The ERLEBACH family

Woodland Erlebach and his family

Family Tree

Woodland's Early Years

Woodland was born at the Chapel House, Mere, Wiltshire on 8th December 1846. He was baptised on 28th March 1847 by Rev. W. Skinner of Bruton, Somerset at the Independant Chapel, Mere.

In May 1851, together with his brother and two sisters, he caught scarlatina and was extremely ill. His father Richard Philip wrote in a letter to Woodland's grandparents:

Yesterday I carried Woodland out of the room where Mary is, that he might die as I fully expected [without] her seeing it - but he is . . . and bids fair to recover.

Later from Ramsgate where they had gone to try to get over the loss of two of the children Richard Philip wrote:

Woody progresses but one side of his neck is swollen by an enlargement of the glands which makes him fretful

Woodland did recover fully, but in later life he suffered from diabetes.

Woodland's Education

His early education was either at home or at a school in Mere but at the age of 12 he went to Taunton to the West of England Dissenters' Proprietory School which he attended from 1858 to 1862. This would have entailed a journey by road to Gillingham and thence by train to Chard Junction and on to Taunton.

The school was started in July 1847 in the Wellington Road (then just outside Taunton) and financed by the sale of 800 shares of £10 each, 380 of which had been taken up by the spring of 1847. It was founded to provide an education in keeping with the Indepenent or Congregational denomination and the first four headmasters, covering the period up to 1894, were Congregational Ministers. In 1848 the school was affiliated to the University of London which allowed the pupils to take the University's examinations and, subsequently, degree courses. It could therefore be called Independent College which was used as an alternative name for several years.

The third headmaster, who served from 1857 to 1880, was Rev W. H. Griffith, one of the original shareholders, who had been minister to Chard Congregational Church (followed there by Rev William Densham and then in 1863 by Richard Philip Erlebach). He was the headmaster the whole of the time that Woodland and his brothers were there. The school expanded and in 1870 moved to the Fairwater Estate where it still exists as Taunton School, which is now a public school.

The routine of the school was that the boys were woken by a handbell at 6.30 with prayers in the schoolroom at 7am. The first lesson at 9am was Religious Instruction, followed by others until 12 o'clock. There were more lessons in the afternoon and prep after tea. Evening prayers followed prep and at 8pm supper. There were intervals during the day for exercise in the playground if the weather was suitable. Breakfast consisted of thick bread, butter and diluted milk. Dinner at 1pm was meat cut from a joint or meat pie and vegetables, followed by a plain or rice pudding. On Sunday there was currant pudding known as stickjaw. Tea was the same as breakfast except that on Sundays the pupils were allowed tea instead of milk to drink. Supper at 8pm, or when the boys returned from church on Sundays, was bread and cheese. This wholesome, if repetitious, diet was better than some other boarding schools of the period.

Early activities

Woodland's activities in the next few years are described in letters from his father to his grandparents. On 7th September 1863:

Very unexpectedly Woodland has gone to Weymouth to help in Mr Smith's school. It may not be a permanancy but we are not quite decided as to the course he will take. I dare say if he gets the chance he will pop in on you some day.

On 9th January 1865 to Richard's mother Mary:

We have the boys at home again - rejoicing in their liberty. Woodland does not return to Weymouth and as yet we have nothing for him to do.

On 26th June 1865 to Richard's mother Mary:

Woodland has not yet heard of any occupation. He has been disappointed in two cases which have raised our hopes. We must have a little more patience.

On 4th September 1865 to Richard's mother Mary:

One of our household has left us for the great City. Woodland has taken a place in a German house of business. He went last Wednesday and we hope it will suit him. Their trade is in velvets and embroidery. The hours are rather long from ¼ past 8 to 7, but I hope they may be diminished. His salary is to find him clothes etc. for the present and his board and lodging will be our charge. He has £25 to begin with.

He did not neglect his education and studied until he:

matriculated as student in the University of London in the year 1867, and that he was placed in the FIRST DIVISION

His certificate is dated 7th February 1867 and signed William B Carpenter, Registrar

Further Employment

There is some uncertainty over his employers for the next few years. His sister Mary married William Collard in April 1867, who was the founder of Collard and Stevenson, wool and cloth warehousemen of 96, St. Martins Lane and Woodland did eventually join this company. From Woodland's brother Eustace's diaries we know that by 1870 Eustace had moved into rented rooms with Woodland at 333, Liverpool Road, Islington. Woodland did visit his sister Mary at 80 Claverton Street, Pimlico very often, sometimes staying overnight or even for several days. Eustace noted on 27th Jan 1871 p[ai]d Wood £6.5/- to pay Collard and Stevenson for cloth supplied and on 2nd June 1873 (a Bank holiday) Wood went to 80 to work. This perhaps suggests that by 1873 Woodland, in his spare time, was assisting with his brother-in-law's business. Eustace also notes on 31st July 1872 Wood finished at Mr. Ridgeway's, on 2nd September 1872 Wood went for first time to Duthorit & Taylor, 49, Gresham Street, on 6th January 1874 Took round 2 letters & postcard from Alf to Wood at Gresham Street, on 20th July 1875 Took flannels to Wood at St. Martins Lane to be sent home and on 24th January 1876 I went to St. M[artins] Lane and spoke to Wood. This indicates that sometime in 1874 or the first half of 1875 Woodland left Duthorit and Taylor and joined his brother-in-law William Collard where he spent the rest of his working life.

