Part 2 of Emily Nevard's 1916 Letter to Horace.

The week Granny laid in bed we had any amount of work as Mr. and Mrs. Hurnard went away as they were having some new stoves fixed so they cleared all the linen up and sent to us and as there were no maids in the house Mrs. Hurnard casked if Mother would see the linen was well aired as there would be no one in the house to do it. And she would pay Mother extra for it so Mother was very worried as she was afraid Granny might pass away before we could get the work out of the house. As it happened it was alright. We had sent all the work home and as they were away we didn't have any last week in the house until Thurdasy morning (after the funeral) which was just alright .

We laid Granny to rest on Wednesday the 12th at 2 pm. We intended having it at 2:30 but the Rector don't like having funerals later than 2:00 this short days. I arranged everything. I ordered the coffin and as the weather is so uncertain and the roads so muddy I asked Arthur Clark to order a Shellibier. There was just enough room for us all to ride. They put the coffin in front in a glass covered recess and we rode at the back. Mother and Uncle Robert, Aunt Alice and cusins Walter, Emma and I, Horrie and Mrs. Clayden at the end and Aunt Annie met us at the Church gate. There were only three people besides ourselves in the Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Clayden and her neighbours opposite and Miss Colvin. People told me afterwards they didn't know Granny was dead, much less buried. You see she was ill only one week so people didn't know. Mrs. Colvin sent a spray of pure white lillies and Gertie Appleby sent a spray of Arum lillies, white Chrysantheums and Lent lillies. Cecil and Ethel and I had a very nice wreath between us. Cecil and Ethel did not come as it would be rather expensive as the railway fare would be 11/ each return and Ethel had no black so would have to buy. And they were here just after Xmas.

When Grandfather died there was a little money in the post office savings bank in Granny's name that Grandfather had put in. He said it would do to pay for a nurse if she wanted one and be enough to bury her respectable. So when Cecil as Grandfather's executor took Grandfather's money out of the bank he drew what was in Granny's name also . Granny gave me 20 pounds to put in my account so that I could get it without any trouble. I have had to take out some of it to pay 2 or 3 small doctor's bills and other things. But there is still enough left to pay for all funeral expenses and a little to spare. There wouldn't have been if she had all her own way about it. She would have liked to have had it and given it to Uncle Robert and he wouldn't have done any good with it. Grandfather always told us it was on purpose and for her funeral and other expenses. I expect if there is a little to spare we shall have to give Uncle Robert some of it.  Isn't it a pity when people waste money. I don't know anything about Uncle Walter. He wrote to me for money last June twelvemonth. I just sent him a post card to say I hadn't any in the house and Mother was away and I would write later but I never did. I haven't heard from him since so I haven't written and told him his mother is dead because there is no knowing where he is now as he often changed his address

Mother said if we did write and find him most likely she would have to send him the money to come and then keep him the time he was here. And there would be no telling how long he would stay and she said she couldn't do it. You see he knows I have Grandmother's money in my name so he thought he might as well have some of it. What a trouble people are to you if you have got money. He sent to me once before for 2L-0-0. I couldn't get so much by the time he wanted it so I sent 36/ I had been saving up for a new coat and skirt. If I were to spend money or dress as some people do  I shouldn't have a penny.

We miss Granny very much. It is hard to realize she will not come back again but it is a great relief for Mother as it used to worry her to know what to feed Granny. Although she could eat the same food as us Mother felt she must get her something nice. That is one thing, Mother did see after her well. It was very trying for us as Granny couldn't see she had to ask us everything and if it happened to be a wet day she would ask about 20 times during the day if it still rained. Hers was a very monotonous life sitting here all day, especially when we were in the kitchen washing. And when we were in here we didn't know what to talk to her about as we couldn't tell her all our business as she might tell other people. She used to ask us all about the neighbours if they were washing, etc. It was rather a responsibility too having her as she couldn't see. Mother was alwyas afraid something would happen to her and we would not get a doctor here in time. Poor old Granny, I trust she has gone to her rest. She was always preparing for that home. She used to set here and pray for all. She used to ask for a fine day for us to dry our linen. She used to pray for all out in Canada. Ask for a good harvest and all other things. It is a good thing she did as she was not sensible at the last. She often spoke about you, how you went and dinner with her the day you went away.

