Reference
Z699/96b
Title
Priscilla May to Ann May n.d.c.1833?
Ampthill
My dear Mother
As Father is going to town tomorrow I thought I would write a few lines especially as Aunt has requested a long letter. I received one this morning giving a good account of all, which I am glad to say is the case with us. Father's health and spirits are remarkably good, little Harriet is not well though she does not complain and is cheerful but her countenance is bad and she is very thin and languid but S C thinks she is improving - she goes out as usual and appears pretty well. This morning poor Sarah called upon me her troubles seem doubled. Joe is home a great deal worse than he went and is more like a madman than a rational person - he has attempted to turn Sarah out of doors, he is seldom if ever quite sober she says and is so violent that it is not safe for her to be alone in the house. I told her I was going to write to thee and asked her if I should tell thee about her, she wished I would, and is willing if thou thinks proper, to leave her husband if one of the doctors can find her a place - I fear her age and appearance will be against her , as I think she never looked so thoroughly scared and thin. The only obstacle to her leaving, she says, is the fear of his destroying himself in one of his paroxysms of rage, of this we tell her we think she will not be responsible. I hope something will be done soon for her, as she cannot go on much longer. She gets no rest at nights and her spirits are so low that she does not know how to do her work. Her sweet little boy grows nicely and is healthy the only comfort of his poor Mother. I think thou wilt agree with us in recommending S to leave - I only wish thou wast at home to settle it at once.
We had our A L S meeting last 3rd day. Martha Morris prevented attending, J Hager, S M L and j Barton all our company - we proposed giving up the tickets but J Hargreaves so strongly opposed to it that her resolved to have them this year.. I have cut out all the linen and sent some to be made. M Cay has been here and sent 1 by J Hagar for the Clothing Club. This afternoon C & M with Stafford and William Allen drank tea here the two latter gone to Leighton. Charles has had a letter from Josiah Forster interceding for far[torn] and saying he should send a letter to James by the next post, containing his best advice [torn] No more heard of Brian - they go on very comfortable now. Nancy walked down to Houghton with M Morris, Mary is quite well, expecting her sister Simons tomorrow. We called on Charlotte Morris last 2nd Day, she is quite nicely, her true 'Hottentot Venus' has been come nearly two weeks Nancy as [torn] frocks but still I have a number of things to do. I hope I shall be able to do James' cushions that I promised and J's watch string. I am sorry to hear S J has a cough I have just sent H Extons present up as I was afraid some harm might come to it.
With dear love to y & y in which Nancy and Emily unite, I accept the [torn]
Ann May
Francis May's
Peckham
Date free text
c.1833
Production date
From: 1833 To: 1833
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
Format
paper
Level of description
item