Our Family History
The Genealogy of the Story Family
Lt. Col. Robert Story
1854 - 1924 (70 years)
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Lt. Col. Robert Story - Diary notes 1883
Notes from Roberts diary by MN D-W
Jan, Feb & Match. 1883
"The new year finds me on temporary half pay slowly recovering from spinal disease. Sorely crippled in money resources by the action of the Irish Land Court. Floré fairly well, but not very strong & Vida rather delicate. We are, again. without a home having found our house at Bradford too expensive."
Monday 1st. "Morning service at All Saints. Saw Vida (still staying at Kelston Villa), Mother has a few friends in for dancing."
2nd. "Went to Weston with Floré to engage rooms, saw 8 sets and took one in Elizabeth Villas. Came home by train very tired." Robert's mother was ill in bed with a swollen face, the doctor said it was mumps! There we several small dances, some in the afternoon. Robert played billiards with Ted and Os, then Os went to join the Vernon for a short course of torpedo and gunnery.
On the 11th Robert and Floré with Vida moved to 1 Elizabeth Villas, Weston. In the next few days Robert went for many walks exploring his new surroundings, new neighbours called and were visited.
15th. "Walked to Worle and home through the Kewstoke Woods, clibed up a tower at Worle from which I got a good view of the country round from Cardiff to Bristol. The day was very clear after last night's storm. Went for a short walk with Floré after lunch. Sent off two agreements for new rents in Corduff. Set P. Order to J. Jupp in Kent for a steam engine. (He can't have thought much os it, for he sold it to the blacksmith's son for £1 soon after it came.)
16th. "Went out about 11am in the Osprey cutter sailed to the Flat Holme and landed, saw the island and went on to Steep Holme where we stayed until about 6pm. Very dirty inn and nothing much to be got. Dead wind against us returning. Put into the mouth of the Axe and got home about 10.45pm rather tired."
Robert was hunting for a workshop as there was obviously not space in their rooms. He found one in the High Street and immediately arranged to have the lathe etc. sent from Bradford and delivered direct to the High Street. It all arrived on the 20th and he had a carpenter H. Hornet in to set up the lathe, working 6 or 7 hours for three days. On the thiurd day he began turning once more - a match box, some ebony beads, hat pegs and a portable candlestick. Fran came to stay "His hat blew off into the garden and gave us quite some trouble to find it."
At the beginning of February they at last found more pleasant rooms and gave notice to leave the following Friday week. "Considerable row about the dirt and general uncomfortableness of our present rooms." They actually left two days early "Mrs. Phillips kicked up a grand row about our leaving."
The 8th was Vida's second birthday and Lou came to spend the day. Robert started a set of table legs but his lathe broke, he soon got it mended and arranged with Hornet about getting wood. He made a bench screw, and started on a writing table set for Floré and a looking glass for Lou.
He sent a routine report of himself to A.G. Horseguards and received orders to put himself in communication with G.O.C Western District.
Poor little Vida, he so often says she is "rather seedy" and on the 22nd "not nearly so well" and their doctore recommended they get two other opinions. On the 24th "Vida very weak" Floré and Nurse took her to London to see Dr. Eustace Smith and Sir W. Jenner. Floré wrote to Robert of their opinions but he does not quote her letter.
Since the "Grand row" their address was 6 Royal Terrace, Weston,
26th. "Worked at Lou's glass till I broke it. Dr. Whittaker and Price A.M.D came down from Bristol to see me under orders from the P.M.O. in Plymouth. They recommended me for a month's more half pay. They stayed for lunch and went back by the 4.40pm train. Called on Mrs. Barily to tell her the result. Ted B. and Gunning spent the evening. Mother wrote asking me to get rooms for Evie and Fran and I took some for them at 8 Claremont Crescent. Heard from Mrs. Evans. You Buckle came to see the workshop." Next day he gave this young man a lesson in lathe turning.
At the beginning of March Floré was still away in London with Vida and Nurse. Robert went for long walks with Fran and Evie. On the 5th he went for a ride "Rather tired but none the worse otherwise for the experiment." but next dat he was very stiff! He gave notice to leave their rooms and his workshop and wrote to tell Floré they would go to Winchester. He made another watch stand, and four pairs of earings in abox of ebony and sent them to be mounted, the he dismantled his lathe and packed up his tools.