I sent you a long letter which you would get after Xmas. I sent a paper to Arthur asking him to send it on to you. Please thank Ern for his letter. Mother was very pleased . Thank Mary for hers too. I will write as soon as I can. Now I must close with love from us all here to you from your loving sister.

                                                                                                                Emily Nevard.

Grandmother Nevard front row centre. 

1916 Letter From Emily to Horace Nevard

                                                                                                           March 1916

                                                                                                           36 Straight Road

                                                                                                            Lexden, Essex

My Dear Horrie

I was pleased to receive your letter by first post on the 12th and was never more surprised in my life when I read it and saw what it contained and very pleased too. I really can not thank you enough for your kindness and also for your kindness of heart that made you think of doing it. It wouldn't matter how much some folks made, they wouldn't think of helping their sisters. Mother is so pleased that you are in a position to do it.

We are very sorry you have had the shingles in your arm. We hope they are better by now. Aunt Alice had them round her waist last spring. She had the Doctor and he said it was caused by cold and a nervous breakdown so Mother think it must be the cause of your having them too. She says she think you have been worried about enlisting. You feel you ought to fight for your country and yet you feel you can not leave Ern all alone as he couldn't manage to do the land all himself. And you are doing your duty by farming the land and growing corn which is so much needed. It is very well for young men who have no work to go but you have yours cut out. I don't see how we can grow much corn in England as so many men have enrolled under the group system and now the bill on compulsion is passed in the house it will take more men. Women are doing wonderful things now but I don't think they are physically trained for manuring , ploughing and seeding the fields. Milking, weeding, haymaking, stone picking fruit gathering they can do. We have women clerks, postwomen, chauffeurs, tram conductors, omnibus conductors, ticket collectors and porters. It makes me feel proud of being a woman.

Now I have some news to tell you. Poor old Granny passed away on Saturday the 8th at 4 in the morning. She was taken ill on New Years night. She appeared as well as usual all day and had her meals the same and her supper of bread and cheese and half cup of beer but about 10 when we went to bed she asked me to get her some vinegar as her head ached so bad. So I bathed her head with vinegar. She felt cold and shaky too so I gave her some whiskey in hot water. You can guess we didn't sleep very much that night so next morning, Sunday, I went for Dr. Chichester. When he came he said a small blood vessel had broken in her head. He said to make her as comfortable as possible and he wouldn't send any medicine as it wouldn't do any good. She laid unconscious more or less all day. Uncle went up to see her but she took no notice of him. Uncle went to see her again in the evening and she knew him then. She asked where Walter was at work as she always asked about them all when he came to see her. But she soon went off again. Wednesday night she was not so well and was worse on Thursday. Friday she fetched her breath very hard all day. I managed to give her three small lots of weak brandy and water in the morning. Mother and I stayed up all Friday night and Granny passed away at 4 am Saturday morning. 

Emily Nevard and her mother, Sarah.

Long Letter From Lexden 1911

An edited version of a long news letter from Emily Nevard to her sister in law, Mary Nevard, in Canada

                                                                                                    36 Straight Road
                                                                                                    Lexden, Essex

The 3 Nevard brothers had been in Canada over 7 years at the time this letter was written to Ernest's wife, Mary , by his sister, Emily , still back in Lexden, Essex, England.

