Reference
Z699/63
Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 4 Oct 1827
Ampthill 10th Mo 4th
My dearest P.
As thou art so intimately associated in my mind with the passing occurrences of the day knowing also the interest thou takes in them it seems high time to make thee acquainted with the more prominent ones leaving the outline to be filled up when we meet which I now hope may not be very long first as thy visit has nearly reached the limit upon which we had pretty much agreed -
Thy father is intending to set off early tomorrow for Henley is to have a most valuable companion as far as Luton John Barclay now on a religious visit this way he came to tea last evening from the Wellingbro' Q.M. our meeting was postponed to the evening and a satisfactory one it proved. J.Bennell accompanied J.Barclay to Cranfield meeting this morning they were to make a call at Richard Howe's & he lodges here again tonight so I am expecting his return every minute.
Last evening J.& M.Bennell's young daughters supped here the three latter having dined at C.'s desired love to thee & with all the rest of us will be glad to welcome thee home can'st thou be ready my dear late in next week or early in the following thy F. intends going to Tottenham tomorrow being engaged in business 7th day & to Henley on 2nd then proceeding to Alton as above and bringing thee by H.[Hitchin] as he will want to make some final arrangements expects to meet Joseph in town tomorrow who tells him by letter this morning that affairs are nearly wound up the business on the point of being taken but his mind was become so anxious about home that he really must return to it as Hannah's health did not improve. As thy aunt D. is such an attentive nurse H. must find her of great use.
D.Pearman just call'd, Betsy newly returned with the infant looking worse & having the hooping-cough.
Dids't thou think of us last 2nd day week our M.M. here our table was just agreeably fill'd as was C.'s & J.P.W.'s the absence of J.Morris & family afforded us more we had S.& P.Allen E.Beck & Debby M.Foster &c. &c.
I was pleased to hear of thee by B.Tatham how it must have surprised thee to see him thou hast most likely heard that J.Morris is afflicted with great depression of spirits is gone or going from Staines to Brighton, his son & brother Joseph went to visit him last first day, Taking to the brewery seemed too much for him so it is to be disposed of we thought two of my sister Tuckett's sons would like such a concern but they declined it Henry was rambling in Wales with R.Fowler.- Charles exerted himself a little too to get H.Curtis into a business as thou perhaps know'st at Leighton the best Grocery trade in that large town, S.Allen has taken to it for two of his sons.
Last 2nd day thy F. & I rode over to Hitchen drank tea at O.F.'s found it was Edmund's wedding day at a distance of forty miles they were take a weeks tour thro' Chillingham &c., Eliza is at Scarborough still I could not hear of a cook nor have I yet but Nancy has fixed on a nursemaid today extremely well recommended somewhat ancient upwards of forty. C. & N. supped here last evening & this we are expecting { }. J.W.Jeeves from F.'s is expected on a visit today.
Last 7th day it was our statute fair G.Osborn & a friend of his dined here thy F. attended the Bedford Bible Meeting our loss of Legh Richmond was amply expatiated on in pathetic terms his life it seems is in the course of publishing, thy F. became a subscriber. the Dumelows still out in the hope of diverting his malady.
R.Ransome is expected next week young G.R. would not let the subject of sending a parcel to Samuel on his birthday rest until it was accomplished he even insisted on putting in a plum cake &c. which he had brought from home for him so we made up a good sized box with apples &c.
The farthest summerhouse is lined down to the seat with bark, the mignionette is sweeter than ever, the good crop of apples just got in, I want thee to walk & talk with, & enjoy these fine days now winter is so near.
I have left the parlour where J.Barclay is writing & J.Wise working to say farewell to thee find no time to say in the manner I could wish how often & how affectionately my thoughts stray towards thee and your much-loved circle, to all of whom give our dearest love, thy dear F. is much tried at the thoughts of leaving home again so soon do write so as for him to receive it at H. next 4th day.
My health has been but poorly for some little time past, but much better today.
A sad accident befell two boys on 3rd day last while gathering the pears from J.Morris's large tree next our garden wall the topmost branch broke with them & one got a broken arm, t'other much hurt. Charles has been busy enough to-day contriving to unload a waggon of a millstone weighing two ton the first of three, John Billington has been to town about it. did I say little Margery [Margaret?]'s nurse is leaving on account of a grand quarrel between her & Hannah. Lewis is very well has begun writing at school to-day hope thou wilt come prepared to take charge of him both by night & day he likes his bed in thy closet & we must wean him from Sarah. no time for punctuation so take me as I am & accept our very dear love. I hope thou enjoyed dear aunt Maddock's return. I have been grieved at the melancholy end of M.Waring! If thou hast not heard that Thos Bevan is to succeed Frederick in Qn. St. don't say I said so believe me ever
Thy truly affectionate
Mother.
William Curtis Postmark : 5.10.1827
Alton O C
P.M. Hants. Z 5 1827
Date free text
4 Oct 1827
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From: 1827 To: 1827
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No. of pieces: 1
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