We are sharing a monthly look at the farm diary of John Foss, written from his dairy farm in Kingston Russell in 1851.
May 1851
May of 1851 starts cold with a snowstorm on Monday the 5th, but soon improves. John describing many of the days in a similar manner:
“Fine morning, continued so all day. Very warm.”
Much of the farm work this month revolves around the potatoes and the calves, and John spends many mornings churning butter. In fact, one morning he gets up at 3.30am to churn butter for the landowner Robert Williams – he gets the job done by 6.30am!
An update on Brother Samuel
If you remember, John’s brother Samuel had a nasty fall in March and badly hurt his leg. Since then, he had been bedbound and unable to work. The family heard on the 4th May that Samuel was up and had his clothes on – a first since the accident. Unfortunately, John visited on the 16th and found his brother bedbound again:
“he fell down yesterday and sprain his well leg so that he is not able to be up again. Very unfortunate for him poor fellow, hope he will soon get strong again”.
Towards the end of the month, John’s sister Fanny and sister-in-law Mary decide to visit Samuel. They all travel over on the 29th and find “Brother Samuel rather better”.
John also meets up with the master again, who we now learn is called Richard Symes. He writes that Richard had not spoken to him “since the Blowing up he gave me”. John asks him about it:
“he said he had not thought of it since I told him I was very much hurt about it & also told him I wish he would bring the person that told him that I said he wish to Inger me”.
Parish Amusements
Pitcombe Dairy is a busy place with visitors coming and going every day. Among the usual family and neighbours, John received a visit from “The Plumbers & Carpenters & Masons”. They had been sent by Mr Williams, to repair a broken pump on the farm. Later in the month, John wrote: “Mr Williams gave all the Parish a treat at The School Room. Magic work change of saws & electricity very amusing”. This is one of the few social events John recorded in his diary, but it gives us a peek at entertainment in rural Dorset in 1851!
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Interested in learning more about John Foss? Explore the other months of his 1851 from the list below:
I am very excited with this site which I came across by pure accident, This is my family and the unfortunate Samuel with the bad leg was my gr. gr. grandfather. I hope to get to Dorchester before long to actually see this wonderful document. As for John himself I have photos of his grave and also of his two wives which I could make available if requested. I also know much detail of Coryates and the school there.
Are you intending to do anything further with the diary – say producing a pamphlet? If so, I would be very happy to do some transcription.
Hi Roger, thank-you for your message! It is wonderful to hear that our monthly stories about John Foss and his family have reached some of his living relatives! We would love to take you up on your offer of photos, and any other information you might have about the family. Someone will be getting in touch with you via the email address you’ve provided at some point in the near future.
Unfortunately, at this stage, we have no plans to do anything more with the diary, other than these monthly blogs (which we will continue to publish throughout the remainder of 2020 – so do check back in with us!)
I look forward to making contact, Roger