A Visit to the Holyoaks or Let's Start with our Underwear

You've got to hand it to my great grandmother--"underwear" is a great opening topic for a long family letter. The "Duke of Lancaster" thing is a problem, though. You've got google, you can quickly find that the "Duke of Lancaster" in the 1920s is King George V, so either Leila got the duke wrong or the ambitious and energetic Mrs. Holyoak was having some fun with her Iowan house-guest. Anyone who gasped at the lawyer going to Nice on estate business will get a kick out of the family story I've heard that most of Aunt Katie's loot went to her chauffeur and Leila's idea that Miss Polsen's nephew was making bank off the household goods. 

typed copy on letterhead "2708 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio"  penciled date June 1928 or 1929 in K. P. Thomas's hand

"The Cottage" Ridgeway - Rothley

Leicester, Phone #2718

My dear Mary, Laura, Kirk, Hazel & Alvah,-

     We arrived in Southhampton June 13, according to schedule - after a smooth but cold voyage, and every day I appreciated your suggestions, Mary, for comfort. It was so cold on the Lake that I purchased in Quebec a long sleeved, long-legged suit of wool underwear and Dr some wool socks to wear on the voyage, and since our arrival here have worn the short sleeved and legged wool underwear, so all my fine silk underwear has been taboo.

     It has rained almost every day and the day we drove to Oxford rained so hard we saw but half what we had planned. Indeed, all our plans here have seemed to be changed, and we feel it hard to know just where we will go or at what time, so I hope Mary is not planning to meet us here at any special place at any special time. We seem to have no idea how long any business will take. So far - we came to Leicester on the 14th, spending 3 days at  hotel, trying to get rested a bit, and get a line on things in general. Then Louis' old friends, the Holyokes, invited us here for the week, Mr Edw. H is trustee for Katie's estate, and it has been very convenient to be here where we could talk matters over at our leisure, instead of having it all to do at his office. We had expected to spend several days going over Katie's trunks and boxes which were sent from Nice, but Gerald Holyoke who went there after her death was told that no silks could be taken into England without heavy duty and it would not pay to bother with underwear, hosiery, shoes, &c., so by the time all these things were eliminated there was not much left. Gerald said Miss Polsen saw to the giving of these things away to the maids, &c. at the hotel, where they staid. I cannot help but surmise that some of these things were appropriated by herself. There is not a single piece of good lace and I know Katie had many lovely bits and collar and cuff sets. She asked if she might keep Katie's watch, as they were like sisters and Gerald acquiesced, until it should be called for. Miss P is spending the summer on the continent and wrote, suggesting that she would be glad to meet us in France or Italy. Also we have learned that Katie lost quite a little money thro a relative to Miss P's and Mr H thinks she was a paid companion - at least Katie's checks show that she bore all their expenses. Of course we cannot do anything, altho it is very annoying. If we find none of the laces in the trunks a Bournmouth, I think I shall write Miss P, inquiring about them. 

     Nearly all the best silver is gone? There are none of the old teapots, silver dishes, sugars, creamer, &c., we remember Auntie had and Mr H thinks Katie must have sold them to raise money to cover losses, thro this same nephew of Miss P's. We are going to Bournmouth next wk - then we will run up against the big problem of deciding what is to be done with the stuff there. It will be a pity to sell beautiful furniture for a song, at auction, but we will probably have to do that very thing, as it will cost too much to ship and pay duty.

     This cottage is like we see in the Movies 0 six miles from Leicester in new residential village - built 22 yrs ago, and the grounds but 4 or 5 acres, I judge, about an acre in the house garden. Of course it is completely surrounded by a high hedge and the house set so far back that it is completely hidden from view. There are 5 servants, 3 maids and 2 men, a beautiful car, cared entirely by the chauffer. All of these servants formerly employed by the Duke of Lancaster, whose House is a few miles away, but his wife died, his only son killed in the war and he married an actress. Between everything, he got in such a bad way he has had to give up much of his hunting grounds and curtail expenses generally so that these servants were glad to seek new places, where they could be well paid and have good food. These stories, Mary you have doubtless heard on every hand and Laura and Kirk will be bored to death with all we want to talk about when we come.

