Edith Clara TODD [14]

  General Notes:

Edith Todd
Record Type: Baptism
Baptism Date: 21 Apr 1858
Baptism Place: Notting Hill St Peter, Kensington and Chelsea, England
Father: Charles John Todd
Mother: Elizabeth Ann Todd
Register Type: Bishop's Transcript

Edith Todd
Age: 34
Birth Year: abt 1858
Marriage Date: 13 Feb 1892
Marriage Place: Richmond, St Matthias, Richmond Surrey, England
Father: Charles John Tood
Spouse: Edward Liveing Fenn
Reference Number: 6067/1/4

Edith lived at Alston Court until 1938 when at her death it passed to Charlie Fenn.
Buried with her husband in the old cemetery Bear St Nayland, her grave reads after E L Fenn "Also Edith beloved wife of the above died Dec 22nd 1929 The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6-23"

DEATH OF MRS. FENN OF NAYLAND
Former Colchester Resident.
The death of Mrs. Fenn, of Alston Court, Nayland, which took place on December 22, removes a personality much loved and respected in the village and neighborhood. She was the widow of Dr. E. L. Fenn, formerly physician to the Essex County Hospital, and during the first eleven years of her married life resided at Grey Friars. East Hill. She then moved to Alston Court., Nayland, the old family residence of her husband, where she took great pride in keeping up the beautiful old 15th Century house in which she lived for over 35 years and was always ready to receive with a kindly welcome the numerous visitors who wished to view the ancient house. She was a devoted member of the Church of England, of a kind and charitable disposition and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
THE FUNERAL The funeral took place on Thursday at noon, the service in the Parish Church, Nayland. being conducted by the vicar (Rev. Canon Cliff. R.D.). assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Buckley. of Polstead. Mr. G. W. Brooks Mills was at the organ.
The immediate mourners were :- Miss A. M. Fenn (daughter), Dr. and Mrs. Fenn (step-son and daughter-in-law), Revs. E. V. and E. J. Fenn (step-sons) and Miss Nancy Fenn. Among the congregation were Col. and Miss C. Rundall, Misses R. and J. Cliff. Col. and Mrs. Gray, Mr and Mrs. Roberts Mr. Tayler (schoolmaster) and Mr Littlebury (postmaster) and others.
The service was choral, and the hymns and psalms sung were Psalm 23, " Abide with Me," " O Strength and Stay," and the Nunc Dimittis.
The floral tributes were from :-Adria ; Charlie, Ella and Nancy. Van and Edgar; Grace; Mabel and Adria ; Dick and Nora; Mrs. J. Coats; Mrs. P. H. Smythies ; Canon and the Misses Cliff; Dr. and Miss Nicholson; Mrs. Syrett and Mrs Rundall; Col. and Mrs C H Gray and Miss Ellinor Gray: Col. and Mrs. Sykes ; the G.F.S. ; Miss Corry : Col. and Miss J. Rundall ; Nurse G. M. Payne the. outdoor and indoor staff; Mr Bernard Walsh.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, 18 Landsdown Rd St Mary Abbott Kensington LND. Edith is recorded as a daughter aged 3 born Kensington MDX

2. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, 83 High St Putney Wandsworth LND. Edith is recorded as a daughter unmarried aged 23 born London

3. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, 2 The Terrace Richmond SRY. Edith is described as a daughter unmarried aged 33 born Notting Hill LON

4. Fenn Family Group, Cir 1892, Grey Frairs Colchester.
Key to Fenn Family group at Grey Frairs.
1 Dr Edward Liveing Fenn
2 Edith Fenn nee Todd, Edwards second wife
3 Lucy Vanderzee Hopkins nee Fenn
4 Isabella Frances Louisa Cotes nee Fenn
5 Rev Ernest Vanderzee Fenn
6 Katherine Mary Hopkins
7 Cyril Duncan Fenn
8 Rev Edgar Julius Fenn
9 Dorothy E D Cotes
10 Harold Liveing Fenn
11 Lewis Hopkins
12 Rees Hopkins
13 Dr Charles Edward Fenn (uncertain)

