How wonderful to stumble on this. I recently discovered distant ancestors from the area and you mentioned a John Stenner who was one (husband of a cousin 4 x removed, something like that).I’m just beginning to find out a little more and I have family buried at Selworthy. I’ve also been trying to collect some older books which I have found more useful than the newer ones. My Nana designed a wrought iron gate which I think may have been made at Allerford Forge. I’m not from the area my grandparents lived in Porlock and growing up I came down to visit. Recently I have had the pleasure of walking from Porlock, up Bossington hill to Selworthy. It was fascinating to hear your story so thank you for sharing. I also discovered an ancestor who married an Acland. The area, thank goodness has little changed and it truly is a special place. How beautiful to have those sketches and a personal written account of that time period. Thank you again for sharing.
@JamesRattray8 ай бұрын
Heather, you don't know how pleased I am to read your comments. For me, personally it was very very special day of discovery. For the last three years, my brothers and I have spend a week to ten days visiting places our ancestors lived. Each year choosing different ancestors and locations. My youngest brother found the Selworthy book, which none of us possessed and was able to purchase it on line, written by Marian Selina Archer Thomson. We didn't really know who she was, we knew her name as she had left some money, a few hundreds of pounds to each to us. She never married, but left this book about the few years she grew up in Selworthy. Through this book, I feel I have got to know Marian Selina and feel great affection for her. I enjoy making videos of life experiences. A total amateur, no formal training, just enthusiasm. I try and tell simple stories of experiences we encounter. Selworthy was totally unrehearsed, we had no idea what exactly we would find. I am so proud I was able to capture enough of the day to share the special experience Selina left us over a hundred years ago. I see there are still copies of her book available on the internet, that is some legacy she has left. So many of us disappear off this world leaving nothing. May be she has left us an example of what we all should be trying to be doing. My book is on East Africa where I grew up, my family were there from 1898 to 1967.
@catherinerobilliard7662 Жыл бұрын
Even though I’m a local from the Dunster part of the area, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you.
@JamesRattray Жыл бұрын
Thank you Catherine, you have made my day. Selina who wrote the small book for us all (we purchased ours for £10 off the internet), would be so pleased. It was very very special being able to touch local events of 170 years ago and still find Selworthy as it is today. Currently working on our 23 days video of India, saw loads of tigers, leopards and wildlife. Thank yiu for your comments, they are greatly appreciated.
@emmarattray7455 Жыл бұрын
Nice video!
@JamesRattray Жыл бұрын
Thank you Emma, that means an awful lot to me. You were there too, it was a very special day. so lovely to be able to travel back in time and get a glimpse of what Selworthy must have been like in the 1850s.
@SalviMithrin Жыл бұрын
Very interesting historical, achitectural and social footage. I'd like to be recorded on HD video if possible. Thank you very much.
@JamesRattray Жыл бұрын
I believe the HD video is now ready
@SalviMithrin Жыл бұрын
@@JamesRattray Yes, it is! Thank you very much for your kindness.
@catherinerobilliard7662 Жыл бұрын
The Acland family were abolitionists, the plaque on the left in the church was dedicated to the two sons who died close together, one of them from African fever off the coast of Benin aboard a British ship that intercepted slavers, setting the slaves free.
@JamesRattray Жыл бұрын
This is really interesting, do you or anyone you know like to tell the story of the Aclands and the abolitionists? I would very happy film and edit it and you would have total control of it in that you decide what works or not. I enjoy producing videos of today, so in 170 years time may be some people will look back and enjoy them, just like Selina has done with her book on Selworthy. Just thoughts helping to acknowledge these people who travelled through time before us. PS Thank you for the link to Tithes and the Rural Clergy, very interesting, I have printed off and will enjoy reading and learning about it.
@MrDaiseymay4 ай бұрын
CORRECT, FAR TOO FEW KNOW THIS HISTORY, OF BRITAIN, BEING THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, TO OFFICIALLY MAKE SLAVERY ILLEGAL. OUR NAVY, TO THIS DAY, HAVE PATROLLED AFRICA , LOOKING FOR SLAVE TRADER'S, CHASE AND BOARD SUCH SHIPS , AND FREE THE SLAVES AT THE NEAREST SAFE PORTS.
@MrDaiseymay5 ай бұрын
Is Ackland a common name in North Somerset and North Devon ? The family of Actor Joss Ackland owned the estate at Clovelly, which I believe he inherited, and lived there till his death .
@JamesRattray5 ай бұрын
I really know very little about the Ackland's other than this account left by my Grandfather's cousin of when she grew up in Selworthy in the 1850s. Sir Thomas Ackland owned the estate back then. In 1944 Sir Richard Acland donated the 12,500 acres Holnicote Estate on Exmoor National Park to the National Trust. This has kept the estate very much intact as it was with minimal developments since then. Regarding Clovelly, which further round the coast from Holnicote Estate. Google tells me it is a privately owned harbour village in the Torridge district of Devon, England. The settlement and surrounding land belongs to John Rous who inherited it from his mother in 1983. He belongs to the Hamlyn family who have managed the village since 1738. Thank you for your comments.
@MrDaiseymay4 ай бұрын
@@JamesRattray THANK YOU
@catherinerobilliard7662 Жыл бұрын
A lovely part of the world indeed. Tithe dinners pre-dated the Harvest Festival; you can find information about them here jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number16/sutherland.pdf