Ephemera

Set one week after Charles last cricket match for Downton Abbey in late July, 1926.

This piece will follow some correspondence between Elsie and her sister Becky, post-my 1926 version of the Chelsie wedding. It follows my own headcanon for Elsie's pre-history and it will probably not make a lot of sense if you do not read my expose of such things across 'The Acquisition of Memories' and then the 'Calling Stumps' stories. I have had to adjust a line of thought for Charles in Chapter 6- Coming to his Senses—Sight in 'Acquisition' to account for the fact that he now has Elsie's extended family to consider in his future married life. The main points to be aware of are that Becky is not in a care home and has lived a long and fruitful life with her husband and family in Lytham St Anne's running a very successful bakery on the promenade of the busy east coast seaside resort town. SO, she and Elsie can likely cook up a storm whenever they get together and once more 'cooking-gate' can be discounted as an utter nonsense that would never see either Charles nor Elsie acting in such silly and rude ways to one another as they so woefully did in JF-canon! Good.

Some of Becky and her husband David Barton's children and grandchildren have scattered across the countryside. I have envisioned a whole family tree for Becky and her husband. The inspiration for it was the group photo of the Chelsie wedding where two girls stand in front of Charles and Elsie and the rest of the Downton crew. I wondered who those girls might be and thought that they could be relatives of Elsie's. I have made them out to be just going on seven and eight years old when they are likely a bit older than that by looking at them. But, I wanted to fit them into a reasonable family/birthrate timeline so I put them down as a little younger. The Hughes/Barton family tree/timeline will be listed post-script. Sadly, Fanfiction will not allow for a family tree diagram to be uploaded. However, I am interested to see if this might make a bit of sense to readers without seeing the family tree first. Elsie does drop a lot of relatives names in this letter to her beloved sister, so I would wager it might get confusing in this epistolary text form to begin with.

I am not sure where this all might lead… well… I do have some ideas brewing! But first I need to get Becky's distinct voice working in a return letter to Elsie. That may take some time, so don't hold your breath for fast updates!

Anyway, I wanted to put this out there for some feedback first. Let me know what you think in a review if you care to leave one or I am happy to PM too.

Kind regards,

BorneToFlow

oOOo

Ephemera

(singular: ephemeron) any transitory written or printed matter not meant to be retained or preserved. The word derives from the Greek ephemeros, meaning "lasting only one day, short-lived". Letters are often collected as historical ephemera.

oOOo

Saturday, 31st July, 1926

Dearest Becky,

I know that I have been quite tardy in writing to you properly since Charles and my return from Scarborough. Life seems to have become busier than ever in the house now that we have announced our retirement. Miss Baxter and Mr Barrow look like they will make a fine, if a somewhat odd couple to take over from us. Oh well, I would wager many thought Charles and I were an odd mix to run the Abbey when I first took over from Mrs Dakin! Thirty years now just gone. Hard to believe isn't it? Charles reminded me of it in London on our honeymoon—the dear man! You should see the lovely necklace he gifted me to commemorate it, Becky— you will faint! But Baxter and Barrow will do just as well together at the helm, I am willing to wager. It is a strange time for both of us, though. Quite unsettling in many ways— almost like we are both losing a limb. But it is a happy thing too. Nevertheless, it is very strange.

I really was so glad to hear in your last note that you and your David are also able to truly step back from running the shop day-to-day now. How are you finding it all? Alistair has certainly done both his poor late father and his Mam (not to mention the two of you!) very proud indeed, what with running the shop so well with David Jr. Moira told me how very proud she is. It was a joy to see her again at the wedding along with you, my dear, and of course with darling Rebekah and Lili-speth with you. They are so grown up now! Please do thank the girls again for caring for my bouquet on the day and helping to have it all pressed so beautifully while I was away.