5. Edith Todd, 27 Jan 1892.
My dear Edith
I was very pleased to hear from you as I almost began to fear (in these days of influenza) whether you might not be well, and am sorry to hear Dr Fenn has been suffering from it \endash but as you say he is better I hope he will soon be well again, and not get a chill travelling to Colchester.
This I should have been so pleased to see you both but can quite understand how much your . . . . .
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having to occupy you, and think we must make up our mind to wait till I have the pleasure of being introduced to your husband !!! I should like to have seen seen you before the 13th Feb [?] - But am afraid you could not come by train \endash two lunch \endash or as early as the morning as you like if you can, fish [?] Drop me a line \endash but do not give yourself a moments trouble about it \endash if you find you have too much to do to allow of your coming \endash as I shall know it is not the will \endash but the power that is wanting.
I am sorry to hear your mother is still suffering from cold but it is so difficult to get rid of them \endash this whether the cold winds penetrate everywhere [?] \endash But any whether almost is better than the fog. I suppose your trousseau is now nearly ready, I fancy I heard Mr Todd say that Charlie had sent your wedding dress from Japan \endash their silks are so soft and beautiful \endash pure silk a scarcity nowadays. I hope we shall meet dear Edith before the 30 but if not you know you have my sincerest and very best wishes for your future happiness for many many years. A life of brightness and sunshine \endash and no sorrow to cast its shadow over your happy life.
. . . . . . . . . . and love to all
Yours affectionately
Emily Winter Mosey [?]

6. Edith Clara: With her family, Cir 1900.
Two images of Edward & Edith "playing at being the gardners", Edith in later life, her grave in the Nayland Burial Ground.
Image of grave courtesy Ed Hutchings - 2021

7. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, 81 High St Colchester ESS. Edith is recorded as a wife aged 43 born Paddington MDX

8. Census: England, 2 Apr 1911, Alston Court Nayland SFK. Edith is recorded as head of house a widow aged 53 of private means born Notting Hill LND The house Alston Court is described as having 21 rooms including the kitchen but not other service rooms. There were 6 persons in residence.

9. Edith's Letters 1: To Her Stepson Van, Dated 12 Oct 1893, 20 Oct 1893, 24 Oct 1893.
Grey Friars
Colchester
October 12, 1893
My dear Van
I have just been writing to Cyril to tell him that his long lost purse is found - there is 4/6 in it so no doubt he will be pleased
Edgar is at home at present as two of Madame's children are very ill - he just does a little with me - but next week we shall have to work a little harder.
Charlie is in London now - he lives with Mr Cotes (a clergyman) and his wife he likes them very much. Father enjoyed the Oyster Feast the speeches were so good. My brother Algernon from Texas is coming home next month - I have not seen him for years - we are all so glad.
George has gone away - the new boy is a good deal younger - his name is John - his father is the custodian at the Museum. Father and I go to the Castle Library on Monday's to a lecture on the French Revolution
Do you find it cold yet? and have you any particular friend yet?
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater
Written on black edged mourning note paper

Grey Friars
Colchester
October 20, 1893?
My dear Van
Poor Cyril has been in the wars - he ran against an open knife in the hand of one of his friends - and got a nasty jagged cut - he said it was "an awful accident" - but Miss Hadden got it strapped up for him
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and it is getting better now. Edgar wrote to cheer him up. Harry is getting on with his football - he hopes to get his badge. He gets four weeks at Christmas and four at Easter - as the headmaster wants to go abroad at Easter.
Father bought some lovely new plants at a sale - he has made the greenhouse look so pretty.
I expect you like getting holidays on the saints days - did you think of Father on St Luke's day? St Luke was the beloved physician you know and the Vicar
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used often to say something to show he was thinking of Father on that day.
Have you any particular friend yet? Are they a nice set of boys. Do you find it cold yet?
Much love from us all
Your loving
Mater
Written on black edged mourning note paper

