Collars and cuffs and other stuff

Season 5, episode 5.  September 24th - 28th 1882. Janie is industriously sending household items up to Middlesbrough on the luggage train, and Fred is rather irritated - because his laundry keeps going missing, and someone has been taking Janie's letters out of his coat pocket and reading them.

Transcript

[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, Fred’s laundry keeps going missing and we have a little look at Janie’s continually sending parcels up to Middlesbrough.

[Collars and cuffs and other stuff]

I must apologise for the lack of contextual history in this episode. I got shingles about 3 weeks ago, and while past-Ingrid has been very efficient and had several episodes done in advance, which I could publish during the worst of the illness, I’m now having to do the podcast hand-to-mouth. I did do a fascinating bit of research all about the adoption of the telephone in Victorian Britain — as Fred had mentioned the need to use one to call Mr Cooper back from London, because of an accident at the Steel Works. However due to my viral brain-fog state, it turns out I mixed up the dates of Fred and Janie’s letters and wrote 80% of the episode before I realised. So I had to start all over again for this week’s episode. Thank you for being understanding.

So the letters this time, ie the correct letters this time, are full of Janie’s steady progress in sending up household items for their future married life, there is a hint of Fred’s bachelor party being organised, but first Fred is rather frustrated with how his clothes keep going missing in the laundry.

Albert Terrace
Linthorpe Road
Middlesbrough
Septbr 24th 1882

My own darling Wife
I received your very welcome letter this morning, for which I thank you.
We shall as you say love want a good sized cake. I thank you very much for getting the shirts love – I shall want them as I don’t think there will be one here clean enough to come home in. Last Sunday I had to put on an old collar + a dirty pair of cuffs. I did not say anything about it thinking they might be at the Laundry. This morning two collars turned up out of six + no cuffs, + the last new shirt I had washed + intended coming home in it, + now is it almost too dirty to put on. I shall be glad when we are married love, for you know I am rather particular about my linen.

I have not heard anything about the Chamber service yet love. It would take it two days to come from Sheffield by luggage train. If you did not purposely arrange with them to pay the carriage I don’t think they will pay it love. But I will let you know when it comes. I will not unpack it as you suggest.

I think it would be best love for you to buy my mother the dress, for I have given her money before for a similar purpose which purpose it has never been put to.

 – I thought you would have to split up the Dinner Service love for it certainly was very heavy.
I shall be glad to receive them + will contrive to stow them away somewhere.

You do not say whether you have decided to invite Fred Senior + Tom Wortley love. I don’t think I should invite Blessman love, he fidgets […] besides John Meays will be able to look after Jinnie.
I am quite agreeable to old Charley fiddling love. I should like to have another dance with you.

I wish I could have gone for a walk with you last night love. I intended to go down to Redcar to play football yesterday, but we were working until 2.30 + the train left at 2.35 + I had had no dinner so I did not go.

I received a letter from O’Donnell yesterday. He says he shall try to see me “slung off” as he calls it, + hopes the fair wind which seems to be blowing on us now will blow us a happy married life with a few squall(er)s in between. He also wants to know whether I could go down to his house the evening before our marriage for a few hours + he will invite a few of my old friends to meet me. Do you think it could be managed love? I think if I went on the Tuesday night it would be best, as I shall want to be at your house [Wednesday] night, or I shall never be in time next day, + then there would be a missing bridegroom + a sorrowing bride. Mrs O’Donnell hopes we shall go down there before we come back, I don’t think we could do that. Have you called on her love, since we were there?

I intended giving you a good long one, but I am going to Mr Marston’s to dinner + it is now twelve oclock, so you must please excuse me this once love.

We shall soon be able to do without letters my darling; a fortnight next Tuesday + then I shall see you + kiss you.

I was troubled again last night love I am sorry to say. I think it must have been with thinking about you being with me before I went to sleep. We shall be able to remedy that love shan’t we? I wonder whether we shall transported on the Wednesday darling, or whether we shall save it until the Thursday night. Excuse me mentioning such a […] thing wifie.

I have received your list love I think it is all right. 

