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Priscilla Strange to Ann May 5 Sept 1836 Bridge Farm [Almeley] 9th mo. 5th My dear Mother Having at length arrived at the end of our journey, we thought you would be wishing to hear how we have accomplished it, which I am glad to be able to say it has been quite as pleasantly as we had anticipated - We reached Chipping Norton the first night, a distance of fifty one miles - the horse performing the last stage as well as the first - before we found our road lay through Ayno where Edward got out to see Edwin Pumphrey, the family being at tea they invited us to join them, which we did, & W.Wycherley had our horse put up in his stable, they were very agreeable people & pressed us to lodge there on our return. Edwin is looking very healthy & strong & his master gives him a very good character. - From Chipping Norton we proceeded over a very hilly country to Moreton in the Marsh, where we breakfasted - the hills were very long & steep all the way to Evesham, but the beautiful view from the top of Broadway Hill amply compensated for the trouble of walking up & down them. We saw Malvern very distinctly & some of the hills in Radnorshire a distance of ninety five miles - we of course used our telescope there.- We arrived at Evesham about two o'clock, John Appleton met us at the door & said they had almost given us up, but however we met with a hearty welcome & kind attentions. The family are all quite well - the youngest boy has been very ill but is now recovered -- John Appleton had continued to be at leisure the whole of the time we were there - he & Eliza took us two very pretty walks in the afternoon & evening after which we called on Ann Burlingham whose husband is still visiting meetings in Cumberland, Westmoreland & Lancashire but is expected home very soon. After breakfast the next morning the rain seemed as if it would deter our progress, but we took the opportunity of a little of a little cessation to proceed on our way, but the rain & wind soon became so heavy & strong that for about an hour we had some difficulty in holding the umbrella, but it cleared off & was quite fine when we arrived at Stanley Pumphrey's - he was in his garden & soon spied us & gave us a welcome, though from some little hints we found if we had written he would have liked it better - young Stanley's wife was there after a severe feverish attack - we went to call on Eliza after dinner & she went with us to see the china manufactory which we saw in all its stages - - Eliza returned with us to tea when we found Lucy was there waiting for us - I was much pleased in meeting those two girls & found them very unaffected & sociable.- Poor Maria is still at Hull only waiting for a little increase of strength to return home as she has been seriously ill - I mentioned what thou wished me to; Stanley P. was much obliged for our thinking of her but in her present state it is quite out of the question.- On seventh day we again set out on our journey - we reached Leominster about three o'clock & proceeded to Samuel Southall's, Edward was there & seemed pleased to see us - we took tea & about 5 o'clock were once more reseated in our gig & after a ride of thirteen miles found ourselves in our present habitation where we were cordially received - - The family are all well - Yesterday proving so wet we thought we had better stay at home though it was fair at times we should have found it uncomfortable to be out.- Benjamin dined with us, his wife is daily expecting her fifth child, the oldest being only five years old - The weather has been cool & we are glad to find a good fire all day in the parlour which I am afraid will spoil us - We have not yet seen William - - - Edward is now waiting for me to take a walk as it is fine though very windy - we have not yet formed any plan for going out further - we shall probably walk to Benjamin's this afternoon - We shall hope to hear from you by return of post, you had better write the day you get this as the letters are mostly ones sent & are a day or two later.- With very dear love to Father Aunt A. & thyself in which my dear E. unites I remain Thine affectionately P.Strange P.S. I forgot to say the young man at John Appleton's who was drowned was Edward Frells. [Seal : Priscilla in a square]. Samuel May Postmark: H EARDISLEY HEREFORD Ampthill 7 SE 7 SE 6 A.M. Bedfordshire 1836 1836

5 Sept 1836

From: 1836 To: 1836

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Strange, Priscilla,
May, Ann,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Pumphrey, Edwin,
Wycherley, W.,
Appleton, John,
Appleton, Eliza,
Burlingham, Ann,
Southall, Samuel,
Pumphrey, Stanley,
Strange, Benjamin,
Frells, Edward,
May, Samuel,
Strange, William

horse drawn coaches, travel, stables, horses, farms, health, social activities, food & drink, weather, rain, manufacturing, DEATH, Almeley, Chipping Norton, Moreton in the Marsh, Evesham, Malvern, Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, Hull, Leominster, Eardisley, Hereford