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  • #7319

    Eris, logged off the Ritual, and stretched her long legs. That pandemic had brought them more work than ever, a new brand of Incense called “Vaxations” which they’d produced in record time, but of the little compensations for that harrowing time was the allowance to HFH (a.k.a Hex-From-Home). The Classical tenants of the Faith were missing quite a few of the modernities of the current world, and despite they’d been accounts of remote hexing from as long as the ages stretched, the Quadrivium Policies were quite clear you had to clock-in physically. That is, until the pandemic brought mayhem unto their clientèle, and rules had to be amended.

    Eris was short for Ætheris, her formal witch name, which sounded much more airy than she’d liked. Eris, like the Goddess of Discord, well, that was more like her.

    If she had to put her biography on the website of the Quadrivium Emporium it would read something like this:

    Eris, the tech-savvy witch of discord, remains an enigma to most. She thrives in chaos, has a knack for bending technology to her will, and is pioneering a new branch of the Coven’s operations.

    Technology had always been the eternal foe of Magic. As if everything explained by science somehow took away something off the realm of Magic. It was neither true, nor that simple, she believed. For one, she loved to blend the two (as most witches did, unwittingly).

    Her familiar, Echo, was a proof of that. Echo wasn’t a tangible creature. Instead, Eris has somehow managed to summon an invisible digital sprite. This ethereal entity, capable of interfacing with any electronic device, was an invaluable asset to Eris’s technological endeavors.

    Malové, their Head Witch CEO, had tasked her to launch a new branch, and given her some means to do so. Her intentions were rather unclear, but Eris had won her over when she showed her the parallels of Incense magic and Social Media.
    Maybe that year, she would be keen to try and enhance their yearly Incense with some tech intelligence. Truth was, most of the artificial lives had been failures so far. Only Echo somehow turned out fine. One of a kind.

    “Echo,” she called, while a glowing blue sigil appeared in mid-air. “When you’re done with the latest…”

    Eris, sorry for interjecting, but you need to hear about this.”

    She was too surprised to be mad. “What’s the matter?”

    “Quality control on the first Ritual. It’s pointing out to some anomalies.”

    #7276
    TracyTracy
    Participant

      Wood Screw Manufacturers

      The Fishers of West Bromwich.

       

      My great grandmother, Nellie Fisher, was born in 1877 in Wolverhampton.   Her father William 1834-1916 was a whitesmith, and his father William 1792-1873 was a whitesmith and master screw maker.  William’s father was Abel Fisher, wood screw maker, victualler, and according to his 1849 will, a “gentleman”.

      Nellie Fisher 1877-1956 :

      Nellie Fisher

       

      Abel Fisher was born in 1769 according to his burial document (age 81 in 1849) and on the 1841 census. Abel was a wood screw manufacturer in Wolverhampton.

      As no baptism record can be found for Abel Fisher, I read every Fisher will I could find in a 30 year period hoping to find his fathers will. I found three other Fishers who were wood screw manufacurers in neighbouring West Bromwich, which led me to assume that Abel was born in West Bromwich and related to these other Fishers.

      The wood screw making industry was a relatively new thing when Abel was born.

      “The screw was used in furniture but did not become a common woodworking fastener until efficient machine tools were developed near the end of the 18th century. The earliest record of lathe made wood screws dates to an English patent of 1760. The development of wood screws progressed from a small cottage industry in the late 18th century to a highly mechanized industry by the mid-19th century. This rapid transformation is marked by several technical innovations that help identify the time that a screw was produced. The earliest, handmade wood screws were made from hand-forged blanks. These screws were originally produced in homes and shops in and around the manufacturing centers of 18th century Europe. Individuals, families or small groups participated in the production of screw blanks and the cutting of the threads. These small operations produced screws individually, using a series of files, chisels and cutting tools to form the threads and slot the head. Screws produced by this technique can vary significantly in their shape and the thread pitch. They are most easily identified by the profusion of file marks (in many directions) over the surface. The first record regarding the industrial manufacture of wood screws is an English patent registered to Job and William Wyatt of Staffordshire in 1760.”

      Wood Screw Makers of West Bromwich:

      Edward Fisher, wood screw maker of West Bromwich, died in 1796. He mentions his wife Pheney and two underage sons in his will. Edward (whose baptism has not been found) married Pheney Mallin on 13 April 1793. Pheney was 17 years old, born in 1776. Her parents were Isaac Mallin and Sarah Firme, who were married in West Bromwich in 1768.
      Edward and Pheney’s son Edward was born on 21 October 1793, and their son Isaac in 1795. The executors of Edwards 1796 will are Daniel Fisher the Younger, Isaac Mallin, and Joseph Fisher.

      There is a marriage allegations and bonds document in 1774 for an Edward Fisher, bachelor and wood screw maker of West Bromwich, aged 25 years and upwards, and Mary Mallin of the same age, father Isaac Mallin. Isaac Mallin and Sarah didn’t marry until 1768 and Mary Mallin would have been born circa 1749. Perhaps Isaac Mallin’s father was the father of Mary Mallin. It’s possible that Edward Fisher was born in 1749 and first married Mary Mallin, and then later Pheney, but it’s also possible that the Edward Fisher who married Mary Mallin in 1774 was Edward Fishers uncle, Daniel’s brother.  (I do not know if Daniel had a brother Edward, as I haven’t found a baptism, or marriage, for Daniel Fisher the elder.)

      There are two difficulties with finding the records for these West Bromwich families. One is that the West Bromwich registers are not available online in their entirety, and are held by the Sandwell Archives, and even so, they are incomplete. Not only that, the Fishers were non conformist. There is no surviving register prior to 1787. The chapel opened in 1788, and any registers that existed before this date, taken in a meeting houses for example, appear not to have survived.

      Daniel Fisher the younger died intestate in 1818. Daniel was a wood screw maker of West Bromwich. He was born in 1751 according to his age stated as 67 on his death in 1818. Daniel’s wife Mary, and his son William Fisher, also a wood screw maker, claimed the estate.

      Daniel Fisher the elder was a farmer of West Bromwich, who died in 1806. He was 81 when he died, which makes a birth date of 1725, although no baptism has been found. No marriage has been found either, but he was probably married not earlier than 1746.

      Daniel’s sons Daniel and Joseph were the main inheritors, and he also mentions his other children and grandchildren namely William Fisher, Thomas Fisher, Hannah wife of William Hadley, two grandchildren Edward and Isaac Fisher sons of Edward Fisher his son deceased. Daniel the elder presumably refers to the wood screw manufacturing when he says “to my son Daniel Fisher the good will and advantage which may arise from his manufacture or trade now carried on by me.” Daniel does not mention a son called Abel unfortunately, but neither does he mention his other grandchildren. Abel may be Daniel’s son, or he may be a nephew.

      The Staffordshire Record Office holds the documents of a Testamentary Case in 1817. The principal people are Isaac Fisher, a legatee; Daniel and Joseph Fisher, executors. Principal place, West Bromwich, and deceased person, Daniel Fisher the elder, farmer.

      William and Sarah Fisher baptised six children in the Mares Green Non Conformist registers in West Bromwich between 1786 and 1798. William Fisher and Sarah Birch were married in West Bromwich in 1777. This William was probably born circa 1753 and was probably the son of Daniel Fisher the elder, farmer.

       

      Daniel Fisher the younger and his wife Mary had a son William, as mentioned in the intestacy papers, although I have not found a baptism for William.  I did find a baptism for another son, Eutychus Fisher in 1792.

      In White’s Directory of Staffordshire in 1834, there are three Fishers who are wood screw makers in Wolverhampton: Eutychus Fisher, Oxford Street; Stephen Fisher, Bloomsbury; and William Fisher, Oxford Street.

      Abel’s son William Fisher 1792-1873 was living on Oxford Street on the 1841 census, with his wife Mary  and their son William Fisher 1834-1916.

       

      In The European Magazine, and London Review of 1820  (Volume 77 – Page 564) under List of Patents, W Fisher and H Fisher of West Bromwich, wood screw manufacturers, are listed.  Also in 1820 in the Birmingham Chronicle, the partnership of William and Hannah Fisher, wood screw manufacturers of West Bromwich, was dissolved.

       

      In the Staffordshire General & Commercial Directory 1818, by W. Parson, three Fisher’s are listed as wood screw makers.  Abel Fisher victualler and wood screw maker, Red Lion, Walsal Road; Stephen Fisher wood screw maker, Buggans Lane; and Daniel Fisher wood screw manufacturer, Brickiln Lane.

       

      In Aris’s Birmingham Gazette on 4 January 1819 Abel Fisher is listed with 23 other wood screw manufacturers (Stephen Fisher and William Fisher included) stating that “In consequence of the rise in prices of iron and the advanced price given to journeymen screw forgers, we the undersigned manufacturers of wood screws are under the necessity of advancing screws 10 percent, to take place on the 11th january 1819.”

      Abel Fisher wood screws

       

      In Abel Fisher’s 1849 will, he names his three sons Abel Fisher 1796-1869, Paul Fisher 1811-1900 and John Southall Fisher 1801-1871 as the executors.  He also mentions his other three sons, William Fisher 1792-1873, Benjamin Fisher 1798-1870, and Joseph Fisher 1803-1876, and daughters Sarah Fisher  1794-  wife of William Colbourne, Mary Fisher  1804-  wife of Thomas Pearce, and Susannah (Hannah) Fisher  1813-  wife of Parkes.  His son Silas Fisher 1809-1837 wasn’t mentioned as he died before Abel, nor his sons John Fisher  1799-1800, and Edward Southall Fisher 1806-1843.  Abel’s wife Susannah Southall born in 1771 died in 1824.  They were married in 1791.

      The 1849 will of Abel Fisher:

      Abel Fisher 1849 will

      #7267
      TracyTracy
      Participant

        Thomas Josiah Tay

        22 Feb 1816 – 16 November 1878

         

        “Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.”

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1878

         

        I first came across the name TAY in the 1844 will of John Tomlinson (1766-1844), gentleman of Wergs, Tettenhall. John’s friends, trustees and executors were Edward Moore, surgeon of Halesowen, and Edward Tay, timber merchant of Wolverhampton.

         

        1844 will John Tomlinson

         

        Edward Moore (born in 1805) was the son of John’s wife’s (Sarah Hancox born 1772) sister Lucy Hancox (born 1780) from her first marriage in 1801. In 1810 widowed Lucy married Josiah Tay (1775-1837).

        Edward Tay was the son of Sarah Hancox sister Elizabeth (born 1778), who married Thomas Tay in 1800. Thomas Tay (1770-1841) and Josiah Tay were brothers.

        Edward Tay (1803-1862) was born in Sedgley and was buried in Penn. He was innkeeper of The Fighting Cocks, Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, as well as a builder and timber merchant, according to various censuses, trade directories, his marriage registration where his father Thomas Tay is also a timber merchant, as well as being named as a timber merchant in John Tomlinsons will.

        John Tomlinson’s daughter Catherine (born in 1794) married Benjamin Smith in Tettenhall in 1822. William Tomlinson (1797-1867), Catherine’s brother, and my 3x great grandfather, was one of the witnesses.

        1822 William Tomlinson witness

         

        Their daughter Matilda Sarah Smith (1823-1910) married Thomas Josiah Tay in 1850 in Birmingham. Thomas Josiah Tay (1816-1878) was Edward Tay’s brother, the sons of Elizabeth Hancox and Thomas Tay.

        Therefore, William Hancox 1737-1816 (the father of Sarah, Elizabeth and Lucy), was Matilda’s great grandfather and Thomas Josiah Tay’s grandfather.

         

        Thomas Josiah Tay’s relationship to me is the husband of first cousin four times removed, as well as my first cousin, five times removed.

         

        In 1837 Thomas Josiah Tay is mentioned in the will of his uncle Josiah Tay.

        1837 will Josiah Tay

         

        In 1841 Thomas Josiah Tay appears on the Stafford criminal registers for an “attempt to procure miscarriage”. He was found not guilty.

        According to the Staffordshire Advertiser on 14th March 1840 the listing for the Assizes included: “Thomas Ashmall and Thomas Josiah Tay, for administering noxious ingredients to Hannah Evans, of Wolverhampton, with intent to procure abortion.”

        The London Morning Herald on 19th March 1840 provides further information: “Mr Thomas Josiah Tay, a chemist and druggist, surrendered to take his trial on a charge of having administered drugs to Hannah Lear, now Hannah Evans, with intent to procure abortion.” She entered the service of Tay in 1837 and after four months “an intimacy was formed” and two months later she was “enciente”. Tay advised her to take some pills and a draught which he gave her and she became very ill. The prosecutrix admitted that she had made no mention of this until 1939. Verdict: not guilty.

        However, the case of Thomas Josiah Tay is also mentioned in a couple of law books, and the story varies slightly. In the 1841 Reports of Cases Argued and Rules at Nisi Prius, the Regina vs Ashmall and Tay case states that Thomas Ashmall feloniously, unlawfully, and maliciously, did use a certain instrument, and that Thomas Josiah Tay did procure the instrument, counsel and command Ashmall in the use of it. It concludes that Tay was not compellable to plead to the indictment, and that he did not.

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840 2

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840 3

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840 4

         

        The Regina vs Ashmall and Tay case is also mentioned in the Encyclopedia of Forms and Precedents, 1896.

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840 5

        Thomas Josiah Tay 1840 6

         

        In 1845 Thomas Josiah Tay married Isabella Southwick in Tettenhall. Two years later in 1847 Isabella died.

        In 1850 Thomas Josiah married Matilda Sarah Smith. (granddaughter of John Tomlinson, as mentioned above)

        On the 1851 census Thomas Josiah Tay was a farmer of 100 acres employing two labourers in Shelfield, Walsall, Staffordshire. Thomas Josiah and Matilda Sarah have a daughter Matilda under a year old, and they have a live in house servant.

        In 1861 Thomas Josiah Tay, his wife and their four children Ann, James, Josiah and Alice, live in Chelmarsh, Shropshire. He was a farmer of 224 acres. Mercy Smith, Matilda’s sister, lives with them, a 28 year old dairy maid.

        In 1863 Thomas Josiah Tay of Hampton Lode (Chelmarsh) Shropshire was bankrupt. Creditors include Frederick Weaver, druggist of Wolverhampton.

        In 1869 Thomas Josiah Tay was again bankrupt. He was an innkeeper at The Fighting Cocks on Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, at the time, the same inn as his uncle Edward Tay, aforementioned timber merchant.

         

        Fighting Cocks Inn

         

         

        In 1871, Thomas Josiah Tay, his wife Matilda, and their three children Alice, Edward and Maryann, were living in Birmingham. Thomas Josiah was a commercial traveller.

         

        He died on the 16th November 1878 at the age of 62 and was buried in Darlaston, Walsall. On his gravestone:

        “Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.” Psalm XC 15 verse.

         

        Edward Moore, surgeon, was also a MAGISTRATE in later years. On the 1871 census he states his occupation as “magistrate for counties Worcester and Stafford, and deputy lieutenant of Worcester, formerly surgeon”. He lived at Townsend House in Halesowen for many years. His wifes name was PATTERN Lucas. Her mothers name was Pattern Hewlitt from Birmingham, an unusal name that I have not heard before. On the 1871 census, Edward’s son was a 22 year old solicitor.

        In 1861 an article appeared in the newspapers about the state of the morality of the women of Dudley. It was claimed that all the local magistrates agreed with the premise of the article, concerning unmarried women and their attitudes towards having illegitimate children. Letters appeared in subsequent newspapers signed by local magistrates, including Edward Moore, strongly disagreeing.

        Staffordshire Advertiser 17 August 1861:

        Dudley women 1861

        #6790

        In reply to: Tart Wreck Repackage

        Star and Tara were seating at their usual table in the Star Frites Alliance Café, sipping their coffee and reflecting on the strange case of the wardrobe. They had managed to find Uncle Basil, and Vince had been able to change his will just in time. They had also discovered that the wardrobe was being used to smuggle illegal drugs, which they promptly reported to the authorities.

        As they sat there, they saw Finton, the waitress from the café where they last met Vince French, walking towards them with a big smile on her face. “Hello there, ladies! I just wanted to thank you for helping Vince find his uncle. He’s been so much happier since then.”

        “It was all in a day’s work,” said Star with a grin. “And we also managed to solve the mystery of the wardrobe.”  she couldn’t help boasting.

        “Did we now?” Tara raised an eyebrow.

        Finton’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh my! That’s quite the accomplishment. What did you find?”

        “It was being used to smuggle drugs,” explained Star. “We reported it to the authorities.”

        “Well, I never! You two are quite the detectives,” said Finton, impressed.

        “Sure, we could be proud, but there are more mysteries calling for our help. Now if you don’t mind, Finton, we have important business to talk about.” Star said.

        “And it’s rather hush-hush.” Tara added, to clue in the poor waitress.

        Star’s knack for finding clues in all the wrong places, and Tara’s slight nudges towards the path of logical deduction and reason had made them quite famous now around the corner. Well, slightly more famous than before, meaning they were featured in a tiny article in the local neswpaper, page 8, near the weekly crosswords. But somehow, that they’d accomplished their missions did advocate in their favour. And new clients had been pouring in.

        “Do we have a new case you haven’t told me about?” wondered Tara.

        “Nah.” retorted Star. “Just wanted to get rid of the nosy brat and enjoy my coffee while it’s hot. I hate tepid coffee. Tastes like cat piss.”

        “How would you know… Never mind…” Tara replied distractedly as handsome and well-dressed man approached their table. “Excuse me, are you Star and Tara, the private investigators?”

        “Well, as a matter of fact, we are,” said Star, propping her goods forward, and batting a few eyelids. “Who’s asking?”

        “My name is Thomas, and I have a rather unusual case for you.”

        Tara pushed Star to the back of the cushioned banquet bench to make room for the easy on the eyes stranger, while Star repressed a Oof and a fookoof..

        “It involves a missing pineapple.” Thomas said after taking the offered seat.

        “A missing pineapple?” repeated Star incredulously.

        Tara had an irrepressible fit of titter “So long as it’s not for a pizza…”

        “Yes, you see, I am a collector of exotic fruits, and I had a rare pineapple in my collection that has gone missing. It’s worth quite a lot of money, and I can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

        Star and Tara exchanged a look. They were both thinking the same thing. Was “exotic fruit” code for something else? Otherwise, this was not even remotely bizarre by their standard, and they’d seen some strange cases already.

        “We’ll have to think over it.” for once Star didn’t want to sound too eager. “Do you have any leads?” asked Tara.

        “Well, I did hear a rumor that it was spotted in the hands of a local street performer, but I can’t be sure.”

        “Alright, we’ll consider it,” said Star decisively. She fumbled into her hairy bag —some smart upcycling made by Rosamund with the old patchy mink coats. She handed a torn namecard to the young Thomas. “We’ll call you.”

        Thomas looked at her surprised. “Do you mean, should I write my number?”

        Tara rolled her eyes and sighed. “Obvie.” Somehow the good-looking ones didn’t seem to be the brightest tools in the picnic box.

        “But first, we need to finish our coffee.” She took a long sip and grinned at Tara. “Looks like we may have another mysterman on our hands.”

        #6770

        In reply to: The Stories So Near

        EricEric
        Keymaster

          What satisfying conclusion to this saga?

          Granola was the tying material to their friend, and her pop-in nascent capabilities (ability to project into material matter, sometimes being corporeal) could help. Her goal was to wake her friends out of their routines, and reinvigorate the stories they tell themselves about their lives.

          • Maeve was the one making custom dolls.
          • Shawn Paul her handsome bearded bachelor next door was an aspiring writer looking for a story to tell and to become published.
          • Lucinda is their neighbour, enrolled in creative writing courses.
          • Jerk is a clerk at a local WholeDay*Mart and also manages a forum in his spare time.

           

          The dolls were found in all across places, used by different groups, maybe glamour bombs for some, maybe ways to smuggle information and keys.

          Across their trips they connect with story characters, and unknowingly revive their stories.

          POP*IN THREAD (plot development suggestions, to be looked into later)

          Maeve and Shawn-Paul are still in Tikfijikoo, investigating the mysterious dolls and their connection to Uncle Fergus. They’ve also encountered strange happenings, including a missing girl and a strange man in a top hat.

