Kettlewell, Florence

Singer

Collection date: Apr 1904

Area: Somerset - Mendips (Harptree & Priddy)

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Florence Kettlewell of Harptree Court (1856-1934): age 48, 1 song 'Zuckin’ zider through a straw' FT215 on 16th Apr 1904: Florence Balfour Olphert was born at Ballyconnell House, Falcarragh, Donegal in Ireland in 1856, daughter of Wybrants Olphert. The Olphert family were wealthy landowners there (15,000 acres). In 1875 she married William Wildman Kettewell, a Lieutenant in the Army. Shortly afterwards the couple bought Harptree Court and would live there until William’s death in 1916. They raised 3 sons.

Florence had invited Sharp to stay at Harptree in April 1904: Florence was more of an intermediary than a singer herself but Sharp recorded her song anyway. She died at Harptree House (not Court) on 3/7/1934. Her second son William Kettlewell married Margaret (Peggy) Walsh in 1913. Peggy became the first secretary of the new English Folk Dance Society set up by Sharp in 1911. William was Treasurer.