Union Chapel

Soon after coming to London Woodland, together with Eustace, joined Union Chapel in Compton Terrace, Islington. Not only were there Sunday services but the Chapel also ran football and cricket teams in which the brothers played with some success. Matches were played against local schools and other similar teams.

He also became involved with the Nichol Street Mission, Bethnal Green. The mission was founded in 1836 by Mr. Jonathon Duthoit a silk manufacturer and employer in Spitalfields. Due to the decay of industry this area was plunged into direst poverty which he saw when visiting homes to distribute Mansion House relief. He decide to start a mission in a room in Short Street (no longer in existence) with some of his factory girls as a nucleus. Mission and education were its twin activities which were maintained in its early years solely by his efforts and liberality. Help soon came from the well-to-do suburb of Highbury, where he lived, and particularly from Union Chapel of which he was a deacon; resulting in a long association between the Chapel and the Mission. The work was expanded and new premises were found in Nichol Street (now Old Nichol Street) and later in Club Row. However with the passing in 1870 of an Act introducing compulsory education the numbers attending the Mission school began to decrease due to other schools being set up.

There was still plenty of work to do with a service on Sunday evenings and classes on five nights a week for most of the year. Over a thousand boys, girls and adults attended the classes given by a rota of teachers from a list of up to 65. Woodland took on the work of teaching and acting as superintendent on many occasions and was involved with this work for the rest of his life. For the Sunday services he produced hymns printed on rolls of material in characters large enough to be read by all the children in the room. This meant a somewhat restricted choice of hymns as it was a major task to produce a new one.

Every year during a period of three days in January a Treat was given to the boys and girls. Typical is the one held in 1872: On 23rd January about 590 boys & girls - views of Paris by Mr. Housden - Slides & Lantern lent by Mr. Hickie, John Gilpin - followed by Prof Narcoth from Issards 136 Regent Street conjouring &c - Balloons. Then on 24th January about 700 boys & girls - Alone in London by Mr. Henderson - lantern lent by Mr. Hickie - another conjourer from Issards and lastly on 25th January came the infants treat.

The two brothers got home at 7.45 - both very tired. Wood not at all well. This resulted in an illness lasting several days for on 26th January he was still very poorly and later WE went to bed at 8.45. On the next say, Saturday, Wood still very unwell - hardly able to get to business, however when Eustace returned home from his work he found Wood at home much better. This did not last as on Sunday Wood rather worse and as a result he stayed at home all day. On Monday Eustace wrote letters early post to Mamma and Art but did not say anything about Wood's health, he is about the same. Later on the same day Dr. Jeaffreson came to see Wood and on Tuesday morning he wrote to Mamma telling about Wood and Dr. Jeaffreson came to see Wood again. This seems to be the turning point as on Wednesday 31st January Wood rather better and the next day he went round to 80 and slept there, this referring to his sister's house at 80 Claverton Street. He came back on Friday but went again on Sunday and returned on Monday better at last.

Every June prizes were given to the children who had done well and then in June or July all the children were taken on an outing to the country. Typically in 1874 it was to Walton-on-the Naze and in 1875 to Epping.

Various Matters

Some details of Woodland's early life were noted by Eustace and give an idea of his activities and interests.

There are many references to the Union Cricket Club for which he played and served on the committee.

On 19th November 1870 Wood brought home his photographs - never thought he was so meek before. On 4th February 1871 he bought some mess called Stephens Blue Black Ink and on 14th-15th May 1872 he caused some consternation:

Wood did not come home - expected to find him in a hospital - was however mistaken - he had stopped at Mary's without saying anything to Mrs. S. [Mrs. Sharpe, their landlady] or self. When I complained to him at Spitalf[ields] in the evening he called me a great fool - How does this strike the reader?

Woodland seemed particularly fond of going to 163 Windmill Street, Gravesend to visit Pollie, Janie and Sibbie Woodland, members of his mother's family.

On 6th August 1872 he went, with his sister and her children, to Sandown on the Isle of Wight for a holiday. They were joined at various times by Alfred, Eustace, Arthur, their mother and by a Miss Collard (sister of William?) They bathed, played cricket and croquet and visited many places, including Ventnor, Bonchurch and Carisbrooke Castle and he returned to London on 27th August. This was repeated in 1873 from 16th to 25th August.

Christmas during the 1870's usually meant a family gathering with his parents in Chard. Typically in 1872 on 24th December Wood and I [Eustace] left by the 4.5 train from Waterloo for Chard - due at 9 - reached soon after 11! Christmas day was wet so they played Bezique together - after Xmas dinner weighed ourselves at the station Alf 150 Papa 146 Art 139 Eus 138 Wood 131. The weather improved over the next few days so they were able to play croquet and go walking.

