Reed family
Transcription of letters and other documents:
Letter dated July 14th 1888 from Edward Reed, father of Olive Emma Reed, to his eldest son Edward:
From 7 Tackley Place, Kingston Road, Oxford;
Envelope addressed to “Edwd. Jas. Reed Esq, c/o Mr Watson, Mullingar[**], Ireland;
The postmark on the front of the envelope is “Oxford, Jy 14 88”, and on the rear: “Mullingar B Jy 16 88”;
The envelope is marked in manuscript (perhaps in WGRA’s handwriting):
a)”Grandpa Reed’s first wife came from Shaldon” [***];
b)”This is Grandpa Reed’s letter written to his eldest son, our Uncle Edward”;
Beside the address (7 Tackley Place, etc), the writer has written an additional message in lines going vertically of the page: “You see my hand is got shakey. Write again soon. It is Olive’s youngest son’s birthday tomorrow too. (Charlie’s) 2 years old. [And WGRA, I assume, has added in manuscript, the explanation: “Charlie, our brother”], and (pba) WGRA would have been aged 10 in 1888.
[**] Mullingar is located very centrally of the landmass of Ireland, being nearly half-way across the width between Dublin and Galway, and likewise somewhat midway in the north-south direction; (pba.19.1.2015);
[***] Shaldon is in the district/suburbs of Dublin(pba.19.1.2015).
“My Dear Edward,
You see I do not keep you very long without a reply to yours. I suppose I should not have written quite so soon, but I remember it is the anniversary of your birthday tomorrow and I thought I must keep up my old custom of writing you on that occasion
Oh dear me, how the time slips by. It seems but a little time since I turned out at 3 or 4 in the morning to take an early walk through the streets of London from 18 Watney Street Common, (can’t read next word) Road, to some street near Paddington to fetch the nurse to receive you on your arrival amidst a lot of thunder and lightening, so you came in a storm you see, but your manner and disposition has not shown any of that sort of temperament. You have not been, and never will be a thunderer, no more than your father or your lovely amiable mother. Well, that event took place 47 years ago tomorrow, can you fancy it? I feel it difficult to realise, still it is a fact, so time passes on and on, and we are going with it. It was only yesterday I was turning out some old papers in my box, and came across a letter I had from my late dear Kate, then living at Shaldon. She speaks of the time when you and Albert was (sic) visiting at Torquay, and Aunt Ch (sic) took you over to Shaldon to see her after we were engaged. She says she thought she liked you both so much that she somethink (sic) like Joseph in Egypt when he could scarcely refrain from making himself known to his brethren. She would fain have fallen on both your necks with a hearty kiss. This she has many times since, most heartily since then; ah, these happy times have passed away too. I now so often feel my loneliness so much that I can scarcely know what to do. I have had two of the most lovely affectionate wives that ever a man had – and now my hopes are centred above where I hope some day to meet those who have gone before when we shall meet to part no more – and also I trust there also to see all my dear children whom I can seldom see in this world – they are so scattered here. I feel so sad just now while I think of it and tears stand in my eyes while I write. It is these things that pray (sic) on my mind so much at night and cause so much sleeplessness I can scarcely even get more than 4 hours sleep. The hours seem so long there I find from your letter that you know something about it, I must confess I was disappointed when I saw your letter headed “Mullingar”. I had hoped that this summer you would have come this way for your holidays – that I might have seen you and dear Lizzie once more. Can’t you do so now – have you had out (?) all your leave for this year? I almost wonder my general health is so good considering how much I suffer from want of sleep.
We have very good living here and I am generally hearty. I relish my meals – I am astonished sometimes how Olive supplies all the needs of this large household every day. Their family and myself with the girl make 14 every day. There is poor Teddy the eldest boy confined to bed now 6 weeks next Monday. He of course is more trouble & expense than here or there, besides they have to give him something almost every hour night and day. The Doctor comes almost every day. He said yesterday we must not let him get up yet – not before we get a little more warm weather. He said one day we must feed him almost every half hour to keep him up, he is got so low.
Either I made mistakes in writing, or you in reading my last letter, as you took it to be Rose that was ill. It is Teddy, the eldest son. I think you must have read it wrong. I believe I told you Teddy.
