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Amanda Owen was visibly moved as she and her youngest daughter, Clemmie, made a heartbreaking discovery on their farm.

In a repeat episode of Our Farm Next Door airing tonight, the mother-daughter duo delved into the history of Anty John's, a run-down farmhouse they're currently restoring.

Their friend and historian, Derek, unearthed the diary of Anthony Clarkson, the original owner of Anty John's, revealing a sorrowful tale.

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The trio learned that Anthony returned home after his father's death, a story that resonated deeply with them.

Derek shared with Clemmie: "Anthony Clarkson, whom you know all about. He used to stay with his brothers in some of the cottages here in Stonesdale," reports the Manchester Evening News.

"You're a family of nine children, aren't you? He was a family of nine as well."

As Derek showed them Anthony's original diary, Amanda remarked, "That's the first time Clem has actually seen the original. It's been a long time getting to this place. I feel like the connection now will be even stronger."

Derek continued: "The very end part of his diary, he regularly used to stay with his brothers, and then he would walk across the top to Anty John's.

"What we're hoping to do is to actually retrace some of that part of the route. Let's see if we can paint a better picture of what was actually going on at the time."

"When his father died here in 1818, things changed," Derek revealed about Anthony's life, prompting Amanda to add: "That brought him back, didn't it?"

Anthony continued: "That brought him back, and he spent a lot of time here."

"Can you imagine that?" Amanda said before adding, "He's away from his school teaching, and he finds out his dad has died."

Whilst portions of Anthony's diary proved challenging to decipher, Derek managed to make out some sections using a magnifying glass.

Handing it to Amanda, she read aloud: "So, Friday, the sixth of February, I went up and met my nephew, John. He came with the melancholy news of my father's death. He died this morning, about seven o'clock."

Sharing her own reflections, the mother of nine added: "So it obviously wasn't expected. It was a big surprise, a shock.

"Oh, so suddenly he's got to return and begin making choices about what's going to become of his father's inheritance, essentially, what's going to become of the farm.

"So it all started with something of a tragedy. His dad passing away. He returns, and Anthony has acquired what we call Anty John's."

Our Farm Next Door is available to watch on All4.