The Wilderness Gardener Originated Hugh Sawyer, All photos courtesy Hugh Sawyer, December 2019
We have had a follow-up article about The Wilderness from Hugh Sawyer whose family lived in Valens Terrace and whose ancestor John Hardy once owned the land and grandfather Frank Sawyer built the terrace. Hugh contacted us with more amazing photos of the Wilderness gardens.
As you may know, there is a family connection between the Sawyer family and the Box Roman Villa. My great grandfather John Hardy (1842-1927) owned part of the land that is now the upper part of Wilderness garden, near the pond, and was involved in excavating the Roman Villa remains there. I have a photo album in my dad’s belongings that must have come from his brother Gilbert Sawyer, who lived at 2 Quarry Hill. The album includes all four photos in your previous article plus many more.
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Above: Two family group photos in front of the Wilderness greenhouse showing David, Elizabeth, Bessie and their dog:
one photo with Phyllis and the other with Sydney.
one photo with Phyllis and the other with Sydney.
David Johnson, Wilderness Gardener
Going back to the Wilderness garden, it was Phyllis Sawyer’s father David Edward Johnson (born 29 December 1873 at Stokesley, Middlesbrough, died 20 May 1948), who was the gardener at The Wilderness in the 1930s and 40s. David Johnson was born in Yorkshire and on 13 June 1894 he married Elizabeth Atkinson (28 July 1868 - 25 May 1947) in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. By 1901 they were living in Wakefield where David was employed as a domestic coachman. They came south about 1918 to seek employment and lived at Holmleigh, 6 Valens Terrace most of the rest of their married lives. David integrated into local society becoming a member of Batheaston and Box Water Buffaloes and he was a sidesman at Box Church.
His epitaph in 1948 described him as a typical North-country man with a bright disposition and ready wit, which made him many friends.[1] Apparently, he had been in good spirits visiting his daughter-in-law in Stockport and enjoying lunch in a local café when he collapsed and died. Aged 74, his life had changed dramatically: his wife Elizabeth and son died within two days of each other the year before and he had recently moved from Holmleigh after so long.
Going back to the Wilderness garden, it was Phyllis Sawyer’s father David Edward Johnson (born 29 December 1873 at Stokesley, Middlesbrough, died 20 May 1948), who was the gardener at The Wilderness in the 1930s and 40s. David Johnson was born in Yorkshire and on 13 June 1894 he married Elizabeth Atkinson (28 July 1868 - 25 May 1947) in Stokesley, North Yorkshire. By 1901 they were living in Wakefield where David was employed as a domestic coachman. They came south about 1918 to seek employment and lived at Holmleigh, 6 Valens Terrace most of the rest of their married lives. David integrated into local society becoming a member of Batheaston and Box Water Buffaloes and he was a sidesman at Box Church.
His epitaph in 1948 described him as a typical North-country man with a bright disposition and ready wit, which made him many friends.[1] Apparently, he had been in good spirits visiting his daughter-in-law in Stockport and enjoying lunch in a local café when he collapsed and died. Aged 74, his life had changed dramatically: his wife Elizabeth and son died within two days of each other the year before and he had recently moved from Holmleigh after so long.
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The Gardens
The name The Wilderness is unusual. Probably it was a late Victorian affectation (as was The Hermitage) trying to give antiquity to Georgian buildings. Having said that, it is clear that the gardens were stocked full with abundant displays of flowers and blooms before the needs of husbandry in the Second World War superseded such gardens.
The name The Wilderness is unusual. Probably it was a late Victorian affectation (as was The Hermitage) trying to give antiquity to Georgian buildings. Having said that, it is clear that the gardens were stocked full with abundant displays of flowers and blooms before the needs of husbandry in the Second World War superseded such gardens.
There were a few organized sections, however, including a garden pool in the lower terrace. But even this was bordered with extensive flower displays and curiosities, such as the jet of water out of the pool below powered only by spring water.
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Arguably, it was the walkways and footpaths that gave the gardens their essential character of wildness. They varied from hidden paths, jagged borders to cultivated arches as seen below.
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Conclusion
I wonder if it was David Johnson punting in the photograph of the original article? There is also a photo of my Auntie Phyllis using the same punt.
I wonder if it was David Johnson punting in the photograph of the original article? There is also a photo of my Auntie Phyllis using the same punt.
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The photos of the Johnson family seem to be the right period and the family is the subject matter in many of them. Some garden features are still recognisable but others have altered. The question to answer is why they were in Phyllis Sawyer’s photo album. The probability is that it was gardener David Johnson in the original article. Mystery solved or any further views?
Johnson Family Tree
John (1825 – about 1886), general labourer married Eleanor (b 1832), laundress. Children:
Lydia (b 1854); Eliza (b 1857); Arthur (b 1870); David Edward Johnson (1873-1948); Ada Ann (b 1876). By 1891 Eleanor was a widow, still taking in laundry to survive in Stokesley and now taking in boarders, as she was in 1901.
David Edward Johnson (29 December 1873 - 20 May 1948) married Elizabeth Atkinson (b 28 July 1868 - 25 May 1947) and they lived at 6 Valens Terrace after they moved south from Yorkshire. Children:
David Sydney, known as Sydney (1899-1947); Phyllis May (1908-1971); and also there is a close family relative (possibly daughter) called Bessie
Johnson Family Tree
John (1825 – about 1886), general labourer married Eleanor (b 1832), laundress. Children:
Lydia (b 1854); Eliza (b 1857); Arthur (b 1870); David Edward Johnson (1873-1948); Ada Ann (b 1876). By 1891 Eleanor was a widow, still taking in laundry to survive in Stokesley and now taking in boarders, as she was in 1901.
David Edward Johnson (29 December 1873 - 20 May 1948) married Elizabeth Atkinson (b 28 July 1868 - 25 May 1947) and they lived at 6 Valens Terrace after they moved south from Yorkshire. Children:
David Sydney, known as Sydney (1899-1947); Phyllis May (1908-1971); and also there is a close family relative (possibly daughter) called Bessie
References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 29 May 194
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 29 May 194