I suppose you would feel it a privilege to attend some of the meetings at the Dublin Conference. I have the Conference Plan sent me from Cornwall, and also another little book containing the names and addresses of the ministers and gentlemen attending Conference. It is interesting to me to see the places and the preachers who are to preach in the various Chapels. I counted up 44 Chapels in several Circuits where I have preached myself. I had to preach here in Walton Street Chapel Thursday evening. Mr Jefford and wife were gone into Yorkshire for their holidays. Though I am over 77, I found and the people found too, my voice just as good as ever both for speaking or singing. Next Wednesday week I am appointed at the big Chapel, New Inn Hall street. The super will be gone to Conference. We do not change preachers this year; we keep the same four: Mr Jefford is the most popular of them. He is a good and an attractive preacher. Though my lungs and voice are as good, I feel a difficulty to walk any distance. I get too tired on my legs. I am too heavy I suppose. I weigh 14 stone – I should be better I think if I were not so stout.
I have read the first draft of the stations of the Preachers; there are a very large number changing Circuits – and departmental Men as they are called, Missionary Secretaries. It will be a very important Conference. Your cousin Mr Armistead removes from Poole to Poulton near Bristol; he has only been 2 years at Poole. I heard from Will Reed a few days since from Edinburgh; gone there to sell Paper and to get a new Steam Engine which will cost 7 or 8 hundred pounds. He writes in pretty good spirits about the mill has (sic) averaged 12 Ton a week this last 6 months, and sometimes as much as 15 or 16 Tons; that is quite as much as they do at Bathford.
I think I told you they have another son about a month old; both doing well; this is No. 6; 5 living, one dead.
I must close now; again wishing you many happy returns of the day - joined by Olive in fondest love to you both and kind remembrances to all your friends at Mullingar.
I remain your affectionate Father,
E. Reed. (letter marked, perhaps in WGRA’s handwriting: “Granpa, aged 82 at death”);
I suppose I (had) better send this to Mullingar, thinking you will hardly have returned to Dublin yet.
(pba:20th January 2004, amended 1.2.04 by way of entry of corrections in terms of words which Ruth has been able to decipher, which I could not).
C:\My Documents\Family History General\Reed family\Letter 14.7.1888 From Grandpa Reed to eldest son..doc
"A staunch Liberal in politics”(added 24.12.17):
Albert Edwin Reed: (my paternal great-grandmother, Olive Emma Reed’s brother i.e. the above Edward Reed’s son - a younger son than the ‘Edward’ to whom Edward Reed was writing above):
His obituary in the Woking Herald on 27.2.1920:
Woking Herald, February 27th, 1920
Sudden death of Mr. A.E. Reed, J.P.
Wesleyan Church’s Great Loss
Pioneer of Wood Pulp Paper Making.
It is with deep and sincere regret that we record today the death of Mr. Albert E. Reed. The sad event occurred rather suddenly in the early hours of Saturday last, at his residence Trevarno, Hockering. Deceased had been busily engaged at his London office on Friday, and he returned in apparently his usual state of health. He retired to rest about his usual hour, but during the night was seized with pains and passed away practically in his sleep.
It will be recalled that deceased lived for many years at Mayford House, Mayford, and only recently purchased Oulton, the residence of Mr F.H. Ashhurst; this he had considerably altered and re-named Trevarno.
A Devon man by birth, he claimed the little village of Cullompton as his native place, being born in January 1846 and was therefore in his 75th year. He went into the paper trade near Bath, and later went to Cardiff. The present firm of Albert E. Reed & Co. Ltd was formerly a private concern, but about ten years ago it was floated as a limited liability company, and now owns mills at Farncombe, Tovil (Maidstone), Horton Kirby (Kent), and Dartford, and also possesses extensive interests in Canada.
Deceased was a pioneer in the use of wood pulp for paper-making, and the inventor of several devices in connection with the use of wood pulp, rendering its use possible. He was a past-president of the Paper Makers’ Association and was probably the most influential man in paper-making circles. He was a member of the Paper Commission and acted as Chairman of his Section.
About fourteen years ago he established a wood pulp factory at Bishop’s Falls, Newfoundland, following the lead of the Harmsworths.
A staunch Liberal in politics, he contested Wandsworth in 1906, being defeated after a magnificent fight by 500-odd votes, reducing the Conservative vote by many thousands. Since then he was frequently invited to contest other seats, including Farnham Division of Surrey at the last election in opposition to Mr A.M. Samuel as an Independent Liberal, but he had to reluctantly decline on account of his health. Of a reserved disposition, he declined the offer of many honours, but in 1908 he did accept the position of Justice of the Peace for the county of London.
