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Joseph's descendents in Canada hold letters which were sent from England by his sister Mary Ann Alderman who lived with her father Philip. We wish to record our thanks to Mary Isabell Alderman - the daughter of Charles Leonard Alderman - for providing the information on this page.
A summary of some of these letters follows:-
1874 Father (Philip) age 68 was pretty well although he felt cold. He had been working for Mr Little and that and his allotment (small farm) kept him working from daylight to dark. He said to tell Joseph to come home and not stay in such a cold country any longer. But Mary Ann is afraid a Yankee girl has won his affection and she wondered if it was Willie Barker's sister. She was sorry to hear bad account of Willie - Joseph should do his utmost to alter him.
May 1874 A nephew of father, Jim Alderman came to see them from Newport. Father had not seen him for 30 years.
15th Oct 1874 Father still working for Mr Little as well as his allotment (4 sacks plus a bushel of wheat grew on their allotment). Father feeling quite well and is digging their potatoes. They had been getting pork from America as it was cheaper, but are killing their own pigs now.
7th Oct 1875 Father pretty well but poorly sometimes through summer from working too hard. Father's sister (Aunt Ann) died recently - she was 80 years old. If all goes well until Christmas, shall move back to the old house again.
21st Feb 1876 Father very poorly and unable to work. Uncle Jess lost his wife about Christmas time.
1876 James and Elizabeth (Cleverly) are moving to Folly Farm. The family are all well. It is a dairy farm with a lot of pasture. (Elizabeth is Mary Ann's and Joseph's sister)
14th May 1877 Father pretty well in health but very feeble and miserable. He is worried about his money. Mary Ann plans to pay him what he gave her for the shop as soon as she can. James Cleverly (daughter Elizabeth's husband) asked him to go to Folly Farm and Cleverly's home in England - but he didn't want to. Folly Farm is doing well - 17 cows in milk, will be 20 when the calves are born.
14th Aug 1877 Father has received a letter from you (Joseph) and "he was so pleased he could hardly keep himself quiet, and went from one to the other talking about you, then came to dinner about one o'clock". (He was ill at that time and had accused Mary Ann of receiving letters from Joseph and not letting him see them - since the long months since hearing from him). Shortly after coming to dinner he was taken speechless and couldn't swallow. Eliza and Mary Ann washed his face and gave him brandy and in an hour or so he was much better and could speak and went to Philip's (his son) and told him what he wanted done with his money and things and had it written down. He improved until the following Friday morning when he was on the milk cart going to Chippenham with Johnie and had another attack - his mouth drawn aside but improved and reprimanded John Cleverly for taking him off the cart. Johnie had sent for his uncle.
Philip had several attacks that afternoon. The following evening had an attack - much worse and stayed with him longer with each fresh attack. Called Doctor to come. Philip (his son) slept with him Saturday night and brought him downstairs Sunday morning about 6.00. He could not speak so they could not understand him. They made a bed for him in Mary Ann's little room. He died the following Thursday morning - 12th July 1877 - the doctor said paralysis with appoplexy in the head and throat. He was sensible within a day of his death, but could only get a little liquid or brandy down. Telegraphed David (his son) and he came on Sunday, but father could not speak to him.
Elizabeth and James and all their family are well. Son Johnie takes the milk to Chippenham together with the milk from four other farms. Son Jim would come out to Joseph's with very little persuasion but his mother tries to keep him. He is going with a Miss Bence.
April 1878 Elizabeth's family growing up. Elizabeth is very careful with money like father. Jim and Johnie are quite young men.
18th July 1878 Son James wrote to Uncle Joe - he is planning to come to Canada.
8th May 1879 James and Elizabeth and the children are all well. Everything prospers with them in the way of farming - the children are old enough to help. Jim and Johnie, the two big boys, are steady and industrious. They are thinking of putting daughter Ada out to dairy work so she might understand cheese making. They are paid well for taking other farmers milk to dairy along with their own.
Aug 1879 Son James is sailing for Canada Aug 23rd 1879 on steamship "Somerset" of the Great Western Line. Will arrive in New York around Sept 2nd and proceed to Newbury. Uncle Joseph will meet him there.
11th Nov 1879 Son James gone to Canada - his father misses him - horses miss him too as he took great care with them.
