“I Fred Shepherd, take thee Jane Warburton”

Season 5, episode 8. 7th - 12th October 1882. It's Fred and Janie's wedding! We have the last of the letters, and Ingrid tries her best to recreate the wedding of her Great Great Grandparents. Grab your tissues. 

[Wedding March Pipe Organ royalty free music standard license purchased from audio jungle/ Envato]

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, is a wonderful bitter sweet day because today they get married but we also have the last letters

[“I Fred Shepherd, take thee Jane Warburton”]
So here we are, nearly 2 years and 74 episodes in, and we’ve arrived at the last of the letters, and Janie and Fred’s wedding. There will be other podcasts after this - I think the epilogue is going to take me at least 6 or 7 more episodes — as I have mentioned before, I do have a fair chunk of Janie’s papers and letters from other people. However I will quite understand those of you who might like to treat today’s episode as the final one given that there are no more letters by Fred or Janie themselves, I’m am more than content if you want to part ways so that you can think of Janie and Fred living happily ever after. I *will* be back next week but today, I won’t close with a ’next time’ but allow the story to speak for itself. 

While I’m at it, I hope you don’t mind me passing the hat around - if you have enjoyed My Love Letter Time Machine and want to leave me a tip, you can buy me a coffee over on ko fi dot com - that’s k o dash f i dot com slash my love letter time machine. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far, we were up to 161 cups of coffee at the last count, and thank you so much for joining me on this amazing journey through time and space courtesy of my great great grandparents love letters. I do hope you will continue to travel with me a little longer, in whatever way the podcast evolves.

These remaining three letters are full of all the last minute tasks that need doing before the wedding and Janie’s move to Middlesbrough. As I’ve mentioned before I’m also profoundly moved by how fully conscious Janie and Fred were regarding the ending of their letter writing. Fred counted all the letters he’d received from Janie - 160. So adding Fred’s to that - must make 320 minimum. I am now convinced, that the reason the letters survived, is that Fred and Janie treasured them right from the beginning. As Janie mentions in her next:

Handsworth
October 7th 1882

My own darling husband
I received your very welcome letter this morning for which I thank you.
I do not feel as though I was going to bury myself darling on leaving the country. I feel as though I was going to be happy in our home, my home will be with you love then.

Our letters will close now love, this will be my last under the present circumstances. I shall be very busy tomorrow on Monday, I do not think I shall have time to write, they have been a pleasure to both of us, in writing, a source of comfort in receiving my darling. 

I got on with Lena all right love, she was as pleasant as possible they think they will not be able to come to our wedding as it is the beginning of their week + a very busy day.
I think our Fred’s Polly + your Louisa will agree all right at our house love, Polly was here on Wednesday at the same time as Louisa + I should think she was never more agreeable in her life + our Emma too, our Emma has been on the steady key this week. I wish she may continue so over next week.

[…] we will go by the 5-15 train, it would be awkward if there were no cabs love because I shall have some luggage, I shall have a large tin trunk + a hat box. I thought if I had one large one that would not take much looking after + take the hat box in the carriage with me.

I think it would be foolish to send everything with the furniture love because if we take that with us we shall not have to pay for it.
I think I shall be able to pack one of your hats in with mine. I think it would be best to go away in your tall one love as the other would take up the least room + do not forget your travelling cap, so that you can take it off in the railway carriage + be comfortable love.

I am sorry we can’t stay with Mrs Gordon love, + it is rather awkward that we cannot get in next door, if you can get two rooms for a week I will continue to get the house as near ready as possible so that we can go in it, I do not want you to be in lodgings any longer than we can possibly help.
Mr Marstons are very kind to offer to put us up there if we cannot get apartments love, but I would rather go into apartments if you can get them, we might stop at your lodgings one night if you cannot get possibly get any.

I will try to get the furniture packed off on Wednesday love I think it would be the best plan, because there will be lots of things in the boxes I shall want before then the Wednesday or Thursday following. I am going down to your house on Tuesday to pack what there is there, shall you be very disappointed love if I meet you at Darnall Station instead of Sheffield as it would give me more time to get them done, you will catch the 6-20 train to Darnall won’t you love?

