Descendants of Frederick and Mary Paulin gather here
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.
Letter from Ernest Paulin to Frederick Paulin, 11 June 1912
[1]
There is only one P.O. in Ilford for money matters, if your people have any others on their list they are sub offices and not absolutely official.
June 11th 1912
Ilford E means East London or Essex 39 Audrey Road
Ilford, E (or Essex)
My Dear Fred
I received your letter of the 23rd ulto by first post this morning + for the £5 P.O. I cannot thank you too much – your reply to my letter of the 30th April if it had been answered favourably to my suggestion contained therein by return of Post instead of some time afterwards I should not have made any of use of it for that purpose, subsequent events have proved that it would have been a futile effort to get on again with the assistance of my two big girls.
I hope you have a careful a/c of the money you have so generously sent me + which has been at all times better than Doctor’s Medicine. Please forget altogether that I am utterly friendless + terribly alone as far as any unwelcome tax upon your charitable intentions are concerned. I am quite resigned to my condition of helplessness. I merely asked for a loan which provided you had obliged me with, after all would as I say not have been used for the original purpose I intended, so that there is no harm done – I will write you again to morrow but am scribbling this in response to your request to answer (or rather) acknowledge promptly
Yours affectionately Brother E. Paulin
[2]
Please do not take anything other than my misery that may lead to my remarks being construed other than my sincerest admission of the God sent obligations I am under to you. I have been ordered away from everything + everybody for months past, but am still a prisoner with only my active head + horrible reflections on what a fool I have been. I never dreamt that I should break down so entirely as I have done.
Kind Love
Emma Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 14 Feb 1913
Dear Fred,
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
[2]
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
Yourse very sincerely
Emmie
PS Please do not delay in sending will.
Next home in the google mapping of the family of Ernest and Emma Paulin is 129 Ilford Lane, Ilford. From the letter written in February, where I got this address, the family had moved here from their home in Leigh on Sea. The neighbourhood has changed a bit since they lived there, and now has a bunch of shops attached to the fronts of all the buildings. Were they there when Ernest lived there? Not sure, probably not. If you take away the shops on the front of the buildings, you have the same kind of housing that they had lived in before. Row houses, narrow one window on each floor.
Letter from Ernest Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 12 Feb 1912
129 Ilford Lane, Ilford
12/2/12
My Dear Fred
I received your very nice letter with contents that arrived just a I was absolutely stumped. I have not been able to go out for several weeks now. I get chill upon chill until I am reduced to a skeleton + a very bad chest. Since moving to Ilford from Leigh I have not had one single week’s comfort, my usually usefull muscles seem to cry out that I have given them their share and give way to the colds. We had a ten days very severe frost as perhaps you may have read the cough I generally suffer from burst out with such ferocity that I have not dared to go out since except for a little while yesterday + I m making up arrears of correspondence
[2]
Severely indoors to day. I did hope to make a start somewhere this week but shall have to stew for another few days I suppose.
You know it isn’t nice when they seem to come for the rent the weekly bugbear + you do not happen to have it handy.
Just fancy you having care of Mr Mesher all these years it was a surprise to me. You must feel relieved now that you have done all you could for him + he now at rest.
Your oldest son is in the motor line Eh” and doing well too, I do hope he will follow in his Father’s footsteps. I need wish him no surer road to success.
I heard that you were about to retire some time ago and as you say I am the first to shout congratulations. Hat it all you have worked hard enough for a rest and it is a blessing
[3]
You lost no precious time in taking it. I was always afraid that you would stick at it too long.
The first day up in the City I shall give Mr Sutherland of the Ocean I Co a call + I am very much obliged for your kindness in sending me his card.
I had a short note from Harold yesterday to inform me that MY SON as he calls it was safely born to them on the 18/1/12 and everything satisfactory.
“Weight at birth 9 ½ lbs. Got a chest like a bull and 1’9” long (not 21” mind you) face like its mother (just fancing only a few hours old) Harold must have become an expert) but it has a Paulin head + limbs ah” ah”
You can just imagine the way he was in when sending the glorious news. I suppose George Ernest (that’s his name) marks
[4]
The 1st step in the 4th gen of a little known but illustrious family.
