Letter from Mary Cutler Paulin to Frederick A Paulin, 2 Dec 1886
[1]
Henley Lodge
December 2nd/86
My dearest Fred,
Just a few lines to tell we are thinking of you. Dad has been hurrying us very much as he wishes all letters to be posted to night for BC. The children have been talking of writing for love him but it has been a very busy time for them and Mother so you will I know e[illegible]
[2]
All [illegible] I am thankful in being able to tell you we are all well and all wishing the very best of wishes for all our dears out in BC. Will write of love sir [illegible]
Your Mother
Love to George + Herbert – cannot get trice so write to them.
Letter from Mary Cutler Paulin to Frederick Paulin, 18 April 1883
Acock’s Green
April 18th/83
My dear Fred,
I feel [illegible] that we have not written to you before this but you will have had letters from the Bordesley folks, all we have thought of is looking for letters from you. Nancy thinks for them we could last help feeling very [illegible] about you it was such terrible matter the [illegible] of March and altogether we are getting frigid and the wind is very cold, your father is better but is bothered as usual with business – we think you must have suffered [illegible] no board that terrible [illegible] hope with may be repaid for all it
[2]
Will be a long time before you feel settled or comfortable and we do trust you will folks keep well we keep having colds here, no cry has colds Miss Shearman is getting better but looked very ill for three weeks after [illegible] left but kept to her duties poor girl, she says why did you go from all your best friends we only wish we were with you we should not much how rough it was. Your father has been getting seeds garden, George has worked being well too Saturdays he is getting £1 per week now [illegible] will be able
[3]
To manage. I must try and let some news Uncle William writes he is passing his bill in the House of Lords commuted yesterday will send my dividend the end of the week. Grandpa sent £5 unknown to Grandma because copperman is so long lending the tent, very kind poor old gentleman. Mrs Grant so as here yesterday looking very well for her letter I have [illegible] I went to see her with your first letter – Lizzie and Polly came on & after Sunday and staid till Monday evening they were both pretty well but we [illegible]
[4]
Right since you left – I have it a busy long time getting use to your absence. Papa says you have done quite right to go and he wishes he was with you. I think Birmingham will soon be blown up. A parcel coming from Auntie Bessie this week. Louise is very busy getting ready to go. We have sending you kind enquiries after you kind see take greater interest in the postman. [illegible] with united love and kindest wishes now and after Mother
Who is Who:
Nancy – no idea
Miss Shearman – Miss Louise Shearman ran a private school in Acock’s Green, in the 1890 s she boarded young George Rutherford when he was a student
Mrs Grant – no idea
Grandpa and Grandma – George and Sarah Paulin, resident in Henley-on-Thames
Uncle William – Mary’s brother William Henry Cutler, who at the time was fighting the government over their takeover of the Windsor and Eton Waterworks, a Cutler family business he inherited when their father died in 1842
Aunt Bessie – Mary’s paternal aunt Elizabeth Cutler Bennison (1806-1887)
Letter to Frederick Arthur Pauline from George C Mesher, Architect, 14 Sep 1914
Geo C Mesher & Co Architects
Head Office: 321 Pemberton Building, Victoria BC
Branch Office: Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC, Walter Houghton, Manager
Port Alberni, Sept 14, 1914
Dear Fred,
The only alteration I can think of to the Skilling Settlement is that he should pay the rent up to the end of the present month, but I leave it to you. I saw Smith re the other rausk, he can do nothing at present the man he was trading with has gone to the war. F[illegible] are going on fairly well here exepting that I have not been able to do much on account of the rheumatism in my knee which has trouble me considerably I have discharged both the Chinaman and Pryde and the Frenchman will complete his contract in a few days. I got the latest war bulleting yesterday of the German retreat which is very consoling.
Letter from George Paulin to his granddaughter Marion (Polly) Paulin, 15 March 1893
Henley on Thames
5 Queen Villas
March 15, 1893
My Dear Polly
I was very glad to receive your letter. I was much troubled with the thought you were all in some way afflicted. I was glad to see Mr Goodwin to hand you were all pretty well. I hope before your receive this he will have return in safety. My wife is still unable to be received from her bed, she is tolerably in health but quite unable to use her legs. I am so very glad that all your family are so blessed with the spirit of affection to their parents and keep themselves from the evil temptations of the wicked spirit. May the Blessed spirit of our Redeemer rest in their hearts, that they may all prosper in their endeavors to obtain prosperity in their honest exertions in their various occupations.
