec 1914.
UnmarriedF ii Blanche Rose Davidge M iii George Davidge was born in 1890. He died in 1915 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. George was employed as Apprentice Cabinet Maker.
Died in his early 20'sM iv Reginald Davidge M v twin Davidge was born in Jul 1892. He died in Jul 1892.
Twin to Reginald, died at birth.F vi Elsie Elizabeth Davidge
William Knott was born on 6 Mar 1860. He died on 9 Nov 1938. He was buried on 9 Nov 1938 in Fordington St. George. He married Minnie Chinn on 5 Mar 1889 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
It is assumed that this is the brother of John.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
William Knott died November 9 1938 aged 78 buried Fordington St. George
Minnie Chinn [Parents] was born on 8 Dec 1865. She died on 22 Feb 1938. She married William Knott on 5 Mar 1889 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Recorded in the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Minnie [of Hinton St. Mary], Scholar, aged 5, daughter of John and Elizabeth.
Recorded in the 1881 Census of Hinton St. Mary as Minnie [of Hinton St. Mary] daughter born 1866
Notes recorded by Albert (Jim) Frank Hoddinott of Weymouth (died cir 1979) and sent to Brian B. Chinn; He remembered his Grandmother's [Henrietta Chinn Davidge] two brother's and one sister. Albert stated that his Aunt Min, whom had married a Knott, lived in Sydlin St. Nicholas. Some of her children were alive in 1977/78 and continued to live there, with one of her children living in Dorchester.
They had the following children:
F i Teresa Mattie Knott M ii Rhuben Knott M iii Alan Knott F iv Elizabeth Knott M v Leonard Walter Knott M vi Charles Knott F vii Laura Minnie Knott F viii Ida Ann Knott M ix Herbert John Knott M x Philip Adolphus Chinn Knott
William John Chinn [Parents] was born in 1869 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He married Albertina Fudge on 11 Feb 1890 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Recorded in the 1871 Census of Hinton St. Mary as William J. [of Hinton St. Mary], Scholar, aged 2, daughter of John and Elizabeth.
Albertina Fudge was born in 1870. She married William John Chinn on 11 Feb 1890 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
They had the following children:
F i Ida Emma Chinn was born on 9 Apr 1893 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. Ida was baptized on 9 Apr 1893 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She joined religion Anglican. M ii Walter Algernon Chinn M iii Leonard John Chinn F iv Amy Chinn. F v Emmie Chinn. F vi Winnie Chinn. F vii Kate Chinn
Albert Adolphous Chinn [Parents] was born 1 on 14 May 1871 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He died 2 on 25 Nov 1930 in East Stour, Dorset, UK. He married 3 Mary Jane Harvey on 26 Dec 1904 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. Albert was baptized on 17 Sep 1871 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He was of the Anglican faith.
Albert Aldolphus Chinn, was born May 14th, 1870 (and died November 25th, 1930) was the eleventh of twelve children born to John and Elizabeth Sarah Chinn.
The previous generations of the Chinn's were tenants and farmed at what was known as "The Common" at Hinton St. Mary, but when Albert Aldolphus lived there, and farmed about 50 acres, he renamed this place "Twinwood Farm" (the woods being situated on the Marnhull - Todber border of Hinton and again on the Sturminster side near the River Stour.
Albert and Mary had five children, three girls - Ruth Winnifred Mary born March 21, 1906; Rebe, born November 16, 1908; Ellen Martha (Pat) born February 25, 1911. The two younger children were sons - Albert John (Jack), born May 1, 1912 and Dick Harvey, born December 30, 1913. They were five children within seven years of age and had a very happy family life, sharing everything together. Their childhood was extremely happy but spending the greater part of their lives at home on the farm. Albert's Grandniece, Daisy Chinn (later Daisy Inkpen), came to live with them when the children were quite small. She helped Mary in the house and spent a great deal of her time looking after the five children. The children all referred to Daisy as "Sis".
In those days the work in the home was harder and very different washing by hand children’s and baby's clothes to be starched and ironed, kitchen floors (stone or wooden) to be scrubbed, white wooden tables, etc. to be kept scrubbed on washing days, a great many things in the kitchen got scrubbed too. Mary always churned the butter and Rebe can remember a man coming from Sturminster to kill a pig for them. There was black-pudding, faggots, brawn and many other things to be made. Rebe recounted seeing the pig being held down on a long low wooden stool and the butcher would have a very sharp knife and cut a long slit in the throat of the pig . While the blood gushed out it was caught in readiness to make the black-pudding. Then there was the innards to be cleaned. These were run on a peeled stick, by which means they were turned inside out. The smaller intestines were placed, after soaking, in clean salt water; the larger ones left as they were and cooked. (Rebe stated that they were really very nice but by 1972 when these memories were recorded she admitted to no longer eating them). The pig used to be hung up after being scalded and scraped with tin candlesticks. These were always used by all farmers who killed their own pigs but never did Rebe see any of them used as candlesticks. The hindge (heart, liver, liglts and shawl) was removed and hung separately after being washed. This was used for frying. Rebe says she has never tasted any as nice as those used to be - every part of the pig was eaten or used.
The family took a tenancy and moved to "Castleman's Farm" in September 1914. Their last belongings were moved in the milk float with Dick aged 9 months old in the cradle at the back of the back seat. The village was very small but the children never went around the village until they grew older. This farm was over 200 acres with quite a lot of arable land. While at Castleman's they employed a carter, Charlie, who only looked after the horses and did the ploughing hauling, cutting and binding etc. He had nothing to do with the dairy or maintenance of the farm. This carter and his brother, who was the dairyman, worked for the family for many years. At this farm they used to have the cider makers come in to make the cider. It was a delightful drink, dipped from the cider press and with some new bread and cheese. What more could one want.
During the winter the threshing machine would move in, a black steam engine with its shining brass. Albert used to get in a ton of coal and old Mr. Sammy Lambert from Shaftesbury used to stoke up his fire very early in the morning. He slept in his galvanised caravan with one window and door and a cooker. The threshing was a very dirty and dusty job. They always had about 12 men to help with threshing the corn. There were at least two on the corn rick, one passing the sheaves to the man feeding the threshing machine, perhaps two at the back where the corn was running in, perhaps from different sacks - all different grades. These had to be watched and changed for empty sacks, one taking the straw bundles and two more making a straw rick for litter or bedding, another man raking up the husk or huds from the corn ears (this was mixed with other feeding materials such as oats, crushed maize, chaff, etc.). Then another man would help with the dust and all that was rejected. Others were killing mice. In later years it was compulsory to have wire netting around each rick to prevent the rats and mice from escaping. It was a horrible, dusty job and they were all glad when finished.
Albert had the milk round at Sturminster Newton for many years. Sometimes one of the children were allowed to go with the man and sometimes Albert went himself.
Albert took quite an interest in the life of the village and he was one of five who gave money for the church tower clock (this as a War Memorial). The rest of the villagers gave money with which one of the army huts was bought for the village for recreation and entertainment. The church is small but very nice. The family pew was in the chancel, opposite the Pitt-River's family pew. In those days each farm had its own pew. Albert was church warden and often took the collection. He was also one of the school managers.