Grey Friars
Colchester
October 24, 1893
Dear Van
I was glad to have such a nice long letter from you and to hear that you were second in class - Father thinks that is very good indeed. Your school seems to go in for football - Harry seems to like it very much now. Cyril writes that his thumb is quite well now
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Father says you had better go on with extra classics that will be more useful to you then chemistry - and about the books enquire first if yours will mend - if not - get a new pair.
I have seen Alfred Capper - he is certainly very wonderful he went to Haileybury once. I am glad you like your cap. Are you in the choir? I think you are sure to like the new Cook - she is very good-natured. Edgar and I have just been for a drive in a handsome with father we got down at the Priors the florist, and then walked back while father went on to Nayland to see two patients Prior gave us a huge bunch of lovely dahlias. Have you begun fires yet? We have one for the evening it is getting cold now.
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Do you get any time for story reading? Cyril breaks up on the 21st the same day as Harry.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater
Written on black edged mourning note paper.

10. Edith's Letters 2: To Her Stepson Van, Dated 3 Nov 1893, 24 Nov 1893, 1 Dec 1893.
Grey Friars
Colchester
November 3, 1893
My dear Van
We are very glad to hear you are second in your class again and you have a nice lot of marks again. I enclose six stamps I have just sent some to Harry too Poor Georgie Hand has broken his leg - we do not know any particulars yet - but if it is
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fine - Aunt Annie is coming over - so we shall hear all about it - I am so sorry for him.
Aunt Lucy is staying here but she has to go back again this afternoon - she only came on Wednesday but she cannot be spared for long from home. We all went to see Aunt Margaret yesterday she was very well and very surprised to see Aunt Lucy.
Poor father has a very bad cold I hope it will be better soon. Edgar is very well - he is busy doing a puzzle now. I sent the crest of your school to Cyril I knew he would like to see it. How nice that you have a special service on saints days!
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I had four vases on the altar with pure white flowers it looked beautiful. Did I tell you Cyril's purse was found there 4/6 in it so it is a good thing it was found.
Much love from us all
Your loving
Mater
Written on black edged mourning note paper

Grey Friars
Colchester
November 24, 1893?
My dear Van
We all enjoyed the show very much on Tuesday - some of us are going to bazaar for St James Church there is to be a dramatic entertainment but that does not take place till the evening so I don't expect we shall see it - we sent a hamper
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full of old things for the rummage stalls an old hat and coat of father's - some shoes and a skirt of mine an old saucepan and teapot its etc etc and I am going to send some things is for the Refreshment Stall.
Edgar goes to Mrs Milton Halls school now - he likes it very much - there are 12 boys and at half holidays they play football in Col Howard's field - we walked that way on Wednesday - and peeped at Edgar through the hedge - I have to get him a dark blue jersey.
Enid has to be home in the holiday time so as to be there with Muriel - so she is coming here for a little while
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tomorrow - her father is going to bring her down - and stay over Sunday.
I am glad your chillblain is better - and hope the boy who is ill is better to - I hope he won't prove to have scarlet fever. Poor Charlie has influenza we only heard today I am so sorry.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater
Written on black edged mourning note paper

Grey Friars
Colchester
December 1, 1893?
My dear Van
We were very glad to hear you were keeping such a good place in class and having such a number of marks. Edgar was very much astonished at the number! We were all thinking of Harry
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last Wednesday - we sent him a little book called Eucharistica it is a nice one to use both at home and at church too, at the celebration of the Holy Communion Harry is hoping to receive for the first time this next Sunday.
You will enjoy having the extra week at Easter you will be able to do so much in the garden. Bishop Smythies is coming to Colchester next Tuesday to give our address at a meeting, we are expected (sic) Uncle George Hunt Annie to stay the night here so that they can go comfortably to hear the Bishop. Aunt Annie had lunch with us last Thursday she was very well.
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The St James Bazaar went off very well Father and I could not go ourselves but Sarah, Emma, Emily, Mary and Edgar all went - there was a concert which they liked very much the choir sang part songs.
With much love from us all
Your loving
Mater.

