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9th April 1905.
My dear Father,
Thanks for yours of the 3rd and 7th inst. and with Hal's letter. The works look fairly imposing notwithstanding Hal's censoring. My talk with H.R.O. has not come off yet but probably will do so very soon. It has been very nice seeing the "Goff" [RHB] again and we were glad he could remain until tomorrow. We three went to New Gardens yesterday afternoon and this morning we boys went to Barnes Common whilst Mabel was at Church. It is rather a wet day though so we shall stop in for the rest of it. From your letter it seems that ay last your interest has been properly aroused in my various researches. I think you should come here to hear and see the latest results. However I am sending this with various documents by Rowie. Please return everything in due course per registered post including this letter which last I will use for reference in future.
To begin with and to save repetition, you must bear in mind that the persons I mention are, except when otherwise stated, grandchildren of old John and Ann Johnson. This couple appear to have had a predilection for girls no less than 8 out of their 9 children being of that sex. Miss Mary Johnson the 4th daughter born 12th August 1809 is the sole survivor. To show the connection between us it is necessary to go somewhat further back. John and Ann Ainsley both born in 1719 had a daughter (one of several children) called Ann born 1755. She married Charles Wright and they had numerous children, the eldest Ann married John Johnson, the fifth Jane Ormond born 1788 married James Rattray. Your mother and Miss Mary Johnson were therefore first cousins. There was a considerable amount of information in the old family Bible I saw at Miss Johnson's about the Wright and Ainsley children which is not of much interest so far as we are concerned.
Well, I reached Tynemouth on Friday afternoon 31st ulto. and was met on the station by Mr and Mrs John Stanley
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Mitcalfe. Mr Mitcalfe is 63-4 and I already had of course met him. His left eye was destroyed when a boy. His left wrist is badly broken. He wears a beard, is thin, my height and turning grey. His wife (2nd one) was a Miss Jones and was grand-daughter of Thos. Wilkie Adams who carried on a similar business to that of James Rattray's in St James St. and who I believe you to have mentioned was not on good terms with your mother. Mrs Mitcalfe is much younger (? 20 years) than her husband and has a most ridiculous likeness both in appearance and manner to Meggie. I wanted to send her a Photo of Meggie but find I have not got one.
Mrs Mitcalfe went on to see Miss Johnson whilst Mr Mitcalfe and I went for a short walk to see first the ruins of the old Prior in the Churchyard attached to which are Mitcalfe's in plenty. His family have lived in the neighbourhood for at least 400 years. From there we went over the Lifeboat and lifesaving Volunteer Brigade Station of which he appears to be a member if not one of the original founders. The name-boards of the unfortunate ships and various relics all had a history attached and were very interesting. He had been a personal witness of the greater part of the wrecks beginning in 1864. He has been an Underwriter but has now practically retired.
From this Station we preoceeded at once to the old lady's. She lives in an old house from the windows of which she can see the Priory Ruins, the Sea and the Ships coming in and out of the Tyne. She has lived in the house about 70 years. I confess to some excitement when we got there. Mrs M went upstairs to prepare the old lady and we soon followed. The old lady was sitting in an easy chair in front of a fire and was in a dressing-gown. She looks about 70 and has an almost wrinkleless face. She is slightly deaf otherwise she is in full possession of her senses. She greeted me very pleasantly but was somewhat astounded at my youth! She confuses (very naturally) the various generations and kept thinking I was "Jane Rattray's" son. There is no "Jane Bergh" up there, always "Jane Rattray" and "Fred Bergh". The old lady was somewhat confused so we retired downstairs for a short time. When we
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returned she was much better and was always collected when I saw her afterwards which was once every day. Miss Johnson was 90 when the accompanying Photo was taken. It is like her but she is older looking now. At that time she was quite active, visited all round and would walk even to North Shields and Back (? 6 miles) rather than take an Electric Car - not from any prejudice against Cars but because she liked the walk! About 4 years ago however she tripped when hurrying downstairs and broke her leg. The doctor assumed it would not set at her age and did not put it in splints. She now therefore keeps indoors and recently only in her room from the windows of which she can see the Sea she loves so well and with which the whole family have been connected for generations. The Mitcalfe tombstombs have but one tale to tell and that in two words "Master Mariner".
I had better here put down the information gathered from Miss Johnson, but you will understand that it was not all obtained - tho' so little - in one day. She had been in James Rattray's shop in London and could recollect that the door was in the corner. She remembers him and his wife and your mother, father and Uncle Augustus. When she went to London she went by sea. She seems to think London a lost place and solemnly enquired whether anyone therein could knit! she spending nearly all her time at that occupation. She took your mother to Mrs Carter's School at Wallsend when she first went and stayed with her a week to comfort her. She had no idea how many children "Jane Rattray" had and had never heard about them. I enlightened her. She joins with Mrs Mitcalfe's sister in saying that "Fred Bergh" was a very handsome man. Your mother however apparently was plain. She knew nothing of your Uncle Augustus' fate or the Mills or even the Mitcalfe's or has forgotten. I think the former. "Jane Rattray" was evidently a great favourite. Your father used to send your mother parcels of books to read when they were engaged. In the old family Bible we found two "Samplers", one about half the size of this sheet was inscribed "The gift of "Jane Wright to a friend". This then
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was made by your Grandmother Jane Ormond Wright afterwards Rattray. It has been retained by Mr Mitcalfe and I don't know whether there is any chance of my getting it. The other a very small one was with it and Rowie will take it with him for your inspection, Mr M. having with the old lady's consent given it to me. The old lady wanted me to have the other. It is as you can see "An orphans' gift" and was made by your mother when say 7 years or 8 years old. This is a genuine find.
