July 23rd 1904 unknown to ellen farrissey

merthyr-tydfil, glamorgan to dowlais, glamorgan

1.7 miles

the message

“Saturday Night

Merthyr

Meeting did not come off last evening put back for a week. All the best. W sent letter today that he will be down tomorrow so we are in for lively times but such is life”

the sender

Frustratingly there are no clues to the identity of the sender.

the recipient

Ellen Farrissey (1869-1951) was born in Dowlais, Glamorgan. Her parents were Patrick Farrissey (1846-1907) and Mary Ann Sullivan (1850-1928). Patrick was born in Ireland. In 1891 he was a railway engine driver and in 1901 he was a Yardman at a Pig Iron Blast Furnace.

Ellen was living with her parents at 25 Pond Street, Dowlais, and remained with them at that address through to at least 1901. After her father died the family moved to another address in Dowlais, 7 Edward Street which is where they were in 1911. In 1891 and onward Ellen is listed as a school teacher. In the 1939 Register she was living in Dowlais with her sister Mary Ann Farrissey (1881-1973) who was also a teacher.

Ellen’s death is recorded in Merthyr Tydfil in 1951.

the tree

the places

Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan

Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan to Dowlais, Glamorgan

Merthyr Tydfil

Dowlais showing Pond Street

what the card says to us

The picture shows Conway Castle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conwy_Castle) which does not seem to have any link to the message or the family.

The message is tantalising. Who sent it? What was the meeting about? Who is W and why will he make thins lively? We will never know. Probably.