Sean Haydon Griffin's Family Tree

Petherick, Edward Augustus

Events

Map

Parents

Families

Narrative

Notes for EDWARD AUGUSTUS PETHERICK:

Notes from Manuscript Collection National Library of Australia, Canberra

Petherick Collection MS 760/1

Matters concerning the PRESS FAMILY in Burnham, Somerset Eng.

compiled from letters written by Edward Augustus PETHERICK from

LONDON to his family in MELBOURNE during the period 1870 - 1877.

Compiled by Pirrie K (Petherick) Shiel Jan 1994

All the letters were addressed to his father Peter John Petherick unless

otherwise stated. Compiler's comments eg [Press]

E A Petherick had worked for the book seller George Robertson in

Melbourne for 8 years, when at the age of 23 year, he was sent to England

to manage the London office.

MS 760/1/50 June 1870

EAP left from Hobson's Bay, Victoria aboard the "GREAT BRITIAN" on

15th June 1870. Uncle [Alfred Press ] came with EAP's father Peter John

Petherick and EAP's younger brothers Ernest and Edgar to say good-bye.

MS760/1/57 Sept 1870

EAP went to Burnham, it cost 2 pound, visited PJP's mother's house [Mary

Phillips Petherick] in Salmon Parade, near archway at Searle's.

Sarah Ann, Bessie and Mariane Press went with him to Bridgewater.

MS760/1/60 Nov 1870

Henry Press' ship was wrecked but all hands saved.

MS 760/1/68 Jan 1871

Edwin and Jim [Press] have had a falling out. They have bought a boat

together. Jim is enterprising. Edwin won't go out to look [for ships]. Jim goes

to sea for a week looking for ships coming in. Jim makes up accounts

regularly but Edwin doesn't. They take it in turns to pay the man they

employ but Edwin is lax in keeping accounts. They are doing well but have

difficulties over who is boss. Jim sacked the deckhand, Edwin said he could

stay. Edwin was annoyed that Jim gave two guineas for repairing the

Chapel. Jim wants to give up his share of the boat and is negotiating to sell

off the "Dorset and Devon" and the adjoining house. He is thinking of going

alone to Australia and to send for the others later. Jim and Sarah may go but

SarahAnn will go into the shop with Richard. [?]

Jim's son Tom is a good looking young fellow and it's a pity to see him and

William shut up in Burnham and Wedmore.

Henry has as much as he can do to look after and attend upon his wife.

[Louise] He's very kind and 'soft'. He talks of Australia only his wife has fits

so often. She had two or three severe attacks while EAP was in Burnham but

should be better now for a month. The young Henry is very rough in his

manner and courser in tone of voice than any of the family.

Sarah Ann is very nice, kind and homely, too good.

Edwin's two girls Mariane [Mary Ann] and Bessie [Elizabeth] are nice too.

Mariane is most lady like, homely, thoughtful and diligent. EAP's favourite

not excepting Charlotte. He feels at home with them.

Aunt Sarah [Jim's wife] is sweet, speaks as if she is out of breath. Aunt Ann

13 24 Oct 2006

[Edwin's wife] is motherly, has to "talk to the boys when necessary". [scolds]

"Uncle Nicholas" is getting rich with lots of houses.

MS 760/1/74

Copy of James Press Senior's will sent. [To PJP?]

MS 760/1/83 May 1871

[EAP refers to] Aunt Annie and Uncle Alfred [Press] in Melbourne.

MS 760/1/94 Aug/Sept 1871

EAP in Burnham again and discribes the view from Aunt Ann's window.

He writes in her accent, Bessie and Mariane are reading and he is writing.

MS 760/1/129 Sept 1872

Uncle Jim [Press] told how Harry lost the Cardiff steamer- not his fault but

he was the captain. The engine-driver was drunk, she turned on her side and

broke into pieces. Henry nearly drowned. 'Another misfortune for young

Henry!' Uncle Edwin is now piloting the boats across. Don't know what

Henry does.

Harry [Captain Henry] lost the "FLORA" [is Flora the Cardiff ateamer?]

Uncle James' broken rib has mended.

