Dear Mr. Weaver,
I was recently researching an old family friend when I happened upon your interesting historical articles relating to the Rev. A. G. Tippett. and his relationship with the Maple Shade community.
I thought that you and the historical society may be interested in some additional information surrounding the Tippett family.
This information came directly from my father who passed away a few years ago and my mother who is still very much alive (and 83).
My family is originally from the village of Eggbuckland in Plymouth, Devon, England. My great grandfather was the local school master and both my grandfather Bert Wood and his brother Archie Wood, lived all their lives in the village. Although many of us have relocated my family had/has strong links to the local church; St. Edwards.
The history as told to me was as follows; at some point the Rev. Tippett and Ada had returned to England first to London and then to the Plymouth area, with their three adopted daughters. Indeed the Reverend was an occasional speaker at St. Edwards church and well respected and known in the community. His early relationship with Plymouth is I believe well documented, specifically Devonport Dockyard.
I can't confirm the exact timings without a little more investigation, but the Reverend passed away and Ada and the girls were looking for somewhere to lodge. Coincidentally my great uncle (Archie Wood) had recently lost his wife and living in a larger house (Meadow House in Eggbuckland) at the centre of the village, was able to offer the family somewhere to reside (this would have been around the early to mid 1950's) Consequently Ada and her daughters moved in for some period of time; the eldest daughter subsequently left; I was told she married and moved away (to London I think) This left the two twin daughters (called also Ada and May) residing with their adoptive mother and my great uncle.
As an aside my great uncle later confided in my father that the older sister had in fact been the mother of the twins; she herself having been "rescued" when pregnant and taken under the Reverend and Mrs. Tippet' s wing; they subsequently adopted the twins as their own. Sadly Mrs. Tippett passed away and my great uncle was the Executor of her will, although there was very little in her Estate.
Of the twins Ada found well paid work in a local factory and subsequently married and moved away. May followed shortly thereafter, but continued to reside in the Plymouth area and would return to see my great uncle until his death in 1965. My great uncle had a number of small items left to him by Mrs. Tippett and upon my great uncle's death my father purchased Meadow House from the then owners. He was also the beneficiary of his great uncle. (I myself lived in the house up until the age of 12, and now live in Wiltshire.) Consequently upon my father's death several items were handed down to me. Perhaps most interesting are Rev. Tippett's service medals and some pamphlets relating to his missionary work in North America. The medals are the Queen's South Africa Medal with Transvaal Clasp, Kings South Africa Medal 1901 and 1902 both from the Boer War. The British War Medal and Victory Medal, the latter appended with a small banner stating "Canadian Buffs" from his service in the Great War. They have recently been displayed as part of the 100 year Armistice celebrations.
Finally, my mother knew Mrs. Tippett during her final years. (when my mother was training to be a nurse) She mentioned that Mrs. Tippett had been a very kind and engaging old lady who always had a story to tell and engaged with people easily and remembers her to this day.
Unfortunately I don't know where either the Rev. Tippett or Ada were laid to rest. It was probably local to the Plymouth area.
I hope these notes may be of interest to you and the historical society. As I continue to research my father's files I will happily provide you with copies of any information I come across relating to the Rev. and Mrs. Tippett, should you wish.
Best wishes
Mark Wood