Jackie Jack and John Barton.jpg
Jackie with his father Jack and grandfather John, ~1901.

"On May 22nd [1896] Jack's first-born was given to us all, and 'Jackie' was a very special loan to the family for 8½ bright happy years - but God took him November 1904." *Memoirs of Emily Elliott p112.


"Our little grandson Jackie too, will ever be remembered as part of our Abinger life - for he was with us for eleven weeks at the Rectory. Our Jack was at this time Chaplain at the Port of London, for Seamen's Mission; and living at Poplar; and as his little son had developed glandular trouble in his neck, the doctor forbade East End London climate for him. He had two operations that spring; which involved frequent dressings and bandagings. But no child could have given less trouble - or more pleasure to us all. It was pathetic to hear him say 'I'm such a little boy to have so many troubles!' He stayed with us until his fifth birthday, May 22 [1901], and we little thought then, that more than half his sweet life had already run. I have never known a child with so sensitive a conscience; or such a combination of manliness with love of beauty, colour, flowers, and scenery.

His Father cycled from Poplar to Abinger and back in the day four times whilst little Jackie was with us; and although the dear child was absolutely happy in the country with us, yet of course he longed on such days to go home with his Father, and to take, instead of send, the best golden buttercups he had picked for his Mother. But - never a tear - as he watched his Father's receding cycle, and squeezed one of our hands very hard. He said many quaint, as well as pretty things. Once 'How I do wish we could Poplar into Abinger! that would be lovely - but Poplar is so dirty - when I go back I must take a big piece of soap and wash Poplar!' (Rather a big order!) He walked all round a little plot of moss one day rather than put his foot on it - 'It is too beautiful - I cannot step on it'. When bluebells carpeted the woods, we picked and sent a good many to Bermondsey factory girls and others. Jackie exclaimed once 'Oh don't step on the bluebells, they are just like heaven!' 'Do you know why lilies of the valley are my favourites? because they always seem to speak of God.' And now both these dear young saints are safely gathered in 'Where ever lasting spring abides and never withering flowers'." *Memoirs of Emily Elliott pp122-123