In 1875 the brothers had to move as on 29th January Mrs Sharpe asks Wood to leave as soon as possible. They put an Advertisement in Gazette (Islington) for Apartments and moved to 6, Canonbury Square on 1st March. Sometime between then and the end of 1880 they moved to 33 Canonbury Park North but there is no record of the date. A further move took place when Eustace got married on 27th January 1881 and went to live at 21 Marquess Road, Woodland moving in with them.

A change of venue for holidays came in 1878 when Woodland, his brothers and parents went to Ambleside in the Lake District staying at Prospect Cottage, Kirkstone Road from 13th to 29th August. During this stay they visited many beautiful places in spite of some wet days and this was the first of many visits both he and Eustace made to this area.

The Bindleys

In 1880 the Bindleys came on the scene. They had lived in Edgbaston, Birmingham until after the death of Dr. Bindley when Mrs. Bindley brought the ten children (6 sons and 4 daughters) to live in Highbury Hill. A newspaper obituary of Woodland states that the Bindley's moved with special commendation from Dr. Dale to Dr. Allon, Miss Bindley's father having been the medical adviser and intimate friend of the eminent minister of Carr's Lane. The Bindleys attended Union Chapel and also took a keen interest in the work of the Nichol Street mission, presumably meeting Woodland and Eustace at one of these locations. Woodland and Eustace took to visiting the Bindleys at Highbury Hill, for example on 28th June 1880 After tea WE & self called on Bindleys - Misses R & E there also Alfred. Others in Birmingham. By this time Elizabeth was married, the other sisters being Nellie (possibly nicknamed Ellen), Ruth and Emily.

On 31st January 1882 Wood in abt 10 - Wood announced to us his engagement with Miss Emily Sarah Bindley! She was the youngest of the sisters and according to Woodland and Emily's youngest son Clive the rumour was that Woodland fancied one of the other two, but married Emily. According to Eustace on the night before the wedding Wood [was] unable to sleep all night. The marriage was on 19th July 1882 at Union Chapel, the service being taken by Dr. Dale. That night Eustace noted very strange no Wood to come in.

Married Life

The couple set up home at 54 Hamilton Road, Highbury. Woodland complained to the Post Office that all pillar boxes were distant and without delay a box was erected immediately outside the house. The children born there were Lillian in 1883, Dorothy in 1886 and Woodland Bernard (known as Bernard) in 1888. They then moved to 23 Highbury Hill and Clive was born in 1891.

Involvement with Nichol Street continued and throughout the year the Emily and her daughters worked on embroidery and other goods, holding an annual sale of work to raise money for Nichol Street. Emily also made all the children's clothes and on the third Thursday of each month had an at home day when visitors were welcome to call.

Holidays were not neglected, Bonets Farm in Capel (where the windmill served as a shire mark between Surrey and Sussex) was the most popular. Woodland also took the family on several visits to the Lake District and once to Lucern, Grindlewald and Murren in Switzerland.

When Woodland's brother Alfred died in 1899 he left a considerable amount of Railway Stock to Woodland, who designated this unexpected legacy to be children's money. Bicycles were bought for the boys and Clive thinks that the girls were bought sewing machines from this money.

Collard, Parsons & Company

In 1887 Woodland's brother-in-law William Collard formed a partnership with Frederick Parsons in order to bring additional capital into the business and the firm became Collard, Parsons & Company. In 1888 the firm moved to 20, Savile Row, a street previously favoured by doctors but starting to become a centre for cloth merchants and tailors. The company prospered, according to the booklet Woollen Measure produced in 1957 to commemorate the company's centenary, with impressive orders from the military, for these were the days when the wardrobes of Her Majesty's Officers reflected the splendour of the Raj. At home uniforms were also required for retinues of servants . . . in gorgeous liveries.

In 1895 William Collard died and the firm continued under the control of Woodland Erlebach and Frederick Parsons. In 1907 the latter retired and wanted the return of the capital he had invested in the business. This meant the start of a difficult period for the business which was now run by Woodland and two of the founder's sons, William and Norman Collard. The two Collards were extravagant and Woodland had to keep them in check. There is some doubt whether Woodland ever became a partner but his strong influence was effective in keeping the company together in difficult times.

Later Years

The outbreak of war in 1914 was a great blow to Woodland as his love for peace was firmly held. He accepted the position when his two sons volunteered for service, but the thought of war was abhorrent to him.

In 1887 Jonathon Duthoit the Deacon Superintendent at Nichol Street gave up this post due to ill health. Jas. Barnard took this position for a short time and then Woodland took over and remained in this post for almost 30 years.

In 1917, while on holiday at Little Kingshill, Bucks. Woodland had a stroke. A few days later, at 11.45pm on 26th September, he died. A local funeral was decided on which was on 29th September with a service at the local Baptish Chapel, followed by tea for the mourners at the Buckingham Arms.

After this Emily and Dorothy moved to a smaller house at 56 Derwent Road, Palmer's Green.