Where Bessie Lived, 1887

In a letter from her father Frederick Paulin, to his son Frederick, dated 28 December 1887, he talks about writing to his daughter Bessie, who had emigrated to the United States that year.

She arrived in New York City 15 Nov 1887. She lived in Brooklyn, NY. The letter to her brother provided her addresss as 449 Dean Street, Brooklyn. It is not clear how long she lived there, and there is the suggestion that she moved a lot.

So where is this place? I searched on google and found this image on streetview. It appears to be 447-449 Dean Street. The area is under a bit of development, but across the street there are still some older, low rise apartment buildings.

Building which appears to be 449 Dean Street. Now boarded up, but clearly a low-rise apartment building. From Google street view

Map of Brooklyn from Google – 449 Dean Street 2020

September 24, 2020 0

Letter to Frederick Pauline from his father, 10 Aug 1888

[Illegible] Friday Aug 10 [1888]

Dear Fred

The poo for $10 arrived safely and this morning. It has also been paid over to Louise which she will acknowledge to you of course. She has been luck in the way of gifts, money as well as various articles more or less decorative and useful. The wedding went off I think in every way satisfactorily there was every thing the company or the newly married needed or could require and then to the club on Wednesday last so that they had 18 days holiday chiefly at Tynemouth in fishing boating we have not let the house

Yet though several inquisitorial people have replied to my advertisement- property at [illegible] is just now a drop in the market. There are many properties unlet at the same time the speculative builder is busy – Matthews the overseer tells me that owing to the above state of things AG in a clog upon the parochial balance sheet. This is is considered a temporary state only and will probably quickly recover itself. I wrote you some time since the letter any how should be with you before now saying we were all coming in the Lake Superior steamer tine to Montreal and thence to

You via CPR. We have Lpool this day fortnight on the 24 sail. So [illegible] we shall reach Montreal [illegible] about the 2^nd Sept where we hope to meet with Bessie. I have instructed her so far as possible what to do and sent her £2 POO to pay her rail to Montreal from Brooklyn. I hope she will have no difficulty in the matter. I have Royal Insurance introduction to Ward of Victoria also the Butins private card to Mr Turner, and [illegible] in

Also now in Birmi port to manufacture &c saying I am going to BC and could negotiate an agency or hrs &c but the time is yet young for any replies. I am bringing some cheap canvasses in oil, some scenes & C for spec and if they “go” I have arranged for a regular supply. We are bringing a coat for Leonard Philips which his ma has sent for enclosure, but we are not yet decided what to do for you and in the way of clothes. I have two handsome waistcoat pieces that I am expecting to get mended up for you if I can manage the size though Powell. Grandpa sends you a pipe by me – we are very fully occupied in completing arrangements for our journey which I [illegible] start will be safely completed + consummated in our writing again – we bring photos of wedding group and our love to all and from your affectionate Father.

[Cheat Sheet: The letter did not have a year, but Louisa Mary Paulin married Robert Rutherford on the 21 July 1888.

The Ship SS Lake Superior Beaver Line was the ship that they had booked passage to Montreal –

Interesting to note that Bessie was in Brooklyn and would meet the family in Montreal before they went on to Victoria. I will look into this.]

August 12, 2020 0

Mary Paulin to her son Frederick, 1 April 1886

Henley Lodge

April 1^st/86

My Dear Fred

Yesterday, after coming back back from seeing my four children off to your destination, I found a letter from you dated to 9^th March Just 22 days coming so as dear George started [illegible] on the 10^th March by this time he is with you I trust as he is with you and I hope well he must have had a rough journey – I quite think you the lone of your [illegible] that you are far from well and you think of [illegible] change I wish you

Very new to come home the journey would I hope will not be so bad, [Illegible[ was a gentleman had the fever in Victoria the same time that you did and was decided to come to England for his health you will hear from George the party we are sending now they all intend working and having a good try to get on it so as a terrible parting yesterday but I have good faith and really look forward to seeing them all again some happy

