Close up of the label attached to the cape attesting to its making and ownership
This simple black cape links two very different women from Eydon, a small south Northamptonshire village, and in its own way illustrates rural life in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was made by Flora Tyrrell, the wife of the village tailor and proprietor of a draper’s shop. It was later given to Harriet Treadwell.
The Treadwells were the much poorer neighbours of the Tyrrells from 1900. They were a large family living in a very small cottage, mostly scraping by. Jim Treadwell was an unskilled labourer, a gentle man by all accounts, who liked to spend time in the village pub where he would become more belligerent.
The Tyrrells were staunch Wesleyans and a much-respected part of the community. Syd Tyrrell, their son, went on to become a preacher but also later wrote the widely acclaimed books about village life.
At what stage Flora gave the cape to Harriet we do not know, possibly it was a gift from one woman to another, perhaps enabling Harriet to have something both beautiful and respectable to wear. It must have meant much to both women for it to have survived all these years as Flora died in 1931 and Harriet in 1950.
Number 75 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.
Eydon
Contributed by Lyn Evans, Eydon Historical Research Group
17th century embroidery, possibly made by Martha, daughter of Amphyllis Washington. Martha emigrated to Virginia in 1678 and her brother, John, was the great-grandfather of George Washington.
© NMAG
© NMAG
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NMAG
©
NMAG
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Victoria and Albert Museum
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NMAG