Father and mother of Cora, grandparents of Alan and Lionel
Joseph Waters was born in Mousehole in November 1857 to George and Jane (ne Clift), the ninth of twelve children. George is listed as a gardener in the 1851 Census, a pig drover in the 1861 Census and a farmer of 8 acres in 1881.
Jessie Gartrell was born on Pendrea Farm in St Buryan in November 1857 to Henry Gartrell and Mary Ann Cock ne Foxwell, the tenth of eleven children, ten of whom lived to adulthood. The family moved to Higher Kemyell Farm also known as Kemyell Wartha, between Mousehole and Lamorna.
They married in Paul Church on the 6th June 1883, both aged 25. Shortly after the wedding they emigrated to Orange in Massachusetts County in the USA, sailing to Boston. The first of their children William (Willie) was born there on the 12th April 1884. The next three, Irene (Rene), Albert (Bertie) and Jessie were also born there.
Joseph appears in the return journey passenger list records as having worked as a machinist. Why did they choose to go to that particular part of the States? The clue is in two obituaries that appear in Cornish newspapers in the 1910s and 20s.
Cornish Telegraph Aug 14th 1914 This was Joseph’s brother.
MOUSHOLE MAN’S DEATH IN AMERICA. The sad news reached Mousehole thin week the American mail, of the death Mr. Samuel Waters, at his residence Orange Mass, after protracted illness the 15th ultimo. The deceased was the sixth son the late. Mr. George Waters, of Mousehole, and left Cornwall for the United States some twenty years ago, settling down «t Orange, where became well known and highly esteemed resident, Mr. Waters held engagement under the New Home Sewing Machine Company, where he proved a most capable and conscientious workman, and respected colleague. In public life throughout the district was known a man of sterling qualities, and those in need ever friend and helper was a strong supporter of the Methodist Church, and had held various important offices which layman eligible. Mr, Waters was also well known in musical circles ns singer of ability, and always willing to give h’s talent on behalf of every good cause. Besides his widow and family leaves two sons and two daughters. Messrs. Howard and John Waters, of South Framingham, and Boston, respectively, and Mrs. Lillian O’Keefe and Mrs. Harry Burnett; also a sister, Mrs. J. G. Richards (Mousehole), and five brothers. Messrs. George and John Waters (Mousehole). Joseph Waters (Kemyell William Waters (Paul), and Thomas Waters (Newlyn). to all of whom extend their sincere sympathy. The funeral, which took place on Saturday. April 18. in the Central cemetery, was very largely attended, the cortege including many friends from the homeland, and officers and members (he Social Lodge of Oddfellows, of which Mr. Waters had for many years a valued adherent and official. The Rev. J. F. Forrest, of the Methodist Church, officiated, and paid eloquent tribute to the consistent life of the deceased.
Cornish Telegraph 18.6.1924 This was Jessie’s sister.
News has been received of the death at her residence, Grove-street, Orange, Mass., U.S.A., of Mrs. Susan E. Ash, wife of Mr. Erastus Ash, following a protracted illness. Mrs. Ash was the elder daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gartrell, of Paul, and a sister of Mrs. Joseph Waters, Boslandew House, Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Ash left home some forty-two years ago for America, and for 40 years resided in Orange, where Mrs. Ash was held in the highest esteem. A member and valued worker in connection with the congregational Church, she is spoken by all as thorough Christian in her beliefs and acts, and a woman of the highest type. She leaves husband, three daughters, Mrs. Fred Rosbrook, Rochester, N.Y.; Mrs. Prank Leyland, of Auburndale; and Mrs. Alexander Mackay, Orange; her sister,, Mrs. Waters, Paul, Cornwall; two brothers, Messrs. William Gartrell, Turner’s Falls; and Charles Gartrell, Orange whom profound sympathy is. extended. A private ‘funeral service was held in her late home, conducted by the Rev. Bayard H. Goodwin, rector Episcopal’ Church, Athol, who also officiated; in the Central cemetery.
It is likely that Joseph also worked for the New Home Sewing Machine Company which was a major employer in the area.
Click here to read more about the company and see a picture of the factory.
What then led to them returning home in 1891? Perhaps it was the death of Jessie’s father Henry in February 1891.
He had retired to Marazion in 1885. The farm sale at Higher Kemyell was advertised in the local paper.
He had no sons left in England to take over the farm. Three were in the USA and four had emigrated to Australia. His only other daughter Susan was also in the USA.
Here is Henry and Mary Ann’s descendant chart.
Cornishman 5.2.1891
Death of Mr Henry Gartrell.—On Saturday about midday, Air Henry Gartrell, (formally of Kemyel farm, Paui, and Pendrea, St Buryan,) was taken suddenly with seizure and lay all Sunday and part of Monday in a precarious condition. James Mudge, being called, was prompt in his attendance, but gave little hope for the recovery his patient, who is an aged man. He will remembered for his zeal assapporter of the Buryan ploughing matches, and for the hospitality shown on those annual festivities at Pendrea—kindness to visitors, neighbours, and strangers in which Mrs Gartrelll sympathised and joined. Mr Henry Gartrell died on Monday, at 3 p.m. never became conscious after he was taken ill. Mr Gartrell was 76.
