- Grandma, Father's Mother,
a farmer's daughter met her husband a Military Officer, whilst on a visit
to Plymouth. The Evans family, whose home was at Bath, were high borns,
very proud and aristocratic. They never received or recognised the "farmer's
daughter". Grandpa died of fever at Plymouth, the funeral was Military
of course. Our father, a beautiful two year old baby, as chief mourner,
was carried in the black servant's arms behind the gun carriage. The big
crowd, music of the bands frightened the dear baby who flung his arms round
the black man's neck and cried, a most affecting sight. There was not a
dry eye in the vast crowd.
The Evans relations wanted to take the children, Father and his baby sister Ann. Grandma refused to part with her children. Therewas a sum of money given to educate the children which was used to buy a farm and house for Grandma's second husband. I have been there. A beautiful place. Father was brought up by an Aunt, sister of his Mother, a widow, but she could not see the poor boy illtreated by his stepfather so made him one of her family of boys. He had to work while very young but did his best always and tried to repay Aunt Maria.
