‘Jack Alive’ Bobbin

Do you know the story of the “Jack Alive” Bobbin?

At the end of the 19th century there lived in the village of Lavendon (UK) an illiterate lacemaker, whose son, Jack, was a sailor.

The story varies slightly due to the passing of time, but the version I think is more plausible, is that when Jack went off to sea, his mother sent him off with a handful of bobbins each inscribed with ‘Jack Alive’.

Image courtesy of Cowper & Newton Museum

Every time Jack reached a port; he gave a bobbin to a sailor returning home, who would then give the bobbin to Jack’s mother upon returning to the UK. This allowed Jack’s mother to know her son was still alive.

The bobbin served as a tangible reminder and a way for the mother to know that her son was safe. It was a simple yet meaningful way for her to stay connected with her son's journey. 

Just love this story, if true or not it’s a lovely story to tell.