"Dear Minnie..." |
Emma Savage's Letters to Araminta Brown |
This is the first of Emma Savage's letters to Araminta Brown which Sandra has.
It is dated June 10th 1900.
The sender's address is printed in red.
The address on the envelope is: C/o Mrs John Seeley,
Althorpe House, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
The letter was
posted in London - it is very difficult to see date, but luckily stamped on back of envelope is a "received mark" RYDE 4.15 JU12 00
|
June 10th 1900 |
| BRICK KILN FARM |
| GLEMSFORD SUFFOLK |
Dear Minnie, |
I received both your letters but have been very busy but you know I have not forgotten you.
I was pleased to hear you are getting on alright. I saw Captain J. Seeleys photo in the Graphic,
he looks a nice looking gentleman. The people in London went nearly mad over the news from the war.
They had a long procession called it a Carnival up the Hampstead Rd. Mr. Savage got in the crowd & was robbed of his gold
watch. I was so sorry .
Mr & Mrs Higgins were down for Whitsun he went home on Wednesday. Mrs H went yesterday Saturday.
We go back tomorrow I think we shall soon open the Shakespeare now Rillo is coming to us there. |
Gersham nearly blew the place up he out of mischief turned the taps on of the steam boiler and turned the
water off at the main a terrible noise he ran up to the Trafalgar to fetch Will him and the cook only just saved it in time,
they have a rare trouble with him he always got a penny novel in his pocket and he is reading it at every turn the Master
says forgets all his work I am afraid he will be another Alva Im sure I hope not - the other day Master set him to clean the
tiles in the hall at the Shakespeare two hours after we both went down he was just doing the second peice. I asked him whatever
he was thinking about he replied I left off to have my tea, he was so cheeky that I told him we should not turn you off in
London because we respect your Father but unless you do the work Master set you to as you are under age I shall take you
back to Glemsford and you will have to go into the factory again. he don't like the idea of that. I have not seen your Father
since I have been down we went to Melford Fair but it rained very hard in the afternoon so the ground was like walking on soft
soap. I am glad you have a nice place you ought to get as fat as butter and a colour like a rose. how is your sweetheart?
I hope he is alright. Annie is alright |
With love from your sincere friend E.S.
|
- The Boer War. Pretoria, the Boer capital, was occupied by British troops between 31 May and 5 June 1900.
This would explain celebrations in London at that time. Mafeking had been relieved on 17 May, and celebrated in Glemsford School on 20 May.
- I have not been able to trace Mr and Mrs Higgins with any degree of certainty.
- The Shakespeare Hotel was at 88-90 York Road, Lambeth. In 1901 it was being managed by William Savage
- Rillo - Florillo William Brown - born 18 January 1877 - is recorded as cook at the Shakespeare in the 1901 Census
- Gershom Dan Brown born 18 May 1884. This is the first of many references to his "unsatisfactory" behaviour!
- The Trafalgar seems to have been the Savage's main base. 60 York Road, Lambeth
- Alvah Brown, born 25 March 1878. What could he have done that was worse than Gershom?
There are several references to Alvah not setting a "good example",
but Tracey has established that later in life, he married, emigrated to Canada and returned to serve the Empire in the Great War, his hell-raising days well behind him.
His attestation papers show that he signed up for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on December 24, 1915.
He sent Minnie a Christmas Card with this photo of himself in uniform:
- Melford Fair still attracts the crowds, but it has changed a great deal in character since 1900.
- I think this is Annie Wright, resident at Brick Kiln in 1901. She deserves, and now has, a section all of her own!
|
