The plaque above is to my ancestor Andrew Blake, who is my 1st cousin 5x removed, and who was Land Steward to Queen Victoria at Osborne House.
Andrew was born in Scotland in 1839 to John Blake and Jane Ballantyne. He had 5 brothers and 3 sisters.
His father was a farmer and his grandfather was a shepherd and therefore it does not seem surprising that Andrew ended up working on the land; however more research would need to be done to find out how circumstances led to him becoming a royal land steward.
Andrew married twice. 1st in 1871 to Sarah McKibbin, in Belfast and after her death, in 1878 to Mariana Edginton.
In total Andrew had 5 children: 2 boys and 3 girls.
After returning from Belfast with Sarah, the couple lived in Windsor where Andrew is listed as a land steward. His marriage to Mariana still lists him as a steward and both his and her father as Yeomen.
He remains in the Oxfordshire area, being listed as a steward at Enstone. We know that in May 1886 he is working at Shaw Farm in Windsor, as we are lucky to be able to read about it in Queen Victoria's own words, from her journal entry for that date, written at Windsor Castle. As part of the Jubilee Celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, Victoria's journals have been made available, in a searchable format online at: Queen Victoria's Journals
Friday 07 May 1886
Very hot & oppressive. — Out with Vicky, walking a short way, & then going in the garden chair. Went to the dear Mausoleum, & the Shaw Farm, where I saw a Mr Blake, who is going to replace Mc Pherson at Osborne, whom I am pensioning. He has been with Mr Albert Brassey. —
In November 1886, Andrew Blake and Mariana welcome a daughter into their family, born at Barton Manor where the family are now living. 10 years after the birth of their daughter Margaret Dorothy, Andrew Blake dies on 18 July 1896. Queen Victoria records his death, while at Windsor Castle.
Monday 20 July 1896
Much grieved to hear of the death of my excellent Land Stewart at Osborne, Blake, who will be a great loss.
Later that week the Queen has returned to Osborne House and writes,
Saturday 25 July 1896
Took a short turn with Beatrice & went to Barton where I saw poor Mrs Blake, who was much overcome, but at the same time very grateful for all I have done for her.
About a month later her journal says,
Friday 28 August 1896
A very fine morning & lovely day. — We 5 breakfasted in the tent. — Went afterwards with Beatrice to Barton to wish poor Mrs Blake goodbye. — Saw Sir A. Bigge after luncheon. The success at Zanzibar has been complete & the rightful heir Ahmed has been proclaimed, & received. A good many people have been killed in the Palace. The Usurper has not yet been delivered up. — Out to tea with Beatrice, Maud & Charles & drove with the latter 2 through West Cowes & Newport. There was a most splendid sunset. — Jane C., Harriet P., Evelyn M., Mary Biddulph, Fanny D. Ld Colville, Adm: Sir Noel Salmon, Capt: Acland, Sir F. Edwards, Sir A. Bigge & Mr Burnaby dined, with Maud, Charles, Thora & me. —
I have included the full entry this time, as it shows what else is going on in the Queen's world, and yet she still finds time to visit Mrs Blake before she leaves.
Before publishing this post I did a quick internet search to find the reference for the original article which connected Andrew to Victoria.
This can be read at: A Christmas of Queen Victoria and for those who don't mind going onto Facebook, there is an article with words from Dorothy Margaret Blake herself https://www.facebook.com/notes/osborne-house/christmas-with-queen-victoria/1375000632532522/
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