It's a Family Affair

The families of John Adams and Martha Pizzey - Early 1800s The desperate situation that many agricultural workers found themselves in during the late 1700s and early 1800s was, in part, the result of a combination of several events namely The Enclosure Acts, the Napoleonic Wars and the Corn Laws.  It was a time of great upheaval and uncertainty and, I believe, almost brought about the demise of my paternal Adams line. The families of John Adams and Martha Pizzey my 4th Great Grandparents had been agricultural labourers in the Suffolk village of Baylham (7 Miles NW of Ipswich) for at least 80 years by the time they married in 1791. St Peter's Church, Baylham, Suffolk. By permission of Simon Knott.  suffolkchurches.co.uk 

It is difficult to choose a favourite photo as those of us who are fortunate enough to have any of their ancestors will agree.   They are all pretty special but this one of family aboard my great grandfather’s barge ‘Sea Gypsy’ has to be up there.   Perhaps a Sunday afternoon picnic on the river? I just love that my Great Grandmother is actually pouring tea into a cup and saucer – who would do that these days? ……and she has on her ubiquitous floral pinny!