Season 3, episode 5. May 4th - 9th 1882. The insecurity regarding Fred’s lodgings grows, as his landlady, Mrs Gordon, tells him to start looking for somewhere else to live, and Janie’s soon to be sister in-law, turns out to be a bit of a bitch.
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Season 3, episode 5. May 4th - 9th 1882. The insecurity regarding Fred’s lodgings grows, as his landlady, Mrs Gordon, tells him to start looking for somewhere else to live, and Janie’s soon to be sister in-law, turns out to be a bit of a bitch.
Instagram:
@mylovelettertimemachine
Twitter:
@1ngi
Email:
mylovelettertimemachine@gmail.com
Producer:
Ingrid Birchell Hughes
[cold open]
Before I start I just wanted to mention that this podcast has been shortlisted for an award at the International Women’s podcast awards 2022 for the category ‘Moment of Dramatic Tension’. This this nomination was for the climax of Season 1 when Fred had to leave Janie and everyone behind in Sheffield and start his new job in Middlesbrough. I’m so thrilled and excited to be shortlisted - it is such an honour and I’m up against some amazing podcasts. So next week I am going to be traveling to the ceremony in Convent Garden, and because I’ll be spending a couple of days in London, there won’t be an episode next week - but I promise Fred and Janie will be back the following week. So I just want to say thank you so much to all my listeners for your encouragement, and support, for all your reviews and ratings and shares. They mean so much to me, but the fact that you tune in week after week is the best thanks of all. Now, on with the show
[Intro]
Welcome back to My Love Letter Time Machine, Hi, I’m Ingrid Birchell Hughes, and I’m serialising the love letters of my great great Grandparents, Fred Shepherd and Janie Warburton. Travel 140 years back in time with me now where we take a look at Victorian history through their eyes and today the insecurity regarding Fred’s lodgings grows, as his landlady, Mrs Gordon, tells him to start looking for somewhere else to live, and Janie’s soon to be sister in-law, turns out to be a bit of a bitch.
[A tale of two sisters-in-law]
The way the letters fall this week have brought into contrast the relationships that Janie has with her two sisters-in-law as well as her friendship with Carry - who looks to be also another sister in law in the making, although time may tell on that one.
As mentioned before, unhelpfully they are both named Mary, and also both are referred to by the common nickname for Marys - Polly. Janie obviously has an affectionate relationship with the elder Polly, wife to Janie’s eldest brother William. I’ve dug into her background a bit and found out that she was a bit older than William when they got married back in 1871. She was born Mary Jane Griffith, 7 years before William, in Sunderland in 1840. The only person fitting that name in the 1841 census in Sunderland is the daughter of John Griffith, Wesleyan Minister. Now, I’ve not been able to formally link them, despite trying, but whatever her backstory, somehow she came to Handsworth and met the Warburtons. I hadn’t appreciated before now that Polly Warburton was 20 years older than our Janie - and I think it’s completely altered my view of that particular relationship. The Polly we see though Janie’s letters is kind and supportive, she definitely has Janie’s corner, and now realising that she’s much older, I’m inclined to think that Polly has taken Janie under her wing somewhat. I’m sure it explains why in the face of Mother Maria’s censure of Fred in the past, Polly had no qualms about standing up to her. And as woman in her 40s who has just had yet another baby it may well explain why Janie refers to Polly’s tiredness so frequently.
The other Polly is Mary Ann Roe, who is going to be married to Fred Warburton, another bother of Janie’s and four years older than her. Polly Roe is the daughter of Handsworth Grocer and Draper, William Roe, a man of some property, judging by previous comments in Janie’s letters and also some of his ‘property to let’ advertisements in the newspaper. Janie and Fred have gossiped a bit about Polly Roe in the past with her use of make-up, that they referred to as the ‘painting business’. Janie’s relationship with her is uncomfortable for reasons I’m not at all sure - other than what seems to be an unpleasant disposition in Miss Roe’s character.
I think for this time in the podcast I’m going to keep to the back and forth of the correspondence so you can see how the gossip unfolds, but before we get to them, back in Middlesbrough, Fred kicks us off with his rather unsettling news:
21 Church Street, Middlesbrough
May 4th 1882.
My own darling Wife,
I was very glad to receive your loving letter yesterday. I should have replied last night but I thought I might not have time to write again for Saturday, so thought I would hold it over until then because I know you like a letter for Saturday, my darling.
