Reference
Z699/191
Title
Ann May to Priscilla Strange at Almeley 23 April 1840 Ampthill 5th Day Evening
My dearest P.
Contrary to my intention I must even now make a shabby return for thy long & very interesting letter the best part of which was the addition made by Edward in reference to thy improved health.
With the exception of my cough which continues to my own annoyance & that of others we are favored with usual health. Thy father quite brisk & well our darling as lovely & well as possible & mostly has good nights - Ann & Anna take her by turns but sometimes she discards the latter unceremoniously though very fond of her by day she also takes most kindly to Eliza who will I hope prove a great help to thee in the care of her - she is quite an agreeable experienced servant, but this morning I was very sorry to find she has a little swelling on the side of her ancle [sic] inflamed & painful so that I fear it must be laid up it is so difficult to know whether to repel or bring it forward but I trust it will not be a lasting malady as she has never before had anything of the kind & seems to have a good constitution very quick & Managing but was overdone at her last place with an incredible deal of work - on entering upon her business here I made a general inspection of mops, brooms, &c. &c. & found a supply of new was absolutely needful, in which I was almost afraid thou would think me extravagant - I have however a great hope that all will turn to good account -
E. seems handy with her needle too, she put on M.E.'s frock waist the first evening & yesterday assisted me a little in cutting out eight shirts for (Mr) alias Thomas Knight - they were quite a teaze to me with full bosoms but are finished. Betsy Grummet has just sent home another, Eliza Richards has two of J.K.'s to begin with, she feels a great calamity the death of Dr Lant Carpenter drowned by accident. His daughters have sent a circular describing the case printed for their friends' information -
Our young men go on pleasantly but certain signs between the two James's become increasingly obvious - they are at this time very busy with Union money &c.
Thy F. has just been in to say they shall be late & he cannot add anything but hopes to meet E. with a letter either at Leominster or Birmingham -
Do tell W. our darling is often talking of going to see cousin Wally.
We had Joseph Green & H.B. to tea - J.G. prefers lodging at the inn - goes by coach tomorrow - is gone into the shop after a long chat since tea -
Tomorrow we are to receive George's parent & to send for R.Ransome to meet his father here, so it will be a busy time.
This morning Francis wrote about a Mackintosh &c. Charles will not fit him - he mentions little Bessy being ill with pain in the side &c, he believes his Uncle H. thinks her case is serious - he had called at Fish St. his aunt was very unwell from anxiety - his friend Rupert Jeffery was accepted as a minister - we had a sweet letter from Edward on 3rd day all well -
Julia Walker doing well, also M.Mann. Our united love to all as ever
thy affectionate Mother.
[Seal : A rose, as above].
Alice Strange Postmarks : AMPTHILL PAID
Bridge Farm AP23 24AP24
Almeley near Kington 1840 1840
Priscilla Hereford
Date free text
23 April 1840
Production date
From: 1840 To: 1840
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
Format
paper
Level of description
item