Albert used sometimes to go to the tithe barn if there was a dance for church funds or for a charity to take the admission at the door. Sometimes he would have a dance - Mary, his wife, never danced - she was brought up very strict. Very occasionally, Ruth and Rebe were allowed to go just inside to have a peep at the ladies in their beautiful evening gowns, but they were not allowed to stay very long. They had to go home to bed.
Albert's recreation was hunting - he had many hunting friends. Jack rode to hounds for several years and when Dick left school he also went hunting. When they moved to Highgrove their little black and white spaniel, Prince, was brought as well. That spaniel used to be my Albert's constant companion. Albert had him trained for the gun, he was a wonderful retriever and would never give up the rabbits which ran out of the corn when it was being cut except to Albert. Prince always sat and waited for Albert to shave and put himself tidy each Sunday morning. Then he would go with my Albert to meet Harry, who had moved into Twinwood Farm by then. They always walked through the fields, sometimes at Twinwood and sometimes at Castleman's Farm.
Shortly after the incident where Albert's wife Mary had disarmed Charlie, the carter, who had taken the family gun to reportedly to shoot Mr. [Albert] Chinn and Mr. Stride, Albert bought Highgrove Farm at East Stour. Mary felt relieved. The farm house at Hinton was thatched and she used to wonder (before the carter went into the mental home) if ever this man would set it on fire. The family furniture was moved (on Friday Sept. 29, 1922) to Highgrove by the horses and wagons. The farm was empty for six months, it had been sold twice so they were able move in at their own convenience.
The dairy cows were driven to Highgrove on foot, Jack riding his pony in front of the cows and two men walking behind. They left nineteen cattle behind and the arable machinery and implements, etc. was to be sold at an auction sale by John Jeffery and Sons the following Monday (after the market at Sturminster Newton). The milking cows had to be milked on Saturday and Sunday and Monday morning (their men did not move with the family). The milking stools were left for their use so the men had to improvise for stools at Highgrove until after the sale. Life seemed strange for a while, the family were no longer in a village. Highgrove Farm was a farm within a ring fence right out in the fields, only about 2 miles from Gillingham and they had their own private drive through the fields.
Albert bought this farm thinking it would be much easier, for he used to say "When we get to Highgrove Mother, we will take life easier", but somehow they were always busy. He felt much satisfaction and pride in buying his own farm. He used to say with pride that he had never had a penny left him in his life and it was true.
Highgrove Farm was much smaller than Castleman's 154 acres. Highgrove was very bad for water and there wasn't any travelling on the road for the cattle. There was very little arable land, only 112 acres which were used for potatoes and mangolds. The men were always allowed to plant a line of potatoes which were both ploughed in and again ploughed out. The family sometimes helped to pick them up and later in years the children helped to (drop the potatoes) put them in the furrows, ready for the plough to cover them in. They used to try and get two fields mown (weather permitting of course) and when one field had been worked and was ready for carrying they were working the second field. If everything went well the carter would be mowing again and in this way they did not lose any fine weather. They worked the hay to get it dry during the day, between the milking and usually they carried the whole field of hay after an early tea. The engine would be started up to drive the elevator and again with luck it was not stopped until the field was finished and time for supper and bed.
The Sunday following the move to Highgrove in East Stour, Prince, the dog, went missing. The family were very worried about him (there was no phone in those days, at least not in farm houses). Albert drove to Sturminster market as usual and when he got as far as Hinton he went around to Castleman's Farm and there was "Prince" sitting on the doorstep waiting. He must have found his way back on the Sunday expecting to go for his usual walk. This happened two or three weeks in succession. After that they kept him in on Saturdays and Sundays or made quite sure that he could not run away.
If the year was good, weather-wise, the hay season was about five or six weeks. Then the thatching had to be done. Albert used to sometimes thatch some of the ricks and he taught the lads to do the same. Mr. Martin, who lived next to the Chapel (now converted into a dwelling house) sitting just inside an ever open door made spars for thatching ricks and dwelling houses. He sat with his hook or axe in one hand and holding a spar-gad in the other. A spar-gad is the whitney stick which he splits in four, six or perhaps eight, according to the size. Then he sharpens each spar and twists it ready for use. Albert used to buy his spars from Mr. Martin. They were bundled up and sold by the bundle. Albert sometimes bought the hurdles from the market and sometimes privately, and on occasion he them made.
Albert also taught the lads to make a hedge (lay a hedge). When he bought the farm the hedges had not been touched for years. They were high and very wide, wasting a lot of land. Albert had most of the hedges made before he died. He only lived at Highgrove eight years. In those eight years he improved the farm quite a lot.
The farmhouse was of thatch, it is dated 1620, and the bedroom windows only had one stone (in height) between those and the downstairs windows. Albert had all the thatch taken off and the bedroom windows taken out. The upper part of the wall was built up and dormer windows put in, the roof was tiled, the garden was altered and the paths tarmaced. The farm buildings were in excellent condition except one or two very old buildings, probably built at the same time as the farm house. Some of these buildings were pulled down and others Albert had a builder to bring them more up-to-date. There was one old cowstall which they used as an engine house. Albert re-roofed it, it must have been built at the same time as the farm house. Instead of nails there were wooden pegs. (Not one nail was used to keep it together). In later years it was pulled down to put up a large hay barn.
Albert was always doing something to improve the farm. The coach house stables, cowstalls and pigsty’s were built of red brick and stone. The dairy and cheese-room was very modern. When the family moved there, Lord Stalbridge was at one time the landowner and he had all these buildings rebuilt. The farm house was not altered because the old lady who had lived there for many years refused to have the house touched. The farm was sold when she died. The Periett family had farmed it 50 years and the Chinn family 48 years.
Albert, upon acquiring the farm at Highgrove, took less part in village activities. They now lived two miles from the main part of the village and the church. His recreation and love was hunting. The Portman Hunt often rode over the farm, sometimes as much as three times a week and occasionally Albert would ride with the South and West Wilts. Hunt whose kennels were at Motcombe, quite nearby.
Albert suffered several hunting accidents towards the end of his life and two years before he died he broke his leg - a compound fracture, not in the hunting field but working on the farm. He did not go to hospital but was nursed at home. The family doctor came in and a nurse visited each day. One day, while he was in bed (in the drawing room) the Portman hounds came through the farm in "full cry". Rebe was at the front gate and Captain Brown, master of the fox hounds, stopped and asked me to hold his horse as he would like to see her father. That day a fox was killed in the field in front of the house and Captain Brown, the master gave Albert the fox's mask and the brush. They had the mask mounted. Later, Major Dennison Pender, sent Albert a framed photograph of Albert and his son Jack at a meet of the hounds at Marnhull Church.
Two years after this Mary had suffered and recovered from her stroke, Albert died quite suddenly. They had to take up a mortgage because of death duties. Mr. Harry Godwin of Senior & Godwin Auctioneers' valued the live and dead stock etc. Also, the men working on the farm were reduced from three to two while Jack and Dick pitched in to work the farm.
Albert was loved and respected by all who knew him. The church was crowded for the funeral, in spite of the very wet weather. They had to drive through floods on the way to church. He died November 25th, 1930. The Portman Hunt were to have met at East Stour the day of the funeral but the meet was cancelled. Several of the party came to the funeral including Mrs. Livingstone Learmoth and Capt. Brocklebank and the two joint masters, Capt. Browne and Mr. Scott sent flowered tributes. There was also a tribute paid to Albert under Hunting appointments.
