Family History – Page 2 – The Story of My Barbados Family

June 20, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter III

Marjorie and Herbert

Herbert enjoyed his childhood in St. Andrew. He grew up at Haggats Plantation, a 500 acre sugar cane farm managed by his father, Malcolm. Haggats bordered Walkers Plantation, owned by Marjorie’s father.

This appears to be a picnic to Lakes, St. Andrew. Sugar cane planters wore pith helmets, which they called “cork hats.” Despite their rigidity, these hats were light and gave good protection from the tropical sun. Herbert is wearing his cork hat.

Engagement Photo of Herbert And Marjorie

Herbert and Marjorie married in 1948. Marjorie would have been about 21, and Herbert about 25 years old.

Wedding 1948. Standing: Wendy Farmer, Harold Davis, unknown, Hilton Ward? Sitting: Herbert and Marjorie

Below is another wedding photograph.

cfdavis — Wendy Farmer, Herbert, Marjorie, Harold and unknown lady

I loved the old country homes. I don’t know where this is.

Wedding reception, 1948: Malcolm, Kathleen, Laurence, Herbert, Marjorie, Amy and maid in uniform.

In those days, maids always wore uniforms.

Anthony was born in 1949, followed by Ian in 1951.

dfam — Herbert, Marjorie, Ian and Anthony

i2yrs — Circa 1953, Marjorie with the author, Ian

Seawell Airport (later renamed Grantley Adams International Airport) was an important connection to the world outside of Barbados. Marjorie is on the left below.

Circa 1955, Seawell Airport, Barbados. Squatting: Clarence Rogers, Ian Davis, William Toppin, Anthony Davis, can’t recognize last four. In the next row up, I think I recognize Gerald and Cecelia Seale. I think I see some Bethels too!

If you can identify anyone in the photo above, I would be grateful if you would contact me.

Next: Family years in Barbados

June 20, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter II

Marjorie at High School

This photograph was taken of Marjorie when she was attending Codrington High School, St. John, Barbados. CHS was a private school for girls. This school was quite far from Walkers, St. Andrew, but my grandparents valued education.

George attended Lodge School, which was within walking distance of Codrington High School. Here is the Farmer family. George is wearing his Lodge blazer and tie.

glffamily — Amy, George, Marjorie and Laurence Farmer

Can you identify any of Marjorie’s team mates?

chs2 — CHS Netball Team. Marjorie Farmer in glasses.

I cannot identify Marjorie in the photo below, but I am fairly sure that it was taken at Codrington High School.

chs — Codrington High School, St. John, Barbados

Next: Marjorie and Herbert

June 19, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter I

Marjorie Daphne Farmer was born in 1927 to Lawrence and Amy Farmer. She married Herbert Davis in 1948. Herbert and Marjorie had three sons: Anthony, Ian and Ronnie.

03_St_Vincent_June_Slides_013cr — Herbert, Ian, Marjorie, Ron and Anthony

Marjorie Farmer (Davis)- Early Years

I have very few early photographs of my mother, but here they are:

Marjorie was born in 1927 at Walkes Spring, St. Thomas, Barbados and George was born at River, St. Philip, Barbados. Can anyone identify the location of this photograph?

The East Coast of Barbados is the windward side of the island. A good strong Atlantic breeze is normal, making this location the favourite vacation spot for the planters.

Bathsheba, East Coast of Barbados: Marjorie and George

Below is a photo of Florence May (Taylor) Farmer with grandchildren Marjorie and George. Florence was born 1875 in St. Philip. She was the daughter of John Robert Taylor and Sarah Rebecca Cuke. Florence married Joseph Alleyne Farmer. Their son was Marjorie’s father, George Laurence Farmer, born 1892.

florencemayfarmerbig — Marjorie, Florence May Farmer and George

Marjorie and George’s father, Laurence (Longfellow) Farmer bought Walkers Plantation in St. Andrew. It was geographically the largest plantation in Barbados, but the soil was poor and subject to erosion. Marjorie would have been about eight years old.

I am sharing these photographs with my family, and I would be grateful if others would do the same.

Later I will be writing a memorial to my grandparents, so there will be more old photos.

Next: Marjorie at High School

June 7, 2016March 13, 2021

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) Chapter I

Bohemia, Belleville

This is a photographic tribute to my departed brother, Ronnie Davis. I hope that our relatives will be able to relive old memories by viewing this eclectic collection of our family photographs.

Ronald George Malcolm Davis was born on 23rd February 1957 in Mrs. Stoute’s Nursing Home (a birthing centre), St. Michael, Barbados. His parents were Herbert and Marjorie Davis.

He passed away from cancer on 9th April 2012 at his home in Sunset Crest, St. James, Barbados. He was fifty five years old.

Herbert and Marjorie’s three sons Anthony, Ian and Ronnie grew up in a home called “Bohemia” on 10th Avenue Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados.

dbros — Bohemia: Photo circa 1957. Baby Ronnie held by Anthony. Ian on left.

Bohemia was a modest lath and plaster home, but we did have a lawn with fruit trees, as well as a gravel yard.

davisfamilyr — Bohemia: Anthony and Ronnie with parents Marjorie and Herbert. Julie mango tree is in the background.

We had a smooth haired fox terrier cross called Rover.

09_Sam_Rover_Slides_002 — Bohemia: Ronnie and Rover

Ian bought an incubator on a trip to the US and hatched a hen named Samuella, after Uncle Sam!

07_Our_Family_Slides_019 — Front steps Bohemia: Ian with his pet chicken and the incubator. Ronnie is on the right.

We had a mahogany Morris suite with removable cushions. As of June 2016, I still have the suite! Herbert is seated with (I guess) Ken Coombes’ family. Ronnie and Ian are in the foreground.

Here is Ronnie in front of our Julie mango tree referenced earlier. Behind the mango tree was a concrete wall that faced 10th Avenue. All the young children were fans of the Cowboy Genre!

04_Plymouth_Slides_014 — Bohemia: Cowboy Ronnie in front of Mango tree.

In the next chapter, I will reveal photographs of Ronnie at Hannays, Christ Church, Cattlewash, St. Andrew and the Crane, St. Philip.