     We are having a most delightful time here, the Holyokes children are all married and Mr and Mrs H I think really lead a rather lonely life in this big place all by themselves. Mr H has his son in partnership in business in Leicester (Solicitors - what we term lawyers) but they have a very large business, many big estates to handle and settle, so altho Mr H is 70 yrs old he spends every day at the office and then wants to sit quietly at home thru the evening. Mrs H loves to go about and ave company and seems to really enjoy having us here and taking us on beautiful drives each afternoon. Sunday we all went to the Dukeries, of which you all know. The circle drive was something over 100 miles. Tues we had another scenic drive of about 75 miles, and Wed an all day drive of 180 miles to Oxford and Rugby and a few other points of interest. But it rained so hard while we were at Oxford, we only saw about half what we had planned. Old folks can't run around in the wet and rain as young folks can. We saw many tourist parties who slopped around in spite of it all. Yesterday we went "Shopping" in Leicester. Mrs H was very anxious to purchase a pr of shoes like those black ones I wore last summer and inquired inssitantly for an American "boot shop" or a place where she might get an American shoe, but in vain. Then we went to the Market, where I used to go with Katie, and to a most wonderful "pastry & Sweet shop" also familiar, where a man in Uniform, decorated with many service medals, stood at the door and said "Goodmorning, Madam and Good day Madam" and carried our pkgs to the car. How David and Gregg would have enjoyed that. Mary Lewis would have enjoyed the market with all the beautiful flowers, and vegetables and fish and meat and all kinds of people and Woolworths across the str a "threepence" and "sixpence" store. There are so many times I wish for Mary Lewis - she would get such a thrill over so many things, we would enjoy them that much more.

     It is raining again - or should I say still. and Mrs H is having a tennis party this afternoon inviting some old friends and some of the newer ones, for us to meet. She says that of course all do not play tennis - especially the older people, who sit in the garden and visit and watch the game. She is very much disappointed it looked quite bright early the A M and she had such pretty garden table, chairs, &c. She is a very ambitious energetic woman, in spite of her 69 yrs and works as hard running this big establishment as we do running our small ones.

     The Fuller Brush man was here this A M and I was interested in his sales talk. Mrs H bot some but says it is difficult to get the maids to use new things she bot an entire vaccuum cleaning set but can't get them to use it except when there is a grand turning out, and she directs them.

     How you would all enjoy the white capped and aproned maid who brings in our tea to our bedside in the A M, slipping in so quietly she does not even waken us. You see what sound sleepers we have become with all this driving and sight seeing, and the maid who stands at attention as we come and go and the liveried chaffuer, so attentive and polite and the gardener, who "fears it will rain ma'am, it feels a bit like, what a pity" their accent is so delicious. David would enjoy these boys from various schools in various uniforms and would be glad he lived in a country where he doesn't have to wear such absurd things. Gregg would have enjoyed the boats at Oxford - there is a small stream there by the colleges where the students train in all kinds of boats for the races which are held on the Tames out of London, with Cambridge and the other famous schools. The boys, too would have enjoyed famous Rugby, and also be glad they didn't have to live in one of those big stone houses with a Master constantly in attendance.

     We have found the trip to Paris so inexpensive that we are hoping to be able to go and of course will then visit the Battle fields, but are afraid we will have to omit the trip to the South of England.

     We became acquainted with and interesting Englishman on the ship, connected with an Oil Co of Venzuella, S A. In the course of visiting Louis told of the Armco plant at Middletown. This man immediately said "We use Armco in our work in Va."

This has to be a family letter, am sending it first to Butler, Laura please send on then Mary, Mary to Hazel, Hazel to Alvah. This is the first time I have had to write, what with sightseeing and visiting. The Gong has sounded for lunch so I must stop with love to all of you, in which Louis joins. Leila.

