A month at Petworth - June 1898
The period from 1897 through to 1899 was a difficult time for
Billy. There wasn’t a lot of work available in the building or
decorating line and Billy spent most of this period helping out his
father sweeping chimneys, running deliveries in the horse and cart
and doing odd jobs. However, when there was any painting work
available, he would do it with enthusiasm. On one occasion, in June
1898, he was hired to join a painting team working at Petworth
House some 20 miles south west of Horsham. It is an interesting
sequence and I have included the full unedited diary transcript
from this month.
Wednesday 1st to 4th June 1898
The first page of this entry scanned from Billy’s diary.
Went to Petworth by first train, met Fred Mills in the town, and
after getting lodgings, went on the job, which proved not to be at
the Swan Hotel which “we” are building, but at Petworth House, Lord
Leconfield’s country seat.
I think it’s the largest house, bar Hampton Court Palace, I was
ever in. Had no small difficulty in finding our way from and to the
room where we were working and now even, it’s “risky” to get off
our “beaten track”, good deal of which is underground. The basement
appears to me like a huge rabbit warren, passages everywhere
leading to – anywhere except just where you want to get to.
Petworth House and Park, 1898,
reproduced with permission from West Sussex Past Pictures, Ref:
PP/WSL/P001184, Rep: West Sussex County Council Library Service;
Image Credit.
The house itself is a rather plain and solid looking stone
building. Could be easily mistaken for a jail, in fact I remember
doing so myself on one occasion, but once inside the idea changes.
Simply grand. Have not seen much of it yet but intend to if
possible before we finish. The park is also very fine, well stocked
with deer (in good condition too, not skinny like those in Bushey
Park). There’s a very pretty piece of water studded with islands
planted with flowering shrubs, so that the view from the house is a
treat, as real English as I can imagine. Beside the Park itself,
there’s a grand background framed by the South Downs. It’s said
that my Lord owns all he can see in this landscape with how much
truth I don’t know. Probably it’s only a convenient figure of
speech (as the yarn that his income is £1 a minute) though he
certainly does own a deal of property round about. Not only does he
claim the land but also the people on it. Woe betide any unlucky
townsman of Petworth who offends My Lord or his satellites – it
means his “out”. That being so, and the fact of the railway being
two miles from the town (My Lord’s father caused that I
understand), Petworth is a rapidly growing place – only it grows
smaller and more village-like. We find it rather tame but don’t
have much leisure as we work till 8 p.m. making 12 hours. We have
started on the “Cambridge Rooms” and “Church Room”, the two former
containing fine tapestry, very high pitched for bedrooms, 17 or 18
feet. As we work till one on Saturday, didn’t get back to Horsham
till nearly 4 p.m.
High Street, Petworth, 1900,
reproduced with permission from West Sussex Past Pictures, Ref:
PP/WSL/PC009383, Rep: West Sussex County Council Library Service;
Image credit.
Sunday 5th June
Had very nice letter from Arthur[1]
from Adelaide S.A. He has gone to sea again, had a very exciting
time owing to the breaking of the main shaft. Was promoted to Chief
Steward of another boat but, owing to another accident, had to keep
on his old job (2nd Steward) for a time.
Went to tea with Frank Ireland[2]
this afternoon. Annie still very weak but much better than she has
been.
Week ending 11th June 1898
Monday morning rode to Petworth on my bicycle. Got as far as Five
Oaks when it came on to rain and continued to do so all the rest of
the way. Took the road through Billinghurst, Wisbro Green and
Strood Green. Very rough and hilly road, didn’t arrive till 11
a.m.
Joined the Petworth Institute this week so have now the use of a
reading room instead of the “Public” for the evenings. One morning
had a very hurried look over the best rooms in the house. Of
course, in that little time, could only have but a glance at each
room. Should like to have a day at it. There’s plenty to see in the
way of pictures, statuary, carving, furniture and decorating.
There’s also an old family chapel in the house, not used now. The
window are ornamented with the “Arms” of the “Percys” who I
understand were originally Lords of Petworth.
Carved Room, Petworth House, c.1920,
reproduced with permission from West Sussex Past Pictures, Ref:
PP/WSL/N058616, Rep: West Sussex County Council Library Service;
Image credit.
On Saturday afternoon rode home again though I didn’t feel up to
it. Have had a cold these last few days. Very hot climbing those
hills and for the first time had a puncture. Got that repaired at
Wisboro Green and arrived home fagged out at 5.30.
Sunday 12 June 1898
Not feeling very well (slight cold). Didn’t go out till this
afternoon when I met Bern and Annie[3] and went to tea with them. Chapel this
evening.
Monday 13th June and week
Had much better ride to Petworth this time. From Wisboro Gree went
via Kirdford and Balls Cross. Better road and not much further
round. Have been working in Church Room and Mortons Room this week,
both in the new part of the house. Spent most evenings at
Institute. Wednesday was “club day”. Went in the park for an hour
but soon got “full” of that. Thursday evening started to ride to
Midhurst. Got as far as Selham and came back again. Roads not good
enough for a night ride. Home on Saturday via Kirdford again. Very
hot. Found that Mrs Pearce was here yesterday – went to Shipley in
our wagonette.
Sunday 19th June 1898
Chapel and [Sunday] School as usual. On Carfax this evening
listening to band. They have gone back very much lately. For some
reason they are not nearly so strong or efficient as they were a
year ago. I see the Jubilee Fountain is now finished and is to be
“opened” and is to be opened by R.H. Hurst Esq. Although most
people criticise and deride the affair, I certainly think it looks
very well in the Carfax. Don’t know that it’s much use except as a
plaything for the “nippers”.
Jubilee Fountain in the Carfax,
Horsham, , reproduced with permission from West Sussex Past
Pictures, Ref: PP/WSL/Poo1ooo, Rep: West Sussex County Council
Library Service;
Image credit.
- [1] Arthur Baker was
Bernard Baker’s brother and another good friend of Billy. Arthur
served as steward on steamships on the England to Australia run. He
had taken a couple of years to try his luck in the Coolgardie
Goldfields and was now back at sea. A forthcoming posting records
Arthur’s letters from the goldfields.
- [2] Frank Ireland was a
friend and sometime workmate of Billy. The diaries record a brief
“affair” between Billy and Franks’ widowed sister-in-law,
Mary.
- [3] Bernard Baker
married his cousin Annie Pearce in October of the previous year.
Their wedding is recorded in a forthcoming posting.
Share this
page (third party services may set cookies)