11. Edith's Letters 3: To Her Stepson Van, Dated 22 Feb 1895, 27 May 1895, 6 Jun 1895.
Grey Friars
Colchester
February 22, 1895?
My dear Van
I was sorry to be too busy to write to you for your birthday - but father said he would write for us both - I hope you liked Edgar's almanac - he was very excited about it - and wanted you particularly to have something that you
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could put up in your study. Father and I are going to London on Tuesday - but only for two nights - we are going to spend Ash Wednesday in Richmond - on Tuesday night we are going to the Lyceum to see "King Arthur"
Harry has taken to skating again and seems to enjoy it very much - they had to turn out of the house twice since he has been there and go to an hotel because of measles breaking out - but he is now back again - and I hope won't have to turn out any more.
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Did you hear that Colchester returned a Liberal candidate - Richmond is far more Conservative.
Gerald sent Cyril the Pall Mall Budget - it was a very good number about ships - so he would like it
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater

Grey Friars
Colchester
May 27, 1895?
My dear Van
We are off to Littlehampton on Thursday - so are getting dreadfully busy - we sent off for packages today - Eddies cot being among them - he will sleep in his perambulator for the next three nights. When you next write our address will be
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Homeside, Norfolk Road, Littlehampton, Sussex
We sent off to bathing towels today you had better mention them to the matron so that they will come back again. There was a review here on the Queen's Birthday - but the disloyal Colchester subjects - did not have any bells rung - how different to Richmond!!!
There was a picture of W. G. Grace in the Graphic - Cyril seems to be getting fond of cricket now - I used to enjoy the matches at Lord's. We had our first gooseberry tart yesterday - and have had some strawberries from the greenhouse three or four times.
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Your forget-me-not's on the rockery are all full of bloom and look very pretty indeed. Edgar is getting very excited about the seaside - we shall be quite near the sea - so he can easily get there.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater

Homeside
Norfolk Road
Littlehampton
June 6, 1895?
My dear Van
We are all enjoying ourselves very much here - Aunt Lucy with Kitty Rees and Lewis are staying here to - they leave tomorrow when they will have been here just a week -- but Kitty is then coming to stay here for another week with us -- she is so pleased with Eddie - indeed they all - and all the children have great fun on the sands together - Edgar already walks much better - and enjoys it all thoroughly. There was a Fete here on Whit-Monday
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a regular Fair on the green -- Kitty threw for coconuts for herself and for Edgar and was very fortunate in getting two. There were some performing animals and a fighting kangaroo but none of us went to see them - the merry go round was a very ancient one some of the horses were headless.
The reading must have been very interesting - Tiverton seems to go in for cricket a great deal - this too its a great place for it - the cricket field here is a splendid one at the back of us - we can see them playing quite well from our windows - there was a very good match on Whit-Monday.
I hope you will enjoy the bazaar Tip is here and enjoys the walks but not the sea he is not brave enough to go in - he follows Bobby about like his shadow. Father is going to try to go over to see Cyril one day - his school is not so very far from here - he says he has a chance of getting into 6th Navy(?).
Harry quite goes in for mountain climbing all his letters are full of it.
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Blanche - Mabel - and Bertie - met us at London Bridge on our way down - we had a little time to wait there so it was very nice seeing them.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater.

12. Edith's Letters 4: To Her Stepson Van, Dated 9 Jul 1895, 12 Oct 1896, 29 Nov 1896.
Grey Friars
Colchester
July 9, 1895?
My dear Van
I am sorry to hear you have not been well - but hope you are all right again now - it must be dreadful to have a cold this hot weather. Charlie telegraphed yesterday to say he had passed his exam - father is very glad indeed. Cyril comes back on the 24th &
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Harry breaks up 20th - Edgar's date is not fixed yet. Father is in Richmond today - is he not lucky? He has gone to Wentworth House and is going to see both your Aunts.
Tomorrow is the wedding day 300 guests - Dean Hole(?) is to take part in the ceremony and the blue jackets are to stand in lines outside the church - I should love to see Gerald as "best man" but we are not going as it is too long a journey from the wilds of Colchester.
The people have already gone mad after the coming election and we had an organ disturbing our rest last night
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between 11 and 12!
Edgar and "Bo-bo" are quite well - the latter has eight teeth now. Father has been rather neuralgic but is better now - I think you will find some gooseberries and currents on the 30th unless Harry and Cyrils "first innings" make them disappear - mind you are quite well by then
Yr loving
Mater
Harry has 2 months

