Twickenham United Reformed Church

Local History: The Journal of Abraham Slade 1817-1903

Introduction and Prologue 1856-57 1858-59
1860-61 1862-67 1868-80 1881-86 1887-1903

- 1887-

... [Jan] 20. The snow is just melted once more after 4 weeks severe weather. The times are very hard on the poor. I had a ride over to the Diana [Bushy Park] last Saturday to see the skating - roads very hard...

Feb. 6th. 70 years ago this day I first saw the light of this world... the last week have been one of trial. My son Thos Edward sailed for Melbourne (Australia) in a steamer last Thursday the 3rd... ...

[March?] 4th. Went to Portsmouth. Lent Arthur Arnold £21 to purchase his discharge. He has promised to pay me back in 2 years. 19th. Got my 3 cottages in 2nd Cross Road as good as being empty as I get no rent for them. House letting is bad just now. Went to the Builders exhibition at the Agricultural Hall - fine show... ...

June 20. Went to Southsea. Saw Frank Arnold - paid me £5 off a loan. He sailed for Ireland having got a warder's place at a convict prison...

21. Jubilee Day. Grand review on Southsea Common & fire works in the evening which was very grand ...

The last week in July and first week in August Mr West and I went to N.Wales - Conway and Llandudno, Carnarvon, Llanberas, through the pass to Bedgelert, Portmadoc, Criccieth, Pwlheli, up the narrow guage to Festinog & home after a very pleasant tour. ...

Nov. 3. Been ill under the doctor for 5 weeks with neuralgia...

December [19]. Went to Bournemouth... for 3 weeks 3 days. Came home better. Now, Dec 19th, I feel weak... Our Minister, Mr Brown, has left and is now at Sandown, Isle of Wight.

- 1888

Jan. 1st. We had a quiet Xmas - it coming on Sunday, we had our usual dinner on Monday...

10th. I have all my houses let at presant except no 3 shop Grove place, 2nd X Road. I have been cheated again with the last tenant. These shops are a great bore to me. My health is again very much better. I sold my folding Assiger's tricycle to Mr Stevens for £3 no use keeping it - the fashions keep altering so much. I am quite satisfied with my Quadrant Louisa. Mr Pike have done up my garden and it looks well.

16th. Last night my wife was taken very ill with indigestion having dined of cold roast pork - obliged to send for Dr Leeson... My son Tedd is come from Australia. Him and his wife sailed from Liverpool for New York last Saturday...

Feb. 6th. I am this day 71 years old... I don't expect to be very robust again. I went to the tricycle show at the aquarium on the 31 Jan and a fine show it was, but my Quadrant I prefer and count it best for me... I am now having a bath put in to Staunton Lodge - cost from 10 to 12£. Every body want baths now a days but the people die all the same and don't seem to be any healthier than their forefathers. Indeed this is the age of fads. ...

9th. ...Have several ministers staying from Saturday even till Monday morning - we are having supplies, but we as a church seem far from a settled pastor. Mr Brown is not coming back.

23. Rode Louisa to Sunbury Common & Feltham, home.

June 25th. Went to Margate. Had 8 day ticket by S.Eastern Rail - Was 4 hours going 74 miles... Came home July 2nd by Chatham & Dover in 2 hours to Blackfriars station - if I ever go again should go by this line. I feel the better for the change. ...

Aug. 10th. Mrs and I went to Weymouth & came home on the 23rd. Weather changeable. I went by boat to Bournemouth, fare 3/9d, had a fine day. Likewise to Ventnor, fare 5/-... ...

31. ...Mr Bateman, Baptist Minister, is now settled with us & living in Kneller Villas. Sept. The season having been so wet, the fruit in my garden have been very bad - strawberries rotten, few apples and very bad, pears bountiful supply but not much taste in them.

Nov. 29th. Came home from Bournemouth after 3 weeks sojourn - had variable weather. Staid at St Monica's, Durley Gardens, with cousins Julia Tanner & Mrs McCullock - enjoyed ourselves very much...

Dec. 14. Mrs S. & I went to the Albert Hall to hear the Choral society. In passing into the covered way from the platform I slipped & fell on my right side & fractured 3 ribs which put me in great pain. I managed to sit through the performance, but in misery all the while. I was laid by for about 4 weeks, when I began to regain strength... We had a quiet Christmas...

