A poem by H Cowlands 1880. Help to identify this man

The following letter originates from Deptford.

It dates 1880 and I believe it was sent to my Great Grandfather John Shipston or his wife Elizabeth Ball. It was in my Grandfathers collection of family letters.
I have searched all known methods of finding its author or anything about him/ Her.
I ask to post this to your readers as a last attempt to gather information on what appears to be a most colourful person. I myself live in Australia and have tried for some time now to find H. Cowlands to no avail. I understand this is an unusual request but would be ever so grateful if any hint in this letter could help me find more on the author.

It is a long and unusually written letter/ poem as you’ll see. Thank you so much, in advance for any help given to understand the town, times and the person.
Regards Harold Shipston.
Queensland Australia.
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H. Cowlands poem. (transcript)

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Monday, April 26th

1880

96 years old

Dear Cousin, I am very glad,

To say, that work is not so bad.

As it was weeks ago

Perhaps now the Elections done

A better time is coming on.

Although it may come slow

I never saw in all my life

Such hot discussion, bitter strife

As in this town of late

A thousand flags there might be seen

From Deptford Broadway to the green

Of every size and shape

The Tories have got in, it’s true

Just for this Borough, but there few

Compared with liberals round

So now we hope, for better times

For more success and fewer crimes

And drink crush’d to the ground

I never want, such men to guide

Who thousands, try to lead aside

By advocating drink

It is, our national disgrace

And men, by it in every place

Are brought to ruin’s brink

But I no further, will discuss

Our politics, though all of us

In someway, are concerned

If, God but rule us we are blessed

He views the proud, and the oppressed

The ignorant, and learned.

Now, of myself a little news

I still continue making shoes

At Deptford, in High Street

Mady is my employer’s name

And he has got, a noted fame

For thousands do him greet.

His shop is full, where’ere I go

His stock is large his prices low

Not many can him beat

There’s Wellington’s likewise high lows

There’s cashmere boots and patent toes

And boots for tender feet

There’s Watertights, and bluchers too

Lace ups and balmorals on view

Slippers, and socks, as well

Look in, no matter where it be

It is astonishing, to see

The hundreds he does sell

For want of something else to do

The other day, I went to view

Blackheath, and Greenwich Park

Here on a hill with great delight

Beauties of nature, came in sight

And warmed my very heart

“Oh,” how sublime, is this thought I 

Whilst gazing at the earth, and sky

And looking, all around

How bright, and cheerful, is the spring

The birds, how happy, on the wing

There notes how sweet they sound

The river Thames, I saw below

With ships a passing, to and fro

Amidst, the Sparkling wave

How many lives, throughout the year

Thought I, do sink and perish here

And find a watery grave

Now, how are all of you at potton

Don’t think, that I, have quite forgotten

My friends, residing there

Also a few, at Gamlingay

Some, sixteen-thousand miles away

Of whom, I little hear

To Lizzy Chapman, give my love

May the have comfort, from above

From whence our blessings flow

And may her Mother daily find

That God is merciful and kind

In darkest shades of woe

To Mrs Seal, remember me

And tell her, Lucy longs to see

Her little girl and boy

And, as the future days, draw nigh

Cheerful, I hope she’ll live and die

Then enter into Joy

And then her Brother George comes next

He is a man, not often vexed

Though always very dark

Easy, and quiet, is his life

I wish his children, and his wife

Success with all my heart

And then remember our dear Mother

I really think, there’s not another

More useful, that can be

Oh, may her last days be her best

Then enter everlasting rest

And sing of victory

Another word, before I’ve done

Tell Minnie, she’s to sure and come

In the bright month of May

With us we wish for her to dwell

As many things we have to tell

So she must not delay

Now Your Dear Mother, Father too

I trust that God will bring them through

And bless their latter days

Then say Oh, “Death where is thy sting

And mount o high, to dwell and sing

A song of endless praise

And now Dear Cousin, I must close

These simple rhymes, but don’t suppose

Dear Ebins not in mind

If tis God’s will I hope that he

May be restored and happy be

And many blessings find

Good Bye dear friend. God bless you all

The weak, the strong, the great, the small

I wish you peace and love

And when your days, on earth are gone

May heaven be your eternal home

To dwell with saints above

H Cowlands

Deptford

Kent

Help please

Hello,

I wonder if anyone has any information about both sides of my Deptford family.

My grandad John Carney (now 86) lived in 73 Fawcett Road, Deptford, from 1928 onwards. His parents, Bridget (born O'Connor) and John Carney, lived there from even before that. My grandad also had siblings Brendan and Sheila Carney. Unfortunately, my grandad was put into care quite early on as his mother died so we don't have a lot of information about his Deptford days. Any memories of the family or Fawcett road would be greatly appreciated! 

Another side of my Deptford family history is that my New Cross Nan, Pauline Carney's (born Freeman) family used to run a (Jewish?) grocery store (or maybe a sweet shop) along Deptford Broadway, on the corner of the park and next to or near Molins Cigarette factory. My nan can't remember the name of the shop but thinks it was a family name - so probably Freeman's/Freemans or Friedman's? Rosenburg was also a family name: Eva Rosenburg and John Freeman were my great-grandparents. 

Both my grandparents are old now and enjoy talking about their family history so any information or any stories would be so lovely!

Thank you.

Hi - I was wondering if you might be able to help me,

My great-great-grandmother Julia Button formerly Murphy née Calnan/Hayes married her second husband, Edwin Charles Button in 1933 whilst living at 4 Grenville House, New King Street, Deptford. Family legend has it that she left her husband for another man (her first husband, Timothy Murphy died in 1924). She also worked as a money-lender, a profession which other Catholics would have found distasteful. As a result she fell out with most of her ten children from this marriage.

