The enclosed came this morning addressed to me here. It is doubtless intended for you written to go in another envelope but in the hurry enclosed in the one addressed to me. You suspect will have the letter intended for me, but I shall know when I return the afternoon to AG. Poor Mama is I know chaotic just now. I left the voyagers 4 on the “Adriatic” yesterday afternoon, by my last tender afterwards immediately I took some food and then the boat down the Mersey to New Brighton and stood on the pier there as the “Adriatic” passed at 6:30 pm. I waved and flew the coloured flag as I did when I left the “Adriatic” but I got no response so I suppose the voyagers were busy below. Our thoughts are always wondering to the lad of the Free – “To the West”
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And the general motivation in all round to migrate to you. Will it be?
It is yet hidden in the “dim and distant future” – may it come out of the huge distance and become an absolute fact! I send you a dressing gown. Fishers handkerchief and mama some like items. I have told the voyagers that now amongst them we must have one letter at least weekly.
Here is the map for Ernest Paulin and his wife Emma Jennings. It is perhaps one of the biggest lists of residences, but then Ernest moved around a lot in his life. Economic insecurity, and other factors led him to live in Birmingham, Victoria BC, Ilford, and Leigh-on-Sea. He died in Victoria in 1912, and the family continued to move about a fair bit before settling in Perry Barr. I included some of the addresses Emma had as a widow on this map.
I had been looking into where the Paulin family lived when they were in Birmingham and trying to ascertain how they lived. My main focus was on their economic or social position. After Frederick’s bankruptcy in Peckham and the Anchor Brewery, I wasn’t sure if they were doing well, especially with 13 children in the home. I had seen the census – and they had two servants. So I was confused a bit – good or bad?
I started an internet search to see if I could find “Henley Lodge” which was the name of the house they lived in, which was in Acock’s Green. There was nothing extant that was called that, but I did find the website for the Acock’s Green Historical Society: http://aghs.jimdo.com/ . I decided to write them and ask if anyone knows if this place still existed. I got such wonderful assistance from Mike Byrne of the Society; it was as if my problem became his problem. Such a great collaborative research process! And as a result I have a pretty good idea of where they lived, and what kind of neighbourhood they lived in.
So here are my initial sources for the place:
1901 Census listing Ernest and Emma Paulin with their five children at “Henley Lodge” Yardley Road
1886 Birmingham City Directory listing Frederick Paulin, accountant, living at Henley Lodge, Yardley Road
And – 28 July 1888 Reading Mercury notice of the marriage of Louise Mary Paulin to Robert Rutherford, stating that she was the daughter of Frederick Paulin of Henley Lodge
Mr. Byrne first went into the sources for the 1881 Census, and looked at where the Paulins lived at that time – which was not Henley Lodge. Here is what he found:
“The 1881 census has Frederick as an accountant on the Warwick Road with his family. There are some records on the internet saying the family lived in a grocer’s shop, but whoever did this had read the previous entry and not noticed that the census was describing the property next door. Looking at the sequence of records, he would have been in quite a good house, which later became a shop, somewhere to the left of or maybe indeed the house with the tall chimney on the left in the 1936 picture and on the right in the 1953 image. However these have been replaced by modern shops as shown in the Google streetview screen shot.”
Warwick Road today – Google – courtesy of Mike Byrne
Warwick Road 1936 – courtesy of Mike Byrne
Warwick Road 1953 – courtesy of Mike Byrne
As for Henley Lodge, he wasn’t sure given what he knew of Yardley Road, so he asked for a picture, so I sent him my lone outdoor shot which I thought had been taken when they lived in Birmingham because of the age of the children in the image. Apparently this was the help he needed.
“I think I can be reasonably confident that the building Henley Lodge is now called 162 Yardley Road. It was probably built in the early 1880s, which may be why it was not on the 1888 map, which itself was surveyed over a period of time. As you can see from the 1904 map, it stands back from Yardley Road on the corner of Francis Road. This is confirmed by a directory of 1905. In 1900 it was occupied by George Perkins, a well-known local chemist from the Warwick Road near where your family lived in 1881. In 1905 it was occupied by George Hill. Today it is part of a garage business, and the front and back have been covered by extensions, but you can see that it was a large enough house to match the photograph.”
