A challenge?

[Familysearch]

It was the total lack of information that prompted me to put the message on here.  In the first reply we had her first name - Olive!  Unfortunately, I have looked up several Olive Harrisons, but have no way of knowing which one is the one we want!

I note that someone has tried censuses. In an ideal world she would be found on the 1901 and 1911 censuses listed somewhere as a gardener.  Then she would be there on 1939 register, giving her date of birth.

You notice I am getting totally carried away with the idea of a woman who certainly must have had some character to attempt to get on in what was definitely a man's world.

[mazi]

I am not sure she was a “gardener” in the sense of digging the veg. plot and wheeling barrow loads of “compost” around.
The late 1800s was the era of plant hunters travelling the world seeking new varieties of plants, the ladies were best described as “plants women” with a vast knowledge of specialist plants, their growing requirements and breeding possibilities, they had men to do the donkeywork.

This might fit better with a horticultural college, and the knowledge required to win the scholarship.

Mike

[Familysearch]

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply she was the garden labourer! Obviously, she was educated, in order to be able to sit the exam.

Wonder if she was well to do?  Or had parents/grandparents with money.  You see, I am off again with my "wonderings"!!

I don't do social media, but if anyone has seen whatever has been posted on Facebook, would be interested to hear what line the RHS enquiry is taking.

[Maiden Stone]

Posts yesterday on the reporter's Twitter feed indicate that Olive Harrison has been traced. Monmouthshire was mentioned.

I wonder if she specialised in fruit.

[arthurk]

I have a distant relation by marriage who in around 1906 was working as a gardener at Duxhurst, a kind of rehabilitation centre in Surrey for women with alcoholism and other addictions.

She was from a wealthy family in Yorkshire, though she and/or some of her sisters went to a private school in Lewisham. She is said to have trained as a gardener, so the horticultural college in Swanley might be a missing link.

From looking in TNA's catalogue, it appears that many of the college's records are among the papers of Millicent Fawcett, the eminent campaigner for women. This could be significant, since my relative was later secretary of a branch of the WSPU.

Thanks, AVM, for mentioning the college - I'd never heard of it.

[bugbear]

From Twitter:


Alys Cambray @AlysCambray
Replying to @RHSLibraries @The_RHS

Olive Mary Harrison actually worked as a gardener when she left Swanley Horticultural college. She worked at the Manor House in Northfield in Birrmingham. In1905 she married Herbert Watson Edmundson. She died in 1972.

[bugbear]

Twitter:


Andy Wynn @andywynn123
Sep 22
Replying to @RHSLibraries @hbriggs @The_RHS

Andy Wynn Retweeted RHSLibraries

Hi Helen

My wife, Sarah Anne Wynn (nee Harvey), daughter of Eric & Audrey Harvey. Eric was born in 1925 and bought up by his Grandparents and Ms Sarah Harrison who was a very talented  gardener but went into service. I suspect we know this story!!

[BushInn1746]

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply she was the garden labourer! Obviously, she was educated, in order to be able to sit the exam.

Hello All

Don't be deceived by the occupation of "Labourer"!

Probably not related to me, but ...
I have found one in 1799, a William Hood of Langton (Yorkshire), Labourer, entitled to Vote!

Entitlement to vote 200 years ago, was usually reserved for property owners.


If you spot the 1815 Marriage Bond Signature - top left of this post anywhere, please let me know?

Mark

[mazi]

A minor point, the marriage was in halstead Essex in 1904,  she was registered there in 1881, and is at home aged ten in 1891.

Father Henry was a miller, wealthy enough to have a servant and a governess.

In 1901 she is in Selly oak as a domestic gardener.

Mike