Miss Mary Woodforde 1835-1928 Photograph 1902

The exhibition of this photograph and the provision of the key below, were instigated by Miss. L. C. E. Chalk, Slaps Meadow, Stoke St. Mary, to mark the 'Glory of Harvest' celebration October 5th-7th, 1973.

The photograph, a tribute to Miss Willey on completing 50 years of service for Miss. Woodforde, was bought by Mrs. S. Salter of 2, Pattons at the sale (in 1951) of effects of Mrs. Darch, Dairyhouse Farm, Stoke St. Mary. Both Miss. Mary Woodforde (d. 1928 aged 93) and Miss. Willey (d. 1914, aged 84) are buried in Stoke St. Mary churchyard. Miss. Mary Woodforde, related to Parson Woodforde the Diarist (1740-1803), was an invalid from birth. She lived at the Old Rectory, Orchard Portman, prior to moving to Woodfordes, Stoke St. Mary. Help in identifiying those in the photograph has been received from Lady Adams, the late Mr. Roy Drew, Mrs. Rowsell and Mrs. Silk. Source: The Woodfordes 1902 photograph key of 1973. Further contributions in March 2001 from the Parsons and Salter families identify that Mrs. Sally Salter (nee Pepper) acquired the photograph from the sale of the effects of Mrs Darch of Dairy House Farm, in 1952, Miss Sally Pepper having been caring for Miss Woodforde in her last years. The photograph passed to Miss. L. Chalk in 1972 and following the presentation given by Miss. Chalk in 1973, the photograph hung in the Bell Tower of St. Mary's Church. In the 1990's it was moved to the Vestry of the church where it presently resides.

Sources: Photographs with key and information provided by Dennis Parsons, March 2001. Additional information provided by Margaret & Graham Salter and Maurice Burt.

Photograph taken circa 1920 showing staff at Woodfordes, Stoke St. Mary. Shown are Mr William Hardwell, gardener, and (centre sitting) Granny Challis.