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John Burden Blandy (1841-1912) |
JBB who was head of the Blandy wine lodges in Funchal, bought the
Palheiro estate at public auction in 1885. He was criticised by friends
and family alike for having bought a `white elephant´. The property was
remote from Funchal and the Casa Velha was already at this stage in a
state of decay.
He built a new house on the site of the `Casa da Francesa´ which was
completed in 1891. The family used to live there during the summer
months. He improved the farm greatly, adding new farm buildings
including the sawmill with its turbine and rebuilt the reservoir at the
top of the estate. JBB initiated the farming of cereal crops and
forestry. He and his wife also continued the garden development.
Until the construction roads and car transport, the men of the family
used to go down to Funchal to their businesses in the morning by
running car (basket sledge) and returned in the evening on horseback.
The women and children usually `stayed put´ during the days except for
visits to neighbours by hammock or on horseback!
To learn more about the history of the Palheiro Estate choose a link below:
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