Bevington Family Letters | History of Wandsworth Common

The following letters offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the daily life of the Bevington family — the Quaker leather manufacturers of Neckinger Mills, Bermondsey, whose most celebrated member was the photographer Geoffrey Bevington (1841–1872). The letters span several decades and range from a schoolgirl's Italian exercise to a wife's candid account of domestic life in Wandsworth.

Letter One: Mary Bevington to her Mother, 1818

Mary Bevington to her Mother Clapham Rise · 23rd September 1818 · Written in Italian
Addressed to: Mrs Bevington, Neckinger Mills, Bermondsey

Clapham Rise, di 23 Set.bre 1818.

Carissima Madre,

Come è un gran pezzo che vi ho scritto, non dubito che avrete piacere de sentire nuove di me. Fui piacevolmente sorpresa la settimana passata nel vedere mio fratello James, e fui molto contenta de sentire da lui così belle nuove di voi: le frutta e la mussolina che voi avete avuto la bontà di mandarmi, e per quelle io lo pregato di ringraziarvi, perché sono stati per me doni molto grati.

Vi sarò molto obbligata se manderete per me il prossimo Sabbato, siccome quello è il giorno che molte delle mie compagne andranno alle loro case, e presentandovi i rispetti delle signorie Elderton. Resto

Vostra ubbidiente figlia,

Mary Bevington

English Translation

Clapham Rise, 23rd September 1818.

Dearest Mother,

As it has been a long time since I wrote to you, I have no doubt that you will be pleased to hear news of me. I was pleasantly surprised last week to see my brother James, and was very glad to hear from him such good news of you. The fruit and the muslin which you were kind enough to send me were gifts very gratefully received, and I asked him to thank you for them.

I shall be much obliged if you will send for me next Saturday, as that is the day when many of my companions will be going to their homes. Presenting you with the respects of the Misses Elderton, I remain,

Your obedient daughter,

Mary Bevington

Notes The letter is written entirely in Italian, almost certainly as a school exercise. The Misses Elderton were presumably the schoolmistresses at her Clapham establishment. Mary uses the Italian word Sabbato for Saturday rather than the Quaker "Seventh Day," which is notable. Her brother James is almost certainly James Bevington, who would later become a partner in the family firm. The letter is addressed in a later hand to "Mrs Bevington, Neckinger Mills, Bermondsey," confirming it was preserved in the family archive. The handwriting is a remarkably accomplished copperplate for a young schoolgirl.

Letter Two: Mary to her Mother, from Wandsworth

Mary to her Mother Wandsworth · Sixth Day [Friday], 25th · [c.1840s–50s]

Wandsworth, Sixth Day 25

My dear Mamma,

I have been very remiss in not sooner answering the kind note offering me the company of one of my sisters. I shall be much pleased to see either of them but not on account of my spirits requiring company, because in that respect I am very well and indeed in all other respects. I was rather low spirited but my kind husband's encouraging words and advice to walk every day have entirely removed all depression and the pain in my side which was in great measure the cause.

Ann our servant is very poorly tho' I hope mending; she has suffered for a week with violent headach for which she was yesterday bled. She keeps quite quiet today and tomorrow, and I hope it may bring her round. Howell says it is in a great degree nervous.

We went to tea at friend Coleman's on Fourth Day. They have a very comfortable house and the old lady, if so she may be called, looks very bonny. We are going to tea at Mr Stanton's this evening. The children are very nicely and Millis has quite recovered his cold.

We are a good deal interested at present respecting the filling up and draining of our pond. It has been represented as a nuisance to the Board of Health in Wandsworth and we are in great hopes that it may be removed. I hope they will not be in the least anxious about me for I cannot see any cause. Should either of the girls incline to come I shall have much pleasure in their company but cannot urge it at this desolate time of year and in our most desolate situation.

With love to all, believe me,

Your very affectionate daughter,

Mary

P.S. So may be depended upon; moreover, the fact of its being true was confirmed by E.B. giving his word of honour on the subject.

P.P.S. Phillis will come on Monday at least — R.F. says so and I suppose [she will].

Notes "Sixth Day" is the Quaker form for Friday, confirming the family's faith. "Fourth Day" (Wednesday) is used similarly later in the letter. "Howell" is likely the family doctor. The reference to the pond being reported as a nuisance to the Board of Health in Wandsworth is a fascinating detail, connecting the letter to the history of Wandsworth Common and its environs. "E.B." likely refers to another Bevington family member. "Millis" is presumably one of the children. The letter's tone gives a vivid picture of comfortable middle-class Quaker life in Wandsworth — sociable, domestically minded, and attentive to health.

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These letters are transcribed from originals in a private family archive. Transcriptions by Philip Boys.