| Title | Letters (112) from John James, first Town Clerk of Wrexham, at Plas Acton, Brynffynnon Offices (Wrexham), Rhyl, London, Wem, etc., to his eldest child Minnie (Mrs W.W. Kenrick), variously at Walsall, London, Llangollen, Llandudno, Chepstow, Rugeley, Leamington, Philadelphia (USA), etc |
| Description | Very affectionate in tone; his own indifferent health; is perturbed at the "wretched letters" [anonymous?] which Minnie has been receiving, and urged her to be careful not to take "lonely walks" (August 1857); has a good fit of Court dress for a level but wishes "the Q would receive people in plainer costume" (February 1858); Minnie's many visits to Wynne Hall. Recounts routine happenings at home, particularly Sunday events of chapel and church entertaining, etc. Is sorry M has missed hearing Chas. Dickens (May 1858); his son Reggie's uncertain health (June 1858); a romance between Minnie and "W" (W. W. Kenrick) (May 1859); does not advice Minnie to visit Wynne Hall during Mrs Kenrick's absence as it might be interpreted as indelicacy and inpropriety" (June 1859); an exhibition at Peel Park. The Q "and the Big Ship" visits Holyhead (October 1859); a shocking murder "in Back Chamber Street near the Town Hall, Wrexham [ibid]; presentation of a bugle to the Wrexham Volunteers by Lady Wynn at Wynnstay (August 1860) and the ensuing drunkenness of the "gallant defender of our country" who "mistook wine for ale and drank it in tumblers". Spurgeon preaches at Ruabon (September 1860) to a congregation of some 5,000, his near-royal progress through the town; J J and Mrs Kenrick invited to dine with him at Plasmadoc, but their inability to do so...instead, a half-hours' interview with Spurgeon. Minnie's stay in Ilkley, Yorkshire, to take the water treatment; W.W. Kenrick's prolonged visit to Ilkley (ibid); the recently opened New St. Railway at Birkenhead (October1860); Penmaenmawr "becoming quite a resort for visitors [ibid]; visit of the conjuror Freikel to Wrexham Music Hall [ibid]; Minnie's marriage to W.W. Kenrick (June 1861); Minnie celebrates her 25th birthday on 1/5/1861. Poor baggage arrangements for travellers at Llandudno (August 1861); the arrival of her baby daughter (April 1862); much about "Kitty" (another daughter; is a recurring theme); Kitty's health; Sarah Kenrick's foreign tour (1862); Wynn's (Minnie's husband's) jury service at Ruthin Assizes; recommends the White Heart Inn at Ruthin for an overnight stay; the baby's progress. Another confinement safely weathered - a son (July 1863); Mrs Kenrick's kindness on these occasions; his younger children, including the youngest child, "Baby"; his defeat at the passage of a bill concerning Wrexham in the House of Lords (1864); his wife's ill-health; a third child (a daughter) born to Minnie (November 1864); the Painters (his wife's family); Mrs [Sarah] Kenrick's bereavement (1865); has visited the Crystal Palace (1865); news of friends; his wife's continuing ill-health and spasms of hysteria have abated enough for her to accompany him to London; has visited Spurgeon's Tabernacle; a sale of the possessions of "G M" [Grandmother Painter?]; a fourth child (another boy) born to Minnie (December 1865); family news; opening of Wrexham Water Works (January 1867); is on good terms with Mrs Sarah Kenrick and her son John; the severe winter of 1866 - 1867 in Wrexham; Wynn's many engagements which keep him away from home; has seen Mrs Minshall (February 1867) and hears that the Foundry may be disposed of to some friends of the Kenricks; a claim against Wynn by one Sherratt; the writer's son John's poor health; Kitty's apparent conversion to vegetarianism; the termination of Wynn's employment as mining engineer; the Fenian outrages (December 1867); Wynn's chances of compensation for loss of office; John back at school, as are Percy and Reggie; Wynn has "sailed" to find employment (May 1870); J J suggests that Grandmama and Kitty join Minnie; J J obviously closer to Minnie than her mother is (5 June 1870); Mrs Kenrick's "energy of character and facility of resource"; May (first child) goes to school; (August 1870); disapproves greatly of Minnie's plans (January 1871) to "go out" [to join Wynn?] in the spring; efforts to re-locate "G M" and Kitty; his wife and Sally are about to leave for Germany (July 1871); postponement of Minnie's voyage; the German spas are improving Mrs J J's health, and she is en route to Switzerland. J J writes to Minnie away (November 1871); notes her regret at taking "so many children" with her; G M died 3 days after Minnie's departure; Minnie's bad voyage out; account of G M's funeral; Kitty has become a solitary and brooding recluse, and has alienated Mrs J; J J feels sorry for Kitty and her "ruined life"; suggests she joins Minnie; the latter's 7 children (1872); his shortage of money to bring Minnie home on a visit; he will help, however, as will "Mrs K" and "Mr P"; failure of the Minera Mine (1874); ice-skating at Wynnstay (1876); glad of his 3-day visit to her (September 1876); congratulations on the birth of another daughter (June 1878); his health failing (1882); Minnie's visit to France; a perplexity over her wishes regarding a property (1882); Wynn has by now become "your husband" in J J's comments, although reverting to his former and proper appellation in subsequent letters; invites Minnie and daughter Muriel to Plas Acton for Christmas (1882); May is 21 years old (1883); his researches into the I'Anson family; Percy is in the Army (183); Wynn Hall must be sold (1884) but he cannot afford to buy it; Minnie's shortage of cash (July 1884); Hughie has his 2nd Mate's certificate but has no liking for the sea (!); Wynn's "surprise" (1884) and the terms of his expenses (vide alibi : W W Kenrick and the Kimberley Diamond Mining Co.); the price of Wynn Hall is £1,300, plus £100 for "old Oak furniture and fixtures and the old portraits", making £1,400 in all; does not think he can buy it; advises against Minnie's living with Mrs Kenrick at Wynn Hall.
In the final letter (11 May 1887), refers to his disappointment that the arrangement for Minnie to live at Wynn Hall has fallen through; with the exception of Sarah Kenrick, and Arthur Kenrick and his wife, J J thinks that the Kenricks are a "good for nothing set", who "throw the care of their Son and Brothers family upon me. The Sons one and all are utterly Worthless"! Suggests various houses for Minnie, particularly ones near to Llangollen and Wrexham; Rhosddu Cottage seems the best.
A valuable series of letters; from the gaps, it would seem that some are missing |