Z699/32

Ann May to Priscilla May Autumn 1825 Ampthill 2nd Day P.M. My dearest P. If it should not occur to thee that Winter is fast approaching thou wilt surely wonder what is meant by sending such a budget of warm clothing - the old pelisse will serve for wet days thy F. intends providing cloth for another when in town & requesting the favour of thy sister Jane to let their mantua maker make it also thy stuff gown frock so I will refer thee to her for information it will be better to ask her what 4th day afternoon thou shouldst stay to be measured & be sure to take thy best silk frock for Jane to say whether if lined it would do for best my opinion is it should be considered a middle one - Thomasin & I have been partly making the waistcoats which I would have thee take to in good time before thou gets cold - I was going to make waists for thy dimity skirts but found they were not worth them so a remnant of poplin was substituted which requires some explanation after cutting out the body I suspected it was the wrong pattern as to the skirt not knowing the right length it is left for thee to put a tuck or not but I think it best without as the piece turn'd up will be a defence from dirt fear it is too narrow but say what thou think'st if thy linen is very shabby lay it by & wear those now sent.- Having but a scrap of time to scribble in have said the needful first. We have had M.M. held here & the statute fair so there has not been much settled time since my return, thou perhaps knew H.Kenway came as far as Hitchin Q.M with me & here next day left us this day week - this is the time for changes Nancy & I both hired servants at Hitchin or rather I at West Mill she proves to be a cousin of Sarah's- Mary is hired as housemaid at Greene's (Lawyer) Crowther is gone for a few days to town to enquire about business of his own thy F has appointed to meet R.Giles (H.'s brother) & Edmund Fry tomorrow with a view to engaging two new hands H.Curtis kindly remains with us over stocktaking to commence next week previous to settling in with a partner when the firm is to be May & Wise John comes latter end of this week we are a little in hopes of seeing thy Uncle & Aunt Arch on their return from Frenchay - J.Bennell came back on 5th day brings an agreeable account of {her} visit - it is likely F.Tuckett is got home ere now. Can'st thou believe we expect to get back to the house next week or early in the following the parlour & kitchen look quite comfortable with a fire in them the stair case is to be finished last of all we are going to begin scouring thy chamber, ours, & the servants, the new back one is to be J.Wise's for the present, with the bed from the Henry's room, which with thy red one is to be washed to-morrow by this thou wilt judge what state of forwardness things are in. I should tell thee thy F. has lately been very unwell but is much better and is just {now} come from attending Rudd's sale of household goods has purchased a handsome blue & white dinner service (or set) quite a bargain. Nancy is extremely well and the rest of us as usual aunt D very notable - Lewis was poorly for one day lately with so much fever that he slept all nearly day but is pretty well again has been wishing to write to thee. Eliza Bennell is sadly disappointed to find there will be no vacancy for a teacher with you these two years her mother requests me to enquire of S.C. whether her name might be put on the list & if so what the whether she could withdraw it in case any unforseen circumstance should render it undesirable - I asked Nancy if she wanted to write to thee, but she said thou had'st not answered her last. It is probable thy F. will return on 5th day so perhaps there will be time for thee to treat me with a letter -Say how thou art hope S.C. is recovered my love to her & the Curtis's accept much of the same. In haste I remain Thy ever affectionate Mother Love from Harry & Peter to their sisters. S. Corder P.May Newington School

Autumn 1825

From: 1825 To: 1825

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
May, Priscilla,
May, Samuel,
Kenway, H,
Greene,
Crowther,
Giles, R,
Fry, E,
Curtis, H,
May & Wise,
Wise, John,
Arch,
Bennell, J,
Tuckett, Francis,
Bennell, Eliza,
May, Lewis,
Curtis

household personnel, servant, May & Wise, teaching profession, teacher, household plate, household goods, clothing, Frenchay, Stoke Newington