A letter dated 1833, family photos

Back Row: Percy, Lex, (Alexander, who was killed in the First World War), Daisy, Barry, Boetie Centre Row: Gwen, Frances Alice (Birdie), Alexander John Ennis, Susannah Alice (Cawood), Polly Front Row: Stella, Phyllis (daughter of Daisy & AH Holmes), Prim and Joyce. PHOTO TAKEN 1903/1904

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Manchester Nov. 26. 1833 Dear Cousin! [WILLIAM WEDDERBURN b. 1800, grandfather of Alexander John Ennis, centre photo]              I received your letter of the 20th February and likewise one from your brother George of the 5th. Feb. I have not seen or heard anything of Mr. Shaw since I received the letter, he sent it by Post. I am glad to hear that you are all recovered from your late sickness. I am sorry to inform you that my eldest sister Mary Ann is dead, she died in child bed, she has left two children, Sister Betsy has 3, and Sister Jane is now lying in of the 4th, I believe she is doing well, she lives at Eccles, Brother Adam lives with me, he is single yet; I think I sent you word in my last, that Uncle William was dead; there is a cousin of ours by the name of Bibbey, that lives here in Manchester, he is a Sailor, I believe the rest of relations at Ulverston are all well; it appears that you hear bad accounts of England, but it is without foundation; Trade has been very brisk in general, you would scarce know Manchester, they have made a deal of the public streets, wider such as Market Street, and many others, there are large public Buildings making all over the Town, there seems no be no want of money amongst them, there is a Railway to Liverpool, we can go 36 miles in 1½  hours; I sent your letter to Mr. Quail of Liverpool, he was glad to hear from you, they are all very well, they have not received a letter from you these 2 or 3 years, they thought you were all dead. I understood they had written frequently to you; they have made Manchester into a Borough Town, we send 2 Members to Parliament; we are going to have the ******* held here instead of Lancaster, they say we are to be governed by a Mayor; my wife’s Brother and family are gone to America, my wife wants to go, but I think there is no place like Old England. Times were never much better, tho’ we are heavy taxed, they are going to reduce many of them, and I don’t mind, how soon. Mr. Adamthwait is very well, he is always glad to hear from you, he is retired from Business, and given it up to his son, I do business with them, and have done some years, he wishes to be kindly remembered to Uncle & Aunt, Mrs. Boden is very well, sends her respects and Mother’s to all, and could like to see Uncle & Aunt, if it was not so far, there are many always enquiring after my Uncle, Mr. Bewley ***** belonging to the Sick Society that he belonged, Mr. Shaw that was the Clerk of it, belongs to a Society that I am in, there is a Mr. Milner attends my house regular, that is often talking about him, and Mr. Pod that died, had your house, he was apprentice with Mr. Brown **** Deans Gate; Mrs Russell’s printing Concern is given ****, the Sons are turned out wild, one is a Doctor, the youngest Samuel should have looked after the Business, but he was too fond of his Drink. Mr. Fawcet still lives in the old place, Mr. Lane & family are still living and doing well, Mr. Lane has been presented with a piece of Plate for his long service in the Philanthropic Society; we have 5 or 6 new Churches built in Manchester, and the neighbourhood, besides many Chapels since you left, indeed it is not like the same place, there are finer shops in Market Street, than there are in London, they are built of Stone *** 6 stories high. Give my Wife’s very kindest respects to my Uncle & Aunt, your cousin George & Sisters, tell him I received his letter, and was glad to hear they were so comfortable at home, I would like to see my Uncle and all of you once more, but that is impossible, so I remain                                               Your affectionate Cousin,                                                        John Wedderburn  Tell your Brother to direct for me at the Adam * Collingwood Fleetstreet, Deansgate, it is the house that I keep at present.

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"WEDDERBURN, (Mrs.) Julia Amelia Jane (née Wilmore) (b. 1837).  Wife of Christopher Wedderburn (born Grahamstown 1834).  Born at Fort Brown, E.P.  Daughter of Gregory Willmore, Esq., who was for thirty years in the service of H. M. Queen Victoria.  Educ. at her home by private tuition.  Memb. I.O.G.T (1873); I.O.T.T. (1875); W.C.T.U. (1880); One By One Band.  Was in the Fort at Post Retief during the war of 1846, and underwent stirring vicissitudes. Is interested in total abstinence and has done much good work in connection with Bands of Hope and similar institutions.  For her valuable work in connection with the I.O.G.T., was in 1895 elected Deputy Right Worthy Grand Supt. of Juvenile Temples for Eastern S.A., and has been the recipient of  hundreds of grateful letters.  Res., Rokeby Park, near Grahamstown, C.P."

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ALEXANDER JOHN ENNIS WEDDERBURN

Frances Alice "Birdie" Beavan née Wedderburn, (eldest daughter of Alexander John Ennis, who married Frederick Charles Bevan), with her daughter Elsie Joy Beavan, aged 3. Photo taken ca. 1912.

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These pages prepared by:

Peter Garwood
L'Eau Salée
Malaucène
84340 France

(Photos and letter reproduced with the kind permission of Settler Wedderburn descendants in Canada and South Africa)


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