Dear Mary: We were very pleased to hear you received the parcel alright. I don't mind the trouble of making things and sending them off if you get them. We had rather a business to get it off as we are always so busy.
We always have plenty of work , you see there are 12 of them in family at Hill House. Mr. and Mrs. Husnard, 4 children and 6 servants (2 nurses, housekeeper, cook, housemaid and parlourmaid). Then they are often having visitors so we have plenty to do. Then there are 5 of us to wash and cook for .
Mother is very pleased to hear you spent Xmas day altogether. You were really a jollier party than we were only we were more fortunate than you as we were able to go to Church.
The Parish tea was held on Friday the sixth of January. Cecil and I went. The entertainment was very good. I sat at Miss Colvin's table. She packed me a bonbon box full of things to bring home for Horrie. Ham sandwiches, jam pastries, sausage rolls, currant cake and bonbons.
It was a very wet day so I rode down in the tram car but it cleared off nice in time for us to come home. There were plenty of people.
I don't know if I told you that Mrs. and the Misses Colvins live next door to Mr. Griffin in the Warren Lane at the house where Captain Daniell formerly lived. Lance Stonehouse drive them in his brougham when they are out at night. Also to Lexden Church and back on Sundays. In the summer they drive in their pony trap.
Mrs. O'Grady did not have a table at the Parish tea so she decided to have a party on her own account and invited all the Mothers she knew. Mother, Mrs. Clayden and Aunt Annie and Aunt Vera received invitations and they enjoyed themselves very much.
Uncle Fred has been ill in bed for some time since before Xmas and he doesn't get better. Cecil is doing his work at the hall in the meantime. The Rector has invited the choir and Sunday school teachers to supper and a musical evening Thursday.
Uncle Jim is married but he is not at all well. Charlie died of consumption. A fortnight before he died the disease went to his brain. He was at his father's for 3 weeks. He told Aunt Annie he didn't wonder at people committing suicide if they suffered as he did. He said it felt as if the top of his head was being lifted off. He couldn't get any rest night or day until his father got a bottle of medicine from the Chemist to send him to sleep.
Fred Mann's son, young Jack, who has been in the army was out asked last Sunday and is to be married. They are going to live in the Colne Road.

Thursday Evening: Dear Mary, Cecil has been out to see Uncle Fred this afternoon. He found him very ill in bed. The doctor says he has had influenza and kept about at his work. Now it has settled in his leg. His leg is very much swollen and very painful so he can not get much rest. Cecil says he looks very thin and remind him so much of Father. They live just opposite Stanway Hall now
I have been thinking of paying Louie a weekend visit for some time but I don't know when I shall be able to go as it is hard work for me to get away. Mother get so tired by the time we have finished up the work.
We were very pleased to see the photo of the threshing outfit but we would like to have a clearer view where we could see who they are. I hope one day they will be rich enough to have a real good photo taken.

Grandmother is always very pleased to hear all the letters read. She always tell me to send our very best love to all. Isn't it wonderful how she live so long. It is very dull for her to sit by herself all day, especially washing days but we generally finish on Tuesday night. Horrie amuses her a good bit. It is quite amusing to hear him talk to her. He talk to her so old sometimes. Now I must leave off as I am going to start ironing. Thank Ernie very much for his letter. Now I must say goodbye with love to you all from us all.
From your loving sister, Emily Nevard.

A Little History From The Hall Side

I don't usually include "modern" letters in the Nevard blog but this one from 1980 covers some fairly old ground that might be of interest to family historians.

Horace Hall (born 1906) was a cousin to Dick and Bill Nevard. The son of Louisa Nevard and William Hall. He was living in Norwich, U.K. at the time he wrote this letter to Dick Nevard.

I have read your Narratives of the Nevards and much enjoyed it. A few points I recall....I knew that my Uncles, Arthur, Ernest and Horace went to Canada in 1903-06 before I was born. There was no work here but Grandmother was upset when they left. She said she would never see them again but did in fact see Arthur and Horace again.  I recall Aunt Daisy dimly, but not too dimly to recall that she gave me a box of toy sheep. Toys were not too plentiful at the time so I thought that she was great. I was about 4 or 5 but the memory of that gift remains. She was of course, Nurse Winstanley and her father erected the Winstanley lighthouse now known as the Edison off the Western approaches.
Aunt Alice I recall very well. Each year I used to have a week at Grandmother and Grandfather Hall's. I used to enjoy that as Grandfather would let me do things which father would not. Such as riding horses and getting up at 4 a:m and helping with milking. Aunt Alice used to put me to bed and sing an evening hymn. This during the first world war when I was a small boy. At the end of the war Uncle Horrie came back and went with Aunt Alice. I think I was a bit of a nuisance as I was told to walk ahead.
I recall Uncle Arthur coming to Lexden during WWI. He arrived in the middle of the night and I wondered at his strange accent, having never heard anything other than Essex or Suffolk. The next day he took me to town and bought me some sweets and we were ok then.  Uncle Horrie came along later and we got along fine. (Sweets again to start). He taught me a bit of boxing. Grandmother was very upset went he went off leave to the front. Anyway they both came back and went off to Canada. Uncle Cecil and Aunt Emily went to Horrie and Alice's wedding at Carlton Church. Aunt Emily went to Liverpool to see them off but was very upset because she did not see Horrie on the boat. She then came back to Euston station on a non corridor train and that took several hours in those days.
I recall father at Christmas 1920, when I was at Sternfield, telling Uncle Dick that "Alice has got a boy". The first I had heard of it but of course he meant Roy (Nevard).
There was a regular correspondence between Canada and Lexden. Aunt Mary was , I think, the chief scribe, and I recall a number of things. The Goffs were often mentioned. The cold weather was also a topic
A few details I recall of the Nevard family, which I understand derived from the French "Nevare". Grandmother's maiden name was Clayden. Her mother was blind and came to live with us from about 1910 until she died in January of 1916. Grandmother's brother was Robert Wagstaff. He had two sons and three daughters. One called May used to visit us. Lexden in those days was a small village and everyone was well known. Edgar Middleton was the Church clerk and was some relation of Grandmother's.

