Kathleen Davis was born on 17th May 1900 at Briar Hall, Christ Church, Barbados. When Malcolm died on the third of January 1966, she would have been 65. She had a long life, and she was the only grandparent to know our children. She lived to see all four of them!
When Grandad died, Kathleen was moved to the Home for Indigent and Elderly Ladies, “Banavie”, 4th Avenue Belleville, St Michael. She was happy there, as many of her friends and relatives were living there. They would all meet in the large drawing room and talk about days gone by.
Almair Home, “Banavie.” Click on image to visit Facebook page.
Late in her life, Kathleen had a problem with fainting. Her doctor told her that blood was not getting to her brain, and that she would have to wear a neck brace. My little children started to refer to her as “the grannie with the neck brace!”
Party at Bannatyne, Christ Church: Herbert, Kathleen wearing brace and my Aunt June deep in conversation.
Kathleen died about 1994. I was living in Florida, USA, so I did not witness her last days. She will always be remembered as a gracious and kind lady. I was so glad that my wife and children had the opportunity to meet and know her. Even though her life was difficult at times, she was always well dressed and well mannered.
Malcolm McCarthy Davis was born on 23rd May 1897 at Sedge Pond Plantation, St. Peter, Barbados. I don’t know who owned Sedge Pond at that time, but a Gill may have had an interest. (Queree has “1892–3 Chancery Court Gill et al v Peddar,” possibly John T. Pedder.) Malcolm’s parents were Robert Fitzherbert (Herbie) Davis and Keturah Matilda Alberta (Kit) Gill.
While Granny Kathleen was very ladylike, Malcolm was more earthy. As young men, he and his brothers, Evelyn Fitzherbert (Fitz) and Leo, migrated to the US. They were friends with William Greaves of Barbados who was already in Brooklyn, New York. They lived in New York State in either NY city or Brooklyn. Fitz was a professional boxer and Leo was a police officer in Brooklyn. All of the brothers knew how to box. I came across this on the Familysearch.org site.
12 April 1914 – Evelyn Davis, M, Single, clerk, 18ys old, 5″6″, fair, light hair, blue eyes going to brother Malcom Ince (actually Davis, the Ince seems a mistake copied from the line above), 357 W 44th St, NYC. Father in B’dos Robert Davis, Parks, St. Joseph.
IGI
Notice that first names are used here, even though father and son went by middle names. Queree shows A. Percy Haynes as the owner of Parks in St. Joseph at that time. (Arthur Percy Haynes was a son of the Honourable Joseph Alleyne Haynes of Newcastle, St John. It is possible that Malcolm’s father was an overseer or manager at Parks.) When they first went to the States, Malcolm and his brothers had low level jobs, but Fitz went on to a successful career with the Merchant Marines and Leo was promoted to police Captain in 1953. Malcolm returned to Barbados where he met and married Kathleen at Holy Innocents, St Thomas in 1923. The attending Anglican priests were Rev. Browne and Rev. Alleyne. By chance I came across this snip probably from a 1973 Advocate:
My father, C. F. M. (Herbert) Davis, thought Malcolm had tremendous physical strength. He recalls as a small boy coasting down a hill at speed on his bicycle. To his horror, he saw a deep trench across the bottom of the hill. A water pipe was being laid. Herbert was unable to stop, but his father, Malcolm, stepped into the middle of the road and grabbed the bike’s handlebars, bringing boy and bike to a dead stop.
Malcolm was a “Planter” or sugarcane farmer. He typically wore long trousers, a jacket and a “Cork Hat.” The latter looked like a pith helmet. It was hard but light. It had a broad brim which protected the Planters from the tropical sun.
Next I will reflect on my personal experiences with my grandparents.
When I was 12, we went with our parents to America. This trip was Herbert’s “Long Leave,” as he was required to travel north every few years.
New York – Anthony with Marjorie and great uncle Leo
This photo below was taken at great uncle Leo’s and great aunt Ida’s home in Brooklyn. I was breathing out trying to see the vapour condense from my breath, something that we had never seen in Barbados!
About 1962 – Brooklyn, New York, USA: Anthony and Ian
Brooklyn, New York, USA: Anthony, Marjorie and Ian
The photo below was taken at Plymouth, Crane, St. Philip, Barbados. In the background is the ravine, then the cliff and then the blue rough sea. We had a flight of concrete steps down to a secluded beach. My grandfather, Laurence, rented Plymouth every year.
Plymouth, Barbados: Ian with Laurence and Philip Cheeseman, Malcolm, Anthony and Ione Cheeseman
This was taken at Bohemia, 10th Avenue, Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados. The steps lead to the front door. The walk gate and driveway gate are visible. Behind the fence is the 10th Avenue with its’ massive “Cabbage Palms.” We are in front of a rose bed. To the right of the photo there is an orchid, and to the left a Periwinkle. The Periwinkles grew wild on my father’s land in St. Andrew.
Bohemia: Anthony in suit and Ian in school uniform
This is Anthony on the East Coast of Barbados. We loved to explore and run around these beaches and hills.
Herbert died in 1996 and it became easier for his wife Marjorie to travel.
When I (Ian) was exploring Wales, I came across the Ty Cook Farm. It was also a Bed and Breakfast. This old house reminded me of the “Plantation Great Houses” in Barbados. I enjoyed my visit so much that I returned with my family in 1998.
