The Turner Letters: Letters from Home: from Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire to St Andrews, New Brunswick, 1830-1845

The Turner Letters are a collection of letters that provide a lively view of life in a rural village in times of upheaval. They originated in Milton Ernest in Bedfordshire and traveled to St Andrews in New Brunswick, Canada, to Thomas Turner, brother of John, the principal writer. The letters cover the years 1830-45 and give a detailed account of the lives of the Turner family and their friends and neighbors. John Turner was a Methodist baker whose father ran a farm, and his writings reflect his religious beliefs and his hatred of the Church of England. Thomas Turner was a merchant in a small Canadian port, and the correspondence relates to his suppliers and the difficulties of setting up a new business overseas. The letters also reveal the tragedy of the drowning of Susannah, Thomas's wife, in 1834 and the abuse of John's sister by her alcoholic husband. Overall, the Turner Letters provide a valuable insight into the lives of ordinary people in the 19th century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 398 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The Turner Letters, spanning the years 1830-45, provide a captivating glimpse into the life of a rural village during a period of significant upheaval. Originating from Milton Ernest in Bedfordshire, these letters traveled to St. Andrews in New Brunswick, Canada, where they were addressed to Thomas Turner, the brother of John, the primary writer. Their journey was fraught with challenges, as they navigated the waters by sailing boat and later aboard a steam ship.

Upon their return to England in the 1980s, the letters were acquired by the Bedfordshire Record Office, where they are currently housed, just a few miles from the original location where they were penned. The Turner Letters offer a vivid portrayal of village life during a time of profound change. John Turner, the main writer, hailed from a Methodist baker's family and his father managed a farm. His religious beliefs and deep-seated animosity towards the Church of England heavily influenced his writings. John's keen observations encompassed a range of significant societal issues, including the Reform Bill, the New Poor Law, and rural unrest, as well as local matters such as the establishment of foxhound kennels in the village. His vivid description of the villagers in 1834 offers a valuable insight into the daily lives of the people in Milton Ernest, providing a genuine sense of what it was like to live in that era.

John's brother, Thomas, was a merchant in a small Canadian port near the United States border. The correspondence reveals details about Thomas's suppliers and sheds light on the precarious nature of the journey from England to Canada and the challenges involved in establishing a new business in a foreign land. Above all, the Turner Letters tell human stories. The tragedy of Susannah, Thomas's wife, drowning in 1834, is vividly depicted through graphic newspaper accounts. Additionally, John's sister faced abuse at the hands of her alcoholic husband, while John's own life was marked by frustration and challenges. He initially struggled to cope with his housekeepers and later faced financial difficulties when he gambled away his inheritance.

The Turner Letters serve as a valuable historical resource, offering a unique perspective on the lives of ordinary individuals during a transformative period in British history. They provide a glimpse into the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of a rural community and shed light on the experiences of individuals who faced adversity and hardship. Through their letters, John and Thomas Turner have left a lasting legacy, allowing us to connect with their world and understand the complexities of the past.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780851550848