Mrs Sharam's Petticoat Traditional Cache

Mrs Sharam’s Petticoat

Ellen Sharam or “ Granny “ as she was affectionately known was married to Christopher Sharam in 1848 until 1890 when he died aged 77. Christopher or “ Long Christy “ as he was eventually known was a well know bootmaker and had horse riders from all over come and use his services

Early in 1850 the couple moved into a two roomed slab cottage built by Christopher and had to build another cottage in mid 1860s to house their growing family. Talking about Family, Ellen was a machine, she bore 15 children and raised them in this cottage under difficult conditions often alone. She lost 4 of her children , 3 to diseases and 1 to an accident

Ellen died in 1910 at the ripe old age of 77 after living in the cottage with her daughter Alice for 20 yrs since the death of Christopher.

The first cottage Christopher built was the first house built in Penola it’s a testament to his ingenuity that it still stands today.

There is plenty of information about the families history and how the cottages were built. Take your time to wander the gardens and stables to see how they lived many generations ago.

The cache is a micro hidden not to interfere with any of the original buildings or artefacts that fill the property. Please remember this is part of the National Trust and all due care is needed when venturing onto the property. This cache can be reached 24hrs a day but to enter the home you will have to travel across the road to the Wilson cottage and see the caretaker for the key