October 25th 1903 Walter Morrell to Arabella mabel blackwell

Shipley, Yorkshire to canton, cardiff

235 miles

the message

"25/10/03

Many thanks for post cards to land today. They are greatly appreciated. Tomorrow I am writing you regarding the blue material.

WM"

the sender

Walter Morrell (1876-1963) was a twin. Constance Lydia Morrell (1876-1967) was his twin sister. They also had a younger sister called Hilda (1885-?). They were all born in Saltaire near Shipley in Yorkshire. Their parents were George Morrell (1841-1930) and Lydia Wade (1843-1931). George was born in Catterick in Yorkshire and Lydia was from London.

Walter was in the garment trade, both running a business and being a commercial traveller. In 1904, a year after this card was sent, Walter married the recipient Arabella Mabel Blackwell. Although the card is not signed, all the evidence suggests Walter is the writer.

George was originally a school teacher and after he retired he was a letting agent for some cottages.

the recipient

Arabella Mabel Blackwell (1878-1958) was born in Otley in Yorkshire. She was the only child of Edward Reginald Blackwell (1845-1914) and Sarah Mudd (1856-1916).

Edward was born in Gloucestershire. He was a printer/stationer by trade. In 1877 he married Sarah Mudd in Otley. In 1891 he was on his own in Cardiff. He was joined by his family at some time before 1901. Sarah was born in Otley.

In 1904, Arabella married Walter Morrell and settled in Shipley. They had one son.

the tree

the places

Saltaire and Shipley

Canton, Cardiff

what the card says to us

The picture shows the Congregational Church in Saltaire, built 1856-9, which today is Grade 1 listed and a United Reform Church. It is local to Shipley.

The card is dated by the writer which is unusual. It is dated both front and back. The card is initialled front and back.

It can be assumed that Walter and Arabella knew each other in Yorkshire before she moved to Cardiff. They were obviously corresponding.

It is the reference to the "blue material" that is intriguing. On one level, given that Walter works in the garment trade, it could be a reference to some fabric. However, given the nature of their relationship and the fact that they marry in a year, maybe this is a double entendre. The use of "blue" to mean risqué or off-colour dates back to the 1800s and this is a couple in their mid 20s. We will never know.