Please do not forget about my portmanteau love, or I shall have nothing to put my things in. You might send it with something in + post the key in a letter to me.
I love you more than ever, + remain my darling wife
Your loving true + faithful husband
Fred.


Cemetery Road
Sheffield 
Septr 26th 1882

My own darling husband
I know how disappointed you would feel at not receiving a letter this morning. I was so sorry I could not answer yours I received love, but I really could not make time before I went to Darnall, it was after three before I started to go there, then Louisa + I had to go to Sheffield to change the hat + get your mothers dress. We got such a nice one, it is the kind she has craved for for a long time, a grey Alpaca one. 

We thought we had better get a cup of tea to keep the headache off so we went to Watson[s]. It was after seven when we got back to Darnall, I had only time to scribble a note to Polly to tell her about meeting me to day, to settle about the cake it is to be twenty pounds [in weight?] with the ornaments + everything.
You know love I never disappoint you if I can help so you must forgive me this once, I am writing this in the front room at our Pollie’s, I wish you were here love. I shall be pleased to see you my darling it seems months since you were here.
Have you found out where your shirts + collars + cuffs have got to love, I am sorry you were in such a predicament last Sunday.
I will see that you have nice linen when we are married my darling. I have sent you one of the shirts to come home in packed in the portmanteau + the other two you can take when you come love, of course you will want to put the white one on so it will be ready for you love.
I hope you have got the Chamber Service by now. I have sent the boxes + your portmanteau to day love I think you will receive them either about Thursday I have paid the carriage, they were 3-6, I think that very reasonable don’t you love?

I have not decided about inviting Tom Wortley + Fred Senior yet.

We will have another dance before we settle down love into married life. I should just like another turn round with you my darling.

Your mother said that the Attercliffe football club players are going to play at Redcar next Saturday, you must be careful + not get hurt love if you play with them.

I think it would be best love to go to O’Donnells on the Tuesday I shall want you at our house on the Wednesday, it would be awkward love if the bridegroom did not appear in time.
I have not called to see Mrs O’Donnell yet. I was thinking of calling this week.

We shall be able to do without letters very soon now love.
I am sorry you were troubled again love, we shall soon be able to remedy that now
I can’t say love whether we shall […] be transported on Wednesday or save it until Thursday I will tell you better when you are here.

I enclose the portmanteau key love.
I love you more than ever my darling husband + remain
Your loving true + faithful 
Wife
Janie

The day after this letter an article appeared in the  Sheffield Daily Telegraph -  featuring a local Handsworth character having been arrested during a pub crawl on the Handsworth Road, where the gentleman in question attempted to visit the New Crown, The Cross Keys and the Old Crown in turn, all of which are very close to each other on the Handsworth road. I wonder if Janie was a witness albeit rather briefly.  I include it here for a bit of village colour and to flesh out the environment that Janie would have had to cope with all the time. Incidents like this must have been common pitfalls for pub landlords. By the way, where we would say ‘pub’ nowadays the article says ‘house’ instead.

WEST RIDING COURT. Before F. T. Mappin, Esq , M.P., and W. G. Blake, Esq. 

Drunk or Sober —Job Spencer, collier, Catcliffe, was charged with being drunk on licensed premises, and John Hatter, landlord the New Crown, Handsworth. was summoned for permitting drunkenness. Mr. Fairburn appeared for the defence. Police constable Mitchell said that about 8:45pm. Saturday, he, in company with Police-Sergeant Watson, was standing near the house kept the defendant Hatter. Spencer came out apparently in a drunken state, and soon afterwards re-entered the house. In about a quarter hour afterwards witness and the sergeant went into the New Crown and in the taproom he saw Spencer had a glass beer nearly full in his hand and was the act of drinking. Sergeant Watson called in the landlord and drew his attention to Spencer’s condition. Hatter said, " Well, what he has had to drink he has had (privately) in the clubroom. Spencer said "Yes, for I have not had another glass beer in Handsworth." Witness and the sergeant left the house, and about ten minutes afterwards Spencer came out. He went staggering up the street, and at the Cross Keys he called for a glass of beer. Being refused and ordered to go about his business, he went further on to the Old Crown. He stood in the passage there and called for some beer. The landlord said "No; you can have soda water." This arrangement he repudiated with considerable indignation, and made use of expression respecting the soda which savoured not of enthusiasm. The officer went on to say that last Saturday night was at the door of the New Crown, and saw the defendant Hatter, who said to him, “I would rather give £2 to have it out at the sergeant instead of paying it in court." He also used bad language.—ln answer Mr. Fairburn, witness said that a clubroom of the Association of Foresters was held at Hatter's house.— Sergeant Watson and two other witnesses spoke corroboration.—Mr. Fairburn. for the defence, maintained that the officers were mistaken supposing Spencer to drunk, and called witnesses with the view to showing that the defendant had on the night in question attended the meeting of Foresters, that he appeared perfectly sober, and took an intelligent part a discussion which was going on. Having been called to this effect, Mr. Mappin said: “The evidence is very conflicting. We have carefully considered it, and hardly think that was a case that should have been brought here. I have no doubt that the man had had plenty drink, but that was he was intoxicated the evidence does not satisfy us. The case must dismissed. The case against the landlord also falls the ground. 

