From: Mildred Jones, at Mill Hill
To: John Adkins, at (location unknown)
My very dear Brother:
I was very pleased to have your letter and above all the dear baby. It is a very pretty picture. Thank you very much for it. How very natural and happy it looks. I don't wonder you think of it so much. The pretty card did not arrive here until Saturday mgn. Yesterday I had a letter from Alice. They were all well but missed you very much, which of course they would be sure to do.
I wrote to Papa yesterday. I have got to work again. I am glad you succeeded in getting an office. I wish you great success in your business and a very happy New Year. It is getting late, have just had supper after mending my stockings. I am not going to sit up to see the "old" year out & the new one "in". Mrs. Browning is going down to her daughter's. I shall be alone. Good-night.
Much love,
From your loving sister,
Millie
Thursday, November 13, 2008
1897, December 19
From: John Adkins, at 2 Grenville St, Brunswick Sqr. [perhaps this is Grenville St, Brunswick Square, Camden, London;
[Find Grenville St here:
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To: Alice Annie, at (unstated)
My Darling Wifie:
Xmas will have passed when this reaches you, but it is not too late to hope that it was an enjoyable one for you, and that you did not overtire yourself. I had a letter from Millie tonight asking me to spend Christmas at Sleaford. I think I shall do so. There is an excursion for [s916] which will just suit me.
It will be news to you to know that your sister Florence left Leicester & returned to London today. At the suggestion of Sarah we went to meet her at St. Pancia's & saw her off again to Ware by a later train. I could not very well afford the time but it will not happen that I shall be called upon again soon to do so again.
Sarah does not look so well as Florrie: the latter looks very well & seems much improved.
Today I have been office hunting and think I shall take an office in Paternoster Row - £50 a year.
[Find Paternoster Row here:
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Yesterday was dull, wet, muddy, & foggy. Today is brighter & colder: a northeast wind is blowing.
The shops are trying to make a brave show for Christmas: but I see nothing original. Toys & Chrstmas Cards are very much in evidence. There are some very nice things in the leading drapers shops.
Your sisters rejoice very much over our darling's photographs. They say that they cannot see you in her, the would like to see her & you also & they send their love & all sorts of chatter, especially Florrie: how that girl's tongue does speed along!
Take care of our dear one, so that she does not catch cold. How many more teeth? Does she show any desire to crawl?
I do not like this traveling & being away from home, dearest. I shall be glad when our plans crystallize so that I can have my dear little wifie with me again & always.
Believe me, dear love,
Your affect. husband,
John
[Find Grenville St here:
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To: Alice Annie, at (unstated)
My Darling Wifie:
Xmas will have passed when this reaches you, but it is not too late to hope that it was an enjoyable one for you, and that you did not overtire yourself. I had a letter from Millie tonight asking me to spend Christmas at Sleaford. I think I shall do so. There is an excursion for [s916] which will just suit me.
It will be news to you to know that your sister Florence left Leicester & returned to London today. At the suggestion of Sarah we went to meet her at St. Pancia's & saw her off again to Ware by a later train. I could not very well afford the time but it will not happen that I shall be called upon again soon to do so again.
Sarah does not look so well as Florrie: the latter looks very well & seems much improved.
Today I have been office hunting and think I shall take an office in Paternoster Row - £50 a year.
[Find Paternoster Row here:
View Larger Map">]
Yesterday was dull, wet, muddy, & foggy. Today is brighter & colder: a northeast wind is blowing.
The shops are trying to make a brave show for Christmas: but I see nothing original. Toys & Chrstmas Cards are very much in evidence. There are some very nice things in the leading drapers shops.
Your sisters rejoice very much over our darling's photographs. They say that they cannot see you in her, the would like to see her & you also & they send their love & all sorts of chatter, especially Florrie: how that girl's tongue does speed along!
Take care of our dear one, so that she does not catch cold. How many more teeth? Does she show any desire to crawl?
I do not like this traveling & being away from home, dearest. I shall be glad when our plans crystallize so that I can have my dear little wifie with me again & always.
Believe me, dear love,
Your affect. husband,
John
1897, December 14
From: Alice Annie, at 488 Waverly Ave., Brooklyn, NY
To: John, at (location unknown)
My own Jad.