By his death, the Wesleyan Church has sustained a severe loss, for he was a generous supporter, not only of the Church in general, but of the Theological Colleges at Richmond and Manchester. During his lifetime he held all the offices in the church open to a layman, and was a member of many important Connexional Committees; in December last he was appointed Senior Circuit Steward of the Woking Circuit.
He was married in 1875 but his wife pre-deceased him in October 1916. He leaves three daughters, (Mrs Judd, of Sevenoaks; Mrs A.P. Grubb, of Woking; and Mrs Ewart Walker, of London), and twin sons – (Mr A. Ralph Reed and Mr E. Percy Reed) to mourn their loss. The sons are directors of the firm, and during the war Mr A.R. Reed was an Inspector of Gas Mask Factories; while Major Ewart Walker (son-in-law) was wounded before Arras in 1917.
Funeral:
Amid many manifestations of deep regret-for having been one of the finest type of the captains of British Industry, Mr. Reed was highly respected and admired in a wide circle. The funeral took place on Wednesday. Prior to the interment at Brookwood Cemetery, a short service was held in the church he loved so well, the Rev T.H. Barratt, B.A., Principal of the Wesleyan College, Manchester) and Rev Arthur H. Bestall, officiating.
There was a very large congregation present, and the service was fully choral, Mr A.P. Pryor, presiding at the organ and playing appropriate music prior to the service. The coffin was received at the entrance to the church by the Rev T.H. Barratt, B.A., principal of the Wesleyan College, Manchester and the Rev A.H. Bestall. The coffin, which was covered with beautiful floral tributes, rested on a bier in front of the communion rails during the service, and as the procession entered the church the organ pealed forth Handel’s well - known hymn, “I know that my redeemer liveth”. The choir rendered Whittier’s beautiful hymn “Who fathoms the eternal thought” (a favourite with the deceased, and then the Rev A. H. Bestall read the 23rd psalm and the lesson (1 Corinthians, 15, 20). The choir under the conductorship of Mr F. Moulding gave an exquisite rendering of the anthem: “Blessed are the departed” following which the Rev. T.H.Barratt gave an address in the course of which he said their words of love and sincerity must needs be few, though they were no less deep on that account. Their friend their brother, their father, had gone, from the warm deep love of human hearts on earth to the larger fellowship of Heaven, to the love-divine all love excelling”. There was nothing her for tears. Who of them would not covet such an ending to a long and honoured life on earth? He had not really gone from them; he had entered his father’s House.
He lived in God and God was very near to them. Let them give God humble and heart-felt thanks that their lived had been linked and were still linked with the life of their companion.
It might be that some might think of him as a great captain of industry, honourable and brightly honoured, one of the men who in the last generation had helped to make England what she was; but they who were gathered in that church where he was wont to worship, thought of him as a loyal warm-hearted friend, as an ever-faithful brother-father, a loyal comrade and modest Christian English gentleman, a generous open-handed giver, and a man devoted to his church though entirely free from bigotry. The trait which stood out most clearly to the speaker was his great child like sympathy and trust. He had a child’s heart and a child’s humility, with the child’s most perfect trust in Christ, his saviour. Heaven was all the richer, all the more near and dear, because he was there that day. My God, give them grace to follow him as he also followed Christ, that they with him and all who had gone before might enter through God’s everlasting mercy into the eternal kingdom.
After the address the hymns, “ For all the saints”(Bishop How) was sung by the choir and congregation, followed by prayer by the Rev T. H. Barrett, and as the cortege left the church Mendelssohn’s “O rest in the Lord” was played on the organ.
The committal service at the cemetery was conducted by the Rev A. H. Bestall, and the Rev T.H.Barratt.