Jessie may well have been concerned that her mother Mary Ann was now widowed and there was no other family in Cornwall. Was a lease at Middle Kemyell now available? The 1891 Census held on 5th April listed 3 uninhabited properties at Middle Kemyell.
The journey took six days and they arrived in Liverpool on the 4th August 1891. At some point after this they moved to Middle Kemyell and Joseph began creating the market gardening business for which he became locally renowned.
Middle Kemyell (also known as Kemyell Crease) is a hamlet of several houses and the surrounding land was split into at least two holdings, the north side farm lived in by the Giles family.There were small cliffside fields where the market gardening took place. A public footpath goes through the hamlet, I believe their farmhouse and buildings were those on the south side as you come from Paul.
Joseph and Jessie had eight children, seven of whom lived into adulthood. Tragically, the second youngest, Henry died aged 5 in June 1902. The photo below must have been taken the following spring.
Front Rowe Hazel, Elsie and Cora
This is William Foxwell Waters (Willie), their eldest son. He contracted meningitis as a small child which left him deaf. He had not learned to speak, so was described in early censuses as deaf and dumb. He went to Paul Board School.until according to Paul School Log Books Willie then attended a Deaf and Dumb Institution in Exeter. from Sept 1896 (aged 12) to Dec 1899. Joseph paid a contribution of between 10 and 15 pounds a year. This school aimed to teach practical skills. You can find out more here.
On leaving school he worked with his father on the land.
His nephew Cecil (son of Elsie) remembers that he was a talented artist particularly of portraits.
By 1921 Joseph and Jessie were living at Boslandew, Trevithel, Paul although Joseph is still farming.
Boslandew was a substantial property with seven bedrooms. Joseph owned the freehold. It had a beautiful walled garden (now sadly built on)
He died in January 1927.
Jessie and son Willie continued to live at Boslandew
Here is a extract from a letter sent to her daughter Cora 5th April 1933
.The flower season is about over we’ve made very little Ill tell you exactly when al the returns are home prices are awfully low. Today I started cleaning did out the little box room, I hoped Rene would have been able to help me but she has a lodger for three months so I can’t wait – must do a little each week the landing looks very dirty s’pose I must hire Romilly to decorate it – I cant do that. Willie and I have been clearing crows nests in two upstairs chimneys they were blocked thick poor Willie broke off part of a pot trying to clear one he had the drain cleaner on the rods and must have caught it on the edge I shall leave it as it is for the present anyhow those crows are pests the masons cleared two chimneys while they were here a short time ago.
I haven’t replaced the cow yet – as the grass is very little as yet – we haven’t turned out yet but some of our neighbours have, its time enough yet – Broccoli has sold very low too very disappointing to the growers……
Now I must stop its nearly bedtime and Willie is waiting for supper
With love yours as ever
Mother
Letter to Cora 15th December 1939. Jessie’s health is fading….
I am sending a pound of butter and tine of cream which I hope will reach you safely also the children’s money and hope you will have a quiet and happy Christmas together.
I am still as I told you last time whether I shall ever get better I don’t know it is a bad thing to get – I can tell you and have to keep going sometimes I don’t know where to go or put myself especially when evening comes
Her last letter to Cora 1st January 1940
My dear Cora,
I am trying to write you a new years greeting but am so out of sorts I don’t know how it will read, I got a little easier two days ago last week and felt so relieved but the pain and discomfort has returned Dr Jago ceased coming weeks ago I suppose he thinks I am getting well or else incurable it is ten weeks since I was attacked. I get spasms which last three hours of intense pain Dr Banister has been called up I believe I should have had relief if he were here that is if it’s possible. I’m afraid I shall not get over it while the cold weather lasts I can’t go anywhere. Willie is gone to spend the evening at Jessies by invite he can’t understand why I am so poorly and I can’t explain. I sometimes eat my food standing its so painful to sit – I couldn’t ask anybody here this Xmas. Yesterday I had hard work to help cheerful and sell the cream…..
The weather is bitterly cold today and a gale raging. I wish I had plenty of coal I wouldn’t go to bed until the weather moderates. If I light the electric stove who is going to switch it off when I am in bed and Willies room is colder than mine would take central heating to make this place comfortable in the winter.
Now dear I am tired so must stop. The weather is killing the anemones again nearly as bad as last year they made a decent price Christmas market but we haven’t picked one since.
Now with dearest love to you all. Yours as ever, Mother.
Jessie died on the 30th January 1940 aged 82. Another indomitable woman in our ancestry.
Joseph and Jessie were financially successful. On Jessie’s death, the property was sold. it had been held on trust for Jessie – ownership was Josephs’. Jessie however, was a true partner in their endeavours. .As well as Boslandew, there were two houses in Paul and farm land at Sheffield and yard at Trevithal.
To read a transcript of the sale of estate assets click here