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Hannah Southall to Ann May 11 July 1838 Leominster 7th Mo 11th 1838 I hope thou hast not thought me negligent of thy kind intimation of writing to thee during our dear Tertius's visit to us. I preferred leaving it for a week or two that I might more fully communicate to thee my observations and feelings respecting him. In the first place however I must express my concern & sympathy for you under the trying dispensation which has been permitted in the serious indisposition of thy dear Husband and his consequent detention from home - I sincerely hope he is now favoured to be with you and convalescing as fast as can be expected after so severe an attack. No doubt care and quietude will be needful for some time to come. Under these circumstances the change you have lately made in your habitation must prove very relieving and I trust all your arrangements will be found entirely satisfactory Dear Priscilla has been nicely preparing for the responsible and weighty charge which is now devolving upon her, and will find many advantages in the experience she has gained and the close observations she must have made when at thy right hand and will I trust derive additional strength and comfort from the society of her beloved Mother. I fear that thy health my dear friend has been a good deal affected by thy late anxieties. It will be fully satisfactory to us to hear that your painful solicitudes are relieved and much hope soon to receive some particulars of your present state. Dear Tertius has been wishing me to write thee for some days past and is very desirous to hear of or from you. We were all as thou wilt readily suppose truly rejoiced to receive him in health and safety, though his journey was performed with some difficulties in consequence of the late coronation. So many returning who had booked their places in London that Tertius had no chance in any of the coaches between the stations, either by the first or second trains. He therefore was glad to join two other persons in a tilted cart from Denbigh Hall to Rugby which he reached in time for the last train to Birmingham where he arrived a little after ten at night - The next evening we had the comfort of giving him the welcome home. Our circle now complete, and I can truly say my heart was never more gladdened by the society of our dear children than at the present time. The elder ones in particular give us so much satisfaction by their amiable and thoughtful deportment. Dear John (as we still familiarly call him at home) is indeed a sweet example to his younger brother and sisters in many ways - I have been quite struck with the change which every day evinces in his conduct to what he was in his school boy character, and I am gradually gaining a little ground in the knowledge of his internal feelings. But there appears to be a conscientious fear of disclosing the secret workings of his mind - a fear which I cannot but believe it is safer for him to give heed to, than to be too easily drawn out into expression, that I have forborne to press any further the communication as yet than might feel quite easy to his own mind. I shall hope however before our dear boy leaves to be made more acquainted with all the cause of the occasional depression which is visible even in the midst of the cheerful associations surrounding him - and I should rejoice to be enabled to impart comfort or encouragement as the case may require - From the observations I have made as well as from the few hints I have gathered from him, I have reason to think his mind has been under serious convictions for his youthful transgressions, such as levity at school and the like - tho' I do not find that this exceeded or perhaps equalled many of his companions - yet they do recur to his recollection - and oppress his tender conscience in a way which evinces the operation of the Divine power on a susceptible heart - and who could wish to check or in any way obstruct its progress ! All I can do as it feels to me my dear friend, is to is to endeavour as simply as possible to direct his mind to his inward Teacher & guide - who only can lead him safely along through the period of suffering giving patience to endure the necessary conflict, but will undoubtedly in due time become not only his comforter but deliverer. It is an unspeakable satisfaction to me to observe so much of the genuine fruits of the spirit beginning to appear, so much of his own nature already in subjection if it is safe to judge from the little intercourse we have yet enjoyed. A Mother's eye may perhaps be quick in noting such changes, but others have also remarked the general seriousness and watchfulness of dear T.'s conduct. I am fearful of saying so much on this (to me) interesting subject, nor should I have ventured so far had I not known and felt thy truly kind solicitude on our dear boy's account - This induces a confidence which I should not otherwise have indulged, and I am comforted in believing that he will still find in thee a watchful judicious friend as well as a tender spiritual Mother. - he loves thee much has often expressed how very kind thou hast been to him in so many ways - and he has told me that he thinks he shall be able perhaps to open his mind sometimes to thee - but there is a natural diffidence which it seems hard for him to get over - Dear T. has also spoken very gratefully of his Master's kindness and of E.Strange & his Wife - he seems quite pleased with your late arrangement tho' I can perceive his regrets at losing so much of thy society, which he thinks he shall miss still more in the Winter - All this I can quite understand - but I do not doubt that he will often see thee if health permit thee to look in on them - Thy dear little grandchild will be a nice source of interest to the whole family I should think and do well - which I sincerely hope will be the case. I should like to hear of her when thou writes - as also of her dear Mother. Does she still make a good nurse? I think there were a few difficulties at first. I have had an agreeable account on the whole of our late Yearly Meeting from my sister Sarah Burlingham who has been here on a visit. I could have wished to have been one of the number present during dear Sarah Grubb's striking address to friends. It seems as tho' she would still be strengthened to maintain an unflinching testimony to the spirituality of our principles - whilst her prophetic declarations are also sounded in the ears of many - whether they will heed them or no. I scarcely expected last year that she would ever again have lifted up her voice in public - I was also deeply interested in the very few particulars I have gathered of the closing scenes of dear John Barclay's life - It must indeed been a memorable season to those who were privileged to witness his triumphant exit from this world of sorrow giving as he appears to have done such clear and undoubted evidence that he had not "followed cunningly devised fables" and setting the seal to his labours in the cause of Truth - What an unspeakable loss to the Society is the removal of such an instrument of usefulness - such an example in every thing that was good and worthy of imitation - and withal tenderly sympathising a friend - I long to know more of his latter days. I am sorry my dear friend to lay aside my pen - it seems so pleasant to me to converse a little with thee in this way but I have been called away on some business which has left me very few minutes before the time of the post - I hope to hear from thee as soon as convenient when we shall be glad to know how long it will be suitable to spare our dear Tertius - We wish to leave the matter entirely to your decision, not doubting the kindness of your feelings towards him - The time seems to have passed too rapidly for us - but trust not disadvantageously - and I quite hope no unsettlement will result from the recreation our dear boy is now enjoying - He seems perfectly willing to return to his accustomed avocations whenever it is right he should do so - We have not yet had much of his company select - this week having two young friends on a visit - who however are likely to leave in a few days - My Husband has taken T. with him this morning a ride on a little business - but I was commissioned with their love to thyself and your circle in which I cordially unite - and much desire a favourable account of thy dear Husband as well as thy own health - I am thy sincerely affectionate friend H.Southall - I should have other messages of love to you - did our friends here know of my writing - Samuel May Postmarks : G LEOMINSTER For Ampthill 13JY13 JY12 Ann May Beds 1838 1838

11 July 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Southall, Hannah,
May, Ann,
Strange, Priscilla,
Southall, John Tertius,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Burlingham, Sarah,
Grubb, Sarah,
May, Samuel

health, DEATH, EDUCATION, schools, Leominster, Birmingham