Tag: Acock’s Green

Frederick Paulin to his son FA Pauline, 28 Dec 1887

Acock’s Gree, Dec 28th 1887

Dear Fred

I find your very kind contribution by PO has not yet been acknowledged.  It came quite safely opportunely and was very much appreciated.  We had a cheque from grandpa and an useful amount from WH Cutler so that we were in a money most well provided for and with cash we could and did provide a liberal amount of creature comforts for discussion amongst the remaining section of your family who yet linger in the old country.  The Xmas day here Sunday was fairly clear and a shade frosty.  Our vicar preached a suitable sermon we had an advanced scheme in the choir seats and the service was altogether a successful one including some 50 communicants.  At the next stage, the dinner at home the old customs were duly observed and honored, roast beef + plum pudding in a blaze of blue, so fiery that the sprig of holly had to be retire immediately the many expressions of regard for friends afar were heard in the orthodox  manner and such features as I have respond to closed in upon our Xmas

2

Feast of 1887.  Where will the next be eaten? A great display of fruits emblematic of distant lands then duly appeared as dessert the kingly prize of course had the centre and attracted considerable attention + has much admired: the bananas, grapes, figs, peach, plums, mangos, apples +c clustered around the kingly pins and bid not unsuccessfully for a share of patronage.  The vintage too claimed some considerable patronage and got it.  The old port as well as the old brandy equally acknowledged this not so equally received in acquaintance with the palette.  The fragrant Lowena as well as the growth of ther cherries known as the weed start up their wrath circling in graceful recognition of our best festivities and so we work out the hour until twilight lots us we most now turn an after [illegible] to production of china or assam of course on the occasion all more obliging and amiable and thus we welcomed I may say the emblems

3

Of countries over the pacific.  You will gather from these not so that with our minds anxiously recurring to past history in our family and with hearts wish more now removed from us (for how long?) we tried to make merry and it is likely we succeeded at least the younger members say so.  Our party was on own and with aunt co that we were unadulterated! May I say so?  Louise came over on Monday, day before yesterday, to put 3 or 4 hours with us and is very well.  I am pleased to tell you your Mama says she has a little dislike to the Xmas fare as ever in fact she believes it agrees with her.  I share that belief – I am happy to say we are pretty well and beyond a slight divergence in feeling the stomachs seem almost as well as usual.  We had a card and a note from Bessie a day or two since.  She writes cheerfully + says tall things of Brooklyn.

4

And this is cheering to us.  Her address is 449 Dean St Brooklyn, until she moves again. Mama says you will she is in some excuse her writing to you more frequently,  she is hoping to write soon, and she dwells upon the prospect of you coming over some time next year.  I am canvassing as usual for an Hindustani Journal, printed in Hindoo, and my time is spent mostly in Lancashire + Yorkshire.  It is stiff business now trade is so queer still we are getting along it may be worse.  The old folks at Henley write that they are well.  Yours has been the only letter lately – we should like to hear from the others – my time is so taken up + I would write to each, please convey the sentiments in this to each and ask them to accept the cordial good wishes from home and we write in the wish of continued good health and all prosperity from

Your affectionate father. 

Mother’s love and many thanks

[end]

CHEAT SHEETS

WH Cutler is Mary Cutler Paulin’s brother.

The old folks in Henley is reference to the Frederick’s parents George and Sarah Paulin.

Unsure which Aunt stayed with them for Christmas – his sister likely spent her Christmas with her family in Derby, and Mary’s surviving sister likely was with her family in Streatham. It could be a great-aunt which could be from either side of the family. It is unclear.

Louise was not married at this time, but is clearly not living at home.

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Visit to London – settling father’s estate, 1894

PS Acknowledgements to Taylor Bed

London

August 1, 1894

7:30 pm

Dear Fred

It is quite clear from your letter sent to hand – 5:30 pm to day and dated 16th July that some letters have gone astray and never reached you.  I have informed written you about the middle of June that my Uncle John left what he had between his brothers William and George(my late father absolutely but had my father died before said Uncle John I was to get his half.  So there is nothing to expect from that source – we shall not appoint new trustees until we get possession of all the papers obtainable

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We shall we hope soon be through here now and one heartily sick of the many obstructions we have had to encounter and clear away then we shall get down to Birm and do all we are able to sell the AG House if we don’t succeed to leave instructions for its sale in proper hands.  We shall exercise discretion in the Clifford case.  He has clearly broken covenant in conveyance.  Bob has been thoughtful and kind to us in the way of finance – we hope soon to act said

3

And are trying to finish of the 2nd inst.  This is the date when we left England in 1888. The “Sarnia” sails on the 24th.  I am glad the samples from Taylor Road have arrived in Taylor Road in every where an advertised firm for Cocoa +C.  Their written terms read thus-

“[illegible] receive on to be forwarded to Taylor Rd and on completion invoices and BH will be sent to us to hand in to buyer who is expected to remit Taylor Rd at once Bank draft at 30 d/s unless they should receive specific instructions from us to hypothecate the documents this the Bank of BC in which case they would be duly protected.