We will talk it over about going to Tynemouth when you come darling. I can hardly realize that you are coming so soon, only two more days before I see my own husband. I feel rather tired this morning.

Annie + I went to see Polly at Sheffield yesterday + we had a lot of running about besides Jinnie Reckless sent word yesterday morning, could we meet her at Victoria Station at quarter to two as she was going to set one of the girls off by train to Stockport + she could take half an hour, when we got there Mrs Gover [the matron] was there, so we were disappointed + we had had to wasted an hour over Jinnie said in her letter if she was not there we were to go up to the [Blind] Institution in the evening, first I had to go to Mrs Flears + Annie had to go to her sisters at Brincliffe then we both met at Pollys + had tea, then Polly went with us to the Institution + we got back by the nine oclock train, don’t you think we did a good half days work love?
I shall have to go again on Monday to Sheffield, my sister wants me to go with her to buy the biscuits +c for the wedding.

You have had some running about my darling. It will be much better to have the chimneys swept now than to have the dirt afterwards + also the cleaning down done, I will thank you love for being so thoughtful when I see you I shall have some kisses in store for you love.

It will be better not having to pay Punch Bros just at the time love.

It will not inconvenience me in anyway about John Meay’s gloves. I got the others last Tuesday but I left his + will get them on Monday.
It is the usual thing to give the bridesmaids something love but I hardly know what to suggest. The brooch + earrings will be suitable for me love but they have both of them brooches, what you think love if I manage to meet you at Sheffield + we buy them something there, then we could both choose it, you will come by the usual train love won’t you?

Jinnie is coming up this afternoon to spend settle everything. I thought I would get your letter done love + then she would not hinder me.
I enclose you a piece of paper of the journal about the proper thing to do when you receive presents. You thanked Mr Marston in person love so I should think it will not be necessary to write.

I am glad Mr Cooper has offered you a longer holiday love, you will see love how we go on, whether you take until Saturday. 
I should think it will be about the present that Mr Cooper wants to speak to you love, money would be the most acceptable to us at present I like to hear tell of Mr Cooper wanting to speak to you darling it is generally good news.
You must not forget the certificate love, it will be the last time of asking [the banns] tomorrow + our last Sunday single, we shall have some pleasurable ones then my darling, I do love you.
I hope we shall not have any awful affairs like your shorthand clerk’s wife, love. There is woman dead in the [grave]yard below our house of child birth

I shall have to give up now it is dinner time I think I have answered all your letters
Also I love your more than ever
I remain my darling husband
Your loving true + faithful
Wife
Janie


Albert Terrace
Linthorpe Road
Middlesbrough
October 8th 1882

My own darling Wife
I received your nice long + welcome letter this morning for which I thank you.
I am glad that you do not think you are going to bury yourself here darling; I think you will be happy, at least I will try to make you so, + I think I shall succeed love.

And so I have received your last letter darling under present circumstances - + this will probably be my last as well. There is something almost melancholy in the last of anything + especially of letters. It marks in this case a great change, whether for good or bad remains to be seen – though I have no doubt it will be for good love.

I am afraid I am getting rather melancholy darling, + I must stop it or I shall be making you the same. I think it is because of the weather, it has been raining pitilessly since 7 oclock this morning, + it is now three pm, + it is still coming down as though it were never going to cease, + it looks so miserable outside.

It is rather quiet here to day, as the juvenile as we call him (Alvey) has gone to Sheffield, + he has the most aminal spirits of the three of us. Though he has been depressed this last few days at the thought of me leaving, + Bankes says he is also very sorry. But I will not say any more about this love.

This is the last Sunday I shall have love without you, the others I shall spend with my darling wife + they will be happy ones love, for I am always happy when with you.
I am glad you got on with Lena all right love + that she was pleasant though I am not very sorry that they are not to be at the wedding. Did our Walt +Jane say they would be there love?
I am very pleased your Emma has been better this last week love, I hope she will be the same next week my darling, or at least on Thursday.

