This letter was sent to me by my cousin Mrs.
Eileen Herman. It was found among old documents
and memorabilia in the home of May Williams Clift.
The letter was discovered (in Canada) by one
of her nephews, Richard Sheridan. Cousin May is
91, living in Canada. Fortunately contact was
made before my mother died in 1994 and my cousin
Eileen and I still exchange letters and cards
with May.
My grandfather, Samuel Williams, was born with
his twin brother Emmanuel, at Checkendon in
Oxfordshire but the family moved to Abingdon
while they were still very young. Samuel must
have arrived in Reading in the early 1890s and he
married my grandmother, Emily Flay, in 1895.
My mother, Gwenneth, was the youngest of eight
children, and her father, Samuel, after many
occupations including Colliers the brick works,
innkeeper at The Queen in Waterloo Road, and at
The Gardeners Arms in Surley Row, ended up with a
market garden in Waterloo Road, a shop in Spring
Gardens, Reading, plus a horse and cart and a
greengrocery round.
The letter from great uncle David is
remarkable for the mention of many places in and
around Reading where he worked, and his good
memory and detailed recollection. The use of the
early X-ray is also fascinating. My mother spoke
of uncle David, but I'm afraid I don't know when
he died, and I certainly never knew him.
The original letter is written in beautiful
penmanship on both sides of bookkeeping journal
paper. Individual pages are well worn at the
edges and there are holes and abrasions at fold
lines, but the letter is quite legible.
89 Gosbrook Road,
Caversham,
Reading,
England
13.1 - 1910
My Dearest Brother & Sister, Nieces &
Nephews, no doubt,
You will be surprised to receive this letter
from me after so long. I have often thought of
you so far away from friends and relations with
such a remote chance of ever seeing any of us
again, that I some-times wish I could afford to
pay you a visit and see your home and
surroundings so far away.
You have an advantage in that respect as you
have lived here and know what things are, but
ours is only imagination in regards to your side
of the sea. I wonder if you could refresh your
memories and go back to the day you left (Abingdon
for Reading) when I was working at Wallingford
and accompanied you in the train on your way to
Reading as far as Wallingford - rather Moulsford,
that was in May 1890. I believe I well remember
your remarks to me when I left you - we shall
send for you some day. Well, my chance has come
and gone. I shall never come now and perhaps you
some times wonder how I have fared in this world
of trouble.
Well, I am glad to say, fairly well until
about two years ago. Perhaps it would interest
you to read my history a bit from the time I saw
you before mentioned.
I remained at Wallingford until the following
October then I went to Reading and was employed
by *** Smith going from place to place with
furniture, for about six months. Then I got a
start at Wilders Foundry in Minster Street at 14/-
per week as labourer. When I had been there about
one year, I was put on with a Mechanic as his
Mate and got on so well that in 12 months I was
put on jobs alone. Then began my trouble. I was
not satisfied with my wage because I was doing
the same work as men getting 30/per week. I asked
for more money week after week. I was promised
more but it never came, so I gave my notice in;
then I got 2/- per week more.
But I was not being paid what I earned as
rated in piece work prices, so I made up my mind
to get another job. At the second place I tried
for, at a place called Compton about 14 miles
from Reading, I got on at 22/- per week. I done
well there getting three rises in 15 months, in
all 5/-, making a wage of 27/- per week of 6o
hours. That's what I didn't like - a 60 hour
week, so I looked for a job elsewhere again.
But next time, I was not successful. It was at
Mackies in the Caversham Rd, Reading, at 26/- per
week of 54 hours - less money but more per hour
worked but very hard work. They almost expected
you to take your shirt off, they expected so much
work done and after about 5 months I quarrelled
with the foreman and left. That, for a time,
proved very unfortunate for me as I could not
seem to get work again, try how I would for four
months.
Then Sam was laid up with something the matter
with his foot and I done his work for about 13
weeks but this was a fall in wages to 16/- per
week. Sam, at that time was getting 21/-. That
was in 1897 when Sam came back to his work. I had
to go and was idle again for about 5 weeks. All
this time, I was lodging with Lizzie and as thev
was taking hands on at the biscuit factory, I
tried there and got a job in about a week. That
was the beginning of October and then I went to
lodge at a Mrs. Pococks, 578 Oxford Road. My work
at the factory was only promised to Xmas so I was
on the look out for another when that was
finished and about a month before I expected
notice I was successful this time at Mackies in
Katesgrove back at my trade.
Oh yes, I had a trade then - at least I
thought I knew one which after events proved to
me I did not know one quarter there was to learn.
This was in November 1897 when I got this job to
start on the first of Jan 1898 came the event of
my life as you will see. We arranged everything
and finished in 27 days. That was from the 27 of
November 1897 till the 24 of December 1897 the
day I got married, of course after a courtship of
about 4 years.
Well, I took up my duties as a Benedict on the
first of Jan as arranged but this proved to be a
short job as the firm went into liquidation the
following June. But in May before we had notice
to leave, I obtained a job in London at 36/~ per
week in the East India Dock Rd. My wife did not
want me to go but my will prevailed and I went
about the middle of May, coming home once a
fortnight. This proved an expensive job and my
high wages was made small keeping two homes. At
last after about 3 months Aug Bank Holiday came
round and I came home the first time for three
weeks. Well, the wife made such trouble when I
was going back after the Holidays that finally I
promised not to go back and wrote for my tools,
etc. and threw myself out of work.
