A Precious Book:
The Story of the Callaway Family
Eric and Sandra Callaway
June 2014
This article is about a book (a Bible) owned by a Box family, Eric & Sandra Callaway.
It tells the story of the merging of the Callaways and the Abrahams families and
the business connection between the Box and Corsham areas.
Family Bible
The book is precious because it was annotated with family details. It was handed down through the generations and it recorded the history of aunts and uncles (who sometimes had moved away) and of grandparents (often deceased).
These Bibles were in regular use. They formed the centrepiece of daily worship, mealtimes and evening prayers. In them were recorded the dates of birth of each child and sometimes the tragedies of domestic deaths. Often there were enclosures, with newspaper cuttings of important local events. All of this can be found in the Callaway Family Bible.
The book is precious because it was annotated with family details. It was handed down through the generations and it recorded the history of aunts and uncles (who sometimes had moved away) and of grandparents (often deceased).
These Bibles were in regular use. They formed the centrepiece of daily worship, mealtimes and evening prayers. In them were recorded the dates of birth of each child and sometimes the tragedies of domestic deaths. Often there were enclosures, with newspaper cuttings of important local events. All of this can be found in the Callaway Family Bible.
Family History
The details recorded in the Callaway Bible are the bare facts of the late Victorian Callaway family:
The details recorded in the Callaway Bible are the bare facts of the late Victorian Callaway family:
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Edward Callaway
Rhoda Wise Evan "Daisy" Callaway (nee Abrahams) Ernest Edward "Eddie" Callaway Francis Reginald Callaway Frederick George Callaway Brenda Irene Callaway |
b 28 July 1885
b 23 April 1887 b 18 March 1906 b 17 January 1908 b 12 October 1910 b 21 June 1914 |
In this article, we piece together the story of these people and bring them up to modern times concluding with the story of
Eric and Sandra Callaway, who still live in Ashley.
Eric and Sandra Callaway, who still live in Ashley.
Callaway Great-Grandparents
Eric's paternal great-grand parents were Henry Callaway (b 1855), a coal merchants' carter, and Mary (b 1856) who in 1901 lived at Westbury Cottage, Combe Down with the their eldest son, Edward and six other children.
Eric's paternal great-grand parents were Henry Callaway (b 1855), a coal merchants' carter, and Mary (b 1856) who in 1901 lived at Westbury Cottage, Combe Down with the their eldest son, Edward and six other children.
Grandfather Edward Callaway (1885 - 1965)
Edward Callaway (Eric's grandfather) was born in the same year that General Gordon was killed at Khartoum but their lives were very different. Edward was born in Bath and worked most of his life as a domestic coachman. At one time Edward was possibly working as a coachman for William Stancomb at Blounts Court. He lived at Mill Lane, then later at Crossways Lodge, Box Hill, where he worked for the Wills family who owned Shockerwick House.
Possibly the only similarity between Edward and General Gordon was their military prowess and you can read how Edward was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in the Great War at In Memoriam.
Edward Callaway (Eric's grandfather) was born in the same year that General Gordon was killed at Khartoum but their lives were very different. Edward was born in Bath and worked most of his life as a domestic coachman. At one time Edward was possibly working as a coachman for William Stancomb at Blounts Court. He lived at Mill Lane, then later at Crossways Lodge, Box Hill, where he worked for the Wills family who owned Shockerwick House.
Possibly the only similarity between Edward and General Gordon was their military prowess and you can read how Edward was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in the Great War at In Memoriam.
Abrahams Family
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Abrahams Great-Grandparents
Above Eric's great-grandparents Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis Abrahams in about 1900.
They were the parents of Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams.
Grandmother Rhoda Wise Evan Abrahams (1887-1964)
Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams was born in Bath in the same year that Queen Victoria was appointed Empress of India. Rhoda was part of a family of butchers. Her father Ernest (pictured above) worked as a butcher at St James Court, Bath in 1891. The Abrahams family had a slaughterhouse at Box Hill and shops at Box, Winsley, Corsham and Colerne.