Letter From Sister Emily 1905

Another Christmas letter , this one to Ernest Nevard from his sister, Emily. Ernest and brother Arthur had been in Canada since April of 1903 working and trying to raise enough money to go farming in what would eventually become Saskatchewan. The young Ernie mentioned here was Ernest's son, (Bill) born in February of 1902 so it is doubtful if he would even remember his father who had left for Canada in April of 1903. The family would be re-united in May of 1906 when Mary and Bill came to Canada.
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex, England
Dec. 26, 1905
My Dear Brother
I was very pleased to receive a letter from you, yesterday, Christmas day, just in time to wish us all a happy Xmas. Thank you very much for all your good wishes but I am so sorry you won't have one letter from home soon enough to wish you a happy Christmas although you know we all hope you are well and happy.
Mary couldn't write soon enough as she was expecting a letter from you to say you was going up country. Louie sent to me for your address as she wanted to write to you for xmas but we told her she had better wait until your next letter came when we found you were still at Winnipeg. I sent her word. I expect you will soon have it now.
Thank you very much for the sending of the order. Mother says you didn't want to send it. She hope you haven't wronged yourself as we should manage alright. Mother sends her love to you and hope you will send more news about yourself. You never say if you are ill or well, in work or out. Of course we know you have done some work or else you wouldn't have any money.
We are very anxious to know about you. Your son is standing looking at me writing to you. He say, send my love to my dear dada, tell him how I used to go and call Aunt Louie in to dinner. We have been having fine fun with him this Xmas. We told him on Saturday Grandfather Xmas come with nice presents for good little children at Xmas time. And if he was a good little boy and go to sleep perhaps Grandfather Xmas would come. He had only just gone off to sleep when the postman brought a nice large book from Mary's cousins at Leiston, Mary and Daisy. It is a nice book all about birds and animals, illustrated. A very nice book for him to read when he gets a bit more advanced in his education. Mary took it upstairs and put it on the bed so when he woke up Sunday morning he said, "did grandfather Xmas come?" Mother said yes he came. When he undone the parcel he said I wonder if that is from my dear dada. When he saw what it was he said "Oh its a book, a beautiful book, " Mary had hard work to dress him. He wanted it on the table during breakfast. We were having bacon for breakfast of which he is very fond but when Mary told him he couldn't have it on the table as it would get greasy he said, "give me something else to eat then, I don't want the bacon.". We told him on Sunday night if he was good and went to bed grandfather Xmas would come and fill up his stocking. So Cecil got one of his socks and put some sugar mice and other sweets, biscuits, nuts, apple, orange , etc he bought at the shop and a bonbon sticking out at the top of course.
We were all at Church on Xmas morning as Mary and Cecil went at 7 o'clock and Horace and I went at 8. So Ernie and Mother were all alone so when he woke up he said "grandmother, wake up, get up, did grandfather Xmas come?" So when they got up he found the sock. When Mary got home he was just discovering the treasures. He was so delighted so he had to have another one this morning, only on a much smaller scale as grandfather Xmas had exhausted nearly all his store.
Mrs. Lester has given him a mechanical toy. It is a fireman going up a fire escape. She told Mary it was for him to take to Canada but I doubt if much of it would go............

Christmas 1936

The Nevards celebrated Christmas at "The Poplars", home to the Ernest Nevard familly. Here is an account of the day from Bill Nevard's journal.

