Title
Ann May to Harriet May 2 Dec 1843
Ampthill 12 mo 2.43
My dear Harriet
Thy kind letter was so truly welcome that the acknowledgement of it feels much overdue - we are so deeply interested in hearing how & where you all are, & what is engaging your attention in public or in private life.
I hope thy slight bilious attack is gone without leaving any injurious effects on thy health & that thy dear mamma is well enough to work in the garden, I like to imagine you two young cooks busy in the kitchen, and the dear boys contributing all in their power to your comfort & their own, our conversation at the breakfast table this morning turned most agreeably upon you every one.
Joseph Barnes having lodged here, told us of the great pleasure you had afforded him in his late visit - that nothing could exceed your kindness, indeed it seemed quite a cordial to his mind so agreeably to have renewed his acquaintance with friends so dear - Thy mamma's invitation to Lucy will not be lost sight of, he intends her to go to York School next Summer -
By a letter this morning from thy Uncle Francis it seems thy papa is in Town, on urgent business no doubt, yet such as sets at nought all our conjectures - thy grandpa, & I too, have had a little journey, but it did not prove one of pleasure, he was taken so unwell soon after setting off, with pain in the side which did not wholly subside all the next day - We got to Joseph Sharple's to tea on 3rd day evening, & came off after our own M.M. on fourth without a dinner, a thing not very easily accomplished when pressed on all sides to partake of our dear friends hospitality - we miss'd dear William & Ann Lucas ( who were probably on their way from Cirencester) but were comforted by the weighty ministry of Samuel & Phebe Allen, but thou knowst my dear we dare not feel too dependant on words, the end of all preaching being to call our attention to the drawings of our heavenly Father's love who condescends to draw us to our Merciful Saviour & High Priest, who opens the understanding of the contrite, & despises not their feeble petitions, it may at times seem long before there is a sense afforded of the good we so ardently desire, for the trial of our faith, & then is the unwearied Enemy's time to fill the mind with doubts as to whether there is any reality in the work of the Holy Spirit, when thus assailed in a moment of unwatchfulness, we must labour to attain that holy frame of mind in which there is some ability given to "watch unto prayer", this is indeed difficult to any but the humble & sincere believer for when the heart is full of worldly cares or pleasures, what capacity is there to ask for what is not even desired? Our silent meetings must go off heavily with such - yet my dear let us persevere in humble trust that in due time we shall reap if we faint not -
I have very unexpectedly stumbled on these grave remarks instead of telling thee that yesterday was our Fair which brought several to dine at Shop, such as Daniel Pearman, J.Bennell, Thomas Grimes jun. &c. so I being there brought off Mary Ellen to sit down with us, which is no loss to her -
Thy Aunt's hands are very full but it is a favour that just now they seem pretty well, Gertrude thrives a little, Samuel is looking rather pale, Mary Ellen is gone this afternoon to play with the Morris's, she sadly wants a Piano, & other fine things that belong not to her more humble lot in life.
I suppose you occasionally hear from Peckham - am glad to hear the girls have joined a French class, without some such method of keeping it up the smattering gained at school is soon lost - they were going to invite their Uncle & aunt Arch to dinner on first day - it seems poor little Franky is gaining strength, a great relief to me !
Mary Ann Tatham lately went to tea with them being on a visit to Peckham, she supposes her cousin Ben is on his voyage hither as he was to sail on the 19th -
We see today by the "British Friend" that Anna A.Jenkins is landed at Liverpool, so if there is any good in us, it is to be hoped she will be enabled under the best direction to stir it up.
On 4th day we passed a young couple with a view to being companions for life, Thomas Glaisyer of Brighton, & Phebe Lucas -
Maria Allen was with her parents, having assisted to settle them in at their new home.
William Exton was looking pretty well, he is trying the water cure under the advice of Dr Johnson.
How wise you are getting at Ipswich, we must be content to be left in the back ground far enough - thanks to some one for the Ipswich Paper, one dear name was read with lively interest here - can Dr Epps refute the assertions ! I hope not.
Thomas Chapman jun. is come from town to reside with his parents, too ill to go far for a change of air. Henry is come with his family to occupy his house for the Winter having lett [sic] his at the West-end for 250 per ann. this has a sound among the poor natives here.
I lately received a most kind letter from Maria Morris placing 10 at our disposal, five for the Clothing Lying in Societies, the rest at my disposal mine for emergencies, there is no need to puzzle one's self in searching them out as they abound, & already put me in full work, promising to keep my needles bright all Winter if life & health be spared -
I hope your "Juvenile Association" will be revived extensive in proportion to the increased stature of its members, your Chairman will be very handy to call upon, I think he is well employed, it is much better than Chelmsford.-
How is dear Anna to be disposed of for a finish to her education, perhaps she need not go farther than Ann Stephenson.
The incendiaries here have been busy in the work of destruction chiefly aimed at farming Stock, our engine went out twice last evening but to no purpose, so rapid was the fire at Seabrook's of Maulden, five Bean Ricks &c. it was lately at Thomas Roberts's of Ridgemount, when a poor little pony fell a victim, Shop & stock &c. which made a capital scramble.
Do tell thy papa that Joseph Bennell had a very long talk with Samuel Swaffield on Fair day, to no purpose.
How is your garden looking? Our roses in new-blown freshness seem looking in at the parlour window as if to court admiration - thy grandpa' would enjoy taking thy hint about a change of air, having a longing to see you & the garden & all around you, but cannot get out of harness these "bad times".
Our babe is often as thou says "rather squally" yet a nice pretty little creature a good deal like her mamma.-
I want to know how Stephen Perry is & your dear friend Elizabeth Squire - Possibly thy mamma may remember Susan Burge, a few weeks ago she was left a widow - perfectly destitute as all their income falls to John Burge who we hear will do nothing for her -
My sister May being quite restored to her usual health often calls upon me & desires her love to you all.
I am glad to hear by J.Bennell that our dear Robert does not appear at all out of health - also that you have a good substitute for Barratt - I hope too for the maid servants - I was bent on sending this scratchy letter last evening, but was prevented - I am to give your Aunt's very dear love to you every one, also your G pa's. Need I add my own, which are ever flowing warmly toward you independent of ink & pen.
Tell me what you are doing to heal the wounds of poverty & distress nothing short of all we can do is enough - I was pleased with the pious & grateful feeling that called forth thy suitable remark of having a good fire to sit by - often I grieve over poor homeless wanderers - if they are wicked so much the more grievous.
But my pen must not run on thus in truisms puzzling thy sight - it is time to bid thee farewell with the fresh assurance that I remain ever
Thy affectionate Grandma' A.M.