Grey Friars
October 12, 1896?
My dear Van
it was very good of you to send Adria such lovely socks - the pink ones fit beautifully and are most useful and she likes the colour very much.
Mr and Mrs Todd came here from Yarmouth(?) on Thursday and have left us for Richmond this afternoon - Bo and Chickadee(?) were
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very friendly with "Bampie" and demanded sweets when ever they saw him. . . . . . likes his new governess. Harry is now in London with Charlie where he is attending lectures at Kings, he is soon going to Wentworth House to stay there till Christmas is he not lucky? Yarmouth was very nice we were facing the sea - and we had such nice weather that we were able to get two walks every day - and we went twice to the theatre.
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Is it not sad to lose the Archbishop? He will be a very great loss. I will look up the gloves and mittens tomorrow and send them off
Much love from all
Yr loving
Mater

Grey Friars
November 29, 1896?
My dear Van
Cyril has passed his medical exam - and we all hope he will pass the one on Tuesday next - he comes back on the 10th so you are only a day or two behind him this time. Harry's last lecture is on the 18th so you all come early for Christmas.
Many thanks to your letter - it contained quite a tragedy
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how dreadful for the poor mother! The first meeting of the S R C was here on Thursday - your father read the part of Romeo splendidly - we had 30 people here - there were 18 dishes on the supper table the flowers look very pretty - all chrysanthemums.
Harry is having a lovely time at Richmond he went to Ham to see the Julius' one day - the new baby is to be called Cecil. Bo sings a song now it is "Knocking people down" he is always climbing about now - he sleeps in my room now - and sometimes talks for an hour in the middle of the night.
Edgar wears Eton now
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he likes them very much. We are going to an afternoon concert here on Thursday - they also . . . . . Penelope (the area belle) it is rather funny I believe.
All send their love
Yr loving
Mater.

13. Edith's Letters 5: To Her Daughter Adria & Stepson Van, Dated 1897, 26 Jan 1897, 12 Feb 1897.
An ornate card c1897:
My darling Chickie (Adria)
Mummy is very glad to hear
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the little maiden is quite well -- she has a booty baby for her in her bag(?) from Aunt Mabel. Mummy will be home again on Saturday and so glad to see her little people again.
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much love to Nany
Kiss
From your loving Mummy
Give my love to Harry and Ga

Grey Friars
Colchester
January 26, 1897?
My dear Van
Very many thanks for your letter and all your good wishes for my birthday your father gave me a lovely work basket - Harry bottle of sweets - Ga ditto - Beau a pot of Tulip's - and Chick a bunch of violets. Chick began to walk the very day you went away - she is very proud of it and laughs very much - she walks quite straight
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and can go from one nursery to the other.
You must have been perished without a foot warmer - it was very unlucky you could not get one. Richard II arrived quite safely and I expect you have got the book your Father sent you now. I hope you did not get any cold from your tumble - Harry was skating on the North Bridge meadows this morning - he said it was dreadfully rough - he is going to have your father's ticket for the lecture - there is a bitter wind - and your father has not lost his cough - so think it best to stay at home tonight. Scott has a "son and heir" born on my birthday - a future John perhaps - by that I mean a boy to work in the garden etc. Cyril and Lewis went out with Aunt Lucy on Saturday as
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it was Lewis's birthday - Cyril says Lewis is getting on all right. A tree had to come down - so Harry helped with that - he got quite warm over it.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater

Grey Friars
Colchester
February 12, 1897?
My dear Van
I enclose Cyril's letter in case it may interest you to read it - your last one was a capital one I have just sent it to Cyril but you took the wrong side in the debate - the Bishop of Christchurch is now coming home (viz England) and I am sure he and all true Englishman - think there's no place like home (England) they may be interested in their work in the colonies but if they could
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find room for them in England all would stay I'm sure. Harry is very happy at Paxman's there is a pupil there named Secker he likes very much - he finds the bicycle very useful. The Officers are getting up a piece to be performed at the Theatre February 18, 19, 20 its called the Alderman's daughter and Mr Isherwood is to take a girl's part in it - I expect it will be very amusing we are going to the matinee on 20th. We enjoyed "Under the red robe" immensely the scenery was splendid unfortunately we had a dreadfully wet day - so we did nothing else except lunch at the Criterion. Your Aunt Lucy has taken a house near Midhurst - so she will be very near the Theodore Fenns.
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Harry was delighted with the third "Gilchrist lecture on Spiders".
Your father went to Nayland on Tuesday and found Aunt Margaret wonderfully well.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater.