The family mourners were: Mr A. Ralph Reed and Mr. Percy Reed, sons, and Mrs Percy Reed; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Judd, son-in-law and daughter; Mr and Mrs A. Page Grubb, son-in-law and daughter; Mr and Mrs J. Ewart Walker, son-in-law and daughter; Mr and Mrs William H. Reed, brother and sister-in-law; Mrs Harold Rowe, niece; Mr Arthur Reed, Mr Edgar Reed and Herbert Reed, nephews; and Mrs Archer, sister. (*)
Amongst those present either in the church or at the graveside were: Mr Stanley Cousins, Mr C.L.Stephens, Mr H. Lynch Watson, directors, and Mr Frank F. Edwards, secretary of Messrs. A.E. Reed & Co., Ltd; Mr Michael Gutteridge, Haslemere; Mr J.L. Greaves (“The Papermaker”), Mr James Salmon, Mr Horton Kirby; Mr F.H. Hollis, Mr J.H. Harris, Tovil; Mr A. Hutson, Mr W.R. Dowdney; Mr J.H. Chapmpness, Mr Walter Day, Mr J. Brennan, Mr A.G. MIckleburgh, Maidstone; Mr S.J.Steer, Tovil; Mr C. Hill, London, Mr A.J.Brown, London; Mr A.H. Huckle, secretary London Paper Mills; Nr T.Barlow, Horton Kiirby; Mr A.C. Barnes, London Paper Mills; Mr C.D. Sheldon and Mr J. Holloway, London Office; Mr P.G. Denson, Lloyds; Mr R. Erikson, Mr and Mrs J.H. Harris, Woking; Mr A.W. Elton and Mr A.Foord, representing the Woking Chamber of Trade; Mr A. Boorman, Mr Frank Derry, C.C., Mr W. Mason, Mr F. Arnold, Mr T.E. Russel, Mr A. Hardy, Mr M.H. Westgate, representing the Woking Wesleyan Church; Mr J.R. Fry, Mr W.H. Lower, Loughton; Mr T. Craig, Mr L.P. Andrews, Mr J.L. Langan, London Paper Mills; Mr H. Kingston, Sir Albert Spicer, Bart, Sir Howard Spicer, Mr A. Shaw, Rawlings and Walsh; Dr and Mrs Lawrie.
(*)[pba note]: ‘Mrs Archer, sister’ in the above list of family mourners, was Mrs Alfred George Archer, mother of William Archer (WGRA, my paternal grandfather), who, in 1920 had been a widow for 7 years since Alfred George Archer died in 1913.
The Wreaths:
Among the many beautiful floral tributes were the following:
From the Sons; from the Daughters and Sons-in-law; Grandchildren at Sevenoaks and Woking; Mr Edward Reed, Oxford; Mr and Mrs W.H. Reed, Exeter; Mr Archer and family, Oxford; Mrs Ernest Reed, Devizes Castle; Mr and Mrs Harold Rowe, Exeter; Mr Arthur and Mr Douglas Reed, Exeter; Mr and Mrs Edgar Reed, Minehead; Mr and Mrs Herbert Reed, Minehead; Mr Frank Reed, London; Staff at London Office; Staff at Dominion Pulp Co. Ltd; Staff at Trevarno and White Rose Farm, Woking; Staff and employees of Horton Kirby Mills; Staff and employees of Tovil and Bridge Mills; Staff and employees of Aylesford Mills; Staff of Farmcombe Mills; Staff and employees of London Paper Mills; Staff and employees of Newfoundland Pulp Co.; Mr C.N.Stevens, Woodham Hall; Mr and Mrs Stanley Cousins; Mr Frank Edwards; Mr H.L. Watson; Mr K.J. H. Champness; Mr Robert Eriksen; Directors of Imperial Paper Mills; Masters, Wardens, and brethren of Streatham Masonic Lodge; Norske Cellulose Forening Christiania; Johnson Jorgenson and Waltre, Ltd, London; Mr and Mrs Frank Derry, Woking;
British Wood Pulp Association; members of the Wesleyan church; trustee of the Wesleyan Church Woking; Choir of Wesleyan Church, Woking; Lord Rothermere and directors of “The Daily Mirror” and “The Sunday Pictorial” (a handsome wreath, nearly four foot long); Sir Henry and Lady Hollway; Directors of the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Co. Ltd; Mr Stanley Galpin; Mr W.H. Lewer; Mr E.G. Lendrum; Olive and Family; Ethel Harold and Children; “Harold Gwynaeth, Barbara and Margaret”; Ella and Hubert (Minehead); Marjorie and Sagar (Minehead).
C:\Documents and Settings\Carrera\My Documents\Family History General\Reed family\Woking Herald.AER obituary.doc