          Meanwhile, Jerk is still moderating the forum and dealing with the strange messages. Lucinda is continuing her creative writing course and enjoying her time with Fabio.

          Granola is currently on a mission to find Ailill and learn more about pop-ins, while also trying to reconnect with her friends and figure out what’s going on with the dolls.

          As for the mysterious man following Maeve, his intentions are still unclear, but it seems he has some connection to Uncle Fergus and the dolls. The group is still trying to uncover the truth and figure out their next steps.

          :fleuron:

          In the end, Granola’s pop-in abilities proved to be the key to unlocking the mystery of the dolls and their connection to Uncle Fergus. With her help, Maeve and Shawn-Paul were able to uncover the truth about the dolls and their purpose, and use them to reconnect with various story characters across their trips.

          Through their adventures, they also discovered the power of storytelling and the importance of shaking up their routines to keep their lives interesting and full of wonder. Jerk found a new sense of purpose in managing the forum and connecting with others through his passion for the dolls and their stories.

          In the final chapter, Uncle Fergus reconciled with Maeve’s father and shared the true meaning behind the dolls and their connection to their family history.

          While Shawn-Paul’s path led him to become a successful author, Lucinda’s path took a different turn. She found fulfillment in her creative writing course and continued to hone her skills, but she didn’t pursue a career as a writer. Instead, she used her passion for storytelling to help others, working as a therapist and using storytelling techniques to help her clients work through their struggles and find healing. Lucinda’s work was deeply rewarding, and she felt fulfilled in being able to help others in such a meaningful way.

          As for Granola, she continued to pop-in and out of their lives, using her abilities to bring joy and excitement to their everyday routines, and keeping their stories alive for years to come. The group remained close friends, bonded by their shared experiences and love of storytelling.

          #6621

          In reply to: Orbs of Madjourneys

          As the four of them walked into the tavern, having walked the mile or so from the Flying Fish Inn to the main street of the tiny town, Zara noticed the black BMW that she and Yasmin had seen parked outside the Piggly supermarket on the way back from the airport in Alice.  She elbowed Yasmin in the ribs to point it out, but there was no need as Yasmin was already snorting nervously at the sight of it.

          black bmw

           

          Sister Finli caught sight of them as she was just about to leave Betsy’s gem shop and paused until they’d disappeared into the bar before leaving the shop.   It was the first time that Finli had seen Betsy in the flesh, and what a lot of flesh there was to see.   Finli was horrifed, comparing her own elegant thin fingers with the fat sausage like digits of Betsy.  She would never have expected Betsy to look this way. Still, it had thrown her, and she lost her usual efficient composure and quickly purchased a pink speckled gummy bear necklace.  Annoyingly, this transaction reminded her that she seemed to have lost her crucifix.

          Finli was an orphan.  The nuns had named her Finean Lisa. Finean meant beautiful daughter, and Lisa meant devoted to god.  Later they shortened it to Finli.  She’d spent all her life at the orphanage in Suva, having been deposited there at birth, and although she had no particular calling to be a nun, she had not known what else to do with her life.  It was the only family she’d ever known, and so she stayed on.  It was only in the past year or two that she’d had any curiosity about who her real parents were, when she read about DNA tests and ancestry research. She’d been told in the past that no records existed as she had been found on the doorstep of the orphanage one morning 43 years ago.  The knowledge had filled her with comtempt for her parents, whoever they were,  and for the most part she pushed them from her mind, not caring to know.  But when she read about all the successes of adopted people finding their real parents, she was consumed with curiosity. At first she just wanted to know who they were. But once she had found their names, she wanted to know more. She wanted to know why.  One thing led to another.

          Her real father had disappeared, lost down some mines although the story there was far from clear.  Indeed, that particular story was a darn sight more than unclear, it was downright fishy.  Her real mother was was alive and kicking, and living near to the mines where Howard had disappeared. Finli deduced that she must have been born, or at least conceived, in this godforsaken place in the outback.  What an ignominous start to her uneventful life.

          She knew that Fred was her uncle, but she had not told him she knew that. Did Fred know who she was? He’d always been kind to her, but then, he was affable to everyone.   When it came to her knowledge that Fred had given that tiresome snorting volunteer girl a parcel to take with her, to, of all places! that very town in the outback, Finli simply had to know what was in it.  But she didn’t want to spill the beans too soon, in case it hindered her attempts to find the truth about Howard, her father.   She decided to travel to the town incognito.  But how was she going to find the money for it?  Well, she knew she was burning her bridges, but she had to do it. She stole the golden chalice from the church and sold it on Ubay.  She was suprised at how much money it fetched. Not only could she afford the trip, she could do it in style.

          It was an exciting adventure, but Finli was not accustomed to travel and adventure. In fact, she was dreading meeting her mother.   At times she wished she’d just stayed at the orphanage.  But it was too late now. She was here.

          Finli

          #6558

          In reply to: Orbs of Madjourneys

          “Nice BMW,” said Yasmin. She pointed towards a shiny black car parked in front of the supermarket. “My Uncle has that model.”

          “Pretty flash,” agreed Sergio. He sniffed and scratched his nose vigorously. Yasmin was amused to notice Zara frown, ever-so-slightly.  Sergio squinted towards the BMW. “Looks like it’s a rental too. Beats this bloody Toyota any day.”

          “Do either of you want to get anything while we are here?” asked Zara brightly. “I’ve got a little stash of snacks back at the Inn …”

          “No I’m good, but I do need to use the loo,” said Yasmin. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she surveyed her surroundings. There’s that garage over the road but it looks a bit dodgy. Wish I’d gone back at the airport now.”

          Zara nodded. “Okay I’ll just get the wine then! See you in a few minutes”

          “The toilet is around the back, but it’s in use,” said a friendly man behind the counter. Yasmin wondered how long before she got used to the distinctive nasally twang of the Aussie accent. She thought briefly of Fred and the mysterious brown parcel in her bag. She thanked the man and perused the shelves while she waited. As she was struggling to choose between a bar of chocolate or a bag of cashew nuts, neither of which she wanted but she felt obligated to buy something, a well-dressed woman stormed in and flung the toilet key at the counter where it bounced and skidded to a stop next to a box of chewing gum. “Disgusting,” Yasmin heard her say before she pivoted on her Gucci-emblazoned trainers and flounced out the door.

          “Looks like the toilet’s free,” said the man with a grin.

          #6343
          TracyTracy
          Participant

            Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum

            William James Stokes

             

            William James Stokes was the first son of Thomas Stokes and Eliza Browning. Oddly, his birth was registered in Witham in Essex, on the 6th September 1841.

            Birth certificate of William James Stokes:

            birth William Stokes

             

            His father Thomas Stokes has not yet been found on the 1841 census, and his mother Eliza was staying with her uncle Thomas Lock in Cirencester in 1841. Eliza’s mother Mary Browning (nee Lock) was staying there too. Thomas and Eliza were married in September 1840 in Hempstead in Gloucestershire.

            It’s a mystery why William was born in Essex but one possibility is that his father Thomas, who later worked with the Chipperfields making circus wagons, was staying with the Chipperfields who were wheelwrights in Witham in 1841. Or perhaps even away with a traveling circus at the time of the census, learning the circus waggon wheelwright trade. But this is a guess and it’s far from clear why Eliza would make the journey to Witham to have the baby when she was staying in Cirencester a few months prior.

            In 1851 Thomas and Eliza, William and four younger siblings were living in Bledington in Oxfordshire.

            William was a 19 year old wheelwright living with his parents in Evesham in 1861. He married Elizabeth Meldrum in December 1867 in Hackney, London. He and his father are both wheelwrights on the marriage register.

            Marriage of William James Stokes and Elizabeth Meldrum in 1867:

            1867 William Stokes

             

            William and Elizabeth had a daughter, Elizabeth Emily Stokes, in 1868 in Shoreditch, London.

            On the 3rd of December 1870, William James Stokes was admitted to Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum. One week later on the 10th of December, he was dead.

            On his death certificate the cause of death was “general paralysis and exhaustion, certified. MD Edgar Sheppard in attendance.” William was just 29 years old.

            Death certificate William James Stokes:

            death William Stokes

             

            I asked on a genealogy forum what could possibly have caused this death at such a young age. A retired pathology professor replied that “in medicine the term General Paralysis is only used in one context – that of Tertiary Syphilis.”
            “Tertiary syphilis is the third and final stage of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that unfolds in stages when the individual affected doesn’t receive appropriate treatment.”

            From the article “Looking back: This fascinating and fatal disease” by Jennifer Wallis:

            “……in asylums across Britain in the late 19th century, with hundreds of people receiving the diagnosis of general paralysis of the insane (GPI). The majority of these were men in their 30s and 40s, all exhibiting one or more of the disease’s telltale signs: grandiose delusions, a staggering gait, disturbed reflexes, asymmetrical pupils, tremulous voice, and muscular weakness. Their prognosis was bleak, most dying within months, weeks, or sometimes days of admission.

            The fatal nature of GPI made it of particular concern to asylum superintendents, who became worried that their institutions were full of incurable cases requiring constant care. The social effects of the disease were also significant, attacking men in the prime of life whose admission to the asylum frequently left a wife and children at home. Compounding the problem was the erratic behaviour of the general paralytic, who might get themselves into financial or legal difficulties. Delusions about their vast wealth led some to squander scarce family resources on extravagant purchases – one man’s wife reported he had bought ‘a quantity of hats’ despite their meagre income – and doctors pointed to the frequency of thefts by general paralytics who imagined that everything belonged to them.”

             

            The London Archives hold the records for Colney Hatch, but they informed me that the particular records for the dates that William was admitted and died were in too poor a condition to be accessed without causing further damage.

            Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum gained such notoriety that the name “Colney Hatch” appeared in various terms of abuse associated with the concept of madness. Infamous inmates that were institutionalized at Colney Hatch (later called Friern Hospital) include Jack the Ripper suspect Aaron Kosminski from 1891, and from 1911 the wife of occultist Aleister Crowley. In 1993 the hospital grounds were sold and the exclusive apartment complex called Princess Park Manor was built.

            Colney Hatch:

            Colney Hatch

             

            In 1873 Williams widow married William Hallam in Limehouse in London. Elizabeth died in 1930, apparently unaffected by her first husbands ailment.

            #6338
            TracyTracy
            Participant

              Albert Parker Edwards

              1876-1930

              Albert Parker Edwards

               

              Albert Parker Edwards, my great grandfather, was born in Aston, Warwickshire in 1876.  On the 1881 census he was living with his parents Enoch and Amelia in Bournebrook, Northfield, Worcestershire.  Enoch was a button tool maker at the time of the census.

              In 1890 Albert was indentured in an apprenticeship as a pawnbroker in Tipton, Staffordshire.

              1890 indenture

               

              On the 1891 census Albert was a lodger in Tipton at the home of Phoebe Levy, pawnbroker, and Alberts occupation was an apprentice.

              Albert married Annie Elizabeth Stokes in 1898 in Evesham, and their first son, my grandfather Albert Garnet Edwards (1898-1950), was born six months later in Crabbs Cross.  On the 1901 census, Annie was in hospital as a patient and Albert was living at Crabbs Cross with a boarder, his brother Garnet Edwards.  Their two year old son Albert Garnet was staying with his uncle Ralph, Albert Parkers brother, also in Crabbs Cross.

              Albert and Annie kept the Cricketers Arms hotel on Beoley Road in Redditch until around 1920. They had a further four children while living there: Doris May Edwards (1902-1974),  Ralph Clifford Edwards (1903-1988),  Ena Flora Edwards (1908-1983) and Osmond Edwards (1910-2000).

               

              In 1906 Albert was assaulted during an incident in the Cricketers Arms.

              Bromsgrove & Droitwich Messenger – Saturday 18 August 1906:

              1906 incident

              1906 assault

               

              In 1910 a gold medal was given to Albert Parker Edwards by Mr. Banks, a policeman, in Redditch for saving the life of his two children from drowning in a brook on the Proctor farm which adjoined The Cricketers Arms.  The story my father heard was that policeman Banks could not persuade the town of Redditch to come up with an award for Albert Parker Edwards so policeman Banks did it himself.  William Banks, police constable, was living on Beoley Road on the 1911 census. His son Thomas was aged 5 and his daughter Frances was 8.  It seems that when the father retired from the police he moved to Worcester. Thomas went into the hotel business and in 1939 was the manager of the Abbey hotel in Kenilworth. Frances married Edward Pardoe and was living along Redditch Road, Alvechurch in 1939.

              My grandmother Peggy had the gold medal put on a gold chain for me in the 1970s.  When I left England in the 1980s, I gave it back to her for safekeeping. When she died, the medal on the chain ended up in my fathers possession, who claims to have no knowledge that it was once given to me!

              The medal:

              1910 medal

              Albert Parker Edwards wearing the medal:

              APE wearing medal

               

              In 1921 Albert was at the The Royal Exchange hotel in Droitwich:

              Royal Exchange

               

              Between 1922 and 1927 Albert kept the Bear Hotel in Evesham:

              APE Bear

              The Bear

               

              Then Albert and Annie moved to the Red Lion at Astwood Bank:

              Red Lion

               

              Albert in the garden behind the Red Lion:

              APE Red Lion

               

              They stayed at the Red Lion until Albert Parker Edwards died on the 11th of February, 1930 aged 53.

              APE probate

              #6333
              TracyTracy
              Participant

                The Grattidge Family

                 

                The first Grattidge to appear in our tree was Emma Grattidge (1853-1911) who married Charles Tomlinson (1847-1907) in 1872.

                Charles Tomlinson (1873-1929) was their son and he married my great grandmother Nellie Fisher. Their daughter Margaret (later Peggy Edwards) was my grandmother on my fathers side.

                Emma Grattidge was born in Wolverhampton, the daughter and youngest child of William Grattidge (1820-1887) born in Foston, Derbyshire, and Mary Stubbs, born in Burton on Trent, daughter of Solomon Stubbs, a land carrier. William and Mary married at St Modwens church, Burton on Trent, in 1839. It’s unclear why they moved to Wolverhampton. On the 1841 census William was employed as an agent, and their first son William was nine months old. Thereafter, William was a licensed victuallar or innkeeper.

                William Grattidge was born in Foston, Derbyshire in 1820. His parents were Thomas Grattidge, farmer (1779-1843) and Ann Gerrard (1789-1822) from Ellastone. Thomas and Ann married in 1813 in Ellastone. They had five children before Ann died at the age of 25:

                Bessy was born in 1815, Thomas in 1818, William in 1820, and Daniel Augustus and Frederick were twins born in 1822. They were all born in Foston. (records say Foston, Foston and Scropton, or Scropton)

                On the 1841 census Thomas had nine people additional to family living at the farm in Foston, presumably agricultural labourers and help.

                After Ann died, Thomas had three children with Kezia Gibbs (30 years his junior) before marrying her in 1836, then had a further four with her before dying in 1843. Then Kezia married Thomas’s nephew Frederick Augustus Grattidge (born in 1816 in Stafford) in London in 1847 and had two more!

                 

                The siblings of William Grattidge (my 3x great grandfather):

                 

                Frederick Grattidge (1822-1872) was a schoolmaster and never married. He died at the age of 49 in Tamworth at his twin brother Daniels address.

                Daniel Augustus Grattidge (1822-1903) was a grocer at Gungate in Tamworth.

                Thomas Grattidge (1818-1871) married in Derby, and then emigrated to Illinois, USA.

                Bessy Grattidge  (1815-1840) married John Buxton, farmer, in Ellastone in January 1838. They had three children before Bessy died in December 1840 at the age of 25: Henry in 1838, John in 1839, and Bessy Buxton in 1840. Bessy was baptised in January 1841. Presumably the birth of Bessy caused the death of Bessy the mother.

                Bessy Buxton’s gravestone:

                “Sacred to the memory of Bessy Buxton, the affectionate wife of John Buxton of Stanton She departed this life December 20th 1840, aged 25 years. “Husband, Farewell my life is Past, I loved you while life did last. Think on my children for my sake, And ever of them with I take.”

                20 Dec 1840, Ellastone, Staffordshire

                Bessy Buxton

                 

                In the 1843 will of Thomas Grattidge, farmer of Foston, he leaves fifth shares of his estate, including freehold real estate at Findern,  to his wife Kezia, and sons William, Daniel, Frederick and Thomas. He mentions that the children of his late daughter Bessy, wife of John Buxton, will be taken care of by their father.  He leaves the farm to Keziah in confidence that she will maintain, support and educate his children with her.

                An excerpt from the will:

                I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Keziah Grattidge all my household goods and furniture, wearing apparel and plate and plated articles, linen, books, china, glass, and other household effects whatsoever, and also all my implements of husbandry, horses, cattle, hay, corn, crops and live and dead stock whatsoever, and also all the ready money that may be about my person or in my dwelling house at the time of my decease, …I also give my said wife the tenant right and possession of the farm in my occupation….

                A page from the 1843 will of Thomas Grattidge:

                1843 Thomas Grattidge

                 

                William Grattidges half siblings (the offspring of Thomas Grattidge and Kezia Gibbs):

                 

                Albert Grattidge (1842-1914) was a railway engine driver in Derby. In 1884 he was driving the train when an unfortunate accident occured outside Ambergate. Three children were blackberrying and crossed the rails in front of the train, and one little girl died.

                Albert Grattidge:

                Albert Grattidge

                 

                George Grattidge (1826-1876) was baptised Gibbs as this was before Thomas married Kezia. He was a police inspector in Derby.

                George Grattidge:

                George Grattidge

                 

                Edwin Grattidge (1837-1852) died at just 15 years old.

                Ann Grattidge (1835-) married Charles Fletcher, stone mason, and lived in Derby.

                Louisa Victoria Grattidge (1840-1869) was sadly another Grattidge woman who died young. Louisa married Emmanuel Brunt Cheesborough in 1860 in Derby. In 1861 Louisa and Emmanuel were living with her mother Kezia in Derby, with their two children Frederick and Ann Louisa. Emmanuel’s occupation was sawyer. (Kezia Gibbs second husband Frederick Augustus Grattidge was a timber merchant in Derby)

                At the time of her death in 1869, Emmanuel was the landlord of the White Hart public house at Bridgegate in Derby.

                The Derby Mercury of 17th November 1869:

                “On Wednesday morning Mr Coroner Vallack held an inquest in the Grand
                Jury-room, Town-hall, on the body of Louisa Victoria Cheeseborough, aged
                33, the wife of the landlord of the White Hart, Bridge-gate, who committed
                suicide by poisoning at an early hour on Sunday morning. The following
                evidence was taken:

                Mr Frederick Borough, surgeon, practising in Derby, deposed that he was
                called in to see the deceased about four o’clock on Sunday morning last. He
                accordingly examined the deceased and found the body quite warm, but dead.
                He afterwards made enquiries of the husband, who said that he was afraid
                that his wife had taken poison, also giving him at the same time the
                remains of some blue material in a cup. The aunt of the deceased’s husband
                told him that she had seen Mrs Cheeseborough put down a cup in the
                club-room, as though she had just taken it from her mouth. The witness took
                the liquid home with him, and informed them that an inquest would
                necessarily have to be held on Monday. He had made a post mortem
                examination of the body, and found that in the stomach there was a great
                deal of congestion. There were remains of food in the stomach and, having
                put the contents into a bottle, he took the stomach away. He also examined
                the heart and found it very pale and flabby. All the other organs were
                comparatively healthy; the liver was friable.