Inscription on the gravestone, as found in the East Stour churchyard, reads [as recorded by Brian B. Chinn in 1978] as follows:
REMBERANCE OF OUR DEARLY BELOVED
HUSBAND AND FATHER
ALBERT A. CHIN WHO FELL ASLEEP
NOV 25 1930 AGED 59 YEARS
ALSO HIS BELOVED WIFE
MARY JANE CALLED TO REST
NOV 1 1944
Mary Jane Harvey [Parents] was born 1 on 2 Jan 1870 in Broad Oak, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK. She died 2 on 1 Nov 1944 in High Grove Farm, East Stour, Dorset, UK. She married 3 Albert Adolphous Chinn on 26 Dec 1904 in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, UK.
Mary Jane Harvey, was the second and only surviving child of Jane and Thomas Harvey of "Broadoak", Sturminster Newton.
During the 1914-1918 War, women had to work at the milk factory. The milk not sold on the milk round went to the Farmer’s Factory. In 1914, when the family was still at "Twinwood", Mary contributed to the war effort and made butter of the surplus milk. These women used to tip the milk and cool it then put it into the churns again then it was put on the trains for London and other towns. Rebe remembered seeing them washing down the factory floors with the yard brooms. They wore long dark skirts, aprons, heavy boots and leather leggings. They had men’s work to do and had to dress accordingly.
In September 1914 the family moved to Castleman's Farm were they employed a carter, Charlie, who only looked after the horses and did the ploughing hauling, cutting and binding etc. He had nothing to do with the dairy or maintenance of the farm. This carter and his brother, who was the dairyman, worked for the family for many years.
The carter had troubles at home - he was really a nice man but he became mentally unbalanced. His brother's daughter worked in the Chinn household. Her uncle, Charlie, called at the house one day (he had been home ill for many weeks) and the niece answered the door. He said "Give me the gun, I am going to shoot Mr. Chinn and Mr. Stride", (the Pitt-Rivers land agent). So this girl gave him the gun, apparently afraid of him. After the Charlie had gone she told Mary what had happened. Mary went straight out to look for him and she knew that Mr. Stride would be found at the Estate office, so she went into the yard and Charlie was coming from the office. Mary said in as normal a way as possible "Give me the gun Charlie". He passed her and went up some steps opposite the estate yard to a house and there in the bushes he took the gun from its' hiding place, but before giving it up he turned his back on her and removed the two cartridges. Mary was really shaken and after that the gun was hidden for a very long time. The poor man had to go into a home for the insane some months later. He was reported for going into the village Post Office where he picked up a chest and was carrying it away. He was never released from the institution but Rebe believes that he recovered enough to work the farm at the home.
In December of the year that Albert, her husband, had recovered from a serious fracture to his leg, Mary had a stroke. She remained unconscious for many days. This was a terrible shock to the whole family and especially Albert who was till on crutches at the time. For weeks there were three beds in the drawing room - Mary very ill in one, Albert in another bed and Ruth and Rebe used to take turns using the third bed in case someone was needed during the night. A nurse came each day for many weeks. Mary made a wonderful recovery from the stroke but it was a few years before she was really well again.
Late in 1943 Dick, the youngest had a terrible nervous breakdown which lasted for six years. Mary died as the result of a stroke, after one year of Dick's illness, her blood pressure returned and she was ill for several weeks, then, suddenly she had this stroke and passed away.
They had the following children:
F i Ruth Winifred Mary Chinn F ii Rebe Chinn was born 1 on 16 Nov 1908. She died in May 2002 in Gillingham, Dorset, UK. Rebe was baptized on 31 Jan 1909 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She joined religion Anglican.
Following extracted from notes made by Rebe Chinn 3-Jan-1978
Pat used to often say to my father "Dad, when are you going to buy me a piano?" He bought one not long after the First World War. It was a German one - I cannot say why, but Pat never learned to play. Ruth and Rebe did and they both belonged to the church choir and the East Stour Choral Society. Rev. Charles was the choir master. Each year the choir won the cup at the Dorset Choral Festival competitions at Weymouth.
At the age of twelve Rebe had a slight breakdown. Sis used to drive me out in the trap each day and the clergyman's daughter used to take me for walks. I was home from school for 6 months and the summer before we left Hinton St. Mary I was suffering from boils and could not go to school. I was coming 14 when we left so I did not go to school any more.
When Rebe and her sister Ruth and I were very small (still at "Twinwood Farm") they were watching their father and some of the men fencing the ricks with barbed wire. Something frightened one of the horses and as he ran off he got tangled in the barbed wire and pulled it right across the legs of the two girls. Ruth had on leather boots which saved her legs. Rebe only had shoes on and the wire cut one of her legs right to the bone. Rebe can recall her father bathing and bandaging it up - She carried the scar for life.
I can just remember seeing soldiers on manoeuvres before the First World War. The gates were kept shut but I am told that I used to crawl under them and get into the road. When some of the German POW’s came over to the country places they were billeted in what used to be called the Union or Workhouse. We had three POW’s always the same men, they were marched to the village in the morning and back again for their evening meal. They used to come into our kitchen and sit down at our table (on their own) to tea before they were taken back to Sturminster Newton. My mother and the five of us were there when these POW’s having their tea. My father and Sis were busy on the farm. Mother used to be on one side of the table and the POW’s on the other but she never drew the curtains thinking maybe that they would attack her. Two of them were very nice but the other, a big tough looking man, looked very aggressive. On Saturdays and holidays we used to help the carter and these P.0.W.'s to pick up potatoes, mangold, swedes, beans, etc. and other little jobs which we were able to do.
When peace was declared the village, organised a fete with sports, etc. and the school children gave a concert in the old tithe barn at the Manor House. I was "Britannia", Ruth "Welsh", Jack a soldier and Dick was a sailor. We used to go to this same tithe barn for school treats such as Christmas parties and teas, and most years a school concert. It is a most beautiful tithe barn and surroundings.
On Bank Holiday afternoons, if fine, we were taken down "Sturch Lane" along the road between "Spar Copse" and a smaller wood and along to Marnhull then back along Marnhull lane to home. On this walk we passed a lime kiln, this was always called "White Way'. Our perambulator, which was bought when Ruth was born, was called a 'mail-cart' - the handles being more like shafts on a cart. I remember Dick being dressed in cream silk, his best clothes, with a lovely little hat to match with silk ribbons (white rosettes) on either side and with ribbons tying under his chin. I remember this as though it were yesterday. We used to feel so proud if we were allowed to push the pram. Mother always used to dress us so nice. She always bought our hats and had them trimmed by a milliner and our dresses were made by Rose Davage and later, after Rose went away, by a dress maker who lived quite near us. Ruth and I were mostly dressed alike, Pat usually had something a little different. (Rose Davage - a dress maker and our cousin).
Our Vicar, the Rev. George Wynne, during my days, always came to our village school on Friday mornings to take our scripture class I have read in a book (which I will try and find) that this being a church school was something which had been done for many years. I still have books, bibles, and hymn books which we were given as Sunday School prizes and I still remember some of the passages which we had to learn for our Sunday School lesson. Mr. Wynne once told my Father that the five of us were some of the best behaved in the Sunday School. My Father replied "My children are no better than others". I think we were naughty at home but we always behaved when we went out.
