Title
Ann May to Harriet May 27 March 1838
Ampthill 3rd Mo 27th 38
My dear Harriet
I have been debating in my mind, as to whether it would be most proper to address thee, or thy dear Mamma, whose sweet letter, full of kindness & goodwill, found a cordial response & acceptance in all our hearts, but I must remember, that I have been longer in thy debt, & how much it is my wish to cherish the affection that prompted my dear H. to send me such a nice, pretty letter, for indeed everything relating to you is very interesting to us, we would share in all your joys, & sorrows as in days gone by, but that being denied, let us make the best of it, & desire increasing thankfulness for our remaining blessings, which are far beyond many others, but now my dear, it occurs to me, that it is one of thy greatest treats to sit by thy dear Mamma, so imagine me joining thee on the sofa, & answering your first question by saying that thy aunt was very well when I saw her this morning, & about getting up to dinner, having had a most comfortable night, she was even using her needle - but there was another person in the room to whom I should like to introduce thee, who lately came to settle amongst us, and it seems we must maintain her, as she is said to be a near relation, but as to her name, or that of her parents, or where she has been used to reside, not a word will she utter - sometimes, in looking her full in the face, I fancy her like thy aunt S. but oh! such a wry face does she make the next moment, as to seem only like herself, she is a very tiny friend, & at length it is discovered that her name is Mary Ellen, a soft name being best to precede a harsh one, & now her lot is cast amongst us, it is likely she will become a member of this meeting next sixth day (our M.M. here). I must make up my mind for a bustle, for we are but few to entertain our dear friends, now the door, which used to stand so wide open to admit yours is closed, or at least was so last M.M. -
What a beautiful Spring day! just fit for a nursling to take the first breath of fresh air, as our little one did today upon my recommendation, how Margaret & thee would have liked to join Nurse & me round & round the garden, & then astonishing Papa S. with the sight of our little muffled up treasure, as lethargic as a dormouse -
We have parted with our dear head nurse, she went by coach yesterday, as did thy granpapa, J.Youell, & J.Phillips, J.Y. for his holidays purposing to join his relatives at Norwich Q.M. -
We have pretty much got thro' the great job of stock taking, & can think of few things so delightful as seeing thy most dear papa, but it seems patience must still be exercised, so we will try to enjoy the anticipation, yet are indeed sorry to hear of Frederick Ransome's illness.
Thy grandpa' and I with Thomas May went to Hertford last week, I felt it very difficult to leave thy aunt S. but she was under such good care, & on my return it was with unspeakable pleasure & thankfulness, that I found her in every way improved, she is now making a pretty good nurse, & has walked into the next room -
But I was going to tell about a charming visit we made on our way from Hertford, having Maria Morris & Hannah Sophia May added to our number, all lodged, & staid breakfast at Joseph Bennell's, his three girls are much grown & look so stout & rosy, & like you, have a very agreeable & kind teacher. Benjamin Tatham jun. came to breakfast with us, & he spent last 1st day here, both his uncle & Mary Ann are in the North -
In passing through Hitchin, we dined as usual at Elizabeth Wheeler's, she sat at table with us, but not at the head, being very feeble - & our poor friend Ann Ransome is gone to end her days at the house of her kind son & daughter Sharples, who both from duty & love, will wait on her just as my dearest Margaret & Harriet would on me, were I as helpless. J.S. is going to make great improvements in his house & premises, to pull down that nice old stair among the rest, which I should like better than a new one, his two little girls & their cousin Exton are looking
very finely -
Charlotte Norris call'd upon me lately, her brother J.Warner is gone with his family to reside in Penzance, for the improvement of his health - I have neither room nor time to tell thee about our poor neighbours, but we are not likely to have neighbour Wheeler long, she keeps her bed in settled consumption. Josiah M.Morris & E.H.Strange are appointed guardians, tell thy papa, & had he lived here, a summons to the House of Commons from Lord Holland would have reached him - Marshall & Robinson are gone to give their evidence relative to the poor laws.
Dost thou say what a dry subject is this to a little girl! true, but is not Mamma sitting by us? so excuse it my dear this once, & believe me, with love to thee, & all who are dear to thee
Thy very affectionate - Grandma.