Mr Rutherford said his children were both well, and he was more resigned at his great loss which we all ought to be for the dear one is gone to rest from all anxieties and great labour to which she was
[2]
Not strong enough to sustain. I should like to see you all again, but the distance is so great, and the expense so heavy that any anticipation is quite unlikely to be carried out. So we must wait till we shall all meet together with our Saviour + Redeemer
Our winter was a very sharp and severe one from Nov to end of Jan frost of 24 degree:
With regards to the trustee, I think it will be better to let the matter rest until the death of Mr Cutler as it will save a great expense at the present time as his executor will see to it. I pretty well know the lawyer they would make all sorts of obstacles to increase the length of their bill for “letter” “Journey” “Addressing” “Consultation” [illegible] I suppose all the deeds of the two houses and the settlement are in his or friends in safe custody but in the event of his death his executors are responsible for these productions.
I think he has got himself bound to a schemer of a wife. The idea of her leaving him and going abroad!
[3]
I cannot tell you that my health and strength is as it used to be. I suffer from lung complaint and old age. But I am thankful that my intellect is as strong as ever, to transact my business affairs in the household, and to be able to render assistance to my afflicted wife, which takes away from me much cheerfulness. Mr Goodwin told me that Jack was helping him. We had the photo of Fred, wife and Child, and Mr Goodwin thought we had rec one of his children, but we hadn’t. He saw the one of his wedding in our bed room by the side of our dear Louise’s wedding photo. All the houses are sold No 1.2.3 in Jan, No 4 to Mr Fuller, No 5 and No 6 to myself. I should very much like you to see them, they will all look very nice. The trees in front of my house are all very pretty. Mr Fuller next door No 4 cut his trees down which Mr Bennett said was very unwise. But I think
[4]
It makes my houses look better and separate. There is one thing I often think that my wife being such an invalid that if I am unfortunate to be unable to help myself I shall be left to myself no one to have any interest for me. Mr Bennett 250 miles and yourselves 5000 miles away. I keep on writing but I must soon stop. So with my love to yourself and Fred and all your family from
Yours Very affectionately
George Paulin
I am afraid you will find it difficult to read this medley
I thought the enclosed evening primrose seed might [illegible] in your garden. So I enclose a few seeds. I expect they will not blossom this year, if they come up. There is one sunflower seed.
Who is Who:
George Paulin – Frederick Paulin’s father
Mr Bennett – George Bennett, husband of Sarah Paulin, and daughter of George Paulin
Mr Rutherford – husband of Louise Paulin. This letter refers to their two children George and Louise
Mr Goodwin – I don’t know who he is
Mr Fuller – one of the people to purchase houses built by George, called the Queen’s Villas, in Henley-on-Thames
My wife – George’s wife Sarah Clements, and mother of Frederick and Sarah Paulin. Unsure why she is refered to in such impersonal terms to Polly (Marion) as this is her grandmother.
Mr Cutler is Mary Cutler Paulin’s brother William Henry Cutler, who was very ill at this time. He died in 1895.
Letter from Frederick Paulin to his son Frederick Arthur Paulin, dated Nov 29th [1887]
Acock’s Green, November 29
Dear Fred,
It is I think sometime since I wrote a letter to BC, though the interval has been frequently represented by a newspaper to me or the other of you. During this seeming absence however I have been fully engaged in searching for a few crumbs in the matter of keeping the cart upon its wheels for things are not any better in the old country than all counts doubtless tell you, and the period of improvement in kind cannot be said to have yet come to hand. The break front has been a hybrid one lately combining cigar selling with advertisement canvassing for an Hindustani Journal. The more scarcely agree very well looks like up too much of this time whilst I independently they are not self-supporting or rather individually efficiently remunerative so I am jogging along. My health thank God continues good and something I am told contributes to my health rather than not. My ground lately has been [illegible] hire Yorkshire and is so far from hours I would rather have home ground which would enable me to run back at night, but as we are not likely to have every thing just convenient to our wishes the point is yielded to the necessity. You no doubt know Bessie left here on the Egypt 27 Oct and had a peaceful voyage. Who were just holding on though what the Captain described as the worst weather he had witnessed for 16 years in the Atlantic. I speculate when she will reach you and am disposed to be [illegible] you will united by find a way for her to pass your
[2]
Will it be before or by Xmas next if so it would be I know a season with you of festivity seasoned with many a thought and sentiment of House and your family connections. We shall DV not fail to be with you all in spirit on our customary manner going through a mimic Xmas. But not such as it[illegible] to be when my boys as well as girls roared out their cheery welcome of the fiery pudding as it lit up the circling jacks and revealed the greatest delight possible. But shall we not yet meet all round some festive board [illegible] the final expansion in some one or more of us takes place? I hope so! One more union of now distracted members of an normally affectionate family will I divine and believe to be permitted us yet, Isn’t that something grand to look forward to?
