The Mist of Time Ch. 07-08

CHAPTER SEVEN

There was work to do first. I needed to make money before I could spend it, and I recognised that restoring the Dower House was going to take a big hit on my finances. There was no email or snail mail from Mr. Anders; that was no cause for concern as looking at it realistically it was too early for their acceptance. However I did have enough on my desk to keep me occupied until the early evening. I went upstairs to my flat and put together a meal, so it was getting close to eight o' clock in the evening when I came down and started looking. Of course the censuses are public records yet the authorities will not allow the taxpayer to view without taking some money off you. I bought sufficient credits for the records I thought to see. I checked the 1911 census first even though I was fairly certain that I knew what it would reveal. This actually helped as I learned how to navigate around the system. There were no surprises there. The census is a spotlight on just one day. The data records who was residing at the address on the day in question. If you have the actual address it makes it easy, I wondered how much a researcher would have to pay if you don't know the actual address as your credits get eaten up with each click on a name. Those recorded may be family, servants or visitors staying.

In 1911 Sir Danbury Chandler and seven staff were recorded. One was recorded as Footman, one as Cook and the other five, all female were recorded as housemaids. There were no surprises there. The census required a brief notation of the employment of each person listed. Sir Danbury had written 'Land-owner'. It wouldn't mean much nowadays but then land-owners were considered wealthy and owning land even with an Estate Manager would take up much of the land-owners time.

I moved on to the 1901 census. The head of the house was Sir Dashwood Chandler; Danbury was recorded and described as Lieutenant, Essex Regiment. It was there that the family listing stopped the remainder being Butler, Footmen, Housemaids, Cook and Kitchen maid. There were in all sixteen servants to look after two men! This suggested that Danbury's mother had quit the house before 1901.

The 1891 census was interesting. Sir Dashwood (Land-owner) was listed first followed by Lady Adelaide Chandler (wife). Next to be listed was Danbury Chandler (son) and then Rose Chandler (daughter), both being described as students. The servants were listed next, all eighteen of them and right after the kitchen maid came Robert Chandler, infant. Evidently Lady Chandler's illegitimate son was ranked less than the kitchen maid. However, what I had found seemed to fit in with Mr. Prescott's discovery. I returned to the 1901 census and typed in Adelaide Chandler with the address simply Braintree. There were two. I wasted five credits by picking the wrong Adelaide Chandler. I doubted that Lady Adelaide would be working as a milk maid. It was the second entry where I found her. Adelaide was evidently living with her widowed father together with Robert. Obviously he loved his daughter. Not many fathers at that time would take in their married daughter, an adulterous daughter with an illegitimate son. Perhaps the stories of Dashwood Chandler's debauchery had shocked him sufficiently for him to disregard the tenets of Victorian propriety. After all the new King Edward seemed to be on the path of making adultery fashionable. The address was given as Upton Lodge, Pod's Brook Road. I looked on the street map of Braintree without success. Pod's Brook Road was there but truncated when the A120 relief road was built. It was a fair bet that Upton Lodge had vanished under concrete when that work was undertaken.

I was pleased with the result. I leaned back in my chair stretching my back muscles. Looking at my watch I was surprised to see the time was eleven-thirty. I printed off the documents then closed down the printer and the computer. It was time for bed.

I had mail on that Saturday morning. One was snail mail from Mr. Anders, a confirmation that the price had been accepted and their intent to buy. The other was from Mr. Prescott. His research mirrored mine, although he used Church records as well, confirming that Lady Adelaide had indeed moved to Upton Lodge in 1896. He had found Rose too. She was married in 1895. She moved with her husband to North Wales. Mr. Prescott had also found another daughter, Alice. Born in 1888 she lived for just six months. A scurrilous report in The Colchester Gazette said local rumour had it that she died shortly after Sir Dashwood had shaken her to stop her crying. If that was true it explained quite easily the hatred for Sir Dashwood. The Colchester Gazette had covered itself by saying that 'this journal could not contemplate of Sir Dashwood having acted as rumour suggested'. I emailed Mr. Prescott and thanked him for his work. I also advised him of Tina's research, telling him that it did appear that I was the great grandson of Robert Chandler.