You will have had a busy week this week love, 75 is a large number in the house so bad for accommodation is yours. It was very good of your mother relieving you of the waiting so that you could write to me.
Your bedroom would be a treat to see you with all the things bundled into it. You say I should not like to sleep in it, I will sleep anywhere if you were with me darling, and should only be glad of the chance.
I am sorry that Emma could not refrain from taking some on that day especially. She seems to be getting worse now. Why will she persist in it when she sees that the consequences are so serious? Is it on account of Mr Walker’s affair or what?
How do you go on with him now, does he still call at your house? I think I shouldn't if I were him.
I wish you could have kissed me darling, and when you were so tired and sleepy, I am sure it would have do you good. I know that it would have done me good love.
I am sorry that you were so disappointed and not receiving a letter earlier my darling, but you will have received it before this, well I hope you will have forgiven me for my seeming neglect in not writing. You will do so won't you wifie?
I am looking forward to one from you tomorrow my darling, and then I will finish this so that you can have it for Saturday. Only 23 days darling to Whitsuntide, and then happiness.
I have written to John Meays telling him that I cannot go to Castleton on any consideration, (Because I consider it will be almost as hard work as Matlock was) but that I do not wish them to alter their plans on any account, although I have said that if they decide to go to Roche Abbey again, I should be pleased to make two in the party, but even then only on one condition and that is, but they come back through Handsworth, because I do not think I should care to have to go up to your house from Attercliffe, after we had had a days pleasuring.
If you remember this was mentioned last year and I think almost agreed to. Except that it would not be any pleasure to you love, I should prefer Whitsuntide at home, it seems almost a pity when I come so far to home, to be running away from it when I get there. But that of course would be no change for you love, and I should like you to derive so[me] benefit from my visit. So far I think my visits have been the other way darling, but I always seem to knock you up. But you still love me wifie don't you, even though I do so ill use you?
When I get John Meays reply I will let you know, but perhaps Miss Dalton may see you about it. Have you seen her and Ted lately love; have you settled with her yet for the Matlock business?
I believe I told you that Mrs Gordon contemplated leaving the house. I did not hear any more about it until last Tuesday, and then she told me she intended letting the front room and bedroom as apartments, and that we had better look out for fresh lodgings. She gave as a reason that she could not make it pay. She did not say that she had an offer for the rooms, or that we could take them if we wished. I think she does not really want us to leave, but to either take the rooms at 16/. per week and board ourselves, or pay her something more per week for board and lodgings which I do not feel disposed to give because it is costing me about 17/. per week now including washing.
Our fellow lodger says he does not feel disposed to pay any more so we have advertised for two bedrooms and the sitting room, and if we cannot get any cheaper of course we shall stop, but if we drop on any cheaper we shall take our hook.
I am very sorry that such a thing should have occurred because I don't like changes, and especially going into fresh families. If we leave we shall go somewhere near the park, because it is more open there, and a little farther off, which would give us more exercise.
I wish we could get married now love, as there are three houses to let in our street, and we shall perhaps have some difficulty in finding one when we want one.
I shall have to close down my darling, for tonight, will write you more tomorrow. Good night my darling wife (x) I do love you so much! (x) (x)
Friday, May 5th, 1882
I expect I should have time to give you a few more lines today but they will have to be short I forgot to tell you that R R had sent me a testimonial, I will show it to you at Whitsuntide unless you would like me to enclose it to you.
My darling wife, I do love you, more than ever.
+ will always remain
your loving true and faithful husband
Fred
PS only 22 days
Cemetery Road
May 5th 1882
My own darling husband,
You would be disappointed at not receiving a letter this morning, we were so busy cleaning down I really couldn't find time to write yesterday, we did not finish until after seven o'clock then it was too late. I managed to get dressed by eight so had a walk down to Darnall to see your mother and come up with our John and Carrie they had been to Sheffield. Carrie seems in pretty good spirits considering. The last news she heard that Annie was that she had been under the doctor ever since she went, she speaks very well of Mrs Bradbury she says she doesn't know how she would have gone on without her.
I had nothing much to do this afternoon so came to see Polly she wanted to see me, we have had our usual look round the town with a cup of tea at Thorpes. I wish you could've been with us darling then I should've enjoyed it.
