The Old Forge was for many years run by members of the same family. In 1855 James Stilwell was listed as beer retailer & blacksmith at the Pound Lane property¹. By 1878 "Steven Mackey & Son, shoeing smith"² were advertising and the business was still there still there in 1913^3. The Mackey's ran a riding school and forge.

1878 - "Steven Mackey & Son, shoeing smiths, from Messrs. Mavor's, vetinary surgeons, Park Street, Grosvenor square, London w. ; hunters and other horses of every description carefully shod on Mavor's principle at moderate terms, Pound Lane"²

Godalming born Steven Mackey was James Stillwell's son in law and worked for him as a farrier^4. Stephen was a widower in 1861 and shared a home with his father in law who was also a widower; Stephen's son was not at home. In 1881⁵ Stephen, by now 62 and a "Blacksmith Employing Three Men", was still living in Pound Lane with Emma Stillwell: Emma was both his sister in law and housekeeper and the daughter of James Stillwell⁴. The business was taken over by Harry Mackey, described as a Shoeing Smith (Master) in 1881 and who was with his wife and young family at 2 Cranmer Place⁵. In 1901 Harry was a "farrier" and so were his two sons Arthur and Harry⁶. Stephen died in 1900, aged 80, and Harry senior died in 1911.

The card, which shows that postage should have been a ½d, was not franked. It was, however, addressed to someone in St. Jean, Qué[bec]. I assume it was written by one of the Canadians who were based close by during the First World War. "Godalming being the largest town near our camp, though not as big as St. Jean" (rough translation from the French) . It is signed Adelard.

Also see, in another section of this website:
Godalming, Surrey : A Personal View
Godalming, Surrey : Murder, Trial & Execution, 1817-18