He went to Clifton on the 10th to stay a night and visit the family, when he got back he packed Floré's things and his own. He left Weston on the 14th and met Floré, Vida and Nurse at Winchester. They had temporary lodgings at 4 East View, Clifton Road, and after lunch they set out to look for more permanent quarters. Robert met Col. Chapman 8th B.C., called on the depot mess, and asked Col. Montgomery about putting his name down for an adjutancy of auxiliary forces. On subsequent days he called on Miss Rivers, and the 2nd Battn. 60th Rifles at the mess where he was invited to consider himself an honorary member.
On the 22nd he walked to Martyr Worthy and saw the start of a new railway line from Andover. Next day he heard Lou had a girl "very small only weighs 4lb."
26th. "My false tooth became loose and I had to fasten it in with silk. Went for a short walk with Floré in the direction of Twyford - took Vida to the Forrests. Looked over and numbered my letters to Floré from Afghanistan.
30th. "Heavy rain in the morning. After lunch went for a walk with Floré to Oliver's battery, Twyford Station and home by the water meadows. Florés foot was very sore and we did not get home until nearly 8pm having been 3 hours walking little more than 3 miles,"
April 1883
In the beginning of April it was very hot.Robert went to the Hursley Hunt breakfast and enjoyed Col. Nicholl's speech, "a farmer speaking for his class made a point." Vida must have been more healthy in Winchester as several times he mentions she went to friends for tea. On the 3rd they got a truck and moved their things to 13 Clifton Road, people started calling immediately. They went to lunch at Worthy Park (Mrs. Fryer sent a carriage over to fetch them) and they spent the afternoon playing croquet. Robert "had to interfere" in a dog fight. He received a letter from Ahmed Ulla Khan and replied in Hindustani.
After a lunch and tennis party at Hursley, he borrowed a horse and rode home. Whether as a result of this or not, he had a very bad night and was not well the next day. He was very busy writing to various army officers to get himself recommended for an adjutancy and to get his record of service (which came in June). He also went to London to see Col. Pemberton at Horse Guards. He later visited a Mr. Young who had an even better lathe than his own with oval chuck, concentric chuck etc. and he remarks on the wonderful work done on it.
On the 19th he went to stay with Os on HMS Cambridge at Devonport. He dined aboard and played penny black pool. "Very pleasant lot of men." He watched drill and Os get a crack in the face with a lever.
21st. "Went out to Shaugh Bridge with Os on horses we had hired from Sibley. Pottered about until about 3pm when we had a good run across the moor, ran to ground in a tor. I could not ride to hounds, but followed at a distance & got bogged twice. Got home about 8pm very tired."
22nd. "Rather stiff after yesterday. Drove with Os and Noonan (Surg) to Ivy Bridge where we lunched and drove home again. Walked about on the Hoe after dinner. Came on baord 11.30pm.
23rd. "Not very well from the effects of yesterdays dissipation. Os bought a pedometer and I a paceometer."
24th. "Spent the morning aboard Perseus with Wilson, Chief Engineer who showed me the Whitehead torpedoes and some lathes for wood and metal. Went to Plymouth threatre and saw part of London Pride. Came on board 11.30 pm.
25th. "Spent the morning aboard the Plucky with Shakspear. We went out into the Sound and fired 16 rounds from her 12 ton gun and over 100 from the Nordenfelt. Lowered and raised the big gun into the hold. Lunched at a buoy inside the breakwater. The Bull Dog was also firing her Armstrong gun. Drove to Saltash with Os and dined with the Moores. On board11.30pm Os walked into the water at the bottom of the landing place by mistaking it for the platform."
He went home on the 26th. Floré had had Louie staying. They tried taking Vida to church after the sermon and she behaved very well.
May & June 1883
On May Day Robert got a bill for £1.15.6 for things he had in 1880, he went to see the firm next day. Nurse announced that she was engaged to her cousin Jos. Forrest and wising to to leave on June 10th.
3rd, "Walked to St Dennys through Chandlers Ford and Highfield took the 2.10pm train from Netley saw the Abbey, lunched at The Cherries, walked home in very heavy rain - took a long round towards Bishops Waltham, was picked up by a traveller on Pile Hill, he drove me through Twyford. I walked about 25 miles, drove about 7 & went by train about 4½ total 36½". Next day he was rather lame with a broken blister but walked to Otterhouse returning by train.
