CHARLES
Born in Paris.
Little is known of his early life. He must have worked and lived in Yorkshire for some time as his first three children were born there.
His work, as described on a birth certificate of his son William in 1874 was a 'Telegraph Instrument Maker'.(The telephone was invented in 1874). Then his address was given as 17 Leveston Street, Kentish Town.
It was also said he had some kind of jewellers and watchmakers business.
Described as a very dapper little man, small in height with hair a foot high and usually wore a watch and chain.
Ill treated his wife. Spent last years of his life at Primrose Villa, Dagenham, the home of William, his son. It was said that his family in the North were not too keen to look after him! However, in one of his letters written in 1908, he mentions a pleasant time staying with his son Joe (who lived in the North then). He died in 1917 (as did William's wife) at Primrose Villa. His family from the North attended his funeral and took much of his memorabilia back with them, including two beautiful paintings of gypsies. He was buried in the cemetry of Dagenham Church.
Supposedly spoke broken English although Violet, the daughter of William, thought he spoke good English and can't remember an accent. She said the local postman (called Patience) spoke French and would often chat to Charles in his native tongue. Alfred, his son told William's daughter Vi that he spoke a few languages.
Was very mean, said to 'cook a kipper over a candle'.
Sent threepenny pieces enclosed in wallnut shells for small presents.
An excellent drawer and handwriting was exquisite.
His mother and father were supposed to be of high birth in France. Maybe aristocracy ?
The black sheep of the family. His father married again and he was robbed of estates etc. They went to stepchildren.
Later in life, his address was 3 Silver Street, Edmonton, London.
Born in London
As Charles was a Catholic and Louisia was not, she avoided the issue of the children attending a Catholic church by taking them on long Sunday walks.
No other information on Louisia except that Rita Nicod (a granddaughter) understood she had married out of her class - whether above or below is not clear.
(These snippets were given to me by my mother and Violet, a daughter of William. The aristocracy bit sounds fanciful imagination.
(Terry)
The following is a typed transcript of a letter to Annie, wife of his son Alfred.
The young family had moved to Hebburn-on -Tyne. In the letter, Alfie is
probably the eldest son of Alfred on a holiday from the North and staying
with his mother's parents Mr and Mrs Knapp in London. The 'shop' referred to
could be the original workshop of A Reyrolle in Soho, London. A few of the
Nicod family were involved with Reyrolle including his sons Alfred and Joseph
and possibly George, a brother to Annie Knapp.
London Nov. 6. 03
Dear Annie
Received your very welcome letter and was indeed very much surprised to hear you've been compelled to move to another place; of course I admit the more than urgent necessity for you to do so as regards its being flooded but as to its being harmful don't believe much in that sort of thing. My first thought and it came to me so suddenly that I couldn't but exclaim ( Forgive me for being rude ) Rats !!! That was more likely the trouble I believe, quite enough too to drive you away !
Glad you found a nicer place and cheaper too. Trust by this time you feel quite settled.
You may judge of my surprise one day opening the door to Alfie, when he came to London to spend his holidays couldn't make it out, was I awake, dreaming or walking in my sleep ? It was himself right enough. What a long journey for him to come alone such a distance from London !He is getting quite a traveller. Thought of going to see him, Mr & Mrs Knapp and brother George as well but weather execrable, not a day without rain, rain nothing but rain, you must have seen it in the papers. You didn't mention George in your letter. Is he working at Hebburn or here in London in the old Shop ?
Now that the winter is upon us you'll find in one sense more lively at Hebburn, where it is so near to go to a place of amusement. What a comfort for Fred to come home early in the evening, go out and have a thorough good laugh ! That's better than to pay for Doctor's Medicine. Take it for granted that you're in good health yourself, that little Annie has fully recovered from her illness ( sore throat ) in fact you're all as well as can be expected. Had a letter recently from Jim. Haven't you heard of him yet ? Said to me his wife sent you a letter some time ago. His boy Alfred has been ill with Diarrhoea and had to get a civilian doctor. What do you think they charge for a visit ? 1 dollar ( 4/2 English money ) without any medicine if some is required he writes out a prescription and you must have it made up at the chemists, then it's 2 or 3/- more ( that's what they do in France too ) So you see it is no joke to be ill in Halifax or any other part of Canada I expect. Jim himself got a severe cold watching a football match and hadn't got over it then. Will send him an excellent recipe for Diarrhoea that never fails having tried it myself with the best results.
Here it is, dear Annie, might be of some use to you and family.
Remedy for Diarrhoea
Tincture of Opium
" " Rhubarb
" " Ginger
" " Peppermint
" " Capsicum
Dose : 15 drops in a vineglassful
of water every hour
increase to 20 if necessary-
Usual price 4 d.
Just got over that terrible "Guy Fawkes day - Wonder whether you get such a thing at Hebburn. It is very tame here but in some places they celebrate the event with a vengeance, at Lewes in Sussex for instance. I enclose a full description of it, it'll amuse the boys. Next Monday, Lord Mayor's Show which they would certainly enjoy.
Needless to say we had already a taste of those November fogs in London may you not be plagued with them at Hebburn also ! Have no trouble with Mr Speary my new tenant, rent paid very punctually, so comes in very handy. Well, dear Annie, that's all the news for the present, hoping you and the little ones are pretty well.
I remain
Your affectionate
"Grand Pa"
Ch. Nicod
Love to Fred and the children
x x x
x x x
Specials to dear Lottie
Annie and baby Violet
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