                Hannah Stone, aunt of the deceased’s husband, said she acted as a servant
                in the house. On Saturday evening, while they were going to bed and whilst
                witness was undressing, the deceased came into the room, went up to the
                bedside, awoke her daughter, and whispered to her. but what she said the
                witness did not know. The child jumped out of bed, but the deceased closed
                the door and went away. The child followed her mother, and she also
                followed them to the deceased’s bed-room, but the door being closed, they
                then went to the club-room door and opening it they saw the deceased
                standing with a candle in one hand. The daughter stayed with her in the
                room whilst the witness went downstairs to fetch a candle for herself, and
                as she was returning up again she saw the deceased put a teacup on the
                table. The little girl began to scream, saying “Oh aunt, my mother is
                going, but don’t let her go”. The deceased then walked into her bed-room,
                and they went and stood at the door whilst the deceased undressed herself.
                The daughter and the witness then returned to their bed-room. Presently
                they went to see if the deceased was in bed, but she was sitting on the
                floor her arms on the bedside. Her husband was sitting in a chair fast
                asleep. The witness pulled her on the bed as well as she could.
                Ann Louisa Cheesborough, a little girl, said that the deceased was her
                mother. On Saturday evening last, about twenty minutes before eleven
                o’clock, she went to bed, leaving her mother and aunt downstairs. Her aunt
                came to bed as usual. By and bye, her mother came into her room – before
                the aunt had retired to rest – and awoke her. She told the witness, in a
                low voice, ‘that she should have all that she had got, adding that she
                should also leave her her watch, as she was going to die’. She did not tell
                her aunt what her mother had said, but followed her directly into the
                club-room, where she saw her drink something from a cup, which she
                afterwards placed on the table. Her mother then went into her own room and
                shut the door. She screamed and called her father, who was downstairs. He
                came up and went into her room. The witness then went to bed and fell
                asleep. She did not hear any noise or quarrelling in the house after going
                to bed.

                Police-constable Webster was on duty in Bridge-gate on Saturday evening
                last, about twenty minutes to one o’clock. He knew the White Hart
                public-house in Bridge-gate, and as he was approaching that place, he heard
                a woman scream as though at the back side of the house. The witness went to
                the door and heard the deceased keep saying ‘Will you be quiet and go to
                bed’. The reply was most disgusting, and the language which the
                police-constable said was uttered by the husband of the deceased, was
                immoral in the extreme. He heard the poor woman keep pressing her husband
                to go to bed quietly, and eventually he saw him through the keyhole of the
                door pass and go upstairs. his wife having gone up a minute or so before.
                Inspector Fearn deposed that on Sunday morning last, after he had heard of
                the deceased’s death from supposed poisoning, he went to Cheeseborough’s
                public house, and found in the club-room two nearly empty packets of
                Battie’s Lincoln Vermin Killer – each labelled poison.

                Several of the Jury here intimated that they had seen some marks on the
                deceased’s neck, as of blows, and expressing a desire that the surgeon
                should return, and re-examine the body. This was accordingly done, after
                which the following evidence was taken:

                Mr Borough said that he had examined the body of the deceased and observed
                a mark on the left side of the neck, which he considered had come on since
                death. He thought it was the commencement of decomposition.
                This was the evidence, after which the jury returned a verdict “that the
                deceased took poison whilst of unsound mind” and requested the Coroner to
                censure the deceased’s husband.

                The Coroner told Cheeseborough that he was a disgusting brute and that the
                jury only regretted that the law could not reach his brutal conduct.
                However he had had a narrow escape. It was their belief that his poor
                wife, who was driven to her own destruction by his brutal treatment, would
                have been a living woman that day except for his cowardly conduct towards
                her.

                The inquiry, which had lasted a considerable time, then closed.”

                 

                In this article it says:

                “it was the “fourth or fifth remarkable and tragical event – some of which were of the worst description – that has taken place within the last twelve years at the White Hart and in the very room in which the unfortunate Louisa Cheesborough drew her last breath.”

                Sheffield Independent – Friday 12 November 1869:

                Louisa Cheesborough

                #6320

                In reply to: The Sexy Wooden Leg

                When Maryechka arrived at the front gate of the Vyriy hotel with its gaudy plaster storks at the entrance, she sneaked into the side gate leading to the kitchens.

                She had to be careful not to to be noticed by Larysa who often had her cigarette break hidden under the pine tree. Larysa didn’t like children, or at least, she disliked them slightly less than the elderly residents, whoever was the loudest and the uncleanliest was sure to suffer her disapproval.

                Larysa was basically single-handedly managing the hotel, doing most of the chores to keep it afloat. The only thing she didn’t do was the catering, and packaged trays arrived every day for the residents. Maryechka’s grand-pa was no picky eater, and made a point of clearing his tray of food, but she suspected most of the other residents didn’t.
                The only other employee she was told, was the gardener who would have been old enough to be a resident himself, and had died of a stroke before the summer. The small garden was clearly in need of tending after.

                Maryechka could see the coast was clear, and was making her ways to the stairs when she heard clanking in the stairs and voices arguing.

                “Keep your voice down, you’re going to wake the dragon.”

                “That’s your fault, you don’t pack light for your adventures. You really needed to take all these suitcases? How can we make a run for it with all that dead weight!”

                #6318

                In reply to: The Sexy Wooden Leg

                “You’d better sit down,” said Olga gesturing to the end of her bed. As a rule, she did not have visitors so she saw no need to clutter up the available space in her tiny room with an extra chair. A large proportion of her life was spent in her armchair and she was content that way. While Egbert perched on the end of the bed, she lowered herself into the soft and familiar confines of her armchair and felt instantly soothed. It was true, sometimes she felt a tinge of regret when she considered how disappointed her younger self would be to see her now. But she hadn’t lived through what I’ve lived through so she can mind her own damn business,” she thought.

                “It is just a story, twisted in the telling I expect.” Olga knew her voice held no conviction.

                Egbert opened his mouth as though to speak. Closed it again.

                “You look like a fish,” said Olga folding her arms.

                “They say you and the Mayor go back a long way. Are you telling me that is not true?

                “And what if we do?”

                “You know he is Ursula’s uncle and a very powerful man. They say even the great president Voldomeer Zumbaskee holds him in great regard. They say …”

                “Pfft! They say!” snapped Olga. “Who are these chattering fools you listen to, Egbert Gofindlevsky?  I’d rather end up on the streets than ask a favour from that mountebank.”

                Egbert jumped up from the bed and shook a fist at her. “And end up on the streets you will, Olga Herringbonevsky, along with the rest of us. You really want that on  your conscience?”

                #6290
                TracyTracy
                Participant

                  Leicestershire Blacksmiths

                  The Orgill’s of Measham led me further into Leicestershire as I traveled back in time.

                  I also realized I had uncovered a direct line of women and their mothers going back ten generations:

                  myself, Tracy Edwards 1957-
                  my mother Gillian Marshall 1933-
                  my grandmother Florence Warren 1906-1988
                  her mother and my great grandmother Florence Gretton 1881-1927
                  her mother Sarah Orgill 1840-1910
                  her mother Elizabeth Orgill 1803-1876
                  her mother Sarah Boss 1783-1847
                  her mother Elizabeth Page 1749-
                  her mother Mary Potter 1719-1780
                  and her mother and my 7x great grandmother Mary 1680-

                  You could say it leads us to the very heart of England, as these Leicestershire villages are as far from the coast as it’s possible to be. There are countless other maternal lines to follow, of course, but only one of mothers of mothers, and ours takes us to Leicestershire.

                  The blacksmiths

                  Sarah Boss was the daughter of Michael Boss 1755-1807, a blacksmith in Measham, and Elizabeth Page of nearby Hartshorn, just over the county border in Derbyshire.

                  An earlier Michael Boss, a blacksmith of Measham, died in 1772, and in his will he left the possession of the blacksmiths shop and all the working tools and a third of the household furniture to Michael, who he named as his nephew. He left his house in Appleby Magna to his wife Grace, and five pounds to his mother Jane Boss. As none of Michael and Grace’s children are mentioned in the will, perhaps it can be assumed that they were childless.

                  The will of Michael Boss, 1772, Measham:

                  Michael Boss 1772 will

                   

                  Michael Boss the uncle was born in Appleby Magna in 1724. His parents were Michael Boss of Nelson in the Thistles and Jane Peircivall of Appleby Magna, who were married in nearby Mancetter in 1720.

                  Information worth noting on the Appleby Magna website:

                  In 1752 the calendar in England was changed from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar, as a result 11 days were famously “lost”. But for the recording of Church Registers another very significant change also took place, the start of the year was moved from March 25th to our more familiar January 1st.
                  Before 1752 the 1st day of each new year was March 25th, Lady Day (a significant date in the Christian calendar). The year number which we all now use for calculating ages didn’t change until March 25th. So, for example, the day after March 24th 1750 was March 25th 1751, and January 1743 followed December 1743.
                  This March to March recording can be seen very clearly in the Appleby Registers before 1752. Between 1752 and 1768 there appears slightly confused recording, so dates should be carefully checked. After 1768 the recording is more fully by the modern calendar year.

                  Michael Boss the uncle married Grace Cuthbert.  I haven’t yet found the birth or parents of Grace, but a blacksmith by the name of Edward Cuthbert is mentioned on an Appleby Magna history website:

                  An Eighteenth Century Blacksmith’s Shop in Little Appleby
                  by Alan Roberts

                  Cuthberts inventory

                  The inventory of Edward Cuthbert provides interesting information about the household possessions and living arrangements of an eighteenth century blacksmith. Edward Cuthbert (als. Cutboard) settled in Appleby after the Restoration to join the handful of blacksmiths already established in the parish, including the Wathews who were prominent horse traders. The blacksmiths may have all worked together in the same shop at one time. Edward and his wife Sarah recorded the baptisms of several of their children in the parish register. Somewhat sadly three of the boys named after their father all died either in infancy or as young children. Edward’s inventory which was drawn up in 1732, by which time he was probably a widower and his children had left home, suggests that they once occupied a comfortable two-storey house in Little Appleby with an attached workshop, well equipped with all the tools for repairing farm carts, ploughs and other implements, for shoeing horses and for general ironmongery. 

                  Edward Cuthbert born circa 1660, married Joane Tuvenet in 1684 in Swepston cum Snarestone , and died in Appleby in 1732. Tuvenet is a French name and suggests a Huguenot connection, but this isn’t our family, and indeed this Edward Cuthbert is not likely to be Grace’s father anyway.

                  Michael Boss and Elizabeth Page appear to have married twice: once in 1776, and once in 1779. Both of the documents exist and appear correct. Both marriages were by licence. They both mention Michael is a blacksmith.

                  Their first daughter, Elizabeth, was baptized in February 1777, just nine months after the first wedding. It’s not known when she was born, however, and it’s possible that the marriage was a hasty one. But why marry again three years later?

                  But Michael Boss and Elizabeth Page did not marry twice.

                  Elizabeth Page from Smisby was born in 1752 and married Michael Boss on the 5th of May 1776 in Measham. On the marriage licence allegations and bonds, Michael is a bachelor.

                  Baby Elizabeth was baptised in Measham on the 9th February 1777. Mother Elizabeth died on the 18th February 1777, also in Measham.

                  In 1779 Michael Boss married another Elizabeth Page! She was born in 1749 in Hartshorn, and Michael is a widower on the marriage licence allegations and bonds.

                  Hartshorn and Smisby are neighbouring villages, hence the confusion.  But a closer look at the documents available revealed the clues.  Both Elizabeth Pages were literate, and indeed their signatures on the marriage registers are different:

                  Marriage of Michael Boss and Elizabeth Page of Smisby in 1776:

                  Elizabeth Page 1776

                   

                  Marriage of Michael Boss and Elizabeth Page of Harsthorn in 1779:

                  Elizabeth Page 1779

                   

                  Not only did Michael Boss marry two women both called Elizabeth Page but he had an unusual start in life as well. His uncle Michael Boss left him the blacksmith business and a third of his furniture. This was all in the will. But which of Uncle Michaels brothers was nephew Michaels father?

                  The only Michael Boss born at the right time was in 1750 in Edingale, Staffordshire, about eight miles from Appleby Magna. His parents were Thomas Boss and Ann Parker, married in Edingale in 1747.  Thomas died in August 1750, and his son Michael was baptised in the December, posthumus son of Thomas and his widow Ann. Both entries are on the same page of the register.

                  1750 posthumus

                   

                  Ann Boss, the young widow, married again. But perhaps Michael and his brother went to live with their childless uncle and aunt, Michael Boss and Grace Cuthbert.

                  The great grandfather of Michael Boss (the Measham blacksmith born in 1850) was also Michael Boss, probably born in the 1660s. He died in Newton Regis in Warwickshire in 1724, four years after his son (also Michael Boss born 1693) married Jane Peircivall.  The entry on the parish register states that Michael Boss was buried ye 13th Affadavit made.

                  I had not seen affadavit made on a parish register before, and this relates to the The Burying in Woollen Acts 1666–80.  According to Wikipedia:

                   “Acts of the Parliament of England which required the dead, except plague victims and the destitute, to be buried in pure English woollen shrouds to the exclusion of any foreign textiles.  It was a requirement that an affidavit be sworn in front of a Justice of the Peace (usually by a relative of the deceased), confirming burial in wool, with the punishment of a £5 fee for noncompliance. Burial entries in parish registers were marked with the word “affidavit” or its equivalent to confirm that affidavit had been sworn; it would be marked “naked” for those too poor to afford the woollen shroud.  The legislation was in force until 1814, but was generally ignored after 1770.”

                  Michael Boss buried 1724 “Affadavit made”:

                  Michael Boss affadavit 1724

                   

                   

                   

                  Elizabeth Page‘s father was William Page 1717-1783, a wheelwright in Hartshorn.  (The father of the first wife Elizabeth was also William Page, but he was a husbandman in Smisby born in 1714. William Page, the father of the second wife, was born in Nailstone, Leicestershire, in 1717. His place of residence on his marriage to Mary Potter was spelled Nelson.)

                  Her mother was Mary Potter 1719- of nearby Coleorton.  Mary’s father, Richard Potter 1677-1731, was a blacksmith in Coleorton.

                  A page of the will of Richard Potter 1731:

                  Richard Potter 1731

                   

                  Richard Potter states: “I will and order that my son Thomas Potter shall after my decease have one shilling paid to him and no more.”  As he left £50 to each of his daughters, one can’t help but wonder what Thomas did to displease his father.

                  Richard stipulated that his son Thomas should have one shilling paid to him and not more, for several good considerations, and left “the house and ground lying in the parish of Whittwick in a place called the Long Lane to my wife Mary Potter to dispose of as she shall think proper.”

                  His son Richard inherited the blacksmith business:  “I will and order that my son Richard Potter shall live and be with his mother and serve her duly and truly in the business of a blacksmith, and obey and serve her in all lawful commands six years after my decease, and then I give to him and his heirs…. my house and grounds Coulson House in the Liberty of Thringstone”

                  Richard wanted his son John to be a blacksmith too: “I will and order that my wife bring up my son John Potter at home with her and teach or cause him to be taught the trade of a blacksmith and that he shall serve her duly and truly seven years after my decease after the manner of an apprentice and at the death of his mother I give him that house and shop and building and the ground belonging to it which I now dwell in to him and his heirs forever.”

                  To his daughters Margrett and Mary Potter, upon their reaching the age of one and twenty, or the day after their marriage, he leaves £50 each. All the rest of his goods are left to his loving wife Mary.

                   

                  An inventory of the belongings of Richard Potter, 1731:

                  Richard Potter inventory

                   

                  Richard Potters father was also named Richard Potter 1649-1719, and he too was a blacksmith.

                  Richard Potter of Coleorton in the county of Leicester, blacksmith, stated in his will:  “I give to my son and daughter Thomas and Sarah Potter the possession of my house and grounds.”

                  He leaves ten pounds each to his daughters Jane and Alice, to his son Francis he gives five pounds, and five shillings to his son Richard. Sons Joseph and William also receive five shillings each. To his daughter Mary, wife of Edward Burton, and her daughter Elizabeth, he gives five shillings each. The rest of his good, chattels and wordly substance he leaves equally between his son and daugter Thomas and Sarah. As there is no mention of his wife, it’s assumed that she predeceased him.

                  The will of Richard Potter, 1719:

                  Richard Potter 1719

                   

                  Richard Potter’s (1649-1719) parents were William Potter and Alse Huldin, both born in the early 1600s.  They were married in 1646 at Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire.  The name Huldin appears to originate in Finland.

                  William Potter was a blacksmith. In the 1659 parish registers of Breedon on the Hill, William Potter of Breedon blacksmith buryed the 14th July.

                  #6285
                  TracyTracy
                  Participant

                    Harriet Compton

                    Harriet Comptom is not directly related to us, but her portrait is in our family collection.

                    Alfred Julius Eugene Compton painted this portrait of his daughter, Harriet Compton, when she was six.  Harriet Compton was Charles Tooby’s mothers mother, and Charles married my mothers aunt Dorothy Marshall. They lived on High Park Ave in Wollaston, and his parents lived on Park Road, Wollaston, opposite my grandparents, George and Nora Marshall. Harriet married Thomas Thornburgh, they had a daughter Florence who married Sydney Tooby. Florence and Sydney were Charles Tooby’s parents.

                    Charles and Dorothy Tooby didn’t have any children. Charles died before his wife, and this is how the picture ended up in my mothers possession.

                    I attempted to find a direct descendant of Harriet Compton, but have not been successful so far, although I did find a relative on a Stourbridge facebook group.  Bryan Thornburgh replied: “Francis George was my grandfather.He had two sons George & my father Thomas and two daughters Cissie & Edith.  I can remember visiting my fathers Uncle Charles and Aunt Dorothy in Wollaston.”

                    Francis George Thornburgh was Florence Tooby’s brother.

                    The watercolour portrait was framed by Hughes of Enville St, Stourbridge.

                    Alfred Julius Eugene Compton was born in 1826 Paris, France, and died on 6 February 1917 in Chelsea, London.
                    Harriet Compton his daughter was born in 1853 in Islington, London, and died in December 1926 in Stourbridge.

                    Without going too far down an unrelated rabbit hole, a member of the facebook group Family Treasures Reinstated  shared this:

                    “Will reported in numerous papers in Dec 1886.
                    Harriet’s father Alfred appears to be beneficiary but Harriet’s brother, Percy is specifically excluded . 
                    “The will (dated March 6, 1876) of the Hon. Mrs. Fanny Stanhope, late of No. 24, Carlyle-square, Chelsea, who died on August 9 last, was proved on the 1st ult. by Alfred Julius Eugene Compton, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £8000.
                    The testatrix, after giving & few legacies, leaves one moiety of the residue of her personal estate, upon trust, for John Auguste Alexandre Compton, for life, and then, subject to an annuity to his wife, for the children (except Percy) of Alfred Julius Eugene Compton, and the other moiety, upon trust, for the said Alfred Julius Eugene Compton, for life, and at his death for his children, except Percy.”
                    -Illustrated London News.

                    Harriet Compton:  Harriet Compton

                    #6284
                    TracyTracy
                    Participant

                      To Australia

                      Grettons

                      Charles Herbert Gretton 1876-1954

                      Charles Gretton, my great grandmothers youngest brother, arrived in Sydney Australia on 12 February 1912, having set sail on 5 January 1912 from London. His occupation on the passenger list was stockman, and he was traveling alone.  Later that year, in October, his wife and two sons sailed out to join him.

                      Gretton 1912 passenger

                       

                      Charles was born in Swadlincote.  He married Mary Anne Illsley, a local girl from nearby Church Gresley, in 1898. Their first son, Leslie Charles Bloemfontein Gretton, was born in 1900 in Church Gresley, and their second son, George Herbert Gretton, was born in 1910 in Swadlincote.  In 1901 Charles was a colliery worker, and on the 1911 census, his occupation was a sanitary ware packer.

                      Charles and Mary Anne had two more sons, both born in Footscray:  Frank Orgill Gretton in 1914, and Arthur Ernest Gretton in 1920.

                      On the Australian 1914 electoral rolls, Charles and Mary Ann were living at 72 Moreland Street, Footscray, and in 1919 at 134 Cowper Street, Footscray, and Charles was a labourer.  In 1924, Charles was a sub foreman, living at 3, Ryan Street E, Footscray, Australia.  On a later electoral register, Charles was a foreman.  Footscray is a suburb of Melbourne, and developed into an industrial zone in the second half of the nineteenth century.

                      Charles died in Victoria in 1954 at the age of 77. His wife Mary Ann died in 1958.