4

So start on selling if you can.  Show the samples and prices to Charlie tell him the terms.  We get 5% on cocoa chocolate or mustard and 2/s only on chicory – I have sole agency for BC for the cheapest and best soap in the [illegible] Crossfields of Warrington.  Your Mom often talks of the dear ones at Victoria  and seems to be always thinking of you.  She sends her love to you all.  Violet is already dreading the voyage.

We write in much affection from your Dad

We will have written dozens of letters to you amongst you

 

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Letter from Frederick Paulin to his son FA Pauline, 16 Apr 1883

Acock’s Green, Birm Ap 16 1883

My dear Fred

We have received your 2 letters, 1 from Portland after the pcard from Belfast + the other Ex Chicago date 31 March.  By this time we hope you are settled in Winnipeg and that you find it an improvement on Chicago and approving + encouraging for the future.  By this post comes 2 Henley ado to you like to look through them.  The Brooklyn came to grief within a few hours of leaving Portland on her way back with bilged plates on a ledge of rocks + was logged, she may be got off again, divers at work on the wreck.  We are having a dry time here and some rain will be most acceptable the ground is dry as an ash heap.  Trolb is shifting about in his tactics and things do not look hopeful, he has cut me down to impossible commission which will necessitate some change.  Ernest + George have started in lodgings today in town off the Bristol Road, this will be I hope satisfactory all round.  The choir were pleased to hear you had reached Chicago, so far on your road to your destination.  Mrs Braund have been over her to tea + spend a few homes today she is well and all are anxious for your next letter.  I have found a suitable (I think)place for Louise at Swansea to teach 3 little boys and make herself useful between whiles + got on the 26th inst.  I have sent the box of books cards +c such a handsome lot back to Sutton’s which arrived a day after you had gone.  I wrote Sutton’s that it had come too late and they returned a very nice letter of regret +c that it had not been in time.  They are at TJ+Co pretty miserable I hear, M Charles trying his best to make times very uncomfortable.  Mr Smith appears worried and misses you both very much.  The Henley folks are well.  We heard two days ago.  I forgot to add Suttons will send you out another box of papers books +c whenever you wish it – your Mother + Louise will write you perhaps in this,

From your very affectionate father.

 

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Frederick Paulin Sr to his son Frederick A Pauline, 19 Sep 1884

Henley Lodge, Acock’s Green

Friday, September 19th 1884

My Dear Fred,

As I am delayed at home this week by an expressed infirmity in my knee which has before now  as you remember slowed me in a similar manner this day reminds me that it will be well employed in sending you a letter in which we write in wishing you existing good health and prosperity and the usual many happy returns of the day – begins 23 years since to be emphasized as your natal day and the second during that period on which we have had to submit to your absence from the family circle at home. The query intuitively arises shall we have to celebrate another 19th Sep without you? We hope not, for we are in a quiet sort of way respecting to day by an united remembrance of you, and sealing our good wishes with the stamp of the goblet – and we almost fancy we catch your thoughts reciprocating what we are doing, we also fancy you are drawing a dearly defined mental picture of the “old folks at home” and your several fondly attached brothers and sisters.  By the time this reaches you the day I am now underlining so to speak will have gone its way into oblivion but the reference herein will I feel sure call if

[2]

Again for one brief comparison of the sentiments connected with it and how far they were identical with us and with yourself- space cannot annihilate their mysterious interchange of mental imagery – if is could if would be too cruel. Your letters well express the existence of this mental telephone as we trust ours do to you, especial the letter as we frequently confess amongst so many here, there should be no lack of evidence of its confirmed use at home.  I fear your bits in comes sketches illustrating sketching and fishing will neither be personally enjoyed nor illustrated by me this season, much as I should like either, my time is truly occupied in finding and bringing grist for the mill which latter arrangement seems to be increasingly exacting in its requirements and occasionally sets me tasks not too easily done or got rid of.  I am thinking it is about the time you will return from the Skeena to Fort Victoria and your former vocation there, and hoping that the change has been in every way satisfactory to you.

[3]

We are entering the autumn season rapidly but under agreeable auspices as regards the weather which is very fine and occasionally still hot. We have had a remarkably favourable summer and harvest time even quite a return to us of the seasons long ago which we have been saying for some time has changed for good.  The farmer has been jubilant with the prospects, but he has had to suffer disappointment again by the very unremunerative prices which the produce brings him owing to the glut from the Indian and American sources.  The quality is exceptionally fine and the customary growls in the pews are to be daily met with at the price of bread in proportion to the low price of wheat – we have a capital crop of potatoes in our garden called “inagumm hommins” and they deserve the title, I have found over 20 to a root, fine tubors too.  Your apple aces have made fair growth two being respectively 3 and 4 feet high whilst the third cannot discover the way to grow yet, and continues very wee.

