CHAPTER I 



FAMILY ORIGIN 



BORN in the year 1873 I cannot say whether 

 my forebears were of direct agricultural stock. 

 There appears to be little information handed down 

 as to the pedigree of Charles Whatley, the paternal 

 grandfather of the present generation of the family ; 

 he originated from somewhere in south-west Wilts — 

 it has been rumoured it was on Lord Bath's Estate — 

 but what occupation he or his people carried on, 

 history, so far as I have information, does not relate. 



He appears to have migrated to Shaftesbury 

 and taken service as an apprentice to one Horder, 

 a wool-stapler. I have an idea he was not looked 

 upon as one of the world's workers ; it may be instinct 

 that prompted him to make the best of the going 

 whilst it was good, for he eventually married his 

 master's daughter, the result being a family of nine, 

 of which my father was one, Samuel Horder Whatley. 



I very well remember my grandmother, the 

 daughter of Mr. Horder, the wool-stapler of 

 Shaftesbury — a fine old lady. She, I rather imagine, 

 was the source from which came my father's 

 strong characteristics and robust nature. My grand- 

 mother too must have been quickened by instinct in 



I 