My interest now turned to Arabella Swinson. Tina had said once that you can find people just by doing a search with their name. I typed Arabella Swinson and hit the key. I didn't get Arabella, but I did get a lot about a guy called George Swinson. Wikipedia had a small article on him and a biography mentioned a daughter, Arabella. Right time, right area, I was motoring! It mentioned that he was a pioneering Grocer. There were other hits on him. First his obituary from 1919 then an article published in 'The Grocer' a trade periodical. The article was from September issue of 1952. It appeared that George Swinson was indeed an pioneer. He opened a shop in 1878 in Ipswich. His policy was best prices for money on the counter. One story about him had given gossips food for months. One of the local Gentry had sent down a footman with a long list of needs. George fulfilled the list, packed them neatly in a number of large bags and then presented his reckoning. The Footman told him to send in his account. George immediately took all the packages and set them down behind the counter. The Footman cried indignantly that they were his Mistress's goods. George replied they would be when she paid for them in full. It appeared that the particular Lady had a reputation of ordering goods from the local businesses yet delayed paying their accounts for weeks if not months. This incident brought George some celebrity and quite a lot of business from those who applauded his little victory over this high-born, but arrogant Lady. His policy enabled him to prosper. In 1884 he had five shops, and in 1898 he had seventeen.

In 1897 he installed a refrigerated cool store in one of his shops. Butters, fats and bacon have a short shelf life and the normal way of extending that life was marble shelves and ice. The refrigeration proved very successful cutting waste by at least forty percent in the warm summers. Soon the majority of his shops had similar equipment.

After George died in 1919 the business was placed in the hands of his nephew, David. Swinson Grocers maintained a steady, if unexciting trade through the twenties, thirties and into the forties. In 1952 with the death of David the Swinson chain was sold to another grocery chain that was expanding quickly, Tesco! Not much of a surprise there!

The article mentioned the house he bought in 1901. It was called Meadowlea. I immediately searched through the maps that Tina had collected of the area. I found Meadowlea approximately three miles from Chetford. I assumed that the property was still in the hands of the Swinson family and also that David may well be the grandfather of Annabel Swinson. I would ask her when next we met. That thought stopped my reverie. I had not really thought about meeting her again, yet the idea of a meet engendered a rather warm feeling.

Monday brought Tina with a long list of damage and repairs needed for the Dower House. "I think, Daniel that it going to cost quite a lot to get it back to good condition, but if you want my opinion it is worth it. It's a lovely house."

"Thank you, Teresa. Your opinion has been noted. How was your weekend?"

"I can't tell you as it would excite you too much. Dirty old men have to worry about their hearts you know."

"I wasn't asking about your bedtime activities."

"Nor was I, Boss. We christened most of the rooms if that is what you want to hear."

"I can only guess what you mean by 'christened'." I replied dourly.

"You may think whatever you wish, but I could not possibly comment." She smiled sweetly at me. "I think coffee is needed. Then we can go through the list. Aleksy will call a bit later when he's worked out a rough estimate."

"A rough estimate for a rough job I suppose." I commented flippantly.

A very angry Tina replied. "No. It will be a bloody good job and he will ask you for far less than he should. For some reason he likes you."

"Tina! I was being flippant."

She was mollified somewhat. "I'll get the coffee."

The list was long and I could see that there was a lot of work to do. However we could not make decisions until Aleksy came in with his rough estimates. Even then they would be subject to re-assessment as decisions were made. Without his input there was little we could do and I turned the topic to work again. With Anders intent to buy I could start looking at replacements for the six houses I was selling. I logged on to the web-site of the auctioneers and indicated my intent to bid. Shortly after I got an email listing the properties on offer. The first auction was in three days time so I had just enough time to go and look at the houses that would fit in to my portfolio. Tina made a good suggestion. "Aleksy has some time tomorrow, why not take him with you. Four eyes are better than two."

"I'll ask him." I liked the suggestion.

"I'll tell him." She said. I made no reply, merely wondering if Aleksy knew what sort of woman he was taking on.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Authors note: In the description later in this chapter I use British terms for the floor plan, i.e. Ground floor and first floor. American usage would have those as first and second floor.

