january 31st 1906 mary Margaret knipe nee casson to mary casson nee shepherd

windermere, cumbria to Coniston, cumbria

12 miles

the message

"Dear M

Sorry I can't get a letter off as we have a big tea again this afternoon. I shall try to get Willie a nice umbrella here and if there isn't one to suit me shall send to you but I would like him to have a good one and then he can take it for Sundays only.

Hope ?????????????????????????????? you are all well ??????????????????????????? the lads got back alright ??????????????????????????

M

Has Willie or father got work?"

the sender

The card is signed simply M, but it can be inferred from the message that this is from Mary Margaret Knipe nee Casson (1877-1927), the daughter of the recipient. Mary was one of six children. In 1900 Mary married George Knipe (1879-1953) who was a carter and carrier in Red Lion Yard, Hawkshead. George was the son of William Gilpin Knipe (1850-1896) and Jane Atkinson (1851-1931). George was also a carter. Mary and George had five children.

the recipient

Mary Shepherd (1854-1928) has proved very difficult to trace. She was born in Ambleside and married John Ullock Casson (1846-1920) in 1874. John worked as a quarryman in the slate industry in Coniston. Before 1874 she is proving elusive. In the 1911 census, she is listed as an inn keeper.

The Places

Windermere, Cumbria

Coniston, Cumbria

what the card says to us

The picture shows Lillie Langtry the celebrated actress and close friend of King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillie_Langtry) who has no connection with the Casson family. The card is from the "celebrities of the stage" series from Raphael Tuck and Sons, art publishers to the Ling and Queen.

The handwriting on the card is not very good and when the writer has strayed onto the pre-printed section of the card it becomes quite illegible.

The Willie referred to twice in the message is William Myles Casson (1887-1971), the sender's younger brother who was also a worker in the slate quarry. Apparently it was important that he have a good umbrella for Sundays and it certainly does rain a lot in the Lake District. Employment uncertainty appears to be a concern in 1906 Coniston. Maybe the slate industry was in decline by then.

The message refers to "a big tea" which suggests some involvement in the catering industry in Hawkshead.