Marriage and Monewden

Gran's Story - Marriage and Monewden

Esther and Henry were married at Fressingfield Baptist Chapel on 3rd March 1934 at 11.00 a.m. There was no money for a big white wedding - Esther wore a blue dress and a fawn hat Henry’s Sister Evelyn was bridesmaid and the dress she wore she used again the following Saturday when she was bridesmaid for her sister Ivy. The reception was held at White House Farm, Fressingfield, the home of Henry’s sister Violet and husband Cecil. My Mother told me that on the eve of her wedding day she was up with Violet until 3 o’clock in the morning preparing the food for the reception - cold meats, salads and various sweets and cakes. Cecil, who was a baker by trade, made and iced the wedding cake. The party continued into the evening when sandwiches and cakes were served. Harry gave his daughter Esther £3.00 towards the cost of the wedding. Their wedding night was spent at White House Farm - there was no money for a honeymoon.

After one week Esther and Henry moved to Monewden to live in the Red House and prepare it for when the Ponsonby family were to move in 3 months later. During this time Henry began work in the garden and Esther cleaned the house - they were paid their wages and in addition their food was supplied so this enabled them to save some money to buy furniture for Ramsey Cottage where they would eventually live in Monewden.

Ramsey Cottage needed extensive redecorating and, for about three months, after the Ponsonby family moved into the Red House, Henry and Esther stayed with Pastor and Mrs. Baker in the Manse at Charsfield and both became members of the Baptist Chapel.

As soon as Ramsey Cottage was ready they moved back to Monewden and continued working for Lord and Lady Ponsonby. By now Esther was a competent cook and often catered for big dinner parties as well as providing meals for the dining room, nursery and staff.

Soon after moving into Ramsey Cottage Esther and Henry were dismayed to find the house was very damp and their newly decorated walls became mouldy. This was a big disappointment.

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