The christening gown
This christening gown tells a story of love and devotion at Preston Hall.
The gown belonged to the nephew of Lucy and Lawrence Judson, who spent 42 years together, both in work and marriage. Lawrence and Lucy found love in a place where duty and devotion went hand in hand.
A love that blossomed in Preston Hall
Lawrence was born in 1875 and worked as a gardener, while Lucy, originally a kitchen maid, became the hall's cook. It is not known if they had met before working at the hall however, they married in 1904 and lived within the estate.
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Life Inside the Estate
Lawrence tended the Walled Kitchen Garden, while Lucy managed the kitchen, preparing meals for the Ropner family. Their shared life centred around hard work and simple joys, such as enjoying a home cooked meal together in their cottage on the estate.
A Lasting Legacy
A photograph from 1912 captures Lucy and Lawrence, with their nephew Cecil MacNaughton and their dog, Turnball. They had no children of their own and after being married for 42 years, they sadly passed away a year apart, leaving behind a love story woven into Preston Hall's history. The christening gown remains a symbol of family, tradition and a life well lived.
