Title
Nancy May to Priscilla Strange 23 April 1837
Ipswich 4th mo 23rd 1837
My dear Sister
Being prevented by the rain from going to meeting I felt inclined to occupy a part of the quiet it affords in beginning a letter to thee, in the first place accept my thanks for the P.S.'s I have lately received from thee, and tho' highly valuing them I shall be truly glad to have a respectable sized letter once more from thee -
I duly received dear Mother's kind letter, and deeply do I feel in her debt for her many favours in this & countless other ways, and have nothing to offer in return but affection and gratitude, both of which I can sincerely say increase as time rolls on, and should we be permitted to meet again, we shall I firmly believe be nearer & dearer to each other than ever.
I am now almost daily expecting to hear of the death of my Aunt Oxley, she was seized about a fortnight ago with what they thought a second attack of Influenza, but it proved inflammation of the Liver, her medical attendant gave no prospect of recovery, and when my last report was penned they all thought her sinking, but I conclude she must have revived a little as that is several posts since my cousin Elizabeth is also ill, too much even to be carried to see her Mother, which has been a great trial to them both.
Thou hast heard me speak of Henry Willet who first married my cos.M.A.Coley then Eleyn Kenway, he has lost his 3rd wife 2 children & a brother in law in less than 3 weeks, and a daughter 2 months before, poor man, Providence is indeed leading him through deep waters and putting his faith to the test by depriving him of the dearest objects of his affections, intended I fully believe to purify them for Him more than they may have hitherto been.
Jane Brightman is now at [Sandwich] the time fixed for their visit to me is the 5th day of next month how it will be now we cannot at present see, the pleasure of their visit there is much damped of course but Jane has a mind that knows how to look upon these things, she has been well schooled poor girl in the uncertainty of all human delights.
I have a nice letter from my dear Margaret this morning, she mentions having received a small parcel the day previous with a kind letter to them, dear Harriet has I am afraid been very unwell with a sore throat, but I am thankful to hear quite well now, they already anticipate the pleasure of meeting, so does their Mother but it is with trembling.
24th. I shall hope to hear in thy next what your views are respecting Yearly Meeting, as they will in some measure govern my movements, Father will I suppose be there and if Mother could muster courage it might be of some use to her.
G.Pilkington is now at Ipswich, he delivered a lecture in our meeting house on 6th day evening to general satisfaction, I was prevented going by rain, he has lodged with us for two nights, and much we have enjoyed his company, he is I think much altered, both in manner & appearance since I last saw him, much older, he is to plead in the Teetotal cause here on the 9th of next month, if we are not full he will most likely be our guest again, he went to meeting yesterday.
The late damp weather has brought a few of my old feelings to my remembrance, but I bear them not only with patience, but cheerfulness, knowing how so much, and generally the rain was wanted; the farmers here were beginning to look very serious upon the prospect, and not without good cause. I think I never witnessed so late a Spring, not even in the North, where we expect to lie 3 weeks after the South.
I feel rather a curiosity for I am afraid it is nothing better, to know how G.Coleby's Mother goes on, I am sorry to say the more we know of him, the more contempt we have for his character, Charles had a few weeks ago what he calls an imprudent letter from him (on business of no importance) he is most truly a "poor thing".
When do J.Phillips's sisters came to reside amongst you? it is a fortnight ago today since I saw A. Alexander, I then spent the day with her, she has I think company which is the reason I have not been furnished with a ride, the last was to call with her at the house of poor Thomas Clarkson, they bear their very great affliction in a truly Christian spirit, but it is no common trial, one in which there is so little of consoling reflection respecting the poor deceased, when J.C. was informed of the awful circumstances he almost immediately offered up a prayer for his poor Son, then for strength to submit to the dispensation, the Widow who is own niece to J.C. is a very pious young woman, therefore the variety of her feelings cannot be described, she has one child, a little boy about 5 years old, very much like his G.papa, they are altogether at {Playfarel} Hall, a sweet spot 5 miles from Ipswich.
I rejoice to hear so bright an account of my dear E.Bennell. We have heard several times of J.Forster's acceptable service in & about London, I hope he will be permitted to build up some of the"waste places in our church -
I have not heard from Manchester lately, Nancy Ransome is now visiting her relatives here, she has left the society but she seems glad to go to our meetings,we avoid the subject as much as possible she is very affectionate towards us all and is I believe sincerely desirous of doing what is right, I consider her movements very much governed by local circumstances, & acting under the influence of those she was with.
It is delightful to have such improved accounts of dear Father's health, I often fancy thee with him in the garden which now begins to look pretty.
Since writing the above we have been to see the large ship launched, built in this port, this is a beautiful sight and quite a treat to inland folks, we have some works by the water and from the upper room we have a good view of the river & town.
Poor Joseph, I am sorry he is not comfortable, should he have a {new} Mistress the case will not be much improved, we are on the listen for an opening with {Warner?} & Ransome, I should like to have him so near us give our love to him he is by far the most interesting person in that house.
I suppose the next news will be that Alfred Pearman is going to be married, so the young things go on and remind me how content I am growing.
We should be glad to help you to journeyman -
Should a letter from A. cross this let me hear again from you as you are two and I only one.
My dear C. is quite well also the dear boys who and desire their love to Father, Mother, & thy whole self with thy affectionately attached Sister
A.C.May
Love to any friend.
May & Strange Postmarks : B IPSWICH
For Ampthill 25AP25 AP25
P.Strange Bedfordshire. 1827 1837