I think the 5.15 train would be the best to come by love after all, because if we came by the other it would be after twelve when we got in, + then we should want some supper after we got to our lodgings, + that would make it about two when we got to bed, + that together with a probably exhaustive night might knock you up next day love; + I expect the first few days will be rather tiring ones for you my darling, but I shall be with you + will help you to bear them.
Are you not just a bit afraid love of the ill-usage you will get “the first night,” though it will not be as painful as it would be if we had not had any before.

I think you are very moderate in your luggage love if you have only two boxes. I shall be very pleased if you can pack my small hat with yours + then I can come away in my tall one as you suggest.
I will not forget my travelling cap + then I shall be comfortable love, with you anywhere.

I have got lodgings in Borough Road. You will remember Borough Road is the one we come on from the top of Church Street to Linthorpe Road. The house is the same that I applied at when I first came here, but I thought they were too dear for me then. We shall have to pay 20/- for the week, which includes fire + gas, + the landlady will do the cooking. I have told her to get us some necessary things to start with love, such as bread + tea +c, + then you can get the other necessary things the next day love. The price is rather dear love, but the rooms are rather nice + not too far from Milton Street + I really did not know where to go for rooms. The landlady’s name is Mrs Featherstone, she is a member of [our church at] St Paul’s + seems to be a most respectable woman but I believe very particular, so that I shall have to be careful.
I don’t think we shall want them more than a week for the house will be habitable in a week I think love, + then we will settle down for life my darling, you + I.

I hope you will succeed in getting the furniture off on Wednesday love, it will be so much more convenient then, than if it comes the following week. When you go down to our house love, do not pack up any of the periodicals up, I think I will get them bound at P + B’s + then they can send them here with their things for the works.
You say at first you will not be able to meet the train at Sheffield + then you say you will meet me at Sheffield + then we could buy something for the bridesmaids love. Which shall you do my darling, I have not the least idea what to buy.

Only two days my darling + then I see my little wife, + bring her away with me too for ever. Oh love, it seems almost too good to be true.

You did have a lot of running about love on Friday. You must be careful + not over tire yourself darling. I think you went far enough to have half an hour with Jinnie, are her half hours so valuable?

If you go to Sheffield tomorrow love you might buy the bridesmaids’ presents, + then it would not matter so much about you coming to meet me at Sheffield Station as you will be so busy, but I shall want you to meet me at Darnall love, for it will not be like coming home if my little wife is not there to meet me. I shall be very pleased to to receive your kisses that you have in store for me darling. 

I am glad that you had not got John Meays’ gloves love, I was afraid from what you said in your letter that you had done so. 

I am glad that you got my letter done before Jinnie came love, or I might have had a short one as before. 
I received your cutting from the journal + we will act accordingly love.
I thought you would like to hear of Mr Cooper wanting to speak to me, it generally is something good love as you say.
I will not forget about the certificates love, I will go to the parson the first thing tomorrow morning + make sure of it.
I played at football yesterday with the team from Attercliffe against Middlesbro. We lost 5 to 1. Attercliffe only brought a poor team.
I believe I played pretty well, as […] Middlesbro said they had never seen me play like that for Redcar, + for a wonder did not get hurt at all, for which I was very thankful, as I was thinking yesterday morning, if I got hurt at all seriously it would make matters very awkward. I dont think I shall play much now as I dont think I get sufficient exercise during the week, + the consequence is that I am always as stiff as a poker for two or three days afterwards.
They went home at 10.38 + would get to Sheffield about 3.0 this morning. They seemed to enjoy the outing very much.
There love that finishes my last love-letter, a great effort is it not for last, + no Greek in it love. You might just give me a line or two for Tuesday morning darling, if you can crowd one in anyway.
I remain my darling Wife
Your loving true + faithful husband
(“Till death us do part”)
Fred
P.S.  I do love you Wife! (x)

Handsworth
October 9th 1882
My own darling husband
I received your nice long letter this morning for which I thank you love.
I have a few minutes to spare to write you a line or two.

There is something rather melancholy in the last of anything love especially letters, it does mark a great change in our lives in this case, I think it will be for good and we shall both try to make each other happy my darling + I think we shall succeed.

You must not get melancholy love that will never do, we shall soon be together now.
We had a splendid day here yesterday, the weather has been very nice this last week + looks likely to continue.

