april 28th 1909 flo to alice maud Hamlyn nee leach

Rotherhithe, London to kennington, london

4 miles

The Message

Dear Mrs Hamlyn
Please excuse me today. Sam not at all well & do not feel able to get out. Would you like to come over tomorrow if you are able. I should be very pleased. Kindest regards to all
Flo
 

The Sender

There is nothing in the message that tells us who Flo is or what the nature of the relationship to Alice is. The card is addressed quite formally but this does not rule out family.

The Recipient

Alice Maud Hamlyn nee Leach (1878-1926) was married to Arthur Gordon Hamlyn (1872-1944) an assistant pharmacy chemist who hails from Exeter.
Arthur and Alice had two or three children. On the 1901 census, Maud (1897-?) and Arthur Herbert G (1900-1967) are listed. In 1911 Arthur Herbert is present along with Irene Sylvia (1909-1991) are listed and it says that they have only had two children. Maud may or may be in service by 1909 although she would only be 12. Arthur Herbert married Edith A Turner in 1930. Irene married Walter Thomas Jesse Deverell (1853-1956).

The Places

Rotherhithe

Kennington

Bawtry, Yorkshire

What the card says to us

The message reads like a modern day meeting cancellation and reschedule. The venue is flexible. Is this a professional relationship? Is it related to a social organisation like the Mother's Union? It's tantalising. Or as can be seen below, is it related to the fact that Alice is expecting a baby in April 1909.

"Kennington" is spelt incorrectly as "Kenington" in both the street and town name.

The picture on the card shows Bawtry in Yorkshire. There is no obvious connection.

Card posted at 10.30 am in Rotherhithe to Kennington which is 3-4 miles away. Intended to arrive the same day and probably did.