But Moira really does think so very highly of young Alistair's Bonnie-lass too, doesn't she? I can see it when she speaks of her. I often think that lass has come some ways to fill a bit of that hole that was left when her dear little Jean died. So very young— it could break your heart still, couldn't it? But it does at least seem that all things are coming full circle for Moira, despite all of her losses. If Charles and I are proof of anything, it is that it is never too late to find love again, and I do wish that for our Moira again, and of course for David Jr too, if the chance should arise for them either of them again. Still, I was so very glad to see Moira so very happy, not just for us, but in herself and with her granddaughters all about her. What a lovely thing for Alistair and Bonnie to have a little time to themselves without the children when you came over, even with all the busy summer work in the shop. You are right in what you said, though—unfortunately, it does seem that their family is not to grow any further. Do you think our young namesakes will end up being anything like us, Becky? Oh, but the world is so very changed for our lot now. I only hope it will be even better for them than it was for us, not that I am at all unhappy, as ye well know. My! But I still cannot believe that they are nearly seven and eight years old a piece!—Your Great grandchildren and my lovely great-grand nieces! Is that what I call them? I have lost track! How can that be? Aren't we still too young for all of that? Sometimes I cannot believe we have come this far. When did all of this happen, Becky? Blink and you will miss it all, it seems. Oh dear, I fear I am waxing quite nostalgic now, aren't I? And more and more-so every day it seems! Is this what getting old is all about? But I do miss you all as much as ever, my dears. Please do send all of the young ones both of our love now.

It really has been so very long since I have seen all of my dear nieces and nephew together like that, hasn't it?—and dear James, too. Thank goodness we managed to get even that many of the Hughes-Barton clan together for something other than a funeral for a change! I was surprised that Stuart and Mary could make it at all— what with their boys barely off the hip and into short pants. It was such a surprise and a beautiful treat to have him pipe me in and out of the church. I could not have asked for more. And then he went and played as beautifully as ever for our waltz, even though the old school house piano could have done with a bit of a tune-up! He managed it well, though, and all of Downton well knows the issues we have with that particular set of ivories! Do thank him again on our behalf. Oh, how I would have loved to have seen Alistair and Bonnie again myself, but I guess someone always has to hold down the fort at Barton's Bakery or the summer visitors in Lytham's would surely starve for lack decent fare! Also, do send Ailith and Daffydd, and all of their young ones all of my love, too. I don't know when I will ever see them again now they all live so far away from you all. That said, maybe we could time it for when Charles and I visit you next in Lytham. Does Daffydd find it easy to get away at all? I do know it is hard enough for Selah and James to get away from Argyll, let alone both of theirs with all of their little bairns now in tow— just as it was when all of yours where still clinging to your skirts, isn't that right, Becky! You know I have been remembering those early days so much of late—when I could sometimes get away to visit you— back when David Jr was still in short pants himself! I was fortunate to see them all grow up as much as I have done. They are all a great blessing, are they not?

Charles, I think, is more than a little chuffed to know that he has suddenly acquired such a large throng of extended family at this late stage of his life. Charles never had that, you know. But it is true that this new family he shares with me does overwhelm him a little, along with all of the changes we are facing in the days ahead—what with retiring and moving out of the Abbey. You know, it really must have been so different for him when he was orphaned at much the same age as we were. He really had no-one but the estate to care for him and he was very fortunate that they did— and then some besides! He is a good man and has deserved the good life he has been able to build for himself at Downton. I have recently come to recall just how scared you and I both were back when we first went into service, and I cannot imagine fully how it must have felt for him when he lost his Mam and Da at an even younger age than us. At least we had each other back then, Becky.

But it most certainly was a joy for both Charles and me to see my grand nieces and nephews still in the bloom of youth and with some of their own young 'uns in tow. Becky, you are far too young to have all these great-grandchildren! (And let me just add that you looked as lovely as ever on our special day— it would not have been the same without you and your David there, my dear). Although, I must say, that Charles found the whole Barton clan descending upon Downton all at once a little unsettling in the days leading up to the wedding. It did take him aback somewhat! I am sure he will adjust in time, though. Thank goodness we finally agreed upon the schoolhouse as the appropriate venue for our big day. I do not think the hallowed halls of the Abbey would have coped with such a crowd as our lot reeling through it all at once! But we must arrange a trip to see you all again once the handover to Baxter and Barrow here is all complete. But sadly, I cannot imagine that we will make it to Lytham before mid-spring next year—more is the pity.

I am beginning to think that maybe I should show Charles more of our Argyll, too. I did not think I would ever go back there, truth be told, but I have only just recently discovered that Charles has the makings of a keen angler in him. We have already spoken of some short trips we might take where he may finally indulge in this hobby again, but I think Argyll might prove quite an attractive challenge for him and worth the trouble of getting out there. Perhaps James and young Stuart can take Charles out to some good streams and that way I can catch up with my lovely Selah again. Would you believe that we are already planning for Somerset at some point, for I think I should like to see some different parts of the country now that time will allow for it. Perhaps you and David could join us on a small jaunt one day?— maybe meet somewhere halfway between Lancashire and Yorkshire—start a war over a flower or something!