We had an annual School outing to Weymouth - this seaside resort being easier for children to get from the station to the sea. We were all taken to Sturminster station in farm wagons. My Father and our neighbour, Mr. Bert Cross lent their wagons and carters for this purpose. The wagons were washed and cleaned and my Father used to nail long planks, for seats, across the wagon. We all assembled at the lower cross road. (At Hinton St. Mary, we had Top cross at the "White Horse" and bottom cross at the "Forge and waited for the wagons). On one occasion it poured with rain so Mr. Walter White asked us to go into his blacksmith shop out of the rain. It is a very old forge and you can imagine about 50 children and many mothers in a blacksmith shop. We were very grateful to him but the roof leaked in many places and as the drops pitched on our clothes they were black - still I don't think anybody grumbled - it saved us from getting wet through. I think the weather had cleared by the time we set off.
In those days we all three slept in one big bed and my two brothers slept together in an adjoining room. We had a Georgian cot which was used for us all. This is now in Malcolm's possession. Shirley had it done up (all the fabric part), I had the frame mended and re-polished etc. when I understood the value of it. So it is now at "Causeway Farm" and it is lovely. I hope that it will remain in the family. I have a wooden armchair of my father's, he always sat in it. I do not know if he bought it when he married or whether it was from his old home but it is in perfect condition. Dick used to say he would not sell it for any money. My Father was sitting in it when he died.
Each summer, after moving to Highgrove , I used to help with the milking, do much of the horse raking, swathe-turning, whaling (putting two or more swathes in one whale) in readiness for the wagons and hay loader to pick up. My Father once timed the load and the load was picked up in eight minutes (of course it was not always possible to do it as quickly as this). I used to drive the tedding machine sometimes and when at liberty helped on the rick. I also took the milk into the factory with the pony and milk float, both morning and evening. If I could be spared from the rick yard, my Father used to start me off with the horse rake if there were crooked trenches in the field he would show me how to drive the rake so as not to leave any hay behind. (Today the fields are not raked, mainly because of the time and wages. Years ago time was not so costly and again every job was done properly and with pride).
The summer of 1931, after my Father's death, was really a terrible wet summer, one of the worst I can remember. We were still trying to make hay in October. We had hired a retired farmer to help us, to step into the vacant place. I can remember how very much we missed my Father that year. We were actually lifting the hay out of one puddle and putting it into another one. After the mowing, most of the work had to be done by hand. The land was so wet and all the hay made that year was bad. Luckily we nearly always had a lot of hay left over from the previous year which helped out.
We had many trials and tribulations, such as most people do I suppose. One summer we had swine fever. We had quite a number of pigs which used to run out together - they suddenly developed a red rash (the pigs were white) and as soon as they were let out of the sty’s they ran straight way to the ponds and they went off their feed. We saved a few of them but not very many.
Another time during the winter several of our young heifers had flu. I think we lost eight within two or three weeks. Again, just after my Father died, a farmer from the other end of the village, rented some fields adjoining our farm. He had a young bull which was covered with ring-worm. This bull got into our field and all the young heifers caught it, about twenty of them. These heifers had never been tied up but about four of us used to get them into a corner of the field and the two boys held on to the heifers and one of the men used to daub whiting, mixed with water, into the sores with a flat piece of smooth board. Sometimes we used sulphur mixed with home cured lard. (I myself have cured people's ring-worm with this latest method). The men folk used sleeves, usually cut from a mackintosh and sewn up one end, these were pulled over their hand and as far up the arm as possible. In this way they protected themselves from the very contagious ring-worm. Jack had a large one on his forearm (after the cattle were better) but we cured it with the sulphur ointment. Later years Dick had it once or twice, but now for several years the veterinary surgeon has a more modern method. It used to be a very bright orange liquid, which when applied turned almost red. We never tried it on a human - maybe they have found something even more up to date.
Sometime after the war it was compulsory to have the cattle tested for tuberculosis (TT). Our first test , fifteen cows had to be sent to market. The second test nine more and so on. One had to go on until we had a clean dairy (test). It was very worrying, usually all the heaviest milkers failed the test. The young stock was usually fairly good. During all this the stalls had to be scrubbed and cleaned and all the wooden cribs and tyings pulled out . The walls rendered, windows put in instead of shutters - it seemed germs lurked in every crack and cranny. It cost thousands of pounds to go TT and it was a must.
We first started using a milking machine because of my brother's illness, but it was a disaster. It almost sent us bankrupt. After four years we started hand milking again and our milk yield doubled within weeks. After a few more years we once again tried a milking machine -this time with better results. We partly blamed the milking machine the first time, the second one was a different make - a "Fullwood".
The later years of our farming we had the cattle injected against many ills and diseases, Dick himself used to inject his sheep and lambs and trim their feet against foot rot. He also injected the young stock against husk etc.
Just after the outbreak of war we were told we had to have evacuees; two little boys were brought to us, John and Tony Brightman from Lewisham, London. John was eight and Tony five. They had to be got ready each morning to attend a school. Ruth used to take them across the fields to meet the bus, carrying Tony on her back (pick-a-back We were busy with the milking at that time in the morning.
When these two little boys were brought to us we had just had our tea and ready for hay making again. The two little boys were crying because the first house they had been taken to refused to take them in. A clergyman brought them to us. They both had labels bearing their names and Tony, the little boy, had a teddy bear tied to him. When we saw them we all had tears. That first evening we allowed them to stay up until we went to bed, which was about 11:00 pm. The little boys' mother had written a very nice letter "To dear unknown friends" - asking us to be kind to them and to remind them that they had parents and to help them to say their prayers each night. I sat down that same evening to tell them where they were and that we would look after them and treat them as our own children.
The parents came to stay for the Christmas. I sent them instruction as to how to get to the farm. They came from London on the milk train and had to walk two and a half miles from Gillingham to Highgrove (we were not allowed to drive cars except for business) and they arrived at the farm before we started our morning milking. They found their way quite easily. I made them a cup of tea before going out to work.
The parents came several times during the children's stay, but the boys never cried after that first day. Pat used to make Tony little blouses, coats, etc. They were a very respectable family and the mother and father were quite nice people.
We had searchlights on the farm throughout the war years. First we had boys who did not pass Al but later on I suppose it was found important and that the men should be as alert and fit as any other unit. Highgrove was known as 7/2 site, we were Troop Headquarters. Officers, batmen, number nines (utility van drivers, lorries with their drivers, two cooks, the searchlight crews, sergeants, corporals, bombardiers, etc. At one time we had a cluster of three searchlights, later it was found for some reason that one was sufficient. We always had about thirty soldiers; when clustered, over ninety.
They came to us during a very wet winter so we gave them our empty cottage to live in. Each time the siren sounded they would all rush out to man the searchlight. It was driven then by a big lorry. Later on several soldiers of the Pioneer Corps were sent to build nissen huts and army huts, kitchen showers, number nine huts, etc., Our paddock and part of a large field were full of huts. Before these were built the men, because the numbers were to large for the cottage, had the use of our stable loft. It was a nice loft and they were very comfortable there. We used to carry a hot drink to the guards each evening. They were then just outside our farm yard. We also used to post their letters For them and kept cigarettes, matches and candles in the house. We bought as large a quantity as we could (they were difficult to come by) and the soldiers bought them at cost price whenever they needed them.
I don't think any of us went very far during the war, there was nowhere to go during the black-out nights and if one did go out we had to walk but the picture houses were filled with the men in "kaki". However, by the time our work was finished we did not want to go out.