                      Gretton obit 1954

                       

                      Charles and Mary Ann Gretton:

                      Charles and Mary Ann Gretton

                       

                      Leslie Charles Bloemfontein Gretton 1900-1955

                      Leslie was an electrician.   He married Ethel Christine Halliday, born in 1900 in Footscray, in 1927.  They had four children: Tom, Claire, Nancy and Frank. By 1943 they were living in Yallourn.  Yallourn, Victoria was a company town in Victoria, Australia built between the 1920s and 1950s to house employees of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, who operated the nearby Yallourn Power Station complex. However, expansion of the adjacent open-cut brown coal mine led to the closure and removal of the town in the 1980s.

                      On the 1954 electoral registers, daughter Claire Elizabeth Gretton, occupation teacher, was living at the same address as Leslie and Ethel.

                      Leslie died in Yallourn in 1955, and Ethel nine years later in 1964, also in Yallourn.

                       

                      George Herbert Gretton 1910-1970

                      George married Florence May Hall in 1934 in Victoria, Australia.  In 1942 George was listed on the electoral roll as a grocer, likewise in 1949. In 1963 his occupation was a process worker, and in 1968 in Flinders, a horticultural advisor.

                      George died in Lang Lang, not far from Melbourne, in 1970.

                       

                      Frank Orgill Gretton 1914-

                      Arthur Ernest Gretton 1920-

                       

                      Orgills

                      John Orgill 1835-1911

                      John Orgill was Charles Herbert Gretton’s uncle.  He emigrated to Australia in 1865, and married Elizabeth Mary Gladstone 1845-1926 in Victoria in 1870. Their first child was born in December that year, in Dandenong. They had seven children, and their three sons all have the middle name Gladstone.

                      John Orgill was a councillor for the Shire of Dandenong in 1873, and between 1876 and 1879.

                      John Orgill:

                      John Orgill

                       

                      John Orgill obituary in the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, 21 December 1911:

                      John Orgill obit

                       

                       

                      John’s wife Elizabeth Orgill, a teacher and a “a public spirited lady” according to newspaper articles, opened a hydropathic hospital in Dandenong called Gladstone House.

                      Elizabeth Gladstone Orgill:

                      Elizabeth Gladstone Orgill

                       

                      On the Old Dandenong website:

                      Gladstone House hydropathic hospital on the corner of Langhorne and Foster streets (153 Foster Street) Dandenong opened in 1896, working on the theory of water therapy, no medicine or operations. Her husband passed away in 1911 at 77, around similar time Dr Barclay Thompson obtained control of the practice. Mrs Orgill remaining on in some capacity.

                      Elizabeth Mary Orgill (nee Gladstone) operated Gladstone House until at least 1911, along with another hydropathic hospital (Birthwood) on Cheltenham road. She was the daughter of William Gladstone (Nephew of William Ewart Gladstone, UK prime minister in 1874).

                      Around 1912 Dr A. E. Taylor took over the location from Dr. Barclay Thompson. Mrs Orgill was still working here but no longer controlled the practice, having given it up to Barclay. Taylor served as medical officer for the Shire for before his death in 1939. After Taylor’s death Dr. T. C. Reeves bought his practice in 1939, later that year being appointed medical officer,

                      Gladstone Road in Dandenong is named after her family, who owned and occupied a farming paddock in the area on former Police Paddock ground, the Police reserve having earlier been reduced back to Stud Road.

                      Hydropathy (now known as Hydrotherapy) and also called water cure, is a part of medicine and alternative medicine, in particular of naturopathy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment.

                      Gladstone House, Dandenong:

                      Gladstone House

                       

                       

                      John’s brother Robert Orgill 1830-1915 also emigrated to Australia. I met (online) his great great grand daughter Lidya Orgill via the Old Dandenong facebook group.

                      John’s other brother Thomas Orgill 1833-1908 also emigrated to the same part of Australia.

                      Thomas Orgill:

                      Thomas Orgill

                       

                      One of Thomas Orgills sons was George Albert Orgill 1880-1949:

                      George Albert Orgill

                       

                      A letter was published in The South Bourke & Mornington Journal (Richmond, Victoria, Australia) on 17 Jun 1915, to Tom Orgill, Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) from hospital by his brother George Albert Orgill (4th Pioneers) describing landing of Covering Party prior to dawn invasion of Gallipoli:

                      George Albert Orgill letter

                       

                      Another brother Henry Orgill 1837-1916 was born in Measham and died in Dandenong, Australia. Henry was a bricklayer living in Measham on the 1861 census. Also living with his widowed mother Elizabeth at that address was his sister Sarah and her husband Richard Gretton, the baker (my great great grandparents). In October of that year he sailed to Melbourne.  His occupation was bricklayer on his death records in 1916.

                      Two of Henry’s sons, Arthur Garfield Orgill born 1888 and Ernest Alfred Orgill born 1880 were killed in action in 1917 and buried in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. Another son, Frederick Stanley Orgill, died in 1897 at the age of seven.

                      A fifth brother, William Orgill 1842-   sailed from Liverpool to Melbourne in 1861, at 19 years of age. Four years later in 1865 he sailed from Victoria, Australia to New Zealand.

                       

                      I assumed I had found all of the Orgill brothers who went to Australia, and resumed research on the Orgills in Measham, in England. A search in the British Newspaper Archives for Orgills in Measham revealed yet another Orgill brother who had gone to Australia.

                      Matthew Orgill 1828-1907 went to South Africa and to Australia, but returned to Measham.

                      The Orgill brothers had two sisters. One was my great great great grandmother Sarah, and the other was Hannah.  Hannah married Francis Hart in Measham. One of her sons, John Orgill Hart 1862-1909, was born in Measham.  On the 1881 census he was a 19 year old carpenters apprentice.  Two years later in 1883 he was listed as a joiner on the passenger list of the ship Illawarra, bound for Australia.   His occupation at the time of his death in Dandenong in 1909 was contractor.

                      An additional coincidental note about Dandenong: my step daughter Emily’s Australian partner is from Dandenong.

                       

                       

                      Housleys

                      Charles Housley 1823-1856

                      Charles Housley emigrated to Australia in 1851, the same year that his brother George emigrated to USA.  Charles is mentioned in the Narrative on the Letters by Barbara Housley, and appears in the Housley Letters chapters.

                       

                      Rushbys

                      George “Mike” Rushby 1933-

                      Mike moved to Australia from South Africa. His story is a separate chapter.

                      #6276
                      TracyTracy
                      Participant

                        Ellastone and Mayfield
                        Malkins and Woodwards
                        Parish Registers

                         

                        Jane Woodward


                        It’s exciting, as well as enormously frustrating, to see so many Woodward’s in the Ellastone parish registers, and even more so because they go back so far. There are parish registers surviving from the 1500’s: in one, dated 1579, the death of Thomas Woodward was recorded. His father’s name was Humfrey.

                        Jane Woodward married Rowland Malkin in 1751, in Thorpe, Ashbourne. Jane was from Mathfield (also known as Mayfield), Ellastone, on the Staffordshire side of the river Dove. Rowland was from Clifton, Ashbourne, on the Derbyshire side of the river. They were neighbouring villages, but in different counties.

                        Jane Woodward was born in 1726 according to the marriage transcription. No record of the baptism can be found for her, despite there having been at least four other Woodward couples in Ellastone and Mayfield baptizing babies in the 1720’s and 1730’s.  Without finding out the baptism with her parents names on the parish register, it’s impossible to know which is the correct line to follow back to the earlier records.

                        I found a Mayfield history group on Facebook and asked if there were parish records existing that were not yet online. A member responded that she had a set on microfiche and had looked through the relevant years and didn’t see a Jane Woodward, but she did say that some of the pages were illegible.

                        The Ellasone parish records from the 1500s surviving at all, considering the events in 1673, is remarkable. To be so close, but for one indecipherable page from the 1700s, to tracing the family back to the 1500s! The search for the connecting link to the earlier records continues.

                        Some key events in the history of parish registers from familysearch:

                        In medieval times there were no parish registers. For some years before the Reformation, monastic houses (especially the smaller ones) the parish priest had been developing the custom of noting in an album or on the margins of the service books, the births and deaths of the leading local families.
                        1538 – Through the efforts of Thomas Cromwell a mandate was issued by Henry VIII to keep parish registers. This order that every parson, vicar or curate was to enter in a book every wedding, christening and burial in his parish. The parish was to provide a sure coffer with two locks, the parson having the custody of one key, the wardens the others. The entries were to be made each Sunday after the service in the presence of one of the wardens.
                        1642-60 – During the Civil War registers were neglected and Bishop Transcripts were not required.
                        1650 – In the restoration of Charles they went back to the church to keep christenings, marriages and burial. The civil records that were kept were filed in with the parish in their registers. it is quite usual to find entries explaining the situation during the Interregnum. One rector stated that on 23 April 1643 “Our church was defaced our font thrown down and new forms of prayer appointed”. Another minister not quite so bold wrote “When the war, more than a civil war was raging most grimly between royalists and parliamentarians throughout the greatest part of England, I lived well because I lay low”.
                        1653 – Cromwell, whose army had defeated the Royalists, was made Lord Protector and acted as king. He was a Puritan. The parish church of England was disorganized, many ministers fled for their lives, some were able to hide their registers and other registers were destroyed. Cromwell ruled that there would be no one religion in England all religions could be practiced. The government took away from the ministers not only the custody of the registers, but even the solemnization of the marriage ceremony. The marriage ceremony was entrusted to the justices to form a new Parish Register (not Registrar) elected by all the ratepayers in a parish, and sworn before and approved by a magistrate.. Parish clerks of the church were made a civil parish clerk and they recorded deaths, births and marriages in the civil parishes.

                         

                        Ellastone:

                        “Ellastone features as ‘Hayslope’ in George Eliot’s Adam Bede, published in 1859. It earned this recognition because the author’s father spent the early part of his life in the village working as a carpenter.”

                        Adam Bede Cottage, Ellastone:

                        Ellasone Adam Bede

                        “It was at Ellastone that Robert Evans, George Eliot’s father, passed his early years and worked as a carpenter with his brother Samuel; and it was partly from reminiscences of her father’s talk and from her uncle Samuel’s wife’s preaching experiences that the author constructed the very powerful and moving story of Adam Bede.”

                         

                        Mary Malkin

                        1765-1838

                        Ellen Carrington’s mother was Mary Malkin.

                        Ellastone:

                        Ellastone

                         

                         

                         

                        Ashbourn the 31st day of May in the year of our Lord 1751.  The marriage of Rowland Malkin and Jane Woodward:

                        Rowland Malkin marriage 1751

                        #6272
                        TracyTracy
                        Participant

                          The Housley Letters

                          The Carringtons

                          Carrington Farm, Smalley:

                          Carrington Farm

                           

                          Ellen Carrington was born in 1795. Her father William Carrington 1755-1833 was from Smalley. Her mother Mary Malkin 1765-1838 was from Ellastone, in Staffordshire.  Ellastone is on the Derbyshire border and very close to Ashboure, where Ellen married William Housley.

                           

                          From Barbara Housley’s Narrative on the Letters:

                          Ellen’s family was evidently rather prominant in Smalley. Two Carringtons (John and William) served on the Parish Council in 1794. Parish records are full of Carrington marriages and christenings.

                          The letters refer to a variety of “uncles” who were probably Ellen’s brothers, but could be her uncles. These include:

                          RICHARD

                          Probably the youngest Uncle, and certainly the most significant, is Richard. He was a trustee for some of the property which needed to be settled following Ellen’s death. Anne wrote in 1854 that Uncle Richard “has got a new house built” and his daughters are “fine dashing young ladies–the belles of Smalley.” Then she added, “Aunt looks as old as my mother.”

                          Richard was born somewhere between 1808 and 1812. Since Richard was a contemporary of the older Housley children, “Aunt,” who was three years younger, should not look so old!

                          Richard Carrington and Harriet Faulkner were married in Repton in 1833. A daughter Elizabeth was baptised March 24, 1834. In July 1872, Joseph wrote: Elizabeth is married too and a large family and is living in Uncle Thomas’s house for he is dead.” Elizabeth married Ayres (Eyres) Clayton of Lascoe. His occupation was listed as joiner and shopkeeper. They were married before 1864 since Elizabeth Clayton witnessed her sister’s marriage. Their children in April 1871 were Selina (1863), Agnes Maria (1866) and Elizabeth Ann (1868). A fourth daughter, Alice Augusta, was born in 1872 or 1873, probably by July 1872 to fit Joseph’s description “large family”! A son Charles Richard was born in 1880.

                          An Elizabeth Ann Clayton married John Arthur Woodhouse on May 12, 1913. He was a carpenter. His father was a miner. Elizabeth Ann’s father, Ayres, was also a carpenter. John Arthur’s age was given as 25. Elizabeth Ann’s age was given as 33 or 38. However, if she was born in 1868, her age would be 45. Possibly this is another case of a child being named for a deceased sibling. If she were 38 and born in 1875, she would fill the gap between Alice Augusta and Charles Richard.

                          Selina Clayton, who would have been 18, is not listed in the household in 1881. She died on June 11, 1914 at age 51. Agnes Maria Clayton died at the age of 25 and was buried March 31, 1891. Charles Richard died at the age of 5 and was buried on February 4, 1886. A Charles James Clayton, 18 months, was buried June 8, 1889 in Heanor.

                          Richard Carrington’s second daughter, Selina, born in 1837, married Walker Martin (b.1835) on February 11, 1864 and they were living at Kidsley Park Farm in 1872, according to a letter from Joseph, and, according to the census, were still there in 1881. This 100 acre farm was formerly the home of Daniel Smith and his daughter Elizabeth Davy Barber. Selina and Walker had at least five children: Elizabeth Ann (1865), Harriet Georgianna (1866/7), Alice Marian (September 6, 1868), Philip Richard (1870), and Walker (1873). In December 1972, Joseph mentioned the death of Philip Walker, a farmer of Prospect Farm, Shipley. This was probably Walker Martin’s grandfather, since Walker was born in Shipley. The stock was to be sold the following Monday, but his daughter (Walker’s mother?) died the next day. Walker’s father was named Thomas. An Annie Georgianna Martin age 13 of Shipley died in April of 1859.

                          Selina Martin died on October 29, 1906 but her estate was not settled until November 14, 1910. Her gross estate was worth L223.56. Her son Walker and her daughter Harriet Georgiana were her trustees and executers. Walker was to get Selina’s half of Richard’s farm. Harriet Georgiana and Alice Marian were to be allowed to live with him. Philip Richard received L25. Elizabeth Ann was already married to someone named Smith.

                          Richard and Harriet may also have had a son George. In 1851 a Harriet Carrington and her three year old son George were living with her step-father John Benniston in Heanor. John may have been recently widowed and needed her help. Or, the Carrington home may have been inadequate since Anne reported a new one was built by 1854. Selina’s second daughter’s name testifies to the presence of a “George” in the family! Could the death of this son account for the haggard appearance Anne described when she wrote: “Aunt looks as old as my mother?”
                          Harriet was buried May 19, 1866. She was 55 when she died.

                          In 1881, Georgianna then 14, was living with her grandfather and his niece, Zilpah Cooper, age 38–who lived with Richard on his 63 acre farm as early as 1871. A Zilpah, daughter of William and Elizabeth, was christened October 1843. Her brother, William Walter, was christened in 1846 and married Anna Maria Saint in 1873. There are four Selina Coopers–one had a son William Thomas Bartrun Cooper christened in 1864; another had a son William Cooper christened in 1873.

                          Our Zilpah was born in Bretley 1843. She died at age 49 and was buried on September 24, 1892. In her will, which was witnessed by Selina Martin, Zilpah’s sister, Frances Elizabeth Cleave, wife of Horatio Cleave of Leicester is mentioned. James Eley and Francis Darwin Huish (Richard’s soliciter) were executers.

                          Richard died June 10, 1892, and was buried on June 13. He was 85. As might be expected, Richard’s will was complicated. Harriet Georgiana Martin and Zilpah Cooper were to share his farm. If neither wanted to live there it was to go to Georgiana’s cousin Selina Clayton. However, Zilpah died soon after Richard. Originally, he left his piano, parlor and best bedroom furniture to his daughter Elizabeth Clayton. Then he revoked everything but the piano. He arranged for the payment of £150 which he owed. Later he added a codicil explaining that the debt was paid but he had borrowed £200 from someone else to do it!

                          Richard left a good deal of property including: The house and garden in Smalley occupied by Eyres Clayton with four messuages and gardens adjoining and large garden below and three messuages at the south end of the row with the frame work knitters shop and garden adjoining; a dwelling house used as a public house with a close of land; a small cottage and garden and four cottages and shop and gardens.

                           

                          THOMAS

                          In August 1854, Anne wrote “Uncle Thomas is about as usual.” A Thomas Carrington married a Priscilla Walker in 1810.

                          Their children were baptised in August 1830 at the same time as the Housley children who at that time ranged in age from 3 to 17. The oldest of Thomas and Priscilla’s children, Henry, was probably at least 17 as he was married by 1836. Their youngest son, William Thomas, born 1830, may have been Mary Ellen Weston’s beau. However, the only Richard whose christening is recorded (1820), was the son of Thomas and Lucy. In 1872 Joseph reported that Richard’s daughter Elizabeth was married and living in Uncle Thomas’s house. In 1851, Alfred Smith lived in house 25, Foulks lived in 26, Thomas and Priscilla lived in 27, Bennetts lived in 28, Allard lived in 29 and Day lived in 30. Thomas and Priscilla do not appear in 1861. In 1871 Elizabeth Ann and Ayres Clayton lived in House 54. None of the families listed as neighbors in 1851 remained. However, Joseph Carrington, who lived in house 19 in 1851, lived in house 51 in 1871.

                           

                          JOHN

                          In August 1854, Anne wrote: “Uncle John is with Will and Frank has been home in a comfortable place in Cotmanhay.” Although John and William are two of the most popular Carrington names, only two John’s have sons named William. John and Rachel Buxton Carrington had a son William christened in 1788. At the time of the letters this John would have been over 100 years old. Their son John and his wife Ann had a son William who was born in 1805. However, this William age 46 was living with his widowed mother in 1851. A Robert Carrington and his wife Ann had a son John born 1n 1805. He would be the right age to be a brother to Francis Carrington discussed below. This John was living with his widowed mother in 1851 and was unmarried. There are no known Williams in this family grouping. A William Carrington of undiscovered parentage was born in 1821. It is also possible that the Will in question was Anne’s brother Will Housley.

                          –Two Francis Carringtons appear in the 1841 census both of them aged 35. One is living with Richard and Harriet Carrington. The other is living next door to Samuel and Ellen Carrington Kerry (the trustee for “father’s will”!). The next name in this sequence is John Carrington age 15 who does not seem to live with anyone! but may be part of the Kerry household.

                          FRANK (see above)

                          While Anne did not preface her mention of the name Frank with an “Uncle,” Joseph referred to Uncle Frank and James Carrington in the same sentence. A James Carrington was born in 1814 and had a wife Sarah. He worked as a framework knitter. James may have been a son of William and Anne Carrington. He lived near Richard according to the 1861 census. Other children of William and Anne are Hannah (1811), William (1815), John (1816), and Ann (1818). An Ann Carrington married a Frank Buxton in 1819. This might be “Uncle Frank.”

                          An Ellen Carrington was born to John and Rachel Carrington in 1785. On October 25, 1809, a Samuel Kerry married an Ellen Carrington. However this Samuel Kerry is not the trustee involved in settling Ellen’s estate. John Carrington died July 1815.

                          William and Mary Carrington:

                          William Carrington

                          #6269
                          TracyTracy
                          Participant

                            The Housley Letters 

                            From Barbara Housley’s Narrative on the Letters.

                             

                            William Housley (1781-1848) and Ellen Carrington were married on May 30, 1814 at St. Oswald’s church in Ashbourne. William died in 1848 at the age of 67 of “disease of lungs and general debility”. Ellen died in 1872.

                            Marriage of William Housley and Ellen Carrington in Ashbourne in 1814:

                            William and Ellen Marriage

                             

                            Parish records show three children for William and his first wife, Mary, Ellens’ sister, who were married December 29, 1806: Mary Ann, christened in 1808 and mentioned frequently in the letters; Elizabeth, christened in 1810, but never mentioned in any letters; and William, born in 1812, probably referred to as Will in the letters. Mary died in 1813.

