Second Map in the series – where Frederick and Mary Paulin lived, between 1860-1920. The map is fairly large and covers both Vancouver Island and England. Enjoy the journey.
Residences of Frederick and Mary Paulin – Maps
Henley Lodge, Acock’s Green – Figuring out where the Paulin Family lived in the 1880s
[Repost from Gilliandr blog from 2016]
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.”
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.”
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.
Frederick Paulin to FA Pauline, 3 June 1888
Transcription of letter to Frederick A Pauline, 4 June 1888
[1]
Acock’s Green, June 4, 1888
Dear Fred,
I think we shall all be together again in the coming autumn. Business is so trying things are so band this side. Our relations who can help without inconvenience won’t and the future is less aspiring than even the present, that I have almost decided to raise the wind and try my luck in BC. I should come with sme agencies or props divd representatives of a firm or firms or I should phaps if there is a better thing to be done on reaching you adopt a local means of I trust doing well. Anyway we have nothing to detain us we feel no ties to bind us to England in fact what connections there do not at least comprise the customary way natural instincts which we are accustomed to expect in the usual order of things. My efforts are I feel pretty well brought to an end. I am convinced a climax is reached in my residences in the old country and well it may be styled old for in forms its
[2]
Age assumes the features of upegences scene to be allrd in a degree similar to that which we have to witness in the case gage individual to a conspicuous failing or offences being I think the callous cruel indifference to the trials of their own offspring. However there is work in me yet I only want the chance to do it.
I want you to unreservedly write me without loss of time what you think on the subject. I can get the money necessary I believe here to pay us out comfortably and to sustain us for a short time while we book rooms and get settled. I intend selling off letting Henley Lodge and placing it on the hands to let. I expect Louise will be married next month about the 20 July and will reside in Birm for a while anyway. She will be married by Dr Sambourne gratuitously. Moreover it is essential that the coming young branches should have
[rest of letter missing]
Redcliffe House, Henley-on-Thames, 1899
Excerpt from a document dealing with the trust originally created in 1859 when Frederick Paulin was courting Mary Cutler. This trust was created to protect the interests of Mary Cutler Paulin and her children. I am not sure why it was done, or why it took another two years for the couple to marry (after the birth of their daughter Louise and three months before the birth of their son Frederick Arthur Paulin) but it was done with her mother Louise Freak Cutler, brother William Henry Cutler, and brother in law William Churchill Longman as the original trustees. On the death of Freak Cutler and Longman, George Paulin, Frederick’s father, and George Bennett his brother in law were named as trustees. Later on J Walter Fry became a trustee.
So as seen above, Redcliffe House on New Street in Henley-on-Thames was part of the trust. It is possible that this was also the house that Frederick and Mary lived when they were resident in Henley. Several censuses and city directories stated that they lived on New Street, as did Frederick’s father, George. No street numbers were provided. Their home “Henley Lodge” in Acock’s Green, Birmingham, where they lived before they emigrated to Canada was also owned by the trust.
The house is listed: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101291564-redcliffe-house-henley-on-thames#.Xklw72hKjIU
From Google Maps – 31 New Street, Henley-on-Thames
Disjointed letter, dated around 1886
Transcription of letter from Frederick Paulin to his son, no date, no idea which page is the first page of the letter. Marlene Cormack, who scanned the letter called it the “disjointed letter” which is really spot-on.
[1?]
We share drawing you know from this side 70L at leas line rents per year
No we expect to have 2 to 300L on reaching you
Properly transferred for the purpose
[2?]
Anche chances obtainable for growing into set forms where they may flourish and develop into factors of progress and finally permanent rewards of a Paulin emigration period which may become matters conspicuous in the his long of your adopted colony.
We can’t say it won’t be s
No seasons impregnable obstacles need bar the way
My health is excellent once the operation I underwent in Guy’s
[3?]
