Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 24 Oct1827
Ampthill 10th Mo 24th
Dearest P.
We have just concluded, when near post time, to keep thee no longer in suspense as to thy return, the business at Henley is at length disposed of, & it seems doubtful whether there will be occasion for thy father to go there again, so having so much to attend to at home, he concludes to defer his second visit to Alton for the present, so we request thee to take as early an opportunity as suits thy convenience of going to town, when after seeing our dear relatives there thy F. will perhaps meet thee with the chaise, as he is expecting to join the executors in order to wind up the affairs of thy late uncle, when Rachel is to go to Painswick accompanied by Joseph, & Henry goes next fifth day to-morrow which will be a great relief.
I hope some friend may be going to town who may take care of thee; but if not, thou hadst better write requesting Francis to send for thee to the inn, if it would not hurry thee too much, I should propose seventh the day after the receipt of this, but leave it to thee, hoping thy long visit will have been mutually agreeable & satisfactory to thyself and that endeared circle of our friends, whose society I regret the loss of - trust I need not remind thee my dear, that in order to leave with credit to thyself, thou should'st carefully collect all thy moveables, not even leaving a pocket handkerchief as I (unfortunately for my memory) did, thou wilt of course express gratitude to thy friends for their kind attentions, excuse the hins [hints?] I only mean to say allow thyself time & reflection to leave with propriety, we shall expect to hear of thy arrival in town by Francis as he is so often writing.
Thy last kind letter was duly received, I do not recollect anything requiring an answer, so will tell thee a little of how things go this way -
Last 5th day just as our lying in S. meeting was over, who should stop at the door than D. & S. Pearman with thy aunt D. the latter is now sitting by me running Samuel's winter stockings, she unites with me in wishing for thee home after such a long absence - last fourth day on our coming from meeting here were Isaac Bass & wife, Josh Lucas & his daughter Phebe, they staid tea, & our Houghton friends coming to join them I made tea for no less than seventeen, which I merely mention to show thee I am capable of so much. Yesterday we all spent the day at Charles's pleasantly, Nancy being very well, Margaret Oxley & thy aunt being ready, we only want thee to complete the number of gossips - we rode over to Bedford on 2nd day, took Lewis, called at C.Dumelow's who is better, & they intend returning the visit soon. Maria has left us, & we have a housemaid that seems very promising so cleanly & obliging & Sarah performs extremely well in the cook's place - J. & J.Wise have just been to Hitchin since meeting - Josh Morris is gone to see his relations in town & Strood for a week, Samuel wou'd receive two letters by him, from Ransome & Lewis - we have heard from him this morning - I had a nice long letter from thy aunt Tuckett lately by Jas. Thomas who with C.Lucas had been on a visit there; she had been suffering with erysipelas in the head, but was getting better.
I conclude thou knows how ill our dear little Eliza at Tottenham has been she seems on the recovery but I dare not depend on it of course you have heard of poor Francis' accident on the toe it must have been very grievous Jane & babe were reported as looking well by Charles & Mary Oxley who came by last 5th day's coach, Henry Ashby came last evening - J.Morris is said to be much better none of them returned yet.
John Grant has been very ill, Samuel Allen has taken J.Reeves' business which we thought would have done so well for Harry it is intended for Joshua & William , & as it must be enter'd upon forthwith, they are all going to make it their home for the present; some of the goods are even now sent, we are diverted at the thought of millers turning shopkeepers - M.Morris heard yesterday from Reading that her sister Ann had a fine large girl - we find Nancy Marsh is going to town soon & has some intention of just allowing herself a peep at Ampthill. H.May's health is improved I hope Joseph will get released from Henley in the course of next week. -
I hope thou finds time to see thy dear aunt M. occasionally & that thou mends her pens & makes up her caps &c. &c.
Our dearest love to her & all as tho' named in which thy aunt D., Lewis & C. & N. join.
Our health much as usual
Thy ever affectionate Mother
P.S. do get to understand when it will suit one of thy cousins (perhaps Mary) to make us a sociable visit.
Wm Curtis Postmark : 23.10.1827
Surgeon G
Alton 23 OC 23
P.M. Hants 1827