Dad + Mother, whom I hope continue well in health will be a little bit proud of the “Great Grand”: Eh” I can just imagine dear old Mother’s flush of pride. God bless her and her prayer of thanksgiving to be alive to assume the new jewel to her coronet.
It is pouring with rain from the NE + bitter again today.
If I could keep warm enough a sufficient time to get rid of this wicked cough, I do not think I should take long getting into my old form again in the meantime I am doing my best.
Haven’t heard of George or Bert for years suppose no news etc.
Kindest Love Fred + best wishes, Emmie sends love to Cissie
Your affectionate Brother
Ernest
[Note that Ernest died in November 1912 of Tuberculosis]
And the moves for the family continued – I have a letter addressed 22 Britannia Road, Ilford. I knew that they lived here from at least 1906, because I had read the files for my great-aunt Hilda [Hilda Louise Paulin Curtis], who attended Cleveland Road School nearby. I did research at the Ilford public library in 2008 and the school records that they had. Grandad [Norman Frederick Paulin] also attended that school.
The house is really like all their other houses – I swear they are all cookie-cutter!!!
Letter from Ernest Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 6 Dec 1908
22 Britannia Road, Ilford
6/12/1908
I thought that I would send you just a word or two with the “Ole” fashion Xmas card.
Because sometimes the writing means more than the card. Nevertheless, when you have nine years “trying to sell typewriters and a pen in your hand about once a month.” Criticism is barred. I nearly danced a “Reel” when I read the official announcement and I am indeed thankfull that you are still better off.
I hope that Bert will prove trumps, George must + will. Of course, I got news sometimes from the Dad + Mother and there
[2]
Is generally something of interest.
It seems hard sometimes that I quite alone here; but I feel sure I could do better out of this Foggy City – It is hard work. But I am not grumbling Fred, am not actually starving + with Gods blessing and the health that is necessary (which I have made a serious study of, since starting a new life back in the old country) I hope to see some of my family once more.
Nothing pleases me better than to hear that your years of hard plodding, thoughtfull life, are an almost assured success. I wish with all my heart that I could shake hands with you, otherwise, than on paper.
[3]
Business generally is very bad. The present government seem to indulge in fractional party politics, or “Locking up suffragettes”
I don’t know whether you ever see the ½ Mirror I send to Dad every day. Would you like it?
Just one more look at your handwriting. It will only cost gone 2c. Please.
Every Xmas I miss awfully away from our Family circle
Ernest
[4]
You will be pleased to know that Harold (who is 21 next March) is doing very well in his 3 years engagement in Weir Scott + Co, Valparaison. He started at £150 a year, with an increase of £10 during the 3 years and good prospects of a continuance of advantage after.
It is a pleasure to send his thanks for getting with the firm, and a further pleasure to know that his employers here feel the same as myself.
Rene + Grace are working now, in a large general supplies stores in Ilford here, and are very proud that they can pay for their own clothes. Hilda + Norman are at School. Norman is learning draughts fine.
And here is where the family lived in 1913 just after Ernest died – 39 Audrey Road, Ilford. There is really not that much difference between all the house that I have identified so far – row, probably 3-4 bedrooms, and narrow. They were not that old when the family lived in them either, so new suburban/urban housing from the late 19th century.
39 Audrey Road, Ilford
Sunday 15th
Dear Fred,
My trouble is more than I can bear – dear Harold passed away last Thursday. I had a cable on Thursday (Harold dangerously ill, very little hope, from Grace & Co, London) I went to them Friday for me, the suspense was too awful. Mr Grace then told me the worst. I am afraid to write to Granny, it might give her a shock – she has so much trouble lately. I was taking Irene’s and Norman’s tickets on the Friday for Valparaiso – where they meant to work. I return the money to enable us all to go later – now it is all over – Excuse more. I have to write to Harold’s poor little widow. God help her.
Love to all, yours very sincerely
Emmie
PS I had the insurance last Wednesday.
The Amazing Paulin(e) Family 