                            William and Ellen had ten children: John, Samuel, Edward, Anne, Charles, George, Joseph, Robert, Emma, and Joseph. The first Joseph died at the age of four, and the last son was also named Joseph. Anne never married, Charles emigrated to Australia in 1851, and George to USA, also in 1851. The letters are to George, from his sisters and brothers in England.

                            The following are excerpts of those letters, including excerpts of Barbara Housley’s “Narrative on Historic Letters”. They are grouped according to who they refer to, rather than chronological order.

                             

                            ELLEN HOUSLEY 1795-1872

                            Joseph wrote that when Emma was married, Ellen “broke up the comfortable home and the things went to Derby and she went to live with them but Derby didn’t agree with her so she left again leaving her things behind and came to live with John in the new house where she died.” Ellen was listed with John’s household in the 1871 census.
                            In May 1872, the Ilkeston Pioneer carried this notice: “Mr. Hopkins will sell by auction on Saturday next the eleventh of May 1872 the whole of the useful furniture, sewing machine, etc. nearly new on the premises of the late Mrs. Housley at Smalley near Heanor in the county of Derby. Sale at one o’clock in the afternoon.”

                            Ellen’s family was evidently rather prominant in Smalley. Two Carringtons (John and William) served on the Parish Council in 1794. Parish records are full of Carrington marriages and christenings; census records confirm many of the family groupings.

                            In June of 1856, Emma wrote: “Mother looks as well as ever and was told by a lady the other day that she looked handsome.” Later she wrote: “Mother is as stout as ever although she sometimes complains of not being able to do as she used to.”

                             

                            Mary’s children:

                            MARY ANN HOUSLEY  1808-1878

                            There were hard feelings between Mary Ann and Ellen and her children. Anne wrote: “If you remember we were not very friendly when you left. They never came and nothing was too bad for Mary Ann to say of Mother and me, but when Robert died Mother sent for her to the funeral but she did not think well to come so we took no more notice. She would not allow her children to come either.”

                            Mary Ann was unlucky in love! In Anne’s second letter she wrote: “William Carrington is paying Mary Ann great attention. He is living in London but they write to each other….We expect it will be a match.” Apparantly the courtship was stormy for in 1855, Emma wrote: “Mary Ann’s wedding with William Carrington has dropped through after she had prepared everything, dresses and all for the occassion.” Then in 1856, Emma wrote: “William Carrington and Mary Ann are separated. They wore him out with their nonsense.” Whether they ever married is unclear. Joseph wrote in 1872: “Mary Ann was married but her husband has left her. She is in very poor health. She has one daughter and they are living with their mother at Smalley.”

                            Regarding William Carrington, Emma supplied this bit of news: “His sister, Mrs. Lily, has eloped with a married man. Is she not a nice person!”

                             

                            WILLIAM HOUSLEY JR. 1812-1890

                            According to a letter from Anne, Will’s two sons and daughter were sent to learn dancing so they would be “fit for any society.” Will’s wife was Dorothy Palfry. They were married in Denby on October 20, 1836 when Will was 24. According to the 1851 census, Will and Dorothy had three sons: Alfred 14, Edwin 12, and William 10. All three boys were born in Denby.

                            In his letter of May 30, 1872, after just bemoaning that all of his brothers and sisters are gone except Sam and John, Joseph added: “Will is living still.” In another 1872 letter Joseph wrote, “Will is living at Heanor yet and carrying on his cattle dealing.” The 1871 census listed Will, 59, and his son William, 30, of Lascoe Road, Heanor, as cattle dealers.

                             

                            Ellen’s children:

                            JOHN HOUSLEY  1815-1893

                            John married Sarah Baggally in Morely in 1838. They had at least six children. Elizabeth (born 2 May 1838) was “out service” in 1854. In her “third year out,Elizabeth was described by Anne as “a very nice steady girl but quite a woman in appearance.” One of her positions was with a Mrs. Frearson in Heanor. Emma wrote in 1856: Elizabeth is still at Mrs. Frearson. She is such a fine stout girl you would not know her.” Joseph wrote in 1872 that Elizabeth was in service with Mrs. Eliza Sitwell at Derby. (About 1850, Miss Eliza Wilmot-Sitwell provided for a small porch with a handsome Norman doorway at the west end of the St. John the Baptist parish church in Smalley.)

                            According to Elizabeth’s birth certificate and the 1841 census, John was a butcher. By 1851, the household included a nurse and a servant, and John was listed as a “victular.” Anne wrote in February 1854, John has left the Public House a year and a half ago. He is living where Plumbs (Ann Plumb witnessed William’s death certificate with her mark) did and Thomas Allen has the land. He has been working at James Eley’s all winter.” In 1861, Ellen lived with John and Sarah and the three boys.

                            John sold his share in the inheritance from their mother and disappeared after her death. (He died in Doncaster, Yorkshire, in 1893.) At that time Charles, the youngest would have been 21. Indeed, Joseph wrote in July 1872: John’s children are all grown up”.

                            In May 1872, Joseph wrote: “For what do you think, John has sold his share and he has acted very bad since his wife died and at the same time he sold all his furniture. You may guess I have never seen him but once since poor mother’s funeral and he is gone now no one knows where.”

                            In February 1874 Joseph wrote: “You want to know what made John go away. Well, I will give you one reason. I think I told you that when his wife died he persuaded me to leave Derby and come to live with him. Well so we did and dear Harriet to keep his house. Well he insulted my wife and offered things to her that was not proper and my dear wife had the power to resist his unmanly conduct. I did not think he could of served me such a dirty trick so that is one thing dear brother. He could not look me in the face when we met. Then after we left him he got a woman in the house and I suppose they lived as man and wife. She caught the small pox and died and there he was by himself like some wild man. Well dear brother I could not go to him again after he had served me and mine as he had and I believe he was greatly in debt too so that he sold his share out of the property and when he received the money at Belper he went away and has never been seen by any of us since but I have heard of him being at Sheffield enquiring for Sam Caldwell. You will remember him. He worked in the Nag’s Head yard but I have heard nothing no more of him.”

                            A mention of a John Housley of Heanor in the Nottinghma Journal 1875.  I don’t know for sure if the John mentioned here is the brother John who Joseph describes above as behaving improperly to his wife. John Housley had a son Joseph, born in 1840, and John’s wife Sarah died in 1870.

                            John Housley

                             

                            In 1876, the solicitor wrote to George: “Have you heard of John Housley? He is entitled to Robert’s share and I want him to claim it.”

                             

                            SAMUEL HOUSLEY 1816-

                            Sam married Elizabeth Brookes of Sutton Coldfield, and they had three daughters: Elizabeth, Mary Anne and Catherine.  Elizabeth his wife died in 1849, a few months after Samuel’s father William died in 1848. The particular circumstances relating to these individuals have been discussed in previous chapters; the following are letter excerpts relating to them.

                            Death of William Housley 15 Dec 1848, and Elizabeth Housley 5 April 1849, Smalley:

                            Housley Deaths

                             

                            Joseph wrote in December 1872: “I saw one of Sam’s daughters, the youngest Kate, you would remember her a baby I dare say. She is very comfortably married.”

                            In the same letter (December 15, 1872), Joseph wrote:  “I think we have now found all out now that is concerned in the matter for there was only Sam that we did not know his whereabouts but I was informed a week ago that he is dead–died about three years ago in Birmingham Union. Poor Sam. He ought to have come to a better end than that….His daughter and her husband went to Brimingham and also to Sutton Coldfield that is where he married his wife from and found out his wife’s brother. It appears he has been there and at Birmingham ever since he went away but ever fond of drink.”

                            (Sam, however, was still alive in 1871, living as a lodger at the George and Dragon Inn, Henley in Arden. And no trace of Sam has been found since. It would appear that Sam did not want to be found.)

                             

                            EDWARD HOUSLEY 1819-1843

                            Edward died before George left for USA in 1851, and as such there is no mention of him in the letters.

                             

                            ANNE HOUSLEY 1821-1856

                            Anne wrote two letters to her brother George between February 1854 and her death in 1856. Apparently she suffered from a lung disease for she wrote: “I can say you will be surprised I am still living and better but still cough and spit a deal. Can do nothing but sit and sew.” According to the 1851 census, Anne, then 29, was a seamstress. Their friend, Mrs. Davy, wrote in March 1856: “This I send in a box to my Brother….The pincushion cover and pen wiper are Anne’s work–are for thy wife. She would have made it up had she been able.” Anne was not living at home at the time of the 1841 census. She would have been 19 or 20 and perhaps was “out service.”

                            In her second letter Anne wrote: “It is a great trouble now for me to write…as the body weakens so does the mind often. I have been very weak all summer. That I continue is a wonder to all and to spit so much although much better than when you left home.” She also wrote: “You know I had a desire for America years ago. Were I in health and strength, it would be the land of my adoption.”

                            In November 1855, Emma wrote, “Anne has been very ill all summer and has not been able to write or do anything.” Their neighbor Mrs. Davy wrote on March 21, 1856: “I fear Anne will not be long without a change.” In a black-edged letter the following June, Emma wrote: “I need not tell you how happy she was and how calmly and peacefully she died. She only kept in bed two days.”

                            Certainly Anne was a woman of deep faith and strong religious convictions. When she wrote that they were hoping to hear of Charles’ success on the gold fields she added: “But I would rather hear of him having sought and found the Pearl of great price than all the gold Australia can produce, (For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?).” Then she asked George: “I should like to learn how it was you were first led to seek pardon and a savior. I do feel truly rejoiced to hear you have been led to seek and find this Pearl through the workings of the Holy Spirit and I do pray that He who has begun this good work in each of us may fulfill it and carry it on even unto the end and I can never doubt the willingness of Jesus who laid down his life for us. He who said whoever that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.”

                            Anne’s will was probated October 14, 1856. Mr. William Davy of Kidsley Park appeared for the family. Her estate was valued at under £20. Emma was to receive fancy needlework, a four post bedstead, feather bed and bedding, a mahogany chest of drawers, plates, linen and china. Emma was also to receive Anne’s writing desk. There was a condition that Ellen would have use of these items until her death.

                            The money that Anne was to receive from her grandfather, William Carrington, and her father, William Housley was to be distributed one third to Joseph, one third to Emma, and one third to be divided between her four neices: John’s daughter Elizabeth, 18, and Sam’s daughters Elizabeth, 10, Mary Ann, 9 and Catharine, age 7 to be paid by the trustees as they think “most useful and proper.” Emma Lyon and Elizabeth Davy were the witnesses.

                            The Carrington Farm:

                            Carringtons Farm

                             

                            CHARLES HOUSLEY 1823-1855

                            Charles went to Australia in 1851, and was last heard from in January 1853. According to the solicitor, who wrote to George on June 3, 1874, Charles had received advances on the settlement of their parent’s estate. “Your promissory note with the two signed by your brother Charles for 20 pounds he received from his father and 20 pounds he received from his mother are now in the possession of the court.”

                            Charles and George were probably quite close friends. Anne wrote in 1854: “Charles inquired very particularly in both his letters after you.”

                            According to Anne, Charles and a friend married two sisters. He and his father-in-law had a farm where they had 130 cows and 60 pigs. Whatever the trade he learned in England, he never worked at it once he reached Australia. While it does not seem that Charles went to Australia because gold had been discovered there, he was soon caught up in “gold fever”. Anne wrote: “I dare say you have heard of the immense gold fields of Australia discovered about the time he went. Thousands have since then emigrated to Australia, both high and low. Such accounts we heard in the papers of people amassing fortunes we could not believe. I asked him when I wrote if it was true. He said this was no exaggeration for people were making their fortune daily and he intended going to the diggings in six weeks for he could stay away no longer so that we are hoping to hear of his success if he is alive.”

                            In March 1856, Mrs. Davy wrote: “I am sorry to tell thee they have had a letter from Charles’s wife giving account of Charles’s death of 6 months consumption at the Victoria diggings. He has left 2 children a boy and a girl William and Ellen.” In June of the same year in a black edged letter, Emma wrote: “I think Mrs. Davy mentioned Charles’s death in her note. His wife wrote to us. They have two children Helen and William. Poor dear little things. How much I should like to see them all. She writes very affectionately.”

                            In December 1872, Joseph wrote: “I’m told that Charles two daughters has wrote to Smalley post office making inquiries about his share….” In January 1876, the solicitor wrote: “Charles Housley’s children have claimed their father’s share.”

                             

                            GEORGE HOUSLEY 1824-1877

                            George emigrated to the United states in 1851, arriving in July. The solicitor Abraham John Flint referred in a letter to a 15-pound advance which was made to George on June 9, 1851. This certainly was connected to his journey. George settled along the Delaware River in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The letters from the solicitor were addressed to: Lahaska Post Office, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

                            George married Sarah Ann Hill on May 6, 1854 in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In her first letter (February 1854), Anne wrote: “We want to know who and what is this Miss Hill you name in your letter. What age is she? Send us all the particulars but I would advise you not to get married until you have sufficient to make a comfortable home.”

                            Upon learning of George’s marriage, Anne wrote: “I hope dear brother you may be happy with your wife….I hope you will be as a son to her parents. Mother unites with me in kind love to you both and to your father and mother with best wishes for your health and happiness.” In 1872 (December) Joseph wrote: “I am sorry to hear that sister’s father is so ill. It is what we must all come to some time and hope we shall meet where there is no more trouble.”

                            Emma wrote in 1855, “We write in love to your wife and yourself and you must write soon and tell us whether there is a little nephew or niece and what you call them.” In June of 1856, Emma wrote: “We want to see dear Sarah Ann and the dear little boy. We were much pleased with the “bit of news” you sent.” The bit of news was the birth of John Eley Housley, January 11, 1855. Emma concluded her letter “Give our very kindest love to dear sister and dearest Johnnie.”

                            In September 1872, Joseph wrote, “I was very sorry to hear that John your oldest had met with such a sad accident but I hope he is got alright again by this time.” In the same letter, Joseph asked: “Now I want to know what sort of a town you are living in or village. How far is it from New York? Now send me all particulars if you please.”

                            In March 1873 Harriet asked Sarah Ann: “And will you please send me all the news at the place and what it is like for it seems to me that it is a wild place but you must tell me what it is like….”.  The question of whether she was referring to Bucks County, Pennsylvania or some other place is raised in Joseph’s letter of the same week.
                            On March 17, 1873, Joseph wrote: “I was surprised to hear that you had gone so far away west. Now dear brother what ever are you doing there so far away from home and family–looking out for something better I suppose.”

                            The solicitor wrote on May 23, 1874: “Lately I have not written because I was not certain of your address and because I doubted I had much interesting news to tell you.” Later, Joseph wrote concerning the problems settling the estate, “You see dear brother there is only me here on our side and I cannot do much. I wish you were here to help me a bit and if you think of going for another summer trip this turn you might as well run over here.”

                            Apparently, George had indicated he might return to England for a visit in 1856. Emma wrote concerning the portrait of their mother which had been sent to George: “I hope you like mother’s portrait. I did not see it but I suppose it was not quite perfect about the eyes….Joseph and I intend having ours taken for you when you come over….Do come over before very long.”

                            In March 1873, Joseph wrote: “You ask me what I think of you coming to England. I think as you have given the trustee power to sign for you I think you could do no good but I should like to see you once again for all that. I can’t say whether there would be anything amiss if you did come as you say it would be throwing good money after bad.”

                            On June 10, 1875, the solicitor wrote: “I have been expecting to hear from you for some time past. Please let me hear what you are doing and where you are living and how I must send you your money.” George’s big news at that time was that on May 3, 1875, he had become a naturalized citizen “renouncing and abjuring all allegiance and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate, state and sovereignity whatsoever, and particularly to Victoria Queen of Great Britain of whom he was before a subject.”

                             

                            ROBERT HOUSLEY 1832-1851

                            In 1854, Anne wrote: “Poor Robert. He died in August after you left he broke a blood vessel in the lung.”
                            From Joseph’s first letter we learn that Robert was 19 when he died: “Dear brother there have been a great many changes in the family since you left us. All is gone except myself and John and Sam–we have heard nothing of him since he left. Robert died first when he was 19 years of age. Then Anne and Charles too died in Australia and then a number of years elapsed before anyone else. Then John lost his wife, then Emma, and last poor dear mother died last January on the 11th.”

                            Anne described Robert’s death in this way: “He had thrown up blood many times before in the spring but the last attack weakened him that he only lived a fortnight after. He died at Derby. Mother was with him. Although he suffered much he never uttered a murmur or regret and always a smile on his face for everyone that saw him. He will be regretted by all that knew him”.

                            Robert died a resident of St. Peter’s Parish, Derby, but was buried in Smalley on August 16, 1851.
                            Apparently Robert was apprenticed to be a joiner for, according to Anne, Joseph took his place: “Joseph wanted to be a joiner. We thought we could do no better than let him take Robert’s place which he did the October after and is there still.”

                            In 1876, the solicitor wrote to George: “Have you heard of John Housley? He is entitled to Robert’s share and I want him to claim it.”

                             

                            EMMA HOUSLEY 1836-1871

                            Emma was not mentioned in Anne’s first letter. In the second, Anne wrote that Emma was living at Spondon with two ladies in her “third situation,” and added, “She is grown a bouncing woman.” Anne described her sister well. Emma wrote in her first letter (November 12, 1855): “I must tell you that I am just 21 and we had my pudding last Sunday. I wish I could send you a piece.”

                            From Emma’s letters we learn that she was living in Derby from May until November 1855 with Mr. Haywood, an iron merchant. She explained, “He has failed and I have been obliged to leave,” adding, “I expect going to a new situation very soon. It is at Belper.” In 1851 records, William Haywood, age 22, was listed as an iron foundry worker. In the 1857 Derby Directory, James and George were listed as iron and brass founders and ironmongers with an address at 9 Market Place, Derby.

                            In June 1856, Emma wrote from “The Cedars, Ashbourne Road” where she was working for Mr. Handysides.
                            While she was working for Mr. Handysides, Emma wrote: “Mother is thinking of coming to live at Derby. That will be nice for Joseph and I.”

                            Friargate and Ashbourne Road were located in St. Werburgh’s Parish. (In fact, St. Werburgh’s vicarage was at 185 Surrey Street. This clue led to the discovery of the record of Emma’s marriage on May 6, 1858, to Edwin Welch Harvey, son of Samuel Harvey in St. Werburgh’s.)

                            In 1872, Joseph wrote: “Our sister Emma, she died at Derby at her own home for she was married. She has left two young children behind. The husband was the son of the man that I went apprentice to and has caused a great deal of trouble to our family and I believe hastened poor Mother’s death….”.   Joseph added that he believed Emma’s “complaint” was consumption and that she was sick a good bit. Joseph wrote: “Mother was living with John when I came home (from Ascension Island around 1867? or to Smalley from Derby around 1870?) for when Emma was married she broke up the comfortable home and the things went to Derby and she went to live with them but Derby did not agree with her so she had to leave it again but left all her things there.”

                            Emma Housley and Edwin Welch Harvey wedding, 1858:

                            Emma Housley wedding

                             

                            JOSEPH HOUSLEY 1838-1893

                            We first hear of Joseph in a letter from Anne to George in 1854. “Joseph wanted to be a joiner. We thought we could do no better than let him take Robert’s place which he did the October after (probably 1851) and is there still. He is grown as tall as you I think quite a man.” Emma concurred in her first letter: “He is quite a man in his appearance and quite as tall as you.”

                            From Emma we learn in 1855: “Joseph has left Mr. Harvey. He had not work to employ him. So mother thought he had better leave his indenture and be at liberty at once than wait for Harvey to be a bankrupt. He has got a very good place of work now and is very steady.” In June of 1856, Emma wrote “Joseph and I intend to have our portraits taken for you when you come over….Mother is thinking of coming to Derby. That will be nice for Joseph and I. Joseph is very hearty I am happy to say.”