[4]

Aunty Paulin is gone to Henley for a few days and thence she intends proceeding to London to see some old friends, she seems much better in health since she has come out of London. Louise goes next Monday to “the National Provincial asocial” in High Street Birm. In the Fruit and Italian Dept which she seems glad of – she has been long trying to acquire once more some degree of independence.  The boys continue as before, whilst Florence and Amy daily attend Miss Boston’s in the Village to pursue a knowledge of dress making and we have not heard from Henley very lately but Mrs Swinburne who called a few days since informed us the Dr was very pleased with a nice letter he received from you.  Some complaints or fault findings are now appearing weekly in a local obscure paper of the services, person, choir, organist + al St Mary’s but as I hear they are anonymous they do not attract us.  We are all pretty well tho’ I should like your mother to feel stronger

From your very affectionate Father.

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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.”

 

warwick-road-today
Warwick Road today – Google – courtesy of Mike Byrne

 

warwick-road-1936
Warwick Road 1936 – courtesy of Mike Byrne

 

warwick-road-1953
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.”

paulins-in-bham
Paulin family in Birmingham, c 1890s – collection of K Paulin

smithsgarage
Smith’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
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.

yardleyrdnorthos1904
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.

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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]

 

 

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Letter to Frederick Paulin from his sister, about 1887

Transcription – letter to Frederick Paulin, no date, no signature [Likely Sarah]

[1]

Henley Lodge

Acock’s Green

Sept

My dear Fred,

Very many thanks for your nice long letter received the 17th Sept.  We were all very pleased to hear you are all getting on so nicely – Sorry Herbert has had a bad hand, but that it is better than having more horrid abscesses he has had from time to time.  I have been having a bad time of it

[2]

I think I am most unfortunate, you will hear details again.  Mrs Natts has offered the money for Bessie & I to go to Victoria, I am afraid the offer has come too late for this year so you must look forward to seeing us come next spring.  I have decided to be an old maid, and keep your house, taking for granted that you intend on being a bachelor.  Emmie makes a great mistake in being

[3]

All agreeable with Herbert.  I am very sorry for Ernest.  She thinks her spurious perfect but she has much to learn poor girl – Papa’s business is very awkward I wish we could all start afresh in Victoria.  Amy is earning a little money and Bessie.  I shall start up and I hope shortly but my health is very bad.  I think it would save my life the journey across the sea.

I am glad your health is better – George seems

[4]

To occuoy himself pretty well – we have sent newspapers with account of H Lawley’s murder, it is such a shocking thing for the family. AF is very slow just now the church is closed to have light stained glass windows in will be opened on the 22nd Harvest Festival going to extra grand at least the choir is old Mr Watts has married his housekeeper just come back from his honeymoon in the Lakes people say never despair after that its been the latest talk.

 

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Sarah Paulin to Frederick Paulin, 1888

Transcription Letter from Sarah Paulin to Frederick Paulin , 1888

 

[Sarah was 14 years old when she wrote this letter]

[1]

Henley Lodge

Acock’s Green

January 22nd 1888

 

My Dear Freddie

I am writing to you to tell you that I think its time I wrote but I have been so busy at school as we are getting up another cantata also called the Sherwoods Queen.  And it is a bother my word Dear Freddie I was quite disappointed because I did not have a letter.  To see limping Jack and Marion have a letter and not me but never mind I think mine will come later on….  I must have patience.  My word they were pleased with their letters I can tell you A did cheer us up how are all the rest getting on please give my love to Mr and Mrs Paulin [Ernest and Emma] and George and Herbert and tell them we enjoyed our spotted pudding very much and the fun was to see who got the ring and money but Violet had the ring and Mother nearly swallowed

[2]

A threepenny piece will we all enjoyed our Christmas very much and hope you did and please to tell Herbert to write tell him it would cheer me up and please Freddie you might write me a letter in spare hours but not unless Please Freddie you will have to expect us when the pigs begin to fly us (my word) the pork would be high and some come in a balloon and that would be the nearest way to come. But we must have patience.

Dear Freddie I think I must close now as I am getting tired of my s scribble – Good Bye

I Remain Your Affectionate Sister

Sarah Pauline

Auntie sends her love

[3]

For Yourself

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Private

Please give me love to all and give them all a honey

X

 

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Redcliffe House, Henley-on-Thames, 1899

Redcliffe House - Paulin trust

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

Redcliffe House - google maps

 

 

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