Your hardworking affectionate mother is in I know embraces her change of seeing and being with her sons again, and I am additionally anxious that she should be liken on her account and for her sake
So think it well and write me without delay – we have not heard from your side lately nor from Bessie and are looking for news daily – we write in love to you all
From your affectional father
Frederick Paulin to his son Frederick A Paulin, c1884-5
Transcription letter from Frederick Paulin to his son Frederick A Paulin, dated 4 Jun [approx. year 1884-5]
[1]
The British Mercantile Gazette Journal of Commerce
Highest Awards in Two Classes (Silver & Bronze Medals) at Melbourne International Exhibition, 1880, Highest awards in Two Classes (Gold & Silver Medals) at Adelaide International Exhibition, 1880 Highest Award (Gold Medal) at New Zealand International Exhibition 1882
Established in 1868
168 Fleet Street London EC
Proprietors Short, Short & Co
Export Merchants
June 4th, Wed
Dear Fred,
Yours dated May 4th came to hand yesterday containing sketch of that luxurious spot the Sulphur Spring. If surroundings are one decidedly romantic and such that we have here only allowed to read about, but not permitted to see. The strikingly various conditions, the grand the mysteriously grotesque, as well as apparently the easily read and understood phases in nature seem to surround you, and will I was know leave a proper impression on your mind and trace behind also constantly suggestive of the Great Maker of it all. We are all pretty well and comfort ourselves that your health continues good. We realize too the fact that plenty to do up Aberdeen drives away the monotony. This is our Whiteweek. George and Ernest + Herbert went to Hen Thames on Saturday last + returned on Monday
[2]
Reaching home about 3 am Tuesday morning. They seem to have enjoyed themselves immensely and to have lost no time in pursuing enjoyment principally on the river you know so well at Corderys and to the Island. Cordery and his wife are both rheumatically afflicted – the former is also financially reduced and really does nothing – a provision most providential has been made however for his support to be acquired by his 2 youngest sons who I hear work hard and earnestly and pretty successfully on behalf of Home – but George or Ernest or both (Ernest is not the most frequent writer to you) should tell you the complete history of their visit. I am often calling a mention to the value you must attach to news from home and placing those at home in imagination in your place and position. I think with ordinary luck my work on the above “Gazette” may prove as remunerative as any recent occupation has been or a trifle better anyhow its respectable labour. The firm is well known + respected too. This opinion of mine will I know receive your best wishes for its corroboration in fact
[3]
We are having a very dry time just now or rather have had now seemingly too long, this locality requires frequent moisture it is very porous and tho rain has peeked at in it has retired again more than once. Our crops will appreciate a fall largely and our garden too. The spuds are nicely thro same 50 yards by 5, the peas 5 good rows well stuck. The broad beans 2 rows 10 yards long well forward to bloom, carrots, parsnips, and turnips, are in their infancy. The apple trees from your pips have positions of prominence midway down the garden and are each in height say 2 feet, 18 inches, and 1 foot. [illegible] as the flowers are secondary in consequence they come next, but they will make a rather nice shew this year, the pansies gladioli roses and mimulus are abundant the annuals are coming along to swell the list – also so that the home far away from you is as gay as we can make it in illustration of the bright hopes
[4]
We indulge in of seeing you back some day to reassure your position of your fathers confidence and your mothers solace amongst your affectionate brothers and sisters. The broom trees in our front given by Dr Swinburne are a glory of gold, one is a silver broom and guards the right bay as you enter from the road. Whilst a Gloire de Dijon is doing its best to climb the side of the porch near the other bay and yields us some 20 blossoms – a red dutch Honeysuckle is making effort to cloth the other side of the porch. If you can picture at all what we are like from the sketch it will strike you as a contrast to the grandeur or the mysteriously grotesque around you + which is referred to in the first lines of this letter. Aunt Mrs Paulin is with us reunited here with the chattels from London and is better for the change. Lastly we all join in the heartfelt good wishes for your health, success, and the same to continue until, we meet again – From your very affectionate Father
F Paulin
Family photo, no date
Family photo – Frederick Paulin Sr is the dapper man at the end in the nice suit with a cigarette. Mary Cutler Paulin is in the centre in a black dress. Amy is the lady to Mary’s left in a lovely hat. the rest?
Suggestions please.
Letter from Frederick and Mary Paulin to FA Paulin, c1884
Transcription Letter to Frederick A Paulin from Frederick Paulin Sr and Mary Cutler Paulin, July 5th [no date – estimated 1884]
[1]
Henley Lodge, July 5th
Dear Fred
I sent last week “Truth” + Weekly Post + “Bell’s Life” with the 2 days’ Henley Regatta which seems to have passed off splendidly.