At Christmas time several of the men would come in and entertain us. There was a lot of talent in some of these men. Before the search-light settled in, a private house in the village was filled with troops, R.A.S.C. We then used to arrange entertainment for these troops. Mondays Wednesdays and on Friday evenings Ruth and I always used to go and sometimes Pat. On Sundays these men came to our church services. We used to invite two soldiers each Sunday to tea, stay for the evening and supper and Dick usually drove them back. One of these was a lovely pianist - he was educated at Edinburgh University. Another fellow, from Mitcham, Surrey had a beautiful baritone voice. These people used to take part in our entertainment’s.
As the war went on all the halls and almost every available place became filled with troops, so of course our entertainment’s came to an end but our searchlight soldiers had wonderful entertainment’s. Highgrove Farm, being headquarters, all the other surrounding sites came to our farm. A large nissen hut (the dining room) was used for the concert hall. We had a long private drive through a field and paddock to our farm. This was lined with utility vans, lorries, motor-cycles, ration lorries, etc. The different entertainers were very good, conjuror pianists, violins, comedians and every kind of talent one could imagine. The farm folk (my family) always had an invitation and it was lovely. Each time we went in or out of the farm it was always "Who goes there, friend or foe". There was always a soldier on guard.
Our private road was used by so much traffic that it was entirely worn down to the mud. I had to push my bicycle on the wet and sodden grass (our farm was wet during the winter months). Our bicycles had to be washed after each journey to get rid of the mud. The driveway became so bad that the army had to haul 40 tons of mendix stone to make it almost a new road. They made a lovely road and finished it off with tarmac - but we never got as far as having the white line - and in those days there was no such thing as cats-eyes, at least not around our part of the world.
Our first Christmas of the war, we had both evacuees and troops on our doorstep. That Christmas Eve, one of the curates from Gillingham, came out with about eight boy scouts to sing carols to the searchlight lads. Our evacuees' parents were staying with us and we were just sitting down to tea when in came the scouts with their scout master. We were already nine in number, then a little later some of the searchlight lads came in. The London parents of our two little boys said it was the best Christmas they ever had.
The last troops sent to our farm were in training for overseas and were not allowed to use the huts. They had to sleep in the open. The two officers, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Wigley, used our open cart shed to put their camp beds in and they had collapsible wash basins (sail cloth on wooden frames). They were both very nice gentlemen. Mr. Wigley liked his evening drink and he always went to the "Crown Inn" at East Stour. Mr. Hudson, who was a solicitor, stayed at his billet so one evening we asked him if he would like to come into the farm house and spend his evening - which he accepted and stayed to supper. After that he often used to spend his evenings with us. After the war, we were sitting at the tea table with some friends of ours on a Sunday evening, there was a knock at the front door. I was nearest so I went through the hall to the door. There was a man with his wife and two small children, he said "Does Miss. Rebe live here - I do not remember any other names". I said "Yes, that's me". This was Mr. Hudson and his family - so they came in and had some tea with us and stayed and had a little chat. It was lovely to see them again.
A Sergeant Cloke came to us for a holiday, another I must not forget is Sgt. Bernard Hemmerdinger. In private life he was a traveller in perfumes. He was one of three Sgt’s. who did not belong anywhere it seemed. They had been overseas before coming to our site and their comrades had been wiped out (killed in action). Somehow they were sent to our searchlight site. They used to help out with some of the duties but did not belong there so when a 'high up' came to inspect the site they were told to lose themselves - so they came down to the farm.
They often used to help some of our men. Sgt. Hemmerdinger was not used to manual work but he helped Roy, our cowman (who worked for us for over 33 years) to do fencing and put in gateposts and things of that sort. He used to often accompany me when I went to East Stour church on a Sunday morning. His first child, Gilian, was born during the time he was on our site. He brought his wife and two children and his father-in-law to see us after the war. He writes to me every Christmas and is now living at Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex. Each Christmas he recalls some incident of his stay at Highgrove and of our hospitality during those difficult years. He has never failed to write.
We had many Sgt’s., officers and men pass through our farm (I mean as soldiers with the searchlight). Nearly all the men we came in contact with were extremely polite and nice people. Two of the Sergeants and the two cooks used to come into our home each evening - one Sgt. and one cook would be on duty each evening. We used to play card or table games or something of that sort. Suddenly these soldiers who had been with us for many months were told they were to be moved to Axminster. A little previous to this one of the Sgt’s. had been posted to Tisbury, although he still belonged to our troop. After he had gone he began writing to me. After a while he asked if he could come and see me. He was liked an respected by all the lads and was one of the men who visited our home. He was moved to Axminster and also to Wells but occasionally he would send me a telegram asking me to meet him at Shepton Mallet. He would travel to Shepton Mallet and I met him there. We usually had a light meal in a restaurant (during the war food was not easy). We did not have very long together as he always insisted I got home before dark. The raids were quite frequent just then. I remember once as I was passing through Templecombe Station there was the aftermath of an air raid. The bombs had been aimed at the station, which was a very important junction. A house near the line had been hit, some of the walls remained. One could see a couple of hot water bottles still hanging on the hooks. I think some people were killed by this bomb. Our meetings were often few and far between as the war went on but he asked me to write him every day. I told him this would be difficult as our work on the farms entailed long hours, often all the hours of daylight and often during the busy seasons we were working till mid-night. But I promised to write alternate days - this I always did. Towards the end of 1943 he went into training to be an officer. He came to the farm several times when he managed to get leave and I went to his home twice and met his parents - not his real home. His parents left their home at Clapham and evacuated themselves to "Raynes Park", a very nice house on a quiet road.
While posted at Wells, Somerset he told me that the A.T.S. had been billeted on or near their site. We had been writing to each other for over three years. We were unofficially engaged but he told me he thought his parents needed his help a little longer. Probably he was helping them to rent this house in "Raynes Park", their own was standing empty - who wanted to rent a house in London during the war? They were very nice people and I think their standard of living was very high. His mother once told me they were spending their savings. However, a fort-night went by with no letter. I went on writing just as before. At last a letter arrived to say he had met another girl and he had asked her to marry him. You can imagine my feelings. I wrote to him several times (he asked me to still write to him) . I told him exactly what I thought about him. I and even my family were stunned, he was always so sincere. Still a war was on and this was one of the many things one had to suffer. Now after many years I know that it had to be and I am very thankful that I never married.
We had two Italian POW’s - at this time who were billeted at the mansion at Motcombe. One of them, when the planes came over, used to wave and say "bomb, bomb" but they were English planes. I used to say to him "If they bomb us you will be bombed too" but his reply was "They will see my patch". The other prisoner was later able to billet with us and stayed until the end of the war. He then went back to Italy, married and returned to us again. They now live at "Tollard Royal" with two grown up children. He is a gardener for the Pitt-Rivers family. Their agent sent to me for a reference (some years ago). We also had a German P.O.W. billeted and working for us. I often see Gabriele, the Italian and his wife and always hear from them at Christmas. Mary was born when at Highgrove, she too was a lovely little girl - when old enough they both used to help us on the farm. Mary at haymaking time.