Yesterday 22nd [?Jan 1889] Julia returned home. I went to Waterloo with her - went and saw the Niagra Falls Panarama at Westminster - think them very fine and a cheap 1/- worth...

- 1889

... August 1st. ...We are building 3 cottages called 7,8,9 Grove Terrace in the Staines Rd, Twickenham.

Oct. 13th. Mr Brown preached in the Baptist chapel, having returned from Sandown I.W. after 2 years and have accepted the ministry - we hope for a long while.

30. I have a touch of my old complaint, bronchitis... I have a good crop of fruit of every kind... I have not made any cider this year - I sold 4 bushels fallings for 4/- and gave the others away - we made a little wine but the grapes was a failure.

Nov. 4th. Mrs S. and I went to Bournemouth, staid at cousins 3 weeks... This is a fine town and the cliffs & sea is grand...I hired a tricycle for 2` hours, charge 2/3d. Rode all round the eastern part... came home tired after 16 miles...

27. The cottages are finished but not dry...

Dec. 31st. 7 o'clock evening. The old year 1889 will soon expire... but this has not passed without its trials and bereavements. My daughter Mary have lost her dear boy aged 12. My son Arch lost a baby. My wife and I have on the whole been as well as we can expect for our age. My son William came home ill on the 23 has been overworking till his brain gave way, is still very ill today... Through illness we never kept any xmas, but thank God, I am well myself...

- 1890 -

[? Feb] ...My wife and Will went to Bournemouth for 15 days in January. My wife been very ill with rhumatism in her legs. She have tried many things but nothing had affect till I got her some sulphur lozenges which have done her good and now she can walk much better.

May 20th. Today my wife and I came home from Weymouth. My stay 2 weeks, wife 3 weeks. We put up at Mrs Sly's, 15 Derby Street, and was very comfortable. My wife got much better while here. I had a tricycle ride on a Crippen up over Bincombe but did not like the mach. I also had a ride for about 10 miles on a Singer with 2ft 6 driving wheels which I liked better. The weather was rough and stormy. I caught a bad cold walking around the Noathe fortification which laid me up so that I came home a week before my wife.

[July 15] We have no plums or apples or pears. We had 3 months blight which cut off the crops - gooseberrys & currants fairly good. I have had several rides on my Quadrant tricycle... ... July. Went to Hastings with S.School, stayed 5 days. Lodged at no 7 Pelham Crescent, Castle St. Had good accommodation...

Aug. Mr Willet went with me to Bude, Cornwal. Stayed 6 days, a very old fashioned place (not cheap)... Went from there by coach to Holdsworthy - then by train to Tiverton. Took coach over the downs, Dartmouth [presumably Dartmoor] Saw the convicts working at Silver Town... Plimouth, stayed 2 days. Then to Dartmouth, steamed up the Dart... Then to Torquay, stayed 2 days, then home by S.W. through Exeter. A most enjoyable time throughout.

Nov. 4th. Mrs S. and I went to Bournemouth, stayed at St Monica's, Durley Gardens, 3 weeks... ...

Christmas Day. Will, Ike, wife & self at home. Passed the day very quiet. Julia sent us a turkey (a good one)

- 1891

[Jan. 10th.] The frost set in on Nov 25th and has continued with snow ever since, this being the 10 of Jan and no sign of abating. The poor are suffering very much - we are giving them pea soup - I am thankful to my heavenly father for his goodness to me and my family in this hard season. ...

May 16. Wife & I came home from Weymouth after 3 weeks. I went to Batcombe saw... James Gold that left Teddington - he is now living in the house that was once my grandfather's.

July 3. Went to Bournemouth 14 days - went by coach through New Forest, splendid ride... ...

Nov. Bournemouth 4 weeks. Wife ill with rhumatics. Had 3 turkish baths but of no use. Came home no better and is still suffering from it.

Xmas day weather frosty & fog - had to dinner Julia, George and their 3 boys, Gilbert, David & Willie - Pollie, Ben, 2 boys Archie Cyril & May - Arch, Bessie and 4 children to tea & supper...

- 1892

Feb. 6th. This day I am 75 years old. My health is favourable for my age. We have been passing through a very sickly winter. Influenza and bronchitis have carried of many thousands, some of the great men, the Duke of Clarence, Cardinal Manning, Mr Spurgeon, and many others in high life. My family have hitherto been spared. Bless the Lord for his mercies. My wife have been unwell for the last 3 months but is better, but like myself old & feeble..