Day I feel glad they are coming your way as I know you will advise them I can hardly tell you all the [illegible] by you have gone through to get them under way and May you send them in the prayers of all kind friends here they are young but have good courage. I went home with Louise after seeing them off you will be glad to hear she has a happy home with a Mrs Lilly. The M[illegible]t Sutton Coldfield there is plenty of work for her to do but they are kind to her and it is a very healthy place. I am expecting

The old people to come and stay with me it is not a very cheerful prospect but must manage as well as I can – you talk of Summer and flowers it is winter here now and looks like its to be for some time. I shall feel very anxious till I hear how the travellers get on so I shall all look forward to the pleasure of seeing you but not if you think the money would be too much for you. If ever we can get the money we shall all come to you

Kindest love and wishes to all my children and hope you will all be happy

1 – written across text

Together. I hope George will be able to do your work and you have a rest

Love and prayers

Your affectionate mother

I am sorry your letter came just so late to get the letter you wanted.

[Cheat sheet – Mary Cutler Paulin to Frederick Arthur Paulin

Letter sent the day her son Ernest, his wife Emma, her sister Amy and Ernest’s Brother Herbert left England for Canada. George another son had just arrived in Victoria.

Reference to the old people is to her in-laws from Henley-on-Thames, and Louise is her daughter. It appears Louise went into service with Mrs Lilly.]

August 8, 2020 0

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]

May 8, 2020 0

George Paulin to Frederick A Paulin, 13 Aug 1884

Letter George Paulin to Frederick A Pauline, 1884

[1]

London,

Balmoral Buildings

91 Queen Victoria Street V

Birmingham

Short, Short & Co

c/o Messrs McClelland Bros

Cambridge St, B’ham August 13^th 84

Dear Fred

You will almost think I have forgotten you, but had I any news I should have written before. Many thanks for papers received a week ago. I notice your remark in the centre of one of them that “all’s well.” You will see by the above address that I am back again in my old quarters, and so I shall remain I expect now until I emigrate the place is alright you know as regards comfort but they have the name of paying the most miserable screws in B’ham. I am very please to inform you that we are all in very good health + in pretty fair circumstances that is to say we can manage to pay our way + this is as much as you can expect these times.

I trust you are having a good salmon harvest up your way. We have the prospect here of having the best harvest for 7 years so I hope to see better brave, not that I don’t have to work hard enough for my 25/ a week now.

I have had plenty of work on the organ this year, having played services at St Lawrence’s “Morning Afternoon + Night for the last two months, this is filling your Sundays up with a vengeance eh” Gladstone’s jerrymandering government are still in power, deeper in the wind, the laughing stock of Europe + everywhere else. Louise is at home from Henley and

[2]

Very well but what her future movements are going to be I don’t know. Bessie is as you know at Fordre’s. Florence + Amy are learning Dress making at Miss Ristews but as they are all apprenticed with no pay they are expensive then in the household. Pa has gone a Sheffied journey this week I don’t expect him home until Saturday, hope he’ll have good luck. Vicar says he has had a very nice letter from you and is very pleased. Your place in the choir is still vacant.

Acock’s Green is just as quiet as ever no go at all, cricket clubs falling to pieces in all directions. You don’t happen to know (I suppose) a place out your way where an organist teacher of harmony would be able to do a good thing eh.

I went to Blackpool on August Bank Holiday, had a splendid sail on the sea beautiful weather. We have had it 92o in the shade for the last fortnight, such weather not seen for years. Sunstroke the rage everywhere. Cholera playing up high jinks in the South of France ni fach the worlds waking up all together. Gordon shut up at Harthorn, Gladstone told the house he was not shut up, but only hemmed in. House roared made the Gom in such a rave – must have been after supper I should think.

Well old man I think this is enough twaddle for one dose I wish it will find you as it leaves Henley Lodge + [illegible] in the best of health.

Your affectionate Brother

George

I am still single + have not got a girl + don’t intend to have up as I think of exploring Outer Africa and putting Stanby’s light out.

December 2, 2019 0