Z699/104

Priscilla may to Ann May 9 Jan 1834 Frenchay 1st Mo. 9th 1834 My dear Mother Francis having offered me this sheet it seemed a good opportunity of writing though it is not my turn yet my last not containing much I suppose it is hardly considered a letter.- I think I told thee we had four of Waring's children last 1st day week we kept them till the following 3rd day when E. & I were not very sorry to part with them as the task of amusing devolved entirely on us - on 4th day (new year's day) Aunt invited to spend all her family to spend the day here & with the exception of Anna & Frederick they did. S. & J.Jackson joined our party as Samuel always used to be reckoned one of the family - we had a very pleasant day Grizzel Edmonds dined & drank tea with us - Helen had her two little creatures here which added considerably to the interest & amusement of our party "Untoo Francis" & Bessey having were quite romps - Philip & the Jacksons went to their respective homes to tea but the former came to fetch G.Edmonds - Mariana & C.Collier with Henry were our only guests at supper.- The next day Aunt went with us to Samuel Waring's - we arrived there soon after twelve cordially welcomed by his wife, Aunt spent an hour there & proceeded to make some calls - we had a long but agreeable morning not dining till 1/2 past four - Richard Ball came just before dinner, he is suffers very much never being free from pain - he laid on the sofa all the time & at times appeared in great agony he left just before supper - The next morning was very wet but for all that we went to see the house that S.Waring is building, it is a very tasty concern & I have no doubt will be very convenient - they are to get into it in the 3rd month - two of Sarah Waring's nieces (Rutter) came to dinner & we spent another agreeable day Samuel read to us in the evening - his wife is a very nice woman, & though perfectly free from any show of learning yet I could not but feel we were in company with a very superior person - The next morning William Tothill came to breakfast as he had business with S.W. previous to his going into Ireland for two or three weeks - S.W. drove us over to his (W.T's) house where we found his very polite kind wife ready to receive us according to a previous arrangement we only dined there & Aunt came for us at three o'clock, but we are to go & stay a day or two soon.- On that day Aunt received a letter from {the parson} thanking her for her kindness & requesting her to proceed with negotiating with J.Mofham who came to the M.M. on 2nd day but time was did not admit of more than a mere introduction of the subject but J.M. seemed quite pleased with the idea of it & having two sons near Henry's age it will no doubt be comfortably arranged - Aunt intends writing to E.Mofham more particularly today, but the history of the poor child was previously known to them as John Wansborough & his wife live at Thornbury - a caution of privacy was given to J.M. - Aunt will undertake to notice the poor child a good deal I think from her being interested about him - her ideas respecting him are good & she says if she can make free with M.Janson she will offer some advice for his future settlement - I am glad to say Anna rode up here in the Bath chair last 3rd day & was no worse for it, the baby is considered large - it is certainly a very nice child, though plain it he pleases his mamma greatly.- that evening drank tea at Francis's on returning here E. & I found a handsome work box for each of us a present from Anna - Now a few remarks on self in answer to some of thy queries my frocks give me warning that it is time to think of returning home yet we are wishing to see Francis's 2nd they will do till then - it does seem so long since I saw you all that yet though I know I shall regret leaving I cannot help longing for the time to come.- Emily has had a letter from her mother in answer to hers about perquisites to the servants I intend don giving the same as she does as I can borrow of her to pay my fare Aunt H. having sent her another 5. Aunt is going to send something for E. to give E.Ship - what, I do not know; my bonnet is very shabby but as I cannot afford a new one must make it do - the mildness of the season is very pleasant as a proof snowdrops crocuses, hepaticas & violets are in bloom besides roses & aconites &c. &c. but however this morning is rather colder & should it continue getting more so I must leave off my muslin dress which I wear every day & which saves my silk ones - Thy account of the Clothing Club was very unsatisfactory to me the returning to the old plan is much against my will but if nothing else can be done it must be so; I suppose a district has been assigned to me, I hope it will not be either church end or Dunstable end.- I have a letter for Neighbour Hull from her daughter which I will send by Henry - I have also a bill on her account from Philip which I may as well copy on this.- D.Willshire's death was very awful indeed; but his poor widow will be rid of a tyrant - how is Sarah & her boy - - Wilt thou give my dear love to Nancy & thank her for a nice letter received by Henry I should have answered it this time but must leave it till next- she would like to see Mariana's little things - which are quite in the wholesale way robes & caps are continually sent to her, I am glad to say she continues very nicely & goes out as usual; her spirits are very good. Henry is their guest this time - I suppose Lewis is gone or just going to school I hope he has been a good boy which I have little doubt from his increasing pliability of disposition - C. & E.Hooper have been were to be sent to Tottenham out of the way of Scarletina but Emily has just received a joint letter from Uncle & Aunt saying Charles has the it favourably - & they are very glad to have Emily so far off - should they all have it, it will be a long time I fear before she may go home but Aunt reassures us that we have not worn our welcome out & I think we must look to another month at least especially as we have not finished our fancy work & Aunt seems really to wish us to stay from the little that has been said. Still I would not if thou art at all poorly or finds any difficulty in getting on without me - I shall hope to break another seal of thine next week it gives me such very great pleasure to hear of you all I hope Nancy continues well - are Father & thee going to Wallingford, though it is so damp I should think it would do Father good to have a little turn out - I am often fancying him busy in the garden & quite long to take a peep at the alterations & give my opinion of course. I assume the hot bed will soon be re-made. Francis Tuckett is so extremely fond of his garden & he has a pretty little green house that is quite his hobby - he frequently employs his evenings in cutting neat sticks & painting them which I look upon with rather a jealous eye - I want to hear of my plants.- I think I must now conclude my epistle with very dear love to Father, C. & N., Aunt D. M.Morris, accept a large share thyself - from Thy ever affectionate Priscilla P.S. Aunt T. & Emily desire their dear love - & mine very particularly to the children - Samuel May Postmarks : BRISTOL No30 E Ampthill 9JA1834 10JA10 Beds. PY POST 1834

9 Jan 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
May, Priscilla,
Waring,
Jackson, S.,
Jackson, J,
Jackson, Samuel,
Waring, Samuel,
Ball, Richard,
Waring, Sarah,
Rutter,
Tothill, William,
Mofham, J.,
Mofham, E.,
Wansborough, John,
Janson, M.,
Willshire, D.,
Hull,
May, Lewis,
Hooper, C.,
Hooper, E,
May, Charles,
May, Samuel,
Tuckett, Francis,
May, Nancy

food & drink, clothing, weather, disease, DEATH, medical conditions, scarlet fever, post, private gardens, gardening, Frenchay, Tottenham, DUNSTABLE, Wallingford, Bristol