Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 20 Oct 1829
Ampthill 10th Mo 20th 29
My dearest P.
I had been longing to hear from thee, when thy welcome letter was put into my hand on our return from Chesham yesterday afternoon, previous to that, we had thought of thy coming with J.P.W. by coach, but as the visit to K.[Kennington] seems unpaid, the time & manner of thy return must be left at present, with this understanding between us viz. that it must be soon, on account of Winter clothing, also as we want thy company, I to walk, to work, sip tea with, &c.
Thou hast probably heard of the affecting occasion which drew us to C. that of the death of Edwd Johnson, which took place at his sister's in Surrey, yesterday week at five in the morning of a distressing brain fever, which had been coming on about two weeks - he seems to have had a remarkable presentiment of his end being near, even before his illness, & a sermon of John Wilkinson's had deeply impress'd him, being a solemn & prophetic warning to prepare for death, which there seems reason to hope he was prepared to do, & to employ the short intervening time, between that & his loss of reason, in making his peace with Him before whose tribunal he was so soon to be summoned - he said much that was instructive to his friends & relatives adding, that he had not an enemy, but should die in peace with all, both before & after, or rather during his delirium they said he talked much of me, wanting to see me, also wished thy F. might be asked to send one of the young men to mind shop, also talked about Mary Ann wildly. The funeral was large, we lodged two nights at (late) Edward's, the corpse was brought from his sisters last 4th day, all the family seemed gratified by our paying the respect to his memory. We had a very solemn meeting, S.Allen, John Wilkinson, & Sarah Squire, were engaged vocally - the two latter with the family also; Our journey was agreeable, the weather being fine.
M.Morris S.Mac &c. have just called upon Bible business, two collectors being, from necessity withdrawn, we want thy help - Margaret is come to tea with me desires her love to thee.
William Exton is rather better he & Mary were here on 7th day upon George's business.
I received a letter from Samuel this morning giving quite an unsatisfactory account of his health, which we all think should decide the question in favour of his leaving B.[Brighton] but cannot quite conclude upon the best way of managing a thing of such importance, if thy uncle H.[Hooper] has not written to Dr G. we will not trouble him at present, being rather most inclined to act more promptly upon Oswald's advice, in case of relapse.
Thy account of the various movements of our friends is very interesting especially Jane's return, but what a pity that Louisa is so fat -
J.P.W.[Wise] will appear to you better I hope, as he certainly is, & was at meeting on first day which is a great point gained, Charles W. & all the youngsters are well - R. & S.Ransome &c. were here on 6th day evening left next morning - We have not heard of our travellers to Painswick. Probably thou know'st of H.Letchworth having a son. The sad news of R.Ashby's failure had reached us, sorry indeed we are -
W.Morris & Maria go to Chesham tomorrow to attend the interment of Mary Payne sen. who breathed her last just after our return from poor Edward's funeral, did I say that the latter died without a will?
After a good consultation with C.[Charles] about Samuel it is settled. as far as we can any thing for a future day, that C. shall go to Brighton in two or three weeks & bring him away, if then it seems expedient, avoiding writing, except to apprize Samuel of it. Thy F. has been cutting out cloaks most of the day, his health & spirits are much improved.
Do say with our love to thy dear uncle (& aunt H.) that we are obliged for his kind offer of writing.
Lydia Johnson told us strange & affecting news that two friends have lately died who were interred at Alton the wife & daughter of Thomas Jeffrey of Basingstoke.
We have now concluded to consult Edward about Samuel's removal from B. I will not keep thee in suspense when I can tell how to direct as to the manner of thy travelling. I hope soon to hear from Francis & Jane present our dearest love to them also thy uncle & aunt Arch accept the same & believe me ever
Thy truly affectionate Mother
Priscilla May Obliged by
Bishopsgate St. J.P.W
London.