Title
Ann May to Harriet May 22 April 1846
Ampthill 4/22/46
My dear Harriet
I feel that a letter to thy mamma is overdue but I do not know how she is, & cannot help fearing she is far from well, we are also in thy papa's debt, & yet have been expecting to hear again from him - thy aunt wishes me to acknowledge thy last to her as well as that to me, announcing thy safe arrival at Kennington, need it be added that both gave us great pleasure, thy remarks on the M.M. at Peckham were very interesting it was indeed a season of divine favour & will, I doubt not, be long engraven on thy memory as such.
Hast thou heard that last week the nurse maid Eliza gave thy aunt warning, saying she had not the least thing to complain of, but her parents want her at home, at first thy Aunt was quite dismayed, but hearing of one at Bedford, she & thy Uncle went in the pony chaise & after pacing about to make all possible enquiries, they so far succeeded that a letter engaging her is to go this evening, she is aged 26, comes from a genteel family.
E.& P called on the Dumelow's, C.D. is very ill with jaundice, I think will not survive long at the age of 84.
You doubtless have heard of the loss to our Society in that distinguished minister Ann Jones, I believe she died early last week.-
Here my pen was laid down to welcome a stranger (George Allen) with whose errand to Ampthill you are probably acquainted, James Phillips is making over his business to him in consequence of Anna's ill state of health, it is such that her Doctor assures her she cannot live here, she is gone to Brighton, & it is said James leaves next weekend, not knowing where his home will be -
We like the change, only the cause is sorrowful, it is one of those many unlooked for reverses that baffle all human foresight, I greatly desire it may be productive of good.
Thou wilt remember my letter from H.Tuckett, it was soon followed by another shewing the way in which he had remonstrated with his brothers Philip & Francis & how ill they took it, my impression is that H. has done the right thing, but not in a conciliatory manner, for the others will not endure an approach to dictation in the case of poor M.Gordon.
W.Freelove & H.Headley attended Vincent's lecture on education at Woburn, W.F. in the chair, it seems he spoke long & loud, too much so for some of the auditory, his zeal seems to know no bounds, he address'd the children on 1st day at Maulden Chapel by consent of the minister.
Margaret Chapman made me a farewell call last week, they are now on the point of leaving, John Chapman having taken leave of his flock in a parting sermon.
Truly this is a changing scene shewing the need both in youth & age to stand prepared for all that may be involved in our future lot, we have seen in many late instances how soon the fairest hopes are blasted when in infinite Wisdom the loveliest of flowers are transplanted to a more genial soil as we humbly trust.
I rejoice at the thought of thy health being perfectly restored & still more in the belief that thy mind is preparing for a useful station in life through yielding to the touches of divine love anxious to preserve that blessed safeguard a tender conscience, for want of this many are the aching hearts, & tears of remorse which nothing short of Infinite mercy can assuage.-
5th day. Thy Aunt M. has been stopping my pen for a good while, & now Mary Ellen comes to say Betsy Pearman is come - it happens unfortunately that my voice & breathing are worse than usual, but I find she does not stay the night. I must not omit my sister M.'s love, she hears that J.Phillips has a large fortune left him & is going to travel with his wife.
Joseph Ransome is rusticating at Edward White's for a few weeks.
We heard from Louisa at Peckham lately, I am glad to find she had joined an early rising Society -
From Tottenham we learn that Cordelia Bayes was expected to spend to-day with them -
Poor S.Holloman's case does not improve - distress is now marked on her countenance -
H.Swaffield has added a son to her family, a vexatious announcement was made to her by Andrew Hamilton when in attendance, that of the probability of one of her two servants soon becoming a mother -
Charles Morris has been to town about a teacher.
I enjoy taking a glance at your very dear & interesting group, such social pleasures are very delightful, but when denied I share them with the absent who are dear to me. I miss thy tender care of me, yet Emma is very attentive.
All well at the Shop, thy G.pa & I much as usual. Accept & present our united dearest love, & believe me, dear H., as ever,
Thy very affectionate G.'ma
Ann May.
Mary Ellen's love she brought my letter hoping to find one to her.
Envelope:
Stamp has been removed.
[Seal : flowering plant in gold circle],
Charles: AMPTHILL IPSWICH
Engineer 23.4.1846 24.4.1846
Harriet Ipswich.