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TAYLOR, Robert (1849-1928) and family – of Elm Farm and Rosebank, a photographic archive

Robert Taylor (b. 1849) and his wife, Sarah Kate (née Wood), lived at The Elms, Manor Road, Wickhamford, at the time of the 1891 census.  This property is now called ‘Elm Farm’.  By 1901, they had moved to Whitechapel Farm in the parish of Childswickham, but only about 100 yds outside of the Wickhamford boundary, on the Broadway Road, just past the turn to Murcot.  In 1911, they were back within Wickhamford parish at a cottage now called ‘Rosebank’, on Pitchers Hill.

The couple had three children, William Herbert (1888-1959), John born in 1890 but who died after only six days, and another John in 1892.  The child who died was buried in Wickhamford churchyard, but there is no memorial stone.

A collection of family photographs, belonging to Janet Baines, until her death in 2019, were shown to the Badsey Society by Angela Rimell.  Copies of these family pictures are presented below.

The Elms Wickhamford
The Elms, Manor Road, in about 1930, long after the Taylor family had left.
Wood family
A large group of Sarah Kate’s Wood family.  She is second from the left holding her eldest son, William, with Robert Taylor standing behind her.  This picture would be from around 1890.
Childswickham School
Children at Childswickham National School in 1897/98.  William Taylor is on the extreme right of the second row and his younger brother, John, is next to him.
Rosebank, Pitchers Hill
Rosebank on the south side of Pitchers Hill, where the Taylor family were living in 1911.
Interior of Rosebank, Pitchers Hill
One of the rooms in Rosebank at the time of the Taylor family occupancy.  The oak chest is still in the possession of the family
Taylor family
Robert and Sarah Kate Taylor with their sons, William and John, prior to the Great War.  During the war, William Taylor served with the Royal Engineers and John Taylor served with the Worcestershire Regiment.
John and Ethel Taylor
Wedding day picture of JohnTaylor and Ethel Hawker on 2nd June 1920, taken outside the front door of Rosebank.
Robert, William and Kathleen Taylor
Robert Taylor, his son, William, and grand-daughter, Kathleen, who was born in 1915.  William’s wife, Eleanor Irene (née Phillips), died before the end of the Great War.
Robert and Sarah Kate Taylor
Robert and Sarah Kate Taylor in later life.  He died in 1928, aged 79, and she in 1942, aged 76. 
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor was a Churchwarden in Wickhamford, firstly 1893-94, before the family left to live in Childswickham, then again 1907-1916 and lastly 1917-1919.  He is seen here tending the churchyard with a scythe, during his latter period of service.
Sarah Kate Taylor
Sarah Kate Taylor in the 1930s.
Taylor headstone
The Taylor headstone in Wickhamford Churchyard.

Acknowledgements – The photographs and information were kindly supplied by members of the Taylor family.  The photograph of the headstone was taken by Peter Stewart.

 

Tom Locke – January 2020

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