National Trust
Avebury

Uncover the hidden stories of Avebury Manor's domestic staff

In collaboration with the National Trust, we’ve used the 1921 Census to bring the never-before-seen stories of Avebury Manor's workers to life. Learn more about the women responsible for running this grand property behind the scenes.

What were your ancestors doing in 1921? Use our collection, including historical newspapers and exclusive census records, to trace back your family through the generations. When you build your family tree with Findmypast, you never know what you might discover.

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No ordinary manor house

Built in the 16th century, the walls of Avebury Manor have housed all manner of distinguished figures over the years, including biologist Sir Francis Knowles and even the High Sherriff of Wiltshire. Known for its distinctive garden and nearby prehistoric stone circle, Avebury is a place like no other.

Telling the stories of our ancestors

From scientists to nobility, Avebury's wealthy owners have been well documented. Using the 1921 Census, we've turned the spotlight onto the people whose stories are so often forgotten. Shifting our focus onto the staff that worked at the manor has revealed all manner of fascinating untold tales. Image credit: Brian Robert Marshall, Front elevation, Avebury Manor, Avebury, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Who lived at Avebury in 1921?

There were six people living at Avebury in 1921. The household was headed by Lieutenant Colonel Leopold Christian Duncan and his wife, Jennie Norah Helen Jenner. They employed two domestic servants: Agnes Eliza Chivers and Martha Annie Swatton. Agnes' two children - Kathleen Olive and Cyral Chivers, aged 6 and 3 - are also listed on the return.

The tale of Agnes Chivers

So, how did the widowed Agnes and her children end up living in Avebury Manor? Agnes (who was born Agnes Eliza Nash in 1885) had married Charles William Chivers in 1910. In the 1911 Census, the newlyweds lived on Bray Street in Avebury. Charles worked as a carter on a farm, driving horse-drawn farm carts which were most likely two-wheeled carriages. On 30 July 1914, the couple had a daughter, Kathleen Olive.

The tragic death of Charles Chivers

At the outbreak of World War 1, Charles enlisted in the British Army. He served as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment for three years, before being fatally wounded on the Western Front during the attack on the Hindenburg line in April 1917. He died of his injuries on 11 April, aged 33.

In addition to First World War campaign medals, after his death he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, as his widow applied on his behalf. Charles' name can also be found on the Avebury war memorial. Image credit: Andrew Smith, 1914-15 Star, CC AS-SA 2.0

Together in one household

As our records reveal, Agnes gave birth to a baby boy, Cyril, in April 1918. Although his father is listed as deceased on the census return, Cyril was born a year after Charles Chivers' death - so his father's identity is unknown. As the 1921 Census indicates, the Jenners welcomed Agnes and her two young children into their 23-room property. There were many struggling widowed mothers after the war, yet this kind of live-in arrangement was fairly unusual. It's likely, then, that Agnes was held in high regard by her employers. Image credit: Gordon Robertson, Avebury Manor. CC AS-SA 2.0.

Where did Agnes Chivers go next?

Agnes remarried in 1923, to a 36-year-old labourer from Avebury. She went on to have two more children: Violet M, born in 1926, and Rose E, born in 1929. These children, along with Cyril, are difficult to track down in the records. We were able to find Agnes in the 1939 Register, living at the same address as her daughter Kathleen in Farnham, Surrey.

Image credit: Brian Gillman, St Peter & St James, Marlborough, Wiltshire. CC AS-SA 2.0.

Martha Annie Swatton's journey to Avebury

The other domestic servant living at Avebury Manor in 1921 was the 20-year-old Martha Annie Swatton, listed as a 'spinster'. Martha was born in the village of Wroughton, just south of Swindon, in 1901; her father Arthur was a shepherd. Like many other members of the rural working class, Martha's family moved regularly to follow seasonal work. Records reveal that they travelled gradually from Swindon towards Avebury, one yearly contract at a time.

Image credit: ©National Trust Images/James Dobson

From the meadow to the manor

By 1921, Arthur Swatton was employed as a shepherd for Avebury farmer James Peak-Garland. As was common for young, working-class women, Martha left home to find work. She moved into Avebury Manor, working for the Jenners as a domestic servant. It is not clear how long she was employed at Avebury, but by 1939, she had relocated to Wool in Dorset with her husband, Reginald Felix Wilshire, and their daughter.

The changing world of 'women's work'

Back in 1911, there had been six domestic servants living in the manor: a lady's maid, two housemaids, a parlour maid, a kitchen maid, and a cook. By 1921, the staff had been cut down to two, as the massive changes ushered in by the Great War were felt. Nationwide, there was a 20% decline in domestic work for women over these years. Avebury was a part of this trend, although it should be noted that 'private personal service' remained the largest category of women's employment.

What were your female ancestors doing in 1921?

Uncovering forgotten tales

From Agnes Chivers to Martha Annie Swatton, our research has uncovered the stories of hardworking women whose tales are often lost to history. The domestic staff were crucial to the day-to-day running of Avebury. Impacted by bereavement and migration, Avebury's workers were no strangers to adversity. With the 1921 Census and other key record sets, we have brought their fascinating tales to life. Image credit: Dave Leeming from Manchester, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Want to find out more, or maybe plan your next visit? Head to the National Trust site to explore Avebury Manor in even more detail.

Visit the National Trust website

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