The Story of My Barbados Family – Page 3 – Scroll down for an informal pictorial family history

June 22, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter V

St. Vincent

When they first moved to St. Vincent, Herbert and Marjorie rented a home on a beach facing Young Island. We boys enjoyed swimming, rowing and fishing. On weekends, Dad would take us sailing.

One remarkable story is that when Prince Charles, son of Queen Elizabeth II, visited St. Vincent he spent some time at this house. My mother prepared the house for his visit and then stayed away until he left. She said she painted the word Britannia on our dingy, the tender for our sailboat. She said Prince Philip actually went rowing in it.

The next home was also rented. “Tally Ho” was a little further from the beach, but it was still only a short walk away. Ken and Phyllis Punnett had a beautiful home nearby, but I do not know where this was taken.

01_Bellville_Crane_Slides_013 — St. Vincent: Marjorie, Ronnie and Phyllis Punnett

The last home in St. Vincent was “Ho Bohemia.” This was built by Herbert. It had a commanding view, including the sea and neighbouring islands.

Herbert used to have his hair cut by an itinerate barber, but here is something unexpected.

07_Our_Family_Slides_008 — Ho Bohemia: Marjorie cutting Herbert’s hair

Marjorie was very active in the Mothers’ Union. This group may be affiliated:

08_Family_Slides_017 — St. Vincent: Marjorie and another lady

This is a family reunion. Anthony and family are visiting from England, Ian’s and Ronnie’s families from Barbados. Laurence was living with my parents after Amy passed.

07_Our_Family_Slides_013 — Ho Bohemia: Dominic, Ian, Herbert, Sarah, Marjorie, Ronnie, Anthony, Kathy, Daniel, Laurence and Sandra

Grannie Marjorie enjoys her first two grandchildren.

Ho Bohemia: Marjorie, Daniel and Dominic

Marjorie did not enjoy sailing because of the intense sun. She did enjoy being outdoors though.

Marjorie probably on Herbert’s boat, Cecily M.

Next: Later years

June 22, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter V

St. Vincent

When they first moved to St. Vincent, Herbert and Marjorie rented a home on a beach facing Young Island. We boys enjoyed swimming, rowing and fishing. On weekends, Dad would take us sailing.

The last home in St. Vincent was “Ho Bohemia.” This was built by Herbert. It had a commanding view, including the sea and neighbouring islands.

Herbert used to have his hair cut by an itinerate barber, but here is something unexpected.

Marjorie was very active in the Mothers’ Union. This group may be affiliated:

This is a family reunion. Anthony and family are visiting from England, Ian’s and Ronnie’s families from Barbados. Laurence was living with my parents after Amy passed.

Grannie Marjorie enjoys her first two grandchildren.

Marjorie did not enjoy sailing because of the intense sun. She did enjoy being outdoors though.

Next: Later years

June 21, 2016

Marjorie Davis (1927-2010) Chapter IV

Marjorie’s Family Years in Barbados

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.

bellevl — Bohemia, Belleville: Marjorie and Herbert

We were close to Bridgetown, and I recall my father coming home for lunch!

davisfamilyr — 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.

08_Family_Slides_005 — 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.

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.

I am going to take a wild guess and say that the photo below was taken at Plymouth, Crane, St. Philip.

07_Our_Family_Slides_024 — 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.

07_Our_Family_Slides_020

Herbert was transferred to the nearby island of St. Vincent. Herbert had a sailboat, “Aurora.” I believe this group is seeing him off.

05_Family_Slides_017 — 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

Next: St. Vincent

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 19, 2016March 13, 2021

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) VIII

Missed Photos

There are some photos that I did not use, and I plan to display them here.

DSCN0271 Early Morning, 8th June, 2005, East Coast of Barbados: Preparing to go for a hike. Ronnie is on the right.

In the photograph above, Ron had organized a trip to the east coast of Barbados. It was one of the rare occasions when the three brothers were together. Anthony is in the blue shirt on the left.

We three brothers were not together often because Anthony was in England, and I was in Florida. I believe the photo below was taken at my parents house in Chancery Lane, Christ Church, Barbados.

Davisf — *Ronnie, Ian, Anthony and Herbert*

I’ll add more later.

Click below to go to the beginning of this memorial.

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) Chapter I

June 16, 2016October 20, 2018

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) VII

Ron in Florida and Texas

Ron used to fly to Miami every now and then.

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:

When my daughter Michelle was married in Texas, we rented Judge Baylor House to accommodate visiting guests. We were delighted Ron could make it.

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!

June 16, 2016

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) Chapter VI

A Mountain Trip to be Remembered

The Smoky Mountains are one of my favourite places, so I invited Ron to come on a trip. We stayed in this cabin.

038_35A — Tumbling Waters Campground, Almond, North Carolina, USA: Peter and Ron

This cabin had running water and a bathroom, so it was comfortable.

This place had a family atmosphere.

In Summer the air is cool and there are many road side stops to explore and enjoy the mountain views.

008_5A — Smoky Mountains: Peter with Uncle Ron

We hiked many waterfalls, but this one was unusual. You could stand under it and not get wet.

029_26A — Bridal Veil Falls, North Carolina: Ron and Peter

Fontana Dam has many rental homes and facilities. We rented bikes.

005_2A — Fontana Dam, North Carolina: Ron rides uphill

I will always cherish this memory of hiking the waterfalls and mountains of Western North Carolina with my younger brother.

June 16, 2016

Ronnie Davis (1957-2012) Chapter V

The Grenadines

The Grenadines are a chain of islands stretching from the southern coast of St. Vincent to the north of Grenada. Despite their name, most of the Grenadines belong to St. Vincent.

One day Ron chartered a yacht and invited me to retrace the early sailing voyages that we had enjoyed with our parents. There were not as many fish, but the beaches were just as white and the water was clear.

Yachts — Tobago Keys, Grenadines, St. Vincent

bros2j — Grenadines, St. Vincent: Ron and Ian

This photo is probably from a later trip to the same location.Ron gave me the chance to relive one of our favourite activities as teenagers – exploring uninhabited islands. I also have video of this trip that I may share.

Next: Ron in North Carolina, USA