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Ann May to Priscilla Strange 26 May 1837 Tottenham 6th day Morning My dearest P. Having hitherto availed myself of thy F.'s correspondence with Edward for letting you know how it has fared with us the time seems come for thee to make a just claim upon my pen now that half an hours leisure is before me. I cannot say much in detail only an outline to be filled up when we meet if favoured to do so but from late experience in recent weeks uncertainty is more legibly than ever stamped on the things of time yet with a degree of thankfulness I may tell thee we are all just now as well as usual but Jane does not lose the spasms she felt them before meeting yesterday morning - when we met just as I alighted from the carriage (Emily & Louisa my companions) it was the first sitting Jane had attended she looked cheerful & well brother H. says change of air will be of most use. As thy F. has so repeatedly written you have doubtless heard more than I can tell relating to Y.M. the business of which has proceeded very satisfactorily particularly so yesterday morning when much deeply instructive counsel was imparted partly called forth by the answers which are gone thro' and the summary preparing we are to meet at five this afternoon when some valuable testimonies of the deceased will be read & an address to the counties considered - But I should tell thee that I came here last evening with Edward (Caroline & Lucy in the back seat) to attend the funeral of Deborah Forster whose awfully sudden death thou doubtless heard of - it is nearly time to go Jackson is to drive us, Edward having joined the mourners there will doubtless be a large attendance - Last evening at Francis's we quite swarmed & were in a complete buzz when the men's meeting broke up & all wanting a cup of tea after we of our side of the house had done. Nancy, Caroline, H.Morton &c. &c. were there & I was agreeably surprised by Rebecca & Ann Pumfrey (the ancient sisters) coming in - Nancy is so well & bears the sittings so much beyond expectation that she does not intend leaving town this week she looks quite bright having been to the dentists as well as myself - in my case no small inconvenience is sustained but I am told use will lessen it - Yesterday thy F. & I dined at Cornhill with our cousins Ann Hicks & Watlock they are really an interesting pair it seems. I must go to see my dear sister H. I agree (between ourselves) to go alone next first day week - Caroline Hooper goes to Newington school after this vacation - the other girls think it would be a help to their Mamma's spirits to visit us afterward - I find no objection made to our having a short visit from the two oldest here before the teacher comes so to be brief this is my plan - subject as thou & I well know to all manner of overturnings - thy F. to take Nancy & her two girls & perhaps thee to Ipswich, on his return to call here & take up Lucy Ann & Eliza, & perhaps Louisa Hooper & Carry, the latter to return with our two, leaving L. to remain, awaiting her mother's going to Ampthill, all this I name for thee to second. We are now returned from Winch Hill after a very solemn meeting, the house full to overflowing, so was the gallery {with} first rate ministers, E.Dudley first brake silence in supplication most impressively, then followed { } who also spoke at the grave, as did E.Fry & William Forster's wife, the poor mother sat by the grave - it is a fine large burying ground, as to the closed carriages they seemed out of number - Elizabeth Robson & Anna Lucas spoke in meeting - We found Anna M.Hooper here on our return so as we go down this afternoon she can take care of the children.I have repeatedly seen Hannah May she told me London never seemed so lonely or rather she in it Nancy Marsh being too unwell to come she is going to see after her tomorrow - Edward is come in to dinner in great haste Thy ever affectionate M. all dear love to you. May & Strange Postmarks : K 7NT7 Ampthill MY26 MY26 Priscilla Beds. 1837 1837

26 May 1837

From: 1837 To: 1837

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
Strange, Priscilla,
Strange, Edward Harris,
May, Edward Curtis,
May, Samuel,
Hooper, Emily,
Hooper, Louisa,
May, Jane,
May, Lucy Ann,
May, Caroline,
Forster, Deborah,
Jackson,
May, Francis,
Morton, H.,
Pumfrey, Rebecca,
Pumfrey, Ann,
Hicks, Ann,
Watlock,
Hooper, Caroline,
Fry, E,
Dudley, E,
Robson, Elizabeth,
Forster, William,
Lucas, ANna,
Hooper, Anna M.,
May, Hannah,
Marsh, Nancy,
May & Strange

May & Strange, funerals, DEATH, mourning, dentists, teacher, Stoke Newington School, Tottenham, Stoke Newington, Ipswich, London