Polly (Mariane) has gone to Bridgewater, Aunt Lousie [Uncle Henry wife]

has introduced her to the large drapery warehouse there. A L is a good

business woman in spite of her attacks. [?]

MS 760/1/131

To Mother

EAP in Burnham and Bridgewater again visited Aunt Eliza Press [?] and

Aunt Nicholas with Tom. Her son was a grocer, now a carpenter. EAP

called at 2 Julia Terrace and talked with Mrs Walter Board upstairs in the

drawing room over looking the sea.

MS 760/1/136

Uncle Edwin away on the Cardiff steamer. Uncle Jim obliged to stay home

idle as there is no second pilot boat. No-one will work for jim as it is not

perminent because the boat is shared with Edwin.

Uncle Jim Aunt Sarah, Tom and Sarah to have a bootshop.

Uncle Henry still works as a pilot and must go out at least once or twice a

year to keep his certificate.

The Press family has started a Good Temple of total abstainers and they

want to enforce it on others. The Lodge is called "Resque of Burnham"- the

edge of the bottomless pit.

EAP jokes about it [not suprising since his father owns a hotel in

Melbourne] and refers to

the PRESS GANG

Henry Press -president

Tom Press -secretary

W J Press -worthy right-hand supporter [g.g.grandfather to Kate's husband]

Bessie Press -worthy left-hand supporter

Charlotte Press -something else

Mary Ann press - removed to Bridgewater

Sarah Ann won't have anything to do with it.

"But the Press' aren't all Burnham, happily so, and Aunt Ann do have her half

pint."

14 24 Oct 2006

Oct 1872

Tom Press has come to London and gained employment at a grocer house as

an assistant at Kingsland London Nth at 20 pound per anum with board and

lodging. Its a first class place with no drudgery, storemen grind the coffee

and break the sugar.

MS 760/1/149 Dec 1872

Christmas in London with Tom. He shared my bed. [!!!] A turkey was sent

to the office [EAP'S] by William Mitchel, steel pen manufacturers of

Birmingham.

April 1873

Visited the Crystal Palace with Tom. [Press]

MS 760/1/164 Sept 1873

EAP holidayed at Burnham and went to Watchet for the first time to see St

Andrews, the castle and park, the model farm of Sir Alex Hood at eve and by

night to Williton. The Old Cleeve Abbey now rotting as a piggery then

around the seashore by the Blue Anchor. John and Thomas Press entertained

me during the Watchet trip. The air was clear between showers and I could

see the Welch coast. Also I could see Burnham from Minehead about 23

miles and was able to distinguish Uncle Edwin's house on Royal Parade. In

the evening the reflection on his windows was as brillant as the nearby light

house on 'The Holmes.'

Mrs Kingsbury ( nee Slocombe of Watchet) was with Charlotte who was

nursing a tiny twin several months old. The baby was even smaller than at

birth according to Aunt Sarah and died within afew days [Aug 1873]

He put up [stayed] with Aunt Lou's with Uncle Henry as valet. Henry took

EAP out in the boat as did Uncle Edwin and Jim in the 'Petrel'.

While at Watchet he saw Mrs Woodland and she talked of the twin born

girls. [ Were these Charlotte's ?]

Aunt Nancy's husband, who ever he maybe was in Thomas Press' shop in

Watchet.

Mariane was home Sunday to attend the Temple tea-meeting.

Henry has built the Templer Hotel at Burnham. Uncle Edwin has taken the

pledge and Uncle Henry is the only brother "untied". He doesn't drink but

won't sign the pledge. Aunty Ann still has her 'two penneth'.

Bessie is going out [?] as soon as possible and Aunt Ann and Uncle Edwin

will be left alone with only servants.

Mr Wiggins [?] is well and keeps a shop to eke out his existance, in our old

shop. [PJPetherick's shop in Burnham]

EAP called on old Mrs Press [formerly Lovern ?] She intends going to

Australia in the near future. Uncle Henry spoke to her the other day, the only

time since grandfather died [James Press?] She is not on visiting terms with

either Aunt Sarah or Aunt Ann now that neither one ask her to have a beer.

