Dear Reader #82

Dear Reader,

Lovely books from Santa, mainly for my writing and family history research 🙂

A highlight of my publishing year has been the translation of my Ann’s War series into Afrikaans. Nelmari is a wonderful translator whose commitment to this series has been outstanding. I offer her huge thanks. Here’s our latest title, available soon.

My books are available in Portuguese, and here’s the latest translation, Looking for Rosanna Mee, book seventeen in my Sam Smith Mystery Series. Many thanks to Kamila for her skill and enthusiasm in translating this book.

One of the saddest stories from my family tree. Aged 29, my 5 x great grandmother, Jane Rees, gave birth to her fifth child on Boxing Day 1788 and died in childbirth. The child, Edward, survived.

A pacifist who became a war hero, Harry Ree, an inspiration for my character Guy Samson in my Eve’s War series. Read his remarkable story here

https://hannah-howe.com/eves-war/harry-ree/

“Resistance is a state of mind. We can exercise it at any moment.” – French Resistance heroine, Jeannie Rousseau.

My article about French Resistance heroine Jeannie Rousseau, ’one of the most remarkable women of her generation’, appears in this month’s Seaside News.

I love this song

Ancestry

Christmas for my 3 x great grandparents, William and Mary, and 2 x great grandparents, William and Ann.

1867

A well-attended meeting took place at the chapel on Christmas Day. Ministers questioned young scholars at 10 am, 2 pm and 6pm. Books were awarded as prizes. After a tea party, a literary evening included recitations and songs, which were delivered favourably.

1868

An inquest on the body of Benjamin James, who died suddenly , aged 70, was held at the Mason’s Arms. Verdict: ‘Died by the visitation of God’.

1869

‘The disease known as the measles is very prevalent in our neighbourhood. Some cases have proved fatal.’

Christmas Day. The Cwrdd Plygeiniol was held at 6 am and it was a pretty sight to see the candles decorated. Recitations and songs ensured an interesting day.

1870

David Davies, a lime burner, was charged with allowing his donkey to stray on the highway. The defendant had a field, but the donkey had nothing to eat. Fined 12 shillings including costs.

1871

A newly invented flypaper in Titusville, Pennsylvania, is covered with nitroglycerin, glue and molasses. The flies are attracted to the molasses. When they land they are stuck fast by the glue. Should they get away, they proceed to rub their legs together in agitation and the friction in their shins causes the nitroglycerin to explode, blowing them to atoms.

On Christmas Day the members of the chapel gave the children a treat, an excellent tea party with cake.  Recitations and songs followed. The scholars were questioned by the Rev Jones and they deserved great praise for the ready manner in which they gave their answers.

1874

The literary meetings held on Christmas Day were a great success, the attendance being very large, and the competitions numerous. Four choirs were present. The prize for the best signing of Nant y Mynydd was shared between Corneli and Elim choirs.

1875

A grand concert, extremely well attended, was held at the schoolroom with the proceeds, which amounted to £23, given to Mr W Hopkins so that he could pursue his education at Aberystwyth University.

1880

Charles Powell and Anthony Jones were summoned for being drunk and disorderly on Christmas Day. Fined 15 shillings each, or if in default, seven days prison.

1881

An entertainment was given in Howe’s Assembly Rooms by Mr G S James of Cardiff, who exhibited views of the Holy Land together with a choice selection of miscellaneous scenes by the aid of a magic lantern. A large audience was in attendance.

The churches in the parish were tastefully decorated for Christmas with holly and evergreens. The children were awarded prizes for good conduct during the year.

An amazing start to the year. I just discovered that I’m directly related to Edward I, Henry III, Richard the Lionheart, Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry I and William the Conqueror. Eleanor is one of my great grandmothers while William the Conqueror is a great grandfather. More about this in future posts.

Happy New Year!

Hannah xxx