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Ann May to Priscilla May 23 May 1822
Ampthill 5th Mo 23rd
My very dear Priscilla
It will give thee pleasure, I have no doubt, to see proof of my being able to resume the pen after such a long silence, during which thou hast dwelt much in my thoughts as an object of the most affectionate solicitude, and thy last two kind letters prove that thou art not forgetful of me, thankful am I to be able to tell thee that my health is so far restored as to enable me to resume my seat in the parlour, no small gratification thou mayst be sure after six weeks confinement in the best room, where I passed a very trying illness from an attack of fever when our sweet Lewis was a week old, after which, for some time, it seemed as though I might continue nursing, but alas! in about a month he was obliged to be weaned, since which the little suck bottle has been a great comfort to him, & though he is not very plump, he appears healthy and is still under Susan's good care at Millbrook, on account of our not having a suitable nursery maid. We seldom miss either seeing or hearing of him every day. What a pleasant little trudge it will be for thee & dear Sammy boy, his "dear Susan" lives in a neat cottage that is quite the admiration of all who call to see the darling; as it is advised for me to ride out every day in the chaise thou mayst be sure I don't forget to call there, Susan says she never nursed so quiet a child, so it is to be hoped thou wilt find him more manageable than little Hanna Carte was, I suppose thou hast not heard that Martha has a babe about a month older than ours, named Thomas.
Thy dear father went to town last 6th day, attended the first sitting of the Y.M. yesterday, and returned late last night through Hitchin intending to go up by our the Coach tomorrow to stay to the conclusion of the meeting. No Ingram Court for him now, but Edward's house at Tottenham, which is comfortably fitted up, affords an agreeable substitute, and thy father thinks a five mile ride morning and evening. is serviceable to his health. There are not many of our relations come up from the country yet; thy aunt Tuckett is at Cornhill, where Philip & Alfred join her on 7th day - Elizth Curtis is at Fish St - Abrm & Charlotte Crowley are expected there, perhaps thou heard of their trip to the Isle of Wight after their marriage; Emma, William etc accompanied them, & returned in safety, having much enjoyed it.
Our dear Caroline is at South Place, the last day in the 7th Mo will in all probability be the time we may call her our's in reality, a privilege none of us shall be disposed to underrate, I think she is so truly estimable & will be quite a prize to dear E.-
We were glad to hear a day named for thy vacation, it is a long separation as well as a wide one, I often feel it so, but am willing to resign thee for thy own advantage, shall be Glad to find thee as willing to return to school as Maria Pumphrey is to stay at Ackworth, she entreats her parents not to take her away yet, they have the satisfaction to hear she is making rapid progress in her learning, and greatly beloved in the school - if we should receive such tidings of our dear girl at Doncaster it would gladden our hearts - indeed especially if her Governess can add that she now holds up her head & answers immediately on being spoken to.
I used some endeavours to apprise thee of E.Bennell's passing through Doncaster but they proved fruitless, she thought of thee, but the coachman would not stop, it was last 7th day that she came home & yesterday Mary & E. with their mother dined here, Eliza looks very well, & we think does credit to the school -
Our dear James & Samuel are beginning to look wishfully towards home, I hope we may be favoured with a happy meeting once more, we hear such good accounts of dear Samuel as are quite encouraging; as to James he must be set to work, first behind our grocery counter, afterwards perhaps he may learn chemistry of Charles, as is his {wish}. It seems long before dear C. quits Stockport, he was out of his apprenticeship the 4th of this mo. but stays to liberate O.Sims to attend the Y.M. soon after which we expect him, when our attention will be turned to getting the shop over the way in order for drugs etc.
So thou may'st expect to find us busy enough, and what with the wedding and one thing or another, we shall doubtless have a great deal to talk over.
Henry Tuckett (next to Alfred) is to pay us a long visit this summer, he is now seventeen, and has never been so far from home.
We talk a little of my going to pass a week at Tottenham before our Midsummer treasures arrive, but I do not know how I should bear to be so distant from the babe.-
Maria Morris has just called to say she has been on purpose to see him, he was perfectly well, & in a deep sleep. - Joseph M.[Morris] is to go on 2nd day to town to join his sister H.May, also Nancy, & Charles, in attending the Y.M. Chas is likely to go to a good situation at Ipswich, having left Reading. Maria requests to unite with thy dear father & myself me in much love to thee, Elizth also begs hers may be given. believe me to remain
Thy ever affectionate Mother.
P.S. Do not fail to inform us correctly when we may fetch thee from Biggleswade when the time is nearly arrived - We were truly glad & much relieved to find thou was likely to come under such care -
Postmark: AMPTHILL MISSENT TO NORTHAMPTON Elizth Armstrong
George Gate P.May Doncaster