| Description | Reflecting the purpose of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's own family journal kept throughout her life, Taylor Cadbury's grandson George Cadbury wrote this letter to his family which includes a detailed description of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's ninetieth birthday celebrations. A copy of this letter was kept by Taylor Cadbury as a record of the event. It is difficult to identify George Cadbury precisely in relation to his parents given that, as Scott notes, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury had over thirty eight grandchildren by the date of her birthday in 1948. However, George Cadbury refers to his aunt Eleanor, indicating that he was the son of one of Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's children, Eleanor Cadbury being Taylor Cadbury's stepdaughter. Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury had three grandsons called George born between 1907 and 1931. These were George Woodall Cadbury (born 1907), George Adrian Cadbury (born 1929) and George Timothy Cadbury (born 1931).
George Cadbury writes that a deputation of Quakers from Bournville Meeting had arrived at the Manor House on the morning of his grandmother's ninetieth birthday to join in with the Cadbury family's Morning Reading. Bournville staff and people associated with Taylor Cadbury through 'many other organisations' had arrived throughout the day to congratulate her. George Cadbury describes the large lunch party which had been organised, commenting on the display of presents in the drawing room which included many flowers and illuminated addresses. George Cadbury remarks that his grandmother had been 'snowed under with telegrams and letters', over 100 having arrived by 12pm on her birthday. He adds that a garden party had been held later in the day, noting that 'children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren swarmed over the lawn'.
At the conclusion of George Cadbury's letter he describes a 'special meeting' held at Bournville to celebrate Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's birthday which had been held at the Meeting House in Bournville, a place of worship which Taylor Cadbury had been responsible for developing alongside her husband George Cadbury in the early 1900s. George Cadbury describes the meeting at which Evelyn Sturge had asked for permission to 'depart from custom' and deliver an appreciative address about Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury to commemorate her ninety years. George writes 'she gave quite a "racy" speech, mentioning some of Grandmother's escapades as a girl', adding that there was 'much appreciative clapping.'
George Cadbury's letter also contains many references to other family news, including his involvement in 'waterways matters' in Gloucester. |