1998 Ty Cook, Wales: Marjorie, Laura, Kathy, Ian, Michelle, Joanna and Peter
Mummy loved to go on vacations with us. We were headed down to Merlin’s Cave in Cornwall, England when she asked us to take a photo in front of this sign!
1998 Near Merlin’s Cave, North Cornwall, England: Marjorie and Peter
In 2002, Marjorie attended the wedding of Summer her eldest granddaughter. This photo was taken at Bakers Plantation which was owned by Summer’s maternal grandparents.
2002 Bakers Plantation: Sharon, Anthony, Marjorie, Summer and George
Here we are on the beach of Craigwell. Spion Kop would be on the right. Craigwell and Spion Kop were owned by Kingsland Estates Ltd. Kathy used to live at Spion Kop.
2002, Craigwell, Barbados: Marjorie watches Kathy and four children swimming
In 2003, Marjorie went with Ian’s family to Yosemite National Park in California. I am looking for those photos.
These were taken on 5th June 2005. Marjorie held a party for her family at the Crane Hotel.
2005 Crane Hotel: Kathy, Joanna, Laura, Peter, Anthony, Marjorie, Madge, Michelle, Sharon and her daughter
2005 Crane Hotel, Barbados: Ronnie, Anthony, Marjorie and Ian with Crane Beach in the background
This is Marjorie’s apartment in Barbados. The mahogany furniture is the same that I grew up with!
14th June 2005, Barbados: Marjorie with her tanned grandchildren – Peter, Joanna, Laura and Michelle
In late May of 2009, Marjorie flew from Texas to Miami.
Marjorie’s granddaughter married Ben in 2009.
May 2009 Waco, Texas: Madge and Marjorie watch Ben and Michelle cut the wedding cake
Mummy was always game to try new things. Below we are eating at Rudy’s where there are no plates – the food is served on a sheet of grease proofed paper!
May 2009 Rudy’s, Waco, Texas: Ron, Marjorie and Madge
After flying from Barbados to Texas, Marjorie went to Miami, Florida. This was taken at Ian and Kathy’s home in Kendall, Miami. Christine Baldini was visiting and here she is showing Marjorie some photos on her camera.
Marjorie then flew with Ian to London, England to celebrate the eightieth birthday of her brother George. The party was on the 6th of June, 2009.
Marjorie also visited her family in England.
June 2009, England: Marjorie with her grand nieces, Penny’s childre
My recollections of my parents start in Belleville, where we lived on the 10th avenue. We first lived at “Constant”, a two story wooden home. Then we moved to “Bohemia”, which was close to George Street. Below Marjorie and Herbert in the backyard of Bohemia. The concrete wall runs along 10th Avenue. Behind the wall are towering palms. We called them Cabbage Palms, but their scientific name is Roystonea oleracea. They bore a “broom” which was used by our maid.
Bohemia, Belleville: Marjorie and Herbert
Marjorie with Anthony
We were close to Bridgetown, and I recall my father coming home for lunch!
Bohemia, Belleville, St. Michael, Barbados: Marjorie and Herbert with Anthony and Ronnie. Our Julie mango tree is in the background.
Here is an extended family photo taken in Barbados.
Malcolm, can’t recognize the next two, Kathleen, Teddy Jones, Marjorie
Laurence’s sisters were Helen Farmer, Katy Jones and May Marshall. Teddy and Katy’s daughter Audrey was married to Louis Seale.
Marjorie, two I don’t recognise, Dorothy May, Laurence, Helen, Katy and son Harold Jones, Mona Watson?, May Marshall with sons John Anthony and David, Maureen, and in the foreground Louis Seale.
This is a nice photo of my mother, but I don’t know the story behind it.
Marjorie Davis
As a condition of his employment at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Herbert had to take a “long leave” every few years. The only stipulation that he was to head north to Canada or the US. My parents used to say with Dad’s uncle Leo in Brooklyn, New York. Leo’s wife Ida is on the left below.
New York, USA: Ida Davis, Ian, Marjorie, Herbert and Anthony
Here is another unknown photo.
Marjorie with infant
I am going to take a wild guess and say that the photo below was taken at Plymouth, Crane, St. Philip.
Barbados: Marjorie, Ronnie and Ian
The photo below was probably taken on the south coast of Barbados. Marjorie is with her nieces, George’s girls.
Herbert was transferred to the nearby island of St. Vincent. Herbert had a sailboat, “Aurora.” I believe this group is seeing him off.
Careenage, Bridgetown: Ronnie, Christine, Marjorie and Herve inspecting the water
Below is a family reunion at Windermere, St. John, Barbados. Herbert, Marjorie and Ronnie would be visiting from St. Vincent.
Windermere: Back row: Pat, Sarah, Ronnie, Kathleen, Herbert, Marjorie, Laurence, George Front row: Anthony, Ann, Penny, Amy and Alison
Ron is probably paddling my homemade yellow Folbot, as he is holding one of the paddles I made for that kayak
Ron and I were touring the Deering Estate in Miami when I took this:
Deering Estate, Miami, Florida
When my daughter Michelle was married in Texas, we rented Judge Baylor House to accommodate visiting guests. We were delighted Ron could make it.
Judge Baylor House, Waco, Texas: Ron
We ate at Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q. The food is good, but the service is Spartan! Ron looks a little thoughtful, but he has done justice to his ribs!
Rudy’s, Waco, Texas: Ron, Marjorie and Madge after a meal served on grease-proofed paper!
