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St James' Hatcham
I was 7 months on the way for a child, but all turned out for the very best, before we could even make any plans, Willie received an offer from a London Vicar, E.J. Kennedy, offering him the senior curacy at St James' Hatcham with a Mission Church and a house rent free. We both went to London to see round, and we accepted the curacy after seeing the excellent vicar. It was the best thing we ever did, and it was not our choice but God's direct leading, as the future proved. So in April 1897 we left Birmingham for New Cross, Hatcham, London S.E. We saw our luggage off, swept up the little House, our 1st home together, and off we went, staying one first night at Charing Cross Hotel.
(The Congregation were sad at our going and presented Willie with a communion service and £50 to help our expenses).
London slums
In the morning we hurried off from Charing Cross by underground (steam and smoke and very dirty in those days) to our little house in New Cross close to our Mission Church and directly opposite a pawn-shop. We were surrounded by railways and railwaymen and very poor people and I used to sit at my window and watch the people on Saturday nights going in and out of pawn shop. I have seen free fighting in the street, once two women. It was an awful sight.
We arrived much too soon and could not even get into our house - no key. So, being very weary - nearly time for my baby - I sat on the doorstep till a kind woman brought a chair, and Willie went off to find the keys. The churchwarden then came, [and] the furniture, and we started work. I brought my maid with me, I must have been strong for I did things that most women would fear to do in my condition. I must have looked funny - no lovely dresses, like girls now; just a large cape.
So we settle in very quickly, put up pretty lace curtains and everything looked very nice. The curtains were black in less than a month. The silver all bright on the sideboard turned yellow.
The birth of Victor, 22 May 1897
And now it was May, and all the walking I could do was round the house and five minutes to the little church. I had a silly old nurse from Birmingham. My doctor was a young man and clever. So arrived May 21st 10 p.m. when I began to wonder. I walked about all night (no nurse arrived till next day). No friend near. All was strange, but nothing mattered. I had my husband.
At 7 o'clock on May 22nd my first darling baby was put into my arms. I am now 68, but I can still remember the thrill of joy - and Willie came in and kissed me and of course I cried. All was well.
The baby thrived, and I quickly got well in one month, but such a hot May we had. Baby Victor got diarrhea and was very ill. No food suited. We struggled on till August, when we were able to go for a holiday. We could not afford to go away alone, so went to Richard's Castle, my old home. My father and mother were very glad to have us; from that time baby improved and soon became a very beautiful, happy baby. We called him Victor George. His godparents were Miss Horton and George Watton.
Our holiday over, we returned to Hatcham. Victor grew fast. He had long fair curls, could walk at 13 months, and at 16 months he would drive about with our doctor.
The birth of Winnie, 25 September 1898
By this time my second was born on September 25th, a sweet little dark girl. We had been to Ilfracombe in August for our holiday. Jessie came back with us and stayed to help. I did very well, and the baby was very strong and healthy. Such a lovely little pigeon pair; they were a picture. Living in the slums did not hurt them.
Our people were so good, and loved us all very much, and made a great deal of our children. Daddy, we shall now call him, adored them, and Victor was his constant companion in all his spare time.
I had by this time two maids, rather young, and so I still had most of the responsibility, but was able to take up my work: Mothers' Meeting, Women's Bible Class.
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