A Dr. Blaikie came to live in our cottage. We saw an advertisement in the "Farmers Weekly" and Dick said jokingly "perhaps our cottage would do"; however, I sat down before going to bed and answered this advertisement. About one week went by and an answer came from this Dr. He thought the distance 150 miles from London may be a disadvantage. He had had many replies but he would like to come to see us and see our farm and the cottage on January 6th if that would be convenient. The day arrived and it was pouring with rain. The Dr., his wife, and son Robin came so I took them over to the cottage (quite near our house) and left them to look around at their leisure and told them when they had finished there would be a cup of coffee for them. It was a long time before they returned, they were almost afraid to suggest what they wanted to do with it. We told them they could do what they wished as long as they did not pull it down. In their advertisement they said they would do their own repairs. They found a builder and had the cottage altered to their liking, bath and toilet, hot water system, altered the bedrooms, built a porch and laid out the garden etc. - not costing us a penny. They were a lovely family and he was the kindest man I have ever known. Dr. Stephen Brunton Blaikie F.R.C.P., I will never for-get him. He was a most generous man, always buying something for us. This family rented our cottage for something like fifteen years.
It was Pat who decided that we should sell the farm. We made up our minds, just out of the blue. Pat's health was becoming rapidly worse. Dick was fairly well but after the breakdown there were times when he was a little under the weather. When he was not very well we (Pat & myself) felt that it was wrong that he should have to work so hard and have the responsibility of the farm. It was a sad and distressing time for us all, nobody knows the suffering it involves - only those who have lived with it. He was a very dear brother to us and I often thank God that Pat and I had been given the patience and the understanding to nurse him back to health.
Once we had decided to sell our farm we telephoned R.B. Taylor & Son, Auctioneers at Yeovil. Mr. Dare, head of the firm, came to see us and walked around the farm buildings, farm house, cottage, etc. We sat around the table and discussed the price, advertising, etc. I suggested we would not sell unless we got a really good price I loved the farm very much but in my heart I knew we must get out. We would have liked Michael to have taken it over but to rent and farm, to buy cattle, implements and so many expensive things needed to work a farm these days one has to be very well off.
A Mr. Orme called and explained that he had seen our advertisement in the "Farmers Weekly". He was passing through Shaftesbury when he called at the newsagents and bought the "Farmer Weekly". His intention was to travel on down the A30 to Devon but after seeing our advertisement he thought he would call round and see our farm. What he saw he liked so Dick showed him round and told him all he could. Mr. Orme, came into the house for a cup of coffee and a bit to eat. He was a very pleasant and kindly man. He asked if he might bring his wife to see "Highgrove Farm", he seemed very impressed with it but he thought he would go on to Devon as he had come this far. Mr. Orme came from Yorkshire. I think he and his wife must have visited "Highgrove" the following week and they brought two of their three children with them - Pauline aged 13, and Mark 10. We had several others call to see our farm. One man came from Devonshire - he seemed very interested, another came from Motcombe, another West Stour and so on but we all liked Mr. Orme and we told him we hoped that he would buy it (also he approved of hunting which pleased us). After a short time we knew that Mr. Orme would be the next owner of Highgrove.
Our live and dead stock sale was to be August 29th, one month before we moved out. It was a lovely bright sunny day and crowds of people came. It was a sad day really, for us. All our life's work seemed to be gone "SOLD". I think I hated most of all to see our young stock sold. We had brought up most of the cattle on our farm from birth. I am sure Dick hated to see his sheep and lambs go, also the land-rover which he drove so much. It was always parked at our back door - always in readiness - whatever the need. Of times, after being out all day he would return after dark and I would ride with Dick across the fields to count the sheep and lambs. He looked after and tended his sheep almost as a mother would care for her children.
To pack up our belongings was almost like a nightmare. I remember I began at the larder and wondered; however, we would get it all packed where would we put it. There was so much to sort out. All the crockery and bed linen was packed and we had permission to put it in one bedroom at "Sunningdale". Most of our belongings were moved by our tractor and trailer. It had to be stored for more than two months. There was no storage available so eventually it went to eight different places. Mary and Rodney had some of our more valuable belongings in their loft. Ruth had her sitting room filled a large room at "Causeway Farm" was packed full. Then there were various garages and out houses storing our belongings. We were so thankful when at last we were able to get into our own home and have all our belongings with us. The first evening here I think we all felt very sad. I know I did, I suppose I was homesick.
Although we had left the farm and what was home for so many years yet we were still with our family and those we loved, until the day we moved to "Sunningdale". We were beginning to get used to our neighbours and surroundings when Pat was taken from us. I believe she thought her work was done and she was happy to go. Her life, the last two or three months, were very wearying for her.
Dick died without a will and by law his money should have been divided between my surviving sister , my brother and myself. This I knew would be very much against Dick's wishes. We were all a very close family and we still are but the three single ones bought over the farm When Dick was very ill we all worked terribly hard and often against the odds - still we survived.F iii Ellen Martha Chinn was born 1 on 25 Feb 1911 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She died on 4 Mar 1971 in Gillingham, Dorset, UK. She was buried on 4 Mar 1971 in East Stour, Dorset, UK. Ellen was baptized on 7 May 1911 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. She joined religion Anglican.
Pat lived a full life just as all the family did but each winter she spent a few weeks in bed with bronchitis and she always had a cough. Pat's mother had bronchitis when Pat was born. Except for this trouble Pat a was quite a strong child and was never treated as an invalid.
Pat used to often say to her father "Dad, when are you going to buy me a piano?" He bought one not long after the First World War. It was a German one, but Pat never learned to play.
About August 1925 Pat's illness suddenly became much worse. She had seemed much better after moving to Highgrove. It was the day of the Gillingham Agricultural Show, her father and brother, Jack, had already left home because Jack was showing his pony, a strawberry roan, and a very clever pony. In the show it had to trot, canter, gallop and jump. Pat went upstairs to get ready to go to the show and suddenly she called to Rebe in the garden. Pat was looking out of the landing window and below was a huge patch of blood - this was the first of many haemorrhages. Rebe was sent to get their father and luckily he was just about to enter the show field. He called on the doctor and they both came out to the farm. Pat lay on the sofa for the remainder of the day. After that she remained in bed for nearly a year. The doctor could not promise anything, he said she must have complete rest.
At this time Ruth was at Upway, near Weymouth, at Bert Chinn's to learn cheese making. The two boys were quite young so they were not told how serious it was but Rebe used to cry myself to sleep every night. The week before her illness Pat had been a bridesmaid for Nellie Chinn and Frank Bleathman. All the Chinn family went to the wedding.
Pat looked the picture of health as always and she kept cheerful and happy, except when she had this bleeding. Rebe used to often spend the evenings with her. The next summer Pat was still in bed. After, she began to get up for a while each day. She was not allowed to do any kind of work for 6 years, not even to dry the tea things. However, she was very patient and always brave and cheerful and she lived with this illness (sometimes better than others) for 45 years. She was an amazing and lovely person.
All through the following years Pat was steadily getting worse health wise. During the war she often had bad spells but after a while she seemed to take a new lease on life and would improve again. She often cycled to Gillingham doing shopping and carrying batteries for the family radio. There was no electricity or telephone at the farm until sometime after World War II. As her health took a more serious turn, Pat had the bleeding of the lungs more often, the Dr. sent her to Salisbury Hospital. There they tried different treatment. This is when we were told it was bronchitis. After coming out of hospital she looked very much better, the rest had done her good. Our Dr. suggested she should see a specialist, then she was sent to St. Thomas's Hospital, London -hoping one of her lungs could be removed.