By this mail I send you all the news in our papers about the ?ace. I do hope you had a comfortable voyage across. After you had got beyond my sight, I walked back to Bridge & home. Got back about 8. Baby was kicking & Florence fast asleep. I took baby out, wrapped her up & lit the fire. Then I took a hour's rest, got up, went to see Mrs. Kempster, had lunch, back home. Florence had got up by that time. Then she went to Bloomfield & I did not go till the Sunday. I was too tired & stiff. I still feel tired. It is too much to go to B'field with baby & baggage & no help. However it was beautiful weather there & had a happy time. Gerty & Florence went to church in the evening & Gertie wore her boar. She is pleased with it. We returned on Monday & glad I was to rest & quiet. Florence has gone to the meeting at the Y,M,C,A. We also sent the sheet to Mr. Fourunen (?). Now a little bit about baby darling. She still has the cold, but very lively & bright & tries to talk a bit & makes plenty of noise. She took a lot of notice of Henry. She is a pet. I was giving her her food & she bobed against the spoon & it went into her eye instead o fher mouth (her real eye I mean). The B'field crew are coming Christmas day & return at night. And they want us to go there at New Year. I hope it will be a pleasant time for you if you don't go home or anywhere. Do something nice then tell me, as I would like to know. I have thought of you, give my love to all and please give Mother a little money. On the 29th December is her birthday. With love from both, a heap of warm kisses from baby & tell me what each one says about her photo.
Your own true Wifie
Alice (Girlie no more)
To: John, at (location unknown)
My own Jad.
By this mail I send you all the news in our papers about the ?ace. I do hope you had a comfortable voyage across. After you had got beyond my sight, I walked back to Bridge & home. Got back about 8. Baby was kicking & Florence fast asleep. I took baby out, wrapped her up & lit the fire. Then I took a hour's rest, got up, went to see Mrs. Kempster, had lunch, back home. Florence had got up by that time. Then she went to Bloomfield & I did not go till the Sunday. I was too tired & stiff. I still feel tired. It is too much to go to B'field with baby & baggage & no help. However it was beautiful weather there & had a happy time. Gerty & Florence went to church in the evening & Gertie wore her boar. She is pleased with it. We returned on Monday & glad I was to rest & quiet. Florence has gone to the meeting at the Y,M,C,A. We also sent the sheet to Mr. Fourunen (?). Now a little bit about baby darling. She still has the cold, but very lively & bright & tries to talk a bit & makes plenty of noise. She took a lot of notice of Henry. She is a pet. I was giving her her food & she bobed against the spoon & it went into her eye instead o fher mouth (her real eye I mean). The B'field crew are coming Christmas day & return at night. And they want us to go there at New Year. I hope it will be a pleasant time for you if you don't go home or anywhere. Do something nice then tell me, as I would like to know. I have thought of you, give my love to all and please give Mother a little money. On the 29th December is her birthday. With love from both, a heap of warm kisses from baby & tell me what each one says about her photo.
Your own true Wifie
Alice (Girlie no more)
1897, October 28
From: John, at:
Hotel d'Angleterre Hotel letterhead
Kronenstrasse 14
Ecke der Friedrichstrasse
To: Alice Annie, at (location unknown)
My Dearest Wifie::
Business draws me further and further away from you; but I shall, in a few days, be on my way back. I cannot say that I like this jaunting about. It is all business, business, business and not much time for rest, but the trip has been pretty successful. Just when I sail I cannot say, but I shall retrace my steps to London in a few days: a few days more in London and then home.
I hear from New York that Mr. Macdonald has not been able to make arrangements for our new business developments. I may be able to do something here and to settle in London. I am trying for it.
I often think of you & baby. Give her a kiss for me. Remember me to Gerty & Henry & to Florrie say "Auf Wiederschen"
18
Your affectionate husband,
John
[Here is a link to the hotel today:
http://www.hotel-rates.com/germany/berlin/angleterre-hotel.html]
Hotel d'Angleterre Hotel letterhead
Kronenstrasse 14
Ecke der Friedrichstrasse
To: Alice Annie, at (location unknown)
My Dearest Wifie::
Business draws me further and further away from you; but I shall, in a few days, be on my way back. I cannot say that I like this jaunting about. It is all business, business, business and not much time for rest, but the trip has been pretty successful. Just when I sail I cannot say, but I shall retrace my steps to London in a few days: a few days more in London and then home.
I hear from New York that Mr. Macdonald has not been able to make arrangements for our new business developments. I may be able to do something here and to settle in London. I am trying for it.
I often think of you & baby. Give her a kiss for me. Remember me to Gerty & Henry & to Florrie say "Auf Wiederschen"
18
Your affectionate husband,
John
[Here is a link to the hotel today:
http://www.hotel-rates.com/germany/berlin/angleterre-hotel.html]
1897, October 1
From: John, at London
To: Alice Annie, at (location unknown)
My Dear Alice:
I arrived here safely, but tired and do not feel rested yet. I saw Sarah and your brother George and his wife and heard news of all your friends. They are all well except your brother George who has the rheumatism.
I am going home tomorrow to see my father tomorrow and return on Monday night.