Paulin family in Birmingham, c 1890s – collection of K PaulinSmith’s Garage courtesy of Mike Byrne, where you can see the likely location of Henley Lodge with a big garage butting onto it.162 Yardley Road today from Google, courtesy of Mike Byrne. You can imagine that the house must have had a lovely yard at one point – now it is all garage really.Map of Yardley in 1904.
Needless to say this picture of how they lived could not have happened without the knowledge and assistance of Mike Byrne. Clearly they were living an upper middle class lifestyle. Not sure how they financed this completely, but most likely from sources other than his salary as an accountant. He just was not that good at money. Some of the money might have come from his adult sons working, or his wife’s inheritance from her mother, or help from his Dad. All possible! He named his home after his birthplace, and frankly the name made his place sound a bit posh.
Thank you Acock’s Green Historical Society and Mike Byrne! Thank you.
So here is a bit of a puzzler, here is a picture of Emma Jane Paulin (nee Jennings) with a young boy. Looking at her relative age, her clothing (and his) the picture seems to have been taken during the First World War (ish). Who is the boy?
It really doesn’t look like Norman, and he would have been older at this time (born 1897).
Her grandson Dennis Hunting was born in 1916 – maybe him?
Her grandson George Ernest Paulin was born in 1912 – maybe him?
I was a great surprise and a very nice one to receive your parcel- No need to tell you, the contents are appreciated and will be enjoyed- also thank you for the kind thought.
I mentioned your letter sent months ago by return post, often wondered if it reached you. Read in the paper you had the Syrens [sic] in Victoria.
Please God it will end at that. Hilda’s hubbie expected to get his leave and be home in Jan., but do not know what will happen now, after this fresh uprising- Fred is in Africa and has been very ill with Malaria. So could do with a rest.
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Rene’s son is on board HMS Worcestershire, destination unknown.
Hilda and Grace are still hard at it, doing my little bit, by collecting paper, cardboard, rags and bones, they are greatly needed for munitions.
Love to your wife and boy, and also to George and wife, not forgetting ~~~~~
Remember me to Uncle Fred when you see him, we are not sending any Xmas cards this year- Always thinking of you
Many thanks for your newsy letter, before I received it, had written to thank you for the grand parcel you sent, hope you get it, but one cannot be certain of anything these days- The snaps of you all were lovely your girlie is so much like Hilda, as she was at that age, especially the one taken with your boy, he looks a jolly little darling, your wife is very sweet. I know good looking family, not forgetting yourself of course- a slight change from the last time I saw you.
Sent your letter to Hilda, so expect you will get a letter. Jerry was over England last night, we had the syrens [sic] prepared to go into my table indoor shelter, but the all clear soon came. Last winter I went down the cellar next door. Thank goodness for my table, it takes up nearly half of my room, don’t mind that. We brought down 3 Jerrys last night.-
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You had asked in your letter about Japan coming in, well the Wily Devils have made a good show so far, but it will be a different tale when our allies your side are ready—
You must excuse, I’m still a bit shaky- the syrens [sic] always upset me- can’t explain it. I am not afraid, but the morning sound upsets my tummy. Old age I guess.
Well dear, Hilda will tell you all the news- have not seen her for weeks- I like to be in my own little place and she does not get home, until past black out-
Received your Most Welcome letter, it had been examined, OK, yes dear we have been through the mill. Very near to us, 3 lots of fronts and windows blown out. Have been staying with Hilda the last two weeks. She is out of danger area. Got worn out staying in the cellar for 7 to 8 hours nightly. 11 hours one night, then a land mine dropped a short distance from PB Station. So I packed up in the morning. Have to come back for rations and to see my sister, who is in the Infirmary (89 Years of Age). Time flies. Would like to see you, as family man, also George, perhaps some day, you will let us have a family group, also of George and his wife. Have sent your letter to Hilda. She will be so pleased. Do you remember helping me with the under garments- it was a great pity I had to sacrifice the shop, after working so hard. Almost gave the stock away. Never mind, I have my pension of 22/6 weekly and the best children in the world.