14. Edith's Letters 6: To Her Stepson Van, Dated 11 Mar 1897, 8 Apr 1897, 25 May 1897.
Grey Friars
Colchester
March 11, 1897?
My dear Van
I am so glad you are all right again - I should have written before - but have been so busy - we had Grace here for 10 days and Mr Todd for a few days also - then after that Ellenl and left us very suddenly - so I was busy seeing about a new parlourmaid. Poor Harry is now an invalid - he has asthma rather badly - he is in bed now but hopes to get up for a little change after tea - he was at home all yesterday
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too - but downstairs - his friend Mr Jones has come to see him and is sitting with him now.
Your father is very well he has gone to Sudbury to see old Golding about some registers he wants him to search about the Alston family. We have made three useful purchasers lately viz an invalid carrying chair for the house for Edgar - a bath chair also for him - and a small wood tree for the Long room where you three boys can hang your coats etc - I expect you will appreciate this.
I enclose a lock (alas curls are things of the past) of Beau's hair according to . . . . . request. Grace Smith is helping with the house work till Monday when Munson arrives - she improves very much on acquantance and is very useful. Scott wheels Ga out for an hour every day - the chair goes very easily. Beau prays every night "for my
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great big brothers" it sounds as if you were all giants at one time he always said "bless my brother Vandy" he and Chick get more lively every day I think.
Are your eyes all right now you must not over work them - it was annoying for you to lose those three weeks.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater
Mr Minchin and Mr Ingram had lunch here one day lately

Grey Friars
April 8, 1897?
My dear Van
We shall be glad to see you back on Tuesday at what time shall we expect you? We expected Cyril at four o'clock but he did not turn up till seven as he had the queer taste to prefer wandering about London with "that Linnie" (as Mabel says)
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instead of coming home!!! We expect to hear every day now the result of the exam? Ba(?) breaks up the same day that you do and Charlie comes down Easter Monday Harry is to meet him on his bike at Witham.
Gerald is going to spend a few days with us at Easter - it is just too years since he has been. Did you hear your father walked to Nayland and back one day? He found Aunt Margaret very well. The garden looks so nice now - it is beautifully tidy at present - there may be a change in the next two or three weeks!!
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Bo and Chick both walk a little on the street now they love it. The wind here has been bitter - the real Colchester Kind you know of the blizzard order. Don't pack up your greatcoat - you will want it when you get near here.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater

Grey Friars
May 25, 1897?
My dear Van
We came home on Friday - after a lovely week in London - theatre or opera every evening - two days in Richmond - one at Reigate and the other days were spent in seeing pictures and in shopping. We bought Harry a Jubilee beer glass and a water glass for you - Beau and Chick also
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had red white and blue flags. Harry had a very bad cold while we were away but he is better now and able to work again - we saw his Mr Lewis and his pictures in Bond Street your father bought a very pretty picture of him. Charlie dined with us one night and went with us to see Saucy Sally - he looked very well -- your aunt Isabella and Dolly dined with us another night - and we all went to see the "Seats of the Mighty" it is splendid.
I hear Cyril now has 30 or 31 boys to befriend him - it seems quite a paradise for "new . . . . . "!. Bertie is to be married June 19 we hope to be present - we gave them an after-dinner coffee set
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with which they were much pleased. Harry sent postcards about Beau and Chick every day while we were away - their day nursery is to be re-papered tomorrow - it wanted it badly.
Father still has a nasty cough the east wind here is trying after London.
Much love from all
Yr loving
Mater
Harry's sport at present is not black beetles or earwigs - but mice.

