Z699/82

Catharine Smith to Priscilla May 28 June1831 South Lodge 6th mo 28th 1831 Time has indeed quietly fled away beloved Friend since thou & I enjoyed sweet & social converse and since then little has passed between us; yet of late affectionate feeling and lively interest seems as powerful as ever. I think I can say that as frequently as the return of the evening do my thoughts pensively turn to one who in life's early dawn was my playful companion and is so still continues to participate in the joys & sorrows of her affectionate Friend; but as to the latter I often think we as a family have been mercifully exempt, still the soul has its gloomy season, and some I believe much more than this.- I duly received thy last acceptable letter I had long been wishing to know how thy valued Mother's health was; I felt quite concerned to see it so impaired, so how with you. It was a sad disappointment to me when in consequence not being able to see you, tho' we took some pains to find you in that thy brother F.[Francis May] would think us quite troublesome but thought it would be a pity to miss the looked for pleasure for the sake of a little trouble; we walked one day to thy Uncles in {Coln} Hill but with no better success - but I want to know when we shall have the pleasure of seeing thee here; do not put it off if thou canst make this time convenient it would be quite an additional pleasure if thy dear Father would bring thee, but if he cannot be quite free in telling us thy plan and we will endeavour that thou shalt reach our abode as comfortably as thou canst. I expect thou hast heard of our valued friend E.Cooke's increased indisposition; her sun does indeed appear going down while it is yet day; and notwithstanding her short tarrience in this vale of affliction for I believe it to have been thus with her, may we not thankfully believe her chief desire has been to look simply unto Him who has promised to be her Shield & Buckler, and who is the victor if faithfulness is kept to, will crown with perfect peace; her life has been one of peculiar instruction, and likewise of a great share of trial; she is now extremely weak and I believe her sister H.M.B. is with her which seems necessary - My sister R. is intending to go next week to Dorchester to the marriage of our Cos. H.Cook; it appears an important step in any one's life, but I much hope she will find an increase in happiness resulting from it. Is your friend E.Bennell likely to do the same before long.- Thy sister Nancy will feel interested in knowing that Thomas Impey's wife died last week in a consumption; her name was Levitt and we were speaking of her when I was at A. About two hours previous to her death being asked if she was in pain, she said "no, my spirit is now with Jesus" Our cousins H. & M.A.Burgess are at Chelmsford, and are likely to remain in Essex for some time I expect, so that perhaps thou wilt see them. You doubtless heard of our valued relative M.Marriage's seizure when in London; she is removed home and seems gaining strength but has not yet been able to articulate or understand you are likely to have some important business before your next Monthly Meeting; your dedicated friend will be much missed in the society in which she has been used to mingle so instructively. I have not yet been able to do thy card for really we have had company almost ever since my return. Our beloved aunt A.J. thinks of being at the wedding at Ilchester, she has been down to see W. & R.Byrd. I hope to hear from thee soon, My sister R. will be away from home about a fortnight and I should like us all to be at home when thou comes that perhaps we may look forward to it next month. I went with M.Hainard in L. and thought her looking extremely ill, also Eliza Ellis - What a fine looking young woman she is - - Please present my love very affectionately to thy parents and Sister. It felt very pleasant to me to have a little of thy Father's company when in [?]. he was in Q.Meeting tell thee that we met at Peter Bedford's - I can imagine how thy country looks at this interesting season of the year. Farewell my beloved P. and believe me to remain very affectionately thy true Friend Catharine Smith. Samuel May Postmark : HUNTINGDON [Seal : C.S.] Ampthill Huntingdon Priscilla May Beds. PY Post

28 June1831

From: 1831 To: 1831

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Priscilla,
Smith, Catharine,
May, Francis,
Cooke, E.,
Cook, H,
Bennell, E,
Burgess, M A,
Burgess, H,
Marriage, M,
Byrd, R,
Byrd, W,
Hainard, M,
Ellis, Eliza,
Bedford, Peter

health, MARRIAGE, London, Dorchester, Chelmsford, Essex, Huntingdon