Whatever I wondered it seemed that Aleksy was very happy with Tina. I knew when he arrived as I heard the door, yet there was quite a few minutes before Tina, blushing profusely brought him into my office. "I'll make some coffee." She said.

"And wipe your face." I told her.

"Why?"

I delivered my punch-line. "You have a big smile on it."

"Oh you!" She blushed a little more and left.

Aleksy seemed to be confused by this exchange. "Don't worry, Aleksy. It's just our banter." I told him. "Tina will explain it later."

He nodded accepting my explanation. "Is good house." He started. "Walls strong and no damp. Roof o.k., needs some new slates and ridge tiles re-setting. Most Roof timbers good a couple need re-placing. Floors upstairs good, just needing sanding and staining. Stairs have rot, need replacing."

"Why is that?" I interrupted him. "If the floors upstairs are o.k., why just the stairs?"

"I think robbers caused that. They ripped out the water pipes without turning off water. Pipes were all Lead. Water cascaded down stairs; I think reason why the hall tiles have lifted. Same with electrics, all Copper when they were installed."

"I see."

"Windows, doors all gone. They would be good seasoned timber. If you restore old house somewhere else, better to take doors and windows and not pay. Good timber and right style. Probably bloody Rumanians."

"You don't like the Rumanians?"

"No. Poles come to work. Rumanians and Albanians come to thieve."

So much for our wonderful European Union. How can you make a union of people who in essence distrust other nationalities and in some cases actually hate. Bureaucrats molly-coddled and wrapped in cotton wool in Brussels or Strasbourg need to get out and see the damage their ill-thought policies create. However I did not believe that Rumanians and Albanians are more criminally inclined than any other nationality. Tina came in with the coffee taking my mind away from the idiocy of the E.U. "You have started without me." She accused.

"No. Not really. Aleksy was reminding me of what he said when I came down on Friday."

"Yes, I am sure." She accepted my explanation with some doubt. "I've been thinking."

I groaned. "Tracey! It's my business. I do the thinking and when I have thought you make it happen."

"Yes I do. Even when your thinking is total rubbish."

"You're fired."

"Ok. Now you won't find out what I was thinking."

"Tell me then, and if it is a silly idea I shall fire you after I have heard it."

She turned to Aleksy. "See what I have to put up with. He is the most obstinate and rude dirty old man. Why I stay here I do not know." Aleksy wisely said nothing.

Tina raised her cup to her lips all the time giving me a look that should have shrivelled me. However I was used to those looks and just smiled. "It could be a lovely house, Daniel." She was in mollifying mood. "When Aleksy has done, I don't think you should sell or rent the house. I think we should move the business there. You can live in the house and Aleksy and I will find somewhere near to live. There is so much room in the place that you can have a really good office and still have plenty of room to rattle around. If needed we can get back down here in about an hour and a half."

I sat back in my chair and sipped at my coffee making her think I was ruminating on her idea. Actually the same thought had occurred to me over the weekend. I was thirty-two and it was time I put down roots somewhere. The Chetford estate would be ideal. Eventually I put her out of her misery. "I do believe that your thought has some merit." The smile on her face was instant. "But before I make that decision I shall have to see if I can operate in that area as well as here."

Tina nodded her head wisely. "Good thought. I shall do some research and see what property prices are like in places like Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich. Also what kind of rents you can get." She stopped and smiled. "I take it I am not fired then?"

"Not this time." I turned to Aleksy. "Right, Aleksy. You have done the survey; tell me what the bottom line is. What will it cost me and can you do the work?"

"I can do work, Mr. Chandler. Estimate for making the place structurally sound...in region of fifty thousand. That's all exterior and interior work. New doors and windows included."

I saw Tina's face of thunder. "Aleksy. I am a businessman. You should be a businessman also. Tina told me that you would under-estimate. If I accept that I will have a secretary who hates me. Now tell me the true price."

"Is good price. I will have work for three months. You good boss. I am happy."

"I'm not. If you re-submit an estimate of seventy thousand I would accept that. Aleksy, when I negotiate I always leave something on the table for the other man. You never know when you will want a favour from him." I glanced at Tina from the corner of my eyes. She was happy.