This was rather foolish as my wife was just in
a quandary as to her condition and more so as I
remained out about two months then started again
at Mackies Caversham Road Reading. This was Oct
1898. I remained there till the following Sept,
about ii months at 26/- per week. During that
tiine, the gth of April 1899, my first daughter
was born - Gladys.
When I left Mackies, as stated, I had a great
desire come over me to gain experience and wanted
to go further afield so I answered advert in
Mechanical World and obtained appointment with a
firm at Chatteres in Cambridgeshire about 25
miles from Peterborough taking up my duties on or
about the 2nd of Oct 1899 at 32/- and remained
until Nov 1900, coming home only 4 times while I
was there. I left on my own accord on the advice
of my wife as she was expecting with Cassie who
was born on the 3rd of December 1900, about a
fortnight after I came home.
I remained at home till after Xmas then went
to the Eagle Foundry, Oxford to work at 30/- per
week. Remained there about a year and 10 months,
riding my machine home every week end. I think it
was about Jan 1902 that I went to Wallis &
Stevens Engineers, Basingstoke at 32/- per week,
staying there till June 1903 when I left to go to
a job as Bookmakers clerk at Ascot Races. This
was not successful, so I obtained a job at a new
firm as was building at Caversham Bridge Reading
- Mssrs. R. Allen & Son, the Reading iron
Works, at 32/- per week. Remained there till May
1905 when I returned to Wallis & Stevens at
Basingstoke. This time taking my wife and family
with me and resided in Basingstoke till the
following March 1906. Returning, I lived on my
savings in Reading for a while living in Oxford
Road in a house built on the Elm Park in your
time here. From here I went to Coventry at 38/-
per week- was there about six months. From there
to Shrewsbury Shropshire - was there about 7
months. From there to John Thornecrofts,
shipbuilders, Southampton was there about 4
months as leading hand. Then I obtained a
position at Vantage Engineering Works as Foreman
at £2 per week holding that position till March
1908 when I had to hand in my resignation owing
to ill health and my suffering from a diseased
knee bone, which unfortunately, has caused me
trouble ever since that time. But I will tell you
all about that when I have finished my narrative.
Well, I came with iny wife and family now - 4
daughters - to Reading and am glad to say after
five weeks was able to look for and get another
position - the first I tried for was successful
and the one I am in now. My late employer gave me
excellent references, adding he was very sorry to
lose me find wishing me success.
Now you will have followed me up till the 28th
of March 1908 the day, I started here at a
reduced rate as I was in failing health - 35/-
and extra which makes this as good as 1/- for
every hour worked, as I only worked 40 hours per
week and very often less now. After I had been
here about 2 weeks, I was offered a position as
foreman for. a five year engagement to Horig Kong
China. But before accepting, I thought it my duty
to inform them of my medical unfitness, which you
will understand was the only reason for me not
going.
This was unfortunate for me as it was five
years work at £375 per year and residence. Sani
saw the negotiations in reference to this job and
could inform anyone of its genuiness.
Now I have brought you tip to the present time.
I am afraid I shall tire all of this but forgive
me - I thought it would be the best way to
explain.
Now dear Brother &- Sister, I will tell
you about my knee. Two years ago on the 14 of Nov
1908 when I woke up I had a terrible aching at my
left knee and much swollen. I thought it was a
strain but it proved after that it was riot. It
got from bad to worse several doctors treated me
but none did me any good. Finally, I went to the
hospital but unfortunately, they treated me
wrongly at first for a complaint I had not got -
gout; gave me bottle after bottle of medecine
which did no good till one day I suggested the
Rongion Rays (probably means Roentgen Rays
discovered by Wilhelni Roentgen in 1895
and commonly referred to as x-rays) and the
next time I went the doctor told me all the
medecine in the world would not do me any good -
I must go under operation.
I consented and after waiting about a
fortnight for a bed I was admitted on the 4 of
September last year, went under operation on the
6th of September - had a piece of the knee cap
taken away. This relieved me for some time but I
am sorry to say it got quite bad again, in fact
much worse than it has ever been and am expecting
to go under operation again shortly. It is known
as Tubercular Knee Joint.
Now dear Brother & Sister and all the
family, I have told you my history as far as I
can remember and considering I had no
apprenticeship and no one to use any influence on
my behalf, it has been gratifying to me to see
myself pass by those that was apprenticed paying
£50 premium. And had I been in good health, I
was told by a Mining Engineer I could have got to
the top of the tree and that was a man holding a
position in the Engineering trade which brought
him in £1400 a year.
So you will quite understand how my prospects
were blighted by this knee joint of mine. You
will also notice that I have left every place I
have worked at; not once being discharged -
except when doing Sam's job.
Now I am glad to tell you Sam and his family
are all fairly well but I think Sam has written
you lately. Lizzie and her family are all quite
well. I saw her last Saturday night but I think
they have been in very straightened circumstances
owing to Redge being out of employment so much
this last 2 or 3 years. But the family are all at
work except one and Lizzie goes out to work.
Now I must tell you my wife and daughters all
wish to send their kind regards and would very
much like to see you all, but I am afraid that
cannot be.
Dear Brother & Sister, I shall be pleased
indeed to receive a line from you, then I will
write again. Meantime, I will be thinking of you
and hoping you may not blame me for taking up so
much of your time with this letter. You may
remark, 'He has sent a book', but never mind,
keep on till the end now.
I will close trusting this note will find you
are happy and well. Believe me, your ever loving
Brother, the Plough Boy.
Good bye & God Bless you all. I am glad to
tell you Mother dear is fairly well. God Bless
her.
From Dave xxx
