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Priscilla Strange to Ann May 12 Oct 1838 Ampthill 10th mo 12th 1838 My dear Mother Having an evening to myself for the first time I seem anxious to devote the time in giving thee a few particulars of home to make up for my last brief scrawl - Our Sister left this morning and went by railroad to Birmingham & most likely is at her own home by this time.- We have quite enjoyed her visit & hope she did too - we took her to Woburn Abbey & Bedford besides some walks which will make her acquainted with our country a little. But no doubt thou art wishing to hear how our little darling is - I am glad to say very nicely one tooth is quite through & the other nearly so & we think she improves daily in every respect & I quite believe you will see her much grown as some of her frocks are too small already - The rest of us are quite well, but I am sorry to say I had a not very good account of John Youill on 3rd day M.A.T. said that one evening he complained of being chilly & cold - he had his feet in warm water & went to bed - about 3 in the morning he rang the bell - M.A. went to him & found him very poorly, he continued so till after he was up, pulse very high & feverish. O.F. was called in who gave him some medicine which relieved him - O.F. said it was all connected with his complaint - at the time M.A. wrote he was much better though very languid - his sister came last 7th day.- I have just had Harriet Wheeler here who is wanting a place if Captain Newland's wife does not engage her - she is to know tomorrow - what dost thou think of her for you? if at liberty the girl is certainly very much improved - please to send instructions what to do - I do not hear of any body else.- The American Quaker Clock & newspapers are come but not the man or the letter - we cannot set the clock "running" till he comes - it is a wooden one & now standing on the sideboard - whether it is a present or not we do not know.- I have been busy this afternoon arranging the plants in the Greenhouse which are looking very well - I suppose the Grapes will not ripen now as we must let the air in very much.- They have had a good deal to do in the Shop - Thomas helps on the drapery side & they get done in good time of an evening - some of the young men (not ours) in the Town are getting signatures to a paper in order to close all shops at eight from Michaelmas to Lady day & at nine from Lady Day to Michaelmas nearly all have signed - it only wants Claridge's & Edward is intending to speak to him about it.- Last 3rd day week Walton of Bedford met an untimely end - he had just been getting orders at Shefford & had proceeded a little way out of the Town when the horse became unmanageable & killed him on the spot - he was buried last 3rd day - Martha Morris is at home but has taken a house at Cromer & is intending to leave Ampthill I believe - we hear that the house is to be kept for Gertrude when she is of age - Your house is opened daily - we have the plate down here & everything has been safe so far - I have bought some plums today for thee in preference to damsons.- There have been two incendiary fires one at Aspley & one at Warendon - some farmers came yesterday to increase their insurances in consequence.- I am sorry to say the Small-pox has again made its appearance - Bet Money & some of her grandchildren are ill but favourably so.- We are often talking about you and hope you continue to derive benefit from the change - I often wish I could take a peep & see the merry faces round you - tell Louisa I shall expect an epistle by you from her.- It seems a long time since I saw dear Nancy's handwriting & I am conscious of having been a delinquent that way but many things have hitherto occurred to prevent my writing much, which I hope will not be again as I feel stronger in proof of which I took a very long walk with our Sister Ann on 4th day without over fatigue.- I think I must close this scrawl as I have to write to Jane.- please give our very dear love to each individual of your circle, accept a large share thyself from thy affectionate Priscilla - For Ann May at Bearts Lodgings Postmark : G AMPTHILL [Seal : Priscilla in a square] Aldborough 13OC13 Suffolk - 1838

12 Oct 1838

From: 1838 To: 1838

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Strange, Priscilla,
May, Ann,
Youill, John,
Foster, Oswald,
Wheeler, Harriet,
Newland, Captain,
Walton,
Morris, Martha,
Morris, Gertrude,
May, Jane,
Money, Bet,
May, Louisa

travel, social activities, health, medical conditions, doctor, FIRE, greenhouses, shops, drapers, DEATH, epidemics, smallpox, fruit, Birmingham, Woburn Abbey, BEDFORD, Aldborough [Suffolk], Cromer, ASPLEY GUISE, SHEFFORD, Wavendon