“I went on into my Daughter’s room. – She was standing like a statue at the door of communication holding with one hand the post of a bedstead that was close to it – and intently staring at the Bed where the Body of her once affectionate Husband lay – I do not believe she had ever seen death before..”

This notebook belonged to Margaret Baynes. In 1824, she recorded in it her memories of autumn 1804, when yellow fever spread rapidly through the British military establishment in Gibraltar. Within four months some 5,000 people, a third of the population, were killed.

Margaret, wife of the Garrison surgeon, lost her husband, son-in-law and daughter over the course of just two weeks. She returned to England to bring up her four grandchildren. Later generations of the family lived in Berkshire.

‘I am struck by how similar these recollections are to the 2020/21 coronavirus pandemic. Margaret Baynes recounts a disease seen as infectious rather than contagious; that it did not appear to affect children under 12; that there was a ‘patient zero’; that face coverings and ventilation were strongly recommended; and the impact of underlying conditions was noted.’ 

- Deborah Jenkins, Volunteer

“I went on into my Daughter’s room. – She was standing like a statue at the door of communication holding with one hand the post of a bedstead that was close to it – and intently staring at the Bed where the Body of her once affectionate Husband lay – I do not believe she had ever seen death before..”

This notebook belonged to Margaret Baynes. In 1824, she recorded in it her memories of autumn 1804, when yellow fever spread rapidly through the British military establishment in Gibraltar. Within four months some 5,000 people, a third of the population, were killed.

Margaret, wife of the Garrison surgeon, lost her husband, son-in-law and daughter over the course of just two weeks. She returned to England to bring up her four grandchildren. Later generations of the family lived in Berkshire.

‘I am struck by how similar these recollections are to the 2020/21 coronavirus pandemic. Margaret Baynes recounts a disease seen as infectious rather than contagious; that it did not appear to affect children under 12; that there was a ‘patient zero’; that face coverings and ventilation were strongly recommended; and the impact of underlying conditions was noted.’ 

- Deborah Jenkins, Volunteer

This book was kept by the Society, or Quakers, at their Reading monthly meetings. It is very early for a Quaker record.

It was a period when everyone was expected to follow the beliefs of the Church of England. Groups like the Quakers were prosecuted or penalised for acting according to their conscience. This book records such ‘sufferings’ for Berkshire Quakers.

‘I came across this while studying for my genealogy qualification. I’ve chosen this page because it typifies the neat, orderly way in which the Quakers kept their records. These books are useful sources for family historians, but they also remind us that it was not always possible in this country to worship as one pleased.’

- Paul Gardner, Volunteer

This book was kept by the Society, or Quakers, at their Reading monthly meetings. It is very early for a Quaker record.

It was a period when everyone was expected to follow the beliefs of the Church of England. Groups like the Quakers were prosecuted or penalised for acting according to their conscience. This book records such ‘sufferings’ for Berkshire Quakers.

‘I came across this while studying for my genealogy qualification. I’ve chosen this page because it typifies the neat, orderly way in which the Quakers kept their records. These books are useful sources for family historians, but they also remind us that it was not always possible in this country to worship as one pleased.’

- Paul Gardner, Volunteer

This letter is one of a pair written by John Maxwell Image to his wife, Florence. It was given to Florence on her birthday, 3rd August 1919.  

The letter projects a very loving relationship between the two, with the hope and expectation that they would experience many more birthdays together. Sadly, John would die less than three months later.

Florence Image was sister of the artist, Sir Stanley Spencer. She grew up in Cookham and became a journalist. She did not remarry after John’s death.

‘This letter is just a sweet, sentimental note at first look, but knowing its context gives it a deeper meaning. Despite its short length, its evocative and loving language tugs at the heartstrings and provokes genuine emotional reaction.'

This letter is one of a pair written by John Maxwell Image to his wife, Florence. It was given to Florence on her birthday, 3rd August 1919.  

The letter projects a very loving relationship between the two, with the hope and expectation that they would experience many more birthdays together. Sadly, John would die less than three months later.

Florence Image was sister of the artist, Sir Stanley Spencer. She grew up in Cookham and became a journalist. She did not remarry after John’s death.

‘This letter is just a sweet, sentimental note at first look, but knowing its context gives it a deeper meaning. Despite its short length, its evocative and loving language tugs at the heartstrings and provokes genuine emotional reaction.'

[Warning: this item contains sensitive terminology from historical documents which readers may find offensive.]  

George’s baptism briefly describes his journey from Sierra Leone, Africa, to Remenham. He was captured by Portuguese slave traders, taken by a Royal Navy ship and ‘freed’ through a bounty paid by the British government.  

George was possibly of Creole descent. His name is given elsewhere as Foray/Forée, indicating descent from the enslaved people in a French family. The Navy captain, Thomas Scobell, brought him to England and placed him with his brother, George, rector of Remenham. It was presumably then he acquired a new name – ‘George’ from his benefactor, and ‘Freeman’ to denote the status applied by the British. George’s short life ended six years later. Described as ‘servant to Dr Scobell’, he is buried in the parish churchyard.  

‘It’s poignant to read the baptism entry for George. To wonder how he felt about his new life in Berkshire and what motivated those who ‘saved’ him.  None of which we will ever know.  But his story is not unique, and it confirms just how diverse the county has always been.’