                            According to Joseph’s letters, he was married to Harriet Ballard. Joseph described their miraculous reunion in this way: “I must tell you that I have been abroad myself to the Island of Ascension. (Elsewhere he wrote that he was on the island when the American civil war broke out). I went as a Royal Marine and worked at my trade and saved a bit of money–enough to buy my discharge and enough to get married with but while I was out on the island who should I meet with there but my dear wife’s sister. (On two occasions Joseph and Harriet sent George the name and address of Harriet’s sister, Mrs. Brooks, in Susquehanna Depot, Pennsylvania, but it is not clear whether this was the same sister.) She was lady’s maid to the captain’s wife. Though I had never seen her before we got to know each other somehow so from that me and my wife recommenced our correspondence and you may be sure I wanted to get home to her. But as soon as I did get home that is to England I was not long before I was married and I have not regretted yet for we are very comfortable as well as circumstances will allow for I am only a journeyman joiner.”

                            Proudly, Joseph wrote: “My little family consists of three nice children–John, Joseph and Susy Annie.” On her birth certificate, Susy Ann’s birthdate is listed as 1871. Parish records list a Lucy Annie christened in 1873. The boys were born in Derby, John in 1868 and Joseph in 1869. In his second letter, Joseph repeated: “I have got three nice children, a good wife and I often think is more than I have deserved.” On August 6, 1873, Joseph and Harriet wrote: “We both thank you dear sister for the pieces of money you sent for the children. I don’t know as I have ever see any before.” Joseph ended another letter: “Now I must close with our kindest love to you all and kisses from the children.”

                            In Harriet’s letter to Sarah Ann (March 19, 1873), she promised: “I will send you myself and as soon as the weather gets warm as I can take the children to Derby, I will have them taken and send them, but it is too cold yet for we have had a very cold winter and a great deal of rain.” At this time, the children were all under 6 and the baby was not yet two.

                            In March 1873 Joseph wrote: “I have been working down at Heanor gate there is a joiner shop there where Kings used to live I have been working there this winter and part of last summer but the wages is very low but it is near home that is one comfort.” (Heanor Gate is about 1/4 mile from Kidsley Grange. There was a school and industrial park there in 1988.) At this time Joseph and his family were living in “the big house–in Old Betty Hanson’s house.” The address in the 1871 census was Smalley Lane.

                            A glimpse into Joseph’s personality is revealed by this remark to George in an 1872 letter: “Many thanks for your portrait and will send ours when we can get them taken for I never had but one taken and that was in my old clothes and dear Harriet is not willing to part with that. I tell her she ought to be satisfied with the original.”

                            On one occasion Joseph and Harriet both sent seeds. (Marks are still visible on the paper.) Joseph sent “the best cow cabbage seed in the country–Robinson Champion,” and Harriet sent red cabbage–Shaw’s Improved Red. Possibly cow cabbage was also known as ox cabbage: “I hope you will have some good cabbages for the Ox cabbage takes all the prizes here. I suppose you will be taking the prizes out there with them.” Joseph wrote that he would put the name of the seeds by each “but I should think that will not matter. You will tell the difference when they come up.”

                            George apparently would have liked Joseph to come to him as early as 1854. Anne wrote: “As to his coming to you that must be left for the present.” In 1872, Joseph wrote: “I have been thinking of making a move from here for some time before I heard from you for it is living from hand to mouth and never certain of a job long either.” Joseph then made plans to come to the United States in the spring of 1873. “For I intend all being well leaving England in the spring. Many thanks for your kind offer but I hope we shall be able to get a comfortable place before we have been out long.” Joseph promised to bring some things George wanted and asked: “What sort of things would be the best to bring out there for I don’t want to bring a lot that is useless.” Joseph’s plans are confirmed in a letter from the solicitor May 23, 1874: “I trust you are prospering and in good health. Joseph seems desirous of coming out to you when this is settled.”

                            George must have been reminiscing about gooseberries (Heanor has an annual gooseberry show–one was held July 28, 1872) and Joseph promised to bring cuttings when they came: “Dear Brother, I could not get the gooseberries for they was all gathered when I received your letter but we shall be able to get some seed out the first chance and I shall try to bring some cuttings out along.” In the same letter that he sent the cabbage seeds Joseph wrote: “I have got some gooseberries drying this year for you. They are very fine ones but I have only four as yet but I was promised some more when they were ripe.” In another letter Joseph sent gooseberry seeds and wrote their names: Victoria, Gharibaldi and Globe.

                            In September 1872 Joseph wrote; “My wife is anxious to come. I hope it will suit her health for she is not over strong.” Elsewhere Joseph wrote that Harriet was “middling sometimes. She is subject to sick headaches. It knocks her up completely when they come on.” In December 1872 Joseph wrote, “Now dear brother about us coming to America you know we shall have to wait until this affair is settled and if it is not settled and thrown into Chancery I’m afraid we shall have to stay in England for I shall never be able to save money enough to bring me out and my family but I hope of better things.”

                            On July 19, 1875 Abraham Flint (the solicitor) wrote: “Joseph Housley has removed from Smalley and is working on some new foundry buildings at Little Chester near Derby. He lives at a village called Little Eaton near Derby. If you address your letter to him as Joseph Housley, carpenter, Little Eaton near Derby that will no doubt find him.”

                            George did not save any letters from Joseph after 1874, hopefully he did reach him at Little Eaton. Joseph and his family are not listed in either Little Eaton or Derby on the 1881 census.

                            In his last letter (February 11, 1874), Joseph sounded very discouraged and wrote that Harriet’s parents were very poorly and both had been “in bed for a long time.” In addition, Harriet and the children had been ill.
                            The move to Little Eaton may indicate that Joseph received his settlement because in August, 1873, he wrote: “I think this is bad news enough and bad luck too, but I have had little else since I came to live at Kiddsley cottages but perhaps it is all for the best if one could only think so. I have begun to think there will be no chance for us coming over to you for I am afraid there will not be so much left as will bring us out without it is settled very shortly but I don’t intend leaving this house until it is settled either one way or the other. “

                            Joseph Housley and the Kiddsley cottages:

                            Joseph Housley

                            #6268
                            TracyTracy
                            Participant

                              From Tanganyika with Love

                              continued part 9

                              With thanks to Mike Rushby.

                              Lyamungu 3rd January 1945

                              Dearest Family.

                              We had a novel Christmas this year. We decided to avoid the expense of
                              entertaining and being entertained at Lyamungu, and went off to spend Christmas
                              camping in a forest on the Western slopes of Kilimanjaro. George decided to combine
                              business with pleasure and in this way we were able to use Government transport.
                              We set out the day before Christmas day and drove along the road which skirts
                              the slopes of Kilimanjaro and first visited a beautiful farm where Philip Teare, the ex
                              Game Warden, and his wife Mary are staying. We had afternoon tea with them and then
                              drove on in to the natural forest above the estate and pitched our tent beside a small
                              clear mountain stream. We decorated the tent with paper streamers and a few small
                              balloons and John found a small tree of the traditional shape which we decorated where
                              it stood with tinsel and small ornaments.

                              We put our beer, cool drinks for the children and bottles of fresh milk from Simba
                              Estate, in the stream and on Christmas morning they were as cold as if they had been in
                              the refrigerator all night. There were not many presents for the children, there never are,
                              but they do not seem to mind and are well satisfied with a couple of balloons apiece,
                              sweets, tin whistles and a book each.

                              George entertain the children before breakfast. He can make a magical thing out
                              of the most ordinary balloon. The children watched entranced as he drew on his pipe
                              and then blew the smoke into the balloon. He then pinched the neck of the balloon
                              between thumb and forefinger and released the smoke in little puffs. Occasionally the
                              balloon ejected a perfect smoke ring and the forest rang with shouts of “Do it again
                              Daddy.” Another trick was to blow up the balloon to maximum size and then twist the
                              neck tightly before releasing. Before subsiding the balloon darted about in a crazy
                              fashion causing great hilarity. Such fun, at the cost of a few pence.

                              After breakfast George went off to fish for trout. John and Jim decided that they
                              also wished to fish so we made rods out of sticks and string and bent pins and they
                              fished happily, but of course quite unsuccessfully, for hours. Both of course fell into the
                              stream and got soaked, but I was prepared for this, and the little stream was so shallow
                              that they could not come to any harm. Henry played happily in the sand and I had a
                              most peaceful morning.

                              Hamisi roasted a chicken in a pot over the camp fire and the jelly set beautifully in the
                              stream. So we had grilled trout and chicken for our Christmas dinner. I had of course
                              taken an iced cake for the occasion and, all in all, it was a very successful Christmas day.
                              On Boxing day we drove down to the plains where George was to investigate a
                              report of game poaching near the Ngassari Furrow. This is a very long ditch which has
                              been dug by the Government for watering the Masai stock in the area. It is also used by
                              game and we saw herds of zebra and wildebeest, and some Grant’s Gazelle and
                              giraffe, all comparatively tame. At one point a small herd of zebra raced beside the lorry
                              apparently enjoying the fun of a gallop. They were all sleek and fat and looked wild and
                              beautiful in action.

                              We camped a considerable distance from the water but this precaution did not
                              save us from the mosquitoes which launched a vicious attack on us after sunset, so that
                              we took to our beds unusually early. They were on the job again when we got up at
                              sunrise so I was very glad when we were once more on our way home.

                              “I like Christmas safari. Much nicer that silly old party,” said John. I agree but I think
                              it is time that our children learned to play happily with others. There are no other young
                              children at Lyamungu though there are two older boys and a girl who go to boarding
                              school in Nairobi.

                              On New Years Day two Army Officers from the military camp at Moshi, came for
                              tea and to talk game hunting with George. I think they rather enjoy visiting a home and
                              seeing children and pets around.

                              Eleanor.

                              Lyamungu 14 May 1945

                              Dearest Family.

                              So the war in Europe is over at last. It is such marvellous news that I can hardly
                              believe it. To think that as soon as George can get leave we will go to England and
                              bring Ann and George home with us to Tanganyika. When we know when this leave can
                              be arranged we will want Kate to join us here as of course she must go with us to
                              England to meet George’s family. She has become so much a part of your lives that I
                              know it will be a wrench for you to give her up but I know that you will all be happy to
                              think that soon our family will be reunited.

                              The V.E. celebrations passed off quietly here. We all went to Moshi to see the
                              Victory Parade of the King’s African Rifles and in the evening we went to a celebration
                              dinner at the Game Warden’s house. Besides ourselves the Moores had invited the
                              Commanding Officer from Moshi and a junior officer. We had a very good dinner and
                              many toasts including one to Mrs Moore’s brother, Oliver Milton who is fighting in Burma
                              and has recently been awarded the Military Cross.

                              There was also a celebration party for the children in the grounds of the Moshi
                              Club. Such a spread! I think John and Jim sampled everything. We mothers were
                              having our tea separately and a friend laughingly told me to turn around and have a look.
                              I did, and saw the long tea tables now deserted by all the children but my two sons who
                              were still eating steadily, and finding the party more exciting than the game of Musical
                              Bumps into which all the other children had entered with enthusiasm.

                              There was also an extremely good puppet show put on by the Italian prisoners
                              of war from the camp at Moshi. They had made all the puppets which included well
                              loved characters like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Babes in the Wood as
                              well as more sophisticated ones like an irritable pianist and a would be prima donna. The
                              most popular puppets with the children were a native askari and his family – a very
                              happy little scene. I have never before seen a puppet show and was as entranced as
                              the children. It is amazing what clever manipulation and lighting can do. I believe that the
                              Italians mean to take their puppets to Nairobi and am glad to think that there, they will
                              have larger audiences to appreciate their art.

                              George has just come in, and I paused in my writing to ask him for the hundredth
                              time when he thinks we will get leave. He says I must be patient because it may be a
                              year before our turn comes. Shipping will be disorganised for months to come and we
                              cannot expect priority simply because we have been separated so long from our
                              children. The same situation applies to scores of other Government Officials.
                              I have decided to write the story of my childhood in South Africa and about our
                              life together in Tanganyika up to the time Ann and George left the country. I know you
                              will have told Kate these stories, but Ann and George were so very little when they left
                              home that I fear that they cannot remember much.

                              My Mother-in-law will have told them about their father but she can tell them little
                              about me. I shall send them one chapter of my story each month in the hope that they
                              may be interested and not feel that I am a stranger when at last we meet again.

                              Eleanor.

                              Lyamungu 19th September 1945

                              Dearest Family.

                              In a months time we will be saying good-bye to Lyamungu. George is to be
                              transferred to Mbeya and I am delighted, not only as I look upon Mbeya as home, but
                              because there is now a primary school there which John can attend. I feel he will make
                              much better progress in his lessons when he realises that all children of his age attend
                              school. At present he is putting up a strong resistance to learning to read and spell, but
                              he writes very neatly, does his sums accurately and shows a real talent for drawing. If
                              only he had the will to learn I feel he would do very well.

                              Jim now just four, is too young for lessons but too intelligent to be interested in
                              the ayah’s attempts at entertainment. Yes I’ve had to engage a native girl to look after
                              Henry from 9 am to 12.30 when I supervise John’s Correspondence Course. She is
                              clean and amiable, but like most African women she has no initiative at all when it comes
                              to entertaining children. Most African men and youths are good at this.

                              I don’t regret our stay at Lyamungu. It is a beautiful spot and the change to the
                              cooler climate after the heat of Morogoro has been good for all the children. John is still
                              tall for his age but not so thin as he was and much less pale. He is a handsome little lad
                              with his large brown eyes in striking contrast to his fair hair. He is wary of strangers but
                              very observant and quite uncanny in the way he sums up people. He seldom gets up
                              to mischief but I have a feeling he eggs Jim on. Not that Jim needs egging.

                              Jim has an absolute flair for mischief but it is all done in such an artless manner that
                              it is not easy to punish him. He is a very sturdy child with a cap of almost black silky hair,
                              eyes brown, like mine, and a large mouth which is quick to smile and show most beautiful
                              white and even teeth. He is most popular with all the native servants and the Game
                              Scouts. The servants call Jim, ‘Bwana Tembo’ (Mr Elephant) because of his sturdy
                              build.

                              Henry, now nearly two years old, is quite different from the other two in
                              appearance. He is fair complexioned and fair haired like Ann and Kate, with large, black
                              lashed, light grey eyes. He is a good child, not so merry as Jim was at his age, nor as
                              shy as John was. He seldom cries, does not care to be cuddled and is independent and
                              strong willed. The servants call Henry, ‘Bwana Ndizi’ (Mr Banana) because he has an
                              inexhaustible appetite for this fruit. Fortunately they are very inexpensive here. We buy
                              an entire bunch which hangs from a beam on the back verandah, and pluck off the
                              bananas as they ripen. This way there is no waste and the fruit never gets bruised as it
                              does in greengrocers shops in South Africa. Our three boys make a delightful and
                              interesting trio and I do wish you could see them for yourselves.

                              We are delighted with the really beautiful photograph of Kate. She is an
                              extraordinarily pretty child and looks so happy and healthy and a great credit to you.
                              Now that we will be living in Mbeya with a school on the doorstep I hope that we will
                              soon be able to arrange for her return home.

                              Eleanor.

                              c/o Game Dept. Mbeya. 30th October 1945

                              Dearest Family.

                              How nice to be able to write c/o Game Dept. Mbeya at the head of my letters.
                              We arrived here safely after a rather tiresome journey and are installed in a tiny house on
                              the edge of the township.

                              We left Lyamungu early on the morning of the 22nd. Most of our goods had
                              been packed on the big Ford lorry the previous evening, but there were the usual
                              delays and farewells. Of our servants, only the cook, Hamisi, accompanied us to
                              Mbeya. Japhet, Tovelo and the ayah had to be paid off and largesse handed out.
                              Tovelo’s granny had come, bringing a gift of bananas, and she also brought her little
                              granddaughter to present a bunch of flowers. The child’s little scolded behind is now
                              completely healed. Gifts had to be found for them too.

                              At last we were all aboard and what a squash it was! Our few pieces of furniture
                              and packing cases and trunks, the cook, his wife, the driver and the turney boy, who
                              were to take the truck back to Lyamungu, and all their bits and pieces, bunches of
                              bananas and Fanny the dog were all crammed into the body of the lorry. George, the
                              children and I were jammed together in the cab. Before we left George looked
                              dubiously at the tyres which were very worn and said gloomily that he thought it most
                              unlikely that we would make our destination, Dodoma.

                              Too true! Shortly after midday, near Kwakachinja, we blew a back tyre and there
                              was a tedious delay in the heat whilst the wheel was changed. We were now without a
                              spare tyre and George said that he would not risk taking the Ford further than Babati,
                              which is less than half way to Dodoma. He drove very slowly and cautiously to Babati
                              where he arranged with Sher Mohammed, an Indian trader, for a lorry to take us to
                              Dodoma the next morning.

                              It had been our intention to spend the night at the furnished Government
                              Resthouse at Babati but when we got there we found that it was already occupied by
                              several District Officers who had assembled for a conference. So, feeling rather
                              disgruntled, we all piled back into the lorry and drove on to a place called Bereku where
                              we spent an uncomfortable night in a tumbledown hut.

                              Before dawn next morning Sher Mohammed’s lorry drove up, and there was a
                              scramble to dress by the light of a storm lamp. The lorry was a very dilapidated one and
                              there was already a native woman passenger in the cab. I felt so tired after an almost
                              sleepless night that I decided to sit between the driver and this woman with the sleeping
                              Henry on my knee. It was as well I did, because I soon found myself dosing off and
                              drooping over towards the woman. Had she not been there I might easily have fallen
                              out as the battered cab had no door. However I was alert enough when daylight came
                              and changed places with the woman to our mutual relief. She was now able to converse
                              with the African driver and I was able to enjoy the scenery and the fresh air!
                              George, John and Jim were less comfortable. They sat in the lorry behind the
                              cab hemmed in by packing cases. As the lorry was an open one the sun beat down
                              unmercifully upon them until George, ever resourceful, moved a table to the front of the
                              truck. The two boys crouched under this and so got shelter from the sun but they still had
                              to endure the dust. Fanny complicated things by getting car sick and with one thing and
                              another we were all jolly glad to get to Dodoma.

                              We spent the night at the Dodoma Hotel and after hot baths, a good meal and a
                              good nights rest we cheerfully boarded a bus of the Tanganyika Bus Service next
                              morning to continue our journey to Mbeya. The rest of the journey was uneventful. We slept two nights on the road, the first at Iringa Hotel and the second at Chimala. We
                              reached Mbeya on the 27th.

                              I was rather taken aback when I first saw the little house which has been allocated
                              to us. I had become accustomed to the spacious houses we had in Morogoro and
                              Lyamungu. However though the house is tiny it is secluded and has a long garden
                              sloping down to the road in front and another long strip sloping up behind. The front
                              garden is shaded by several large cypress and eucalyptus trees but the garden behind
                              the house has no shade and consists mainly of humpy beds planted with hundreds of
                              carnations sadly in need of debudding. I believe that the previous Game Ranger’s wife
                              cultivated the carnations and, by selling them, raised money for War Funds.
                              Like our own first home, this little house is built of sun dried brick. Its original
                              owners were Germans. It is now rented to the Government by the Custodian of Enemy
                              Property, and George has his office in another ex German house.

                              This afternoon we drove to the school to arrange about enrolling John there. The
                              school is about four miles out of town. It was built by the German settlers in the late
                              1930’s and they were justifiably proud of it. It consists of a great assembly hall and
                              classrooms in one block and there are several attractive single storied dormitories. This
                              school was taken over by the Government when the Germans were interned on the
                              outbreak of war and many improvements have been made to the original buildings. The
                              school certainly looks very attractive now with its grassed playing fields and its lawns and
                              bright flower beds.

                              The Union Jack flies from a tall flagpole in front of the Hall and all traces of the
                              schools German origin have been firmly erased. We met the Headmaster, Mr
                              Wallington, and his wife and some members of the staff. The school is co-educational
                              and caters for children from the age of seven to standard six. The leaving age is elastic
                              owing to the fact that many Tanganyika children started school very late because of lack
                              of educational facilities in this country.

                              The married members of the staff have their own cottages in the grounds. The
                              Matrons have quarters attached to the dormitories for which they are responsible. I felt
                              most enthusiastic about the school until I discovered that the Headmaster is adamant
                              upon one subject. He utterly refuses to take any day pupils at the school. So now our
                              poor reserved Johnny will have to adjust himself to boarding school life.
                              We have arranged that he will start school on November 5th and I shall be very
                              busy trying to assemble his school uniform at short notice. The clothing list is sensible.
                              Boys wear khaki shirts and shorts on weekdays with knitted scarlet jerseys when the
                              weather is cold. On Sundays they wear grey flannel shorts and blazers with the silver
                              and scarlet school tie.

