april 4th 1906 unknown to alfred fabb

woolwich, london

0 miles

the message

Dear Alf

I am sorry I never came over as I promised. I did not feel up to much when i got home so I stopped in. I hope you went and enjoy yourself.

Yours

???"

the sender

The sender has unfortunately signed the card along a printed line and so the name cannot be read. There are no names in the extended family that suggest a match.

the recipient

Alfred Fabb (1869-1960) was the son of Elijah Fabb (1837-1875) and Elizabeth Jessie Smith (1838-1921). Elijah was a labourer although in the 1851 census he seems to be involved in operating some lock gates. Elizabeth has a more interesting history. Born in 1838, she appears in the 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses as Jessie Smith. In 1861 she is a servant. By 1871 she is married to Elijah and is listed as Elizabeth J Fabb. By 1881, Elijah has passed away and Elizabeth is in the census as Jessie Clifton and married which implies a marriage but no record has been found. She is working as a laundress. In 1891 she has reverted to Jessie Elizabeth Fabb and is a widow. In 1901 she is Jessie Fabb. In 1911 she is Elizabeth Jessie Fabb.

Alfred was variously a plumber, builder and decorator. In 1895 he married Eleanor Elizabeth Owen (1871-1966). In 1926 Alfred and Eleanor travelled to Australia with their son Arthur Rowland Fabb (1902-?). Alfred and Eleanor returned in 1930 while Arthur remained and married Iris Rose Abbott (1897-1972).

the tree

the places

Woolwich, London

Newark Abbey, near Pyrford, Surrey

what the card says to us

The picture side of the card is curious. At first glance it is a painting of Newark Abbey in Surrey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark_Priory) aka Newark Priory by an unknown artist. What cannot be seen from the photograph on this posting is that at some stage glitter has been applied to the picture to highlight the main lines and features. Whether this was part of the original card manufacture is not clear. What has certainly been added is the name Jack Hull in the top left corner. This was not on the original as can be seen from other examples of the card available on ebay e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Newark-Abbey-Surrey-Art-Postcard-Used-1906-Edward-VII-d-Green-Stamp-/382528581905. Also, there are pin holes in the top corners of the card. This card must have had some significance to someone. Was it Alf Fabb? Who was Jack Hull?

The message is also curious. When the card was sent Alf was a 37 year old married man with three young children. One interpretation of the message is that he and the sender had been out together, possibly at work, and the sender had promised to call around that evening but did not do so. Interesting that the apology is made by postcard and not in person. It would also appear that Alf was due to go out that evening, maybe to a public house, with the sender.

So many questions.