Many businessmen, more hard-headed than I would say I was stupid but in my mind I had budgeted for seventy thousand. Perhaps later I may regret my attitude. The important thing for me was that I had already made my mind up to live in the Dower House. I will let Tina believe she planted the idea. The Chetford estate was my heritage. My family hitherto had been just my mother and a father who I had never known. People who had known both parents, their grandparents and even possibly their great grandparents would have little idea of the importance kids like me set upon finding the family they had never known. I was not just conjured out of thin air, I had suddenly found this heritage and I would cherish that heritage. Luckily I was able to spend the money to bring it back to life. I could and I would bring that house back to life.

They had not wasted their time over the weekend. Tina produced a plan of the house. I was impressed as detailed measurements of all the rooms were noted on the plan. The house was configured east to west, the front facing east and the back where the covered patio was to the west. The reception hall ran from the front door to the largest ground floor room which gave access to the patio. On the left side of the foyer were two large rooms which we decided would have been the drawing room and the sitting room. The sitting room occupied the corner of the south and west side of the house. To the right side of the foyer was another large room on the frontage, then a corridor which bisected that front room from the large room on the back. The corridor led to two smaller rooms on the north face which we considered would have been the kitchen cum scullery and servant's hall. The stairs were on the right side of the foyer and finished on a balcony overlooking the foyer. There was a walkway with a balustrade around the first floor giving access to all rooms and a large space at the front which could be used as another lounge. There were nine rooms on the first floor, two of which Aleksy had decided had been bathrooms. The other seven may have been bedrooms. There were two small rooms built in to the roof space. Access to those rooms was only possible using a narrow steep staircase that originated in the servants hall, although there was a landing on the first floor giving access through a door to the bedrooms there.

Having studied this plan we got down to serious discussion. Our conversation was mainly of basics although Aleksy brought up the problem of the decorated cornicing in the downstairs rooms. Much of it had been broken away at some time and he was worried as neither he or his brother could do that work properly. "If we have to get an expert in that will be big cost. I have idea, Boss, but you may not like it."

"Go on. Run it past me."

"The ceilings of the rooms are at nine feet. My idea is to put in a false ceiling at seven and half feet. Then you can put in flush ceiling lights if you want, and it gives space for running electrics and plumbing for central heating."

"I like that." I turned to Tina. "Do you like that?"

Of course Tina liked it. "What will you do about heating, Daniel? It has these huge fireplaces, but I doubt that they will keep the rooms warm."

"That can wait. If Aleksy puts in a false ceilings at least we have the option. There is something that I want to ask, though. If I go ahead with Tina's suggestion of living there I won't want seven bedrooms. Could you turn seven bedrooms into say three self-contained suites?"

"Should not be problem." He replied.

"Good. When can you start, Aleksy?"

"Need to work out quantities first. Go up Wednesday with my brother and work that out, then start in ten days. I get crew for work."

"Going up and back everyday will be a pain." I suggested.

"No. Got big caravan. Take that up and sleep in that. Get six men in easily."

"They will want to be paid weekly. I'll get Tina to come up every Friday with the cash. Will that do?"

"Cheque will be fine. Men are self-employed, but everyone pays taxes." He must have seen my eyebrows lift so he went on. "We come here to England and work hard for good life. Getting prison and possibly deported for not paying tax is stupid. We pay tax."

Tina seemed quite happy with the arrangement. I suspected that she will be staying for the weekend; not in the caravan but at the pub.

The following day Aleksy came up the stairs early. "You want to go look at houses, Boss." I was surprised as I had forgotten to mention my intention yesterday. Once we got on the way I thanked Aleksy for helping me and apologised that I hadn't mentioned it. "No problem, Boss. Tina told me last night." I did wonder if Tina had asked him or told him. We couldn't go in the houses but a brief examination from the outside gave me sufficient information. Householders who don't maintain the outside do not look after the inside. A maxim not always right, but right often enough make a decision. Aleksy stopped me one occasion when I thought the house was worth bidding for. "Look at roof, Boss. The ridge is sagging." He was right. I would have had to spend a lot putting that right. At the end of the day I decided that none of the properties were worth bidding high. If I could get one or two at a knock-down price I would go for it. Otherwise I would pull out of the bidding early. These properties were re-possessions, why the beneficial owner had allowed them to get in this condition I didn't know.