There was a park called St. Cross where they often went with Vida and could watch bowls and cricket, play tennis, and listen to the band.
9th. "Wrote to the parson of Ballintemple and sent him 5/- towards repairs."
The 14th was Whit Monday. "There was a good many drunken people about." Robert bought a tennis racket racquet & had some good games at Worthy Park. They were driven home in the Fryer's wagonette and "Floré came a cropper getting out of it". Mrs. Bush came to stay for 2 days and Lady Rivers called while she was there.
26th. "Floré and Louie went to Portsmouth by the 10.52am train to go to a dance on the Excellent returning by 9.50. They had a lunatic in a carriage near them who made a fearful row."
Next day Floré took Vida to afternoon service but had to take her out. The following day they went to the Militia Sports on Teq Down, then to a very crowded dance at the Masonic Hall. "Came home 3.30am. Did not go to bed. Walked over to Worthy immediately after the dance, got there at 6am, slept until 11am on a sofa at The Cart and Horses then went on to Worthy Park. Floré, Louie and Kay came to lunch. Spent a very cheery afternoon playing tennis. Kay drove us home"
Robert an advertisment on July 1st from someone wanting an Express rifle. The weather was very hot and little Vida went several time to play in the Forrest's wood. Robert kept on feeling ill but Dr. said there was noithing wrong except his back, so he tried carrying Floré upstairs after dinner!
Poor Floré! On the 13th the nurse she had engaged wrote to say she could not come. "Telegraphed to Alma Caesar to ask her to come on Monday." they heard next day that she would come.
Monday 18th. "Nurse E. Cross left by the morning train and the new one, Alma Ceasar came in the afternoon."
On the 23rd Robert had to report to headquarters Southern District. Two days later "Electric light shown from the Guildhall at night."
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the town on the 27th. Robert saw them come through Hyde Street and go out via Sussex Street in the afternoon. Heavy rain meant the fireworks had to be postponed till next evening. There was also an agricultural show on that week, Robert went twice, "we saw the cart horses very well."
At the end of the month Robert had to go before a medical board at the Station Hospital, Portsmouth. He was still far from fit, often troubled with bad nights, and had to lie down every afternoon.
July & Aug. 1883
Robert often mentions Liebick who gave them good music at parties, he became a good friend and often spent the evening with them. Alma Ceasar only lasted a month and then said she wished to leave. The new nurse arrived on the 16th, Robert and Floré had bought Vida a new perambulator in her honour. They were house hunting once more but found time to take Vida to the photographer Ryder, luckily before the day "Vida not very well all day from a heavy fall off a chair at breakfast."
10th. "Recd a fair rent agreement to sign. Heard from Mother enclosing a letter from Lord about the drainage of Bingfield. Wrote to Tatlow."
11th. "Went to the castle and heard the judges charge to the Grand Jury. The Lord Chief Justice and Sir Edward Fry heard one or two cases." The next day he went again and heard part of a case against four men accused of scuttling a ship at sea.
13th. "Took Vida to Ryders to be photographed (this was the second attempt). The day was a bad one and the three negatives were all failures. Played tennis all afternoon at the Huttons - saw Hutton's lathe."
15th. "Morning service at the Cathedral. Saw the Lord Chief Justice and Sir Edward Fry go there in state. Found there is something wrong with my right eye."
17th. "The Miss Masons and stayed an hour when we wanted to go out."
19th. They had a third go at Vida photographed. At the end of that week Robert heard that his ½ pay was extended another 4 months by the War Office. He was looking round for a workshop and as well as daily calls an visits, and playing tennis he went to several dances getting home at 3 or 4am.
On Aug 1st Robert engaged a workshop and sent for his lathe and tools from Bradford. On the 3rd he went to London and saw an eye specialist who sent him to an optician who "Tried various experiments and eventually found a glass to suit." He then went to Gipsy Hill to see a lathe for sale.
His mother wrote from Guernsey. His lathe arrived and he unpacked it. He sent his rifle up to Whistlers and wrote about the lathe hew saw in London. He sent £11 for this, but was still ordering a new crankshaft and centres for the current one.
