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John Bennell to Edward Harris Strange 4 Aug 1855 Sherington 8 mo 4.1855 [Headed with engraving of The Needles, Isle of Wight] Dear Friend The more I think of thy visit here to day, the more I regret thou did not drop a line to apprize me of it. The uncertainty of seeing me at all, and the debilitated state I am in - after a walk added to the surprise of seeing thee, makes me think it a very comfortless opportunity for thee, on this day of the week also & no man about, for my brother - since he took the reins has sent the man to farm work - I found when I arrived at home after taking leave of thee it was 4 o'clock and thou might have had a comfortable cup of Tea - this our housekeeper ought to have thought of, neither did upon recollection - thank thee for thy kindness in the matter we talk over - I hope this may find for me an excuse, trusting thou wilt not charge my omissions to any want of hospitable feeling. I am very absent in the matters at the proper time - Please to understand clearly that the new Note went to the Hayfield to receive R.E.White's signature, and of course was left in the hands of L.C. until such signature was obtained, then - made complete by our two signatures in the presence of each other but in R.E.W.'s absence, brought away by me, and exchanged by the lender for R.E.W.'s old one for which I had been held responsible, this I gave up to R.E.W. the first time we met afterwards, when I thanked him for his signature to the new one, and told him as the money was on the farm, he might always satisfy himself of his safety. He replied he was perfectly satisfied as long as I was accountable, even if it was not on the farm - this is the real truth of the matter, and I should be very wicked did I say anything to the contrary of this. The lender did not ask for R.E.W.'s signature - I voluntarily offered it, knowing he would not nor could not refuse it, after my repeated kindness to them - The more I think over J.D.'s ingratitude to me the more I feel averse to any giving way, indeed it would in my view be very sinful in me so to do. Our duties are various, this, though painful I feel to be my duty and have done so from the first (and always tell him that he knows I am right) - As to what he may say about me, it might be bad indeed if so bad as I have heard him say of William How & Wife, B.S.Wiffen and his late mother, thou would shudder were I to say over again what has come from him of these friends, and numbers of others, not friends, besides. Thou may at any suitable opportunity say as much as here related of the Note, I know no more about it, nor does it affect R.E.W at all, the money was on the farm, he responsible for us as I had been for him, in case of the failure of payment by the real borrower. Thy sincere friend John Bennell. E.H.Strange Postmark: NEWPORT PAGNELL AMPTHILL Ampthill 5.8.1855 5.8.1855 Beds.

4 Aug 1855

From: 1855 To: 1855

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Bennell, John,
Strange, Edward Harris,
White, R.E.,
How, William,
Wiffen, B.S.

housekeeper, farms, Sherington, Newport Pagnell