High Barmston Farm (1894) - painted by Albert Milton Drinkwater (1860-1917)

A Treasured Painting of Jean's Ancestral Home.

High Barmston & Middle Barmston Farms were both known to the locals as Potts' Farms.

Jean says, My great-great-grandfather, John Potts, farmed at Middle Barmston from around 1845.
His son, my great-grandfather, John Charlton Potts, later farmed at High Barmston.
My grandfather and father, both named John Stothard Potts,
carried on the family tradition at this Farm.

Haymaking at High Barmston Farm (1930s).
Penshaw Monument and south bank of the River Wear.

The High Barmston fields (off-picture, left) were called The Haughs and were known locally as 'The Harves'.

The view upstream from 'The Harves' towards High Barmston Farm and Coxgreen.

The Victoria Viaduct is just visible below the horizon.

Washington Station, Washington Staithes, Cox Green, High Barmston Farm & River Wear.

1892-1914 Map:
Cox Green to Copperas Gill
[ Wearside Golf Club is in the top right-hand corner of this map. ]

ANNUAL OUTING to WHITLEY BAY - June 1921

Dressed in their Sunday Best, Offerton Villagers pose before leaving Offerton Hall Farm for a day at the Seaside.

Jean says, My Granda, Robert Sinclair, is sitting on the cart holding the reins.
His brother is standing with a horse.  My Nana, who was then Elizabeth Joyce, is sitting behind my Granda.
Their Daughter's name was Joyce and she married my Dad, John Stothard Potts, to become Farmer's Wife at High Barmston Farm.

Nana was a Housemaid at Offerton Hall and Granda was a Horseman.
That's where they met, circa 1916.

( Picture courtesy of Jean Potts, owner of an Original Photograph. )