Glass gift is key to a clear family past
A sentimental glass pen holder has revealed a tragic tale of birth and death following a meeting between its owner and the family of its creator – more than 70 years after it was made.
Owner Graham Morris had little idea about the heartbreaking story behind the perfectly-crafted piece he inherited from his mother and former midwife, Sister Clara Morris, after she died in 1993.
But following a meeting with the family of maker William Henry Swingewood senior, the 66-year-old has had it confirmed it was presented as a gift to his mother who delivered Mr Swingewood's grandson John in King William Street in Amblecote, Wordsley, in 1940.
The sad twist to the tale is that Sister Morris was unable to save John Swingewood's mother Lily, who died nine days later because of complications from giving birth.
John Swingewood, now aged 74, was looked after by grandparents Lily and Mr Swingewood senior, who was a renowned glass maker in the Black Country at the start of the 20th century.
This week, John Swingewood and his son Paul, aged 48, met with Graham Morris to connect their life stories through the glass pen and holder, which is worth about £100.
It followed the two parties missing each other by about 20 minutes at a valuation day at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Amblecote two weeks ago.
Organisers of the event helped bring them together.
"It is both strange and extremely rewarding to find out the background to the glass piece," said Mr Morris, a retired chartered surveyor who lives in Cannock.
"Just at a time when midwifes probably don't get the praise they deserve, here my mother was given a gift for delivering a baby, despite not being able to save the mother.
"It shows she must have been doing something right and for me, it is lovely to think she was so well thought of."
It is believed the distinctive glass pen holder was one of a number of glass items given as a present from Mr Swingewood senior to Sister Morris, who worked in Brierley Hill as the district midwife between 1934 and 1947.
John Swingewood later became an electrician and now lives in Kingswinford.
John Swingewood's son Paul has been attempting to track down his grandfather's pieces of work.
He said: "My granddad did give out presents of glass to people that helped him out – this is just one example of him thanking someone who has helped his family.
"He was well-known for his work.
"He was like a local celebrity in the area.
"For me, it is wonderful to come across a tale like this connected to the family.
"I asked to buy it, but Mr Morris wants to keep the piece because it is sentimental for his family, and I understand that."
While working as a mid-wife, Sister Morris delivered 998 babies – only giving up when she gave birth to her only son, Graham Morris.
She took over the industrial surgery at Ernest Stevens Judge International in Cradley Heath in 1955.
Five years later helped redevelop the surgery at Noah Hingley's Ironworks in Netherton.
Her husband Cyril, who was production manager at Judge International in Brierley Hill, died in 1988 aged 81.