I met with a man in Leeds of the name Whitlock son of a tavern keeper there I know, who had come hours invalided from Victoria after working in a brickyard for I think Dunsmuir and coming from £12to £18 per brick there. He said the air was too strong for him so he shifted to Chicago where he got worst and came home where I think he will stop.
Bessie’s address if 449 Dean Str Brooklyn NY. We write in affection to you all, pass these sentiments round From your very affectionate Father.
Letter Frederick Paulin to his son Frederick Arthur Pauline, 26 May 1894
Conservative Club, Temple Row, Birm.
May 26th 1894
Dear Fred,
Yours of the 3rd inst with Draneys letter reached us a few days ago, but just after I had some large posters printed relating to the other properties. There said posters I sent out to Victoria 5 days ago to Saunders, Charlie, [illegible] + Dr Morrison parties interested. The cannery matter I will not fail to work for. I replied you will send me an estimate of the additional cost 0f putting up 10,000 cases _ we are all well but find progress in the Trustee matter very difficult. Since W[illegible] break down so far as we can discover, access to his safe has been had by some one probably by Bennison young man now in Silesia his executor no documents +c appear to have been rushlon by turned upside down
[2]
We have found the conveyance of land at AG but not the conveyance of the Henley Property nor the trust deed of 1859. The title (abstract of) relating to both have not yet turned up, so you see I have just changed the pen!
You will be as vexed proportionately as myself at this condition of affairs which shows that we should have been here in this business months ago. Who to blame is difficult to say or to hold responsible for placing us in such a fix. We are moving anything or anybody who can enlighten us and shall do so without any hesitation, because the situation is seriously expensive
[3]
There is another matter which I haven’t yet fathomed. I refer to the contents of my Uncle John’s will. When I was in Henley a fortnight ago I found that his will passed thro’ Mercer’s hands the solicitors for probate, so I called there but I while an old acquaintance of mine and their clerk was at Oxford. So I wrote him a note and left it with the caretaker woman of the office to give to him asking him for information but I got no reply from him after a weeks waiting, I wrote him again attending to my former letter and request and still I have had no answer. This seems to me mysterious! I am writing this with Ma + Violet in London where we are frequently writing or seeing about some missing deeds –
[4]
On our return to Miss Shearman’s now in a day or 2 I intend breaking the journey at Henley and finding out the reason for White’s silence. When I saw G Bennett for 2 or 3 hours last week in Derby, he said he was not aware that John Paulin had made a will or had anything to leave. But I do and am going to bedrock to know – all this is perplexing and Clifford has broken his covenant as to time of building at A Green in a most flagrant manner. The conveyance says not nearer than 15 yards to the public road whereas he has built within 10 yards. This will require to be dealt with discretionally and I will carefully consider everything. We are comforted to see by the letters that you are all going on so well. We shall be glad to be back with you again, but now we are here will finish everything + if possible leave no occasion for a future visit.
Who is Who:
John Paulin – Frederick Sr’s Uncle – will have to do more research on this.
G Bennett – Husband of Frederick’s sister Sarah, ironmonger in Derby
Clifford – unsure, but appears to be a neighbour in Acock’s Green, the family still owned Henley Lodge, but did not live there
Miss Shearman – could be the teacher in Acock’s Green who boarded George Frederick Andrew Rutherford during his education – which was at about this time. George gave his son the name Shearman as one of his middle names.
Letter from Fredrick Paulin to his son Frederick Arthur Pauline, June 26, 1886
Notepaper – Office of the Maquinaria Ferreteria y Quincalla, Ernest Street, Birmingham. A monthly journal printed in the Spanish language in the interests of the Engineering, Hardware, iron, and metal trades, circulating throughout the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of the Globe.
[1]
Presenting best wishes to you and your party + compts to Mr Hawkins + Mr Gibbons and Phillips weekly post by this mail
Saturday June 26, 1886
Dear Fred,
It has been warm for two days this year here yet. Yesterday and today mark how celebrated the old country is becoming, even the weather yearns to concede what the “Grand Old Moonlighter” would fair have included in his delusions. Brummen is undoubtedly largely affected by the chopping see-saw condition of the political world and how the weather has recorded how it can be put about! And the improvement or recovery has only just been possible by the present hope and prospect that the Grand old Thimblerigger is at last detected and disgraced.