                              Mbeya looks dusty, brown and dry after the lush evergreen vegetation of
                              Lyamungu, but I prefer this drier climate and there are still mountains to please the eye.
                              In fact the lower slopes of Lolesa Mountain rise at the upper end of our garden.

                              Eleanor.

                              c/o Game Dept. Mbeya. 21st November 1945

                              Dearest Family.

                              We’re quite settled in now and I have got the little house fixed up to my
                              satisfaction. I have engaged a rather uncouth looking houseboy but he is strong and
                              capable and now that I am not tied down in the mornings by John’s lessons I am able to
                              go out occasionally in the mornings and take Jim and Henry to play with other children.
                              They do not show any great enthusiasm but are not shy by nature as John is.
                              I have had a good deal of heartache over putting John to boarding school. It
                              would have been different had he been used to the company of children outside his
                              own family, or if he had even known one child there. However he seems to be adjusting
                              himself to the life, though slowly. At least he looks well and tidy and I am quite sure that
                              he is well looked after.

                              I must confess that when the time came for John to go to school I simply did not
                              have the courage to take him and he went alone with George, looking so smart in his
                              new uniform – but his little face so bleak. The next day, Sunday, was visiting day but the
                              Headmaster suggested that we should give John time to settle down and not visit him
                              until Wednesday.

                              When we drove up to the school I spied John on the far side of the field walking
                              all alone. Instead of running up with glad greetings, as I had expected, he came almost
                              reluctently and had little to say. I asked him to show me his dormitory and classroom and
                              he did so politely as though I were a stranger. At last he volunteered some information.
                              “Mummy,” he said in an awed voice, Do you know on the night I came here they burnt a
                              man! They had a big fire and they burnt him.” After a blank moment the penny dropped.
                              Of course John had started school and November the fifth but it had never entered my
                              head to tell him about that infamous character, Guy Fawkes!

                              I asked John’s Matron how he had settled down. “Well”, she said thoughtfully,
                              John is very good and has not cried as many of the juniors do when they first come
                              here, but he seems to keep to himself all the time.” I went home very discouraged but
                              on the Sunday John came running up with another lad of about his own age.” This is my
                              friend Marks,” he announced proudly. I could have hugged Marks.

                              Mbeya is very different from the small settlement we knew in the early 1930’s.
                              Gone are all the colourful characters from the Lupa diggings for the alluvial claims are all
                              worked out now, gone also are our old friends the Menzies from the Pub and also most
                              of the Government Officials we used to know. Mbeya has lost its character of a frontier
                              township and has become almost suburban.

                              The social life revolves around two places, the Club and the school. The Club
                              which started out as a little two roomed building, has been expanded and the golf
                              course improved. There are also tennis courts and a good library considering the size of
                              the community. There are frequent parties and dances, though most of the club revenue
                              comes from Bar profits. The parties are relatively sober affairs compared with the parties
                              of the 1930’s.

                              The school provides entertainment of another kind. Both Mr and Mrs Wallington
                              are good amateur actors and I am told that they run an Amateur Dramatic Society. Every
                              Wednesday afternoon there is a hockey match at the school. Mbeya town versus a
                              mixed team of staff and scholars. The match attracts almost the whole European
                              population of Mbeya. Some go to play hockey, others to watch, and others to snatch
                              the opportunity to visit their children. I shall have to try to arrange a lift to school when
                              George is away on safari.

                              I have now met most of the local women and gladly renewed an old friendship
                              with Sheilagh Waring whom I knew two years ago at Morogoro. Sheilagh and I have
                              much in common, the same disregard for the trappings of civilisation, the same sense of
                              the ludicrous, and children. She has eight to our six and she has also been cut off by the
                              war from two of her children. Sheilagh looks too young and pretty to be the mother of so
                              large a family and is, in fact, several years younger than I am. her husband, Donald, is a
                              large quiet man who, as far as I can judge takes life seriously.

                              Our next door neighbours are the Bank Manager and his wife, a very pleasant
                              couple though we seldom meet. I have however had correspondence with the Bank
                              Manager. Early on Saturday afternoon their houseboy brought a note. It informed me
                              that my son was disturbing his rest by precipitating a heart attack. Was I aware that my
                              son was about 30 feet up in a tree and balanced on a twig? I ran out and,sure enough,
                              there was Jim, right at the top of the tallest eucalyptus tree. It would be the one with the
                              mound of stones at the bottom! You should have heard me fluting in my most
                              wheedling voice. “Sweets, Jimmy, come down slowly dear, I’ve some nice sweets for
                              you.”

                              I’ll bet that little story makes you smile. I remember how often you have told me
                              how, as a child, I used to make your hearts turn over because I had no fear of heights
                              and how I used to say, “But that is silly, I won’t fall.” I know now only too well, how you
                              must have felt.

                              Eleanor.

                              c/o Game Dept. Mbeya. 14th January 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              I hope that by now you have my telegram to say that Kate got home safely
                              yesterday. It was wonderful to have her back and what a beautiful child she is! Kate
                              seems to have enjoyed the train journey with Miss Craig, in spite of the tears she tells
                              me she shed when she said good-bye to you. She also seems to have felt quite at
                              home with the Hopleys at Salisbury. She flew from Salisbury in a small Dove aircraft
                              and they had a smooth passage though Kate was a little airsick.

                              I was so excited about her home coming! This house is so tiny that I had to turn
                              out the little store room to make a bedroom for her. With a fresh coat of whitewash and
                              pretty sprigged curtains and matching bedspread, borrowed from Sheilagh Waring, the
                              tiny room looks most attractive. I had also iced a cake, made ice-cream and jelly and
                              bought crackers for the table so that Kate’s home coming tea could be a proper little
                              celebration.

                              I was pleased with my preparations and then, a few hours before the plane was
                              due, my crowned front tooth dropped out, peg and all! When my houseboy wants to
                              describe something very tatty, he calls it “Second-hand Kabisa.” Kabisa meaning
                              absolutely. That is an apt description of how I looked and felt. I decided to try some
                              emergency dentistry. I think you know our nearest dentist is at Dar es Salaam five
                              hundred miles away.

                              First I carefully dried the tooth and with a match stick covered the peg and base
                              with Durofix. I then took the infants rubber bulb enema, sucked up some heat from a
                              candle flame and pumped it into the cavity before filling that with Durofix. Then hopefully
                              I stuck the tooth in its former position and held it in place for several minutes. No good. I
                              sent the houseboy to a shop for Scotine and tried the whole process again. No good
                              either.

                              When George came home for lunch I appealed to him for advice. He jokingly
                              suggested that a maize seed jammed into the space would probably work, but when
                              he saw that I really was upset he produced some chewing gum and suggested that I
                              should try that . I did and that worked long enough for my first smile anyway.
                              George and the three boys went to meet Kate but I remained at home to
                              welcome her there. I was afraid that after all this time away Kate might be reluctant to
                              rejoin the family but she threw her arms around me and said “Oh Mummy,” We both
                              shed a few tears and then we both felt fine.

                              How gay Kate is, and what an infectious laugh she has! The boys follow her
                              around in admiration. John in fact asked me, “Is Kate a Princess?” When I said
                              “Goodness no, Johnny, she’s your sister,” he explained himself by saying, “Well, she
                              has such golden hair.” Kate was less complementary. When I tucked her in bed last night
                              she said, “Mummy, I didn’t expect my little brothers to be so yellow!” All three boys
                              have been taking a course of Atebrin, an anti-malarial drug which tinges skin and eyeballs
                              yellow.

                              So now our tiny house is bursting at its seams and how good it feels to have one
                              more child under our roof. We are booked to sail for England in May and when we return
                              we will have Ann and George home too. Then I shall feel really content.

                              Eleanor.

                              c/o Game Dept. Mbeya. 2nd March 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              My life just now is uneventful but very busy. I am sewing hard and knitting fast to
                              try to get together some warm clothes for our leave in England. This is not a simple
                              matter because woollen materials are in short supply and very expensive, and now that
                              we have boarding school fees to pay for both Kate and John we have to budget very
                              carefully indeed.

                              Kate seems happy at school. She makes friends easily and seems to enjoy
                              communal life. John also seems reconciled to school now that Kate is there. He no
                              longer feels that he is the only exile in the family. He seems to rub along with the other
                              boys of his age and has a couple of close friends. Although Mbeya School is coeducational
                              the smaller boys and girls keep strictly apart. It is considered extremely
                              cissy to play with girls.

                              The local children are allowed to go home on Sundays after church and may bring
                              friends home with them for the day. Both John and Kate do this and Sunday is a very
                              busy day for me. The children come home in their Sunday best but bring play clothes to
                              change into. There is always a scramble to get them to bath and change again in time to
                              deliver them to the school by 6 o’clock.

                              When George is home we go out to the school for the morning service. This is
                              taken by the Headmaster Mr Wallington, and is very enjoyable. There is an excellent
                              school choir to lead the singing. The service is the Church of England one, but is
                              attended by children of all denominations, except the Roman Catholics. I don’t think that
                              more than half the children are British. A large proportion are Greeks, some as old as
                              sixteen, and about the same number are Afrikaners. There are Poles and non-Nazi
                              Germans, Swiss and a few American children.

                              All instruction is through the medium of English and it is amazing how soon all the
                              foreign children learn to chatter in English. George has been told that we will return to
                              Mbeya after our leave and for that I am very thankful as it means that we will still be living
                              near at hand when Jim and Henry start school. Because many of these children have to
                              travel many hundreds of miles to come to school, – Mbeya is a two day journey from the
                              railhead, – the school year is divided into two instead of the usual three terms. This
                              means that many of these children do not see their parents for months at a time. I think
                              this is a very sad state of affairs especially for the seven and eight year olds but the
                              Matrons assure me , that many children who live on isolated farms and stations are quite
                              reluctant to go home because they miss the companionship and the games and
                              entertainment that the school offers.

                              My only complaint about the life here is that I see far too little of George. He is
                              kept extremely busy on this range and is hardly at home except for a few days at the
                              months end when he has to be at his office to check up on the pay vouchers and the
                              issue of ammunition to the Scouts. George’s Range takes in the whole of the Southern
                              Province and the Southern half of the Western Province and extends to the border with
                              Northern Rhodesia and right across to Lake Tanganyika. This vast area is patrolled by
                              only 40 Game Scouts because the Department is at present badly under staffed, due
                              partly to the still acute shortage of rifles, but even more so to the extraordinary reluctance
                              which the Government shows to allocate adequate funds for the efficient running of the
                              Department.

                              The Game Scouts must see that the Game Laws are enforced, protect native
                              crops from raiding elephant, hippo and other game animals. Report disease amongst game and deal with stock raiding lions. By constantly going on safari and checking on
                              their work, George makes sure the range is run to his satisfaction. Most of the Game
                              Scouts are fine fellows but, considering they receive only meagre pay for dangerous
                              and exacting work, it is not surprising that occasionally a Scout is tempted into accepting
                              a bribe not to report a serious infringement of the Game Laws and there is, of course,
                              always the temptation to sell ivory illicitly to unscrupulous Indian and Arab traders.
                              Apart from supervising the running of the Range, George has two major jobs.
                              One is to supervise the running of the Game Free Area along the Rhodesia –
                              Tanganyika border, and the other to hunt down the man-eating lions which for years have
                              terrorised the Njombe District killing hundreds of Africans. Yes I know ‘hundreds’ sounds
                              fantastic, but this is perfectly true and one day, when the job is done and the official
                              report published I shall send it to you to prove it!

                              I hate to think of the Game Free Area and so does George. All the game from
                              buffalo to tiny duiker has been shot out in a wide belt extending nearly two hundred
                              miles along the Northern Rhodesia -Tanganyika border. There are three Europeans in
                              widely spaced camps who supervise this slaughter by African Game Guards. This
                              horrible measure is considered necessary by the Veterinary Departments of
                              Tanganyika, Rhodesia and South Africa, to prevent the cattle disease of Rinderpest
                              from spreading South.

                              When George is home however, we do relax and have fun. On the Saturday
                              before the school term started we took Kate and the boys up to the top fishing camp in
                              the Mporoto Mountains for her first attempt at trout fishing. There are three of these
                              camps built by the Mbeya Trout Association on the rivers which were first stocked with
                              the trout hatched on our farm at Mchewe. Of the three, the top camp is our favourite. The
                              scenery there is most glorious and reminds me strongly of the rivers of the Western
                              Cape which I so loved in my childhood.

                              The river, the Kawira, flows from the Rungwe Mountain through a narrow valley
                              with hills rising steeply on either side. The water runs swiftly over smooth stones and
                              sometimes only a foot or two below the level of the banks. It is sparkling and shallow,
                              but in places the water is deep and dark and the banks high. I had a busy day keeping
                              an eye on the boys, especially Jim, who twice climbed out on branches which overhung
                              deep water. “Mummy, I was only looking for trout!”

                              How those kids enjoyed the freedom of the camp after the comparative
                              restrictions of town. So did Fanny, she raced about on the hills like a mad dog chasing
                              imaginary rabbits and having the time of her life. To escape the noise and commotion
                              George had gone far upstream to fish and returned in the late afternoon with three good
                              sized trout and four smaller ones. Kate proudly showed George the two she had caught
                              with the assistance or our cook Hamisi. I fear they were caught in a rather unorthodox
                              manner but this I kept a secret from George who is a stickler for the orthodox in trout
                              fishing.

                              Eleanor.

                              Jacksdale England 24th June 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              Here we are all together at last in England. You cannot imagine how wonderful it
                              feels to have the whole Rushby family reunited. I find myself counting heads. Ann,
                              George, Kate, John, Jim, and Henry. All present and well. We had a very pleasant trip
                              on the old British India Ship Mantola. She was crowded with East Africans going home
                              for the first time since the war, many like us, eagerly looking forward to a reunion with their
                              children whom they had not seen for years. There was a great air of anticipation and
                              good humour but a little anxiety too.

                              “I do hope our children will be glad to see us,” said one, and went on to tell me
                              about a Doctor from Dar es Salaam who, after years of separation from his son had
                              recently gone to visit him at his school. The Doctor had alighted at the railway station
                              where he had arranged to meet his son. A tall youth approached him and said, very
                              politely, “Excuse me sir. Are you my Father?” Others told me of children who had
                              become so attached to their relatives in England that they gave their parents a very cool
                              reception. I began to feel apprehensive about Ann and George but fortunately had no
                              time to mope.

                              Oh, that washing and ironing for six! I shall remember for ever that steamy little
                              laundry in the heat of the Red Sea and queuing up for the ironing and the feeling of guilt
                              at the size of my bundle. We met many old friends amongst the passengers, and made
                              some new ones, so the voyage was a pleasant one, We did however have our
                              anxious moments.

                              John was the first to disappear and we had an anxious search for him. He was
                              quite surprised that we had been concerned. “I was just talking to my friend Chinky
                              Chinaman in his workshop.” Could John have called him that? Then, when I returned to
                              the cabin from dinner one night I found Henry swigging Owbridge’s Lung Tonic. He had
                              drunk half the bottle neat and the label said ‘five drops in water’. Luckily it did not harm
                              him.

                              Jim of course was forever risking his neck. George had forbidden him to climb on
                              the railings but he was forever doing things which no one had thought of forbidding him
                              to do, like hanging from the overhead pipes on the deck or standing on the sill of a
                              window and looking down at the well deck far below. An Officer found him doing this and
                              gave me the scolding.

                              Another day he climbed up on a derrick used for hoisting cargo. George,
                              oblivious to this was sitting on the hatch cover with other passengers reading a book. I
                              was in the wash house aft on the same deck when Kate rushed in and said, “Mummy
                              come and see Jim.” Before I had time to more than gape, the butcher noticed Jim and
                              rushed out knife in hand. “Get down from there”, he bellowed. Jim got, and with such
                              speed that he caught the leg or his shorts on a projecting piece of metal. The cotton
                              ripped across the seam from leg to leg and Jim stood there for a humiliating moment in a
                              sort of revealing little kilt enduring the smiles of the passengers who had looked up from
                              their books at the butcher’s shout.

                              That incident cured Jim of his urge to climb on the ship but he managed to give
                              us one more fright. He was lost off Dover. People from whom we enquired said, “Yes
                              we saw your little boy. He was by the railings watching that big aircraft carrier.” Now Jim,
                              though mischievous , is very obedient. It was not until George and I had conducted an
                              exhaustive search above and below decks that I really became anxious. Could he have
                              fallen overboard? Jim was returned to us by an unamused Officer. He had been found
                              in one of the lifeboats on the deck forbidden to children.

                              Our ship passed Dover after dark and it was an unforgettable sight. Dover Castle
                              and the cliffs were floodlit for the Victory Celebrations. One of the men passengers sat
                              down at the piano and played ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’, and people sang and a few
                              wept. The Mantola docked at Tilbury early next morning in a steady drizzle.
                              There was a dockers strike on and it took literally hours for all the luggage to be
                              put ashore. The ships stewards simply locked the public rooms and went off leaving the
                              passengers shivering on the docks. Eventually damp and bedraggled, we arrived at St
                              Pancras Station and were given a warm welcome by George’s sister Cath and her
                              husband Reg Pears, who had come all the way from Nottingham to meet us.
                              As we had to spend an hour in London before our train left for Nottingham,
                              George suggested that Cath and I should take the children somewhere for a meal. So
                              off we set in the cold drizzle, the boys and I without coats and laden with sundry
                              packages, including a hand woven native basket full of shoes. We must have looked like
                              a bunch of refugees as we stood in the hall of The Kings Cross Station Hotel because a
                              supercilious waiter in tails looked us up and down and said, “I’m afraid not Madam”, in
                              answer to my enquiry whether the hotel could provide lunch for six.
                              Anyway who cares! We had lunch instead at an ABC tea room — horrible
                              sausage and a mound or rather sloppy mashed potatoes, but very good ice-cream.
                              After the train journey in a very grimy third class coach, through an incredibly green and
                              beautiful countryside, we eventually reached Nottingham and took a bus to Jacksdale,
                              where George’s mother and sisters live in large detached houses side by side.
                              Ann and George were at the bus stop waiting for us, and thank God, submitted
                              to my kiss as though we had been parted for weeks instead of eight years. Even now
                              that we are together again my heart aches to think of all those missed years. They have
                              not changed much and I would have picked them out of a crowd, but Ann, once thin and
                              pale, is now very rosy and blooming. She still has her pretty soft plaits and her eyes are
                              still a clear calm blue. Young George is very striking looking with sparkling brown eyes, a
                              ready, slightly lopsided smile, and charming manners.

                              Mother, and George’s elder sister, Lottie Giles, welcomed us at the door with the
                              cheering news that our tea was ready. Ann showed us the way to mother’s lovely lilac
                              tiled bathroom for a wash before tea. Before I had even turned the tap, Jim had hung
                              form the glass towel rail and it lay in three pieces on the floor. There have since been
                              similar tragedies. I can see that life in civilisation is not without snags.

                              I am most grateful that Ann and George have accepted us so naturally and
                              affectionately. Ann said candidly, “Mummy, it’s a good thing that you had Aunt Cath with
                              you when you arrived because, honestly, I wouldn’t have known you.”

                              Eleanor.

                              Jacksdale England 28th August 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              I am sorry that I have not written for some time but honestly, I don’t know whether
                              I’m coming or going. Mother handed the top floor of her house to us and the
                              arrangement was that I should tidy our rooms and do our laundry and Mother would
                              prepare the meals except for breakfast. It looked easy at first. All the rooms have wall to
                              wall carpeting and there was a large vacuum cleaner in the box room. I was told a
                              window cleaner would do the windows.

