Headstone 196
~ Slate ~ Semi-circular top with indented sides contoured shoulders, and centralised IHS motif.
- Priscilla Rendle 1796 – 1 May 1883
- Aged 87 years
- of Polperro
- “Her end was peace”
- Parish Records show
- Buried 5 May 1883
- Parents – John & Mary (née Perry) Rendle
- Brother – Jonathan & Jane (née Johns) Rendle
Would this be Priscilla Rendle’s 70th or 75th Birthday, (1866/1871) celebrated with a professional studio photograph? The formal dress that she wears suggests the period between 1862-1866; high neckline, full sleeves dropped below the shoulder and tight at the cuff – here shown trimmed in velvet. The bodice is pleated over the bust into a V-shaped point at the waist, with a detachable belt. The shape of the pleated skirt is defined by a lightweight cage crinoline, slightly flatter at the front, very much the silhouette of this time. Her hair is parted in the centre and smoothly tied, probably into chignons. The bow at her chin holds the face framing ruffled cap, possibly of silk.
The census shows that Priscilla was a Polperro shopkeeper, an earthenware dealer, and lived on Talland Hill. For at least thirty years, Priscilla had a lodger, a Welsh lady called Elizabeth Step, who was a dressmaker. Maybe she helped with the tailoring of Priscilla’s dress.
Here Priscilla seems to be wearing a second dress; showing the perfect silhouette of the day. Pleats are less formal, maybe gathered, trimmings lighter and fabric not so grand. White collar and cuffs and a broach at the throat. Her cap or bonnet is worn with the ribbons loose.
The photographs were taken by John Hawke, who had professional portrait studios; firstly from around 1860 at Union Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, and then just a mile away, from about 1878, at 8 George Street, Plymouth, where the same studio props are used.
Photographs of Priscilla Rendle by kind permission of Dr P Short – she was his great, great grandmother’s aunt.
Talland Church Headstones 
Leave a comment