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 

 ©2012 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis Monday – Proving the Entitlement a Son

“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.) 

[Page 1]

[Page 2]

[Page 3]

[Page 4]

[Page 5]

 Letter Transcription:

[Page 1]

May 28th 1914

Abbott and Pearce

Attorneys at Law

Dear Sirs

I certainly hope that my letter will be of some help to you in helping Mr Ward to prove his true relation to Mr Ward his father now deceased.  I have know(n) Mr Ward (Ernest) for many  years also his mother and father. Our home was their home on many occasion.  During the time they lived in Chicago we were more or less together as Mr. H. Ward was unemployed for some time and that made it so they were to my house considerably.  We were always the best of friends and being of English birth we enjoyed each (of) them very much and exchanged our confidences with each other. Mr. H. Ward always spoke of Ernest as his son to everyone that I ever heard him speak to.  Mr and Mrs Ward were devoted to their son Ernest.  We were not friends of Mr Wards at the time he was adopted and I do not know the name of the town w(h)ere they were at the time.

[Page 2]

I do know that Mr and Mrs Ward said it was a country town where they were and that Ernest was born there and finally they left that place and went to Eastwood his mother's home town and stayed there for a while and left there so that they might cover up the mistery of Ernest birth as His father and mother were very careful to have it known that Ernest was their child.  Mr and Mrs Ward told me that they had papers written and all kept ready to give to Ernest when the proper time came.  Mrs Ward told me that they had everything arranged so that if anything happened Ernest would have the letters and all that they had was to be Ernest.

Mr Ward took a trip to England several years ago and on his return he came to visit us in Kansas City and stayed several weeks just before he left he went to his trunk and took a chamois bag which contained the jewels of his dead wife and told me to take my choice of one of the things which I did and then he said what was left were to be for his son along with whatever other worldly goods

[Page 3]

he possessed as Mother and I have worked hard for that boy of mine.  In answering question (4) all I know which are facts enough in themselves are Mr Wards own words in speaking of Ernest as my son.  Mr Ward was a devoted father to Ernest.  I remember at the time they lived at Willow Springs Ills Mrs Ward told me it almost broke their hearts to have to tell Ernest he had been adopted   I believe he was 18 years old then. I cannot express my self in writing as to their love and devotion to Ernest.  I do wish you might get the letters and papers that Mr Ward had kept for Ernest as I am sure they would tell us everything we want to know Do you know whether the lady he married has the letters and papers which Ernest ought to have as his own property.  I wish I were in England right now I know I could get all the information we need.  I would go on to Eastwood and from one to another I would get the needed information.

[Page 4]

They need a little more energy and get up to them if they had it would not take long to straighten this problem out.  There are so many times I might relate to you as to how Mr Ward would say that boy of mine and the mother would just look with her sweet expression as though Ernest was the only boy in the world.  Question (6) Mr Ward said that the reason they came to America was to stop the talking of a number of old women over there (England) as there was no telling what they might tell Ernest __ if there is to be any telling I want to be the one to tell it and who should tell it but his father and when he get ready to tell it he shall know it all even though he might suffer untold pain. At that time I did not pay much attention to that as I never thought anything like this might come to Ernest.  I do hope you will be able to help Ernest in obtaining his rights as I am sure his father never intended that Ernest could not have what was intended for him.  Would like to hear of a favourable outcome of this matter. 
Yours respectfully Mrs. Thos. Smith,

over

[Page 5]

Have you written to Mrs Leivers at Eastwood she might be able to help in some way to get you in touch with she right person that could give the name of the town where Mr and Mrs Ward were at the time they took Ernest, but then all the people in Eastwood know Ernest as the son of Mr Ward.  So I do not know wether it would be of much use to take up that time.

Mrs Thos Smith

119 E. 25^th Street

Little Rock

Ark

I hope you will be able to understand my letter as it is somewhat disconnected.

©2012 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis Monday – Bob Seeks Employment in America

“An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.”

This could include the following: 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.

Here is a letter from Bob (Ward), living in England, to his Uncle William Ward in America. Bob is seeking employment and relocation advice from his uncle.

  [Letter Transcription]