Robert & Floré went to tennis at Shawford, they took Vida who was very much frightened at the pigs! On the 16th his new lathe arrived, he put it up and turned a small vase to celebrate. The next day he turned anothe vase and two table legs. His pince-nez spectacles arrived. It was very hot weather but he was in the workshop most mornings and went walking and playing tennis in the afternoons. Os came to stay and was immediately taken to play tennis, he went back to his ship on the 31st.
Sept & Oct 1883
At the beginning of Sep. Floré and Vida went to stay at Bristol (Clifton). Robert started work on some Lignum Vitae candlesticks which took him over a week to finish. While Floré was awy he got several replies to her nurse advertisement and sent them on, he also polished her desk and some chairs. He got his large lathe fixed to the floor (now having two) and fitted a flange chuck. He was given some wood from the Dotterell by Capt. Forrest and made a box and a vase from it, he also made a large candlestick for Mrs. Forrest, another box, and started on an Xmas card table and a mantelpiece border. Floré was back by the time he finished the mantlepiece and she put the cover on it.
They sent for all their baggage still at Bradford and spent several days unpacking and arranging things. They employed an old servant, Farmer, to carry things up, and over the next few days je cleaned boots, swords, spurs and saddlewry. Robert got more parts for his lathe and made a butter dish with glass lining and a brass knob for a bell handle, then the bell handle and a ring tray from Dotterell wood. also some picture frames. From ebony he made a walking stick handle, a box and a brooch.
On the 30th he saw electric light in te High Street. In October he was just as busy, he turned tool handles, a watch stand of yew, a bannister of Dotterell wood and a flowerpot stande with pillars of cherry. He met two friends on a double bycycle and had a go on it.
On the 12th he went to a concert at The Guildhall given by Charles Hallé and Madame Norman Neruda. He also had, or went to, several musical parties and joined Dr. Arnold's choir.
He was very much troubled with his back and spent a lot of time in bed or resting, but at the same time improving his lathe and had gas laid on to his workshop.
Nov & Dec 1883
Still again in November the lathe is being added to all the time, now a new slide rest. He bought an anvil. He joined a glee club as well the choir, and started a pair of candlesticks in American Walnot. He and Floré went to The Guildhall for "Crutch & Toothpick" and "Acia & Galates".
On the 16th floré and Vida both developed coughs, Vida's turned to bronchitis and congestion of the lungs, and Floré was keeping Robert awake so he slept in the dining room for a week. on the 25th he heard that Aunt Emily has dies. He went to her funeral on the 27th at Kensel Green cemetary and brought back a hospital for Vida sent by Aunt Fanny. Louie and Gussie were staying and Robert used to entertain them to tea in his workshop. There he was turning 3 small vases of plane (?), a jam glass holder in mahogany, and making a picture frame.
Sunday 2nd December. "Went to a special temperance service conducted by Canon Wilberforce at 8pm in the Cathedral. We could not get seats as about 5000 people were present."
6th. "Turned the remainder of my jam holder. Northcutt lunched with usand went to Liebick's first concert. We then went to Marshall's room to meet the Colthursts. Dined at Mrs. Elgees. Smoked in Hodgson's rooms. Very hard frost and sligh fall of snow." Next day he sang a trio "A little farm well liked" at a People's Entertainment. He was busy in his workshot turning some mounts for china plates, a flange chuck, a walnit candlestick and a small vase in American walnut.
On the 14th he went to stay at the Oaks (Uncle Nevile's house as Hanworth) Uncle N. was still away, on his way back from America. He drove with Aunt Carry to Sunbury and called on Capt. & Mrs. Lindy. There was snow again.
20th. "Uncle Nevile came back from America - he came in while we were having breakfast quite unexpectedly. He was much put out by the West Window in the church having been put up in his absence. Asked me to stay till tomorrow. Went up to London with Aunt Carry and Uncle N. - the former quite satisfied having seen the window - met Uncle George in the Strand and walked about with him. Got a pair of opera glasses for Floré, a toy telephone for Violet (surely he means Vida?) and a small airgun for myself. Home by 3pm train - called on Mrs. Pollock who told me about Henry Gahan & Berry Wallace." Next day he went back to Winchester and at a People's Entertainment, Lascelles, a giant of 6' 10½" sang very well.
On Christmas day it was cold and foggy. They went to morning service at the Cathedral. On boxing day night he had a friend in to smoke and they sat up till 3am trying to do a geometric puzzle.
| Date | 1883 |
| Linked to | Lt. Col. Robert Story |
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