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C.Hooper to Ann May 8 Dec 1821 Croydon 12th mo 8th 1821 My dear Cousin The sight of thy acceptable letter accompanying my box was truly gratifying and the perusal of it proved not less so it seemed almost like being in thy company for a few minutes, which I have sometimes been ready to wish I could be, just to know how things are going with you for after having so long had the privileged enjoyment of being thy companion I feel interested and almost a sharer in all that concerns thee - it gave me pleasure to hear of thy being nicely in health & wish I could hear the same of thy dear S.M. - whom I should much like to meet with but do not feel willing to leave dear home just now- in my last letter to Edward I told him I wished he would bring his father down, but I fear this favour will not (perhaps cannot) be granted - I can my valued friend fully unite with thee in feeling that for any length of time "there is nothing like home" for I have rejoiced to find myself once more under its shelter, although I had so much real enjoyment during my late visits, which often form a subject of agreeable recollection, & grateful sensations for the kindness received from my friends. I found my beloved Mother better in health & spirits than when I left her, but she has been but indifferent lately, but not more than is often the case. It would be relieving to her & all of us to hear again from our dear Benjamin & Sarah we have not had any account since the first - I have not yet thanked thee for having my box so nicely packed & sent I was not in want of it before its arrival; it was pleasant to see an Ampthill friend here and to hear a little about the place & its inhabitants. M.Bennell & daughter took tea with us last 1st day, in company with B.Batt & wife - I must trouble thee to send me one thing more which I left & forgot to mention, & that is Burnet Barton's poems - I think it was in the bookcase when I left Ampthill, but there is no hurry about sending it. I am really glad to hear of Alfred Tuckett's settling so nicely it must be quite a comfort to his mother. it seems likely to prove a highly advantageous situation to him - when thou seest him or Philip I should like to be remembered to them. I wish J.Wheeler's shop may be found an eligible situation for Charles it does appear so desirable you should have some of your children near you. As for my poor Edward I have only seen him once since my return home. I think it cannot be said that I take him much out of his business, which I know is very difficult for him to leave. I am sorry to find he has been a sufferer from toothache but it is now much better - he seems rather amused at my being so anxious to remain quietly at home for the present - and hopes he shall find me as much of a fixture at the Court - If I am not much more so he will (if I am not mistaken) complain of my not liking my home instead of being so fond of it - for he would be a Bachelor half the year if I do as I have the last Twelvemonth - I am now looking forward to going to Brighton in a few weeks, as my friends there wish me to pay my visit in their vacation. My sister Nancy came home last evening and brought a good account of all my relations in town, except Mary's children who are poorly - Rachel left us yesterday morning to pay a visit to Cousin R.C.Cooper which has been promised some time, and cousin R particularly wished to have her now as she has met with an accident & hurt her left arm sadly so that she needs assistance & company, so we cannot manage to be all three at home as we wished - Brother & Sister Watson like their new habitation very much and are now comfortably settled; we had the twins for a fortnight while they were moving. I wrote the foregoing 7th day thinking M.Bennell was going on 2nd thou wilt find enclosed some articles belonging to thee which I found among my things some time after I came home - I have sent a needle case for thy use instead of a thread case which I intended making thee but thought as thee makes use of the reel cotton the other might be more serviceable - Wilt thou give my love to Priscilla when thou writest to her - the same to the Morris's - My mother & Nancy unite in dear love to thy S.M. & self with thy sincerely affectionate C.Hooper [No postmark, seal "Caroline"] Ann May Ampthill

8 Dec 1821

From: 1821 To: 1821

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Hooper, Caroline,
May, Ann,
May, Edward Curtis,
Bennell, M,
Batt, B,
Barton, Burnet,
Tuckett, Alfred,
Wheeler, J,
May, Charles,
Hooper, Nancy,
Cooper, R C,
Watson,
May, Priscilla,
Morris,
May, Samuel

health, Poet, retailing, Brighton