Reference
Z699/89
Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 26 May 1832
Bishopsgate St, 6th Day
My dearest P.
After seeing & hearing a great deal & feeling anxious to make thee a participator in the benefit it may seem strange that I should for the first time have taken the pen just as we are on the point of setting off for the meeting for worship & all going to dine with Henry Tuckett so that I cannot see when this sheet is going to be filled, not for want of subject truly, but time & ability is wanting to give but a faint outline of the many instructive communications we have been favoured with -
They commenced on 4th day morning with supplication, most solemn & impressive, from S.Grubb, who at the close of that meeting visited the men's where we heard that in her usual energetic manner she expatiated on the awful visitation by the Cholera &c. I only regretted my dear Charles not being then arrived - what can I say of E.Dudley our excellent clerk but that she says & does everything like herself that "the meekness of wisdom" is conspicuous in all of her proceedings & those of her useful colleagues Mary Fox, Rachel Stacy, & Ann Lucas, with such a chosen band, need it be added, that the business is conducted in the best possible manner, we had a visit from Silas Fox on 5th day morning, returned by Anna Braithwaite that afternoon it seems she preached most powerfully (may it be availingly) to the men, as I could testify from being in possession of our usual seat, which at the first sitting was occupied by F.Tuckett's Mary Anna & her friends. Frances is not allowed to come here in her way until near or quite the close of the sittings, neither of the brothers are here, but yes I heard an agreeable letter from sister T. to sister Arch, her health seems much improved - -
We were a large company at Henry's yesterday, thy uncle & aunt Hooper Emily L.Manser the Curtis's Charles &c. I went from meeting to tea with aunt Arch & with thy F. to spend the evening at J.Beck's which we much enjoyed.- On 5th day I dined at Cornhill & sat between two very deaf friends Doctor Fry & Samuel Edmonds (P's father) the company was large J.S.Fry & Anna Elizabeth Heath of Alton &c. I should tell thee what a grievous blank the not seeing thee proves to Emily thy Aunt seemed to feel it more than I expected too - she & I talk of going to Alton this day week but as the Ladies' Anti-slavery Meeting is to be the following 2nd day I cannot quite fix this was announced last evening when a short communication was received from Fowell Buxton on the subject. Anna Braithwaite gave us some interesting particulars of the low state of things in China &c. after the epistle from thence was read they seem unable to afford education to their children the schools being full & some having to send them 4 & even 7 hundred miles it is proposed to establish a school & we were very tenderly called upon to contribute to its funds.-
Caroline has been at most of the sittings Edward does not expect to come once, their servants have been unwell Rachel too is confined to home with a swell'd face I am just going to the committee to meet at 11 this morning (7th day) & go in the afternoon to Tottenham -
Edwd ["Strange" in another hand] is just come - We have met thy friend Catharine Smith in the Street both quite approve of thy proposition I intend pressing it upon her this morning - J.Wise is gone to Reading to fetch little C.[Charles Wise?] to Ipswich. W.Holmes went home yesterday taking his sister Rachel in his chaise on 4th day evening amongst many others we had thy uncle Sam & his Clara on their way to Alton my brother William comes on 2nd day - Brother James spent one evening here in short we have been rather crowded - morning noon & night our time is so occupied that there is no writing time, unless when all the bustle ends in sleep & thou know'st I must if possible get my share of that - Jane holds up well attends meeting is just now gone in the kitchen to make pies - I have seen D {Si.?.} repeatedly. In haste with dearest love & thanks for thine & sister D's letter which time will not allow of my reading just now accept & present my dearest love, a very stiff wrist almost obliges me to say adieu - Jane has not time to write thou wilt understand what to do with the parcel [added "not now"] sent
Thy ever affectionate
Mother.
[ pharmacy accounts, for several firms, with prices]
Charles dear love with mine to Nancy, Sarah Ransom's too. C. is just gone to the large committee could not possibly write but intends it by Edward on 2nd day. This was going in a parcel which is not now to be sent - it is just post time I am to request thee to send for Edward to Shefford on 2nd day evening at seven. I met with sister Arch at the large committee this morning S.Corder gave us her good services at the desk. C. drives me to Tottenham this evening as we can lodge there & return 2nd day at ten to meeting. at Devon House yesterday Charles Osborn & Chris Healy spoke most of the time the former speaks well & very deep in doctrinals, he is Thomas Beck's lodger. A few Testimonies of deceased ministers have been read, all elderly. The epistles were committed to the sub-committee this morning several from America as usual a short one from Ireland, from whence we have no representative.
The Curtis's went to the zoological gardens this morning. Francis & Jane are gone a little turn out in C.'s chaise. I do not know how thou wilt be able to make this out written at so many times & in a great buzz.
at
Samuel May's Postmark :Maltese cross. T.S.
Ampthill 26My
Priscilla May Beds 1832 L.S.
Date free text
26 May 1832
Production date
From: 1832 To: 1832
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
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paper
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item