PEZPH : 1999.298.54 - Penlee House

Photograph

Acc.no: PEZPH : 1999.298.54

Identification

Item: First and Last House, Land's End.

Description: A photograph of Grace Thomas, who was the first to use the building as a refreshment house in the 1860s. The man with her is unidentified. The house itself dates back to the early 19th century, but Grace Thomas, the wife of an agricultural labourer, established its use as a refreshment house. She walked in from Treeve Moor every working day bringing what she needed. A typical meal seem to have been ham and eggs with bread and butter (The Cornishman 29 August 1878). There doesn't appear to be any lettering on the piece of wood nailed to the side wall (or its very feint) which may make the photograph earlier than others with a neatly printed name; the right hand chimney pot is also shorter and probably dates from the 1870s. Later photographs show the sign has changed to that of her son, William Thomas, who ran the house after her death. The notice of Grace's death shows widespread affection: "The death of Mrs Grace Thomas ... at the age of 70, is announced elsewhere. Hundreds will recognise the owner of the name when we explain that Mrs Thomas was the civil old woman, who, for many years, kept the little house which directly overlooks the Land's End point. Her good cup of tea, moderate charges and civility are remembered far and wide" The Cornishman 16 June 1881.