Uncle Edwin and Jim's old house is in a disgraceful state having not been

done up for years, the walls are black.

MS 760/1/171

EAP send peacock feathers from Uncle Jim's peacocks, home to the girls.

MS 760/1/173 Oct 1873

Old Mrs Press is leaving on 24th Oct aboard the "Great Britian".

EAP went to Manchester for five hours and spent time with Ernest Press

then returned to Liverpool. Ernest had just dissolved his partnership with

Miss Murphy having no prospects of keeping a wife.

15 24 Oct 2006

MS 760/1/175 Dec 1873

EAP was glad to hear that the "Great Britian" had arrived safely in

Melbourne because 'that naughty old lady Mrs Lovern [Press] had a a big

bag of sovereigns sewn around her neck.' He spoke of being alive to the

interests of old Mrs Press and her daughter Mrs Westcott who receivied a

bundle of bedding. [Sarah Westcott?]

He had been given two turkeys this year and a Stilton cheese, also five

pounds which he returned at once. The smaller turkey he gave away to the

Young mens. No days off for Christmas but an early finish.

MS 760/1/208 May 1874

Uncle Alfred and Auntie Annie [Press in Melbourne] are not well EAP

suggests the need for a quieter life [They owned the Yorkshire Hotel in

Collingwood but he had already died by the time this letter arrived.]

MS 760/1/235 1875

Aunt Annie retired from public [or should that be publican] life.

MS 760/1/236 March 1875

EAP received a note from George Rich and Mr Edwin Press informing him

that they were coming to London as witnesses for the Parlimentry

Committee on the Bridgewater Railway. Bridgewater to Edington [?] thence

over the Somerset line to Wells. EAP met them at Waterloo Station along

with ten or twelve other witnesses.

Sunday he went with Uncle [Edwin?] and Hobbs to hear Baldwin's discourse

on Future Life.

MS 760/1/238 March 1875

Affairs between Edwin, James [Jim] and Henry have improved.

Bessie Rich's baby was buried the day after EAP arrived [ at Burnham?].

Poor Bessie very weak. He went to Bridgewater by one of Harry's ships.

George Rich went with me to Church [as distinct from chapel] Polly Lilly

there, later stopped of at his shop"York House".

Stopped with Uncle Edwin and Aunt Ann at Esplanade House. Needed two

strong cups of tea to help digest a large sole and bread and butter.

MS 760/1/243 June 1875

Ernest Press spent a few days with EAP in London. He was there regarding

business in Manchester. EAP enjoyed the companionship. [ Rarely mentions

any friends or occupations except family and long hours of work.]

MS 760/1/247 June 1875

Dear Mother [Ann Press]

A chatty letter to his mother honouring the job she has done, what she has

faced and put up with, the privation she has suffered for her family. He

reports that in London they complain over very little things and no-one has a

good word to say of servants. They should know how to do for themselves!

He tells her of a croquet party and high tea at Lichfield House. He didn't

care to dance as he doesn't know how but he looked after the two Miss

Sangsters who were dressed alike. Several actors were there and Mr

Creswick Buckstone leasee of the "HAYMARKET". [theatre?] EAP wore

an ordinary frock coat, white vest, light grey pants, dress boots and shirt with

gold studs, light blue tie, lavender kid gloves which he had worn to Jessie

Petherick's wedding.

He also went to the theatre and sat in the two shilling seats.

[I'm sorry there are not more letters to his mother he gives more personal

details to her.]

Thank Aunt Annie for the leaves and flowers from Uncle Alfred's grave.

He sent the views[?] on to Burnham. Uncle Henry thinks of framing them

before forwarding them to Edwin. He thinks of a doing many things, they all

16 24 Oct 2006

do! The albums for Rosa and Bessie [EAP'S sisters] are still in the shop

unbought and probably will remain so!

MS 760/1/253 Aug 1875

EAP went for a trip to Belgium, Germany, the latest battlefields, and Paris

He was invited to the Isle Of Wight [by Sangsters?]but felt he couldn't go

because Miss Cable was going and she is a very nice girl could not have her

name mixed up with Edward. People 'talk' more in England than in Australia.

