Reference
Z699/149
Title
Caroline May to Priscilla Strange 22 Feb 1837
Tottenham 2nd mo 22nd 1837
My dear Sister
Thy kind letter was indeed a cheering communication I had hardly anticipated such a rapid recovery as my dear parents' seems likely to be I cannot tell thee how often my thoughts were employed about them and indeed about you all after I left you and truly thankful we are to Him who still preserves such valuable lives to us & to society at large it seems as if we could ill spare any of the fruit bearing branches just now especially those which having patiently submitted to the sharp pruning of the Great Husbandman give promise of "bearing more fruit" to His praise and our instruction & encouragement - we my dear P. have learnt so much of late if we have endeavoured after that disposition that would be "everywhere and in all things instructed" -
I had a nice quiet journey home no fellow passengers till I got to St Albans - Sister Rachel was half expecting me and I enjoyed several hours with her as it was planned for Brother W. to take me to Chills Hill to meet Edward there & she accompanied us - Benjamin Winstone delivered my letters & post &c in Town - I need not tell thee what a bright group of little faces welcomed my return home- Aunt Arch says in a note "how pleased thy little ones must have been to see thee, and thy great one too" - he was indeed tho' he hardly knew whether to be glad or sorry on hearing of my intending to come home - I found all well except Sarah who had been in bed most of two days with a worse attach of headache and she is still an invalid not able to do much - one horse was & is on the sick list for lameness but better now - the 3 eldest girls had been dining with S.{S?} at the school the day before I reached home & the preceding afternoon had been at Robert Howard's been entertained with the electrifying machine so they had a great deal to tell me.
Priscilla Doeg is still with us she receives no letter from Bristol to fix the time of her going & as she is a good deal with her sister at R.Howard's she likes her quarters I believe I proposed her remaining awhile when I came back but suppose she will be going soon -
C.Harper's sister has been sitting with me this morning - it seems poor C.H. appeared pleased when told she was not likely to last long but could serenely speak. She said the evening afore she should have liked to have seen us again but tho' there was a good deal of bodily distress there appeared to be no conflict of mind -
We had an interesting visit from G.Pilkington on 2nd day evening to give a lecture at the Independent Chapel & lodged here it was past 12 o'clock before we could make up our minds to break up the conversation - he is an extraordinary man & I believe a sincere Christian he seems fully convinced of our principles & his wife is almost applying for membership.
I think it would be wise not to be hasty with respect to him, his path is a singular one, I hear one of his children is likely to be got into Croydon school.
5th day. The wet weather keeps me in having had a slight cold - I have only been out once since I came home but am very well now.
Aunt Arch sent me a nice account of herself yesterday upon the whole & H. Tuckett who called afterwards said she had been at meeting {with} the Kennington family (at least the female part of it) Aunt A {wishes} me to say that she intended sending Mother's little commissions this week with the books - She has had the numbness in the foot change to pain but she says she cannot lay claim to the gout or should fancy she had it -
"Brother H paid his account into Pratt & Fowlers on the 9th of this month"
Edward advises thou should begin the Rust of Iron even if a little cough remains - I want to hear of thy getting stronger - My dear E. continues his daily visits at Chills Hill M.Q. is better but far from being off the sick list I imagine - It seems Brother Curtis made too sure about letting his cottage it is still unlet & they remain there -
We have rather better accounts of Ann Watson but there is much cause for uneasiness still she is in a state requiring the greatest care & watching it is a close trial for her dear Parents -
Have you heard that J.Gurney has obtained a certificate from his own meeting to visit America some think he has yet a sharpish ordeal to go thro' before he is liberated -
E. is not nearly so busy as he was and is now trying to get his bills out we shall have a holiday I hope when that is accomplished -
I hope thy Edward will not get overdone with his exertions it is quite a comfort to us to know that F. & M. have such a Prop in him & as to myself he more than ever seems a "brother beloved" -
H.Tuckett read some part of a letter from Mariana speaking most feelingly of you they were gratified with having particulars sent to them - all were pretty well
I have left Edward's Razor Strop which he is very careful of it is a case too containing Razors I kept it on the drawers that I might remember it but someone put it away when we cleared the spare room for a Brown pray see that they are where they cannot get rusty & send them as soon as you can.-
Dear E.Howard is nicely has been to see me to hear all the particulars about you.
Chicks are much obliged to Grandpa for his nice packet & to Grandma for the shells.
I shall like much to hear by Mother's pen how you are in another week & what progress she & Father are making but if she does not incline hope thou wilt do it for her - I know every fresh step & occurrence will shew the breach made in your circle more & more and that while the affecting event is fading from the minds of others it will become more vivid to those most nearly concerned.
May your spirits together drink of and be sustained & refreshed by those streams which make "glad the heritage of god" S.Sweetapple was much pleased with receiving a letter from dear Mother -
Our dear love to her & Father and with much to thy E. & self
I remain Thy Truly affectionate Sister C.May.
I think J.Morris & your clergyman should have Baptist Noel's new tract to read "in the unity of the Church". J.P.Wise dined here 1st day & brought it, he is setting off again.
Seal : C.M.
Samuel May Postmarks : J 7NT7 TOTTENHAM
Ampthill FE23 FE23 EV
P.Strange Beds. 1837 1837 FE23
Date free text
22 Feb 1837
Production date
From: 1837 To: 1837
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
Format
paper
Level of description
item