Will you please send me to my hotel all the Worcester business cards you have at home. You will find them in the desk, I think. Make a package of them. Write the address on the typewriter, Florence, Please, put the words "PRINTED MATTER" at the top left hand corner of the package, please take it to the post office and ask the correct amount of postage. Do not seal the packet, but fasten it with string so that they can open it to ascertain the contents if they wish to do so. Do not lose a single mail on this as we overlooked these cards.
Kiss our darling for me every day, give my love to Florrie and I send my warmest love to you, dear,
Your affectionate husband,
John
To: Alice Annie, at (location unknown)
My Dear Alice:
I arrived here safely, but tired and do not feel rested yet. I saw Sarah and your brother George and his wife and heard news of all your friends. They are all well except your brother George who has the rheumatism.
I am going home tomorrow to see my father tomorrow and return on Monday night.
Will you please send me to my hotel all the Worcester business cards you have at home. You will find them in the desk, I think. Make a package of them. Write the address on the typewriter, Florence, Please, put the words "PRINTED MATTER" at the top left hand corner of the package, please take it to the post office and ask the correct amount of postage. Do not seal the packet, but fasten it with string so that they can open it to ascertain the contents if they wish to do so. Do not lose a single mail on this as we overlooked these cards.
Kiss our darling for me every day, give my love to Florrie and I send my warmest love to you, dear,
Your affectionate husband,
John
1897, September 23
From: John, at (letterhead states 'U.S.M.S. St. Louis'
To: Alice Annie, at (not stated)
(Letter is typed)
My dear wifie:
It is now Friday morning, and so far we have had a good voyage although I have been under the weather a little. I made a good breakfast this morning at the usually time, in fact I did something unusual, I rose at 4 30, took a walk around the deck, then at 5 had a cup of cocoa and some toast, then another walk and back to bed again.
The voyage so far has ben dull and without incident: the weather has been very dull: this morning we passed a sailing vessel, this is the first we have seen since we parted with the land.
I am sure you must have been tired, carrying baby so long on Wednesday morning. I hope you reached home safely, without taking cold.
When I got to the office eon Wednesday morning I found that they did not ship my samples and I had to get a mpermit to ship them at that late hour, to engage a truckman, to send him to the vessel, to take out bills of lading as well as get my own luggage aboard, so that accounts for my having so little time with you. It was far too bad.
Mrs. Besant is on board with us, she is accompanied by a young Mohamedan. He is at this moment writing a leeter [sic] opposite me. He seems to handle the pen of the ready writer.
We have a head wind and sea all the way so far; we shall not make any record this time, in fact, it appears to me that we shall be some hours late.
There is another bicycle man on board, we are gradually comparing ntoes.
If Mr. Mcdonald forgets to hand Kempster my salary, ask Florrie to drop him a line on the typewriter, Kempster's address is William St.,
----------------------------
Yesterday was a very fine day and as I had my best sea legs on I enjoyed it very much. Nothing of incident occurred except the ptssing of a tramp steamer pretty clost [sic] to us and of a sailing vessel at a greater distance. I passed a couple of very good hours away yesterday playing a game of deck billiards, this name does not convey a good idea of the game. We mark out a space on the deck with chalk: this, when done looks something like a hop-skotch board, then we take sticks in our hands with a piece of wood fastened to the end with a shape of a crescent. Standing some distance away we push disks of wood with the sticks to the hop skotch board, whose spaces are numbered. Those who get in the highest numbers, and first make a score of 50 or 100 win.
Today, Sunday is dull, raining and squally.
The runs so far have been satisfactory and we expect to land on Wednesday morning.
I find that the fare to Sleaford is 9/3-1/2d. each way from London.
There are not many ptssengers [sic] on theship this trip, which is better. I have a large 4 room compartment all to myself.
This Sunday morning people seem to be indulging in bed, although they must hurry up if they want a comfortable breakfast, as the salon will be given over to divine service to which I am just going.
We have clergymen aboard and doctors galore
Tuesday morning. Yesterday we made a splendid run and the chances are that we shall arrive at Southampton on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, which will be ery good time. Yesterday was dull, while today is bright, fair and balmy. I saw a shoal of porpoises this (early) morning. We pass more ships now, and so superior is our speed that we also overtake them, both sail and steam.
I went through the second class quarters last night and they seem very comfortable indeed.
Today is the day for paying the wine bills and feeing the stewards. Some of the fellows have been indulging very freely
I hope you will not wait to hear from me before writing, as I wish to know how you are getting on: also the little Alice, who I hope is well
Give my love to Florence and read this letter to your.
Your affectionate husband,
John
To: Alice Annie, at (not stated)
(Letter is typed)
My dear wifie:
It is now Friday morning, and so far we have had a good voyage although I have been under the weather a little. I made a good breakfast this morning at the usually time, in fact I did something unusual, I rose at 4 30, took a walk around the deck, then at 5 had a cup of cocoa and some toast, then another walk and back to bed again.