It was in the Licensing Act of 1872 that created the offence of being drunk in public - which includes being in a pub by the way, and this law remains in force in the UK to this day. The line in the article which absolutely cracked me up, and must be the wordiest euphemism for bad language I’ve ever come across was: “This arrangement he repudiated with considerable indignation, and made use of expression respecting the soda which savoured not of enthusiasm.”


Royal Exchange
Middlesbrough
THE NORTH EASTERN STEEL CO.
LIMITED
Septbr 27th 1882

My own darling Wife
I received your very welcome letter this morning for which I thank you. You are quite right my love, I was very disappointed yesterday morning on not receiving one from you, but I remembered you would have to go to Sheffield on Monday - + expected you would be too busy to write.
I am pleased love that you have got a dress suitable + one that pleases mother – she will I suppose be there now then. – It will be a tremendous cake love, wont it. Shall you adopt Marstons plan of keeping some to eat on Anniversary days love? I think it is a nice idea don’t you? If you do this you will have to arrange the cutting accordingly, so as to have some left.

One pair of cuffs have turned up love, but no collars. The cuffs Mrs Snaith found in their own room, rather suggestive [ sp? ] that isnt it? I was very much put out last night to notice that your letters had been taken [from] my coat pocket + I suppose read. I feel sure they had been taken out as they are doubled differently to what I double them. It is very annoying to think that you cannot trust the people round you, especially to me because I am inclined to be rather careless in that way. I shall take care they dont read any more of my letters love. I wish this next fortnight would go love, + then I should have some comfort with you my little wife.

I know my darling you never disappoint me if you can help it, + will forgive you “this once” love. I wish I could see you my love just for a moment, it seems such a long time since I saw you.

I have received the Chamber Service today love, at least I suppose it is that; it is something in a hamper, I have not opened it as you suggested. I also received the key you enclosed me - + shall await the portmanteau + the boxes – I think 3/6 very reasonable love for three things such a distance. I suppose you would send them by luggage train. 

I shall be great with a white shirt on – it is some time since I had one on, it will be a treat. I am afraid I shall find you plenty of starching + ironing love, as I shant wan’t to wear them as long as I have been doing in lodgings, but you will not mind that will you my little wife.

We must certainly have a turn you + I on our wedding day - + then we must settle down into two sober, quiet individuals. 

Attercliffe play Middlesbro not Redcar love, + it is a week next Saturday. Redcar play Lockwood Bros the same day at Sheffield. Alvey will come over to play, but I shall stay here as I could not very well play, have holiday on the Saturday + then on the Tuesday. I shall I expect play with Attercliffe, + if I do, I will take great care of myself darling for your sake.

If I go to O’Donnells I will certainly go on the Tuesday, but I almost think I shall not go as I intend calling at the works on the Wednesday to see them all. I would call on Mrs O’Donnell love if you conveniently can, as he has been very good to me, + I know they would be pleased to see you.

Why can you tell me better love when I am there whether we shall be transported or not on the Wednesday? Do you not know now wifie if or will you be fixed then for the monthly occurrence love, I think it will be about then wont it, but I have lost count of the exact date.

