Myself and colleagues during this Lockdown have been given the task of summarising oral histories that are held at Northumberland Archives, making them more accessible to the members of the public. Through this I was introduced to Mrs. Keaney and the lives of the domestic servants and staff employed at Linden House, now Linden Hall, near Longhorsley.
At the time the property was owned by the Adamson family; Lieutenant-Colonel John George Adamson (referred to as the Colonel in the interview) had inherited the property from his father in 1911. He moved from Ireland to the House with his wife Lina, (Mrs. Adamson) and their two adult daughters (referred to as the Misses in the recording); Muriel Anne Pearl and Catherine Evelyn, known as Eve.
Mrs. Keaney was employed as Head Housemaid from about 1918. Her wage was £28, which was considered quite high especially compared to the others working in the House; she joined with experience, having previously worked in the homes of a gentleman farmer in Wooler and an ‘old man’ near Rothbury. She was Head Housemaid for two years, however, her connection with the House was much longer, her father had been a gardener and her husband was in charge of the home-farm.
Listening to Mrs. Keaney talk about the daily duties and routines, the uniforms, the ample food, sneaking back in after the doors were locked at 9pm, days that didn’t seem to end and competition with munitions factories for ‘girls’ transported me back to an earlier time. It was somewhat surprising, therefore, to learn that the house continued to be ran in much the same manner into the early 1960’s.
Employment at the House ended when she got married at the age of 24. When asked if she could have stayed longer, her response was that she had never really thought about it; she got married and left, it was just the way things were then.
Once married, Mrs. Keaney would help her husband on the farm, particularly in the dairy. She talks at length, and with some pride about her butter making skills. Mrs. Keaney stayed at Linden, in their cottage on the farm, raising six children, until her husband’s health deteriorated. Mr. Keaney had worked there for 43 years, and only ever took one holiday!
Linden House was sold to Mr. Liddell in 1963 after the death of the elder of the Adamson daughters, Muriel. The younger daughter, Eve, chose to remain in her London residence. The contents of the house sold of an auction; the oral history ends with Mrs. Keaney talking about the inventory for the furniture sale. After the sale of the property, the remaining household staff left.