Title
Nancy May to Priscilla Strange 21 Nov 1836
Ipswich 11th mo 21st 1836
My dearest Sister
I have to thank thee for thy two kind letters which I should have replied to sooner if I had not been longer in Mother's debt than thine.
I was glad to have enjoyed your little trip and I doubt not the remembrance of it often affords you a subject of conversation whilst sitting around your own fire side, an occasional absence from home I always think increases the value of our domestic comforts -
I could quite enter into thy feelings, in meeting nine relations, I cannot wish thee more than that thou mayst experience an increase of happiness by the addition, this I can truly say has been my own in no common degree, and now that I am deprived your society I can more fully estimate the value of it.
I had a letter from our dear Margaret yesterday morning, she gives them a good report of herself, Harriet, and the whole establishment, they are hoping to be with you in about a month but I have told her they must not be too much disappointment if it should not be convenient to you to have them, this is Margaret's birthday and I hope she has received a box from us by this time, My C.M. went up to London and last night by the Mail and would take it so far - C. does not leave me so often now, but I miss him much more than I used to do at A.
Our dear boys are quite well, so full of life & spirits when not at school it sometimes is as much as I can do to keep them within moderate bounds - they have lately taken a fancy to drawing which helps to pass these long evenings, they are now sitting at the table, what with shaking it & keeping up a constant chat I know I write more than usual, which is at all times poor - Robert often exclaims Ah! how I wish I could be at Ampthill. Thou must be glad to hear I go on comfortably with my servants, which is more than poor Sarah can say I fancy, I hope there {are} not many such very weak sisters as she. I had a letter from poor Sister Caroline a few days ago. If she had staid quietly with us instead of entering into the bustle of {?} it is most likely she would have been well, but she must have her own way and inclination we all possess in a greater or less degree
I shall be glad to hear from some of you soon I think we have not been so long without before since we came. I hope dear Father is better than the last report - I trust he will inclined to give up now more to Edward, this I am sure much contributes to his health, and consequently to his comfort in every way -
I seem to have nothing to tell thee that will prove interesting, all the friends thou knows are in usual health. A.Alexander is now settled in for the Winter, her Sister Judith with her husband Paul. are now on a visit to them. I conclude you will soon be busy with the clothing account, there is a similar one here on rather a different slant well conducted, and which gives great satisfaction.
22nd I am suffering at this time some pain, but more inconvenience from an accident. I was engaged on 7th day in rescuing a kitten from a dog, when in return for my kindness she bit the first finger of my left hand. it has inflamed a great deal, and last night I was afraid matter was forming, but it is better this morning, I was not aware till now how much I use this hand in place of the right.
How do you get on with the Schools? J.Chorkley & B.Peters families seem to settle in comfortably, I was glad to learn from her that P. goes on much better, he cannot within miles of thy family get it through the day, and at night feels more disposed for bed, she always enquires particularly about you all, poor thing she is not so clean in her person as I should like to see her, but I hope all was not true that was said of her.-
How is neighbour Wheeler ? Julia Hacker ? in short all the people I know I shall feel interested in hearing of.
M.& H. will want new stuff frocks wilt thou be so kind as to purchase what thou think suitable, and get them made Darks I rather prefer, but just as thou likes. Something has been said about cloth Pelisses, I am not sure that they are absolutely necessary, this you must judge of and act exactly as if they were your own children. they have Beaver Bonnets which were rather expensive, therefore I shall thank you to remind them of taking care of them, they will take their old straw ones to sun but never the {horses}, how I shall long to be with you all -
I am almost venturing to hope I may see you in the Spring, and then if it will not lack too much like Castle {Cuilding} -
I must tell thee what I have planned (I believe under a renewed sense of the uncertainty of all things here) for us, to meet you in the 3 or 4 months and for thee to bring the girls to me from school, for me to take lodgings by the sea side, and for thy E. to come for thee, now I think this is a pretty picture and if we do not allow the mind to dwell upon it I think we may be allowed the prospect.
Eliza lately is not yet returned from London, John Wise is out on a journey and seems quite encouraged about this business - E.Broadwick is not very well, her Sister Lydia Hansy who perhaps thou knows is afflicted with cancer, lodges just over the way. I suppose Rhoda has left by this time I hope Mother has a good one to supply her place.
Remember me to Ann Titmouse as the boys will call her, their love &c.
Dost thou ever see Smith? Give my dear love to M.Morris. & Family, J. & C.Morris, not forgetting poor Joseph, I think he might be added to the party next summer !
I am going up to dine with S.Ransome - all the individuals of these families you know have given me entertaining commission of time.
I expect my dear C. home on 5th day he was quite well and left his dear home. By my own health I am thankful to be able to give a fair report. Hoping we shall soon hear from A. I will now bring my scrawl to a conclusion with dear love to Father & Mother thy E. and thyself in which R.C & H. unite I remain my very dear P. thy very affectionate Sister
A.C.May.
Love to our Tottenham friends, when opportunity offers.
May & Strange Postmarks : IPSWICH B [Seal : Anne ]
Ampthill NO22 23 NO23
P.S Beds. 1836 1836