The family knew she was worried; however, she and Rebe went up to London on the train. Rebe had written to their cousin Ern's daughter, Gladys, who then lived at Surbiton. She met them at Waterloo station and together they went to the hospital. Pat stayed there nearly a fortnight. She was then told they could not operate - the other lung was not good enough. Pat was terribly disappointed, I think we all were. Gladys and Harry brought her back to Highgrove after this. The specialist said he had one more hope. He had a friend at the Chest Hospital in Southampton - a Mr. Chin, who was a very clever man who specialised in chest diseases and heart. So one day during the following few months we set out for Southampton. Pat shared a small ward there with a Mrs. Smith from Bridgport who had the same complaint but she had only just discovered her illness. Pat was there just a fortnight but once again "no they could not operate". Mr. Chin said that if he had seen her ten years earlier she could have been cured but both her lungs were affected very badly. Mrs. Smith was operated on and cured. She and Pat remained great friends.
Pat had to go to bed for a few days then she was better and went about her work, always doing the cooking for the family and the business writing. She did this right up till the time Highgrove Farm was sold. For several months before leaving the farm she found the cooking a real burden and often said to Rebe " I wish you could do it" but unfortunately Rebe had more than she could do.
Before she became severely ill, a Dr. Blaikie came to live in our cottage. We saw an advertisement in the "Farmers Weekly" and Dick said jokingly "perhaps our cottage would do". The Dr. and his family came to inspect the cottage, and after much discussion on work they wanted to do to the place, decided upon taking up residence. They were a lovely family and he was the kindest man I have ever known. Dr. Stephen Brunton Blaikie F.R.C.P. Pat was thrilled, he used to do such a lot to help her and each weekend he brought his case with his medicines. Sometimes when he reached the farm he would see a light in Pat's bedroom and he came straight in saying " I saw a light in Miss. Pat's bedroom, I think she must be ill, may I go up?". He was wonderful to her and to all of the family - giving Pat medicines which they were not able to obtain under the health scheme. He was a most generous man, always buying something for them.
It was in 1968 and Dr. Blaikie was anxious to get Pat into a London Hospital to see if something could be done to help her. He often told me she could not be cured but much could be done to keep her resistance up. He wanted to get her into the Brompton Chest Hospital - this was not possible but she was admitted into the University College Hospital. She found London not very good for her chest, she missed the country air. She was there just about two weeks then she returned home again. The Sisters at this hospital asked her who were these handsome gentlemen who used to visit her - these of course were Dr. Blaikie and his partners. They were all extremely kind and friendly to her. Mrs. Blaikie also used to visit her.
Ruth and Ruth's daughter Mary went to London to bring her home. She was very distressed when she arrived but after being home awhile she recover somewhat but by this time her health was really becoming a problem for her. She was in this London hospital in May and the day before the August Bank Holiday she went to Salisbury Infirmary to have a lump removed from her breast. Dr. Blaikie assured the family that she would be strong enough for this operation. It was a big operation and everyone was terribly worried about her. The actual operation was on Tuesday and she returned to Shaftesbury to the Westminster Memorial Hospital on Thursday. Dick usually drove Rebe to see her during the evening visit. Gladys, to whom Dick was engaged, usually went with us.
One evening Rebe saw she looked very flushed so she had a word with Sister Makepeace, she was a friend and neighbour and a Sister at the Hospital. She promised to have a talk with Dr. Jacob the family doctor. Her old complaint was troubling her again so she had to be put back on her usual tablets. One of Dr. Blaikie's partners was staying at Highgrove cottage at this time and he used to drive up to Shaftesbury each afternoon to visit her. He was so thoughtful and good to her which was greatly appreciated. One day he said to Pat's sister "Miss Rebe, you look very worried". Rebe told him how very anxious she was and he said that her sister's complaint from which she had suffered for years was far worse than cancer. However, she was home again after two weeks at Shaftesbury.
Dr. Jacobs had told the surgeon her home conditions were very good so she was allowed to come home. Sister Makepeace telephoned to say that she would bring her round when she returned that evening. She too had been a good friend to the family. After Pat came home, although she was ill, the family felt more content. After this operation she still did what she could but the family could see her fading away - it was very sad. They did their best to keep a brave face and go on as normal as possible. By this time Dr. Jacob had advised her to have a physiotherapist - a Mrs. Burnett, from Semley. She was a very nice person. She used to come twice a week.
Although they (Pat, Dick and Rebe) had all decided to sell the farm and what had been home for so many years yet they were still together when they moved to "Sunningdale". They were beginning to get used to our neighbours and surroundings when Pat was taken from them. Ruth used often to ask Pat to go with her but she wanted to stay at home. Pat had many friends to come and visit with her. She died in March 1971.
Her life, the last two or three months, were very wearying for her. She did not put one thing in place at "Sunningdale". She walked a little way into the garden once or twice and on Christmas Eve she insisted that Dick take her to the shops. Afterwards Rebe found it was to buy a present fro her sister but when Pat came back she was so weary. Her last morning here she said "I am glad we have got this far and I hope you will never again go through all the trials you have had. Pat never thought of herself and she was always there to help with whatever trials came along.
Pat had her illness for over forty-five years but was never a burden. She passed away very quietly and peacefully shortly after the move to Sunningdale. She was taken back to East Stour to be laid to rest in the church yard where her parents are buried. The church for her funeral service was filled.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978 state that Ellen Martha Chinn was unmarried when she died March 4, 1971 in Gillingham. She is buried in East Stour
Inscription on the gravestone, as found in the East Stour churchyard, reads [as recorded by Brian B. Chinn in 1978] as follows:
ELLEN M CHIN (PAT) CALLED
TO REST 4 MARCH 1971 AGED 60 YEARS
ALSO OF OUR BELOVED BROTHER
DICK HARVEY CHIN PASSED OVER
19 APRIL 1972 AGED 58 YEARSM iv Albert John Chinn M v Dick Harvey Chinn was born 1 on 30 Dec 1913 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He died on 19 Apr 1972 in Gillingham, Dorset, UK. He was buried on 19 Apr 1972 in East Stour, Dorset, UK.
When Dick was quite small he used to say "I am staying home with mother" and he always said he was going to be a parson - but he became a farmer instead. Dick was always singing or whistling. his mother used to remark "We always know where Dick is" because of this.
Dick was not fond of riding until later years and after his brother Jack had left school. Dick used to ride to school on his own pony and both the boys and their father used to ride to hounds with the "Portman Pack" , as by then they were residents in the Portman country.
Jack and Dick bought their first car together, a ford eight, a year or so before the 1939 war. They owned it equally between them. The second car was bought the summer of 1939, a morris eight AJT 793.
Jack married at the beginning of the war, Dick then bought over Jack's share of the car.
Late in 1943 Dick, the youngest had a terrible nervous breakdown which lasted for six years. His mother died as the result of a stroke, after one year of Dick's illness, her blood pressure returned and she was ill for several weeks, then, suddenly she had this stroke and passed away. After this Dick became worse and went into a private nursing home for one month to have shock treatment. This helped a little.
