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Ann May to Priscilla Strange at Almeley 20 April 1840 Ampthill 4th Mo. 20th My dearest P. All this day have I been intending to write thee a proper letter setting forth daily occurrences & some of the acquirements of our darling M.E. but a train of hindrances brings me to very near post time so I will not offer another apology for a mere scrawl - First of all may tell thee your lovely girl is quite well & no child need be happier - how her grandma S. would have enjoyed seeing her this morning - sitting up in bed making believe to pick the roses &c. off her handy work the quilt - But I should say poor Sarah was so sick & ill that she proposed leaving & went by the Carrier on 7th - after having expressed regret at being unable to see thee again begg'd me to thank thee for all thy kindness. We have had S.Stonbridge's help occasionally she has scoured four chambers & a pretty fair face is at length put upon things & we have just got our new servant Eliza Sharpling, James Grimes has fetched her from Hitchin I have had a pretty deal of conversation with & am quite encouraged but don't be alarmed she is only engaged for two weeks on trial her age 28, a slender creature but looks active not the most unlike {Joseph} Ransome's wife, was 21/2 years at Joseph Lucas's was wishing to live with friends being a member of the Methodists - is extremely fond of children - I must write to refuse the person M.Tranter named as she was but 20. We think & speak much of you hoping you are enjoying the delightful weather - hope to see a letter tomorrow from you - I conclude thy F. said H.Tuckett spent a day here I went deep into both the grievance with his mother & that with Francis but made no impression he being so perfectly faultless - I had a nice long letter from Francis, commencing in the coal trade seems reviving to his hopes he expects to go to Plymouth very soon - Yesterday we had John Coleby at Meeting he is employed in the capacity of Decorator &c. by J.Phillips. Henry Ashby wife & daughter were at meeting, left yesterday. A letter from Nancy asks if we can send for Robert Ransome's boy next 6th day to meet him here all had had colds but were better. C. & N. intend to engage a small lodging for Y.M. - Julia Walker gave birth to a fine girl last night & is tolerable - I saw M.Mann & her boy down stairs last evening she is sadly burdened with milk but extremely well for the time - Joseph Sharples had a long chat with me this afternoon - Henry Brown & his little boy were here on 7th day evening - An apprentice of my brother James has taken prussic acid & is dead. Thy F. has only to join me in love to you & your relatives - I am to say all goes on very well, Thy ever affectionate Mother. [Seal : "O [?}] LOVE SWEET FLOWER [PLUCK]" & a rose] Alice Strange Postmark ; AMPTHILL Bridge Farm AP 20 Almeley near Kington 1840 Priscilla Herefordshire

20 April 1840

From: 1840 To: 1840

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
Strange, Priscilla,
Strange, Mary Ellen,
Stonbridge, S.,
Grimes, James,
Sharpling, Eliza,
Ransome, Joseph,
Lucas, Joseph,
Tranter, Mary,
Tuckett, H.,
Tuckett, Francis,
Tuckett, Elizabeth,
Coleby, John,
Phillips, J,
Ashby, Henry,
May, Nancy,
Ransome, Robert,
May, Charles,
Mann, Mary,
Walker, Julia,
Sharples, Joseph,
Brown, Henry,
Curtis, James,
Strange, Alice

servant, household personnel, apprenticeship, suicide, Hitchin, Almeley