I went down to our house yesterday love they had finished the whitewashing + almost finished painting. I think it will look very nice.

I have not time for any more love except that I love you more than ever
+ remain my darling Wife
Your loving, true + faithful husband
Fred
P.S. The banns were called here on Sunday morning love. You omitted to tell me whether they were called there. I suppose they would be. Have you been quizzed at all about it? love.


Reading through all the details of Janie steadily sending the items for their new home bit by bit made me rather nostalgic for a time when such a comprehensive luggage transport service existed on the railway. 

Luggage transport had a rather adhoc inception in the early days of the railways, where traveling trunks that didn’t fit into the undersized goods wagon were lashed to the roof of the rail carriages and secured by tarpaulin and a prayer. The risk of losing your belongings in transit was ever present. 

During Fred and Janie’s time this had evolved into a much more organised system of guards vans fit for the purpose. Railway companies developed systems and infrastructure to enable passengers not just to travel with their luggage but send their luggage ahead of their journey and have it delivered to their destination. 

Janie and Fred write about sending things in hampers and boxes, Fred mentions his portmanteau - a forerunner to the suitcase and Janie seems to be getting creative with sending things in large tins. 

It must have been an odd mixture of inconvenience and anticipation for Fred as his room no doubt got more and more cluttered with this parcels containing the items that they would need in their new home. As I read these details the approach of the wedding day and their new life is starting to feel more and more real. As he looked about him at this slow acquisition did Fred feel the same? 

However he does seem a rather more concerned with the question of when he and Janie might get to enjoy some intimacy, which Janie tries to clarify in her next letter:

Handsworth
Sepember 28th 1882
My own darling husband
I received your very welcome letter for which I thank you love.

I think it is a good idea love to keep some cake for the anniversarys of our wedding day, I shall arrange that there is some left. Jinnie Reckless + Annie Laverack will cut it + send it to all the addresses, then pack the rest off to me at Middlesbro’.

It is rather suggestive love Mrs Snaith finding the cuffs in their own room. I should enquire about the collars. 

It is annoying love that you cannot trust those around you, did your coat hang behind the door that had my letters in, it is vexing to have them read. Never mind love you will not have to stop there much longer, only a fortnight. I know you will be careful that they do not read any more in the fortnight + those things that I packed in your portmanteau I would lock up in your box love.

I am glad you have received the Chamber service all right but you did not say whether you had to pay the carriage. I did send the things by luggage train.

I know you will find me plenty of starching + ironing my darling but I shall not mind a bit, my husband. I wish I was there + doing it for you now. 
I have packed another box up to day + I have packed my tea service in the round tin box of mine the other day. I keep doing them as I have time so that I shall not have everything to do at the last moment.

Your mother gave me the kettle it is a nice one + her rocking chair upstairs, your Arthur is going to buy us a roast jack. Little Walter bought you the comb + brush tin that is in the portmanteau.

I am afraid I shall not get to see Mrs O’Donnell this week but will be sure to go next.

We have another hindrance on Monday the cricketing supper I think there will be about thirty.

When I said love that I did not know whether we should be transported on the Wednesday or save it until Thursday, I meant that we might not have an opportunity as there will be J[inne] + Carrie about + always somebody coming. The usual monthly should come off on the Saturday after we are married love it is generally two days behind time. So it very likely will be Monday.

I should like to look at our house with you love but I shall not have long to wait now. I am sure it will look nice my darling.

The banns were published here last Sunday. I have had very little quizzing so far love.
I have to go down to Mrs Flears today to take Sissy so please excuse more now love + I will write again to morrow.

I love you more than ever + remain, my darling husband
Your loving true + faithful
Wife
Janie

We’ll leave it there for now. Next time we hear about the industrial accident at the North Eastern Steel works and will get to investigate how quickly the telephone was adopted in Britain. 

[outro]
Thank you so much for listening to My Love Letter Time Machine. If you’d like to support the costs of producing the podcast it would be lovely if you would consider buying me a coffee at Kofi.com, that’s k o dash f i dot com forward slash my love letter time machine, and you can write to me at my love letter time machine at gmail dot com.

Until next time, take care.
© Ingrid Birchell Hughes 2023