c/o 3 Cumberland Villas

Milton Road

Gravesend,

Feb. 16 - 1913

Dear Uncle William.
   I am writing you to this address with the hope that should you have moved from it the letter will find its way to you.
   I have it in my mind that you are coming over to England this year, am I correct? because if you do, I want to return with you for the States;  please let me know either way.
   Now I’ve made two changes since you were last over  the first was I got a job in London with a firm of Floating Dock Specialists and from them I came to this place which is opposite Tilbury Docks on the Thames I am now an assistant Mechanical Engineer with a Large Cement Combine £7.000.000 Capital   where I’ve been 18 months and I am fed up with the English system of Engineering.  we are too conservative and ____.  I should be glad if you would give me some advice upon the following.
   What district is most suitable _ to make for,?  I mean where is your Mechanical Engineering quarter?
   What salary ought I to expect as say an Engineer’s Designer, I am getting here 55/- per week?
   Would 50£ carry me over and keep me say 3 months in America  supposing I was that time looking for a berth?
   What time of the year is considered best for arriving in the States?
   I shall be extreemly glad if you can give me any guide of help with regard to the numerous questions and I should also be glad if you would indecate on a paper map the district referred to.
   I have no startling news but I believe you are aware of my Fathers condition and position he does not alter much and keeps on in the same poor style from monthe to month.
   Mother seems to me getting older but manages to keep herself occupied but at times naturally gets a little low spirited    the remainder of the family are all in good health and I hope to hear you and all are in best health   our company by the way has several monopolies in the Cement Industry.  recently have erected on Vancouver Island a cement factory which is to commence output this August and they are now contemplating putting a plant in South Africa and they have plenty of Directors sons and nephews ready to do the tripping.
      Wishing you good health and awaiting news.
      Yours Sincerely
      Bob

[Envelope]

Addressed to:	Return to:
Mr. Wm. Ward    Azusa       Los Angeles Co         Cal U.S.A	Stamped REGISTERED Gravesend  No. 69

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis - A Letter from Hannah, March 21, 1904

“An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.”

This could include the following:   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.

A Letter from Hannah in Lee Summit, Mo.
March 21, 1904

Lee Summit

Mo

Monday, March 21/04

Dear Daughter

            I received your letter Saterday I would have written sooner here only once a day when the mailman brings the mail today he will take this letter along as we put the the letters in the box by the roadside as we do not always see him.  Well now I must tell you that we are expecting Earnest here today or tomorrow as they sent him a dispatch to come right away as soon as he could they sent the dispatch Saterday evening this work will be through by the middle of next month they have 2 shovels in running night and day  Effie Dad wants you to ask your Papa if he will Pack that Lubricator Pump in that box with the straw in that is in the trunk room and send it by express as soon as he can and send it by the express co that uses the Rock Island Rd send it to Little Blue in Dads name care of Stubs Flick and Johnson const co.
            Well we called in a Dr and he would not undertake the case as he could not do anythink for me  he said he might as well tell me at first as last he said he could run up a doctors bill but that would be all he could do for me  so Dad is going up to see him and he is going up to see the Dr and he is going to tell him what Dr to take me to in KC and then if I have to go to a specialist he will tell him where to take me to so I do not know what they will do with me that Dr that came here wanted to know if they had used the X ray on me he said he thought it would be a good Idea  I asked him about painting that lump in my neck and he said not to do it well I am tired love to all kisses for Irene from your loving Mother
                                    H Ward
            I hope your Mamma is better
                        Kind regards to the neighbours

I was not sure about the statement, “painting that lump in my neck” until I did a little research.  I believe what Hannah meant was to apply iodine to the lump on her neck. 

Studies had shown that the area around the Great Lakes region had high incident of goiter (swelling of the thyroid in lower neck area).  In the early 1900’s the United States and Canada recognized this problem and had iodine added to the salt supply called “iodized salt.”  Consumption of iodized salt successfully reduced goiter but was not enough to prevent other thyroid problems.

I do not know precisely what happened to Hannah; she may have had a goiter, or it may have been cancer, or something else.  In 1900, Hannah, was in Bohemia Township, Ontonagon, Michigan where her husband and son were employed as stationary engineers.  At the date of this letter, 1904, they were in Lee Summit, Missouri, and the men were operating steam shovels and excavating rock and grading for Stubbs, Flick & Johnson Construction Company of Kansas City.  By the 1910 census, her husband, William was a widow in California.

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis - Chicago Building and Trades Conflict of 1900

“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 is a letter from William Ward’s cousin, William Waterman, who was living in Chicago at the time of the great Building and Trades Conflict.

653 Turner Ave.

Chicago, May 1/1900

Dear Cousin

            I received your very welcome letter Today with the
20$ enclosed for which I can assure you I feel truly thankful it is more than enough to put me on my feet again  I am feeling like my old self again and shall leave Chicago Tomorrow.  So do not write me till you hear from me again  I was more than astounded when you told me about Fred Ausore being alive and working up their  I suppose Will and Ernest would think he had risen from the dead it would be a pleasant surprise and you surprised me when you gave me the Information about Sam McCall it seems like old time around Negaunee to hear the names again  the ferns. You enclosed in your letter are Harbingers of the summertime and smell of the country.  I have been longing to get away from Chicago as this winter has been one of forced exile to me the weather is very pleaseant just now. Today and Tomorrow is Dewy day in Chicago I suppose they are going to have a procession tomorrow  Their are all kind of labors. Troubles in the City . yet the big strike is still on in the building Trades over two months. now The big stores are beginging to feel it. With a loss of 800000 dollars every week in wages alone  Their is hardly a day but someone is killed in connection with it I suppose Mrs. Griffin will be going to Canada for the summer according to the rummors but as it does not interest me I do not get any particulars I trust this will find you all enjoying good health.  I will never. forget your kindness in sending me the money I will try and repay you as soon as possible
 

            Yours Very Truly

            W Waterfield
   

The Chicago Building Trades Conflict of 1900

The historical Building Trades Conflict was a battle between contractors and employees of the building industries of Chicago in 1900.  It began in the fall of 1899 but came to a head on 5 February 1900, when the contractors posted a statement on new buildings under construction.  The posting outlined new restrictive rules to govern the workmen, and was effective immediately.
 