I received your letter on Wednesday love I felt quite relieved I am so afraid of you being ill over there, I'm glad the pain in your back around your body is better, I do wish you could just come and fetch me tonight and take me home through the woods, the bluebells are out now I have not seen them yet. I don't care about going without you love.
Darling I don't care a bit about going to Castleton if it is such hard work it will be much better to have a quiet day to ourselves. Polly has just been telling me that they are going to try and go to London this Whitsuntide but we can come and spend the day at their house all the same and have the room and anything we want, and be nice and quiet to ourselves don't you think that would be nice love? Then we could have a good talk.
We had a dreadful thunderstorm on the Wednesday it struck a house at Morton.
You have done quite right love in getting the name stamp it will be very useful I will answer your letter more fully for Sunday darling
I remain
your loving true and faithful
Wife
Janie
Handsworth
May 6th 1882
My own darling husband
I was pleased to receive your letter this morning, I do you like one for Saturday love. We have nearly got this busy week over I am very glad, for it is so uncomfortable to have everything upside down. The very idea saying you would like to sleep with me if you only had the chance and you would not mind all the things being bundled in the bedroom, as if I should like you too! I think it will be a good plan to have separate beds, don't you think so love?
Carrie and our John have gone to Keeley this afternoon to see Mr + Mrs Davies. I wish you were coming tonight to take me for a walk down our old favourite lane darling, we should enjoy it shouldn't we? John will soon be here now love, I think on the Saturday we will have one of our old walks through the wood if it is fit and not too late and we consider to go to our William’s on the Monday won't we darling? I hardly know when I shall go to Hatheridge it will not be before Whitsuntide, if they will spare me at home. I think it is a desirable place to go, they are very nice people, I am sure I should enjoy myself and the change would do me good, my cold is quite better love.
We should be very quiet at our William’s on Whit Monday if they go to London, it would be much nicer than being at home, we could just do as we liked have a good long talk. I would rather go there than anywhere, it would be expensive if we went to Roche Abbey and I know you want to save your money for me darling, so I hope they won't change the place to Roche Abby and then we can have a nice quiet time to ourselves.
We will see about waiting until October when you come darling, I know you want to take me away as soon as you possibly can, I should be happier with you then I am at present, we will think it over. You asked me to do I remember our side from Morecambe to Sheffield alone do I? Oh know not at all how is it's likely that I should my husband. I have quite recovered from the severe strain you put me to at Easter. I expect we should be trying whether I am equal to going through the same again when you come, you dear bad lad, I do love you. Perhaps it would be best to stay there at Whitsuntide then there would be no risk it will be just after the month, but the saying is nothing risked nothing win so I think we had better risk it don't you darling?
I think I have not told you they have started a cricket club at Handsworth, they are playing a match at Catcliffe today, it is the first, our John is treasurer and Alfred Duncan secretary. I think they have about 50 members in the club.
I do not know why our Emma still persists in getting drunk, I don't think it is on Mr Walker's account it does not seem to have troubled her much, he did not call for two weeks, then he called last week and she called him in the room and she told Kate she gave him a severe talking too[sic], they were in the room together for quarter of an hour or more, I can't understand it at all, it is evident he does not want her, she was watching out for him both times when he passed and she was at the window last Friday, oh the first Friday when she thought he would not be long before he came back from Sheffield, she even went down towards Woodhouse Mill and turned back and met him and I don't think he stopped to speak to her.
It will be happiness to have you here darling in 21 more days. I shall meet you at the station as usual, will Mr Avery come over. I do derive benefit from your coming love, though certainly not physical strength as you did knock me up at Easter but I love you darling no less more if anything even though you do you ill use me.
I have not seen or heard from Miss Dalton so of course have not settled about Matlock.
I am sorry Mrs Gordon is making an alteration in the letting of her rooms it would be a great expense to pay 16/- and board yourselves, you would not save much then love could you? Besides it is not nice for you to change when you have got settled, I wish we could be married now darling and then you could settle down to our comfortable little home. It will be better to go a little further off because the exercise will do you good, I do wish we could be together, then there would be no more changes for you because I know you would be quite content to live with me for life, it would be happiness to be with you darling. Show me your testimonial that Whitsuntide it might get lost if you were to send it through the post. I have not time for more
I remain
your loving true and faithful
wife Janie
Royal Exchange Middlesbrough, The North Eastern Steel Co Limited
May 8th 1882.
