Inspiration from our back story

What can we learn from our footsteps through two thousand years of British History

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Lessons from History

Māori, Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua, I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.

Nietzsche, 3,000 years quote

 

Déjà vu

History repeats itself. It’s happened before.

Pandemic – 1918 influenza – William Farndale …

Crimea – John George Farndale

Climate Change – Black Death …

Inflation – William Leng Farndale in February 1916 a meeting of the licenced victuallers of Rothbury and district was held at the Railway Hotel. Mr W L Farndale, manager for Rothbury Brewery Company, presided. It was unanimously decided, owing to the considerable increase in the price of spirits, that on and after today an increased charge of 1 penny per glass be made. It was also decided that steps be taken to form a licenced victories association for Rothbury and district.

Anti Vaxers - In September 1879, the Rev W Stoddart, BA, minister of the Unitarian Church, Wellington Street, Stockton, appeared before the Borough Magistrates on Thursday morning in answer to a summons for neglecting to have his child vaccinated as required by the law. The Vaccination Officer proved that the child had not been vaccinated since its birth. Mr Stoddart, in defence, said that he had a conscientious objection to vaccination, believing it to be contrary to the laws of God and opposed to sound common sense. As a parent he considered it his duty to protect his child from any and every kind of harm; but he should not be doing his duty as a parent if he allowed to the germs of disease to be inserted into his child's body with a view to the possible prevention of some other kind of disease. He therefore considered it to be his duty to oppose the laws of the State rather than disobey the laws of God. Alderman Knowles (chairman of the bench): “Very well, the Bench make the order with costs”. Mr Farndale (deputy magistrates’ clerk): “The child must be vaccinated within the next 14 days, or you will be summoned again”. The reverend defendant then paid the costs of the present proceedings and left the court.

 

 

 

 

Community

The large Farndale family operated as an extended family and provided its own community and support system.

250 years at Kilton – large extended family

When William’s eldest son, George Farndale needed support, he provided funds in his will in 1846 for his other brothers to look after his interests. And I give and bequeath unto my sons John Farndale, the said Matthew Farndale and Martin Farndale, the sum of One Hundred pounds upon trust to apply the same, or any interest which may arise therefrom in case my said three sons should place out or invest the said sum of One Hundred pounds at interest in providing Board Lodging Clothing or Medical attendance to and for my son George Farndale at such times and in such manner as my said three children shall think proper, provided always, and I declare and direct that in case my said three sons, the said John Farndale, Matthew Farndale and Martin Farndale shall think it expedient to lay out or expend the said sum of One Hundred pounds in any other manner than is hereinbefore mentioned, in favour of my said son George Farndale. I hereby authorise and empower them so to do, it being my Will and intention that my said three sons shall have the complete control, management and expenditure of the said principal sum of One Hundred pounds and interest if any. And I declare and direct that in case the said principal sum of One Hundred pounds and interest, or any part or parts thereof shall not be expended by my said three sons at the time of the decease of my said son George Farndale, then, and in that case, I give and bequeath the same to the children of my said son George Farndale to be divided equally between and amongst them.

By 1851 Matthew Farndale had left Kilton and on 1 April 1851 Martin Farndale was farming at the main family farm of 207 acres at Kilton with 8 employees. His brother George Farndale, by then 60 and a widower and working as agricultural labourer, was living with him as was his 15 year old niece Maria Farndale, and Charles Farndale, 13, his nephew and son of his brother John.

Twenty years later in 1871 Martin Farndale was still at Kilton Hall Farm, Kilton, the head of the family, by then a farmer of 600 acres with 16 employees. Living with Martin  and his wife Elizabeth was Matthew Farndale, aged 22, his grand nephew, described as a servant, so presumably working on the farm. Matthew was the son of the late Martin Farndale, and grandson of Martin’s brother the late George Farndale.

So the family farm provided a focus for the family community.

 

Respect for resources

60 generations back to Roman estate at Beadlam? 58 generations largely self sufficiency and sustainable

 

Graft

Leaving the protection of the extended family – Kilton – the risks

Struggle

Picking up again

Martin Farndale (1818 to 1862) the second son of George and Mary Farndale, by 1851, a farmer of 70 acres at Fogga Farm in Skelton.

Alfred Farndale

 

Passing on the baton

Medical researcher Jonas Salk, Are we being good ancestors?

Roman Krznartic, The Good Ancestor

 

 

Richness of inheritance

Stories and experience

Above all perspective – passage of time

 

Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep. (William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 4, Scene 1)

 

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