In 1905 Daisy married Edward Callaway and this branch of the family merged under the Callaway name.
Above Eric's great-grandparents Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis Abrahams in about 1900.
They were the parents of Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams.
Grandmother Rhoda Wise Evan Abrahams (1887-1964)
Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams was born in Bath in the same year that Queen Victoria was appointed Empress of India. Rhoda was part of a family of butchers. Her father Ernest (pictured above) worked as a butcher at St James Court, Bath in 1891. The Abrahams family had a slaughterhouse at Box Hill and shops at Box, Winsley, Corsham and Colerne.
In 1905 Daisy married Edward Callaway and this branch of the family merged under the Callaway name.
Father "Eddie" Callaway - the Favourite Grandchild (1906-1981)
In the 1911 census, Eric's father, Ernest Edward ("Eddie") Callaway (aged 5), was living with his Abrahams grandparents: Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis, his wife, at Brookwell, Box Hill. It was not uncommon then to live with grandparents rather than direct family units.
Eddie was spoilt by his grandparents, living with them for long periods. It was also a financial help to the Callaways and the Abrahams butcher trade was very successful. Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis lived in some comfort in six rooms with their two sons: Edward Bodia Abrahams (21) and Francis George Abrahams (20) both of whom assisted in the family business. Also living there was the widowed maternal grandmother, Rhoda Evans, as well as Eric's father.
Left: Golden Wedding celebrations in 1960s caught this family portrait.
Callaways Left to Right: Uncle Frederick George, Grandmother Daisy, Uncle Francis Reginald, Grandfather Edward, and father Ernest Edward
In the 1911 census, Eric's father, Ernest Edward ("Eddie") Callaway (aged 5), was living with his Abrahams grandparents: Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis, his wife, at Brookwell, Box Hill. It was not uncommon then to live with grandparents rather than direct family units.
Eddie was spoilt by his grandparents, living with them for long periods. It was also a financial help to the Callaways and the Abrahams butcher trade was very successful. Ernest Edward Abrahams and Francis lived in some comfort in six rooms with their two sons: Edward Bodia Abrahams (21) and Francis George Abrahams (20) both of whom assisted in the family business. Also living there was the widowed maternal grandmother, Rhoda Evans, as well as Eric's father.
Left: Golden Wedding celebrations in 1960s caught this family portrait.
Callaways Left to Right: Uncle Frederick George, Grandmother Daisy, Uncle Francis Reginald, Grandfather Edward, and father Ernest Edward
Eddie was a child during the Great War and received a certificate of attendance commemorating his Industry and Progress. Meanwhile, Eric's two uncles, Francis Reginald and Frederick George Callaway were separated from their older brother and in 1911 they were still living with their father and mother at Lower Street, Potterne. Nonetheless the family stayed together as a united unit as this picture of a family picnic with friends from the 1920s shows.
Back row male on left Les Hinton, centre father Eddie with handkerchief on head and braces; female right grandmother Daisy
Eddie was a poultry farmer before the Second World War. He married with another of the long-established Box families when in 1936 he married Eric's mother, Lillian May ("Cis") Oatley at Yatton Keynell. They had a house built at Dorma, Box Hill where they lived until wartime. Then he worked underground at Springfield Quarry making aircraft parts for the British Air Company.
When peace came he took a job as an insurance agent as the man from the Pru who had a regular weekly circuit collecting money and dispensing advice in an area from South Wraxall to RAF Colerne and including Box village, Hawthorne, Kingsdown and Ashley, which he travelled to on his bike. He called at the prefabs at Box Highlands on Saturday morning because they still had some money then after the weekly pay day.
Eric Callaway (b 9 May 1944)
Eric has lived in Box all his life. He was born here, went to Box School until he was 11 years, then to Shurnold (later called George Ward) School in Melksham. He knows a lot about his family because of anecdotes and the family Bible.