MS 760/1/257 Oct 1875

This is a letter were EAP remember things from his early life in Burnham and

Melbourne. He claims he never forgets anything, although he does admit to

not remember much about his grandfather [which one?] except that when

they were leaving he gave them pence and EAP fancies new shoes as well.

MS 760/1/265 Dec 1875

EAP did jury service from 1st -7th Dec1875 and earned three guineas which

rightly belongs to George Robertson his employer, as he EAP, belongs to

Robertson. EAP doesn't wish to earn any other money but does decice to

keep it. He was impanelled on three cases but had little to do as two cases

were unsuited. [Uncontested?]

One was a breach of promise and the plaintive got 500 pounds and the

lawyer 100 pounds.

Miss Cable engaged, [EAP missed again] she was very suitable and much

admired by Edward. "Another chance lost! Such is life!" he wonders if he

should have gone to the Isle of Wight. he does not intend marrying before he

is thirty but perhaps if he had told her maybe she would have waited.

Regrets.

MS 760/1/280 June 1876

Uncle James and Aunt Sarah [Press] came to London. Uncle James gave

evidence to Comm. of House of Commons on the Highbridge Dock.

Aunt Sarah has a sister Mrs Wood.

Regards to Aunt Mary, [Press] Aunt Annie, [Press] and her mother [Mrs

Lovern Press] Aunt Consty, [?] and Aunt Hetty.[?]

MS 760/1/292 Aug 1876

EAP speaks of photos of Edward and the little one [ Vernon, these are sons

of Ernest James Petherick, EAP 'S younger brother] Miss Cable married.

MS 760/1/301 Oct 1876

He askes for Miss Caroline (Carrie) Bunney's hand in marriage. [She is in

Melbourne and he hasn't seen her for six years. He may have asked sooner

but didn't out of respect to the Foggo family and Sarah his first love who

died in 1874 after a long illness. EAP had planned for her to join him.]

MS 760/1/304 Nov 1876

EAP'S family not in favour of the marriage but Edward doesn't know why.

He gives Julius [ A younger brother who is a jeweller] instructions and

twenty pounds, to make a ring for Carrie with five stones set in a plain band .

Emerald Amethyst Pearl [EAP] Carbuncle Emerald [Caroline E]

Aunt Louisa and Mariane know the secret.

MS 760/1/320 May 1877

After a lot of problems both personal and business, concerning Robertson,

Mr Bunney [another employee of Robertson and Carrie's father] and his

father [PJP] EAP asks for permission to go home to Australia.

MS 760/1/326 June 1877

17 24 Oct 2006

EAP is confused and frustrated about his family's attitude to his well being

and compares it to the families at Burnham where there is disagreement and a

failiure to work together. They have as good as, lost their claim on the ship

they saved, to the owner and Insurance company. [ Details about the

salvage/ Court of Admiralty court case followed.] Harry, Uncle Edwin,

Uncle Jim and their men only got 350 pounds covering expenses.

MS 760/1/330 July 1877

EAP withdrew his proposal at Carrie's suggestion. He is very upset. Family

failed to inform him of the "true state of her mind and habits [What could

they be.] and I was obliged to withdraw from a most irksome engagment."

There is alot of confusion with his father, over the money he has sent home

during the last seven years, which he now wants to put into a partnership.

There is not nearly as much available as he was led to believe.

MS 760/1/341 Sept 1877

EAP finally starts for home aboard the "CUZCO"

My Dear Father 27th Sept 1877

Mr William Petherick came down from Gravesend with the steamer to see

me off. I left Burnham yesterday for Highgate, there was a large party in the

afternoon at Uncle Jim's. Sarah Ann [Press] very unwell and unable to

walk, I fear she may not recover -lungs. I arrived at Plymouth and stayed at

the "Duke of Cornwell" hotel.

With all the love I can express to all and for all,

I remain your most affectionate son,

Edward.

I will telegraph to you via Adelaide upon my arrival at that Port.

[Peter John Petherick died on 26th Oct 1877 before this letter or Edward

arrived in Melbourne.]

Ancestors