Julia died in 1949, nine years after her husband Edwin Charles Button. I would very much like to hear from anyone who may have known her. Unfortunately as a result of their fall-out, I have no photos of either of them to share, although it is possible that some may exist.

Her birth has also been the cause of some confusion - on both her marriage licenses she lists herself as the daughter of John Calnan, however on the birth certificates for half of her children she lists her surname as Hayes. She married in 1887 at the age of c. 16. There is no record for a Julia Calnan in the 1881 census but there is some record of a Julia Hayes - how she connects to the Calnan family is yet another mystery.

Thank you,

Daniel Maldonado

Help for Gill

Just wondering if anyone has any photographs of Dorking Road or the corner shop there before demolition?
My family were the Daltons and I am struggling to find any photos of this road.
Attached photo of my mum Marjorie Dalton (now 96!) and her brother Stan (sadly passed).

Gill Middleton

26 Deptford Broadway

Peter sent this photo in saying....

 I think this might be next door to the sweet shop in Church Street/The Broadway 

 oh BTW thats my great uncle and his half brother in the doorway.

The shop belonged to Charles Allen  b 1800  d  1870 

Sayes Court

View of the John Evelyn's manor house at Sayes Court, based on a drawing by Evelyn himself. The diarist John Evelyn came into possession of the Elizabethan manor house and the estate at Sayes Court through marriage to the heiress Mary Browne in 1647. He took up residence at the house in 1652 and lived there until 1694 when he returned to his family estate at Wootton, Surrey, letting the property to rent paying tenants.

The house was pulled down in 1728 or 1729, and the workhouse built on its site 

Sayes Court was the ancient manor house of Deptford. There was a building on the site from the 12th century. However, the building shown here (originally the St Nicholas Workhouse) dates from 1729. It was demolished c.1930.

This picture depicts one of the old parish workhouses that served the local poor in south London. In 1777 the parish of St Nicholas was known to have 130 inmates. The Poor-law amendments in 1834 stated that "no able-bodied person was to receive money or other help from Poor Law Authorities except in a workhouse". Despite the workhouse being considered a harsh environment, one observer of Greenwich's poor was to note: "It is curious to notice the effect that the workhouse regime has in prolonging the lives of those who may have often survived hard buffetings in the world. Anxiety and care concerning the future are thrown off at the entrance to the house, and the inmates are henceforth placed under conditions more favourable to health and longevity than they have ever before experienced".

Creek Bridge through the Ages

I'm looking for any information/photographs reflecting life in Pender Street (off Deptford Church St and Berthon St), particularly between the two World Wars, and wondered whether any one on Old Deptford might be able to help.

My father grew up at 25 Pender Street between 1920 and 1937 with his younger sister and, early on, with an older married sister and her husband who lodged there. For some of this time, his mother (my grandmother) worked as a charwoman at theRachel McMillan Nursery which Dad also attended from age 3 to 9 before transferring to the Clyde Street School for Boys. 

Dad later described the area as 'a dreadful slum area by the Thames' and, with no other financial support (as far as I know), it must have been a poverty-stricken up-bringing. How my grandmother managed to keep the family together and a roof over their heads in such circumstances I can't imagine so any insight into day-to-day life at that time would be fascinating, or any recollections at all.y

Dad did record some of his experiences many years later and recalled these names among his nursery schoolmates - Katie Seymour, Dorothy Amstead, Hilda Court, the Fergusons, the Rossiters and Bertie Shear. So perhaps these might ring a few bells?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Christopher Snowden

B&B for the RUSSIANS

Little snippet I came across regarding the above which may be of interest: During the 5th Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party which took place in London between May 13 and June 1, 1907 many of the delegates were billeted in Carrington House and apparently were quite impressed with the facilities. (Lenin and Stalin stayed elsewhere!) See - Nottingham Evening Post, 11 May 1907, 3; 'Congress in a Lodging House'. The report claims that the first meeting of the Congress was held on Friday 10th May in Carrington House. (Although it is generally believed that the sessions actually took place in the Brotherhood Church, Southgate Road in Islington.) Regards Bob Henderson

Help for Teresa

I wonder if anyone can help? I am working on a family tree for a friend but have hit a sticky patch.

My friends grandfather was Alfred Ernest Stanton born in 1905. I have a baptism record for him that States his father was Alfred Stanton and his mother was Florence (Shreeves) that they were living at 22 Octavia Street and that he was a Bar Man. I have not found a marriage for these two and am having trouble continuing on this Stanton line. there are talks of a pub in deptford, which does tie up with the baptism record, but haven't traced him to a pub. also New Cross and a theatre, maybe hearsay links but thought I'd add them just in case it rings any bells with people. I know not much to go on but any help greatly appreciated.

Regards, Teresa

Help for Jackie please

I am trying to get a replacement WW1 roll of honour for  St. Lukes, Deptford. I am trying to find a photo of the roll of honour at St Lukes Church , Deptford. Unfortunately the photos I have found on the internet (e.g.http://lewishamwarmemorials.wikidot.com/memorial:deptford-st-luke-ww1-war-memorial) I am unable to read the names. I do have 100 names but am missing the 47 that were on the 2 additional panels. I wonder if anyone knows of any other photos. I have contacted the local church, Lewisham archives, LMA, British Legion,  Imperial War Museum and checked the local newspaper of the time but to no avail.

Many thanks

Jackie