15. Edith's Letters 7: To Her Stepsons Van & Harry, Dated 1 Aug 1897, 17 Oct 1897, 6 Aug 1908.
Grey Friars
August 1, 1897?
My dear Van
We shall be very glad to see you on Tuesday - we thought Charlie would be the first to arrive as we expected him on Monday - but he is up the river with the Bateman's and told us where to send letters if we wrote after Sunday so I don't quite know when he will turn up.
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Aunt Isabella and Dolly go to Nayland sixth inst they have a cottage there for a few weeks. Harry went to see a cricket match with the Macandrew's yesterday - and on Tuesday he he is going to be one of a bicycle party got up by the Curtis they go to Dedham and then intend going on the river.
Beau and Chick are very well - they are out to little chatterboxes - Edgar much benefited by the three weeks he spent in RICHMOND of course!!!!!
Mr Brown has his friend Mr Jones staying with him he took part in both services this morning. Your father took the chair in the place of the "unavoidably
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absent Bishop" at the S.P.G. meeting - he spoke beautifully - afterwards we had the Bishop of Innervelly(?) and the other speakers and some of the clergy and a few ladies to tea in the garden - they all enjoyed the garden after the sleepy atmosphere of the Castle Library - your garden looks very nice indeed.
Much love from us all
Yr loving
Mater

Grey Friars
October 17, 1897?
My dear Van
We enjoyed our visit to Eastbourne very much - no Colchester breeze's there - but lovely warm sunshine - it is such a pretty place too - we finished up with three days at Richmond which were best of all - and arrived home the afternoon of Chichie's happy day in good time to have her down with Beau at the usual hour after tea - they were both
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at the station to meet us - and looked a very bright excited little pair - of course there were no end of presents for them from Richmond.
I congratulate you on being elected to the committee of the D.S. and also for your great success in the holiday task - Edgar told us and your father was very pleased. Your father read a paper on "Parish councils" at the Rui de canal(?) meeting - the Bishop of Colchester was in the chair - it was considered by several the best of all - and was much applauded -- Mr Mitchin read one in the morning - he - Mr Ingram and Mr Braun had tea here - and Mr Ingram had lunch as well.
We went to the first of the Pioneer Lectures - it was given by Dr Jersey - and was very nice. We went to the third Dante lecture too - and were very interested. The first Shakespeare evening is October 26 at the
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Hunts - I believe the play is "As you like it" - but your father has not heard for certain what part he will take.
Charlie seems quite to have settled down - he went for a very long ride with Mr Tweedie and two other men - so he is getting to know something of the country about him.
We shall think of you this day week - to hope you will get through the lesson all right
Much love from all
Yr loving
Mater

Alston Court
Nayland
August 6, 1908
My dear Harry
Van went up to my dearest father's funeral - a week ago today - I did not feel equal to going so I was the more pleased that he went - I feel more desolate than ever now - and I am grieving to those at home - it will change the home life completely.
Van and Edgar left here yesterday morning Van for Cuckfield - Edgar for Midhurst - after about
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a week's visit there he is going to stay at Streatham with Charlie for a little while - Charlie is leaving his present house in the autumn as his partners wish him to be on the main road it seems a pity he should have the move so soon and he . . . . . is not altogether for the better as the new house has a basement while the other had not.
Edgar received your letter just before he left - it will be nice for you to see you lin. . . . . gain - I hope he feels no bad effects from his accident.
Beau is playing in a cricket match at Stoke today greatly to his joy - he started at 11:30 in a break with his Wisden bat and his
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pads - this is his first appearance in public here so I hope he will do well - Adria has just gone off with a maid to see how he is progressing.
It seems strange only Beau Adria and me in the house Jessie is my chief companion till the evening.
Much love from us all
Your very affectionately
Mater.
Written on black edged mourning note paper.

16. Edith Todd: Letter to Edward H T Liveing, 4 Feb 1921, Nayland.
Liveing Archive 247a-e
Re Fenn Family Bible

Alston Court
Nayland
February 4, 1921.

Dear Mr Liveing,
I have copied out the particulars of the Fenn family which you ask me for from the family Bible I also enclose a copy of the words on the tombstone of Mrs Robert Fenn.
You will note that I have
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not given the dates of my brother in law's (Ernest Harrold) marriage & death \endash perhaps Isabella has already supplied you with these dates.
I expect you have seen Mr Torlesse's book "Bygone Days" there is a good deal about your family in it stop I have a copy which I could lend you if it would be of any help to you.
Yours sincerely,
Edith Fenn.