It has occurred to me that you might when you can manage it send me a letter on commerce and the progress of trade in your district for publication in the Ironmonger or Martinton Smith or British Mercantile Gazette as they may come to accept such at plated intervals of the year for a consideration, of course. Please tell George that I called at Brimeads[?] on Wigone[?] St this week in London as to their approving him their agent in Victoria and District and Mr B said he should be very pleased and will send out the necessary lists paper terms per Turner Beetow [?] & Co, so this is good news for the piano member. I went also to Chappell &Co who say they will send a consignment of music, but it has not been yet officially announced to me so pointedly as M Brimsmead who is celebrated for respectability and means in every way as good a house as any in the UK or Europe.
I [illegible] circular of the Victoria kettle. The Co say they will send out ½ gross to British Columbia to you +Co. I thought [illegible] it would be just the thing for the Paulin Bros firm to handle and they acquiesced at once. The matters is the best I have ever seen see paper indised called “the Dominion” three men jumping on it has no discouraging effect – is not a [illegible] affair
[2]
Where I have not yet been
Is being exhibited at the Colonial Exhibition and I by accident met the patentee and maker at Perrys [illebigle] on Holbourn Viaduct. His name is Gale but I have mislaid his circular with his address on it is some place beginning with W in PQ (Province Quebec I spose) Canada nad he told me his sone was now in Victoria to do business with this Dominion Matters. I have given him your name at Box 112 PO so you may hear from him. Tell Ernest I will look W&B up as to the lamp question and Kynoch as to the Blue Boler + the Stanley Works as to the photo frames but I have very little time beyond that which is occupied in efforts to keep the pot boiling and it doesn’t boil over a very vigorously in fact it is slow to boil at all, and very trying sometimes. Your dear mother is improving, seems gaining strength a bit, having apparently derived benefit from cod liver oil which is the last tried remedy. The Henley Folks seem well. The Regatta takes place the week after next, and will last 3 days this year because there are not to be more than 2 in a heat. The finish is to be at the point, not at the Bridge. Doesn’t this allusion show the Regatta to your mind most plainly? It will be present to my mind tho’ not literally to my vision. We are pleased to hear you are all well that the country is enjoyable climate ditto, feeling good, prospects we hope ditto, and we sincerely trust that some of the good things will be secured by the Paulin Bros firm which the CPC, the clearing off by fire of Vancouver, the Pacific being or the variety of developments in your new enterprise may place in your way or within reach. We notice “Bold Soldier” is keeping in the race and you home with the united love of your belongings here, the sincere wish for your unity + combination in the march forward the sincere regard from of your Affectionate Father.
I have been unable to send you definite news respecting myself before this. As you know I have been suffering from sudden tactics by Trolx and just got on again with WB Glass & Co Cigar and Cigarette Manufacturer Bristol. As far as I can judge my inconvenience of late can be (with health) easily repaired. The pay is £180 per ann. + 10% on all sold “excess” over 200 £ a month with 15% deducted on bad debts made. It is I think a fair arrangement + I have an agreement coupled with an assurance for a permancy. So with good luck it is the best thing I have yet had in the cigar way. Glass & Co one side to be people with money my pen would write it plain.
2
We are all tolerably well and always looking out for a letter from Winnipeg. I saw Blaunton last evening Sunday at Mr Gilchrist’s house. He arrivd from Brandon Wednesday night last. He will bring out house with you at Winnipeg on his way back (1st August) when he returns any thing which may suggest itself to you to be of service commercially or otherwise. Is there any agency which you could work? Shall I send you the box of cards price lists +c from Suttons. They will send them back to me if you would like to have them. Blaunton is going in for cattle medicines from Day Son + Hewetts firm I think.
Worcester Festival came off last Thursday. I went. Weather was better than it was 3 years back. We dined at The Hop Market Hotel – choir clergy + organist.
3
The beadle of course was of the party no other visitors. The Dr supported chair on left + I next him. I told him at dinner table there was one occasion which you especially regretted missing + that was the visit to Worcester.
The service passed off well + all returned edified by the day’s proceedings. Mr Preston Senr generally enquires after you. Could you send some Jel I thing?
The “John Bright” demonstration has absorbed Birm today. The procession was endlessly lengthy beginning at Sewall Heath – Paper with account thereof – will go with this letter. My opinion of the proceedings is you may guess a no 1 – very bright one.
Barton of Brandon tells me a dollar with you is about equal to our “bob” here as a medium of change + barter.
