Over the years we all collect things - usually not intentionally - things just, sort of, gather about us. Things that have passed their usefulness. Yet most of us are not strong willed enough to discard until, perhaps, a house move forces a 'red' out, or things pile up so much that a good clear out is the only answer.
Sam Carrothers studies the Family BibleNames written in this heirloom go back to 1835Nine generations
Not so in Sam Carrothers' case, for the family has not moved from the Carrybridge area near Lisbellaw, Fermanagh for - wait for it - nine generations. Lisbellaw is about seven miles east of Enniskillen. The Carrothers Clan came from the north side of the Scottish borders c1618 at the time of the Plantation. But these were not Planters but Reivers, and their move here was more a question of being "shipped out" of Scotland rather than arriving here as the Landed Gentry. No, they came not as landlords, but tenant farmers. However, they were also artisans and brought with them the skill of carpentry. A skill which incidentally has passed down the generations, for Sam makes wonderful wooden farm gates which, although utilitarian, are jointed and bolted in a most artistic and craftsman-like way. Sam sells these gates to the local farmers.
Local History
In nine generations you can collect a huge amount of "things" and from this statement you'll probably assume the Carrothers' farmstead is coming down with a clatter of disorganised papers and junk. Not so. For Sam has an insatiable appetite for history, particularly local history (He was chairman of the local history society for several years) So to help his research, all these precious family papers, drawings, photos, stamps, certificates, postcards etc. are meticulously arranged in albums.
1700's Rush lampArtifactsAnd there are hundreds of artifacts too, carefully preserved in boxes and glass fronted cupboards, such as this 1700's rush light used in the Farnagh farm kitchen'
There's also the iron cannon ball used by generations of Carrothers children pretending to be shot putters.
© MMIX