No one went from here – Ernest, George + Herbert visited Henley at Whitsuntide which probably they have already told you about – Louise is still at Henley but I believe she may now return home any day as the old folks have an old stayed attendant – and can now do without her. We have grand summer weather here for fully a month, great heat, unusually fine weather, enough to set the grumblers sighing for rain which has only arrived + probably those with hay about will complain now. They hay crops are light, corn crops look very well, turnips are a very thin crop this the dry time + the busy fly. Our garden is promising we have quite a stretch of potatoes (Magnum forns) not ready yet – a promising crop of raspberries just ripening your young gooseberries + currants have both distributed what they can
[2]
The pear not nearly fit to gather and show well broad beans ditto. The scarlet runner embrace the whole width of the bottom of the garden and are climbing as fast as they can, whilst the spaces are all filled in with plants for [illegible]. The flowers are plentiful and the roses to which I have before refined are doing quite as well as expected. I + Dr Simburne had some chat about you yesterday Sunday in vestry. He hoped I should remember him to you. The choir is the same. They went by invitation to the vicarage last Friday week. I did not go, didn’t care about it, so the Doctor asked me today to come in at any time, he [illegible] be glad if I would. He is well but his health is weak. The annual children’s white dress service takes place next Friday your mama has the usual work to get on contingent ready. The sermon is entitled “Weeds + Flowers” + 8 hymns are to be sung. George is going back to McClelland’s they want him + he would prefer being there
[3]
I am working away on “The British Mercantile Gazette” still, it is difficult business sometimes, but then up to now it has paid. Ernest keeps his place at Wright + Butlers and seems to suit them. Referring to politics a dissolution would not surprise most people at any moment. There is the franchise bill the Egyptian financing business as well as the Soudan knot which stand right in the way of Cabinet and the Election for N Warwickshire just limited resulted in a larger Conservative majority than ever has been known. Lord Randolph Churchill is unwell from overwork he is effected shortly in Birmingham with Col Burnaby and I have arranged with the Town Hall Curator for admission on the occasion. We are all pretty well Aunt is with us from London as you may know + is better for the change in health. The Henley folks are very well but feeble. I should have been in Manchester +c this week but can’t get away before next week now. Mama will finish this morning [illegible] I hope this agate writing will stand let me know.
[4]
My dear Fred
Your father says I need to finish this, but I thought he had told you all the news you will I fear have much trouble to make it out – don’t think it unkind I seldom write. I am always at work, thinking and talking of you many times a day hope with all my heart to see you home next summer. George wishes very much to join you and if he does you must journey home. Bessie, Amy + Florence are all at work nw but not getting any money for two years from the time they started. Your father is doing better or we could not manage this latter two are at Miss Bostons the dressmakers in the village come home to morrow.
Kindest love and wishes your Mother
Frederick Paulin sr to FA Pauline, July 14th – year unknown
Transcription letter to FA Pauline from Frederick Pauline (sr) dated July 14th
[1]
Willow Park PO Victoria
July 4th
Dear Fred
We hear from Annie who sent us a line by last boat that you are amusing yourself at Bella Bella but I think to mow or not of ancient experience verily how time provides us with diversions and the gooseberries are thriving too, bravo Bella Bella.
We hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity and extend it where you are.
Oliver called Sunday to show us some snapshots he took of mother and me a few days previous and we thought were very nice.
We still have Dot’s 2 children with us as the quarantine will not be lifted for a day or 2.
We got a P Card from Florence to day in which she writes she and Violet and her children are all well but when she return it must be by land to Seattle. It came the boat shook her more than she liked –
[2]
Mother is not too well. She finds the responsibilities of the home first now a bit too much for her. Our lodgers are not considerate as I think they might be at a rental or semblance of one another $15 a month and in a caution and warning to do so again.
Bert and Nancy called two nights ago and said the former expected to be reinstated in his work at City Hall.
The weather here is tolerably agreeable the recent evolutions having to some extend disturbing. We had a visit of electricity a short time ago which was probably [illegible]
Kindest and missed affection to all
Dad.
Arrival in Victoria, 1889
Victoria Daily Colonist, 11 Sep 1889
Per Str RP Rithet from Westminster – Mr. and Mrs. Pauline, Misses Bessie, Flora, Sarah, Marion, Nellie and Violet Pauline, Mrs. Ferloyd, Mrs. Burns, Miss Murchison, Miss Sharp, WL Thompson, EG Fletcher, George Doing, JW Todd, WW Wilson, WH Bone, S Clay, Gelley, Dr Cardwell, J Harvey, J Pauline, G Brooks, Bondier, Greenwood, Wilson.
The Amazing Paulin(e) Family 