Dearest Mary, 

     I made a copy of Leila's letter, fearing you might have left N Y and would not get the original. Kirk suggested I make carbons for Alvah and Hazel, which I will send them direct, so you need not send this on to anyone but keep for yourself. I do not know your summer plans, we would like to have you if we thot you would be contented. However, K's Mother comes in a wk to stay until Aug. 1st. I hardly understand why she likes it so much here. Love. Laura.

     

A Clue for William Grant's Birth Record

Cousins, here's a clue that will help us find a birth record for Eliza Esdaile's son-in-law, William Grant, the first husband of  Louisa Green. The Hampshire Chronicle, dated 4 February 1822 includes the following death notice:

Died on the Jamaica station, William Grant, esq. of New Fishbourne, Purser of his Majesty's Ship Pyramus, aged 32 years.

Medical accounts of yellow fever on the Pyramus (in another blog post here) say the purser died in early November of 1821 so we're looking for a birth date between November of 1788 and November of 1789.  I believe I've seen a naval record for him from the National Archives scrawled "born London", but I can't put my hand to it this morning. 

If you take on the task of finding his birth record, recall that his parents, with their Scottish name, may be Presbyterian rather than C of E.

A Civil War Ancestor for Gregg Descendants

Funeral of J.B. Gregg

And a Biographical Sketch of Old Soldier and Old Citizen

from The Red Oak Sun, Friday June 3, 1904

James Bonar Gregg

     There was a large attendance of friends at the funeral of James B. Gregg last Saturday morning. The services were held at the home at 10 a.m. Addresses were made by Rev. W. H. Shipman of the Corning M.E. church, and Rev. W. W. Merritt. The services at the grave were conducted by the G.A.R. The pall bearers were F.J. Brodby, P.P. Clark, J.M. Junkin, W.W. Merritt, C.C. Platter, and J.H. Taylor.
     The six children, five of whom came from elsewhere, were present at the funeral, Alvah and Miss Hazel coming from Lincoln, Neb., Miss Mary from Ouray, Col., Miss Laura from Pueblo, Col., and Mrs. Florence Foster from Adair, Iowa. Prof. J.E. Foster was present from Adair, and H.L. Laird, an old friend of Mr. Gregg, came from Tabor.
     James Boner Gregg was born in Burlington, Iowa, April 27, 1839. His boyhood was spent on a farm near Burlington, homesteaded by his father. At the age of 18 he became a student in the Iowa Wesleyan university at Mt. Pleasant, and in his Junior year enlisted in Co. K, 4th Iowa cavalry, in response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers. This regiment entered service in August 1861, and was mustered out in August 1865. It saw hard service in the four years, especially during the siege of Vicksburg, and in nearly all the numerous battles and skirmishes Mr. Gregg took part. His comrades say he was a true soldier in every respect. He was frequently detailed for duty in the offices at army headquarters. He was a war correspondent of some note, his letters to the Burlington Hawkeye being widely copied.

1866

     Upon return from the army he resumed his studies in the Iowa Wesleyan university and was graduated from the university in 1865. He studied in the law office in Mt. Pleasant one year, and was then admitted to practice. In 1866 he married Miss Josephine Mills, of Mt. Pleasant, who survives him.
     In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Gregg came to Red Oak. The lumber for his house he hauled by ox team from Council Bluffs. This first house forms a part of the family residence on Reed st.  Mr. Gregg practiced law here from 1869 to 1890, being in partnership the first few years with Allen Beeson, a brother of R.W. Beeson. He was prominent in politics for a number of years.
     Since 1890 he had given much of his time to study of literature, history and religious subjects. He was always willing to help in any cause that appealed to his judgment. Outspoken and decided, he was lacking perhaps in diplomacy which might have placed him in positions to which his talents entitled him. His influence was for the right in civic affairs. A student of history and literature, he had a wide range of knowledge. He was an able writer. He had a large fund of apt quotations and anecdotes. He had a good story for every occasion. An unfailing optimism was one of his most prominent characteristics. He filled his home with love and sunshine and to friends and acquaintances was cheery and sympathetic. He had been a member of the M.E. church since 1855, faithful and consistent.
    

Thomas is an Englishman

To our Thomas cousins, from Susan Perry Ertsgaard.