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Ann May to Priscilla May 13 June 1834 Ampthill 6th Mo 13th My dear P. I have enough to do to correct false statements about going sending & so forth. Under the full impression that a basket of eggs was going yesterday I began a letter but it turned out a mistake as to time as an opportunity was to be watched for - we had certainly heard an earlier time named for your going to W. but it is all very well as long as thy dear aunt is improving & we may hope to see her at her own convenience & thyself too I do hope as thou hast been from home as long as can be profitable but for the express purpose of being useful. As E.H.S. has begun a letter to enclose with mine I should not have taken the pen now but to set at rest thy wondering. We hear from Francis that he & Stafford Allen think of coming to Hitchin on next 3rd day & here on 4th which is an ill-chosen time as all their parents must be at Hertford on 3rd day evening but it may do as Charles is too busy to go & F. says he can amuse himself until our return. I was afraid it would disappoint thee to hear we had not begun stock taking - here was much to be done beside the interruptions caused by M.M. & Q.M. &c. pruning vines &c. in my department here has been mantua making clear starching & general mending up - & now comes a repetition of a muddling yet very pleasing task one of long standing the looking over of my dear school-boy's linen - which is in very fair order & will hold out until next vacation - no doubt you will hear as we have done that the school has not been so well managed lately it seems owing to the new teacher being one who commands no respect so there has been a spirit of great insubordination amongst them - not knowing it in time to call upon Isaac we gather it from Lewis Benny it seems knew it as well the boy B.T. notices was the ring-leader & is to be expelled about 1/2 a doz. had to sign a confession or declaration Lewis was not included tho' guilty of the minor offence that of uniting in a simultaneous stamping it is some time since James will no doubt proclaim it all as he is very candid I am in hopes all it will be remedied if J.B. can get a suitable teacher - Samuel Burrows was here last 7th day about the house which after some debate was concluded to be taken next Michaelmas or they would prefer giving full possession in the 12th mo.- E.H.S. could no doubt lodge or even board there any time previously - he went last evening with thy F. to look over it - we had been last 7th day & I had described it so fully that it was just what he expected - the parlours on each side the door are painted (called stucco) have neat cornices the passage thro' the house is rather narrow is to have a glass back-door on the left is a small brick kitchen yet will be comfortable all very dry even the cellar which is large - the stair-case is our's in miniature - the narrow bed-room is in front between the other two & may serve as a dressing room for a time as three chambers would be enough to furnish. The rather large back one is fit for a servant with low ceiling [sic] as has the garret over it - a small back kitchen is to be taken down & a new one built which is to be the closet which S.B. will do at his own expense except the plumber's work provided the fittings (late Wise's) are left the flight of 8 or 10 steps[? up] to the garden is most objectionable & now my dear as to time it must depend on circumstances & may be a trial of patience let us all carefully avoid naming any at present viewing the completion at a distance - Thy F. when at Kennington said a few words of this sort to thy aunt H. when she replied it would be a great disappointment to thee which I merely mention by way of caution not to commit thyself so as to induce such remarks - with respect to a sum being fixed for clothing thy F. says it is premature but he shall be disposed to allow what is proper yet thinks thou would'st get it at best hand at home - there can be no objection to some muslin for nightcaps & I will endeavour to send thee the striped for frills - there will no doubt be time to make the shifts at thy leisure - we will bear in mind thy hint about house-linen - I have quite lately mentioned this matter in a letter to thy aunt Tuckett. On thy F. coming home so poorly we discarded all our young visitors, he is better & very busy, when in the garden to-day, who should come to him but young George Exton, he looked thin & care-worn they say, but well dress'd, has eight days furlough before he sails for China, a voyage of 18 mo. what an agreeable enterprise to Harriet, I have not seen her yet, but hear from Ann Ransom she acknowledges to being extremely happy - William Exton, with M. & the family have a lodging in Russell Square No 9. he has submitted to an operation for his complaint, bore the first part well, but caustics were to follow, so of course the suffering is not yet over, do call on them if thou can'st - The last account from Arthur Fry of Eliza was rather better, she was at Gravesend J.B. & his daughter Mary are going to Wellingbro', the sale of their goods is tomorrow (I think) Joseph jun. took tea here yesterday, they press us to go & eat strawberries at Marston. Charles is very busy with hen-bane and nightshade is looking extremely anxious, Nancy's case weighs heavily upon him altho' accounts are sometimes better they are never permanent - I believe the family go on well with their amiable little teacher - Charlotte has been there two days making two frocks for Harriet & mending the parlour carpet the room being papered it all looks neat - Nancy is wanting to come home but I hope she will stay to be further benefitted - I hope Lewis will spend a few days with thee - I must talk to Francis about contriving it - We intend him to go to Tottenham - from the Q.M.- Ann has been very unwell under Hardwick's care is improved now - Joseph's brother William Coat dines here on 4th day had been & received another refusal from Maria Ransom. We had two funerals last week at Millbrook Thomas Allen of Houghton & young Caleman's wife - In haste with love to all - Edward's to thee - Thy ever affectionate Mother. James Curtis Postmark: G AMPTHILL 10NOON10 T.P 2 Alton Cottage PAID JU14 RATE Wandsworth 14JU14 1834 P.May Surrey - 1834

13 June 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
May, Priscilla,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Allen, Stafford,
Allen, William,
May, Francis,
May, Charles,
Benny, Lewis,
Burrows, Samuel,
Wise,
Exton, George,
Ransome, Ann,
Exton, William,
Fry, Arthur,
Fry, Eliza,
May, Nancy,
May, Lewis,
Coat, William,
Coat, Joseph,
Ransom, Maria,
Allen, Thomas,
Caleman,
Curtis, James

eggs, vineyards, teacher, servants, school managers, plumber, household decoration, household furniture, private gardens, gardening, builder, clothing, travel, chemist, druggist, strawberries, funerals, Hitchin, Hertford, Kennington, China, Gravesend, Wellingborough, MARSTON MORETAINE, Tottenham, MILLBROOK, Wandsworth, London