My own darling Wife,
I received your kind letter on Saturday morning love. I expected you would be very busy cleaning up, so that I scarcely expected one on Friday. I am glad to hear that you went to see my mother, but you forgot to tell me how you found them love.
I wish I could have been with you and Polly my darling, last Friday, I should've enjoyed it very much.
I should like very much to take you home through the woods my darling, it would be a treat. We always enjoyed it darling didn't we? But I think we should enjoy it more now.
I don't think we should be able to go up to Pollys love, if they are not there, I'm afraid our people would kick against it.
I went down to Redcar again about the house love, on Saturday. I had tea and supper with Phillips (I think I mentioned him to you before) he has taken a house there for a month. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening, and I did so wish you could've been with me. I seem to be only half there when my wife is not there with me. Oh my darling I do wish you were there for a month so I could see you.
I received your loving letter yesterday my darling, I should have answered the same day but went up to Stockton immediately after dinner to see the funeral of a bandsman. There were representatives from eight bands and the was above 140 brass instruments, two big drums, and four side drums. The ‘Death March’ was simply magnificent. Unfortunately it came on raining very heavily and rained all the way home and I'm afraid I got cold, as I feel all feverish today, but I expect I shall be alright in a day or two. I have been troubled lately with headaches almost every morning and night. I have bought a bottle of Fruit Salt today and expect it will do me good.
To refer to your letter love, I think it would be a good plan to have separate beds darling, but to not sleep separate, I could not do with that you know wifie. I should be quite agreeable to go through the wood Whitsuntide love, I should enjoy it very much. If you think it is not necessary to go to Roche Abbey love, we will not go on any consideration.
I thought you would remember our ride from Morecambe, my little wife – we were really [can’t read - ‘smitted’?] then.
I am glad you have quite recovered after our little affair at Easter. I should not like you to go through the same again darling if you think you are not equal to it. Would you like to risk it again darling? Your quotation about “nothing risk, nothing win” it's not quite the right one, because there is nothing to win except your consent, and there is a good deal to lose wifie. You know how weak I am love where you are concerned, being entirely in your hands and you in mine I suppose darling.
I am glad to hear that a Cricket Club has been started at Handsworth, and that your John takes an interest in it, it will find him something to think about.
Mr Walker seems to have quite a fascination for your Emma, I hope there is nothing in it, it was scarcely proper was it to go into the room with him, was it love? I sincerely hope you are not to have any more trouble with her my darling.
It will be happiness love, to come over Whitsuntide 19 days love now. Of course you will come to meet me darling, it would not be like coming home if you are not there to welcome me.
I was not aware love that I did you any physical harm as you say, do you really think I do? + that I did really ill use you? If you do my darling we must refrain from any connection, for I should not like to do you any physical harm. My wife, you know that, I suppose we are extra excited through being separated so much darling. But you still love me wifie - don't you? I could not get on at all without your love to look forward to.
We advertised in the paper for two bedrooms and the sitting room and had 27 enquiries so that we shall be able to get one from that lot, I think.
I have seen an old friend of mine today, King from BB + D you will have heard me speak of him. They are not doing much down there so he has come up here to have a look around. He had dinner with me, and I expect him up directly (7.0). I do wish it was Whitsuntide darling, so that I could see you, I almost feel as though I couldn't last out till then, but I must expect. Wright early my darling to
your loving true and faithful
husband
Fred
PS excuse the writing – I'm in hurry. [written up side] I enclose an interesting slip about a kissing match! Sad result, don't you think we had better refrain from such a dangerous pleasure?
We can add fruit salts to our our ever growing Victorian medicine chest on this podcast. One of the things that blows my mind when researching, is finding so called ‘medicines' that were developed 150 years ago, still on sale. Fruit salts is another example. Sold as sachets of powders made up of citric acid, tartaric acid, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, all the manufactures can claim for it today is as a treatment for heartburn. Back in Fred’s day, the advertisements bore such florid copy as ‘It clears the intestines, rouses the torpid liver to new life, stimulates the mucous membrane to a healthy action and cleanses and invigorates the whole digestive tract.
I wonder if Janie might have wanted to reach for some, as in her next letter we finally get to that disagreeable encounter with Polly Roe.