4
We have had an immeasurably dry spring here and rain is much wanted, this in some parts of England it has fallen within these last few days in large quantities. Our turn soon I s’pose. The garden looks fairly well. I put some marrow plants out Sat last on same site remodelled as last year. A row of runners the entire width of strip nearly say 30 yards, is doing well as last year under bottom hedge – annuals, pansies + other thing with kignonellea promise well. The Henley fold are I think all right. Louise smiles cheerfully from Swansea – plenty of good living and bathing just reworked ought to suit her.
Our united affection to you my boy – from your very affectionate father.
We have no news yet from your side as to the Emigrants movements since the cablegram from New York + Ernest saying “All well.” This was very welcome intelligence and we speculate now daily as to the contents of the next letter which we think will be either from Ernest giving us an account of the voyage or one from George or yourself as to your meeting and may be as to the prospected arrangements as to allotment in the way of lodging + boarding whether together in 1 household or apart in sections. Strauss + Leydel of 80 Chartlotte St promised me to send you their illustrated sheet of Hammocks (portable) as to whether they will be of any use to you in the way of business amongst
2
The touring camping part is in your district. Let me know if there is anything likely to be of pecuniary service to you on this side so that it can be made available for you. We are projecting some gardening next week, Jack has his holidays to help me with, and I intend having Mansfield to plough our patch for potatoes only this year. The season is a very late one with us and very cold draughty winds sneak between the rifts of sunshine and make the weather influences very trying to one’s system. I am not quite right somehow but perhaps when the summer really arrives I may improve. Business continues bad on this side though the immediate front is brightened by the expected result.
3
From the Colonial Exhibition to open with the May month. Our gracious Queen will come out to a first or to make the opening day London is jubilant with expectation and as the Queen has lately more frequently been seen there, the grumbling about her constant seclusion is less frequent. One or two on dailies have recently contained leaders on the great future of your country. The Canadian Pacific uses at 67, but with the increased intended dock facilities at Halifax and the contemplated new lines of pacific steamers +c +c The development of your port of the world will assuredly become an accomplished fact in spite of the doings a Cape Court, and
4
You no doubt being on the spot see this more distinctly than we are able to here. So that our all round conclusion is one of much promise + hope for you all and that if may prove so is on united fervent wish. I have a quotation of L8 Saloon her head on the “Eggplant” National Line which is very low she has lately had £4 000 spent on her Saloon portion + I suspect the rail rate from Atlantic to Pacific will be welcome no quotation yet very tempting to moderate. I am still pegging away but the results are not with the labours pro rata – we all united in affection and hope for the prospects + health of our northwest contingent.
Acock’s Green Easter Sunday [not stated – but 1886]
Dear Fred
Two days since Good Friday I wrote you + your brother George both in one envelope the contents were in general expectation +c of hearing of the safe arrival at your end of Geo and of Ernest’s details as to the ship’s expenses between Liverpool and N York. All these details came to hand yesterday, Saturday in letters from George, Ernest, Herbert + Ernest’s wife so that we are now more at ease and know enough to afford us a considerable amount of comfort that thus far all is well with ours away. We have a reminder of George’s letter of the great kindness W Hawkins exhibited to us in his most thoughtfully disinterested letters
2
Of precious information which he sent us respecting your illness at a time when the outcome of result was in no way assured or certain and we confess it that amongst the many mental [illegible] appertaining to the despatch of voyagers W Hawkins was entirely overlooked. And now we learn is endeavouring to secure George an organist’s position! We trust this peculiarly handsome behaviour will be fittingly recognized.
Herbert seems to have escaped the ordinary amount of trying that sickness and unites in confidence we hope now soon to hear from Ernest + party that they too
3
Are with you and what you agreed plans are and to what extent the agencie Ernest has one likely to serve the “Paulin Syndicate” in BC, also whether there is anything else I can move on this side across to your side. Let Ernest + wife
Habberfield Short 91 Queen Victoria Street London
When he has l[illegible] on business + the general outlook, because they if sufficient encouragement exists, be of value to the said “Paulin Syndicate”
And Habb + Short wishes to learn more as to the new colony +c. I have as think in the way of news to tell you beyond what I have written on Friday. 2 days ago.
4
And I fully expect that the news will rest in a great proportion with your side from which we shall frequently expect to hear. I am attending a few days gardening in the next week – Easter week = and hope the weather will permit it. I am sending you Goddard’s newspaper “The Period” by their post also “The Weekly Mercury”. We are greatly consoled by George telling us he found you jolly and trust all will be jolly yet. The clouds do seem to be rolling by really! Our united love to all
The Amazing Paulin(e) Family 