Travel Diaries and Journals

1

1874

==Fifty years since or My Rough Log==

My grandfather was the oldest of three sons, Robert, William + George and at their father's death the farm with everything on it was sold off and the proceeds divided amongst the children. From my Father's recollections.

Robert Suggate, of Sotherton, a country parish towards Halesworth, Suffolk, was my grandfather, a fine, hale, hearty and genial old man, famous in my boyhood's judgement for tales of flood and field, and in those days best of all, an old leathern purse out of which he has given me many a silver piece of money, a snug corner for grandfather by the fire was always kept by us youngsters whenever he visited us. My ancestors were chiefly yeomen farmers in that part of Suffolk towards Stowmarket, and in many a quiet churchyard thereabouts. Where-

"The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."

-May be seen the name on the tombstones. The name is not unknown on the muster-roll of sailors and soldiers, in bygone times, but also unknown to fame. A real hard old Saxon one it is. The origin of no consequence, but without doubt was here when the conqueror came. The origin of surnames has of course

Edinr. to York

I must part with my mother. Oh what a trial to leave & part with her whom I loved [struck through: better than] so dearly & my father too & Jessie Mary, Robert & William I assumed composure I was far from feeling. My heart was ready to burst but I must tear myself away. the hour has come & I must go My father Robt. Wm. Taylor, Fred, James T. Banks at the station bade me good bye & off we went Left N.B. Station at 9.15 Stopped Dunbar 5 minutes Berwick 10 minutes . I went outside the station at Berwick but it being dark I could see very little, however I saw the Tweed & could make out the general appearance of the town We stopped again at Newcastle & York at the latter we had 20 minutes & I went into the refreshment rooms to have a cup of coffee for which I paid 1/ rather scalped. I saw the Cathedral A young fellow sitting opposite me in the train & I went to see it, it is a