Thomas Harrold Fenn married Maria Alston May 19, 1840.
Children of the above.
Annie Vanderzee born Mar 28, 1841 married Lt G W Hand RN November 14, 1866.
Isabella Frances Louisa born July 23, 1842. Married Rev Digby H Cotes January 27, 1874.
Edward Liveing born August 20, 1843 died December 8, 1907 married Katherine P Julius November 12, 1872. Married Edith Todd February 13, 1892.
Catherine Maria born September 30, 1844 died December 24, 1882 married June 30, 1870 Herbert A Giles.
Theodore George born June 19, 1846 died December 20, 1889 married Margaret Playford November 1, 1876.
Lucy Vanderzee born January 30, 1848 died October 21, 1909 married Surgeon Maj Nathaniel Hopkins.
Ernest Harrold born February 16, 1850 married Bertha Alison Jobson.
Margaret Henrietta Alston born January 12, 1852 died February* 15, 1852. (* April is correct)

Edward Liveing Fenn married Catherine P Julius November 12, 1872 died April 15, 1861.
Children of the above.
Charles Edward born September 23, 1873 married Edith Elizabeth Shuttleworth April 14, 1915
Walter Robert Julius born February 3*, 1875 died August 9, 1880. (* baptism date)
Evelyn Alston born February 29, 1876 died September 27, 1877.
Harold Liveing born Mar 28, 1877.
Reginald Alston born May 26, 1878 died July 11, 1879.
Ernest Vanderzee born February 20, 1880.
Edward Churchill born May 19, 1881 died May 20, 1882.
Cyril Duncan born August 19, 1882.
Edgar Julius born June 16, 1885.
Edward Liveing Fenn married Edith Todd February 13, 1892.
Children of the above.
Dorothy Edith more December 30, 1892 died July 3, 1893.
Edward Gerald Palmer born September 2, 1894. Killed in action in Palestine September 19, 1918.
Adrian Margaret born October 8, 1895.
Charles Edward Fenn born September 23, 1873 married Edith Elizabeth Shuttleworth April 14, 1915.
Child of the above.
Edith Nancy Alston born February 2, 1917

In Memory of Harriet
Widow of Robert Fenn Gent.
Who died Mar 28, 1864.
Aged 74 years

17. Edith's Letters 8: Two Letters one to Mrs Liveing, & one from Edward Liveing, Dated 30 Dec 1924, 22 May 1934.
Dec 30
1924
Alston Court
Nayland
Colchester
Dear Mrs Liveing
I write to express my sympathy to you at the loss of your uncle he will be missed and mourned by many I know, but you will feel it doubly I am sure, as he has been so much to you during so many years.
With much sympathy
Yours sincerely
Edith Fenn
I hope Miss Liveing is well
On the death of George D Liveing - Liveing Archive: Image 3634

Brookfield House
Longstanton
Cambridgeshire
22 May 1934
My dear Mrs Fenn
As promised I now enclose you six prints from old negatives taken by my father and myself of the old house in 1874, they show well in what a dilapidated condition it was before cousin Edward had it so beautifully restored.
I also enclose a photo copy of a watercolour sketch by James Boggis of Nayland Street in 1838 the fine old redbrick vicarage on the right was pulled down before I can remember.
It was a great pleasure to me to see you and Adria the other day and I hope to be able to get over to Stoke and Nayland again sometime this summer.
Yours very sincerely
Edward H. Liveing
Letter without envelope on file E L Fenn 2007.

Edith married Dr Edward Liveing FENN M.D. M.R.C.P. J.P. [3] [MRIN: 50], son of Dr Thomas Harrold FENN M.R.C.S. [1] and Maria ALSTON [2], on 13 Feb 1892 in St Mathias Richmond SRY. (Dr Edward Liveing FENN M.D. M.R.C.P. J.P. [3] was born on 20 Aug 1843 in Stourbank Nayland SFK, baptised on 6 Oct 1843 in Nayland SFK, died on 8 Dec 1907 in Nayland SFK and was buried in Nayland Burial Ground.). The cause of his death was heart failure.