By the way, Charles sends his best regards to all of his new family in Lytham's and beyond. He is just reminding me that we have yet to formally thank you all (you know my Mr Carson will not stand for that!). But especially, please send on our thanks to Moira and Selah and David Jr, if I do not get to write to them first, of course— for taking the time to bring as many of and all of your grandchildren as they could with them. It means a lot to us that they would find the time to make the trip to Downton just to see two doddering old fools, whom they barely even know, finally coming to their senses enough to get married! I am so glad you were all able to get away for part of the summer for a change too. Downton truly shines in the summertime, does it not?

I have enclosed some photographs for you. Apart from the lovely one of you and David with Charles and I, and then David Jr, Moira, and Selah and James with us, there is a particularly lovely one with Rebekah and Lili-speth in it. I know they will not recognise most of our people in it, but I did think that Alistair and Bonnie would still appreciate seeing their very grown up girls looking so lovely. They were proper little ladies on the day, were they not? But do please tell me that all is right with David Jr. He seems to have the weight of the world upon his shoulders now that I look at the pictures. Perhaps it is worries for his young Margaret. She is a lovely young woman now and she surely turned the heads of many a young Downton lad that much is certain! I do not envy David Jr trying to fend of unsuitable suitors for that young lass! It does seems his young Hugh has made a lovely match with Elizabeth. Although, now I think on it, both of them still have that air of young waifishness about them. How are they both getting along? Do you think they will be having their own bairns as quickly as the rest of the Hughes-Barton clan have always managed to?

Well, there'll be no children possible on my front! But, Gosh! I am married two months already, myself! Time does fly. I never knew how much it must feel this way for you, as your family has grown up and flown away. You know, this was the very first time I had Selah, Moira and David Jr to Downton all at once. I guess it was always easier for me to come to you during the season. They have been dears to try and visit me, each one of them on their own whenever they could over the years, but it is always trickier with children in tow and work that cannot be left behind. Truth be told , I always found it better to come to all of you and occupy my time and thoughts whilst Charles was away for so many months each year. Downton is not my Downton without him there and I fear whenever I did receive any of your visits here over many of those years that I was not very much myself. Oh dear, what an silly lovelorn old sap I sound now!

But I digress. How I wish I had time to visit you again this summer. I miss talking to you, dear Becky. This rambling letter seems to attest most sorely to that fact. There is just so much that it is easier to say when we are face to face it seems—the way we jump from one thought to another and always know what way the other is thinking—especially with what really matters. I think I am beginning to have that fully with Charles now. It is like I have always seen with you and your David.

Please write again soon and tell me all of your news. As it was with this letter, I cannot promise that I will have much spare time to write back quickly. Most likely, it will not be at such great length, either, what with everything that is going on here at the moment. But do know that you are ever in my thoughts and my love follows you and yours in all of their good times and across their various trials.

Ever your loving sister,

Elsie.

OOOo

The Hughes-Barton Family Tree

Iain Hughes (b. 1838 d. 1874, aged 36 yrs— respiratory illness based on issues with mould from threshing a poor and mildewed crop one year.)Married to Moira Hughes (nee Cameron) (b. 1840 d. 1876, aged 36 yrs— Maybe smallpox?)

Their Issue (2)-

Rebekah (Becky) Jean Hughes (b. 1860, now 66years old)

Elspeth (Elsie) Mae Hughes (b. 1862, now 64 years old)

OOOo

Elsie Mae Hughes- 12 when father died and 14 when mother died. Entered service at Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire with Becky in 1876- upon a recommendation from a friend of the family in Argyll who knew someone with influence at that stately home. Becky leaves service at 20 years of age when she marries and moves to Lancashire to open a shop with her new husband. Elsie briefly returns to Argyll around 1892/3-1895 to work at Duneagle for the Flintshires. She arrives at Downton Abbey as head housemaid in Autumn of 1895 and transitions to Housekeeper a mere 11 months later on May 30th, 1896. One day after her wedding (1926) marks the 30th anniversary of her time as Housekeeper with Charles.