In response, the workmen, twenty to twenty-five thousand, and representing twenty-five to thirty trades, ceased work.  They maintained that existing agreements regulating the conditions of labor and having still two or three months, and in some cases more than a year to run, had been violated by the employers, and that their employers had therefore declared a lockout against their men.

 

More resources on topic:

  

The Quarterly Journal of Economics.  “The Chicago Building TradesConflict of 1900,” by J.E. George, Page [348] of 348-370

Journal of PoliticalEconomy.  “Analysis of the Building-Trades Conflict in Chicago, from theTrades-Union Stand-Point,” by S. V. Lindholm, Page 327 of 327-346

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis Monday – A Post From John Barton

“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.”

Letter dated Dec 26 1893 to
Wm. and Hannah Ward in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from
John Barton (Hannah's father) in Newthorpe, England

To: Mr. W. Ward

850 West Congress Street
Chicago
Illinois
United States - America

From:  Newthorpe

Nottingham

Dear Son and Daughter  I received your leter and was pleased to hear that you were all well and thank William very much for his kindness  I think it would rather ____ for me at my time of life to come out there as I cant turn my hand to anything as I could 20 years since and the thought of giving home up seems to much for me at present   I would much rather keep a home to receive you if you thought well to come back while I live  I have had a severe experience for over two years and I have not got over it yet  I could tell you a good deal if I could see you much   hope to do some day  I have not been very well since  Mothers Death  I was a week before I started work    soon after I started I hurt my arm and had to away g again and now as been at home two weeks with a very bad cold _______ but glad to say I am much beter and about ready for work again so you will see I have had rather a rough time of it and I feel as if I cant aford to have any one in the house with me at present Aunt time is very poorley yet and cannot do any thing for me (Uncle _____ is also beter)  _______Straw live were Bauners did next door so Mrs and Nellie see to me now    I lock up when I go to work   when get home at night they fetch the kettle and boil it and puts anything to cook on hot for me as I want while the fire burns up and Nellie cleans up for me   they are very kind to me and I try to make myself as comfortable as I can but o it is so loneley by myself  but Mother beged of me such a many times to be shure and take care of my home and keep things together and I promised I would   she thought you would be comeing back   she would liked to have seen all three of you before she Died   there are a many things she would liked you to have I should not to see things as she as made go any ___ else you ask me what.  Mothers Illness was first poorley for along time and then the Jaundice set in and when they was at worst great black places broke out on her when getting beter of that the water got in her legs about March they seemed to ___ that she ___ untill June or July and then began she to secken again and filled with water in her bodey and was the cause of her Death if spared I will tell you inove another time your Aunt Hannah sent me a small Box by Post with a card and two nice _____ I must conclud with Love to all hopeing to hear from you soon

from your ever aff (ectionate) Father
            John Barton  
Love from Aunts Uncles and friends

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved

Amanuensis Monday – The Death of Lizzie

“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.”

May this letter stretch back in time to the family of Ward, Leivers, and Barton and help breathe life into the branches of our Tree.

Letter dated April 19, 1880
To Hannah, From M.E. Leivers of Newthorpe

Newthorpe

April 19^th/80

Dear Hannah

            I am sorry to say that it is my painful duty to tell you that Lizzie passed calmly away at half past five o clock this morning, her sufferings have been so great that it would have been cruel to have desired her to live.  Your Mother has been with her since Saturday night and has not had her clothes off since she left you.  She had begged very hard to be taken home since her Aunt came back, she said she wanted to see her Uncle, her Aunt asked her if she would like to get better or weather she would like to go to heaven, she said I should like to go to heaven, she asked her again if she knew she was going to Jesus and she said, Yes.  Your Mother says she called you about a dozen times last night, she asked her what Hannah she meant and she said, our Hannah, Your Mother told her that she had told you how poorly she was and how sorry you were and then she was a deal calmer   The Fever is very bad about here there are a very many children dying, Two more girls out of Lizzies Class are at home very bad,  Lizzie is to be buried tomorrow afternoon in the Baptist Chapel Yard, her father hears it very calm, he is going to send a POO for Polly to have some Black, it will be a great shock to you but you must bear it as well as you can we none of us know how soon we shall be called, we little thought a fortnight since of this.  I am glad to say your Father is better, We shall write again soon but you Mother wants a letter from you
            With kind regards to yourself and Husband
            I remain Yours affectionately
            M.E. Leivers

Your Mother had not time to write today

©2011 – Frank’s Daughter All Rights Reserved