When I said goodbye to the old lady on Monday last 3rd inst. she expressed a fear she would not see me or Mabel again and gave us her old-fashioned blessing. She said she was ready not to say eager to be gone - evidently feels she has lived too long and yet she is in confort and has her friends arounf her. (d. 30/10/05). It was very pathetic. What an experience for both of us! In the evening of Friday we went to call on Mrs. Burn for a short time. She is Mr Mitcalfe's sister was born in 1828 and is a widow. She looks 60 only. She has a very fine house indeed on the front with a fine view. It is a fine house with billiard room and library etc. A better house than her brother's Mr Mitcalfe's and his is a very nice one. She is a nice old lady, very kind and duly interested. Remembers your Father, his brother and of course "Jane Rattray" well. She it was gave me the photo of Miss Johnson and asked to see yours. "Jane Rattray" used to teach her and another sister and was "very kind" to them. Whilst Fred Bergh was alive Jane Rattray allowed Mrs Ann Johnson then a widow £100 p.a. but it stopped for some reason after the former's death. This lady had heard both of Uncle Fred and Aunt Gussie as having become R.C.s but she could not remember from whom, nor had she heard of the others.
On Saturday 1st inst. Mr Todd (nephew to Mr Mitcalfe, grandchild or great grandchild of the Johnsons) and his wife took Mr & Mrs Mitcalfe and myself a 72 mile ride to Rothbury and back in his Motor-car. It was rather cold but very enjoyable and I thus saw a great deal of the country round not to mention the Colliery of George Stephenson fame.
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In the evening Mr & Mrs Todd and Mr & Mrs Duncan came in to dinner and I was glad I had taken my evening dress. Mr Todd is an underwriter and one of his sons is articled to a Solicitor. Mr Duncan is a Solicitor. His wife is another Descendant from old Johnson. We had a very pleasant evening.
On Sunday 2nd inst. after a walk we went to Mrs Burn for dinner and tea. Mr and Mrs Todd being there. In the evening Mr Hengel (another descendant and the man who answered my advertisement) with his daughter and second wife an American, came to Supper. I don't know what his occupation is.
Monday the 3rd inst. was a more interesting day. Mrs Burn sent her carriage which took Mr & Mrs Mitcalfe and myself to Wallsend where we went over the Church where James Rattray was married and secured some postcards one of which I sent you. Mr M. also took some photos and I hope to receive one in due course.
From here we drove to Wallsend Green and from directions received from Miss Johnson and Mrs Burn found the building which had been Mrs Carter's School. We were only just in time. The interior is a wreck, the windows are boarded up and the caretaker expects every day to find the house-breakers at work. In front there is a semi-circular low retaining wall separating the garden from the Green. There are plenty of trees in front. The house is in three portions. The centre being the oldest. It has two floors only and the front is stucco work, the entrance in the middle. No bays. Going through an archway on the right under one of the wings brought us to the back, a view of which Mr Mitcalfe took. There is still an acre of ground or a little less left but part of the garden is built on. Facing the building we find the centre portion here blossoms out into two semi-circular old-fashioned bays with a door between. The wings have now the remains of several Glass-houses leaning against them. It was a melancholy sight though an interesting one. 80 years ago your mother was there and her grandchild who never knew her now visits the place. In Wallsend Chuchyard we saw Ann Johnson's grave amongst others. It made me in spite of myself feel rather sad
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visiting these places more particularly the School. This was the last thing I did before returning home (by the 5.6 p.m. train) which I duly reached after midnight.
The accompanying letter from Mr Mitcalfe with the two copies of the letters he refers to explain themselves. They are interesting as giving the latest information of your cousins some of whom Uncle Fred remembers and as also opening up a possibility of getting in touch again with your Aunt Mills descendants and as she was the last to stay with your grandfather Augustus it may lead to obtaining some further information about him.
The Photo of your cousin is very interesting. Rowie is to copy it. The upper part is you all over.
It is a great satisfaction to find that the Mills descendants appear to be decent people.
I hope you will find this interesting - you can scarcely fail to do so. When you return it I must send it on to Uncle Fred.
With love and hoping you are all well,
I am,
Your loving son,
Francis Rattray Bergh.
P.S. Please excuse paper. I should mention that this Miss Johnson had a picture painted in black on glass of old John Johnson a portly clean-shaven gentleman.
NOTE: In Novr 1905 My Father and I visited Mr and Mrs J Stanley Mitcalfe at Tynemouth and his sister Mrs Burns and also visited at Newcastle Mrs Hutchinson and her husband and Miss Augusta Mills the ladies being my Father's 1st cousins. We then made the acquaintance of Augusta Hutchinson and Geo. Mills Hutchinson, the children.
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Copyright © Anthony Hickson