Mr ODonnell + Tom Hughes called yesterday at dinner time. Mrs O’Donnell still wants me to go down if only for an hour so I shall come round that way after I have been to Sheffield. They also said they had seen the juvenile (Alvey) in Sheffield on Saturday, the firm [of lodgers] will feel depressed at having to lose one of the partners but then they will not lose him all together he will be able to go and see them occasionally or they will be able to come and see him. 
The last Sunday as single is over love we shall be married folks the next, husband + wife, we shall have some happy ones then darling

Walter + Jane  said they should be there + Lucy but I think not her husband as he is [still] bad with the gout. Jane is going to give us one of those front room coal pans.

I received the cards from Pawson + Blailfords this morning they are very nice + also a letter from Betsy Frith + a present it is a little butter knife […] 

I am not a bit afraid of the ill-useage I shall get “the first night love.”

I am glad you have got lodgings love, they are rather dear but then we cannot expect them to be very cheap only taking them for a week. I am glad you thought of asking the landlady to get us some necessary things to start with but you are always so thoughtful my darling. I will try my best to reward you.

We shall not want them more than a week love, then we shall settle down for life you + I, we shall be happy.
I am afraid I shall not have much room to pack any books at all love.

I will meet you at Darnall it will be more convenient love + buy the bridesmaids presents to day at Sheffield.
It does seem almost to good to be true, that you will be here so soon my darling, + take me away with you for ever.
I should not have gone up to the Blind Institution on Friday but I wanted to see Jinnie particularly about the hats.
I shall meet the 6-20 train at Darnall it would not be like coming home if I did not meet you at one of the stations.
I am glad you did not get hurt at all with playing at football love, did Mr Barker bring your desk your mother said she was going to ask him.
There is no Greek in your letter this time love it is a great effort for the last.

Maurice is not very well this morning, it is dinner time. I shall have to give over now love.
I remain my darling husband
Your loving true + faithful wife
(“Till death us do part”)
Janie
P.S. I do love you husband.
P.S. I am just going to get ready to go to Sheffield so please excuse more.
Betsy sends her kind regards to you.
P.S. Not many hours now love before I see you.

Those multiple ps’ from Janie just serve to underline that this truly is the very last letter. Oh my goodness, i feel v emotional… (The window of my time machine is now going to get very fuzzy indeed and it’ll be up to me to put together the rest of the story)

Janie would have spent part of her Tuesday in Sheffield looking to buy presents on behalf of Fred, for her bridesmaids — Jinny Reckless, Annie Laverack and Annie Wortley. Did she go for earrings in the end - given the rush she was in, it might have been the easiest option. Once her errands were done she made her way to Darnall station, waiting for the 6:20 train to come in. 

After a joyful reunion on the platform, they would have walked to Fred’s family home and more than likely had tea with his mother Ann, a festive feel hanging over the proceedings before Fred walked her the two miles back up to Handsworth perhaps for the last time. A moment of quiet before the whirlwind of the next days overtook them. 

I also love how Janie’s friends and sister-in-law are making a bit of fuss of her in the run up to the wedding too, she deserves a bit of cherishing and attention given how far down the pecking order she’s usually been. And it’s rather gratifying that Emma seems to have bucked up a bit this week too. You know, I do wonder actually if Emma suffered from depression, and that when her mood got particularly dark this was when she turned to the comfort of alcohol. She seems to have distinctly cheered up with the advent of Janie’s wedding and I’m hopeful that the joy of the occasion was enough to keep her going for a little while. Despite all her problems Emma had a heart, she demonstrates genuine concern for people around her when they are ill, I’m thinking of her expressions of worry for her father, and going to be with their servant Kate, when Kate fell ill. She’s been into town this week to get the wedding biscuits with Janie - she possibly even paid for them. If I was Emma’s family — Oh hang on — I am. I keep forgetting. What I mean is — I think I’d be worrying that she might fall off the wagon again when all the excitement is over. But for the time being, while we can’t know for sure, I think Emma managed to stay strong for the wedding.

