Z699/164

Hannah Southall of Leominster to Ann May 20 Jan 1838 Leominster 1st Mo 20th 1838 My dear Friend I have been wishing to write to thee for some time feeling assured that thou wilt most kindly enter into my anxieties relative to our dear John [Tertius Southall] on whose account we cannot but feel much solicitude during the present most inclement season. This was greatly increased by his own report of "indisposition" a short time since, tho' it was mentioned in too indefinite a manner for us to form much conjecture as to the nature or extent of his ailment. We have felt much obliged to E.Strange for his very kind reply to my Husband's enquiries - and are now greatly relieved on this subject from dear John from {whom} we have recently received a more cheering account of himself. He seems to have been tried that we should have taken alarm at his former letter - but dear boy he is hardly aware how much we had been feeling for him under his present circumstances - so different to what he had been accustomed to - and so little inured to labour as yet, or hardships of any kind - We are however well satisfied that he is placed with friends who are most kindly disposed towards him and I do feel a comfortable pursuasion that his best interests will be promoted by the care and example of those who have now the rule over him. I endeavour to repress over anxiety and fears relative to the occupations in which our son must necessarily be engaged, trusting to the judicious and watchful superintendence of our friends - that the labour required be not disproportionate to his strength considering his growing state - and that tho' healthy, he does not possess a constitution remarkably robust. Dear John told me whilst at Ampthill that he thought I need not fear active employment for him, and was quite anxious to undertake the situation - he has recently expressed his satisfaction in being bound - I trust therefore all will be well - and sincerely hope he may prove a steady, valuable apprentice. It has indeed been an unspeakable comfort to me to find that hitherto our dear boy has conducted himself well - but it would be an additional satisfaction my dear friend if I might obtain from thee (without presuming too much on thy kindness) more minute particulars respecting him than either his own letters or the information we have received from other quarters has conveyed. I know I may appeal to thy own feelings as a tender Mother - for the sort of communication I could desire and I also feel well assured that he will not fail to receive from thee many little attentions to his comfort and encouragement which one so young and in the early days of his apprenticeship may stand in need of - I have the most perfect confidence in thy long {held} experience as regards the care of young people - and consider it a privilege that dear John should be so situated. I hope he will duly appreciate thy kindness - and freely open his heart to thee when he needs a friend and counsellor. I have particularly mentioned the subject of clothing {still} fearing he may not be provided with such as may be required for the unusual severity of the season. May I request thy kind advice to him in some particulars - and such assistance as he may need in procuring what he wants. His stockings were Angola - perhaps warm woollen ones as he is troubled with chilblains would be better - I also regret I did not furnish him with thicker shirts for Winter - I have proposed his having two or three calico ones made to wear when the weather is milder - or a calico under-waistcoat with sleeves - which would be sooner got ready - I do feel uneasy on this subject considering how much he must necessarily be exposed to the cold - and the more so from hearing how much his hands and feet have been chilled - I shall be anxious to know how they are now the cold has so greatly increased - with us the thermometer was this morning below zero - and I fear there is a prospect of long continued severity. I hope your family generally has been favoured with health and that thou art enabled to go through thy arduous duties with renewed ability of body and mind. We were apprehensive thy dear Husband might be in London during the awful fire at the Exchange. Thy relatives in Corn Hill must have been seriously alarmed - but I hope thy Husband was not with them at the time.- I should be pleased to hear of thy daughter Priscilla, who as usual, is I suppose a frequent visitor, and must be a great help and comfort to thee - wilt thou please to present my kind love to her and her husband and where opportunity offers to thy kind niece Louisa Hooper. When it suits thy convenience, I shall be truly obliged by a reply to my letter. I hope I am not asking too much - but thou wilt readily suppose that I am anxious to obtain as much information relative to the dear object of my solicitude, and tho' the care of the body occupies much of my thoughts - I feel a still greater interest in the concerns of the better part. I do hope the care of the Good Shepherd will be extended over this absent member of our family - and that my earnest desires for his preservation in the path of duty, and of peace may be answered. We crave not I trust great things for our children - but rather that they may be partakers of that "blessing which maketh truly rich." Our J.T.S. mentioned in his last letter a melancholy circumstance which had occurred in your neighbourhood from the accidental discharge of a gun.- We have within this day or two had to deplore an awful event of a similar kind - The eldest son of our Mason William Davis had gone out into the fields to look after some sheep taking with him his gun - and a youth who was an apprentice. On taking up his gun which had been laid on the ground - some part of his dress caught the trigger - and it was immediately discharged, the contents passing through the head of the poor youth who was standing near him - and laid him a corpse at his feet. - The shock was so great to the survivor that has been almost in a state of distraction - his distress being much aggravated by the circumstance of his disobedience to his Father's repeated admonitions against the use of fire arms. I wish this sad catastrophe might act as a warning to young persons - not only in avoiding dangerous pursuits - but as setting forth the painful consequences of not giving heed to the counsel of their friends. 1st day - There being no post yesterday - I have been obliged to defer sending this to today. Dear John will be glad to hear that we are well, which is indeed a favour. Our circle generally is in usual health - excepting that our dear Mother was kept at home today by some indisposition in the bowels - which I hope will prove only temporary - With our very dear love to Tertius and kind regards to thyself and Husband - believe me my dear Friend, thy affectionate & obliged H.Southall I often recur with satisfaction to my agreeable visit to Ampthill - It was to me a pleasant introduction to your family. I hope we may see some of you our way. Thy son & daughter Strange perhaps in the course of the present year. Seal : Eye & eyebrow in sunburst, IN WATCH OVER YOU Samuel May Postmarks : G LEOMINSTER For Ampthill PAID JA21 Ann May Beds. 22JA22 1838

20 Jan 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Southall, Hannah,
May, Ann,
Southall, John Tertius,
Strange, Priscilla,
Hooper, Louisa,
Davis, William,
May, Samuel

health, LABOUR, weather, guns, shooting, DEATH, mason, Leominster, City of London Cornhill