                              Well the first time I used the Hoover I nearly died of fright. I pressed the switch
                              and immediately there was a roar and the bag filled with air to bursting point, or so I
                              thought. I screamed for Ann and she came at the run. I pointed to the bag and shouted
                              above the din, “What must I do? It’s going to burst!” Ann looked at me in astonishment
                              and said, “But Mummy that’s the way it works.” I couldn’t have her thinking me a
                              complete fool so I switched the current off and explained to Ann how it was that I had
                              never seen this type of equipment in action. How, in Tanganyika , I had never had a
                              house with electricity and that, anyway, electric equipment would be superfluous
                              because floors are of cement which the houseboy polishes by hand, one only has a
                              few rugs or grass mats on the floor. “But what about Granny’s house in South Africa?’”
                              she asked, so I explained about your Josephine who threatened to leave if you
                              bought a Hoover because that would mean that you did not think she kept the house
                              clean. The sad fact remains that, at fourteen, Ann knows far more about housework than I
                              do, or rather did! I’m learning fast.

                              The older children all go to school at different times in the morning. Ann leaves first
                              by bus to go to her Grammar School at Sutton-in-Ashfield. Shortly afterwards George
                              catches a bus for Nottingham where he attends the High School. So they have
                              breakfast in relays, usually scrambled egg made from a revolting dried egg mixture.
                              Then there are beds to make and washing and ironing to do, so I have little time for
                              sightseeing, though on a few afternoons George has looked after the younger children
                              and I have gone on bus tours in Derbyshire. Life is difficult here with all the restrictions on
                              foodstuffs. We all have ration books so get our fair share but meat, fats and eggs are
                              scarce and expensive. The weather is very wet. At first I used to hang out the washing
                              and then rush to bring it in when a shower came. Now I just let it hang.

                              We have left our imprint upon my Mother-in-law’s house for ever. Henry upset a
                              bottle of Milk of Magnesia in the middle of the pale fawn bedroom carpet. John, trying to
                              be helpful and doing some dusting, broke one of the delicate Dresden china candlesticks
                              which adorn our bedroom mantelpiece.Jim and Henry have wrecked the once
                              professionally landscaped garden and all the boys together bored a large hole through
                              Mother’s prized cherry tree. So now Mother has given up and gone off to Bournemouth
                              for a much needed holiday. Once a week I have the capable help of a cleaning woman,
                              called for some reason, ‘Mrs Two’, but I have now got all the cooking to do for eight. Mrs
                              Two is a godsend. She wears, of all things, a print mob cap with a hole in it. Says it
                              belonged to her Grandmother. Her price is far beyond Rubies to me, not so much
                              because she does, in a couple of hours, what it takes me all day to do, but because she
                              sells me boxes of fifty cigarettes. Some non-smoking relative, who works in Players
                              tobacco factory, passes on his ration to her. Until Mrs Two came to my rescue I had
                              been starved of cigarettes. Each time I asked for them at the shop the grocer would say,
                              “Are you registered with us?” Only very rarely would some kindly soul sell me a little
                              packet of five Woodbines.

                              England is very beautiful but the sooner we go home to Tanganyika, the better.
                              On this, George and I and the children agree.

                              Eleanor.

                              Jacksdale England 20th September 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              Our return passages have now been booked on the Winchester Castle and we
                              sail from Southampton on October the sixth. I look forward to returning to Tanganyika but
                              hope to visit England again in a few years time when our children are older and when
                              rationing is a thing of the past.

                              I have grown fond of my Sisters-in-law and admire my Mother-in-law very much.
                              She has a great sense of humour and has entertained me with stories of her very
                              eventful life, and told me lots of little stories of the children which did not figure in her
                              letters. One which amused me was about young George. During one of the air raids
                              early in the war when the sirens were screaming and bombers roaring overhead Mother
                              made the two children get into the cloak cupboard under the stairs. Young George
                              seemed quite unconcerned about the planes and the bombs but soon an anxious voice
                              asked in the dark, “Gran, what will I do if a spider falls on me?” I am afraid that Mother is
                              going to miss Ann and George very much.

                              I had a holiday last weekend when Lottie and I went up to London on a spree. It
                              was a most enjoyable weekend, though very rushed. We placed ourselves in the
                              hands of Thos. Cook and Sons and saw most of the sights of London and were run off
                              our feet in the process. As you all know London I shall not describe what I saw but just
                              to say that, best of all, I enjoyed walking along the Thames embankment in the evening
                              and the changing of the Guard at Whitehall. On Sunday morning Lottie and I went to
                              Kew Gardens and in the afternoon walked in Kensington Gardens.

                              We went to only one show, ‘The Skin of our Teeth’ starring Vivienne Leigh.
                              Neither of us enjoyed the performance at all and regretted having spent so much on
                              circle seats. The show was far too highbrow for my taste, a sort of satire on the survival
                              of the human race. Miss Leigh was unrecognisable in a blond wig and her voice strident.
                              However the night was not a dead loss as far as entertainment was concerned as we
                              were later caught up in a tragicomedy at our hotel.

                              We had booked communicating rooms at the enormous Imperial Hotel in Russell
                              Square. These rooms were comfortably furnished but very high up, and we had a rather
                              terrifying and dreary view from the windows of the enclosed courtyard far below. We
                              had some snacks and a chat in Lottie’s room and then I moved to mine and went to bed.
                              I had noted earlier that there was a special lock on the outer door of my room so that
                              when the door was closed from the inside it automatically locked itself.
                              I was just dropping off to sleep when I heard a hammering which seemed to
                              come from my wardrobe. I got up, rather fearfully, and opened the wardrobe door and
                              noted for the first time that the wardrobe was set in an opening in the wall and that the
                              back of the wardrobe also served as the back of the wardrobe in the room next door. I
                              quickly shut it again and went to confer with Lottie.

                              Suddenly a male voice was raised next door in supplication, “Mary Mother of
                              God, Help me! They’ve locked me in!” and the hammering resumed again, sometimes
                              on the door, and then again on the back of the wardrobe of the room next door. Lottie
                              had by this time joined me and together we listened to the prayers and to the
                              hammering. Then the voice began to threaten, “If you don’t let me out I’ll jump out of the
                              window.” Great consternation on our side of the wall. I went out into the passage and
                              called through the door, “You’re not locked in. Come to your door and I’ll tell you how to
                              open it.” Silence for a moment and then again the prayers followed by a threat. All the
                              other doors in the corridor remained shut.

                              Luckily just then a young man and a woman came walking down the corridor and I
                              explained the situation. The young man hurried off for the night porter who went into the
                              next door room. In a matter of minutes there was peace next door. When the night
                              porter came out into the corridor again I asked for an explanation. He said quite casually,
                              “It’s all right Madam. He’s an Irish Gentleman in Show Business. He gets like this on a
                              Saturday night when he has had a drop too much. He won’t give any more trouble
                              now.” And he didn’t. Next morning at breakfast Lottie and I tried to spot the gentleman in
                              the Show Business, but saw no one who looked like the owner of that charming Irish
                              voice.

                              George had to go to London on business last Monday and took the older
                              children with him for a few hours of sight seeing. They returned quite unimpressed.
                              Everything was too old and dirty and there were far too many people about, but they
                              had enjoyed riding on the escalators at the tube stations, and all agreed that the highlight
                              of the trip was, “Dad took us to lunch at the Chicken Inn.”

                              Now that it is almost time to leave England I am finding the housework less of a
                              drudgery, Also, as it is school holiday time, Jim and Henry are able to go on walks with
                              the older children and so use up some of their surplus energy. Cath and I took the
                              children (except young George who went rabbit shooting with his uncle Reg, and
                              Henry, who stayed at home with his dad) to the Wakes at Selston, the neighbouring
                              village. There were the roundabouts and similar contraptions but the side shows had
                              more appeal for the children. Ann and Kate found a stall where assorted prizes were
                              spread out on a sloping table. Anyone who could land a penny squarely on one of
                              these objects was given a similar one as a prize.

                              I was touched to see that both girls ignored all the targets except a box of fifty
                              cigarettes which they were determined to win for me. After numerous attempts, Kate
                              landed her penny successfully and you would have loved to have seen her radiant little
                              face.

                              Eleanor.

                              Dar es Salaam 22nd October 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              Back in Tanganyika at last, but not together. We have to stay in Dar es Salaam
                              until tomorrow when the train leaves for Dodoma. We arrived yesterday morning to find
                              all the hotels filled with people waiting to board ships for England. Fortunately some
                              friends came to the rescue and Ann, Kate and John have gone to stay with them. Jim,
                              Henry and I are sleeping in a screened corner of the lounge of the New Africa Hotel, and
                              George and young George have beds in the Palm Court of the same hotel.

                              We travelled out from England in the Winchester Castle under troopship
                              conditions. We joined her at Southampton after a rather slow train journey from
                              Nottingham. We arrived after dark and from the station we could see a large ship in the
                              docks with a floodlit red funnel. “Our ship,” yelled the children in delight, but it was not the
                              Winchester Castle but the Queen Elizabeth, newly reconditioned.

                              We had hoped to board our ship that evening but George made enquiries and
                              found that we would not be allowed on board until noon next day. Without much hope,
                              we went off to try to get accommodation for eight at a small hotel recommended by the
                              taxi driver. Luckily for us there was a very motherly woman at the reception desk. She
                              looked in amusement at the six children and said to me, “Goodness are all these yours,
                              ducks? Then she called over her shoulder, “Wilf, come and see this lady with lots of
                              children. We must try to help.” They settled the problem most satisfactorily by turning
                              two rooms into a dormitory.

                              In the morning we had time to inspect bomb damage in the dock area of
                              Southampton. Most of the rubble had been cleared away but there are still numbers of
                              damaged buildings awaiting demolition. A depressing sight. We saw the Queen Mary
                              at anchor, still in her drab war time paint, but magnificent nevertheless.
                              The Winchester Castle was crammed with passengers and many travelled in
                              acute discomfort. We were luckier than most because the two girls, the three small boys
                              and I had a stateroom to ourselves and though it was stripped of peacetime comforts,
                              we had a private bathroom and toilet. The two Georges had bunks in a huge men-only
                              dormitory somewhere in the bowls of the ship where they had to share communal troop
                              ship facilities. The food was plentiful but unexciting and one had to queue for afternoon
                              tea. During the day the decks were crowded and there was squatting room only. The
                              many children on board got bored.

                              Port Said provided a break and we were all entertained by the ‘Gully Gully’ man
                              and his conjuring tricks, and though we had no money to spend at Simon Artz, we did at
                              least have a chance to stretch our legs. Next day scores of passengers took ill with
                              sever stomach upsets, whether from food poisoning, or as was rumoured, from bad
                              water taken on at the Egyptian port, I don’t know. Only the two Georges in our family
                              were affected and their attacks were comparatively mild.

                              As we neared the Kenya port of Mombassa, the passengers for Dar es Salaam
                              were told that they would have to disembark at Mombassa and continue their journey in
                              a small coaster, the Al Said. The Winchester Castle is too big for the narrow channel
                              which leads to Dar es Salaam harbour.

                              From the wharf the Al Said looked beautiful. She was once the private yacht of
                              the Sultan of Zanzibar and has lovely lines. Our admiration lasted only until we were
                              shown our cabins. With one voice our children exclaimed, “Gosh they stink!” They did, of
                              a mixture of rancid oil and sweat and stale urine. The beds were not yet made and the
                              thin mattresses had ominous stains on them. John, ever fastidious, lifted his mattress and two enormous cockroaches scuttled for cover.

                              We had a good homely lunch served by two smiling African stewards and
                              afterwards we sat on deck and that was fine too, though behind ones enjoyment there
                              was the thought of those stuffy and dirty cabins. That first night nearly everyone,
                              including George and our older children, slept on deck. Women occupied deck chairs
                              and men and children slept on the bare decks. Horrifying though the idea was, I decided
                              that, as Jim had a bad cough, he, Henry and I would sleep in our cabin.

                              When I announced my intention of sleeping in the cabin one of the passengers
                              gave me some insecticide spray which I used lavishly, but without avail. The children
                              slept but I sat up all night with the light on, determined to keep at least their pillows clear
                              of the cockroaches which scurried about boldly regardless of the light. All the next day
                              and night we avoided the cabins. The Al Said stopped for some hours at Zanzibar to
                              offload her deck cargo of live cattle and packing cases from the hold. George and the
                              elder children went ashore for a walk but I felt too lazy and there was plenty to watch
                              from deck.

                              That night I too occupied a deck chair and slept quite comfortably, and next
                              morning we entered the palm fringed harbour of Dar es Salaam and were home.

                              Eleanor.

                              Mbeya 1st November 1946

                              Dearest Family.

                              Home at last! We are all most happily installed in a real family house about three
                              miles out of Mbeya and near the school. This house belongs to an elderly German and
                              has been taken over by the Custodian of Enemy Property and leased to the
                              Government.

                              The owner, whose name is Shenkel, was not interned but is allowed to occupy a
                              smaller house on the Estate. I found him in the garden this morning lecturing the children
                              on what they may do and may not do. I tried to make it quite clear to him that he was not
                              our landlord, though he clearly thinks otherwise. After he had gone I had to take two
                              aspirin and lie down to recover my composure! I had been warned that he has this effect
                              on people.

                              Mr Shenkel is a short and ugly man, his clothes are stained with food and he
                              wears steel rimmed glasses tied round his head with a piece of dirty elastic because
                              one earpiece is missing. He speaks with a thick German accent but his English is fluent
                              and I believe he is a cultured and clever man. But he is maddening. The children were
                              more amused than impressed by his exhortations and have happily Christened our
                              home, ‘Old Shenks’.

                              The house has very large grounds as the place is really a derelict farm. It suits us
                              down to the ground. We had no sooner unpacked than George went off on safari after
                              those maneating lions in the Njombe District. he accounted for one, and a further two
                              jointly with a Game Scout, before we left for England. But none was shot during the five
                              months we were away as George’s relief is quite inexperienced in such work. George
                              thinks that there are still about a dozen maneaters at large. His theory is that a female
                              maneater moved into the area in 1938 when maneating first started, and brought up her
                              cubs to be maneaters, and those cubs in turn did the same. The three maneating lions
                              that have been shot were all in very good condition and not old and maimed as
                              maneaters usually are.

                              George anticipates that it will be months before all these lions are accounted for
                              because they are constantly on the move and cover a very large area. The lions have to
                              be hunted on foot because they range over broken country covered by bush and fairly
                              dense thicket.

                              I did a bit of shooting myself yesterday and impressed our African servants and
                              the children and myself. What a fluke! Our houseboy came to say that there was a snake
                              in the garden, the biggest he had ever seen. He said it was too big to kill with a stick and
                              would I shoot it. I had no gun but a heavy .450 Webley revolver and I took this and
                              hurried out with the children at my heels.

                              The snake turned out to be an unusually large puff adder which had just shed its
                              skin. It looked beautiful in a repulsive way. So flanked by servants and children I took
                              aim and shot, not hitting the head as I had planned, but breaking the snake’s back with
                              the heavy bullet. The two native boys then rushed up with sticks and flattened the head.
                              “Ma you’re a crack shot,” cried the kids in delighted surprise. I hope to rest on my laurels
                              for a long, long while.

                              Although there are only a few weeks of school term left the four older children will
                              start school on Monday. Not only am I pleased with our new home here but also with
                              the staff I have engaged. Our new houseboy, Reuben, (but renamed Robin by our
                              children) is not only cheerful and willing but intelligent too, and Jumbe, the wood and
                              garden boy, is a born clown and a source of great entertainment to the children.

                              I feel sure that we are all going to be very happy here at ‘Old Shenks!.

                              Eleanor.

                              #6258
                              TracyTracy
                              Participant

                                The Buxton Marshalls

                                and the DNA Match

                                Several years before I started researching the family tree, a friend treated me to a DNA test just for fun. The ethnicity estimates were surprising (and still don’t make much sense): I am apparently 58% Scandinavian, 37% English, and a little Iberian, North African, and even a bit Nigerian! My ancestry according to genealogical research is almost 100% Midlands English for the past three hundred years.

                                Not long after doing the DNA test, I was contacted via the website by Jim Perkins, who had noticed my Marshall name on the DNA match. Jim’s grandfather was James Marshall, my great grandfather William Marshall’s brother. Jim told me he had done his family tree years before the advent of online genealogy. Jim didn’t have a photo of James, but we had several photos with “William Marshall’s brother” written on the back.

                                Jim sent me a photo of his uncle, the man he was named after. The photo shows Charles James Marshall in his army uniform. He escaped Dunkirk in 1940 by swimming out to a destroyer, apparently an excellent swimmer. Sadly he was killed, aged 25 and unmarried, on Sep 2 1942 at the Battle of Alma-Halfa in North Africa. Jim was born exactly one year later.

                                Jim and I became friends on Facebook. In 2021 a relative kindly informed me that Jim had died. I’ve since been in contact with his sister Marilyn.  Jim’s grandfather James Marshall was the eldest of John and Emma’s children, born in 1873. James daughter with his first wife Martha, Hilda, married James Perkins, Jim and Marilyn’s parents. Charles James Marshall who died in North Africa was James son by a second marriage.  James was a railway engine fireman on the 1911 census, and a retired rail driver on the 1939 census.

                                Charles James Marshall 1917-1942 died at the Battle of Alma-Halfa in North Africa:

                                photo thanks to Jim Perkins

                                Charles James Marshall

                                 

                                Anna Marshall, born in 1875, was a dressmaker and never married. She was still living with her parents John and Emma in Buxton on the 1921 census. One the 1939 census she was still single at the age of 66, and was living with John J Marshall born 1916. Perhaps a nephew?

                                Annie Marshall 1939

                                 

                                John Marshall was born in 1877. Buxton is a spa town with many hotels, and John was the 2nd porter living in at the Crescent Hotel on the 1901 census, although he married later that year. In the 1911 census John was married with three children and living in Fairfield, Buxton, and his occupation was Hotel Porter and Boots.  John and Alice had four children, although one son died in infancy, leaving two sons and a daughter, Lily.

                                My great grandfather William Marshall was born in 1878, and Edward Marshall was born in 1880. According to the family stories, one of William’s brothers was chief of police in Lincolnshire, and two of the family photos say on the back “Frank Marshall, chief of police Lincolnshire”. But it wasn’t Frank, it was Edward, and it wasn’t Lincolnshire, it was Lancashire.

                                The records show that Edward Marshall was a hotel porter at the Pulteney Hotel in Bath, Somerset, in 1901. Presumably he started working in hotels in Buxton prior to that. James married Florence in Bath in 1903, and their first four children were born in Bath. By 1911 the family were living in Salmesbury, near Blackburn Lancashire, and Edward was a police constable. On the 1939 census, James was a retired police inspector, still living in Lancashire. Florence and Edward had eight children.

                                It became clear that the two photographs we have that were labeled “Frank Marshall Chief of police” were in fact Edward, when I noticed that both photos were taken by a photographer in Bath. They were correctly labeled as the policeman, but we had the name wrong.

                                Edward and Florence Marshall, Bath, Somerset:

                                Edward Marshall, Bath

                                 

                                Sarah Marshall was born in 1882 and died two years later.

                                Nellie Marshall was born in 1885 and I have not yet found a marriage or death for her.

                                Harry Marshall was John and Emma’s next child, born in 1887. On the 1911 census Harry is 24 years old, and  lives at home with his parents and sister Ann. His occupation is a barman in a hotel. I haven’t yet found any further records for Harry.

                                Frank Marshall was the youngest, born in 1889. In 1911 Frank was living at the George Hotel in Buxton, employed as a boot boy. Also listed as live in staff at the hotel was Lily Moss, a kitchenmaid.

                                Frank Marshall

                                In 1913 Frank and Lily were married, and in 1914 their first child Millicent Rose was born. On the 1921 census Frank, Lily, William Rose and one other (presumably Millicent Rose) were living in Hartington Upper Quarter, Buxton.

                                The George Hotel, Buxton:

                                George Hotel Buxton

                                 

                                One of the photos says on the back “Jack Marshall, brother of William Marshall, WW1”:

                                Jack Marshall

                                Another photo that says on the back “William Marshalls brother”:

                                WM brother 1

                                Another “William Marshalls brother”:

                                WM b 2

                                And another “William Marshalls brother”:

                                wm b 3

                                Unlabeled but clearly a Marshall:

                                wmb 4

                                The last photo is clearly a Marshall, but I haven’t yet found a Burnley connection with any of the Marshall brothers.

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