Elizabeth Lindsay Farndale

Elizabeth Lindsay Farndale

On 11 December 1879 Martin and Catherine had a second child, their first daughter. She too was born at Kilton Thorpe. She was baptised at Brotton Parish church. The entry in Brotton Parish Register reads:

"Elizabeth Lindsay, daughter of Martin and Catherine Jane Farndale of Kilton Thorpe, farmer, baptised 25th January 1880."

She would move with her parents from Kilton Thorpe to Tranmire, and then to Tidkinhowe when she was about three years old. She would go to school under Miss Barraclough at Charltons, but by the time she was 12 her mother was already ailing and there were few other children. Lynn, as she was always known in the family, was doing exceptionally well at school and Miss Barraclough pegged her parents to let her go to further education so that she could become a teacher. This however was impossible. She was the eldest girl and the only one who could help her mother. She therefore left school in 1891 and started working at home, helping her mother. She grew up and matured quickly with added responsibility while she was still young. She was bright, intelligent and very determined and liked her own way. She was extremely capable and reliable and a great favourite with her father. The rest of the family remembered her with much love, affection and respect.

By about 1899, when Lynn was 20, the rest of the family were also growing up and able to look after themselves. She went to become lady help for George Barker of Tancred Grange, Scorton, near Richmond. George was a good deal older than Lynn, but on 22 August 1903, they were married. A letter written by her mother sows that they spent their honeymoon at the Cockburn Hotel in Edinburgh:

"                                                                                                        Tidkinhowe

                                                                                                          Aug 24 1903

My Dear Daughter

I received your letter and was glad to hear you arrived all right. I hope you and your husband are enjoying yourselves and that you are having fine weather. It is raining here today. John will take your luggage and leave it at Darlington tomorrow as he is going back to Newcastle. I posted all the boxes on Saturday night that were addressed and I will send the others to you with the cake. I gave the postman 2/6 this morning and he was very pleased. We have to wish you much joy & happiness for him. You must write after you get home and let me know if you get the luggage all right. I now conclude with kind regards to you both.

I remain your affect mother

C J Farndale"

George and Lynn had six children, Margaret, William, Mary, John, George and Dorothy. But George, her husband, died just after the end of the '14-'18 War. Lynn was left with a very young family to bring up. In about 1920 her youngest brother, Alfred, went to Tancred Grange to help his sister, when he came out of the army. It was here that he was to meet his wife, Peggy Baker. Lynn was determined to keep Tancred for her family. She ran the family fairly and firmly. She set all a fine example and high standards.

Lynn died suddenly in the 1940s.