Music at Tunstall
I knew nothing of Harry until I read the letters. I had only heard of the 2nd great uncle James Charles, who had qualified as a doctor when he died of typhoid. 
The first mention of Harry is in James Charles's letter to his father of 29th November 1869. It also mentions the food parcel which has arrived. The contents are itemised and also "2 brown bags the use of which to Harry and myself is a mystery."
James Charles always signs his letters, J.C.Skinner whereas his brother always signs Harry Skinner or just Harry. James Charles and Harry's letters indicate their father is not well and that it is "an old complaint" or he is "much the same." They also concern themselves with the farm, the "marsh hay" and "drilling wheat on the marsh"
An aspect of all the letters, whether between the immediate family or from Jane Betsy's three 'Crow' cousins, indicate they find Emma Jane and Harry engaging personalities, enjoy their company and emphasise Harry's enthusiasm for music. These 'Crow' sisters, whether it is the two writing from Norwich, Mary Ann Howlett and Jane Bennett, or Georgiana Lesbini writing from Paris, indicate that Harry and Emma Jane are rallying around to help Jane Betsy after the devastating family tragedies.
Mary Ann Howlett, who is married to a music salesman, hopes "Harry has recovered from his duties" in November 1870, and asks for Emma Jane to be spared to come and stay with her again. Mary Ann's son William Howlett and her grandson Neville William Howlett become successful piano makers in Norwich.
Mary Ann's letter of October 1871 in which she asks Emma Jane to thank Jane Betsy and Harry for sparing her to stay with her so long, has some calculations on it, added at a later date by Emma Jane. These are the first indication I have found that, after the three tragic deaths, the Skinner properties have become confused with the Bately's.
In the calculations, the number 89 is multiplied by 5 to make 445. There are five Bately sisters expecting an income from their father's estate. I can guess it is a calculation of the share of rents from Tunstall and Cantley to be divided between the Jane Betsy and her sisters.
What Stephen Bately could not predict when he made his daughters beneficiaries in common for his estates, was the trends in agriculture. Within a few decades, greater mechanisation and centralisation of grain milling and the use of the railways to transport goods, might have seriously affected sales of crops. Especially in the case of produce which comes from remote places such as the farm at Tunstall and other farms in the area.
Whatever happened, Emma Jane, her sisters Laura and Mary Ann and her brother Harry were all working in and running shops within a few years. Jane Betsy may have had different ambitions for her youngest daughter, Rosa May, who was only six when her father and two brothers died. In the last of Harry's letters kept, he urges his mother to organise music lessons for Rosa May.
The youngest of the three 'Crow' cousins, Georgiana Lesbini writes from Paris. It is from her I have a glimpse of what must have seemed an idyllic lifestyle at Tunstall and that Jane Betsy is unwell and has given up running the farm. "Many times do my thoughts resort to the happy times spent at Tunstall. How is poor Mrs Skinner, I was sorry to hear of her poor state of health. She has done well to disembarrass herself from all business cares. I have no doubt you are longing for her restoration, so she may return to her former parental duties."
It is Georgiana's description of Harry which gives the clearest picture of him "Give our regards to him and tell him I never think of him without thinking of his harmonium at the same time. I must say he has a select taste in music, he must find it a great distraction for him in the evenings."
Georgiana is married Chararambus Lesbini, a Greek doctor. Her daughter Aspasia Aphrodite became a certified French governess and married a Belgian music professor. Georgiana's son, Platon William Lucas, I have tracked down to Hansworth, Birmingham. He dropped his first two names and is known just as Lucas. He becomes a jeweller. Georgiana's daughter Sapho lives in, and is in contact with, Emma Jane in London. She stays single and becomes a shorthand typist.
I wondered when Harry bought his harmonium? Harmoniums were being made in London in the 1860s and 1870s. They were becoming popular to replace bands in churches and chapels. The harmonium could have cost anything from £10 to £85 pounds according to advertisements of the time. It was an expensive item. It may have had knee operated bellows. Georgina's letter indicates Harry had a sophisticated harmonium and played it well, perhaps with a double keyboard.
It was likely the harmoniums at Tunstall were played for the summer events reported in the local newspapers. In the major auction of contents though, there are two harmoniums up for sale, so I guess they were not kept.
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