March 28. Snowing this morning, very cold. Had a long ride Saturday on my new Telescope - good hill climber - the roads very heavy. Yesterday (Sunday) was a blessed day to my soul - Army General preached at our chapel in evening. My wife went to chapel with me, but her right knee almost a cripple... Intend going to Weymouth to morrow for a short time.

Oct. 3. Went to Bournemouth with my wife for the benefit of her health - she was under Dr Leeson's treatment for 3 months, her complaint being jaundice of a very severe kind. At Bournemouth for the first 9 days she seemed improving, but was taken worse so much that we had little hope of her recovery. We called in Dr Frost (Homeopathic)... We kept our xmas at Bourne'th - my sons Ike & Will came down... We came home 3rd Jan '93 and now Mrs S. is better... Bournemouth air is too mild for me - I felt weak and bilious, am much better at Twickenham.

- 1893 -

... April 13. Been to Weymouth for 14 days...

17th. The weather has now broken up after 70 days very dry weather - We now have fine rains - how good God is to us poor grumbling sinners. We have a minister, Mr Dickens, preaching here four Sundays, a fine old school godly man, and good pastor - Mr & Mrs Brown at the Isle Wight the while.

20th. ...My son T.E.Slade's wife is here from America, going home on the 26 inst by ship 'Berlin' from Southampton. Been to Weymouth for 10 days. ...

Aug. 14. To Eastbourne 12 days, B.Norton and family there...

[Oct 1] We have had 6 months hot summer, dry weather, but now, Oct 1st, we have nice rains - the Lord have herd our prayers and answered them. We have quite a coal famine oweing to the strikes of the men - coals are 33/- per ton. The trade of the country is standing idle for want of coals. My wife is almost a cripple with rhumatism in her knees - thank God I am pretty well for an old man...

- 1894

... Christmas. Mrs S. & self at Bournemouth - been here 8 weeks at Mrs McCullocks. We had 14 of our family to dinner and enjoyed the holiday in fine weather. Came home on Jan 1st '95...

- 1895

Feb 6th. My birthday, 78 years. The weather very sharp, frost for the last 4 weeks - Thames frozen over, cyclist riding over it at Kingston and other places.

12th. Still frosty & cold - Bless God, all's well with my soul.

- 1897

Feb. 6. I am this day 80 years old... Since I last wrote in 1895 how many changes have there been? Many dear dear old friends have gone to rest, and I seem left almost alone. My contemporys are all gone before one, but my dear wife have been spared to me although a cripple and unable to walk... We have been to Bournemouth since the 1st of December, my wife still there... One person in our family have given us great sorrow (through drink)... the curse of drink, how dreadful - it ruines both body & soul. Last summer I bought a piece of freehold land in the 5th Cross Road. Arch built me 3 cottages on it. They are let at 7/6 a week - cost altogether about 620. I pay all the rates for them... ...

June 1st. Mr E.H.Brown's farewell meeting - a full chapel, many ministers presant - presants made to Mrs Brown & family. A good man has left Twickenham after 22 years. His kindness will be missed by many people in this town beside the Baptist church as pastor & visitor.

Sept. Mr Willet & myself been to Great Malvern for 2 weeks. Had fine weather, donkey rides on the hills, enjoyed christian fellowship...

Oct. 27. Rode my bike to Hounslow & back in one hour - stopped 3 times on the way. The weather is very foggy but I feel well.

- 1898

Feb. 6th. This being my eighty first birth day and in fairly good health except my deafness... I have this year made little holidays to Weymouth, Eastbourne, Bath & Great Malvern with my friend Mr H.Willett and now I desire to thank God for all the past... and now I buckle on my armour afresh to battle in his name while life shall last and then to enter into rest.

- 1899

Feb. 6th. Spared to see another birth day and in fairly good health - able still to ride my new bike & tricycle...

In Apl I went to Weymouth for 5 days - to Southsea in June. Bought Bertie out of the army - gave him £10 for it - I hope he will do well after it. Lent Bessie £12 to her holiday at Southsea...