Christmas day. Fairly cold but calm. Everybody assembled at the Poplars for dinner and supper. Aunt Alice actually staying until after supper. We all had some of the plum pudding made by Grandmother Nevard and sent out from England. Also we had Headlands concert graphically described by Joy and Donald and various presents handed around.

This is a photo of Sarah Wagstaff Nevard (Grandmother) with her daughter Emily Nevard about 1936

And just throwing in another Christmas card. This one from 1917.

Christmas 1916

A Christmas card sent to my grandfather, Horace Nevard, from his sister Emily Nevard. Horace was somewhere in France with the 195th Canadian Expeditionary Force so it would have been quite a different Christmas than he had ever known before.
On the back is written: 

With much love and all good wishes for a happy Christmas and God's blessing through the coming year.

News Of The War

My grandfather, Horace Nevard, was kept well informed of the goings on back in his old home of Lexden, Essex, U.K. by his sister Emily. World War I was in full swing at the time of this letter and no doubt quite a concern to all British subjects.
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
June 8, 1915
My Dear Horrie
We were very pleased to receive your letter on the 2nd. Curiously enough I had one from Daisy. They were both posted 18th May and arrived June 2nd. I'd just posted one to you the day before asking if you were still alive.
I am thankful to say we are all alive and well up to the present. The German Zeppelins have been very lively just lately. They passed over London on the night of the 31st. We don't know full particulars of the damage as the government won't allow a full account to be published. They were seen to pass over Colchester on Friday night and on Sunday night they passed over England and killed several people but they won't let the press publish the locality. So they are pretty daring just now. One of our airmen brought down one Zeppelin as they were near the enemy lines. A British monoplane circled above the Zeppelin and dropped a bomb into it. It broke up the Zeppelin and blew the 25 men that were in it all to pieces. The force of the Zeppelin turned the monoplane over and over as it came to the ground but the airman got up the power in his engine and got away.
You said in your letter you had rain on the day you were writing. We do hope you will have plenty of water and a bountiful harvest and a bumper lot of potatos. .
The warmer weather we have had has brought things on fine. The peas are in bloom and Horrie's wheat is in the ear. It is strong and high. Its a fancy of his to plant some wheat each year. As we do not keep fowls in the lower garden he has dug some of it up and have a nice lot of onions and potatos, a few runner beans near the wire netting.
Annie Lusted is going to be married this month. It was the second time of asking on Sunday. I expect they are doing a very good trade now as her young man has left his job as chauffeur and is going to live there and carry on the business. They have five National Reserve men in the room in the back where they used to hold club suppers, etc. (well just for lodging or sleeping I should say).
They get 9d per night.5/3 per week. That means 26/3 per week. A good many are doing fairly well out of the soldiers. The men are having a good time here, better than the poor fellows at the front. They only have to go on guard every 4th night. So they have 3 nights clear and when they are going on guard at night they don't go for a march that day.
Arthur Clayden's wife presented him with a son on Monday morning. I mean Arthur C. whose mother live next to our garden. Harold is still in Philadelphia. Uncle Robert's Walter had the stand off at R. Beaumont's so he is working on the new huts at Reed Hall. He is color man and has to mix all the paints.. The only trouble, he don't get enough work to do. He don't know what to make of it as he was used to being hustled (at R.B.). He gets either 8 or 9d per hour.
Will is still at Mr. Hutton's. He has not enlisted yet but he expects he will have to. Ernie Gooch says he hd enough of the army when he was in it. He is not going to join any more. Fred Denton is still serving butter and bacon at London Road stores. They do a big trade there now. I overheard him say he cut up between 3 and 4 hundred pounds of cheese in a week and he told me he cut up 11 sides of bacon in a week.
You see all London Road and Stanway, Colne Road, Nelson Road, Straight Road, etc., soldiers are billeted. Of course those in the new huts are supplied by the government and some of them billeted out have their rations sent but not the yeomanry. There was a fine account of them at the front in the E.C. Standard a fortnight ago. A lot of poor fellows will never return. Joe Hemmings has been at the base since last August. Just lately he moved into the firing line and he got wounded in one leg. He is in the veterinary corps. and look after wounded and sick horses. Miss Corse Scott was married..............

Unfortunately the rest of the letter is missing.