21 March 1882 Jim planning trip home to England.
4th Feb 1895 Elizabeth has been ill - in house for three months - has Eczema on legs.
1896 Elizabeth had purchased the post office premises.
6th April 1897 Elizabeth better than when Joseph was here. Jack went into his own home. Fred is the only one at home.
1899 Elizabeth and family well. Her oldest son Walter hospitalised for mental reasons. Son Fred will be getting married. Son Jim is in poor shape in NY state.
31 Aug 1899 Letter from James Cleverly to his Uncle Joseph asking him to come for visit before Christmas as he has to go to woods for his health. Visit in Fall if possible and making plans to send sheep.
August 1900 Jim Cleverly (son) very poorly - is at Thousand Islands for his health. Away most of the year - he is sad and lonely. Elizabeth well - they have lady, gentleman and two children and servants living in best part of their house.
October 1900 Son Jim Cleverly in US died 24th October 1900, leaving his wife Jennie and son Olin. Ernest and Clara Cleverly have moved to the farm to help Jennie.
May 1901 Son Phil had a son born Dec 1900. Son John's second son has gone to a new school in Chippenham. His oldest son Walter is out of home - he feels his mind is better and they are trying him in the boot trade.
27th April 1902 A letter from Howard Cleverly to his aunt Meribah Alderman. The Post Office has been taken from his Aunt ELizabeth and moved across the street. House at the Grange rented and Aunt Elizabeth living with daughter Ada in Chippenham. Son Fred living in Jack's cottage.
30th Jan 1903 Elizabeth living with Ada in Chippenham. Rachel (daughter) and husband Sam Isaacs have seven children. Great upset concerning "Conservative Working Mens Benefit Society" of which Sam Isaacs was secretary re handling of funds, and because of receiving letters at Post Office. Son Fred also involved. Members of the society received interest on their money. Many Members of Parliament bank on it for their own interest. Apparently many members never received sick pay or applied for it as reported. Brother David loaned money to try and help Rachel and Sam Isaacs out of upset. Son Jack's youngest son has passed all exams for post office work.
August 1903 Son Fred has bought a coal business in Badminton
13 Jan 1904 Elizabeth wrote to her brother Joseph thanking him for the pictures. It was said that she had 18 grandchildren.
25 Jan 1904 Jennie Cleverly very busy on Jim's farm. Ernest and Clara there and helping her run it. Also son Olin.
19 Jan 1905 Elizabeth now with Fred at Yatton Keynell - all her money tied up with the Grange which is rented for 50 pounds a year as race training and hunting stables. It has now gone bankrupt and she and Fred are not receiving any rent so she can't pay Ada. Fred has a coal business as well as Biddlestone Walk. Son Jack says that mother's affairs are in a muddle. Jack has moved to Corsham, as Hullavington post has to go direct from Chippenham. He has three deliveries daily, but more money and cleaner journeys.
December 1906 Elizabeth and Fred back at the Grange. Elizabeth is 76. Fred has given up the coal business, but still has postal walks. Fred has two children, a boy and a girl.
30th March 1908 Elizabeth had seizure end of February and lost use of left arm and hand - very feeble - will be 78 in June. Fred's children had governess - but problem with paying bills - has coal trade and postal walks.
29th Dec 1908 Fred (son) has consumption and is not expected to get better - died 1909. Elizabeth looks well - she will live with son, Jack. Old age pension will come to England Nov 1st 1909 - eligible for pension at age 70.
25th Aug 1909 A letter from Jennie Cleverly to Joseph - Jennie Cleverly's mother died of grippe (old term for influenza). Rachel's second son, Hugh, working for her. Olin working very hard.
11th Jan 1911 Olin Hungerford Cleverly married Jan 11th 1911 to Mary Jessie Neff.
3rd March 1911 Elizabeth died March 3rd 1911 - three months before her 81st year. She had been living with son, Jack, for two years. He took her back with him at the time of Fred's funeral.
23rd August 1914 A letter from Ernest and Clara Cleverly. Jennie Cleverly, heart very poor and is sorry about Olin. Olin is on crutches from diseased hip.
26th Dec 1915 Letter to Mary A Alderman of Inwood. Mary Alderman had visited Jennie and she wrote telling her Olin had read book - Mary left. Man Jim had worked for, Mr Hathers, died.
Page updated 21/04/2008