A Farthing Pond Tragedy. (East Sussex) Connected to Saltaire History Walks & Talks A researcher contacted the Saltaire Collection, late in 2024, to say she was planning to write a book about Lucy Webster, the older daughter of Lady Mabel Webster, and she wanted to know more about Mabel’s early life as a background to her book on Lucy. The researcher had seen a reference in the 1891 census to Mabel being in Catherine (Crossley) Salt’s household (Catherine was the wife of Titus Salt Junior and Aunt to Mabel) and wondered if Catherine had adopted her, as she was aware Mabel’s parents had died when she was a child. The researcher knew very little else of Mabel at that period of her life until in 1895 she married a Grenadier guard, Sir Augustus Webster, and became Lady Webster. Eventually Mabel, her husband, and their children, Godfrey, Lucy and Evelyn, lived on the Battle Abbey Estate, and this is where a tragedy happened. Lady Webster was trying to save her younger daughter, twelve year old Evelyn, from drowning in Farthing pond where they were swimming on the family’s estate. In the end the governess rescued Evelyn and Lady Webster sank, probably due to a heart attack. Her body was recovered the following day. One of our researchers had previously researched and written about Catherine (Crossley) Salt, and after discussion with the members of our research group, began to explore the relationship between Mabel Crossley and the Salt family in some depth. This new piece of research was a team effort and has resulted in some new information, now on the Collection’s website. You can use the link below to find the more detailed piece about Mabel’s relationship with her Salt Aunt and her cousin, Isabel Salt. https://www.saltairecollection.org/snippets/farthing-pond-tragedy/ Want to keep in touch with all things Saltaire Collection? Sign up to our new quarterly newsletter: https://bit.ly/4cCCovu (fb)

Three generations of the Salt family, Nick, his son Aaron, and grandson Austin, visited Shipley College and the Saltaire Collection last week! As direct descendants of Titus Salt Junior, they explored key sites across Saltaire, guided by trustees from the Saltaire World Heritage Education Association. Highlights included the Salt Building (originally the Factory School), Almshouses, Alexandra Square, Salts Hospital, and Victoria Hall - all tied to their family’s incredible legacy. They ended the tour at Sir Titus Salt’s Grade I listed church, visiting the family mausoleum and even ringing the church bells from the tower! The day ended at Salt Brewery with members of the Milner Field Discovery Trust. This visit was a rare occurrence and will be remembered for many years to come! Want to keep in touch with all things Saltaire Collection? Sign up to our new quarterly newsletter: https://bit.ly/4cCCovu (fb)