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Ann May to Priscilla May 12 April 1834 Cornhill 4th Mo 12th My dear P. Having just received thy letter I am catching a few moments to moderate your spleen towards me regarding the silence so justly complained of - The note on my arrival was intended to serve until 2nd day, thy F. having requested me to use that conveyance in preference to the post. On 2nd day I was too closely engaged to even think much about writing but fully intended it on 3rd had not my summons to Tottenham come soon after breakfast, which I obeyed forthwith & returned here to tea Sister M.Curtis kindly supplying my place here - On 4th day at great inconvenience I scribbled a sheet full such as it was to thy F. & the porter took it to [?] St but as thou dost not mention it probably it was lost, or forgotten, or both, this morning I sent much such another scrawl with a letter & parcel from Kennington to Fish St. to the care of J.Curtis - this is my defence - & a pretty good one in my opinion considering that my time passes in a darkened room where my eyes must be fixed on my dear sister [Sarah Arch] to perceive whether she speaks or not, owing to her voice being scarcely perceptible thro' weakness & the noise without so overpowering little attentions are constantly required in this state of reduction. When evening comes there is no more opportunity for writing as a dim light behind the curtain suits our case best, so thou mayst fancy me sitting within it at the bed head on the window side, keeping up a little chat about things in general when thy aunt feels at best - thy aunt Hooper spent a little time with us this morning very pleasantly, looks better & stronger - then came thy aunt Eliza Curtis & Emma we questioned her about accepting Henry Crowley, but she will not admit it at all - Mary Arch dined here & brother James saw sister for the first time this evening as he goes on his journey tomorrow - On the whole we have had a much better day than yesterday which was by far the most suffering of any owing to an intense pain in the left leg which at length yielded to dry poultices & wet ones, also fomentation's we should certainly have kept thee in full work, but the servants are very clever and most obliging - Simmons is gone to bed I am to call her at one - we did so last night without inconvenience & it is my proposition, except yesterday thy aunt has not varied much - it is a low fever attended with extreme reduction of strength {and} not the slightest appetite or desire for drink of any kind, she does not even get out this evening to have her bed made but we have been sitting her up, leaning against a nice bed-chair I have left brother minding her. One request I would retract made in a former letter my sister has quite fallen out with chicken broth so we will not trouble you to procure them - Thou dost not say when H.T. comes if in time I will thank him to bring my silk tippet light cloth shawl in the best room drawer & two large white silk as I have constantly worn my large buff ones over all on account of not being allowed a fire in the chamber constantly until this cold day the door kept open to but I have taken no material cold on the contrary have been favored to feel pretty well in general - Thou wilt naturally wish to know whether much danger is apprehended in thy dear aunt's case - on that point our hopes & fears alternately prevail the latter decidedly yesterday now we are more easy in the prospect our dear & good doctor who calls twice a day is too wise & wary to give much of an opinion thereon - much as we shrink from the thought of a fatal termination we must labour, after submission to the Divine Will even in this, not in word only but in reality. I have scarcely time to glance at the particulars of thy acceptable letter as it is just bed time - I rejoice at finding Nancy better my dear love to her & all - Thy poor aunt D. it is sorrowful to hear she is worse - No mention of thy F. being overdone - looks well.- I am glad the muddle of papering is getting thro' with - We have had two improved accounts from Tottenham - How vexatious for E.H.S. to have 15 miles to walk - I hope he has written to thee or I shall think him remiss.- I have much on my mind to express to him but cannot find time to write & at home there is no speaking so we must understand each other in the more forcible language of conduct - I want to make him fully to understand the chief ground on which we are willing to accept him as a member of our family that it is as not as he will readily believe from any worldly considerations but his sincerity as we trust in religious profession. 7th day. Thy dear aunt has had a weary sort of night yet may be reported much the same. The bran poultice to the leg has been repeated - her dear love with mine to you all - haste - Please send a few pocket handkerchiefs - 2 nightcaps, some of our apples for sister to be roasted we cannot get suited with any Thine affectionately Mother Priscilla May Oblig'd by : Jas Curtis Ampthill.

12 April 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Priscilla,
May, Ann,
Curtis, M,
Curtis, James,
Arch, Sarah,
Curtis, Eliza,
Curtis, Emma,
Arch, Mary,
Crowley, Henry,
May, Debby,
May, Charles,
May, Nancy,
May, Samuel,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Tuckett, Henry,
Simmons

health, social activities, medical conditions, non-surgical treatment, travel, horse drawn coaches, MARRIAGE, servants, household furniture, household decoration, clothing, religious practices, apples, Tottenham, Kennington, City of London Cornhill