On April 18th, 1972 Dick was working in the garden, he dug the trench in readiness for the runner beans. Rebe called to him to tell him that she had to go into the town and he insisted on driving her. When Rebe reached home, Dick had gone on to Cucklington to help his fiancé Gladys with her milking. He used to go each day after they retired, usually in the afternoon except haymaking or other busy times, when he went earlier. When he returned that night it was after 11:00pm. Rebe let him in and he sat awhile because she wanted to finish a shirt she was mending for him. When this was done they went into the kitchen, filled their hot water bottles and went on to bed. That night Rebe heard a little noise - nothing to alarm me her any way - it was barely audible. But as she lay there she heard it again and went along to Dick's room calling his name. There was no answer. As she was switching on his light this very small noise happened again. The bed looked empty but she went in and pulled back the blanket she found he had tucked the corner under his head. She saw that he had passed over. Rebe went downstairs and telephoned Dr. Jacobs, a lady's voice told her that he was off duty so she implored her to send him as she thought her brother was dying. Rebe then went back to Dick's bedroom and tried to give him the kiss of life. She did not really understand how, but she tried. Rebe thought "I am getting no where" so she telephoned again. Dr. Jacobs answered "all right my dear I will be there in a moment" so Rebe opened both doors and put the lights full on and went upstairs to try again.
By this time it was about 1:30 am, the Doctor arrived and Rebe told him that Dick had gone; however, the Doctor tried to give him the kiss of life but to no avail.
Dr. Jacobs was so very kind and comforting. He stayed with Rebe for more than an hour. He said "what are you going to do" and I said "I will lie in bed, I do not want any sleeping tablets. Then at six o'clock Rebe phoned her brother, Jack, before he goes to his farm". Jack called up Mary and they both went on to Ruth. Mary had to go back to her home because Matthew was a baby, but Jack and Ruth both arrived at the house. Rebe said "I have not the courage to tell Gladys". Jack said he would go over and tell her then. Gladys, Dick's fiancé, came over during that day. She was very brave and Ruth stayed with Rebe for two weeks.
Dick had to be taken away but Rebe expressed a wish that he should be brought back home again. We are not aware of the details as to why but Albert's family followed a tradition of having a wooden cross on the cover of the coffin. This has been followed with each of their immediate family, not any other relatives, just their own family.
The Church at East Stour was filled to overflowing. Chairs had to be put in any available spaces. Many, many friends came to pay their last respects. There were people representing firms, auctioneers, bank managers, etc. and Mr. Dick Woodhouse, one of the Masters of the Portman Hunt.
Dick died without a will and by law his money should have been divided between Rebe, Ruth and Jack. They were all a very close family but it was the three single ones, Dick, Pat and Rebe who bought over the farm.
Inscription on the gravestone, as found in the East Stour churchyard, reads [as recorded by Brian B. Chinn in 1978] as follows:
ELLEN M CHIN (PAT) CALLED
TO REST 4 MARCH 1971 AGED 60 YEARS
ALSO OF OUR BELOVED BROTHER
DICK HARVEY CHIN PASSED OVER
19 APRIL 1972 AGED 58 YEARS
Herbert Chinn [Parents] was born on 25 Dec 1874 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK. He died on 11 Apr 1956 in High Grove Farm, East Stour, Dorset, UK. He was buried on 11 Apr 1956 in St. Gregory's cemetery, Marnhull, Dorset, UK. He married Sarah Ann Frampton. Herbert was baptized on 25 Dec 1874 in Hinton St. Mary, Dorset, UK.
Albert (Jim) Frank Hoddinott of Weymouth recounted the following
I remember my Grandmother's [Henrietta Chinn Davidge] two brother's and one sister. Uncle Herb and Uncle Harry each had a big farm at Hinton, that was in the late 1920's, one of them [Harry] had two sons, one is dead but the other has a farm at Gillingham, Dorset, also there was about four girls [actually the daughters of Albert Chinn]. I remember some of their names, Rube, Rebe, but I forget the others, which lot was which I cannot remember. I know some of the girls are also dead now.Herbert Chinn farmed at Marnull, and then retired to Priory Farm. After the death of his wife, Sarah, in 1936 he moved to Highgrove Farm.
Herbert had been living at "Priory Farm", Marnhull after his marriage. He had cut himself off from all the Chinn family. They were not bad friends but his wife did not associate with anyone except her own sister and her niece. Sarah died about twenty years before her husband. Herb was executor for Albert Aldolphous' estate so Albert's family saw him very occasionally. After his wife died in 1936, Sarah's sister and her husband moved in with Herb. This did not work successfully so then Sarah's niece's husband gave up his work at Bristol to take over Herb's poultry farm and they moved into Priory Farm. It was only a small acreage because Herb had partly retired. Things did not go very well. Albert's family sometimes saw him at Sturminster market and he was always very upset. He found he was keeping his wife's entire family, or so he thought.
One day, this was in the early 1940's, Herb arrived at Highgrove Farm where his elder brother's family lived. He had put some of his clothes in the car and drove down. He said he was not very well and had such a tale of woe, could he stay the night. So of course Mary, Albert's widow, could do no other than say yes.
The next morning Herb informed them that he was not going back home any more. He seemed afraid of them. Mary did not fall over the idea but he seemed so upset so she agreed that he could stay for the time being. He meant to stay and stay he did. Rebe remembers her mother saying to them "I don't know what you children will do because I expect he will outlive me".
Herb was not like his elder brother Albert in any way. His life was very self centred. Herb lived with Highgrove Chinn's for sixteen years. He used to help when he was able. He was only 64 years of age when he came to them. He helped out with the haymaking, though not the horse driven machines very much. He sometimes made the ricks, did some of the gardening etc. but every winter he would be in bed for several weeks during the cold weather. In later years he went to pieces and stayed in bed. He died April 11, 1956 aged 81 and was taken back to Marnhull churchyard to be laid by the side of his wife.
Several months after coming to Highgrove Farm he sold the contents of his house and let the place. He had told Albert's children that his wife's niece and her husband had made him make his will before they moved in and it had to be in their favour. No one really knew what was really going to happen to his belongings until after he died but to the surprise of Albert's children, Herb had remade his will and left everything to them and Albert's widow.
Herb had a very nice house and ten acres of dry land with its own spring water. It was not possible to get the tenant out and it was getting in rather bad repair so the property was sold. The heirs did manage to get £3,000 for it, but only just. This, after expenses, was divided amongst the five of them.
Herbert Chinn died April 11, 1956 aged 81 buried St. Gregory's Church, Marnhull.
Herbert and Sarah had no issue.
Sarah Ann Frampton was born in 1870. She died on 12 Jan 1936 in Marnhull, Dorset, UK. She was buried on 12 Jan 1936 in St. Gregory's cemetery, Marnhull, Dorset, UK. She married Herbert Chinn.
Information from Funeral Cards (primarily descendants of John Chinn 1830-1913) held by Rebe Chinn of Gillingham, noted during a visit by Brian B. Chinn in 1978.
Sarah Ann Chinn died January 12, 1936 buried St. Gregory's Cemetery, Marnhull.
<unnamed> died on 22 May 1892. He married Sarah Sharp.
Sarah Sharp was born in 1836. She died in 1917 in Marnhull, Dorset, UK. She was buried in 1917 in Marnhull, Dorset, UK. She married <unnamed>.
Other marriages:Chinn, John
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Ancestors of Cedric and Brendan Home | Chinn | Buchanan | Skelton | Svenceski | XUE
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