The voyage so far has ben dull and without incident: the weather has been very dull: this morning we passed a sailing vessel, this is the first we have seen since we parted with the land.
I am sure you must have been tired, carrying baby so long on Wednesday morning. I hope you reached home safely, without taking cold.
When I got to the office eon Wednesday morning I found that they did not ship my samples and I had to get a mpermit to ship them at that late hour, to engage a truckman, to send him to the vessel, to take out bills of lading as well as get my own luggage aboard, so that accounts for my having so little time with you. It was far too bad.
Mrs. Besant is on board with us, she is accompanied by a young Mohamedan. He is at this moment writing a leeter [sic] opposite me. He seems to handle the pen of the ready writer.
We have a head wind and sea all the way so far; we shall not make any record this time, in fact, it appears to me that we shall be some hours late.
There is another bicycle man on board, we are gradually comparing ntoes.
If Mr. Mcdonald forgets to hand Kempster my salary, ask Florrie to drop him a line on the typewriter, Kempster's address is William St.,
----------------------------
Yesterday was a very fine day and as I had my best sea legs on I enjoyed it very much. Nothing of incident occurred except the ptssing of a tramp steamer pretty clost [sic] to us and of a sailing vessel at a greater distance. I passed a couple of very good hours away yesterday playing a game of deck billiards, this name does not convey a good idea of the game. We mark out a space on the deck with chalk: this, when done looks something like a hop-skotch board, then we take sticks in our hands with a piece of wood fastened to the end with a shape of a crescent. Standing some distance away we push disks of wood with the sticks to the hop skotch board, whose spaces are numbered. Those who get in the highest numbers, and first make a score of 50 or 100 win.
Today, Sunday is dull, raining and squally.
The runs so far have been satisfactory and we expect to land on Wednesday morning.
I find that the fare to Sleaford is 9/3-1/2d. each way from London.
There are not many ptssengers [sic] on theship this trip, which is better. I have a large 4 room compartment all to myself.
This Sunday morning people seem to be indulging in bed, although they must hurry up if they want a comfortable breakfast, as the salon will be given over to divine service to which I am just going.
We have clergymen aboard and doctors galore
Tuesday morning. Yesterday we made a splendid run and the chances are that we shall arrive at Southampton on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, which will be ery good time. Yesterday was dull, while today is bright, fair and balmy. I saw a shoal of porpoises this (early) morning. We pass more ships now, and so superior is our speed that we also overtake them, both sail and steam.
I went through the second class quarters last night and they seem very comfortable indeed.
Today is the day for paying the wine bills and feeing the stewards. Some of the fellows have been indulging very freely
I hope you will not wait to hear from me before writing, as I wish to know how you are getting on: also the little Alice, who I hope is well
Give my love to Florence and read this letter to your.
Your affectionate husband,
John
1897, May 24
From: David Jones, at Sleaford
To: John, at (location unknown)
My dear John:
I must congratulate you on your coming into possession of a daughter of whom you seem to be quite proud; & I hope that the mother and the baby are both doing well. It is gratifying too to learn that you are getting on so well in business. I was rather puzzled to find "J Adkins Jones & Co" on the left hand corner of your letter paper, as I understand that you are in the employ of a firm at a salary. I have not heard from Dewi for many weeks; but I am informed that he has left that for the South. I am afraid that his owing to ill health & is a somewhat hard lot; & I hope he is favoured with that support of spirit which comes only from a sense of God's nearness. We are busy here with preparations for the Queen's Jubilee, the General Committee of which I am a member. We are to have festivities, sports & I hope a cottage hospital. With every good wish for your wife, I remain,
Your affectionate father,
D. Jones
P.S. Please pass enclosed to Gerty [enclosed unknown]
To: John, at (location unknown)
My dear John:
I must congratulate you on your coming into possession of a daughter of whom you seem to be quite proud; & I hope that the mother and the baby are both doing well. It is gratifying too to learn that you are getting on so well in business. I was rather puzzled to find "J Adkins Jones & Co" on the left hand corner of your letter paper, as I understand that you are in the employ of a firm at a salary. I have not heard from Dewi for many weeks; but I am informed that he has left that for the South. I am afraid that his owing to ill health & is a somewhat hard lot; & I hope he is favoured with that support of spirit which comes only from a sense of God's nearness. We are busy here with preparations for the Queen's Jubilee, the General Committee of which I am a member. We are to have festivities, sports & I hope a cottage hospital. With every good wish for your wife, I remain,
Your affectionate father,
D. Jones
P.S. Please pass enclosed to Gerty [enclosed unknown]
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