august 22nd 1904 william raw barrington to edward james dawson
liverpool, lancashire to carnforth, lancashire
49 miles
the message
“Another for collection
4 Burrell St
Liverpool
Dear Eddie
We arrived safely in Liverpool about 12-30.
Tell Uncle Robert we thank him very much for his kindness. All well at home.
Your aff cousin Will”
the sender
William Raw Barrington (1869-1917) was the son of William Barrington (1844-1879) and Eleanor Raw (1844-1926). William senior was a Coachman in Liverpool and originally from Scotland.
In the 1911 census William Raw is listed as a Car Proprietor having previously been a Stable Proprietor and before that a Coachman like his father. The family business was transport and they were moving with the times. In 1885 William married Mary Horrabin (1871-1921).
the recipient
Edward James Dawson (1880-1940) was the son of Edward Dawson (1840-1924) and Georgina Barrington (1857-1942). Edward senior was a policeman.
Edward James was a draper. In 1905 he married Alice Sagar (1875-1966) who was also a draper.
Edward James and William Raw were first cousins. Edward’s mother and William’s father were sister and brother.
the trees
Barrington
Dawson
the places
Liverpool, Lancashire to Carnforth, Lancashire
Liverpool, Lancashire
Carnforth, Lancashire
what the card says to us
The picture shows the Pier Head in Liverpool circa 1904. Liverpool is where the card was posted.
It would appear that someone, maybe Edward James Dawson, or someone close to him, collected postcards. Maybe they were cards of Liverpool.
It can be assumed that William Raw Barrington has been visiting his family in Carnforth. For some reason which we do not know, he was grateful for the kindness of Robert Dawson (1832-1914), the uncle of Edward James. Robert was twice widowed and in 1911 he was listed as a retired labourer although he had previously (1901) been a pig butcher. What was the kindness? Maybe it was a loan of money. We will never know.
There was 11 years difference in age between William Raw and Edward James and there were other family members closer in years. Why was this correspondence between these two. Is it because they were close because Edward James was born in Liverpool although by the age of 10 his family had moved to Priest Hutton in Carnforth, Lancashire.