After dropping Janie off, Fred would have made his way to O’Donnels to meet up with his old mates for an evening of cards, singing, a whisky or two and no doubt some good natured ribbing. I wonder how sore his head would have been for Wednesday which would have been full of last minute errands, such as getting the gloves to all the groomsmen, as well as making time for Janie to show him the wedding gifts they’d received. 
On the morning of the wedding, Fred, his best man John Meays and the rest of his family walked up to Handworth in all their wedding finery, and Fred had the first part of the experience of ‘being gazed up’ as they must have attracted friendly attention from neighbours and passers by. I’m so glad Fred chose John as his best man he strikes me as kindly and supportive and would have been right there with reassuring words for Fred while he dressed nervously.
Meanwhile back in Handworth, Janie was getting ready with her bridesmaids. I have a photograph of Janie taken the following year in Middlesborough. She would have sat for that photo in her best dress - and it is highly likely that the dress in the photograph is the one she had made for the wedding. It’s a mid tone fabric perhaps a grey - which was a popular colour that brides would chose, with a tight fitted bodice, lace detail at the front, dark collar and cuffs and a frothy dark scarf. On her wedding day she pared this with a hat and a white veil, as well as a new pair of gloves. She was also wearing the new earrings and broach that Fred had given her, I’m quite certain that the flowers for the wedding party were bought from Handsworth nurseries and so Janie and her bridesmaids would have had rather wonderful flowers, this time of year the chrysanthemums and dahlias were still going strong, and there may have even been the last of the orange blossom from the greenhouses. It would have all been rather colourful. 

Remembering the catalogue of little mishaps that her sister-in-law Polly had had on the morning of her wedding, I think when the offer of a fortifying drink was made, Janie would have elected to choose sherry to avoid the risk of any stains from accidental spills. 

After the pandemonium of everyone else in the Cross Keys getting ready, and then clattering out, to go wait at the church, there would have been a last quiet moment just with Janie, and her father James. Despite his deteriorating health, James would have made a real effort, this would have been a proud day for him, to give his daughter away. He’d have put on his top hat, told Janie how lovely she looked, or how lucky Fred was or, as has been a tradition in my family, might have said ‘it’s not too late back out you know’, before offering his arm to his youngest child ready to escort her the very few steps to St Mary’s and into her new life.
Durning the ceremony, after Fred and Janie declared their willingness, the Rev Mowat would have asked “Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?” and James would have handed over Janie’s right hand to him, who in turn passed it for Fred to take in his own right hand and guided him, no doubt through his considerable nerves, to say the following vows from the Book of Common Prayer:
“I Fred Shepherd take thee Jane Warburton to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

Janie would have been guided to reply in return:
“I, Jane Warburton take thee Fred Shepherd to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

John Meays moment was up next to pass over the wedding ring and Fred would have placed it on Janie’s finger with the following words: 
“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
After declaring them wed and offering prayers, Rev Mowat would have taken them to one side or even to the vestry where they would have signed the marriage register.

I’ve seen the record for this, Fred and Janie are both recorded as being ‘full age’ (meaning over 21) as bachelor and spinster, they’ve signed the document in their best handwritings, and the witnesses were William Warburton, John Meays, and Jinny - signing her name as Mary Jane Reckless, although she’d had to have a second go at her signature as the first has been struck out - I think because she started to sign as M J Reckless as the vicar must have leaned over to tell her she was required to write her full name. (I was tempted to do a reckless by name/nature joke here but something tells me that she was probably heartily sick of them)

Formalities all over, not doubt Fred would have sighed with relief as he escorted his new wife down the aisle and into the church yard to the sound of church bells and the bit he was particularly dreading, being pelted with pounds of rice by their friends, family and well wishers from Handsworth. 

James and Maria Warburton, as proprietors of the Cross Keys were more than capable of hosting a wedding breakfast, and a table groaning with food would have proudly been offered to their guests. 