Handsworth
May 9th 1882
My own darling husband,
I received your very welcome letter this morning. I should've written yesterday but Miss Dalton sent me word that they were coming to tea and Kate was out so I was very busy. The Matlock fare was four shillings, very reasonable I think, Miss Dalton looks as well as ever and Ted looks quite as small. We went through the nurseries the flowers looked very pretty but not so nice as when your mother Emily and I went through. Your mother was moderately well when I called, all the rest were quite well, I intended going to see them on Thursday if possible. Carrie is going to stay another week she only intended stopping a fortnight when she came. Oh darling I do wish you were here now, we could have some glorious walks, the trees look splendid and all our old walks. We went down to Darnall on Sunday afternoon to meet Miss Mottershed and Maria Staniforth came to tea for a wonder.
It was a beautiful day so we came back through the wood I did wish you were with me love, wouldn't we have squeezed a kiss somehow? Without them seeing us. It does seem a long time since Easter I am longing for a site of you but we must try to last until Whitsuntide, then darling it will be happiness to be together.
I do wish I could have been with you at Redcar last Saturday the sea breezes I think would do me good, I have got another cold, I wonder if I could get the doctor to send me there, I must have got it with running about in the draughts this last week.
I am sorry it rained all the way home from Stockton. I hope you will be alright in a day or two and that the fruit salts will cure your headaches, I wonder what makes them come on perhaps it is with overwork and not sufficient exercise darling, I shall have to see that you get more when we are together and take you out love for the benefit of your health, we will make up for the walks we have lost at Handsworth all the time you have been away.
We met Miss Roe down the street on Sunday so she invited Carrie and I to tea today (Tuesday) I can scarcely call mine an invitation, it was an afterthought, she could hardly do any other than ask me when I was there, she asked Carrie to go, and then in such a nasty way she said to me and you can come as well if you like. I just said oh thank you! And felt greatly obliged to her mentioning it. I think I did not tell you what a pleasant reception she gave Carrie and I when we called the day after Carrie got here, (Carrie has not been since so wouldn't have gone if she had not asked her on Sunday)
I asked Polly if she was going out for a walk that night, and said you might call for a few minutes, as we could not stay long then. She said I think you have plenty there without me, and the children are always getting their supper is when I come but I can't express the pretty looks that went with the words so love you lose the nastiness of it. I don't think I shall go down to tea but I may go down afterwards, just for peace at home, as I shall greatly offend our Fred if I don't. I am sure I have not done or said anything to annoy her that I know of that she need to be so nasty.
My darling I don't care about going to Roche Abbey, I think it would be better to stay at home this year and we can go down to your house and spend the day which will please your mother I know, and have a ramble in the woods which I know we both should enjoy. So we will not go this time under any consideration. If we can we will see our Williams on the Saturday.
Ted and Miss Dalton are not going.
It would kill my father if he had any trouble of that kind with our Emma. It was not proper to go into the room with him, Mr Walker told her again he was going with that other young woman, she asked him if he was, but he said he wanted to be friends with her, I think she cannot have much self-respect left, if I was my mother I should stop it but she is completely master she can't do much with her.
Shall you have Monday and Tuesday at Whitsuntide I wish it was here love I do want to see you really.
I don't think you do me any harm physically or that you do really ill use me darling you make me feel very tired that is all, we would refrain from it if it didn't do me any harm and we will now if you like. I still love you, more than ever darling, you are my own husband and I always shall love you.
I think you will be able to get suitable apartments out of 27 enquiries love. It would be a treat for you to see one of the old faces from Sheffield, I expect you will rob B B & D of all their best men.
We need not quite refrain from kissing darling if taken moderately as we take them they are very nice.
I remain always
your loving true and faithful wife Janie.
I have not [time?] for more love.
We’ll leave it there for now. As I said earlier, there won’t be a podcast next week, but the following week, i’ll be back with what I think is my absolutely favourite letter of Fred’s - he goes paddling in sea in Redcar, and gets so enchanted by his suroundings, his misses his train home.
[outro]
Thank you so much for listening to My Love Letter Time Machine. I’d very much like to share Fred and Janie’s story with more people, so If you haven’t already - can I ask to share this podcast with someone you think might enjoy it? You can also find excerpts of Fred and Janie’s letters on instagram at my love letter time machine all one word and you can write to me at my love letter time machine at gmail dot com.
Until next time, take care.
© Ingrid Birchell Hughes 2022