George Joseph Vining:
An Account of His Life

Chapter One

Our family were descendants of old Welch and German families not far back to royalty in the person P. Lew Prince Llewelyn on my Mother's side. My mother's family name was Prediger of whom there was seven or more sisters and one boy. My grandfather's name Thomas William, my Father's name TW Thomas William, my bros TW Thomas William, my son TF.son's Thomas Will. So much for the T.W.s

I was born in the city of Bristol, England on March 25th 1836. There were five children of us, 3 boys and 2 girls. One boy --Brother-- John stayed in England with his granduncle with his Aunt and Uncle. It was the intention alas to leave Bro Tom. He was in some famous noted school. He ran away to get himself disgraced so they would not take him back. So he came with us.

By recollection goes back to age of, I suppose, between three and four years of age. My father, if not rich, certainly lived in good style: Fine large house containing drawing room, parlor, nursery, 2 kitchens, 2 dining rooms, childrens and servants rooms -- entertained largely. I think they had five meals a day -- breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, and supper. --We-- Children did not stay --were not allowed to be-- up until the last meal.

I think my father was in the milling business. I remember going to a mill looking at pea splitting machine. They shipped oats, flour, etc. to Ireland. Also in the counting room (they did not say office we do) --we term it office--, I saw my first wafers --and wax used in fastening letters, as they knew of no other means, had neither envelopes or the many modern conveniences we enjoy this time and age.-- with which they fastened their letters, they use that and wax. They had no mucilage or blotters they used to use sand for blotters. I do not think I was over four years old then. I went to school a short time between 6 and 7 probably.

Bristol is on the river Severn I think, not far from the ocean in the river shipping, streets, churches, gardens are still fresh in my memory. Some way, somehow, to me unknown there came a very sudden change from affluence. We seemed to come down to pretty near poverty. Father was a Bon Vivant meaning a good liver, a society man -- dances, attended theater, drank, and played cards, I suspect for money. I know he did later. I think both parents were Episcopalians. I remember attending that church. Father went to America suddenly. I remember before we left the grand house, friends coming to sympathize with Ma and perhaps businessmen, perhaps others. I think furniture was sold. We had two fine pianos. One was sold and I think the other was kept and brought to this country for sister Fanny.

Watching the ebb and flow of the tide was a source of great pleasure and wonder to me even at that early age. One of --Mother's sisters-- my aunts --Aunt-- Sarah lived with us and often took us out to such places , --and sometimes to the country-- in the country. She taught us a great deal. I think she was a sort of governess to us children until they were the age to go out to school Besides being faithful friend to Ma, if as I think there were, any troubles or difficulty she took it or shared it, often championing Ma's clause if Father should want in willful moment to impose on her. More of her hereafter.

I should judge --my parents were-- they have been married 12 or 13 years in the downfall or change came suddenly. We moved into a small house on side street. Small rooms and cramped quarters with a little 10 by 12 shop as they called a store in England. I do not know the success or otherwise of the business. It could not amount to much. From there I went my first school, a little girl playmate called for me every morning. Of course I learned. Perhaps two years passed in these changes. I remember many incidents of our life but only incidents. About this time the talk got out among the children that we were going to America to see Pa.

This was when Brother Tom ran away from school. We children paid parting visits to favorite scenes, but the business and financial part I know nothing off, but which also held a future mystery.