A Wedding And A Fight On Straight Road

Much excitement on Straight Road, Lexden when Emily Nevard wrote this letter to her brother , Horace, in Canada in 1915,
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
June 26, 1915
Dear Horrie
I thought of sending your letter off quick and here it is now. I do hope you are not getting very dry weather like we are. We have had cold, drying Northeast winds for the past 7 weeks or more. Today it is due West. It will be 7 weeks come Tuesday since we had any rain. Until last evening. We had just a little. Not enough to lay the dust.
I should like for you to see our gardens and the houses. Every flower is dusty. The tiles look as if someone has shaken a lot of white pepper over them.
I had a letter from Louie on Monday. Poor Louie was taking on terribly about the weather. She says it will be pounds out of their pocket. Just for the want of rain. Will says it is enough to break the bank. The cold winds has done more damage than if it had been hot and dry. There are a lot of trying times to put up with when you have to get your living on the land. You know that don't you.
Annie Lusted was married on Wednesday. It was quite a smart affair. Mother and I watched the proceedings from the bedroom window. They had two motors trimmed up with red and white rosette. There were between 20 and 30 of the guests went down to the Church from the house. A number of men from the National Reserve also. They took a large cart rope with them and when the newly married left the Church they fixed the rope to the motor and dragged them home. Each man wearing a cream rose in his cap. They cut them off Mr. Lusted's tree on the shed in the garden. There were nearly 30 men. When they reached home the wedding party had their photos taken sitting back to the palings near the orchard facing the house. The men of the National Reserve stood lining the road on their right. Next the men were taken with the bride and bridegroom in the centre front and the Colonel and Captain, Sgts. etc. on either side.
Afterwards the Colonel presented Mrs. Moore with a green marble timepiece and a picture from the men. Annie was dressed in a white satin (walking length) veil and orange blossoms and carried a sheaf of white lillies. The two bridesmaids were in pale blue with blue mob caps and had bouquets of pink carnations. 2 little boys were in blue tunics and knickers, hats and carried walking sticks tied with blue ribbon. Mr. Daniells sent a barrel of beer and Mr. Lusted gave another so you can guess the men were alright. We heard plenty of their singing. We do get plenty of noise now there are so many men about.
Since I started this letter I heard that Fred Denton is going to be married. Charley Bibby, Frank Bibby's father, is to be married to his housekeeper next Tuesday.
Wednesday..
Dear Horrie
They finished up the week of the wedding by having a free fight on Saturday night in the front yard. It started between a National Reserve and a soldier (invalided from the front for the second time). He has a very bad leg and didn't know how to stand so his brother took his part, then they knocked him about and their father also who was with them. It was disgraceful. They are to blame for serving them with so much beer. They get mad drunk and don't know what they are about. There were 3 rows last week but only one fight. It is not at all unusual to hear them fighting now. We don't like it I can tell you. Nor do our neighbours.
The rest of this letter is missing. Written by Emily Nevard (sister to Horace

Emily (front left) and the rest of the Nevards at 36 Straight Road in 1903.

Birthday Greetings From Lexden

Emily Nevard wrote this letter to her brother, Horace, in Canada in 1909.
36 Straight Road
Lexden, Essex
My Dear Brother
I don't know if I owe you a letter or not but I am just writing to say we all wish you many happy returns of your birthday and hope you will have good health and good luck . I hope you are having good weather for the harvest. We have had very stormy, cold and unsettled weather for the last 3 weeks so it has been very bad for the harvest. We are in September now so I hope we shall have fine weather. We managed to have it fine all yesterday and this morning the sun is shining lovely.
Cecil picked the Greengages yesterday. We have more than a half bushel. They are not ripe. If we had left them on the trees we should have lost nearly all as the birds, wasps and flies won't leave them alone.
Mother has been down with Louie for a fortnight. She came home on Monday. I was glad to see her as we have a good lot of work. The stormy weather put me about so I had to work early and late so at the end of last week I felt quite done up. I was so busy I could not go to bed on Friday night. Mother wouldn't have went down only Cecil and I persuaded her to go. And she would have come home before only I wouldn't let her know how busy I was. Cecil was very good to help me all he could. He is going up to London to see Miss Cornish for the weekend tomorrow.
Mother didn't enjoy herself much down at Louie's as the children were troublesome. The boy was much more trouble than he is here. Mother make him mind her when he is with us only Mother didn't tell Louie but she would have been just as happy at home at her work. But don't you say anything about it.
Grandmother was 88 years yesterday. Mother cooked her a bit of fresh fish and I took it down for her dinner. She seemed quite nicely. She had managed to get the dinner ready and sat waiting for Grandfather to come downstairs. He was busy dusting the bedroom.
Laura Payne was married last Monday week just after 8 a:m. Percy and his wife went to Church with them. Percy and the bridegroom went round by Church Lane and Mrs. Payne and Laura went by the street. They furnished their house from Mrs. Bortell's Church Lane and they are living in one of the houses near the loop in Spring Lane where Mr. Ford used to live.
You tell Daisy Mr. Ford had to leave Colonel Corse Scott's in a hurry as he was so often drunk. So they are living in the town and they are still out of work. Harry Lusted is home this week for a holiday. His young lady is with him. Tell Daisy and Mary I will write to them next.
I am so sorry Earn have not been able to go out to work as I fear he will miss the money so much.
You don't know how much I think about you all every day. I do hope you will get enough to carry you through the winter. Tell Daisy I received her letter. Now I must leave off as Cecil is going.
So good bye dear Horrie with love from us all to you and all from your loving sister ...
Emily Nevard