In Mrs Beeton’s every-day cookery and housekeeping book of 1888 there is a full page diagram plotting the table layout of what is described as a “Cold Collation for a Summer Entertainment, or Wedding or Christening Breakfast for 70 or 80 Persons”

Underneath it says: "[the dishes should] be arranged with the large and high dishes down the centre and the spaces filled up with the smaller dishes, fruit, and flowers, taking care that the flavours and colours contrast nicely, and that no two dishes of a sort come together. This bill of fare may be made to answer three or four purposes, placing a wedding cake or christening cake in the centre on a high stand, if required for either of these occasions. A few dishes of fowls, lobster etc etc should be kept in reserve to replenish those that are most likely to be eaten first. A joint of cold roast and boiled beef should be placed on the buffet, as being something substantial for the gentlemen of the party to partake of. Besides the articles enumerated in the bill of fare, biscuits and wafers will be required, cream-and-water ices, tea, coffee wines\ liqueurs, soda-water, ginger-beer, and lemonade. "

The buffet at the Cross Keys was probably a repeat of Janie’s bother’s wedding earlier that year which Janie described as follows:

“We had breakfast about half past twelve. It was a very nice one. We had beef, ham, chickens, tongue, tea + coffee + all kinds of sweets, the brides cake was a very good tast[ing] one. We shall want one about a hundred weight to supply all our friends I think love, shan’t we?”

We know from a previous letter Fred and Janie’s cake weighed in at 20 pounds which while not a hundred weight is still a fairly sizeable creation. They would have cut it as tradition and at some point speeches would have been made. It’s appealing to think that when John Meays stood to give his best man speech he might have harked back to a sentiment he gave to Fred earlier that year when he wrote:

“I shall only be too pleased to hear that you are really going to embark on the idea of matrimony + may you have a calm voyage, + may the Bark sail pleasantly , without springing a leak, or running aground”

And then there was dancing - to the music of the fiddle played by their friend Charley and no doubt things would have got a little more rowdy. 

Four o’clock would have arrived all too soon and everyone would have piled out of the pub to see Janie and Fred safely ensconced in their wedding carriage ready for the wedding drive off to the station. I do wonder who waved them off at the station - did the whole family go on a drive in carriages with them? Hopefully Tom Wortley wasn’t doing any dangerous driving on this occassion. I can’t see their friends passing up the opportunity to wave them off so I’m wondering if they did their goodbyes in two parts, first to Janie’s parents and Fred’s mother and the wider family and guests at the Cross Keys, and then, some of their friends, joining them on their celebratory drive, and seeing them to the station. As the train pulled away who would have been on the platform to wave them off? Maybe Fred’s brother Arthur, perhaps Janie’s brother’s Fred and John and even her sister Emma. Surely Jinnie Reckless and John Meays, along with the rest of their bridemaids and groomsmen. I can’t help feeling Jinny must have been a little forlorn as she watched her dearest friend be born away from her on a train vanishing into the twilight. 

Fancy travelling on the train as newly weds - They would have shone would they not? Surprised, and happy, suddenly shy. I bet they grinned at each other the entire journey. Fellow passengers would have cottoned on quick, offered their congratulations no doubt, and the spark of celebration would have been carried along with them the 100 miles to Middlesbrough. We know from Fred’s journeys that there wasn’t a direct train and they’d may have had to change at York - usually an hour wait or more. Would they have taken a walk along the cobbled streets, looked up at the great Minster in the fading light of the evening, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the streets as they laughed with recollections of the day. 

Then on to Middlesbrough, arriving in the dark, hailing a cab, bundling in their travel things and finally arriving at x street. 

Would Fred have carried Janie over the threshold to their lodgings or would they have decided to wait and leave that for the new house in Milton Street the following morning? I’m imagining their landlady would have made up their room as nicely as she could, a fire lit to welcome them, ensured there was a cold supper waiting, perhaps been a bit giggly when she greeted them - charmed at the idea of newly-weds spending their first week with her. 

And then they would have at last been alone, with no distractions and just each other. 

Tommorow Fred would proudly be able to show Janie the new home he had found for them, and maybe at the weekend they would be made much of by their new friends on a trip to Tynemouth. 

However, tonight, all that could wait.  

Tonight…?

Tonight the moon was shining splendidly, it was just one of their nights.

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

(Wedding March Pipe Organ royalty free music standard license purchased from audio jungle/ Envato)