- 1900 -

Jan. 1st. ...Nothing particular has transpired in the year just past. I have had some illness but now feel well... In July I went to Upton for a week thense to Weymouth for 5 days - in August to Southsea for 9 days. Nov 7 rode my bike to Harmondsworth & have not rode out since - the weather & roads have not been good enough. Dec. ...My wife is now laid by in bed - the Drs say she will soon be abel to get about again which I am thankful for. The great event of the year have been the marriage of my son Isaac to Miss Jessie Peters - we miss him very much after being with us near 40 years. My youngest son William is still with us and a great comfort to us in our old age. I am well except weak knees and not able to walk far, but can ride tricycle or bicycle, weather permitting. But we have a wet rough season and I am not able to go out but little... ...

- 1901 -

Feb. 6. Another milestone is passed, making 84. To day I feel the approaching terminus is not far distant... I am only waiting the order to quit and receive the promise of eternal life... Deep snow is on the ground & very cold. The death of the Queen have upset the general trade & wars in China & the Cape still raging. Our new King Edward the 7th will have much to contend with. My wife is able to again resume her chair for which I am thankful.

- 1902 -

Feb. 6th. Another birthday is again come round. Thank God for the mercies of another year. It has been one of suffering with an enclosure on the bowel and is incurable. I have had the bronchitis but am now better. I have had 3 short holidays, 1 to Eastbourne, 1 to Southsea, 1 to Bournemouth, 2 weeks each. I have been confined indoors nearly all the winter but can ride my tricycle when the weather permits...

- 1903 -

Feb. 6th. Father's 86th birthday. Very ill - has suffered terribly for some time.

Feb. 10th. Abraham Slade, the writer of the foregoing diary, passed away at 4.50p.m. He was buried at Twickenham New Cemetery on Feb 13th at 2 o'c, the Revds E.H.Brown & S.Jones officiating.

- 1904 -

June 24. This day at 1.30, Mrs Mary Slade, wife of the writer of the foregoing pages passed away at Bute Villa, Twickenham, in her 84th year... She was buried in the Twickenham Cemetery on June 30th, the Rev E.H.Brown & Pastor S.Jones (Baptist ministers) officiating. The following members of the family were present at the funeral: Mrs B.Thorton (daughter) & husband, Mrs G.P.Norton (daughter), Archibald & wife, Isaac & wife, William (sons), Bessie, Bertie & Archie (grandchildren) & Mrs McCulloch (Housekeeper). She was a devoted & loving wife and a good Christian woman and set a noble example to all her family. Their joy was found in these words : "Spes mea Christ est" Isaac Slade Son

NOTES FROM BACK OF DIARY

Taken from Parish register at West Penard, Somerset:

Died Mary, wife of Richard Slade Sept 4 1726

Abigail, wife of John Slade Nov 3 1726

Ann Slade, widow Sept 15 1743

John Slade Nov 26 1744

William Slade Apr 24 1750

Thomas Slade Sexton Nov 4 1750

Mary Slade, widow Apr 19 1763

Anne, wife of Richd Slade May 15 1767

Richard Slade Oct 22 1774

Thos Slade Upton Noble 1819 aged 72

Jacob Slade Upton Noble Aug 15 1853

Thos Slade, brother of Jacob Oct 12 1847

Sarah Slade, mother of Abm Slade Oct 17 1876

Thos Slade, brother of A. Slade Oct 15 1873

Mary Tanner, sister of A. Slade Dec 25 1881

Press Cutting March 26 1902(?)

Mr A.Slade, of Twickenham, is a veteran cyclist, being now eighty-five years of age, and he has come into prominence lately, by reason of a claim to being the first maker of a machine driven within itself, instead of by kicking against the ground, as the hobby horse was propelled. In a letter to "The Cyclist", Mr Slade states that when a boy he can remember riding a hobby horse that ran away with him down a hill and deposited him in a deep ditch. Sixty years ago he made a tricycle for a Scotchman named Macmillan, who claims to be the inventor. It was made with lance-wood wheels, ash frame, and pedal levers. Mr Slade - who, by the bye, was one of the original members of the old Twickenham Local Board, and is now succeeded on the District Council by his son Archibald - is still an enthusiastic cyclist. Last year he rode his bicycle to Eastbourne. "The Cyclist" claims that he is the oldest living cyclist in the world.

Introduction and Prologue 1856-57 1858-59 1860-61 1862-67 1868-80 1881-86 1887-1903

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