I am living in a 3 room cottage, up the passage in front of the old shop- we are having a lull now- so staying home.
We hear planes going over at Hilda’s and get heavy gunfire, shakes the windows, but they go to bed
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or could not carry over Hilda working over her certificate, Grace Public Assistance, Norman and his daughter are at Dunlop’s.
I thank you very much and George for the kind offer to help. We are OK, many things rationed, but can find something to take their place, can assure you we are far from starving, as Hilda would have you believe. Have only been to town once since the Raids- promised to meet Hilda in lunch hour- but the sights upset me, cause straight back- Poor Brum- this is no secret- published in the papers and I guess you have seen it in News pictures, my sister had- You little know how brave everybody is- bombed shops open next morning without windows and some have their goods outside. Still carry on and will do so until Hitler is wiped off the map. May it be soon- Give my love to your wife and children, also George and wife, the same to Uncle Fred and family when you see them. Lyn does predictions have all come true so far thought it might interest you- writing over to save bulk. Wishing you all a very happy New Year. Thank you for remembering us
Emma Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 19 June 1918 [Year derived from envelope postmark]
363 Birchfield Road, Perry Barr
June 19th
Dear Fred,
Received your cable on Monday 17th very sorry to get the news. I went at once to the Dudley Road Hospital to see Fred – he had another operation the Thursday previous & is doing well – really looks fine, it is wonderful what these grand boys go through + still keep smiling. Grace and Hilda have gone to see Fred this afternoon. He sent two passes by post. Tell Cissie there is I am sure no reason to worry, he seems so well -was writing to you to here. I got there + enjoying a cigarette.
WE saw the account of Victor’s
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Death in the paper. Could not believe it, there has been many mistakes made – so waited until I heard something sure before writing to BC. Fred shewed me the Victoria notices – the dear boy spent his last leave with us + we got very fond of him. He + Hilda were like two happy children together & I had a real good time, it has upset us very much, feel so sorry for his Dad and Mother, it will be a great blow. Next time I go to see your boy will ask the sister all particulars & write again.
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My dear Norman was sent back from France with a poisoned thumb, the hospitals there being too full, with serious cases. He has now rejoined his regiment near Liverpool (1st Kings Liverpool) his thumb is still very weak, do pray they will keep him in England a little longer – it is all so terrible. Kindest love to Cissie your loving sister
Emmie
PS Girls just returned, all OK. Fred expects to be up + out in about 3 days. So I hope it won’t be too long before he will be able
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To stay with us. He has only 2 inches of tube in his head now & that will be out in 2 days time. His head is not affected at all – is very pleased at the idea of coming out. So don’t worry at all
I wrote to my sister a few days ago, asking her to ask your advice about Ernest’s loan from J Smith. I thought she would be able to explain it better to you, than I could be writing. Twice that a fresh trouble has cropped up. I [illegible] I cannot get the insurance money without Ernests will. Harold being over 21. Ernest told me he made over before coming to England. I am more than sorry to trouble you but cannot avoid it. I am most anxious
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It as soon as possible.
There is £3 interest due on Ernests loan. Shall I pay it + if so, shall I be expected to keep on paying the interest or does it cease with Ernests death. I am so ignorant in affairs of this kind. It would be impossible Fred to express my thoughts – I thank you for myself + children from our hearts, for all your care + loving kindness to dear Ernest. God bless you. Love to Cissie + family
And we come to a letter, undated, written by Ernest Paulin, with the return address of 14 Oakleigh Park Drive, Leigh-on-Sea. The house is probably the fanciest of the homes of Ernest and Emma Paulin. It still however conforms to the other homes, row housing, late 19th century, narrow. The difference lies in the windows on the first floor, and the slight portico.
So here is a bit of a puzzler, here is a picture of Emma Jane Paulin (nee Jennings) with a young boy. Looking at her relative age, her clothing (and his) the picture seems to have been taken during the First World War (ish). Who is the boy?
The Amazing Paulin(e) Family 