OOOo

Becky Jean Hughes - 14 when father died and 16 when mother died. Married David James Barton (Sr) in 1880 (David Sr. b. 1858, originally from Lancashire, baker by trade and now 68 years old).

Their Issue (3)-

Moira Ann Barton (b. 1881, now aged 45 years). Married name- Finlay . Widowed.

Selah Blair Barton (b. 1882, now aged 43-4 years). Married name- Gordon

David Hugh Barton(David Jr) (b. 1884, now aged 41 years). Widowed.

These are the three young children in the photograph on Elsie Hughes sitting room wall- her much beloved nieces and nephew.

OOOo

Moira Ann Barton (b. 1881) married Alistair Finlay (Sr) (b.1880) in 1899. Moira was widowed in 1915 (Alistair Sr volunteered for WW1 in the first call up in a 'pals battalion' from his workplace. He died at age 35 in France).

Their Issue (2)-

Alistair James Finlay (Jr) (b. 1899, now aged 27 years). Only 15 when his father died in France. Alistair Jr was desperate to follow in his father's footsteps and do his bit for the war effort. He saw a small amount of action at the end of WW 1 but returned home relatively unscathed. Prior to that, David Barton Sr and Jr took Alistair Jr under their wings as an apprentice baker for the shop and he returned easily to the family business after the war. Alistair Jr married at the end of 1918 to Bonnie (nee. Campbell) (Known as Bonnie-lass to her loved ones in the Hughes-Barton and Finlay clan/s). Their issue (2) These are the two girls I was inspired by in the Chelsea wedding photo. They are Becky (Hughes)Barton, and Elsie (Hughes) Carson's namesakes: Rebekah Jean Finlay (b. 1919 and nearly 8 years old- determined to not have her name said in the diminutive form!); and, Elspeth Mae Finlay (b. 1920 and nearly aged 7 and lovingly referred to as Lili-speth). So just imagine that these girls look a bit younger in the Chelsie wedding shot for my sake! These two girls are great-grandchildren to Becky and great-grand-nieces to Elsie (I think!).

Jean Lilian Finlay (b. 1901 d. 1905) Measles. Caught from Moira Ann Finlay when Moira was pregnant with a third child. That unborn child was still-born and remained unnamed. Moira was unable to carry a child to term again.

oOOo

Selah Blair Barton (b. 1882) Married James Stuart Gordon (b. 1880) in 1901. Now living back in Argyll and farming with her Scottish husband. They met through old contacts from Argyll that Becky maintained a correspondence with.

Their issue (2):

Stuart James David Gordon (b. 1902, aged 24 now) married to Mary Grace (nee Ross) (b.1902) in 1920. They have 2 young children so far, Hamish David (4 yrs old) and Cameron Ross(3 years old); and,

Ailith Jean Williams (nee Gordon) (b. 1904, aged 22 years now) married to Daffydd Williams in 1922. They met when Daffydd took a rugby trip with a team to the grounds in Lytham St Anne's and Ailith travelled with her mother, Selah, to visit Becky and David Barton et al. one autumn. Ailith and Daffydd are now based in Wales and have two children- Gordon Daffydd (3 yrs) and Isla Grace (18 months)

oOOo

David Hugh Barton Jr (b. 1884) married Margaret Janette Smith (b. 1885; d. 1908 during childbirth) in 1904. The widowed David Jr has now taken over his father's bakery in Lytham St Annes (it was renamed Barton and Son in 1904 when David Jr had finished his 6 year apprenticeship. When Alistair Finlay Sr died in 1915, both David Sr and Jr became father figures to Alistair Jr and saw to his apprenticeship too. As a widower with young children, David Jr avoided war service.

David Jr and Margaret's issue:

David Iain Hugh Barton (known as Hugh) (b. 1905, now 21 years old) married to Elizabeth Potts (b. 1903) in spring 1925. No children yet. Hugh stayed longer in school than Alistair Finlay Jr did. He is also working in the family bakery and has not quite finished his apprenticeship yet.

Margaret Janette Barton (b. 1908, now aged 17, nearly 18 years)

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Right, that will do for now!

Let me know what you think. I am open to taking on different ideas for where this series of letters may go. There is scope for this to become a live action piece— in time. But firstly, I wanted to try out an epistolary styled story as a bit of a writers training ground for me.

I look forward to any responses.

Kind regards,

BorneToFlow : )