Old photograph at Hartland Abbey

A fascinating piece of social history is this picture taken, it is believed, shortly after the turn of the century outside Hartland Abbey. It shows estate employees – mostly or all outdoor staff – holding where possible tools of their trade. There are gardeners, game keeper, carpenter, woodsman and, with his watch chain across his ample chest, the foreman.

Something of a mystery figure is the elegant young man reclining on the left of the picture, possibly a footman. One suggestion is that he was a member of the Stucley family.

The print is from a plate found among the effects of the late Mr Cory Burrow, who was editor, reporter, compositor, printer and publisher of the now-defunct Hartland Chronicle.

Gazette article 30 September 1966