Emily at the gate on 36 Straight Road, Lexden, Essex

Letter from Cecil Nevard to Emily

Recently married to Ethel, Cecil Nevard was working as a clerk at the district registry of the High Court of Justice and County Court Offices at Lowestoft at the time he wrote this letter to his sister, Emily Nevard.  
15 St. Aubyn's Road
Lowestoft
Aug. 27, 1915
My Dear Emily
I was pleased to receive your letter as I was wondering how you were all getting on.
Well Emily dear, as you see we are not at home. I think I told you that Mr. Cornish came down to Sax. on the Saturday and took Ethel home with him for a while. I was intending to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Wakeling at Number 15, St. Aubyn but as there were so many rumours about as to Zeppellin bombardment, which I don't for one minute believe, Mrs. Wakeling could not sleep at night. Fred, her husband, decided to get her away. So she left here with the children by the 5:15 Monday for Bungay. Since then Fred and I have been batching at his place together.
We were getting along so well that I wrote and told Ethel that as she was at home she had better stay another week and at the last moment (although she hates being away from me) her mother persuaded her to stay. Next Saturday, tomorrow, we hope to meet at Sax. Ethel leaves Liverpool st. at 1:00 pm and reaches Sax at 3:37. As I am cycling I hope to be at Louie's at 5:00, then cycle back on Monday morning. Of course if its wet I shall have to train.
You would smile I guess to see me head cook and bottle washer. Well the other day I made a cake and some jam tarts when I had the fire going to cook a joint. All turned out A1.
Last evening I cooked another joint (which we have cold for dinner) and made a rice pudding and a bread pudding.
Fred is on duty at 8:00 so I get up at 7:00, get breakfast, bacon, etc., then do a bit of cleaning up until its time to get to the office, then home to dinner. I have from quarter to twelve til one and Fred has from 12:00 to 1:30.
I've told you all we do and you see we shan't take any harm. Ethel calls herself lots of unkind names because she says her duty is with me but its no use her being here and having bad nerves and can't sleep, is it? One lady has been so upset she has had to be taken away to an asylum.
It has upset everybody and ever so many people have left the town. Mind you, I believe most of it is imagination. For instance, on Wednesday evening all lights had to be put out as Zepps were supposed to be about but we didn't see them. Fred and I went to bed (the best place). Many people walked into the country until it was light.
Certainly not Emily, the 2p for the vegetables was not wasted for Louie had the pleasure of the peas and beans and we've had most of the potatos here as it spares us buying. Fred and I put some money into a box and pay out of that (share alike).
Yes, I think Horrie will be having a great time at Sax for he love to get on the horse.
I heard of the raid on Walthamstowe and you don't get much news in papers as they are not allowed to print it. The report of our submarines sinking ten German warships in the Gulf of Riga is fortunately, quite true and good work.
Well it isn't so dull here as there are still plenty of people about.
Fancy 70 of the national reserve going away. You would naturallly feel very quiet. I'm not surprised to hear about Fred Denton. Fond love to dear Mother , Granny and yourself. From your ever loving brother, Cecil

Sister Emily's Letter 1906

This letter was written by Emily Nevard of Lexden, Essex, England, to her brother, Horace, who had emigrated to Canada a year earlier in 1906. It gives a bit of insight into the hardships of travel, homesteading, etc. The date , "guy day" I believe refers to Guy Fawkes day , early in November.

