Chapter 1: Running with an Idea
Storyboard Description
Mary Ann and Harry Cooke lived in Brampton, Huntingdonshire, England in 1892. Harry had served as a blacksmith apprentice to Martin Haynes starting at the age of 13, and now had a successful business in their home village. But they both yearned for something more.
Storyboard Text
- The Cookes of England
- Running with an Idea
- Finally! An opportunity for Harry, and a chance for us to move to a place of culture and excitement!
- Copyright 2015 Lisa Louise Cooke
- Circa 1891
- Mary Ann Susannah Cooke ran as fast as she could from Huntingdon back to Brampton. The young newlywed had exciting news for her husband that she had gleaned from a posting in the town square.
- Harry! Harry!
- In 1888, Harry had apprenticed when he was 12 years old to Martin Haynes, Brampton's blacksmith by signing this contract at the local pub. His father Henry also signed with an "X" because he did not know how to write.
- What is it, Mae?!
- Oh Harry! Windover is hiring in Tunbridge Wells!
- Now as a young married man he made a respectable living as a carriage maker for Mr. Haynes, but Harry yearned to expand his craft.
- Mary Ann was nearly out of breath when she reached Brampton. She continued down the cobblestone street and made her way to the village green. She called out to Harry as she approached the village smithy.
- Harry had met Mary Ann Susannah Munns, the daughter of the local Baptist Minister John William Munns while teaching Sunday school at the Brampton church. He affectionately called her "Mae."
- C.S.Windover had carriage building operations in Huntingdon, but wanted to expand south to Tunbridge Wells in the county of Kent. They needed men with forging experience - men like Harry Cooke.
- Over the next few minutes Mary Ann caught her breath and attempted to explain what she had learned from the job posting, and how she believed this was the opportunity they had been praying for.
- The view from Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells
- The forge continued to crackle and burn as Harry gave careful thought to the opportunity that lay ahead.
- I've come to a decision Mae.
- While Mae and her father were fairly new to Brampton, Harry had been born there in 1865. His parents, Henry and Mary Ann still lived in the same cozy thatched cottage where he was raised. His siblings William, Thomas, Emma, Martha, George & Clara all still lived there.
- Thank you for alerting me to the position. I will apply and we will see what becomes of it.
- The large bustling Kent town of Tunbridge Wells had much to offer in addition to employment: The Pantiles, a newlybuilt Opera House, and the "healing" waters for which it was famous. Most importantly, it perked up Mae, who seemed to feel a bit isolated and lonely in Brampton.
- The Cookes of England
- After thinking long and hard for the remainder of the day at the smithy, Harry came to a decision, and he excitedly hurried home to Mary Ann.
- Mary Ann was overjoyed! She believed in her talented young husband, and had no doubt he would get the job. Mary Ann began making plans for their big move to Tunbridge Wells at that very moment.
- In the next chapter: A new town, a new generation
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