Image Ref : DRA 0260.tif

Rose Hill Farm, Kingskerswell, c.1900s

Shown here is Rose Hill Farm, Kingskerswell. In 1871, the Census records William L. Harvey as the head of the household there, born in Coffinswell in about 1834, and a farmer of 135 acres, employing three men and two boys. He was still farming there in 1891, with his son George Harvey. By 1901, the farm is occupied by William Fletcher, aged 49; his wife Hannah; four daughters: Maria (15), Bessie (13), Kate (11), Ethel (9); and two sons: George and Arthur. It is possible that the two females in the photograph are two of those four daughterh. Judging by the style of their clothes, the photograph might be dated to maybe the early 1900s. (By 1911, Bessie and Ethel, both single, are servants in the Croydon household at Teignmouth.) Later, the farmhouse was demolished (1960s?). A Health centre was built on the site of the house and the immediate farmlands were used for bungalows. The farmhouse was rebuilt as a bungalow at the top of Fluder Hill. DRA 0910 KK 010