Lexden, Essex
England
1907 (Guy Day)
Dear Horrie
I am just writing to let you know Mother is sending you a parcel. Cecil posted it off today. It is the vest you were to have
taken with you when you went away. You know you put Cecil's on instead of your new one so Cecil had to wear it last
winter and one like the one you took away. Now mother has mended them both well and has sent them to you as she
thought even if you have the money you cannot get them so good out there. Mother has sent another old one as besides
she thought it would be handy for Mary to patch yours or Arthur's vests or pants, or Ern's if they wanted it instead of
darning so much. Unless she would like to make a vest out of it for young Ernie.
You will find a small pair of pants in the parcel. Mother made them for him. The parcel weighed about 3 1/2 pounds before
we put them in. Mother didn't like the idea of paying 6d for the half pound so she thought she would send all she could.
She made the pants in a hurry out of a pair that was too small for either you or Cecil. I hope you will get them alright.
Cecil wrote on the post office form (which we have to put on the parcel) "worn underwear", not subject to duty. The post office
official told him to write on it, "made in England" as he said if it is made in England and there is any duty to pay they deduct
some. You might let us know if you have to pay any duty. You don't ought as they have all been worn and mended.
Mother put one of your white collars in that is marked with your name. There is a skein of wool sewn into the sleeve of one
vest which you can take out and give to Mary. There is a piece of white cotton wool. Mother thought it would be handy if
your toes were sore at any time.
The things were sewn up in brown calico, new. We thought it would be stronger than paper and would come in useful for
Mary. So take care of everything and take them up to Mary when you go.
I do hope you will get the parcel alright as it is worth a good bit as the vest you left is a very good one.
Mother did think of sending them to Headlands but as you are stopping on she thought you might be glad of them.
Mother will be very anxious to know if you have got it. She is going to buy Cecil 2 new vests out of her club ticket.
We are very sorry to hear from Arthur that their corn was frozen. It is very discouraging to Arthur after so much labour.
I expect it will make it bad for you all. How will Arthur and Ernie get on this winter? Do you think they will have money
enough to carry them through or will you have to lend them some? You need not let them know I ask you this as I know
Ern is very much against being in debt to anyone. But if you cannot help being so you must.
I expect Ern gets very worried over it all sometimes. Do you think he wish he never went out? Of course the first few years
is rough to everyone, especially without money.
Will Arthur and Ern be able to sell their corn at some price? I expect they are going to have it thrashed as Mary said something
about the men coming in one of her letters. If I had a nice sum of money I would lend them some.
How will you travel when you get to Headlands, by road or rail? How did Ern go? I hope you won't have a rough journey like
you had last year.
We have had lovely weather for the last few days. We didn't light a fire in the room Saturday or today until just before tea.
Of course its chilly but when we are busy we don't notice it.
I haven't seen one Guy today and we are not haveing any fireworks on the shed at the back.
Friday morning
Dear Horrie
We haven't much work this week. We done the mangling last night. I have a fire in the ironing stove and shall soon make a start.
I often wonder what you all are doing and I expect you do the same of us. Cecil was busy putting panes of glass on the greenhouse
yesterday as there were several off. Mrs. Wilson of Colne Rd. is painting the house in front so we shall look smart.
Mr. Wilson left R. Beaumont's 2 years last March and has been working on his own ever since and have got on well. You see I
reckon he does it cheaper than Beaumont's firm. He do a bit of carpentering or put a tile on where it is wanted so he is the handyman.
Arthur Clayden is still at home. He has no situation at present. We had very nice services at the Church on Sunday as we kept all
Saints day then as it was last Friday. Father used to like "The saints of God , their conflict past".
Grandmother went to the 8 o'clock service on Friday morning and to evening service on Sunday. They are both fairly well, as well as
one could expect for their age. Grandfather still takes the pail and gather manure.
We are all well and hope you are well. I hope you will get nice weather. I shall have to leave off now as Cecil is going.
So goodbye with love from us all, from your loving sister ..
Emily E. Nevard.