Reference
Z699/61
Title
Priscilla May to Ann May 31 Aug 1827
Alton 8th 31st 1827
My dearest Mother,
Although I have not been long here yet knowing that I should not hear from thee until I had set thee the example and I hope it will not be long ere thou follow it for I am wanting very much to hear how you get on.
I suppose Father had told thee how disappointed I was on finding Aunt Maddock was gone to Town, I am almost afraid I shall quite miss her which is what I should be very sorry to do, as it is so very long since I saw her, being about eleven years -
Maria is here but I have only seen her once she looks very thin -
The day Father left we went to on a gypsy party to Great Wood, which is about a mile from here - the party consisted of Wm Curtis, Elizabeth, Jane & James, Maria Reynolds (who is staying here) Henry Crowley; and Uncle came after tea - we rambled about the wood for some time & after having experienced an ant-hill we sat down on the top of a little eminence and had our tea, which consisted of cake, some cider & raspberry vinegar; after having pretty well emptied the baskets we had a game at trap and bat, the first time that I had ever played, & then, having heard Elizabeth repeat one or two pieces of poetry we returned home gratified with our excursion - I forgot to say Sarah & Rachel Holmes joined us -
The next day nothing particular has happened except that we were over the way William & James played at Billiards two or three of us at Cards, which I have found so very pretty that I have copied them, being poetical ones -
I spoke to Wm Beath & wife on first day, but not knowing anybody else I could not speak to them -
On second day Uncle proposed our having a gypsy party in the field - & accordingly the same party as we were before with the addition of a young woman & four of her brothers of the name of Benn - when we got there we had our tea & then played at trap & bat we were treated with syllabub & returned home just as it was getting dark.
On fourth day we again all went over the way S. & K.Holmes joining us Mrs Levy went to tea -
Yesterday morning we (that is E. & J.M.Reynolds S.H. & myself) went to Chiselton wood for a walk; in coming back we met Mrs Levy who said we had not had half a walk, and made us turn back and we walked rather more than four miles - to be sure, the wood was most beautiful it far outdoes our country although I do not choose to say so much - there are so many woods that we have none to compare to them -
So thou seest I am in a very fair {way} to enjoy myself & only wish thou couldst {come} to partake of the pleasures with me -
We {were} to have gone over the way this morning as we heard Charlotte was not very well last evening but on going over to see her we found that she was not up having had a bad night with the toothache.
John Barclay & his wife drank tea here yesterday - their youngest - a little girl is only five months old it bids fair to be like Franklins youngest in breadth of face -
But all this while I have not told thee Aunt Holmes went to Town last fourth day {to see Hart} Coleby she intends to return with him as it was merely for a little turn out they did not let Francis or Jane know so that it was a great surprise for them -
Wilt thou tell Maria that I think she must have made a mistake in the breadth of the muslin she let me have as I have made all the Frocks as wide as I possibly could by goring but still it seems narrow. I have measured it with one of Charlotte's which she says is just the right width & I think it will be between two & three inches variance- but perhaps that will not signify it measures just 11/2 yard & five inches so that thou canst tell her that & if she should like it made wider I can get another breadth of the widest muslin & the half breadth that I have now will make up of what is left of the other - wilt thou let me know in thy next.
Samuel Hobsons book should be returned with my thanks - I hope my birds & plants are well attended to - H.Kenway has been several days at Basingstoke; it is thought he may be looking after Emma Heath - What should you think of H.Crowley for Jane Curtis he pays her very marked attention which I find has been noticed before by more than one.
With dear love to Father & Nancy in which the circle here unite & accept a double share thyself from
Thy affectionate
Priscilla -
P.S. My dear love to Jane Wise & M. Morris, Bennells - Please to write before next week is gone - We are expecting Emma & Mary home tomorrow as they want all to be at home for a short time & then I believe Elizabeth will go to Town. I find them rather more chatty than I expected. Have you thought of J. & J. today it is the anniversary of their wedding day -
May & Wise Postmark : 1.9.1827
Ampthill D
Ann May Bedfordshire. 1 SE 1 1827
Date free text
31 Aug 1827
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From: 1827 To: 1827
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