The case of the old painting of Paganhill in Canada

This is a story of an investigation by local sleuth Susan Freck who was sent this letter below. Susan has kindly allowed me to print some of the results here and a copy of her full dossier will now be with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group history file.

This letter was a plea from Canada for info about the house in the painting that was bought in 1832 or earlier - the plea came from someone who was intrigued that a family would carry with them such a painting to Canada, keep it in their family and then sell it - to take such a painting in those days would indicate that it held some special value to those that carried it all that way when they moved.

Photo: Painting labeled 'Cottage at Paganhill. This picture was brought by my Great Grandparents, Thomas and Margaret Armstrong Gillesby in 1832 when they came to Canada. My Grandmother Mary Gillesby gave it to me.'


Susan Freck did much research of the area and looked into the old mills - some of which produced the felted red and green cloth for which Stroud became famous - red for the soldiers, green for billiards.

Old maps like those shown here eventually helped Susan get closer to where the cottage was sited.


You'll see from this first map in 1824 the brook was known in this section as Ozel Brook - it is also known as Cuckhold's brook and Woosley's brook.


The second map shows in pink the Mill House and in purple Little Mill - the shaded blue areas are the Mill ponds and in brown are the footpaths as they still are today.


The old photo below from 1976 was where Susan first thought the cottage in the painting must be. However a more careful look at contours shows it is far more likely to be in the field behind Mill Pond Farm in the last photo.


Apparently the woman in Canada was delighted with this info and making connection with this part of the world. It is also good to hear that the painting is in safe hands!

Update October 2007: see comment - I've had several emails from this contact and been able to put them in touch.