Amanuensis Monday – Encouragement from Leivers of Eastwood

“An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them.”

This letter is one of a few letters in our possession in which Ernest’s rights to his adoptive father, William Ward's estate are challenged. Previous letters have been posted regarding his adoption by William and Hannah Ward of Nottingham. (Ernest Ward is my husband's grandfather.)

Here, Lily Leivers (Hannah’s niece) sends words of encouragement to Mrs. Smith (see previous posted letter) and support for Ernest’s legal rights.

[Stationary Heading]

 

MEMORANDUM

From W. LEIVERS, STAR LIVERY STABLES, VICTORIA STREET, EASTWOOD, NOTTS. Telephone No. 1 X 2, Langley Mill.

Oct 21 1913 To Mrs Smith

[Letter]

Dear Mrs Smith.

Mrs Naylor came in last night and brought the letter which you sent her, and we were surprised to hear contents.  I being a cousin to Ernest Ward thought I would write and ask you to tell him he must not doubt in the least that he is not Mr Ward's son for all his relations here always have said that Mr Ward was Ernest's own Father so that he must say he is his own son and he will have just as good chance as Mrs Ward for if they say he must prove it, they will have to prove he is not, so I thought I must write and tell him he must not doubt for one moment but why he is son to him, and in the meantime we will do what we can to try and find out all.  I think it would be best to engage a lawyer.  If we knew what his mother's name was?  Where he was born?  And his age?  We could certainly get his birth certificate, but we will certainly do what we can for him and let you know.  Mother and Father both join with me in love to Ernest, with best of wishes and yourself.  Trusting we shall get to know something satisfactory but he must be sure to not doubt at all about the matter.

I remain

Yours very sincerely

Lily Leivers

[Diagonal note]

acted as nurse from time taken till they left old country.

This is the same Leivers family who started the “Star Livery Stables” on Victoria Street, in Eastwood, Nottingham, England and next door to the birthplace of the author DHLawrence.

As the back drop for his characters and settings, Lawrence employed his birth place of Eastwood, which he disguised as ‘Bestwood Hill’ in his book, Sons and Lovers. In it, he recreated the mining countryside and the mining communities of his youth.  Lawrence incorporated the fictional names of Leivers’ cab and Leivers’ Garage from the William Leivers’ Star Livery Stables next door.  This family business of Star Livery Stables would evolve to become ‘The Eastwood Funeral Partnership’ of today.

Additional information on some of the Leivers family, Eastwood, and mining can be found at Miners and Their Families.

A Leivers family outing in front of DHL's birthplace. 
Evelny is standing on the step and her sister and mother are seated in the carriage.
Photo from article Lord and Starbuck Families 

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