When peace came he took a job as an insurance agent as the man from the Pru who had a regular weekly circuit collecting money and dispensing advice in an area from South Wraxall to RAF Colerne and including Box village, Hawthorne, Kingsdown and Ashley, which he travelled to on his bike. He called at the prefabs at Box Highlands on Saturday morning because they still had some money then after the weekly pay day.
Eric Callaway (b 9 May 1944)
Eric has lived in Box all his life. He was born here, went to Box School until he was 11 years, then to Shurnold (later called George Ward) School in Melksham. He knows a lot about his family because of anecdotes and the family Bible.
The Rising Sun Tragedy
When he was a youngster, Eric's family lived next door to the Rising Sun pub on Box Hill. Eric was still a young child but he remembers clearly the terrible tragedy of 1956 when a gas leaked caused a major explosion in the pub killing an adult and two children. The full story of the explosion is given by PC John Bosley. Eric and his family had to move out of their house.
Eric remembers his childhood which spanned across to a world now gone.
Dr James Martin taught his father, uncles and aunts to swim.His family is etched into the history of the village.
When he was a youngster, Eric's family lived next door to the Rising Sun pub on Box Hill. Eric was still a young child but he remembers clearly the terrible tragedy of 1956 when a gas leaked caused a major explosion in the pub killing an adult and two children. The full story of the explosion is given by PC John Bosley. Eric and his family had to move out of their house.
Eric remembers his childhood which spanned across to a world now gone.
Dr James Martin taught his father, uncles and aunts to swim.His family is etched into the history of the village.
Eric worked locally for much of his adult life. After school, he went straight into Copenacre and stayed there until 1973. Then he joined Walters Engineering who made tail beams for coal handling equipment. The beams were up to 55 feet long and needed concrete blocks over them as ballast. Eric's work sometimes involved flame cutting 6 inch thick metal using a magic eye. Eric is on left in this photo which was taken at the bottom of The Wharf in Box.
Eric remembers the stone wharves at Box Halt, the railway station at the centre of the village, and the weigh bridge that operated there.
He and Sandra married in 1966 at Malmesbury Abbey. In recent years they have used their long association with Box to fundraise for local groups: the Scouts, the Methodist Church and other local charities.
Eric remembers the stone wharves at Box Halt, the railway station at the centre of the village, and the weigh bridge that operated there.
He and Sandra married in 1966 at Malmesbury Abbey. In recent years they have used their long association with Box to fundraise for local groups: the Scouts, the Methodist Church and other local charities.
Addendum
Callaways
1. Henry Callaway (b 1855) married Mary (b 1856)
Children: Edward (1885-1965); William (b 1887); Beatrice (b 1890); Margaret (b 1892); Annie (b 1894); Daisy (b 1897); and Frederick (b 1900)
2. Edward Callaway (1885-1965) married Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams (1887-1964)
Children: Ernest Edward (1906-1981); Francis Reginald (b 1908); Frederick George (b 1910); and Brenda Irene (b 1914)
3. Ernest Edward Callaway (1906-1981) married Lillian May Oatley (1910-1989)
4. Eric Callaway (b 1944)
Callaways
1. Henry Callaway (b 1855) married Mary (b 1856)
Children: Edward (1885-1965); William (b 1887); Beatrice (b 1890); Margaret (b 1892); Annie (b 1894); Daisy (b 1897); and Frederick (b 1900)
2. Edward Callaway (1885-1965) married Rhoda Wise Evan ("Daisy") Abrahams (1887-1964)
Children: Ernest Edward (1906-1981); Francis Reginald (b 1908); Frederick George (b 1910); and Brenda Irene (b 1914)
3. Ernest Edward Callaway (1906-1981) married Lillian May Oatley (1910-1989)
4. Eric Callaway (b 1944)